Super Saturday

My ward was having a Super Saturday event a few weeks back that I was unable to attend, but I wanted to do the craft anyways. Why? Because I like to write on my walls. And someday I aspire to have one of those cutely decorated homes. I know I lack the little flair that can really make the difference, but hopefully, by impersonating those I admire I will succeed anyways. For these projects I just painted the boards that were precut and routed, and put the vinyl on. This is the first time I have used the transfer tape. It does make everything line up much nicer and is easier to center. I might have to think about using that more often.

They invited the Young Women to join the activities, and wanted something for them. This board is based on the 13th Article of Faith, which is this year's YM/YW theme.

Now, where to hang them? This is where it would be nice to have that decorator's instinct.

Menu Board

As part of my on-going attempt to get organized, I have made a weekly menu board. I don't remember which blog I was reading for the inspiration, but here is my take on it. I just printed off a paper with the days of the week on it. Because the frame I had lying around was missing the glass I laminated my paper so I could write on it with a dry-erase marker. I painted my frame to match my kitchen (it use to be one of the cheap Wal-Mart frames). The dry erase marker I found had a holder attached to it (probably from a kid's $1 dry erase board that Target sells occasionally) so I hot glued that to my frame. The hardest part was deciding what to put on my menu.

Harry Potter Fun

A good friend was hosting a Harry Potter themed birthday for her son. I begged to help and she let me. The guest list included a range of children so we started off by sewing cloaks for all the kids.Years ago I found a pattern on-line for a chocolate frog box (google it today and there are even more options)

Amazon provided me with the perfect chocolate frog mold (it is the CK 2" toad). Isn't he cute. Somewhere I had also picked up various chocolate frog cards, so I printed off some and folded them and put them under the frogs.

I also got to help set up for the party. I used a lot of the props that I had collected for my husband's Harry Potter birthday party months earlier (I was busy getting things ready that day so I didn't take any pictures. Sorry)

The day before the party I discovered the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Bean Boxes (also a google search) and just had to make some. On the bottom there you can see the pumpkin pasties. (For most inspiration, google Britta Blvd Harry Potter and check out her party. It includes recipes and way more fun than one should be allowed. If I had more time and wasn't so cheap, I probably would have used her etsy site)

What Harry Potter party would be complete without Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice. The butterbeer is a combination of the AP recipe and my mother-in-law's version. The pumpkin juice I made up from the ingredient list on the back of a pumpkin juice bottle from the park in Orlando (did I mention that my in-laws went and I am so very jealous?) Potions class was an ice cream sundae bar where the kids got to concoct their own ice cream potion using exciting ingredients like flobber worms and beozar stones. Salsa bowls that I found at Food City 3/$1 made the perfect "cauldrons".

When I get more time to do it properly, I will add the links and recipes. Until then, you can enjoy the few pictures. Most importantly, I think we accomplished the objective, which was to make a little boy feel very special on his birthday. Secondly, I got to have a lot of fun. I do love a Harry Potter party.

(Another blog with lots of Harry Potter stuff)
(Britta Blvd)
(yet another link)

Some more fun sites I have found since:
Spell Books (she also has several other HP posts)
Platform 9 3/4 idea plus more (love the pics)

Tribute to Mom's Crafting Influence

Mom may think that she doesn't have a crafty bone in her body, but she did teach me how to make a quick blanket. When the Thomas obsessed Small Fry had to get six immunization shots and was not feeling his usual rambunctious self, I made him this Mom-inspired blanket with fabric I had lying around. It is very easy to make. Take two pieces of fabric and sew together (right sides together, leave an opening to turn. Turn it right-side out and sew around the edges. Sew a circle in the middle to keep it together. Mom uses a plate to draw the circle. I grabbed a big bowl cause it was closer. Done)

Did I mention he likes Thomas?

Train Cozy

It is finally here! My pictures of the train cozy that I made for the small fry who is obsessed with trains- particularly Thomas Trains. It just took me a few weeks to find the camera and the camera cable at the same time.

It rolls up nicely to keep trains secured for travel. I made a scrunchy tie instead of ribbons because I didn't want to have to spend the rest of my life tying it back. The car one I made (perhaps someday I will post pictures of it) just tied. The small fry liked nothing more than to untie it and hand it to me to retie. This way he can do it himself.

The railroad ties are double fold bias tape that I used stitch witchery to fuse to the felt and then sewn around (yes, it took a while to sew around every single railroad tie). Ric Rac made a nice bendable track. The trees and pond were ideas I got from looking at pictures of car cozies.

Fortunately, GeoTracks and Thomas Trains play happily together.

Relay for Life

We have a little friend with a big heart. She was participating in the Relay for Life to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society. To show our support I made her this shirt. It didn't turn out quite how I imagined, but I have it on good authority that the girl it was for loved it- especially after her mom wrote the names of her team members inside the hearts in pink.

I know, it is difficult to read. I didn't have much time to find the perfect shirt. It says "Relay Princess" with a rhinestone crown. It is a very easy project. I didn't even get to use my Cricut. I just went to Wal-Mart and bought iron-on rhinestones and iron-on letters (check the craft section) and, you guessed it- ironed them on.

Cooking Bread in the Car!

Don't believe me do you? This is called a Wonder Cooker Box (courtesy of our Relief Society Activity). Go ahead and google it. I experimented with a loaf of bread and took it in the car while we went to baby animal days at the American West Heritage Center. Unfortunately I didn't really have the right equipment, so water got in the bread and ruined it. Other than that it was a little dense but otherwise cooked. Dad hated it, Scott didn't care for it, but I bet Kevin would think it was cool. I'm going to try the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins next.