Night of Crafts

So, for our Relief Society activity in November, we decided to do a craft night to prepare our homes for the holidays. We focused on home decor items that would bring family and gospel centered thoughts into our home. We had a wonderful night of fun and socializing as many of our sisters attended. We offered 4 crafts, but also allowed for people to bring their own craft if they desired, as well as offered a class on making yeast rolls from scratch. Here are the crafts we did.

Holiday Stacking Blocks

I saw a picture of these cute blocks on Pinterest and just had to make them. I used my Cricut with Craft Room to cut out all the letters for each and had my sweet husband cut the blocks for me.  View the original pin here.

Instructions:

Cut blocks from a 2x2 wood beam into a 10" block, a 8" block, and a 6" block.

Sand blocks to desired texture. (note, they don't need to be baby bottom smooth. A little texture allows the Mod Podge to hold deeper into the wood, but too much will make for a bumpy paper after.) 

Cut letters to fit the block.  This is what I used with my Cricut:

Spring

Hope: 

Cartridge - Alphalicious

Font - Basic

Text Size - 1.3

Letter Spacing - 3

Resurrection:  

Cartridge - Lyrical Letters

Font - Basic

Text Size - 1.6

Letter Spacing - 2

New Beginnings:  

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Gratitude

Text Size - 1.7

Letter Spacing - 1

Patriotic

Freedom:  

Cartridge - Lyrical Letters

Font - JackSprat

Text Size - 1.9

Letter Spacing - 1

Fireworks:  

Cartridge - Lyrical Letters

Font - Jumbo

Text Size - 1.2

Letter Spacing - 0

Stars & Stripes:  

Cartridge - Southwest

Font - FontShadow

Text Size - 1.5

Letter Spacing - 1

Autumn

Harvest:  

Cartridge - Opposites Attract

Font - Upright

Text Size - 0.5

Letter Spacing - 2

Blessings:  

Cartridge - Lyrical Letters

Font - LoopDeeLoo

Text Size - 1.6

Letter Spacing - 1

Give Thanks:  

Cartridge - Alphalicious

Font - Basic

Text Size - 1.6

Letter Spacing - 1

Christmas

Noel:  

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Basic

Text Size - 2.3

Letter Spacing - 0

Behold Him:  

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Matrimony

Text Size - 1.8

Letter Spacing - 1

Joy to the World:  

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - InspirationBlackout

Text Size - 1.5

Letter Spacing - 1

Cut background papers to the following sizes, needing one for each season:  1.5"x10", 1.5"x8", 1.5"x6"

Glue on papers and letter with Mod Podge in the following order:

Apply Mod Podge to block

Lay down the background paper

Apply a layer of Mod Podge to paper

Lay down the letters (note: make sure to layout letters in advance in order to make sure they will be centered on the block.  If you don't, you may not have enough space for all the letters or it won't be centered correctly.)

Cover entire side of block with Mod Podge to seal the paper down and make all glue lines going in the same direction to finish up the look.

Recommendation:  If you do the sides in the order of 1 side of 6" block, then 1 side of 8" block, then 1 side of 10" block, then back to the 6" block, it will allow Mod Podge to dry in between each block so you don't get wet glue facing the table and drying to it.

Enjoy!

Family Photo Blocks

Again, another cute Pinterest inspiration, but really, I couldn't not. View the original pin here.  Again, Cricut Craft Room was very important to the designing of the project.

Instructions:

This project ran a lot like the Rotating Holiday Blocks.

Cut blocks from a 2x3 wood beam into a 10" block and 4 3" blocks

Sand blocks to desired texture. (note, they don't need to be baby bottom smooth. A little texture allows the Mod Podge to hold deeper into the wood, but too much will make for a bumpy paper after.) 

Cut letters to fit the block.  This is what I used with my Cricut:

F:  

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Matrimony

Text Size - 3.4

Letter Spacing - 5

(Note:  I stretched the F so that it would look more italicized than the font originally had, so I stretched it width wise over about an inch.)

amily:  

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Matrimony

Text Size - 2.4

Letter Spacing - 5

Cut background papers to 2.5"x10". 

Cut pictures to 2.5"x3".

If you would like, we had several sisters that wanted the whole block covered, so they simply rolled the blocks in the paper to measure.  This direction should be approximately 10" x 8" for the main block and 3"x8" with side pieces cut to about 2.5"x3".  It was a very cute way to cover up the wood look if you prefer that. 

