How to make an Easle

Project 18 of 52

I needed a way to display information to the girls during camp. After going up for pre-camp clean up I realized there were not many trees to hang signs from. There were plenty of trees, just not in the right spot for signs. So I set out to make my own. I mean, how hard can an easle be to make right!?!

RIGHT!

Here's what I did:

Supplies: 1x4x8 boards (I think I got 3)

Gorilla glue

screws 2" I think

Hardboard

 Corner brackets

Hinges

spray paint

I wanted this to be about 5 feet tall. I wanted it to be a focal point in our camp. Something everyone would see easily. I cut 2 1x4 boards 5 feet. The cross boards are 16 3/4 inches. I found the easiest way to mark the small boards was to lay them across and mark from inside of one long board to the inside of the other board.

Then use gorilla glue or wood glue to secure it to the hardboard. We clamped each board and let it dry over night to be sure it was secure. 

 

After gluing each side we put the corner brackets on. I wanted added support at each corner so as it gets tugged on it won't split at the weak corners.

 

My sweet hubby wanted to surprise me and helped to finish it from here so I missed some pictures, but I was so thankful for his help. He used basic hinges secured to the top so that it would fold flat. 

Then I got to paint it. A bright Krylon Turquoise worked well. I used a whole can but had great coverage.

I didn't bother spray painting the outside of the hardboard. Instead I used my chalkboard paint for it. You just paint the chalkboard on, wait for it to cure a couple of days then rub chalk over the whole thing to prep the board. Each time we use it it wipes off easier but at first it doesn't wipe off well.

One side was for writing notes.....

 

I screwed decorative clips to the other side to hold our menu and schedule for each day.

I love how it turned out. I wanted to put a chain across the side to prevent it from slipping but it's heavy enough we didn't have that problem. I also thought about a tray for the chalk but didn't get that done. Being relatively flat made it travel nicely packed in the pickup. 

Now I have something to help with scouts and PTA events. I see this little beauty getting A LOT of use!

Girls Camp Menu

Project 17 of 52

I am all about structure. Having the schedule posted at girls camp was a must for me. We wanted to encourage the girls to go to all the activities and lead the younger girls. Knowing the schedule of activities and menu allowed them (I hoped) to step out and lead with minimal adult intervention. 

(At least that was the plan)

We had each of the girls list their top menu choices for each meal. Then we compiled them for the weeks menu. It was simple. Most of the girls wanted the same things. We adjusted a little to stay on budget. Here is what we came up with.

 

This is the daily schedule set by the stake camp leadership. Tomorrow I will be sharing my idea for posting the menu and schedule each day. It turned out to be one of my favorite ideas. So helpful.

Baptismal Covenants Kit Kat wrapper

Project 16 of 52

My dear friend needed help making a handout for her lesson next month. Of course she had found something on Pinterest, it's better than Google, and asked if we could do it. She is doing a lesson on baptismal covenants for the young women. This is what we came up with.

 I think it turned out great. Our young women will love it.

You get to benefit too. It's 3 wrappers per sheet so print what you want. They wrap around a full size kit kat.
Print it. Wrap it. And tie it up with a bow. VOILA! You're set.

As Sister Hinckley was fond of saying, 

"We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other..."

I love to find something that I can just print and assemble. It's usually times of desperation when I haven't been able to get something of my own but OH how thankful I am to find something quick that finishes my latest....whatever I'm working on.
Kaylyn loves it too. She always tells me to make sure I post what we do. 

Yep, it's all about sticking together to help each other. 

HUGS! 

4share download HERE

You can also get the download from Dropbox 

HERE

Alec Baldwin's official approval

My sweet hubby had a fantastic time at Comic Con this spring. This is pure heaven for any true blue nerd/geek. He had asked me back in December to make him a Jayne Cobb hat.
"A what!?" I asked.
How well he knows me. He had already found some pins and patterns for me to use. Gotta love that man. He didn't have to beg too much, just enough to make me smile. Anyway, I crocheted one for him. I thought it turned out great but only when we got the official Seal of Approval from Alec Baldwin did I hit the home run. Several other guys were dressed as Jayne Cobb with hats purchased online. Both Alec and Nathan Finnion commented to my sweet hubby specifically "nice hat!" They both said how much they liked it and asked about where he got it. He proudly informed them his wife had made it. 

He had several other guys ask if I could make them one. His response, "I don't think so."
 Yeah, only made with extra love for a special guy! Throughout the day he regularly had people comment on his hat. He even won a $30 photo voucher because of it. He was thrilled. 

This was his photo op with Alec Baldwin. He had it all planned out what to do. He got up there, handed Alec his other gun to which Alec said, "back to back?". 

"Back to back"!

Just like a kid in a candy store.
Here is the pattern I based mine off of. I made some adjustments but this was my favorite pattern. I wish I could knit but that is one thing I don't do. 

