MOPS: Crafts I've Made

One of my roles in MOPS is to come up with creative projects or crafts for us to do in our meetings. It's a little tricky because we only have a couple of hours together and most of that time isn't spent on the craft, and we have a budget. Buying crafts for a possible 24 women adds up fast--I really had no idea!

For Valentine's day, we painted on white ceramic mugs. I used this tutorial and it worked out pretty well. The girls all seemed to really enjoy doing it! I love my mug -- but I've noticed the oil-based marker starting to come off where my fingers usually hold the mug. That makes me a little sad.

For Easter, we made nest necklaces. I used this tutorial as closely as I could. I had great luck with the first one I made and thought it would be easy enough, but the second and third ones I did were trickier for whatever reason. The women took on the challenge and they all turned out really great -- each one unique -- just like we are. It was fun to see what they did and how they turned out. This was a great one to do and keep conversation going!

We had a friend speak about hospitality and had the moms put together cake stands. My other mom-in-charge friend and I went to several thrift stores in hopes of finding what we needed on the cheap. It was a challenge to find all the candle holders and plates but we did get enough! And I think they had fun with it. It was a super quick craft - just needed to allow more time for the glue to dry. I used this tutorial. I think if we do this again in a group setting, I would ask each mom to bring a plate they like and I'd buy the candlesticks -- that way everyone has a plate they love (everyone has such different style preferences)!

It was super fun to be crafty again! And most of the other moms thought so too!

One of my roles in MOPS is to come up with creative projects or crafts for us to do in our meetings. It's a little tricky because we only have a couple of hours together and most of that time isn't spent on the craft, and we have a budget. Buying crafts for a possible 24 women adds up fast--I really had no idea!

For Valentine's day, we painted on white ceramic mugs. I used this tutorial and it worked out pretty well. The girls all seemed to really enjoy doing it! I love my mug -- but I've noticed the oil-based marker starting to come off where my fingers usually hold the mug. That makes me a little sad.

For Easter, we made nest necklaces. I used this tutorial as closely as I could. I had great luck with the first one I made and thought it would be easy enough, but the second and third ones I did were trickier for whatever reason. The women took on the challenge and they all turned out really great -- each one unique -- just like we are. It was fun to see what they did and how they turned out. This was a great one to do and keep conversation going!

We had a friend speak about hospitality and had the moms put together cake stands. My other mom-in-charge friend and I went to several thrift stores in hopes of finding what we needed on the cheap. It was a challenge to find all the candle holders and plates but we did get enough! And I think they had fun with it. It was a super quick craft - just needed to allow more time for the glue to dry. I used this tutorial. I think if we do this again in a group setting, I would ask each mom to bring a plate they like and I'd buy the candlesticks -- that way everyone has a plate they love (everyone has such different style preferences)!

It was super fun to be crafty again! And most of the other moms thought so too!

Easter Activities for Toddler Boy

I had two reasons to spend so much time surfing Pinterest for Easter activities this year. 1) I wanted William to understand some of the story as well as have some fun activities to do and 2) I needed to come up with activities to share at our last MOPS meeting. Here's what I found and how they turned out:

1) Resurrection Eggs: Usually the use an 12 eggs but I new my little boy couldn't focus for that long or understand all of it, so when I found a set of 6, it was perfect. Most things were really easy to find or make as well which was a bonus! The link I used is here. I love free printables and this one even tied in the Jesus Story Book Bible, which William loves!

We didn't get through all of the Bible readings this morning, but he played with the eggs for a long time. I might keep them out for the rest of the week and see if we can get through more of it before packing it away.

2) Color Sorting Kit: Not all activities are gospel-centered. Some are just using the egg-theme. Like this one just uses the egg container. I colored the bottom of each section a different color and then piled in the coordinating pom-poms. So far, William loves it. He also loves playing with them like confetti. The more advanced style of this activity is to use numbers at the bottom instead of colors and have the child put that many of an item inside the container. Check out this blog.

3) Activity-focused Egg Hunt: Rather than fill the eggs with candies or prizes, I printed off a list of six silly activities for William to do when he found the egg. Super easy and really fun. You can change the activities based on skill/interest or even add some hard ones they haven't learned yet (like skipping or leap-frog). You could also add activities that take longer like draw a picture, play hide-and-seek or find 10 leaves outside. It could really take all day! I found the idea here.

4) This last one isn't really an activity, but was a fun egg-focused snack. I used the standard rice crispy treat recipe and molded them using the plastic eggs. The kids loved them! I used Pioneer Woman's post for reference as seen here. 

