.........Visiting Teaching surprise!

Valentine Day

2012-02-01T21:57:00.002-07:00

I have found some really great links for cute Valentine crafts, gift ideas, decorations, etc. and just had to share them with you. None are my own idea this time, but great ideas none the less!
·        http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-crafts-cards-gifts-decorations/
·        http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2011/02/very-cute-valentine-ideas.html
·        http://boutiqueit.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-day-handmade-gift-round-up.html
·        http://www.letsentertain.net/lets_entertain/valentines-day/
·        http://www.marthastewart.com/296689/valentines-day-clip-art-and-labels/@center/276967/valentines-day
·        http://thechildrensnest.blogspot.com/2010/01/loving-these-adorable-and-yummy-ideas.html
·        http://www.favecrafts.com/master_images/Valentine's%20Day/Valentine-Craft-Blogger-eBook.pdf
·        http://www.pumpkinsandposies.com/free-printables.html

ENJOY!!!! Katie G.

LDS Resource links

2012-01-21T22:11:00.007-07:00

I was helping out my husband for a 5th Sunday lesson that he is presenting to the ward, and I happened upon a great site that had lots and lots of LDS resource site links. Originally I began writing them down for him, but I realized that all of you would love to know about these sites as well. Some of them I knew about but others were new to me. I have activated the links so if you just click on the link, you should be magically whisked away to that site. Aren't you excited? I was, and so you now can enjoy it too..... so here they are:

LDS Media Library http://lds.org/media-library/images?lang=eng
LDS Newsroom http://newsroom.lds.org/
MLS Companion Database http://web.mac.com/marlo.steed/MemDbase/Welcome.html
Build Zion.com LDS Leadership items http://buildzion.com/index.php/LDS-Items
US Family Tree genealogy tools for descendancy surname research (9 generations for free or 15 with paid subscription) https://www.usfamilytree.com/
Create your Genealogy Fan Chart https://createfan.com/
Mormon.org – Our People,Our Values, Our Faith, Visit us and Facts http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng
Youtube Mormon Channel http://www.youtube.com/MormonMessages
BYU TV http://byutv.org/
Youth https://lds.org/youth?lang=eng&X-Forwarded-Scheme=https
Seminary Music Sound Tracks http://lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,6611-1,00.html
Church Music http://lds.org/cm/welcome
Church Magazines https://lds.org/magazine?lang=eng
Friend Dedicated to Children ( games, Stories, videos, coloring pages, etc.) http://lds.org/friend?lang=eng
LDS Store online ( Gospel Study, Garments and Temple Clothing, Home & Family, Music, Media and Art, Serving in the church) http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategories1?langId=-1&storeId=715839595&catalogId=10557
LDS Church News http://www.ldschurchnews.com/home
Church Publications in Compressed Audio Format http://lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html
Gospel Library http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2b6f3c7ff44f2010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD&locale=0

I know that there are many more, but these are the ones I have recently found. It would serve you well to go through these links and see what the church has created for our study, spreading the gospel, and general resource help for us. Katie G.

Hands, Hearts, Mouthpiece and Watchcare

2012-01-17T19:51:00.005-07:00

I have many LDS women all over the world email me about some of the ideas I have on my two Visiting Teaching blogs. It is so fun to realize that my blogs are touching everywhere in the world and women all over the ward are reading them! Recently one sister wrote me, and I thought I would share that email, because I shared some ideas of how she could put together a Visiting Teaching Conference using the topics of Hands, Hearts and watchcare.

Katie,
I am a new R.S. President and have poured over the Internet for weeks looking for an idea for a visiting teaching seminar. There has been nothing that has jumped out at me or touched my heart in a way that would help me to inspire the sisters in my ward to be an extraordinary visiting teacher. I want to teach the importance of their calling in being the heart, hands, and voice of the Lord as they give "watch care" service in their visiting teaching responsibilities and stewardship. I want to show "what love can do" as they minister to their assigned sisters. Has your ward done a visiting teaching seminar? What have they done to inspire your sisters in this work? Our seminar is held during the third hour on Sunday. So I don't have a lot of time to inspire them in the importance of their calling. Any ideas or help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

thank you,
Diana

Dear Diana,
Why don't you use as a theme "Visiting teachers are the "heart, hands and mouthpiece for watchcare" or something similar, because you could do as a little take home... sugar cookies in the shape of hands with a heart on the top of the hand, also in a sugar cookie, or since all the Valentine candies are out, you could put a valentine heart on top of the hand shaped sugar cookie. So that is the treat. Ice or glaze the hand shaped sugar cookie in white or very pale pink, and the heart cookie on top, in pink frosting or glaze or a heart shaped candy like a sugared jelly heart. "The word mouth piece, ties in because you eat the cookies!

