{DIY} Love Banner

I shared my Valentine's Mantel last week and today I want to show you how easy my Love Banner was to make!  About 2 weeks ago Lil' Hunkie went to his grandparents for the weekend and I took full advantage of some 'me' time and went to Michael's! Majority of what I bought was from their $2 section and some of it was for my banner.  

Supplies:

Chip board photo book

Jeweled clothespins

Trims

(All from Michael's)

Ribbon

Scrapbook paper

Make it:

Using PicMonkey  and the font 'Rye' I printed out LOVE onto some scrap pieces of scrapbook paper.  It isn't translating well in my photos but the paper is a dark mauve color. And I used brown ink but it looks maroon.  My excitement that I got it to print onto paper taped to paper made the color ok!

I then trimmed the letters down to a rectangle...I just eyeballed it against my chipboard! (I have a habit of using the fold and tear method instead of scissors! And that's how I 'trimmed' them!)

Then I took some of my trim and embellished the bottom of the letters.  I just taped the trim on.  Then I simply used the clothespin to make it all come together.  This way I can use the chipboard again!

Added the ribbon and hung it on the mantel with the pompom trim above it and done!  

Easy as pie!

Next week I'll share my Hugs and Kisses entryway table!

Happy Thursday!

{See my Link Parties Page for the shares!}

Show & Share #77

You gals are rockin' the Valentine inspiration! Keep it coming!
Thanks for being here!

{Party}

Party Rules--

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link something you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog (and follow me & the host Lindsay )

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted

<a border="0" href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m481/EisyMorgan/sharebutton.jpg></a>
Happy Wednesday!

Soiree Day-Free Puppy Love Party Printables

I could easily become addicted to making printables! I am no expert at it but it sure is fun and so appealing to me! I was thinking and thinking about what I would post for Soiree Day today and I kept thinking 'puppy love' and how it would be a cute kid's Valentine party theme. So I opened up PicMonkey and got to work.  Now what I'm not an expert on is the sizing, resolution and scale of things.  I will have to study if I'm going to make this a habit! Until then if you know how to make adjustments then go ahead!

Puppy Love Party Invitation

Puppy Love Party Tags

Puppy Love Flags

{Right click and save to use for personal use.}

♥♥♥

Lil' Hunkie and I just might have to have our own little Valentine's party!  

 I know printables are very popular, I've enjoyed using them myself! 

Is that something you'd like more of?

Would love some feedback!

Happy Soiree Day!

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Fresh Start for a Nation

Sharing the last little nugget I gleaned from the #SheReadsTruth Fresh Start plan today. 

I love how the Word is alive! How do I know this? Because you can read it over and over and get something different from it every time!

 For example, the story of the Woman at the Well. She was a Samaritan, Samaritans didn't mingle with Jews and here it was a Jew read 'her book' right down to the very end. What God showed me this time about this story is that Jesus didn't reveal Himself as the Messiah everyday but He did this day, to not only a woman who needed a Messiah but to a people that need a Messiah, to a people that needed to be restored to the one and only God and who needed a fresh start.  It wasn't just about the Woman at the Well, it was about a nation. God provides a fresh start for all. It's our choice to take it or not. 

I'm thrilled the Woman at the Well took it and ran with it and gave her entire town a fresh start!

What an example to me!

Revelation 21:5 NKJV

"Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 

Praying the best weekend for you!

Chic Couture {Series}-Colors of Love~Red

I sat down to write today's post and had a neat idea pop in my head!  How about a Chic Couture (my beauty/fashion ramblings) series for Valentine's day?! The Colors of Love series!! 

One of my 'go to' fashion/beauty tricks is to dress for a holiday with accessories.  And majority of accessories are 'one size fits everybody' so it's fun to share! 

First up is the obvious color for Valentine's day...Red!  Here's some fun picks!