We had a lot of fun with this stuff this year and now I'm fairly well stocked to do it again next year, although we'll have to make some things more challenging I'm sure. It was really fun getting William involved with Easter this year and see him learn through the activities.

I had two reasons to spend so much time surfing Pinterest for Easter activities this year. 1) I wanted William to understand some of the story as well as have some fun activities to do and 2) I needed to come up with activities to share at our last MOPS meeting. Here's what I found and how they turned out:

1) Resurrection Eggs: Usually the use an 12 eggs but I new my little boy couldn't focus for that long or understand all of it, so when I found a set of 6, it was perfect. Most things were really easy to find or make as well which was a bonus! The link I used is here. I love free printables and this one even tied in the Jesus Story Book Bible, which William loves!

We didn't get through all of the Bible readings this morning, but he played with the eggs for a long time. I might keep them out for the rest of the week and see if we can get through more of it before packing it away.

2) Color Sorting Kit: Not all activities are gospel-centered. Some are just using the egg-theme. Like this one just uses the egg container. I colored the bottom of each section a different color and then piled in the coordinating pom-poms. So far, William loves it. He also loves playing with them like confetti. The more advanced style of this activity is to use numbers at the bottom instead of colors and have the child put that many of an item inside the container. Check out this blog.

3) Activity-focused Egg Hunt: Rather than fill the eggs with candies or prizes, I printed off a list of six silly activities for William to do when he found the egg. Super easy and really fun. You can change the activities based on skill/interest or even add some hard ones they haven't learned yet (like skipping or leap-frog). You could also add activities that take longer like draw a picture, play hide-and-seek or find 10 leaves outside. It could really take all day! I found the idea here.

4) This last one isn't really an activity, but was a fun egg-focused snack. I used the standard rice crispy treat recipe and molded them using the plastic eggs. The kids loved them! I used Pioneer Woman's post for reference as seen here. 

We had a lot of fun with this stuff this year and now I'm fairly well stocked to do it again next year, although we'll have to make some things more challenging I'm sure. It was really fun getting William involved with Easter this year and see him learn through the activities.

Shower Games (The Party Kind)

Last weekend, a few friends and I hosted a bridal shower. It turned out to be the hottest day of the year and we went with a southern comfort food theme of mac and cheese and biscuits (and we don't do air conditioning in this city) . . . we should have just bought ice cream! Anyway, it was fun and a great time to be together.

My role in this shower was to plan the games. Games are tricky. They can get long and boring, they can get too personal or not personal enough, they can be so fun that no one remembers the guest of honor . . . just kidding, shower games have never done that! Anyway, games took me a while to plan. But I think they did well enough to tell you about them!

Game #1
Not really a game as there were no winners, but an activity that got people talking (to the bride). I typed up questions and cut them into strips so that each person would pick a question out of a jar. They had to read the question and answer it for the bride.
Questions included:

• Share a piece of advice for the bride 
• Share a fun date idea 
• What is your favorite cleaning product?
• What do you cook when you don't feel like cooking?
• What is your favorite Scripture regarding marriage/being a godly woman?
• What is one kitchen utensil you have but have never used?

Game #2
How well do you know the Bride? I typed up 10 questions and had everyone fill them out; after a few minutes we had the Bride tell us the answers (tip: if you ask "what countries have you been to?" make sure you know if the bride has literally traveled the world... my 10 point quiz had a possible 20+ answers)

Game #3
Bridal Shower Bingo. I took this idea from another shower I had been to because it was the best way I had seen guests involved with the gift opening portion of the party. Everyone gets a bingo card which has potential gifts listed. If the bride opens that gift, you get to mark the square. First one to 5 in a row wins! It was great because all the guests were hoping for the next box to be something specific and were even shouting "Is that a toaster," or "Please say that's a toolbox."(NOTE: this may not have a winner . . . best used for larger showers)

Games are not essential but they kept the party going and we got to hear some great advice and get to know our friend a little better! The event went well and the Bride felt loved which is the most important thing. 

One more:

Last year I created another game for a baby shower which I don't think I ever shared here. It was also a Bingo game but instead of playing it for the gift opening, we played it as a get-to-know you game. The idea was to find people at the party who matched the description in one of the boxes. You had that person sign that box and the first one to get five in a row won.

Last weekend, a few friends and I hosted a bridal shower. It turned out to be the hottest day of the year and we went with a southern comfort food theme of mac and cheese and biscuits (and we don't do air conditioning in this city) . . . we should have just bought ice cream! Anyway, it was fun and a great time to be together.

