General Conference Kits!

 General Conference is THIS weekend! Are you ready? Are your kids ready? We watch/listen to each of the 4 sessions with our children. It's just what we do. And we really try to make it meaningful and FUN so that they look forward to Conference time when they are adults.

 Is it just me, or do the printable Conference Packets get better and better each year? I LOVE them! I wish they had these available easily for us when we were children.

We've tried setting up little tents in the living room, bringing little couches/chairs down for the kids to sit in, but have found that a little craft table set up works best for us. They can work on their pages, color, eat snacks and quietly whisper to each other.

I printed out a Nursery Packet and a Junior Primary Packet. Between the two, there were 40 pages of worksheets and I think that's PLENTY!  I've found that when I give the kids less at a time to do, the packets last longer and they work harder on each page before flipping to the next one.

I got these little caddy/buckets at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 each. They are great for so many things. Snack totes, art supplies, and now...our Conference Kits!  And they are portable. We like to listen to one session of Sunday Conference at the church (the other sessions, we watch online), so these will be easy to pack up and bring with us.

 I also found these fun little popsicle sticks that I think the kids will have fun coloring and making into puppets :)

Here is an example bucket for a 5 year old.

A Friend Magazine, 4 worksheets, markers, craft sticks, snacks, and lacing cards.

After the Saturday morning session, he can turn this in to me and I will refill it with new activities and snacks for the afternoon session. (It's more like afternoon/evening sessions out here in the east since Conference doesn't start until noon!)

I would LOVE to hear any ideas that you have on making Conference meaningful and fun for your children!

Pinewood Derby Days!

 Our oldest isn't old enough for Cub Scouts, but Derrick is the Cub Master, so we still hear all about scouts and sometimes help participate in it.

 Derrick and I came up with these fun candy "trophies" to give to each scout during the Pinewood Derby. They each received one along with a certificate. They were so simple to make and would be great for birthday parties as well!

 I think the photos are pretty self explanatory, just a bit of hot glue and the candy was easily attached.

Two days after the Cub Scout derby, the Elder's Quorum had their OWN.  NO RULES. Here is Derrick's car that he put together in about 30 minutes. I about died laughing. It wasn't the fastest car, and didn't win 1st place, but didn't do too bad...the 6' straw might have helped it get to the finish line ahead of the other car a few times ;)

The "Just Like Mommy" Purse Tutorial

 Last year I made Kaylee a little purse. She still has it and enjoys bringing it on outings. She was invited to her friend's little birthday party this Saturday, and I thought a "Just Like Mommy" purse would be the perfect gift for this soon to be four year old. So I got started and snapped some photos for anyone who would also like to make one for a little gal in their life.

The Just Like Mommy Purse Tutorial

For this project you will need:

fabric (scraps are perfect for this)

fusible interfacing

Velcro or snaps

thread

scissors

pins

sewing machine

paper/pen to make a pattern

1. Make a pattern. Fold a piece of 8 1/2 x11" copy paper in half.

For the top part measure out 3". Mark it with a pen. Then go down 4" and measure (from the fold) a 3 1/2" width and mark that. Then, starting at your top mark, fill in the distance between the dots by rounding it off like the pattern above. Also round off from the bottom mark to the fold at the bottom of the pattern.

 You just want a round shape similar to mine.

You can make it bigger or smaller. But if you are following mine for a tiny purse, follow my measurements. I forgot to snap a photo of the two marks before I rounded them off, but hopefully you get the idea.

2. Open pattern. If it looks like an appropriate shape, sort through your fabrics and pick 2. One for the outer, and one for the lining. You'll also need some fusible interfacing in the same size.

3. Cut two pieces from each fabric and another two pieces from the interfacing, for a total of 6.

4.  For the strap, cut a piece of fabric that is 2 1/2" x 20" and a section of interfacing the same size.

5. I added a little monogram to my purse. This is of course, optional, but such an easy embellishment to do. I used some "wonder under" (iron on adhesive) to the back of my fabric, cut out the B and ironed it onto a piece of the outer fabric.

6.  Cut 1 1/2" of Velcro and sew it to the right sides of the lining fabric 1" from the top and centered in width.

7.  For the strap: Iron on the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Press the length sides 1/4" on each side (top and bottom as well). Then fold the strap in half ad press. This will make it look neat and tidy and you will not have to turn it right side out after sewing.

8. Iron the interfacing to the wrong sides of the outer fabric.

9.  Using a 3/8" seam, sew the outer and lining sections on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Trim seams and clip curves. Using a 1/4" seam, sew the strap side section.

10.  The outer fabric should be inside out. The lining fabric should be right side out. Place the lining section inside the outer section. You should only see the wrong sides of the fabric. The right sides will be touching inside. Pin around the top and stitch around, leaving a 3" gap to turn the purse right side out.

11. Turn right side out. It will look like this.

12.  Gently push the lining down into the purse and tuck the opening down just a bit. Press and pin. Then top stitch around the top of the purse, catching the opening in the seam. This will close off the opening and finish up the bottom section of the purse!

 13. Position one side of the strap INSIDE the purse 1" from the top and centered with the side seam. Attach to the purse by sewing in a box shape.

