Freebies

Like I've said from the beginning, I'm totally new to blog land, but I've just learned recently about free giveaways which makes me excited! I hope to have my own give away sometime in the future so keep posted. I have lots of new ideas floating around in my head and can't wait to share.

Wanted to inform my followers (...ahem...wish I had more than 9, but that's okay, maybe I will someday) of a free giveaway over at Paint Me a Picture. I am really into headbands right now and material flowers and this is the EXACT combo of what Lindsey is giving away! My sisters and I have actually thought about making headbands like this ourselves over Christmas, but just never got around to it since we were so intrigued by our new found love of crocheting. ~Maybe someday~ I have so many things I want to make, but working 40 hours a week, along with needing to clean my apartment always take first priority!

Happy Monday to you!

He Took MY Place

My best friend Chase arranged a beautiful old hymn (entitled "He Took My Place") a couple of years ago and he's working on getting it published. (Chase renamed it "No Other Hope, No Other Plea") I wish I could attach an mp3 of the arrangement so you could hear it, but I don't think they have a recording of it yet. I was just thinking about the words and all that Jesus did, has done, and is doing for me. The words are so powerful and what a blessing they have been to me. II Corinthians 5:14, 15 "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

A trembling soul, I sought the Lord,
My sin confessed, my guilt deplored;
How soft and sweet His word to me:
"I took thy place and died for thee."

Refrain: No other hope, no other plea,
He took my place and died for me.
O precious Lamb of Calvary!
He took my place and died for me.

Here rests my heart; assurance sweet,
His blessed work He will complete,
Since in His love so great and free
He took my place and died for me.
When sorrow veils the smiling day,
When evil foes beset my way,
Abundant grace in HIM I see;
He took my place and died for me.
No room for doubt, no room for fears,
When to my view the cross appears;
My joyful song shall ever be:
HE took my place and died for me.
~Eliza Hewitt

*Flower Power*

I think accessories can add so much to your life, whether it be a little extra something on a shelf in your home, an old brooch on a piece of clothing, or even a green sprig of rosemary on the side of a beautiful dish of mashed potatoes. Just a little "somethin' somethin'" just brings a smile to my face when I see someone has gone the extra mile to add extra somethings to a piece. I decided that my pink crocheted hat needed that extra something...sooo... I made a flower for it. I'm happy with how it turned out, but it needs a little touch of hope in the middle. I have some ideas in mind, but I would like to have your input too. Any suggestions?

Hooks & Yarn

For years, I have wanted to learn how to crochet and even tried once, but just never had enough patience to learn. My grandmother was my inspiration for this desire. She was such a beautiful lady inside and out. O how I miss her! She was so crafty and never could sit idle. She was always working on some project of some sort. Over the Christmas break, I asked my mom if she would teach us and she said, "yes" of course! My sisters and I all decided on which color yarn we wanted and what we were going to make...a hat. I thought this was going to be an easy task, but after the first 5 min. I had a rotten attitude and was about to throw my needle in the trash. I've always appreciated homemade things, but after trying to "learn" this process I had an even greater appreciation for all the many crocheted blankets my grandmother had made. My mom ignored my bad attitude and told me to continue crocheting and to not give up so easily. I kept persisting (still complaining) and after about 30 hours....not really, 30 min. I finally got the hang of it and a week later I was done with my first hat!!! I am now working on making a flower for my hat and have lots of other things I want to attempt to make. :) Thankful for the patience of my mother and for the patience of the Lord. He NEVER fails, NEVER leaves me, and HIS MERCY is new every morning.

Hello blog land!

Well, it's been way too long since I've written anything on my blog...ahem..like 3 years! That's just plain terrible. I'll have to admit that I'm not much of a writer. I have so many projects that I've "started", but haven't finished and this would be one of them. I was inspired by reading Bethany's blog to start sharing my crafts and treasures again. She has made some of the cutest little crafts! I need to start posting again. I have so many ideas and several neat purchases that I've made over the last 3 years. :) In fact, I received an absolutely beautiful tea cup from a sweet lady in my church that needs to be posted! It is so unique. I have never seen anything like it. I was just thinking yesterday that I need an outlet where I can share little blessings that God gives me. I'll hopefully get back at this blog thing soon. :)

Christmas Miracle

Merry Christmas friends! This year has been full of so many exciting adventures. It's hard to believe this year is almost over and a new one right around the corner. Sorry I haven't posted recently. I have some ideas and I can't wait to share them. But, on another note I have so many things to be thankful for and I can't wait to see what miracles the Lord is going to do this upcoming year. It amazes me how even as a Christian we forget that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." We become so busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life we forget that without Jesus coming to this earth we wouldn't even be celebrating this holiday. I love reading Luke 2 and recalling how such a perfect Savior was brought into this world for us! What a Christmas miracle. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 I hope that all of you remember to "Keep Christ in Christmas." Be thankful for the Christmas miracle that was brought to this earth for you and me. What a great Savior!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm very excited for holidays to be here. I love just everything about it. I think people are happier and it's fun being with family and friends and reminiscing of times past. I want to show you some easy ideas to make your gatherings that much special. I love decorating...I think it's in my blood and there are some CHEAP TO CHIC ways you can make your holiday tables and rooms glisten.

<~~~~Here's one of my absolute favorite things to use as a centerpiece or just sit somewhere in your house. Buy a pumpkin (I bought one this year for $1.99), find a plastic cup or something that could sit inside the pumpkin, trace around the top of the cup, and fill the cup with floral foam. Carve out the pumpkin. Leave about 1/2" of floral foam sticking out from the top of the pumpkin then use any flower, leaf, stick, or whatever you want to place in the foam. It's beautiful! If you need any other tips let me know. I may have forgotten a step or too. ;-)

Here's another beautiful idea and how easy! ~~~~~~~~~~>

Just cut some floral foam and place it on a plate. (so the water won't get every where, you also don't want to see the plate underneath...so try to find a clear glass plate) You are going to make a "floral ball." In this picture they used carnations, but you can use ANY flower or leaf. (mums, roses, hydrangeas) If you wanted to you could leave the top 1/2 of the floral ball empty and place a votive on top. Just be sure you can't see any of the floral foam underneath.

<~~~~Last, but not least here's a very simple idea to make your guests feel special when they come to your house for the holidays or any special time. In this picture they used gum balls from a gum ball tree, but you could use pecans, hazelnuts, apples, pears, or just anything with a stem. I think one thing I always forget is that you don't have to always buy something. God has given us so many beautiful flowers that grow outside. I love the fall! The leaves fall off the trees. All you have to do is just go look!

Welcome peeps!

Hey ya'll welcome to Cheap to Chic. I hope my blog will be one that is inspiring. I can't wait to post some pictures of cheap items I've found and just beautiful things that would be easy to re-create. I'll try to post soon. I'm new to this blogging thing so be patient with little joy.