My role in this shower was to plan the games. Games are tricky. They can get long and boring, they can get too personal or not personal enough, they can be so fun that no one remembers the guest of honor . . . just kidding, shower games have never done that! Anyway, games took me a while to plan. But I think they did well enough to tell you about them!

Game #1
Not really a game as there were no winners, but an activity that got people talking (to the bride). I typed up questions and cut them into strips so that each person would pick a question out of a jar. They had to read the question and answer it for the bride.
Questions included:

• Share a piece of advice for the bride 
• Share a fun date idea 
• What is your favorite cleaning product?
• What do you cook when you don't feel like cooking?
• What is your favorite Scripture regarding marriage/being a godly woman?
• What is one kitchen utensil you have but have never used?

Game #2
How well do you know the Bride? I typed up 10 questions and had everyone fill them out; after a few minutes we had the Bride tell us the answers (tip: if you ask "what countries have you been to?" make sure you know if the bride has literally traveled the world... my 10 point quiz had a possible 20+ answers)

Game #3
Bridal Shower Bingo. I took this idea from another shower I had been to because it was the best way I had seen guests involved with the gift opening portion of the party. Everyone gets a bingo card which has potential gifts listed. If the bride opens that gift, you get to mark the square. First one to 5 in a row wins! It was great because all the guests were hoping for the next box to be something specific and were even shouting "Is that a toaster," or "Please say that's a toolbox."(NOTE: this may not have a winner . . . best used for larger showers)

Games are not essential but they kept the party going and we got to hear some great advice and get to know our friend a little better! The event went well and the Bride felt loved which is the most important thing. 

One more:

Last year I created another game for a baby shower which I don't think I ever shared here. It was also a Bingo game but instead of playing it for the gift opening, we played it as a get-to-know you game. The idea was to find people at the party who matched the description in one of the boxes. You had that person sign that box and the first one to get five in a row won.

Thank You Cards

What did my giveaway winner get?

Take a look:

In this season of thanksgiving and my theme for my giveaway being "Thankful" for all that has happened over the last 5 years, I couldn't think of a better gift than Thank You cards. I haven't made cards in a while so I really enjoyed being crafty again!

What did my giveaway winner get?

Take a look:

In this season of thanksgiving and my theme for my giveaway being "Thankful" for all that has happened over the last 5 years, I couldn't think of a better gift than Thank You cards. I haven't made cards in a while so I really enjoyed being crafty again!

Handmade Cards

I had an hour to spare last Thursday night, so I dug out my craft box and made a few cards. Thought I'd share since it has been a while since I've done anything crafty! I got a few new stamps from my sister and wanted to try them out. Having new toys is always good motivation!

 

I had an hour to spare last Thursday night, so I dug out my craft box and made a few cards. Thought I'd share since it has been a while since I've done anything crafty! I got a few new stamps from my sister and wanted to try them out. Having new toys is always good motivation!

 

All the Christmas Cards

Last year, we received so many beautiful Christmas cards and I had no idea what to do with them; a few fit on our fridge, others on our bulletin board, and the rest sat on our coffee table and I'd look through them every so often. I'd seen a few people do different things to display them and came across an idea on Pinterest that I thought would be perfect for us!  I was so excited to get our first card! Take a look at how it turned out:

I think my kitchen looks a lot more festive now and that makes it really fun! I've tried a few Pinterest-inspired ideas this fall/winter and this is one my favorites! I hope I'll remember to do it again next year! Hope you are inspired to keep sending out those adorable Christmas cards—I love to get them!

You'll have to take a closer look at this photo above . . .  it's from my sister and her husband . . . and their baby!!! Ah! I'm going to be an Aunt again! My sister is going to have a baby!! I'm really excited for them and glad I live somewhat close—hope to make a few trips to Vegas next year (with my camera of course.)

Last year, we received so many beautiful Christmas cards and I had no idea what to do with them; a few fit on our fridge, others on our bulletin board, and the rest sat on our coffee table and I'd look through them every so often. I'd seen a few people do different things to display them and came across an idea on Pinterest that I thought would be perfect for us!  I was so excited to get our first card! Take a look at how it turned out:

I think my kitchen looks a lot more festive now and that makes it really fun! I've tried a few Pinterest-inspired ideas this fall/winter and this is one my favorites! I hope I'll remember to do it again next year! Hope you are inspired to keep sending out those adorable Christmas cards—I love to get them!

You'll have to take a closer look at this photo above . . .  it's from my sister and her husband . . . and their baby!!! Ah! I'm going to be an Aunt again! My sister is going to have a baby!! I'm really excited for them and glad I live somewhat close—hope to make a few trips to Vegas next year (with my camera of course.)