14. Do this to the other side as well. You'll see my box shape in this photo and you'll also see that it is not exactly centered. Oops.

Finished!

Amazing Homemade French Bread

I LOVE french bread. Any crusty bread for that matter. Dallin too. We could eat an entire loaf together in one sitting if we tried. I found this recipe for french bread rolls awhile ago and it's been a staple in our house ever since. I made it without a bread maker, but received a new bread maker for Christmas and make it even more with that! Just set it on the "dough" cycle, then shape, raise another 30 minutes and bake. It turns out amazing every time!

One recipe will make one large loaf of french bread or two smaller loaves, or one smaller loaf and 8 mini loaves, or 15 rolls. We've made all sorts of combinations :)

The little mini loaves are perfect for big sandwiches. I like using the rolls in the kid's lunches. I even made a batch of "green" rolls for St. Patrick's Day. The boys thought it was pretty cool that the a sneaky little leprechaun made rolls in our kitchen late at night, but said that he sure left a mess. Maybe that sneaky little leprechaun wasn't feeling that great and was too tired to do the dishes ;)

French Bread Rolls

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups bread flour

In a large bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

To the yeast mixture, add the oil, salt, and 2 cups flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough has pulled away from the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, and form into round balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

I always brush with an egg white mixed with 2 T. water before baking.

This makes the crust golden and crusty.

Bake for 15-18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Brush with butter.

source: allrecipes.com "French Bread Rolls To Die For"

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Bunk Bed Book Caddy

When the boys go to bed, they allowed a half an hour or so to read books before we turn out the lights. They each start with a church book or magazine, and then can read whatever they'd like after that. They look forward to their "reading time" every night. I thought that they might like to each have a space to keep their nightly books. We keep the bookcase down stairs, so something that could easily hang on their beds to keep it simple when it's time to go to sleep.

I measured the width of their bunk beds and then folded the fabric (fleece, in this case) in half. I wanted my caddy to be 13" high, so I cut a piece 14" tall (to allow for seam allowances) and 37" wide (the width of the bed). Unfolded measurements (28"x37").

I sewed up the sides, kept the bottom folded so that I didn't have to sew it, then created a casing around the top. I left the ends open and slid in a 3/8" wooden dowel on each side. One in the front, and another in the back. This was for stability. I didn't want the fabric to sag in the front.  Then I sewed button holes through both thicknesses of fabric (front and back) so that I could hang the fabric without putting too much wear and tear on the fabric with the weight of the books.

Finally, I added a monogram and hung the caddy!

I filled each with a couple of books that I wanted them to browse, and let them fill the rest of the space with their favorites.

They turned out perfect and the boys love them!

I used fleece because that is what I had on hand. A sturdy cotton, canvas, or denim would work well. Probably better. Fleece is stretchy and could sag over time even though I have the stretch going width-wise, not length-wise. But these work perfectly for us.

Rainbow Cookies!

Rainbow cookies, play dough cookies, tie dyed cookies, call them what you'd like...they are FUN to make! Start with your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe. Here is ours. Divide dough into sections and color with food coloring. I like the Wilton's concentrated paste. You can get it at Walmart and Joann's in the craft and cake decorating section for about $1.50 a container. You'll get the most vibrant colors this way. Then divide  (cut) each one of those balls into tiny sections. About 3/4" in squares.

The kids loved watching the color "magically" spread throughout the dough as the kitchenaid mixed it.

Then take 3 or 4 pieces of dough and press them together in a square shape and roll out into a 6-8" rope. Roll up and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

 

 

 

I let the kids loose to create their own cookies and they had a blast! It was fun to see all of the different color combinations. We baked them @ 400 degrees for 8 minutes. If you are using your own recipe, just follow it's instructions.

Yummy!

Baby Gift

 I made this set for our friends, the Berry's, who just welcomed their fourth child into their family. Fleece blankets are so practical as baby gifts. We received at least one with each of our children and they are what we used the most. I simply added a blanket stitch to the edge of a yard of fleece.

Then I stitched her name onto a piece of cotton. Pressed the edges under, pinned in place, then stitched around. Now it is a blanket that won't be given away. After all, it has her name on it! :)

St. Patrick's Day Party for Kids!

 We don't have much planned for St. Patrick's Day decor because we don't really care about it! BUT...we like the fun little activities that come with the green day, and last year, before Aaron started preschool, we hosted a party for all of his little church friends at our house. It was a lot of fun, and Aaron was thrilled to have everyone over for a fun-filled "green" day!

 He made his own decorations...

 and helped me put together this fruit rainbow for a snack. Each child brought a snack to share as well.

 Not only was it pretty to look at, it tasted awesome too.

 There was lots of green attire...

 and fun St. Patrick's day themed crafts. I cut out a bunch of little leprechauns out of the cricut "Paperdoll" cartridge and the children glued them together.

 Then they all went on a treasure hunt to find the pot of gold.

 That lead them to these fun little "pots of gold" that I ordered from Oriental Trading and filled with gold coins and rolos.

Now he is in preschool and can have lots of fun little parties at school. Most of his friends are a few months older and are in kindergarten so they are all on different schedules, but we look back on these fun pre-preschool days with fond memories!