Glue on papers and letter with Mod Podge in the following order:

Apply Mod Podge to block

Lay down the background paper

Apply a layer of Mod Podge to paper

Lay down the letters (note: make sure to layout letters in advance in order to make sure they will be centered on the block.  If you don't, you may not have enough space for all the letters or it won't be centered correctly.)

Cover entire side of block with Mod Podge to seal the paper down and make all glue lines going in the same direction to finish up the look.

Do the same basic process for the picture blocks.

Enjoy!

Young Women Values Tile

As usual, found the picture on Pinterest, but I changed up the fonts a lot and I liked it much better this way.  View the original pin here.

Instructions:

This one is pretty easy since it's just cutting vinyl and transfering it like a sticker onto a 12"x12" tile that I got from home depot.

Cut the vinyl to the following specifications:

Faith

Cricut Vinyl in Linen

Cartridge - Southwest

Font - FontShadow

Text Size - 2.5

Letter Spacing - 5

Divine Nature

Cricut Vinyl in Denim

Cartridge - Alphalicious

Font - Basic

Text Size - 1.4

Letter Spacing - 5

Individual Worth

Cricut Vinyl in Berry

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Matrimony

Text Size - 1.5

Letter Spacing -  5

Knowledge

Cricut Vinyl in Olive

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Inspiration

Text Size - 1.9

Letter Spacing - 5

Choice & Accountability

Silhouette America Vinyl in Orange

Cartridge - Lyrical Letters

Font - JackSprat

Text Size - 1.2

Letter Spacing - 5

Good Works

Okay, for the freaking life of me, I could not find anyone  who had vinyl sheets in yellow in stock.  What the crap, right?  Instead, I was forced to go with more of a cream color.  Maybe I will redo Good Works when I can get my hands on some yellow vinyl.  Anyone know why it's not in stock anywhere?

Cricut Vinyl in Pebble

Cartridge - Alphalicious

Font - ShortStack

Text Size - 1.6

Letter Spacing - 3

Integrity

Cricut Vinyl in Lavender

Cartridge - Lyrical Letters

Font - Connected

Text Size - 1.1

Letter Spacing - 0

Virtue

Silhouette America Vinyl in Gold

Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Font - Shadow

Text Size - 2.7

Letter Spacing - 4

Apply letters to tile using Transfer Tape, following the packaging instructions.

You can also do this process with press'n'seal wrap.  If you're not careful though, you can get little spot on your vinyl as residue from the wrap.  Make sure not to press too hard and do it quickly.  This does not sit well for long without the residue forming.

Voila!

Thomas S. Monson Quote Tile

This one wasn't a Pinterest idea actually. We hand picked the quote from conference and designed it all on our own. This one took a lot of playing with as it was being developed. I changed font about 6 times and cut the words more than 4. It was a rough go to get it the way I wanted it, but I think it turned out very well and was a big hit at the activity. 

Instructions:

Again, simple sticker on a tile.  Same instructions as the YW Values Tile.

Cut vinyl to the following specifications from Cricut Vinyl in Midnight: 

Remember & Become:
Cartridge - Opposites Attract
Font - Upright
Text Size - 0.8
Letter Spacing - 5

Inner Text:
Cartridge - Opposites Attract
Font - Upright
Text Size - 0.5
Letter Spacing -3 for top row, 5 for bottom row

Thomas S Monson:
Cartridge - Opposites Attract
Font - Upright
Text Size - 0.4
Letter Spacing - 5

Apply with Transfer Tape, following package instructions.

Yeast Rolls Class

Amelia was so sweet to do this cute class for our sisters that didn't want to do the crafts.  Don't they look yummy!

In large bowl add:

1 cup Crisco

¾ cup sugar

2 tsp. salt

Pour 2 cups boiling water over above stir and cool.

Mix:       2 Tbsp. yeast and ½ cup warm water in a small bowl.

Add:      4 slightly beaten eggs, yeast mixture, and 2 cups flour to Crisco mixture. Stir.

Add:      5 ½ cups more flour (do not add any more than this, dough is sticky)

Stir with wooden spoon. Let raise until doubled.  Roll out in circles.  Spread with butter.  Cut into crescent shapes and roll up.  Let raise around 20 minutes. Then bake.  Spread with butter as they come out of oven.  Bake at 375⁰ for 12-15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Hope you have a great time crafting!  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Hauntings!

So, I know that I'm a lot behind on posting this Halloween stuff, but I just couldn't leave it out because it was just too fun!

For the day before Halloween, my Mommy Group had a little Halloween part. Thanks to all my lovely mommies who helped make this such a cute night!  Ready for our Halloween fun?!