Surprise Birthday Party

We had a surprise birthday party for our friend Mark last night. It was a pretty relaxed get together with pizza, cake, ice cream and games. I had a lot of fun and I hope he did too.

I thought I'd share a few recipes with you as well as my latest creative endeavor that were enjoyed by all at the party.

First, the decor:

I made the birthday banner out of scrapbook paper and printed letters on our black/white printer and cut them out. It turned out really well and can totally be used again . . . and again! We picked up some helium balloons too which was totally fun. I loved them. Seriously, I played with them for an hour after everyone went home.

Now, the cake:

 

Alright, before you laugh at my lettering . . . okay. I'll wait! Let me just say now that you are done laughing, that this is the best cake recipe ever! It's the same cake I made last time. It's Betty Crocker's "Best Chocolate Cake," and it does not disappoint. I have issues with frosting, so I was a bit nervous about this one, but the recipe I found online was really easy and it turned out great.

Here's the recipe for Betty Crocker's Best chocolate Cake:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour or cake flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

4 oz. melted unsweetened chocolate (cool)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour baking pan (13x9x2 or two 9-inch or three 8-inch round layer pans). Measure all ingredients into large mixer bowl. Blend 1/2 minute on low speed, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.  Pour evenly into pans. 

Bake oblong 40 to 45 minutes, layers 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.

 I also made Butterfinger ice cream! Sorry, no photos of that. But in case you are interested, here is the recipe.

We had a surprise birthday party for our friend Mark last night. It was a pretty relaxed get together with pizza, cake, ice cream and games. I had a lot of fun and I hope he did too.

I thought I'd share a few recipes with you as well as my latest creative endeavor that were enjoyed by all at the party.

First, the decor:

I made the birthday banner out of scrapbook paper and printed letters on our black/white printer and cut them out. It turned out really well and can totally be used again . . . and again! We picked up some helium balloons too which was totally fun. I loved them. Seriously, I played with them for an hour after everyone went home.

Now, the cake:

 

Alright, before you laugh at my lettering . . . okay. I'll wait! Let me just say now that you are done laughing, that this is the best cake recipe ever! It's the same cake I made last time. It's Betty Crocker's "Best Chocolate Cake," and it does not disappoint. I have issues with frosting, so I was a bit nervous about this one, but the recipe I found online was really easy and it turned out great.

Here's the recipe for Betty Crocker's Best chocolate Cake:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour or cake flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

4 oz. melted unsweetened chocolate (cool)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour baking pan (13x9x2 or two 9-inch or three 8-inch round layer pans). Measure all ingredients into large mixer bowl. Blend 1/2 minute on low speed, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.  Pour evenly into pans. 

Bake oblong 40 to 45 minutes, layers 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.

 I also made Butterfinger ice cream! Sorry, no photos of that. But in case you are interested, here is the recipe.

Wedding Season is Here!

The other day we received two wedding invitations in the mail. Two in one day! I love it when I get an invitation to my friend's or family's weddings. I can rarely go, which makes me sad. But I am so excited for them and really do share in their joy. It's a time of new beginnings and adventure!

When the invites start coming, that's when I know it's time to start making wedding cards. Weddings, of course, happen all year round, and we've had a few already this year, but by the looks of it there are many more to come this summer!

Lately, it's taken a great deal of effort to dig out my craft supplies; there are just so many other things calling my name. But, last night was the perfect night to get comfy, cozy, and crafty. Last night we had a huge thunder storm (lightening and rain included). If you are from the Midwest, that doesn't mean much because storms are more frequent, but this was only the second or third storm I've experienced in San Francisco and this one was pretty intense.

After we got married, I stashed away quite a few of my wedding cards, ones that had pretty pictures or fun patterns; the ones I knew could be reused. I still have a few left, but it's getting slimmer. Here are a few of the cards I have made recently:

If you have any old cards you think could be reused that you aren't going to use yourself, I'd be glad to take them off your hands!

The other day we received two wedding invitations in the mail. Two in one day! I love it when I get an invitation to my friend's or family's weddings. I can rarely go, which makes me sad. But I am so excited for them and really do share in their joy. It's a time of new beginnings and adventure!

When the invites start coming, that's when I know it's time to start making wedding cards. Weddings, of course, happen all year round, and we've had a few already this year, but by the looks of it there are many more to come this summer!

Lately, it's taken a great deal of effort to dig out my craft supplies; there are just so many other things calling my name. But, last night was the perfect night to get comfy, cozy, and crafty. Last night we had a huge thunder storm (lightening and rain included). If you are from the Midwest, that doesn't mean much because storms are more frequent, but this was only the second or third storm I've experienced in San Francisco and this one was pretty intense.