This link will take you to a book mark from Pres. Uchtdorfs talk about your hands are his hands: http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2010/05/your-hands-are-his-hands.html

Obviously the cookie is just a fun little handout and the theme and message is the most important. Visiting teachers are the heart and hands and mouthpiece of the the Lord, because without them, how could all of the needs be met? The Relief Society President could only do so much, and if she doesn't hear about what is going on with all the individual sisters through the Visiting teachers, then she cannot minister to their needs. Since you are doing this on a Sunday, maybe you could split the lesson into three categories:
1. Heart
2. Hands
3. Mouthpiece

1. One member of the Presidency could focus on The "HEART" being touched or turned through the monthly Visiting Teaching spiritual message. It is a message that is supposed to touch the HEART, of your sisters and designed to provide a spiritual uplift. Many women who are inactive or nonmembers, are willing to receive the message and it might just be the only spiritual message they get for a whole month, or until Visiting Teachers come again the next month.
2. Someone else can focus on the "HANDS" and what they can do in serving those we Visit Teach. Stories can be shared of the service that was provided through the willing hands of sisters this past year in your ward. A song comes to mind....I have two little hands and part of the lyrics to that song go "... during all the long hours til daylight is through, there are plenty of deeds for my two hands to do".
3. The R.S. president could close with her message focused on the importance of Visiting Teaching getting done each month, that the sisters are the "MOUTHPIECE" and how vital the V.T.reports are to her in order to take care of the needs each sister has. She could give examples of times that she didn't know about the needs of some sister in the ward, but thanks to faithful V.T. she was informed and the sisters needs were met.
On my blog, I have some messages about Helping Hands... Your hands are His hands, and such. I don't have time to go through the blog and look them up for you, but they are there and there are some good handouts as well. http://visitingteachingtips.blogpspot.com and my other blog that has mostly handouts is http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com Hope these ideas help you. Please let me know how things turn out for you. Hope all goes very well.
Best regards,
Katie G.

December 2011 Visiting teaching message printable

2011-12-21T10:49:00.006-07:00

Here is a printable I made up for you to take with you Visiting teaching if you like. The message is the Dec. 2011 Visiting teaching message. I have also given my own message on my other blog if you need some ideas of where to go from there. Be sure to add your own thoughts, but you are welcome to use mine as well. http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com To print this message from my blog, click on the image and save it to a file on your computer. Then print from your file. Simple huh? Enjoy! Katie G.

Christmas Card/message

2011-11-19T06:35:00.002-07:00

I have just posted a wonderful Christmas message on my Visiting Teaching Tips handouts and Ideas blog. If you would like to have access to it, go to that blog by clicking on the title of this post. Need a reminder how to print from my blogs???? I posted it at the bottom of the post you will go to.
Enjoy!!! Katie G.

Candied Yams Recipe

2011-11-15T16:26:00.002-07:00

Our ward's Young Men and Young Women's group are doing a food drive for food for Thanksgiving Dinner. I decided to provide Yams and all the ingredients to make "Candied Yams". Since many people don't have their own recipe, I thought I would create my own Recipe cards and thought I would share with you too. Enjoy! Katie

I'm thankful for.....

2011-11-14T00:18:00.009-07:00

My daughter in law who lives in Wyoming, is such an amazing young woman, mother and wife to my son. She is so talented and uses her talents to teach and bless the lives of her children. She is always doing something fun and unique. She has a personal blog that she keeps updated where she shares through words and photos, what is going on in the lives of her family. We don't get to see them very often so her blog is such a blessing for us! I wanted to share with you an idea that she is recording on her blog.

She started at the first part of this month of November, having each family member share one thing that they are thankful for each day. By the time that Thanksgiving comes, I can only imagine the feelings in their hearts of the blessings that they are given. What a way to make their Thanksgiving alive in all of their hearts. I am listing day #6 of what they are thankful for, as an example.

#6
Tonight we are thankful for:
Dad: A steady job
Mom: Reliable vehicles
Max: Highway trucks...I don't know where he learned about highways, but he's slightly obsessed with them right now!
Matty: That we can play with each other.
Blyss: a new Dora crown.

