tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:02:04 +0000KidsHolidayRefashionDecorFallRecycleWearableWhat Not To Toss WeekendChristmasUpcycleVinylHalloweenFoodGuest PostingNo-Money RemodelCardboardDIY ProjectsSilhouettet-shirtsOutdoorThanksgiving4th of JulySponsorsSummerValentine's DayVideopaintingBirthdaySkirtWreathsFree PrintableKeeping It RealKnock OffPantry StaplesRiley Blake FabricScriptureSubway ArtWintercarpetflooringAdventCansCenterpieceDIY FAILE-6000EasterFurniture Re-DoGiveawayMake-UpMother's Dayconversation heartsdecorationsdollar storegraduationold windowsorganizingpartyshelvingstairsthrive storehttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Triposs)Blogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-6550909126560886399Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +00002014-10-31T14:13:17.366-06:00 Ah, Halloween. I love seeing all those fun costumes at the stores, but they're not cheap.  And with six kiddos to outfit, it turns out that I'd rather pass on spending $120-$200 for a night of trick-or-treating and funnel that money towards Christmas instead. So I say, "Rock-what-ya-got!" If you ... 1. Shop Your Closet 2. Shop Your Stuff 3. Shop Around ... you can http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2014/10/100-simple-halloween-costumes-that-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-637357039378147411Wed, 15 Oct 2014 01:48:00 +00002014-10-14T19:48:04.504-06:00 (Bringing out a final project from the THRIVE archives before Tuesday when you'll be able to find 100+ costumes you can make for $3 or less. Hope to see you Tuesday!) And it begins. My daughter’s convinced that she needs an extensive Halloween wardrobe. I’m convinced that it’s not gonna happen. Luckily for her I have a closet full of  these ripped, stained and worn out gems. http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2014/10/halloween-candy-corn-skirt-refashion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-1390573384920927141Mon, 29 Sep 2014 10:00:00 +00002014-09-29T11:29:35.638-06:00 I am Brave and Beautiful - a beauty movement that is sweeping the globe. Colbie Caillat started it with her recent song and video called TRY. My blogging friend Megan of Brassy Apple wanted to push this movement along and invited women from all over to share what they looked like without make up and I joined in!! Colbie's song says, "Take your make up off. Let your hair down... Look into thehttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2014/09/brave-and-beautiful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-2195381964954712354Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +00002014-09-26T06:00:08.502-06:00Halloween This week while my kids were off track, we drug out the food coloring, cookie cutters and went totally crazy with dessert staple. I mean holy-cow-that’s-a-lot-of-food-coloring crazy. Behold the Extreme Home Makeover edition of the basic Kellogg’s Rice Krispy treat. *EEK* I kinda love them. The end result was crazy-bright, marshmallowy mash-ups that are so stinkin’ cute and http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2014/09/halloween-rice-crispy-treats-with-tips.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-3184532459648535879Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +00002014-09-25T06:00:07.731-06:00 Now is the time to start watching for those inviting, organic accessories for your fall decor: corn stalks, grape vines, wheat bundles, and changing leaves. So how do you get those things for zero out of pocket if it’s not growing in your own yard? Gleaning. Do you know what it is? Have you ever done it? Gleaning is basically collecting left over materials that the owner http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2014/09/5-free-fall-decor-items-you-can-score.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-4223165192659015549Thu, 25 Sep 2014 03:34:00 +00002014-09-24T21:59:14.992-06:00 I’m always on the lookout for fun holiday projects in keeping with the Thrive Philosophy:   No money. No shopping.  No problem. And just in time for Halloween, I'm sharing five of my favorite post from the Thrive archives this week before new projects post in October. Check out these frightfully cute lanterns! Perfect for adding some whimsy to your mantel, piano or shelf …http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2014/09/halloween-lanterns.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-832937389082712134Sat, 23 Nov 2013 16:26:00 +00002013-11-23T10:36:32.977-07:00 Each year as the Christmas decorations go up, I try and help my children focus on the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ: his life, his death, his love for each of us. I compiled this listing of my family’s favorite media—free music to download, videos and devotionals to watch, pictures to color and cards to send—and hope that you and your family will enjoy it, too. Please share! Dozenshttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/11/music-videos-activities-and-scriptures.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-1273817574818101276Fri, 16 Aug 2013 17:04:00 +00002013-08-16T17:04:51.370-06:00 Why make this? When my oldest was diagnosed with Autism nine years ago, we soon realized how critical structured, predicable routines were. They made a night-and-day difference in my son’s behavior that he began to thrive around.  To help our son (who was three at the time) and our younger, non-reading children understand those routines, we made schedule boards modeled after the Picture http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-make-travel-schedule-board-great.