After we got married, I stashed away quite a few of my wedding cards, ones that had pretty pictures or fun patterns; the ones I knew could be reused. I still have a few left, but it's getting slimmer. Here are a few of the cards I have made recently:

If you have any old cards you think could be reused that you aren't going to use yourself, I'd be glad to take them off your hands!

Custom Designed Wrapping Paper

I attended a baby shower this evening for a friend from church. I had no problem making the card and buying the gift (I enjoyed doing both of those things quite a bit!) but when it came to wrapping it up, I was at a loss. I hadn't picked up a gift bag or baby-themed wrapping paper and didn't want to run back to the store to get it.

I've used paper bags to mail packages before, usually using them as a wrapping around an ugly box or something. I usually have to flip in so the outside of the bag with all the logos and wording is on the inside.

When I was younger, my mom taught me how to make a little gift bag out of wrapping paper.

I decided to put these two ideas together and make a small gift bag out of a grocery bag. It was a total disaster! Turns out the creases in the paper bag don't go anywhere even when you try to make new folds. Wrapping paper is so much lighter and easier to fold.

Option two was to just wrap the gift in the paper bag without a box and do my best with those darn creases. That didn't look too impressive (especially when I was thinking about the other gift packaging that was sure to be at the party).

Thankfully, my creative mind was working over time trying to make this work and I noticed my Trader Joe's grocery bags were covered in blue graphics - perfect for a little boy's gift. I cut out the blue wave, the seagull, and changed up the letters from "Reusable" and "Recycle" to make "Caleb."

It turned out pretty great if I do say so myself!

I attended a baby shower this evening for a friend from church. I had no problem making the card and buying the gift (I enjoyed doing both of those things quite a bit!) but when it came to wrapping it up, I was at a loss. I hadn't picked up a gift bag or baby-themed wrapping paper and didn't want to run back to the store to get it.

I've used paper bags to mail packages before, usually using them as a wrapping around an ugly box or something. I usually have to flip in so the outside of the bag with all the logos and wording is on the inside.

When I was younger, my mom taught me how to make a little gift bag out of wrapping paper.

I decided to put these two ideas together and make a small gift bag out of a grocery bag. It was a total disaster! Turns out the creases in the paper bag don't go anywhere even when you try to make new folds. Wrapping paper is so much lighter and easier to fold.

Option two was to just wrap the gift in the paper bag without a box and do my best with those darn creases. That didn't look too impressive (especially when I was thinking about the other gift packaging that was sure to be at the party).

Thankfully, my creative mind was working over time trying to make this work and I noticed my Trader Joe's grocery bags were covered in blue graphics - perfect for a little boy's gift. I cut out the blue wave, the seagull, and changed up the letters from "Reusable" and "Recycle" to make "Caleb."

It turned out pretty great if I do say so myself!

New Stamp

As my relatives and friends begin starting their families, I needed to invest in a new rubber stamp: Baby Feet! This card was made for my cousin's baby boy.

As my relatives and friends begin starting their families, I needed to invest in a new rubber stamp: Baby Feet! This card was made for my cousin's baby boy.

Greeting cards . . . for men

It takes a little bit of work for me to design cards for men -- I like using pink things and ribbons and those are not usually appreciated when received by the male gender. Here are a few I did just to have on hand.

It takes a little bit of work for me to design cards for men -- I like using pink things and ribbons and those are not usually appreciated when received by the male gender. Here are a few I did just to have on hand.

Handmade Cards

I've been making greeting cards for quite a while. You may have even received one for Christmas or a birthday! Here are a few I recently sent off in the mail.

I've been making greeting cards for quite a while. You may have even received one for Christmas or a birthday! Here are a few I recently sent off in the mail.

Party Invitations

I had my first go at making party invitations. They were for my sister's bachelorette party (which was a lot of fun). I got the idea on etsy.com; I was going to order them and have someone else do the dirty work but then I figured that I could probably make my own and keep the price down. I made nine invitations for less than $10.

I also made matching thank you cards for her to use after the party . . . but I didn't take a photo of those.

I had my first go at making party invitations. They were for my sister's bachelorette party (which was a lot of fun). I got the idea on etsy.com; I was going to order them and have someone else do the dirty work but then I figured that I could probably make my own and keep the price down. I made nine invitations for less than $10.

I also made matching thank you cards for her to use after the party . . . but I didn't take a photo of those.

Thank You Cards

My newest set of thank you cards --

My newest set of thank you cards --