Their children are under age 4, so the things that each of them are thankful for are mostly fun things. These kids are learning an attitude of Gratitude from their parents. What great dinnertime conversation. Every so often, my daughter in law will print off and bind into a photo book, the newest posts and photos on her blog, and to date she has quite a few books. Once while my husband and I were visiting them, she pulled down these priceless photo memories and read with her children about the things they did when they were younger. Can you imagine if she prints her thanksgiving list each year, just how many blessings that they will be able to count once they are older?

Thank you Jenna for your example of doing good things for your family. I thought I would pass on this to all of you, and maybe Jenna's idea will rub off on your family as well. Happy Thanksgiving! Katie G

P.S.One other thing... my little Granddaughter (my oldest daughters child) last year, just after we said the prayer on our own Thanksgiving feast, suggested we go around the room and have every person share something that they are thankful for. This little granddaughter was only 6 at the time, and I thought about how thankful I was that her parents, my daugther and son in law, had taught her about thankfulness and appreciation. It was a great experience and like the saying goes... "And a little child shall lead them".

Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation

2011-10-26T22:43:00.009-06:00

Back by popular demand, my "Wanted Poster" invitation for Thanksgiving Dinner. I have been asked about it so much lately, that I just decided to put it back up this year, though I changed the date to 2011. It makes a fun invitation for your guests, and sets a fun tone for your Thanksgiving Day celebration. Be sure to comment and let me know how you like it??? Enjoy! Katie G.

Be sure to drop by both of my blogs to get some great ideas, tips, freebies, printables, and much more!
http://visitingteachingsuprise.blogspot.com http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com

Seed packet Gift/ template

2011-10-25T22:05:00.007-06:00

I decided that instead of giving out thank you notes to the lovely friends of mine who remembered me on my birthday, I decided to design a template for a seed packed, and fill it up with seeds from my pretty yellow and orange flowers in my yard, and give it as a thank-you. They turned out darling and printed so very nicely. Very easy template, but be sure to score the lines around the packet where the folds go, as it looks so sharp and folds much nicer. I used glue runner tape as well. If I get a chance I will take a snapshot of the finished product before I give them out. On the back side, I left it plain so that you can add your own message, for a gift or in place of a thank you note, or for whatever reason you want to use it for. I also inserted it into a cellophane bag ( note card size ) and tied a yellow ribbon around it. VERY CUTE!!! Enjoy! Katie G.

Visiting Teaching October 2011 Mesasge and Idea

2011-10-20T11:17:00.000-06:00

You have to go to this link http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/visiting-teaching-for-october-2011.html and read what I am going to be doing with the sisters I visit teach, this month. It is going to be a BLAST!!!! Actually a Blast from the Past too! YEAH!!! I love to have fun and that is what it will be. Can't wait for Monday because I get to be with the sisters I teach and have fun with them.
Go read my post!

Love, Katie G.

LDS General Conference

2011-10-03T10:16:00.005-06:00

I loved the announcement from President Monson that the Provo Tabernacle that had recently burnd down other than the exterrior, would be rebuilt and would become a second temple in Provo, Utah. I don't know about you but when that was said, both my husband and I started crying. It was a great expereince! I found this darling vintage postcard that was of the Provo Tabernacle in days gone by.... enjoy! Katie

Relief Society Conference Broadcast (watch it live!)

2011-09-24T12:47:00.004-06:00

I went to LDS.org to see when the R.S. Broadcast would be rebroadcast, and it appears that it can be streamed live from SLC Mountain Standard time. I thought I would pass this on to you, but I am sure that it will be rebroadcast but I could not find out the time for this. Oh and my screen on both my blogs isn't large enough to get the entire picture so go to LDS.org and watch it from there. Here is the link: http://lds.org/general-conference/watch?lang=eng
8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0">

Visiting Teaching Message September 2011

2011-09-11T22:39:00.003-06:00

Here is a little handout that I created for you to take with you Visiting Teaching. It contains some of the quotes from the lesson. Enjoy! Katie G.

.........Visiting Teaching surprise!: August 2011 Visiting Teaching message printable

2011-08-11T01:21:00.000-06:00

.........Visiting Teaching surprise!: August 2011 Visiting Teaching message printable

August 2011 Visiting Teaching message printable

2011-08-11T01:08:00.004-06:00

Click on the image and you will be able to read it better. This is the handout that I made for Visiting Teaching for August 2011. I just about didn't get one done as I have been busier than a little bee this month and last month. Even if you have already gone out and done your Visiting Teaching, you can still use this for your sisters now, or for another month. It is a door hanger. Make sure to sign add your phone number at the bottom before you leave it hanging on their door nob or you can just hand it to them so that they have your phone number so they can reach you when they need a "Helping Hand".