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-286613499114398478Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:14:00 +00002013-06-14T12:53:31.557-06:004th of JulyDecorHolidayRecycleSilhouettet-shirts   So … summer. It’s time to actually spruce up the ‘ol front porch for the 4th. Turns out, though, I’m fresh out of décor for the 4th of July or porches in general. And as usual, my budget is zero dollars and zero cents. That means I’m left with whatever I can make out of my classy craft stash of old, stained shirts and trashy I’ve-been-through-six-kids stuffed animals. Nice. But http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/06/make-your-own-free-4th-of-july-pillows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-6509628512821045501Thu, 23 May 2013 05:39:00 +00002013-05-23T00:45:32.009-06:00Birthdaydecorationsdollar storegraduationpartySilhouetteVideoVinyl  Graduation. End of the year. It’s almost here. Time for teacher appreciation gifts, commencement bouquets and graduation parties. ** Cue dollar store décor--that blessedly cheap haven of all things seasonal.** Well, seasonal and completely generic. Or not …. I figured if I only had a few bucks to throw towards celebrating I might as well jazz it up using vinyl scraps and my http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-your-own-mass-rad-graduation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-360951205264672303Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:38:00 +00002013-03-08T17:14:07.397-07:00CardboardCenterpieceEasterFoodHolidayKidsPantry StaplesRecycleWhat Not To Toss Weekend So, it’s almost Easter. And you’re making omelets. Or cookies. Or anything with eggs. No biggie. Just crack open those white shells and toss the whole thing, right? Wait! Don’t toss that! With two seconds of prep and some wheat from your food storage, those shells and carton can double as cute, FREE centerpiece for Easter brunch. These come together in nothing flat—so easy. * http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/03/recycled-easter-egg-wheat-grass.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-3144726743002727793Sat, 16 Feb 2013 23:55:00 +00002013-02-16T17:01:27.854-07:00E-6000organizingRecycleshelvingUpcycleWhat Not To Toss WeekendEver have this happen? I have. My kids have killed three tape measures in the past year and it’s getting old. Really, really old. Oh well. Time to bundle up yet another pile of measuring mess and haul it out to the trash, right? Wait! Don’t toss that! Tape measure metal is a cinch to cut with regular scissors and is loaded with all the organizery-measury goodness that’s all over blog http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-not-to-toss-weekend-busted-tape.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-8742252238057298522Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:46:00 +00002013-02-21T10:25:08.264-07:00HolidayKidsRecycleRefashiont-shirtsWearableWinter Holy easy project, Batman. This was such a fun no-brainer—a trifecta, really, of circumstances that yielded kid #3 something like 50 new shirt combos: #1 – it’s dang cold outside #2 – baby girl has lots of these in her closet #3 – I’ve got a bunch of these left over from past projects: Women’s knee highs, Target; Leg warmers, Pick Your Plum Voila! Faux-Layered Awesomeness in two http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/02/make-your-own-faux-layered-shirts-from.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-8265702445372079032Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:09:00 +00002013-02-21T10:26:20.078-07:00DIY ProjectsKidsRecycleRefashionWearableWhat Not To Toss WeekendWinter Remember this little sweater that became a cardigan? Well it’s too small for kid #6 and has a few stains here and there which makes passing it down to younger kids a no-go. Time to trash that striped number, right? Wait! Don’t toss that! With a little Edward Scissorhands love, that sweater or cardigan can yield mittens and hats --even with those pesky stains. (Good thing, too, since http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-not-to-toss-this-weekend-make.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-7099531406339611670Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:22:00 +00002014-02-01T09:45:25.739-07:00Silhouettet-shirtsValentine's Day Have you seen this super cute Valentine’s Day printable designed by Aly over at Entire Eventful? Love, love the chalk board goodness. Well Aly asked a few of us bloggers to put our own spin on her fun design—a sort of “One Printable, Five Ways” type of thing. And because I’m a Silhouette nerd, I had all kinds of fun making a free cutting file to use for clothing or vinyl. A few http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2013/02/bee-mine-valentines-day-printable-free.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-1629786228002408870Sun, 30 Dec 2012 06:46:00 +00002013-02-01T03:55:06.595-07:00CardboardChristmasRecycleWhat Not To Toss Weekend It’s late. You’ve got a movie on. Or Pandora. And you’re frantically happily wrapping gifts and stashing them away for Christmas. And then you reach the end of the roll. And if you’re using cheapie wrapping paper like me, that means you’re face to face with not a solid cardboard tube, but a 12”-18” roll of heavy paper that doubles as a tube. Who cares, right? Wrap the dang present andhttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-not-to-toss-weekend-wrapping-paper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-6774452714323589302Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:17:00 +00002012-12-30T00:44:43.742-07:00ChristmasDecorHolidayKidsSponsorsWearableHoly cow everyone. We’ve got a week. Just. One. Week. You ready? Have you been recycling old shirts, chopping up boxes and turning cake pans into stars? Have you found awesome