From left to right, top row:

Lulu by Lulu Guinness Mid Tote at JcPenney

Bright Pom Pom Scarf at Style Tread

Over The Moon Heels at Ruche

From left to right, bottom row:

Scarlett Nail Polish at Julep

Ruby Red Kiss Earrings at Ruche

Hot Mess Lipgloss at Be A Bombshell Cosmetics

{I got the Hot Mess lipgloss in my December Glam Bag and oh my goodness!! I love it! I tend to be more of a lipstick gal but the coverage of this is so great and the color is not over powering at all!!}

Pretty fun huh? Can't wait to do this next Friday now!!

What's some of your favorite red accessories?? Do share!

Happy Friday!

{Sharing} Valentine's Day Mantel

I've decorated my first Valentine's Day Mantel!  I have a 'faith, hope, and love' print that was given to me about 5 years ago by a dear friend and I haven't ever used it.  Last year when we moved and I was organizing holiday decor I put it with the Valentine's stuff thinking it'd be perfect and it was actually my inspiration! 

So I wound up with a love, pink and brown themed mantel! The wooden "love" is from Pick Your Plum and I wanted to keep it neutral so I painted it (and a 'xoxo') a metallic taupe. Then I made the 'love' banner...was so easy! I'll show you next week!

And how about the new goodies in PicMonkey? Love!! I still haven't decided if I'll upgrade or not yet. 

I've also decorated my first entryway table for Valentine's too that I'll be sharing soon!

How's your Valentine's day decorating going?

Happy Thursday!

{See my Link Parties Page for the shares!}

Show & Share #76

Well I've been doing some Valentine crafting and boy does it feel good!
I'll start sharing my Valentine decor tomorrow so come on back and take a look!

{Party}

Party Rules--

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link something you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog (and follow me & the host Lindsay )

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted

<a border="0" href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m481/EisyMorgan/sharebutton.jpg></a> Thanks for always making this a great party!! Happy Wednesday!

Soiree Day-Free Valentine Chalkboard Printables

I've been working on my Valentine decor and needed to make a printable for my entry way so I thought I'd share!!

{just right click and save to your computer!}

"Hugs & Kisses for All!"

"Pucker Up for Love!"

I'm doing a 'xoxo' theme on my entry table! I'll be sharing soon!

Happy Soiree Day!

{See my Link Parties Page for where I might be linking up at!}

{Recipe} Easy Tomato Bisque

So one of my first 'food' posts was about this awesome soup you can get in the deli section of Walmart...Tomato Basil Bisque.  We don't buy our groceries at Walmart so when I do happen to be there 9 times out of 10 I bring home at least one bowl! It's that good!  

Well about 2 weeks ago I was enjoying it so much that I wondered if maybe I could try and make it then I could have it anytime! I read the ingredient list....tomato...basil....butternut squash puree.  Hmm...I've never worked with a butternut squash before.  So I researched a little and figured I could make a decent version without the squash. And I actually found something at the store that made my experiment turn out great!*

Vintage Gwen's Easy Tomato Bisque

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

28 oz can of crushed tomatoes

can of vegetable broth

*can of Progresso's Recipe Starter in Creamy Parmesan Basil

1/2 to 1 teaspoon oregano (per your taste)

salt and pepper to taste

Saute onion in butter till soften.  Add garlic and cook till nice and fragrant.  Then add broth, tomatoes, and basil recipe starter.  Season with oregano, salt & pepper and heat through, just to a boil.  Remove from heat and puree in a blender in about 4 batches. Serve, I'd say this would feed at least 4.

Seriously so easy and ready in about 30 minutes from start (chopping onion) to finish (ladled into serving dish).

I was so proud of it!  Hubby doesn't like tomato or soup so he didn't share in my excitement but my mom and sister liked it! The Progresso recipe starter took the place of half & half and I'm impressed with it. 

I know I'll be making this again! Let me know if you try it out!!

Happy Monday!

{See my Link Parties Page for the link ups!}

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Oh, Ananias!

