May 2017 Visiting Teaching Message Handout Idea

Hello! Welcome to my blog! For the May visiting teaching message we get to select a message from talks given in the April General Conference to teach and uplift. I have a hard time selecting only one as they are all so inspiring. I decided to go with a growth mindset theme. I have been reading  Carol Dweck's studies about the psychology of success that she calls the growth mindset. She has done great work in studying the thought process of people who succeed and of those who don't. 

The original growth mindset is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation." Joseph Smith

"For as (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he..." Proverbs 23:7

"And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon..."2Nephi 2:26

The purpose of this life is to progress (or grow) and become like God. There are fixed mindsets that say I was born that way I can't help it - but the gospel of Jesus Christ says you are a child of God. There are things you need to learn and improve - and you are able to do it. Applying the teachings and principles of Jesus Christ is the way. 

If you have a fixed mindset you are acted upon. A person with a growth mindset is one who applies the power to act in enlightened ways- even if the circumstances seem challenging.

The General Conference messages remind us of the path of progress and the mind set we need to apply to achieve success. I researched the talks and chose quotes that I felt aligned with the six categories of the growth mindset. I printed them out and stapled them in a booklet. The booklet was 

then placed in a fork that I used for a plant poke.

 I love the saying "you grow girl"! I thought that was fitting and made a tag that you can glue to a potted plant, or maybe even a watering can.  As we study and apply the teachings of Christ in our lives we will grow and bloom. It is so interesting how our actions are aligned with our thoughts. Applying the growth mindset of the gospel is the path to find true success. 

Find the file HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happiness is Homemade Marriage Survival Kit Take Two

Hello! Welcome to my blog! Last year I made a marriage survival kit with this same theme (CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT). I found some adorable kitchen items at Michael's but only one of the items was the same as the gift basket last year, so I needed to make some new sayings and new tags. Here is what is in the kit.

The tags are free for personal use. Find the tag file HERE. I attached the corresponding tag to each item. I put them in a box and tied lace around the box to dress it up. If you want to add the quotes - cut the quote part a little smaller and glue on the back.

Thanks for stopping by!

DIY Paper Birch Easter Basket

Hello! Welcome to my blog! I made some cute little paper birch Easter baskets. I made them out of white poster board/card stock and then wrapped them with birch wrapping paper. I purchased the wrapping paper from Winners/Home Sense. I love the beautiful paper that is found there sometimes.

You can make these any size. I liked the size that came from an 8x10 piece of poster board.

After making the box, wrap a 3" wide strip of paper around it. Adhere with glue of choice.

If you want the handle to match, wrap that with paper before gluing onto the basket. I glued my handle on before I wrapped it with paper but it would make for a cute effect if you put in on top and put a brad in there. 

They turned out pretty cute. For the finishing touch I added Easter tags FOUND HERE that I put on with pop dots.

Happy creating!

Free Easter Tag Printables

Hello! Welcome to my blog! I am wanting to make some paper birch baskets and needed to make some tags to go with them. I made some adult tags and tags that would work to give to kids as well. Come back in a few days to see how they go with paper birch baskets!! Click HERE for the pdf file. Thanks for stopping by!

April 2017 Visiting Teaching Message Handout Idea

Hello! Welcome to my blog! April's Visiting Teaching message is on The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. For the full message 

CLICK HERE.

I created a printable that has most of the quotes that are in the message with a few additions.

For the pdf version click here:

I have these quotes in a sun because of an analogy Neil L. Anderson gave a few years ago in 

General Conference:

A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings. The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer the gift.

I just love that analogy, and that talk - which teaches about the power of the priesthood. Click

here to be directed to the talk. 

I made a handout with that quote as the theme.

I saw a cute curtain card online and used that as my inspiration. Check it out HERE.

For the pdf file of the Visiting Teaching handout  CLICK HERE. Here is what it looks like:

I also love the quote:

If you want light to come into your life, 

you need to stand where it is shining.

I think this relates to this months message. Too often we stand in the shadows when it comes to the power of the priesthood because we don't fully understand it. As Neil L. Anderson said - "We sometimes overly associate the power of the priesthood with men in the Church. The priesthood is the power and authority of God given for the salvation and blessing of all - men, women and children."

We can invite sunshine into our lives as we "...expand (our) understanding of the priesthood..."

Linda K. Burton

because we will "come in possession of the privileges and blessings and gifts of the Priesthood." Joseph Smith

To make the card - after printing out the sheet you will need to fold the card into quarters, cut out the front window and make the curtains. I used double sided tape to adhere two pieces of 2" ribbon onto a thin strip of paper that I used for a curtain rod. Then I tied each ribbon at the bottom with 

some floss to give it a curtain look.

Thanks for stopping by!

Winnie the Pooh Diaper Cake Tutorial

Hello! Welcome to my blog! I was looking back in my project pictures and found this diaper cake I made four years ago before our first grandchild was born. Another grandchild will be born soon - so my mind has been on baby creations again. 

Here is how to make a diaper cake:

I decided to make a Winnie the Pooh themed diaper cake because I just love this Winnie the Pooh quote:

"The smallish things take up the 

most room in your heart."

 I made this rosette to put on top of the diaper cake.

Thanks for stopping by!