deals on line and scored some great deals? I hope so. But if you’re like me and still have a few items on your shopping list (plus the never ending need for more of those staples), make a conscious effort to save moneyhttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/12/shop-local-and-lets-all-stay-off-fiscal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-5451162415567142112Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:00:00 +00002012-12-30T00:45:34.432-07:00 If you’d like to join us in donating to the families of Sandy Hook Elementary, donation links are listed below. United Way of Western Connecticut Newtown Parent Connection Donate craft supplies, money or cards for creative kits for the Drawn Together initiative. Emilie Parker Fund (former Utah family) HERE Additional ways to help HERE http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/12/sandy-hook-elementary-day-of-remembrance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-6681414726027909705Sun, 02 Dec 2012 01:02:00 +00002012-12-30T00:46:25.608-07:00AdventChristmasHolidayKidsVinyl(This is part 3 of Thrive’s DECORATE series. Click here for the previous posts of our Christmas tree – Gangnam Style and tree skirt from a girls dress.)   How many of you grew up with Christmas advent calendars? I did. This was mine. My mom made this when I was little and it is such a special part of my Christmas memories. After 30+ years it’s starting to show it’s age, though, so myhttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/12/kids-christmas-refrigerator-advent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-7162870869661355877Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:15:00 +00002012-12-30T00:47:38.044-07:00ChristmasDecorDIY ProjectsKidsRefashionWearable Do you remember this little Easter dress that I refashioned for Christmas last year? Well baby girls has grown  a lot this year and it’s too short now. I set her dress aside in the donate pile until my older daughter freaked out. “Mom! You’re not recycling this??!” And I love that she wanted to recycle this. Plus the kids are in charge of decorating so we did. And it ten minuteshttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/11/make-tree-skirt-out-of-girls-dress-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-7836058866446600292Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:35:00 +00002012-11-29T13:26:55.266-07:00CardboardChristmasHolidayKeeping It RealKidsRefashionVideoAs I mentioned in my last post, me and my kiddos are excited to share what we’re going to BAKE, MAKE, DECORATE and also SHOP this holiday season. This week we’re in DECORATE Land and, true to my word, I’m letting the kids call the shots.  And I gotta admit … it’s tough. Why? Is it because I’ve got some awesome ideas on my Pinterest boards? Sure. And because I’m pretty crafty and I’ve http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-tree-decorating-gangnam-style.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-2769539341651623005Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:06:00 +00002012-11-29T13:31:58.365-07:00Christmasthrive storeVideoVinylHey everyone! The Christmas season officially starts in t-minus 48 hours. Christmas is only a few weeks away. Holy cow. Time to get chopping. I’m sharing the quick and dirty version our Christmas game plan below for everyone who’s making the most of their holiday budgets this year. I’m also excited to announce that the THRIVE shop is now open for those of you looking for holiday vinyl,http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/11/holiday-2012-game-plan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-5564974141631170668Tue, 09 Oct 2012 05:31:00 +00002012-10-09T11:14:38.206-06:00HalloweenHolidayKidsRefashionSkirtt-shirtsWearable And it begins. My daughter’s convinced that she needs an extensive Halloween wardrobe. I’m convinced that it’s not gonna happen. Luckily for her I have a closet full of  these ripped, stained and worn out gems. Toss in some thin elastic and scissors and I came up with this candy corn themed, ruffled skirt refashion in a single nap time. Ah, compromise. And this has got to be one http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-refashion-candy-corn-ruffle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-8232515564555097962Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:00:00 +00002012-10-08T01:15:53.322-06:00CardboardFallGuest PostingHalloweenHolidayKidspaintingRecycle(Originally shared as a guest post on Ucreate Kids here.) Holy cow … Halloween is just around the corner. That means me and my six kiddos have been on the look out for everyday items to repurpose for Halloween. This weekend we hit the mother load … in the produce isle. Turns out with some paint and glue, you can turn an apple tray like this … … into this! Frightfully fun for http://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/09/kids-halloween-advent-calendar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911391280062035845.post-6753774188692128163Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:04:00 +00002012-10-04T22:23:01.076-06:00DIY ProjectsFallKidsRefashionSilhouettet-shirtsUpcycleVinylWearable Happy Back To School! For the first time in eleven long years, all six of my kiddos are in school—five in elementary and one in preschool! (Please pause for Party Rock Anthem) That means that I now have dedicated time to get back to spending some quality time over here at Thrive while my kids have a blast with their friends at school. It also means that I had to shell out for six kids to gohttp://choosetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-duper-cheap-back-to-school-clothes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19