One thing about this too is that many people won't ask for help, so be proactive and really let your sister know that you would love to be of service to them, so that they won't hesitate to call if they need you.

Enjoy!

Visiting Teaching Message June 2011- Strengthening Families through temporal self reliance

2011-06-09T00:11:00.003-06:00

June 2010 Visiting teaching lesson focus on self reliance. In my Visiting teaching tips, handouts and Ideas blog, I shared some stories about my own family and how they became self reliant in raising their families. If you would like to read my personal stories, click on the title of this message and you will be whisked away to my other blog, where I will share my stories with you.

One of my stories included my own experience of learning to bottle, or can fruits with my Mom and my sisters. I too passed on this wonderful talent to my own daughters and we get together every year to can. So I went looking for some cute things that you can use for yourself, or give to your sister you teach to encourage their own self reliance. I found some darling canning jar lid stickers that you can print out for yourself on sticker paper, or label paper. Here are the cute things I found and the links to find them on the Internet.

1. Round jar top labels can be found here:

http://blog.worldlabel.com/2011/round-labels-in-a-vintage-style-design.html

2. Cute vintage labels for bottles or whatever can be found here:

http://blog.worldlabel.com/2011/bottle-labels-for-your-apothecary-products.html

More really pretty vintage labels can also be found here and you know how much I love Vintage things...

http://blog.worldlabel.com/2009/free-fillable-suzee-que-vintage-labels.html

And I even located a few more cute labels here:

More really pretty vintage labels can also be found here and you know how much I love Vintage things... http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2009/03/free-downloadable-stickers.html

And one more cute one made by Poppytalkhandmade is found here:

http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-downloadable-labels-from-us.html

Any of these can be customized to suit whatever you are canning. This would be a cute way to encourage self reliance and learning how to can fruit. Another idea would be to invite your sisters to come can or bottle with you at your house, and use some of these cute labels to adorn your handiwork! Enjoy! Katie G.

LDS Bling Quotes

2011-05-16T22:10:00.001-06:00

This past week, I helped a friend create a blog that she needed for a book that she is writing. She needs advice from LDS parents all over the world. I thought I would just tell you about it in a post on my blog because I have readership from all over the world. Click on the title of this post and it will take you directly to her blog. She needs you to send her an email sharing your advice on how to raise righteous children. Make sure you tell her that Katie G sent you. By the way, do you love the header I created? She wanted it blingy and blingy it is. Now go send your advice to my friend Mary. Enjoy, Katie G.

New Ward, new ideas "It's the caring that counts!"

2011-05-13T21:26:00.000-06:00

My ward was once again divided and this was the 4th time in 4 years. Yes, this area that I live is definately growing. With this divisions came changes. We have a new Relief Society President and she recently attenede General Relief Society training in which she had the opportunity to visit with Sister Julie Beck. As she listended to Sister Becks admonitions and message, our this new president picked out the message and brought it home to our ward. With this inspiration from Sister Beck our Relief Society Visiting teaching is making a few changes and these have come via some points made in Sister Becks message to the Presidencies from all over the world.

So, I am going to post this letter that was sent via our R.S. email list to all the sisters of the ward....I have received permission from our R.S. President to share this new way of reporting our Visiting teaching with you.

Dear Sisters,

We appreciate everyone who made it to Sunday’s lesson where Juleen introduced “It’s the Caring that Counts” Visiting Teaching Program. For those of you that were unable to join us, we want to briefly review the program.

Instead of just reporting if the sister’s visit was a phone call, letter or personal visit, we are asking that you answer these three questions on each of the sisters you visit:

A. Are there any needs or concerns that she has? If so, how are you helping to resolve the issue(s)?

B. Have you seen her in Sacrament Meeting?

C. Is there any good news she has to share?

Attached is the sheet we would like you to complete that addresses these three questions. By completing and returning (via email or handed directly to your supervisor)the attached document, we will be able to better track the needs of each sister and ensure we are giving them the support they need. If you have problems saving and emailing this document back, you are welcome to answer the questions in the body of your email and send the information that way. If you feel an issue one of your sisters is dealing with is particularly sensitive, please feel free to contact President Jackson directly.