Have you ever 'felt' like you needed to go pray for someone? Or say an encouraging word to someone? Or like me, actually know that God said to "Go pray"?  And when God said "Go", you didn't move but rather questioned God?  I have done this so many times.  I've gotten better at moving my feet. I may still be a little unsure in my head but at least my feet are moving!  Well I was so moved to discover someone in the bible has done the exact same thing.  Ananias.  Oh, Ananias! In Acts chapter 9 is where Saul meets God on a road to Damascus and is struck blind. {Rabbit trail...I love that God Himself intervened. He fought for His children this day as He does everyday!} Then God appeared to Ananias in a vision.....

 ^"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (verses 10-15 NIV)

Hehehe...did you see that question in there? As if God didn't know who Saul was!! I love it! 

"But God! That's the bad guy!! And you want me to heal him?!" 

But God wasn't moved by Ananias's concern...He was calling Saul to a higher place....God responded in a firm, loving manner and Ananias didn't question anymore, he obeyed. And if he hadn't, God would have used a different disciple. Because God's plans for Saul were unstoppable as are His plans for us.

I think Ananias probably never questioned God again.

 And now I won't ever forget his small part in Paul's transformation.

Let's be quick to obey question free from now on.  What'd ya say?

Happy Weekend! 

January Birchbox & MyGlam Bag

It's been a fun 'happy mail' month for me!  

I spent my Christmas money on makeup and jewelry! Surprised?

 Urban Decay and Stella & Dot to be specific. And then joining Julep's monthly subscription just added to the bliss!  This week I got both my Birchbox and Glam Bag the same day and I'm so pleased with both!!

 Perfume, cheek blush/highlighter, moisturizer, shampoo, and nail polish remover.  I'm most excited about The Balm's Hot Mama blush/highlighter...love The Balm and I'm trying to make it a habit to contour and highlight.  The perfume is lovely...makes me want Spring to hurry up and get here!

Argan oil, nail polish, concealer brush, body butter, and hair spray. I'm most excited about the nail polish and hair spray!  Ipsy gives sneaks peaks on their Facebook page and I thought I would be getting a red nail polish so I'm loving this Frappe color! And I've never used any of the Big Sexy Hair products so we'll see how this does on my pouf! Oh and that body butter smells divine! Yay for the blood orange scent!

These subscriptions sure do brighten my month! Ha!

Happy Friday!

Show & Share #75

Welcome to Show & Share #75!

It has been so cold here in my neck of the woods!
And we got some ice on Saturday! Brrrr with a capital B!
Who's ready for Spring? I know I am!!
Can't wait to see what you've been working on!!

{Party}

Party Rules--

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link something you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog (and follow me & the host Lindsay )

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted

<a border="0" href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m481/EisyMorgan/sharebutton.jpg></a> Happy Wednesday!

Soiree Day-My Favorite Things Party

Well where in the world have I been?! 

Thanks to the awesome gals at My Sister's Suitcase, 

I just became aware of a trending party theme.....My Favorite Things Party.

Apparently Oprah and her 'Favorite Things' episodes sparked a party trend! You gather some friends, have them bring their favorite appetizer or dessert and a certain amount of their favorite thing.  So for example 5 of  a $6 or less item. So then everyone goes home with 5 different, awesome new things. You can work how you hand out the items in your own way....draw for them or invite just 5 people so everyone goes home with all the same things. And of course the price of the item can be adjusted as well. 

It sounds like so much fun that I'm trying to think when would be the best time for me to try this out! Ha!

Here's a round up of some parties I found on Pinterest.

{To pin please click on blog name!}

General Hosting Info by Squidoo

The Larson Lingo

Joy's Hope

And Everything Sweet

A Place For Us

Modern Mindy

As you can see you can throw this party in any fashion you desire!

 And at any time of the year! 

Remember those awesome My Sister's Suitcase gals? Well they made a printable tag and are sharing it! Go HERE to download!

Now I'm off to ponder some planning! ☺

Happy Tuesday!