Girls Camp Handouts

Project 15 of 52

Life has gotten crazy and doesn't seem to ever slow down. I love staying busy, really it's a coping skill for my sanity, but I have encountered whole new levels of "busy"! My family is growing so fast and there is never enough of me to go around. Because of all this, I have had to let my blog go. In the back of my mind I often think I need to add to this blog. I enjoy looking back at my ideas and projects but really couldn't find the time to compose and share anything. I have taken pictures of many of my projects but they sit waiting to be edited and posted.I had almost decided to just let this blog go. I didn't have the time- that old 4-lettered word.....

....That is until lately. I have had repeated comments and references to my blog. Tonight some friends were looking through my blog after I shared some of my craft and decor ideas with them. I seldom come up with a totally new idea but it was fun to look back through all that I have done. It was a stroll down memory lane. Combined with a few other reminders I decided it was time to get things updated. Perhaps it is more for me than anyone else. Either way, this blog, I've decided, is my way of leaving a mark. It is my place to share and vent and journal and download all that is in my mind and heart. One day my boys will look back and see, perhaps, a glimpse of my thoughts. Besides, it makes me smile to see what I can accomplish over the years.

So with no further adieu here are some of my summer projects.

Remember girls camp?

Yeah our 11 hour adventure?

These are the handouts I made for each of the girls. Print them off and feel free to use them for your own girls.

Our princess was Cinderella. Each day I wanted to highlight the transition she made from servant to princess.

Day 1 they (would have) received a bandana with this quote:

"Rise above the dust of the world. Know that you are daughters of God and that there is for you a great work to be done which cannot be left to others" Gordon B. Hinckley

Day 2 they (would have) received a "glass" slipper filled with skittles. 

 Here is the quote to go with this..."Never look back. If Cinderella had gone back to get her shoe, she never would have become a Princess"

Day 3 they (would have) received a crown.  Sorry, I forgot to get a picture of this but here is the quote.

"CS Lewis once said that if we could recognize who we were, we would realize that we were walking with possible Gods & Goddesses whom, if we could see them in all their eternal dignity and glory we would be tempted to fall down and worship. Because this is true, we need to think more highly of ourselves and we need to think more highly of each other" Jeffrey R. Holland

I love CS Lewis. I would love to have met him. It amazes me how inspired he was. 

Click on each of the quote pictures to go to drop box and download them.

I will be back soon with more fun things from our camp adventure.

Girls Camp: Testimony Tissues printable

Project 14 of 52

Girls camp is coming up...FAST!

I think I am about ready. I have been working on so many projects for it but want them to be a surprise. Many of my girls follow me on Pinterest, FB, and also know about my blog. That means I have had to wait to post most of my goodies in order to keep it a surprise. Never fear though! The rest of summer will be filled with lots of ideas and projects. The gals at work think I am utterly mad (secretly, I am just this side of mad) and wonder how I get it all done. I just can't sit still long enough to wonder myself. It has been so fun to do girly things although I still love my cub scouts. 

I am one that always needs tissues. Allergies consume me nearly everyday, year round, but these tissues are for testimony meeting. I found this quote and thought it perfect to set the tone. I plan on passing them out the evening before testimony meeting. 

And I have made simple printables for you too. I used Avery 2x4 label stickers. Just print them out and stick them on. It's a great little something to do while you visit with friends or family. My mother in law helped me with these while we visited. I loved it! It's great to get some girl time to talk but I have to keep my hands busy so assembling something simple is a double win for me.
Download 4share HERE or click on the picture.
Or for dropbox download HERE

Father's Day gift idea

 

Summer is upon us and that means Father's Day is just around the corner. If you are stumped and need an idea I am still doing Priesthood Line of Authority pictures for anyone wanting one. I have enjoyed doing these and they don't take long so send me your info and I can get it back to you in a couple of days. 

Beware- if you wait until the last minute I may take longer. I am in charge of girls camp and we leave the week after Father's day....so get me your info. ;-)

Check out my original post for the link to get your records.

Castle block

Project 13 of 52

I love this thought. Back HERE I shared this download. Although the thought is not my original the photo and wordart are. What better time to share this than with my girls at camp. I want something simple to always remind them of their Eternal Perspective.

This is such a simple project. Just a 2x6 cut in 4inch segments then painted white. I think other colors would be wonderful too but with 30 girls to plan for I kept it simple, just one paint color to buy.

I used mod podge to attach the picture. I like the rough edges but we won't have an electric sander at camp and let's be honest, hand sanding just isn't for me. ;-p Tie it up with a bow. They have 4 different colored ribbon, teal, red, pink, yellow,  to chose from although the kits are already all together with the ribbon in them.

My mother in law has taught me that presentation of the smallest gift makes the biggest difference. So I decided to put the 'kit' together in a brown bag with a paper doilie stapled to the front. I wonder if the girls will notice but I even used my colored, pink, staples. Now I have them all together ready to go in a storage bin. I included all the supplies so nothing is forgotten and it is all in one place. 