Stuffed Jack'O'Lanterns

View the original pin here.

Filling:  Spanish Rice
I have seen these filled with other things, but this is the way I've seen the most, so this is what I did.

Fry 1/2 lb bacon, drain on paper towel and set aside.  Brown 1 lb hamburger and drain.  Add 1.2 small onion chopped and 1 chopped green pepper.  Saute.  Add 2 cups instant rice, 2 cups of water and 2 cans tomato sauce.  When liquid is absorbed and rice cooked, crumble bacon in and mix through.

Make Spanish Rice as above, but omit the peppers and add 3/4 cup corn.  stuff mixture into 6-8 peppers that have had the tops cut off and and seeds removed.  Top with cheese , over and bake at 350 degrees fro 1 hour.  Test peppers to see if soft, then serve.

For Jack'O'Lanterns, cut a face out at the same time as removing seeds.

7 Layer Spider Web

View the original pin here.

the dip is really easy.   Simply layer the following:

Refried Beans

Sour Cream

Salsa (or just tomatoes if you don't like the spice)

Cheese

Guacamole

Olives

Green Onions

I then put extra sour cream in a ziploc bag and piped out the spider web.  The Spider and Flies and just cut up olives.  Easy, yet yummy.

Mummy Dogs

View the original pin here.

Wrap hotdogs in crescent roll dough.  (I use the canned Pillsbury stuff).  Cook according to roll instructions.

Banana Ghosts

View the original pin here.

Cut the bananas in half and add chocolate chip eyes.  I used M&Ms because I didn't have a bag of chips on hand, but I would rather have used the chips because the color bled too quickly as you can see.

Deviled Spider Eggs and Pumpkins

View the original pin here and here.

Hard boil eggs.  Cut in half and remove yolk.  Mash yolks with mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper to taste.  Pipe into eggs (again, I used the ziploc method).  Sprinkle with paprika.

for spiders, I used cut up olives.  For pumpkins, I used food coloring and green onions for the stems.

Cheesy Broomsticks

View the original pin here.

Cut String Cheese to the length desired.  splice one end (making sure not to go all the way through).  Carefully insert a pretzel to the other side (again trying not to split it).  Tie up with sting or green onion stems.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

 Cilantro Lime Shrimp 

View the Original Pin 

1 tblsp. butter
1 tblsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
½ tsp. Mexican oregano
2 roma tomatoes, chopped
1 lime, zest and juice
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
1 pound shrimp, split and deveined
2 tblsp. chopped cilantro

Melt the butter and oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the garlic, onion and jalapeno.
Cook, stirring until the onion begins to wilt, approximately 3 minutes.
Add the red pepper flakes and oregano.
Continue cooking until the onion becomes translucent, approximately 3 additional minutes.
Add the tomatoes.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are soft.
Add the shrimp, zest and lime juice, salt and black pepper.
Cook until the shrimp are just opaque. Be careful not to overcook.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cilantro.Serve on Rice and Enjoy!

Anniversary Surprise

For my 4th anniversary, back at the beginning of August, I decided to surprise my hubby with something a little bit more corny than usual. :)

I got the idea for these cute balloons with pictures from Pinterest and jumped from there!
You can see the inspiration pin here.

I attached a few pictures from our wedding and first date. 

But on the back, I clipped some "gift certificates" for things I would arrange for him when he wanted to "redeem" them. 

Te gift certificates included the following:

- breakfast in bed

- picnic lunch

- movie night - theater, drive in, or at home

- game night - alone or with friends

- foot massage - with the lotion of your choice (this is big since I pretty much HATE lotion and he LOVES it)

- night of dancing - at home or on the town

- dinner out r candle-lit dinner at home (without the kids of course)

- fondue night

- day at the spa

- full batch of cookies - no questions asked (also a personal thing)

- dessert date (out to "dessert" instead of dinner)

- date if your choice! Whatever you want!

See, corny, but making it a little cheesy also made it really personal. He could really tell that I put a lot d time into the ideas. 

I then placed this cute sign to try to make sense to him of what I was doing. I also wrote a cute personal note inside. 

The delivery went over perfect! He was pretty quiet the whole time (very unusual for him), and was very near tears at the end. Yeah! Glad it turned out so cute because I way enjoyed getting it all ready for him to come home from work. :) thank you Pinterest!

Evangeline had a great time with the balloons afterwards too. :)

And... Guess what got delivered to my door! What a sweet husband I have! I love you, Matthew!