Scouting has taught me KISMIF....Keep It Simple, Make It Fun. I think this will be a HIT! (at least I hope)

Young Women's Handout- Sariah

Project 12 of 52

I have been very busy lately. I have several projects to blog about but finished this one tonight and wanted to share it. We are getting ready for girls camp. I shared one of my projects HERE but this is what we will be working on this week. We want to the girls to get to know some of the leading ladies in the scriptures, the less known ones. Our ward has Sariah, wife of Lehi. I have been doing a bit of my own research and put this handout together to guide the girls in our discussion. I hope they like it. I hope you find it helpful. Click on the picture below to go to the download.

Go for the Gold candy wrapper.

Project 11 of 52

We had our Blue and Gold celebration last month for cub scouts. It is a celebration of the birthday of cub scouts. With the Olympics going on what better theme than Olympics!? I had a little different idea in mind for these rolos but this was easier and turned out fantastic.

I made 20 of them for each of my scouts.

Just a little glue and...

VOILA!
Easy peasy.

They went great with the tickets I made for invites to the event.

The boys and parents all loved it. I will share pictures of all the decorations and finished event soon.
Here is the candy labels if you want to make some of your own. Just click on the picture. Have fun!

Once upon a time bookmark

Project 10 of 52 
Update: I have fixed the download so daughters is spelled correctly.
 I just didn't retake all the pictures. 

I have been putting together projects and crafts for our upcoming girls camp. It isn't until June but I have to plan ahead. Between PTA, Cub Scouts, and Girls Camp...yeah, I am just a wee bit busy.
I love it!

This is the bookmark I made for my girls going to camp. Our theme is Camp ROYAL.
Reflect On Your Amazing Light.
The youth leaders came up with it. It's perfect. The each group will have a Disney princess and a scripture heroine. We drew Cinderella and Sariah. It's going to be a wonderful time. As a mom of all boys it is fun to get to do some girly stuff in pinks and purples.

 These bookmarks are just one of the projects I have been working on. I can't tell you how much fun this has been for me. I am excited! So many ideas and I have to narrow it down to fit into 3 days.

The quote is from President Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After."
"Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are Princesses destined to become Queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your once upon a time is now."

 I am thrilled with how these turned out. The bottle cap glitters and sparkles, the ribbon shines and the thought moves the heart. I love this inspired talk by President Uchtdorf. I want the girls to feel as special as they are. I want them to feel the love of their Heavenly Father. I want this to be a week they will remember.

Here are the instructions and printables to make your own.

Punch out the crowns with a 1" punch. Watch the corners because it is close, sorry.

Glue them into your bottle caps.

Paint a bit of glitter paint on the crown then let it dry.

Once it's dry smooth a thin layer of glossy Modge Podge.

Secure the cap to a large paper clip. I used super glue.

 Let it dry completely. Add a bit of ribbon.

Then add to the printout.

I made these, printed, and laminated them.

I love to see someone's eyes light up when they are given something. My sweet mother in law has taught me that even simple things can bring a smile to anyone's face. 

My hope is that at the end of the week the girls will know they are loved, they are valued, they are a Daughter of a King, a Princess!

Recipe Organization

Project 9 of 52

Ever notice how much of a difference even little things can make in our lives. The crazy thing too, is sometimes it doesn't take that much time to accomplish. It's more a matter of just sitting down and doing it.

Well, this is the dilema I have been facing for a while. I love to try new recipes. You know the down home kinda cooking recipes. The ones with ingredients I have in the pantry; NORMAL ingredients. I print them off and give them a try. Most of the time they are successful. There have been a couple that we tossed and ordered pizza but hey, we tried something new. And my boys are great sports about it too. They have their favs and eh, not so favs but all in all the taste it all.

I toss the recipes that are anything but a big hit. I just put them in a sheet protector in a 3-ring binder. Until recently that binder was quite a mess. I didn't have enough sheet protectors and too many untried recipes. So I sat down one day, soaked in the vitamin D and fixed my problem. I didn't take a before picture but trust me...it wasn't pretty!

 I added the sheet protectors....tossed unwanted recipes...added page dividers and labels....

 I even typed them up in a fun goofy font.

 

 Such a simple thing but ahhh, it feels so good to have my recipes neat and tidy. It makes me smile to pull it out and use now.

 

I also love to plan my menu. I always have, even before we had kids. It frustrates me to start a recipe and find out I am missing 1 ingredient. Not to mention how it helps the budget and grocery shopping. 

I found these menu plans on Pinterest. They are 4 weeks at a time and slip in the front of my binder. 

I put the current menu plan on the fridge and leave the blank ones in the binder to be filled out next time.

I even color coded it with corrdinating tabs. I had to make it simple for my hubby and oldest son. They help stick with the plan more if I make it easy for 'em. ;-)

Now I just have to grab the post it for that week and do my shopping.

LOVE IT!