The opportunity we have to serve the sisters in our ward through visiting teaching is an important calling and plays a critical role in ensuring that everyone’s spiritual and temporal needs are being met. As a visiting teacher, you are on the front line, and the Relief Society Presidency depends on your watchful care to identify and meet the needs of each sister. We are confident that as all visiting teachers put forth some additional effort to document and address the needs of the sisters in their stewardship, that our entire ward will be strengthened. We appreciate your dedication, diligence, and, most importantly, the caring that you provide your sisters.

This is the attachment actually it looks better than this as it is on a printed page with g raphics, but I dont' know how to convert a PDF to a JPEG, and this blogger won't accept PDF's so here is the simple version of what is on the attachment These questions are what Visiting Teachers are to find out about their sisters and then report them to their supervisor each month:

IT'S THE. CARING THAT COUNTSI

How I connect with the sisters I

visit. ..

VISITING TE.ACHERS:

SUPERVISOR: MONTH:

SISTER

# 1:

A) Are there any needs ar concerns that she has? If so, how are you helping to resolve

the issue(s)?

B) Have you seen her in Sacrament Meeting?

Is there any good news she has to share?

SISTER #2

A) Are there any needs or concerns that she has? If so, how are you helping to resolve

the issue(s)?

B) Have you seen her in Sacrament Meeting?

Is there any good news she has to share?

SISTER #3

A) Are there any needs or concerns that she has? If so, how are you helping to resolve

the issue(s)?

B) Have you seen her in Sacrament Meeting?

C) Is there any good news she has to share?

Visiting Teaching Message April 2011

2011-04-18T22:09:00.001-06:00

The message can be found on page 7 in your Ensign, or at this link http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-5252-1,00.html

I am pretty late at getting my Visiting teaching done this month, but just in case you are as well, I thought I would share what I just created for the handout. Remember that I can't put everything on the handout, so I just selected certain things that stuck out in my mind the most from this message. There is certainly plenty of more wonderful things that you could share, so be inspired, and make this message come from your heart and inspiration. The handout is just an added plus!

If you are wondering about Rebecca Swain Williams.... whose photo is on the handout, go to page 38 of your Ensign and read about her. I say all the time that I am grateful that I was not born in the early days of the church or even in an earlier era of history, because I can't imagine that I could survive those times. I wonder if these early pioneer women of the church, look down on us from their Heavenly state, and say.... " I am glad that I wasn't born in the latter days like ......?"

Enjoy and go out and do your teaching! Katie G.

ktgauger@gmail.com

Cute Easter Ideas

2011-04-14T19:07:00.009-06:00

I have been so swamped with so many other things to create my own ideas for Easter, so I have found some cute ones that I wanted to pass on to you. Darling ideas, and the links to them.

This is the link to this darling "Carrot" filled template. Easy to create! http://emilyburnette.blogspot.com/ How cute would this be to take as a little Easter Visiting Teaching gift? I think I am going to use this template for my visiting teaching. My sisters and I are going to lunch at Olive Garden to get to know each other better. Over lunch I will give the lesson, and then this will be a fun and cute take home for them to enjoy. I want my sisters to feel loved. I wrote Emily who is the author of the website that this idea was founded, and I found out she is LDS too. Isn't it fun to find sisters throughout the world with the same goals, and efforts to serve others. Thanks Emily!

SMORES IN A JAR can be found at this site: http://rootsandwingsco.blogspot.com/2009/03/smores-in-jar-for-easter.html At this site, she had many ideas that are great for Easter. I love the cute marshamallow bunnies that are being made now in different colors anf flavors. Of course I am a Peep lover, and would probably use peeps.

Now speaking of Peeps, if you go back into my archives you can find all kinds of great ideas to use Peeps with. Click on this link http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/search/label/Easter and it brings up all my Easter and Sprintime ideas.

Now lookie what I found.... Templates to make Easter Baskets. The first one is created by "Tracy" and she use to design for Digichick, but I can't find a link to her. The second one can be found at http://kelleighratzlaff.com/headline/the-easter-basket-template-set-and-cutting-files/ She has a template and other darling baskets that she made including a Birthday basket.

They can be made up so cute with the darling digital or other scrapbook papers that are available now. I just suggest that you get one that is printed on cardstock so it will be more durable. Wouldn't it be sad if you went to all that work to make such a cute basket, and it broke because the paper wasn't strong enough. There is a solution if you find just the right print on paper..... if you use spray glue and glue it to a piece of cardstock, then it would be heavy enough to use for an Easter basket. Here is one freebie template link http://guidinguk.freeservers.com/Easter-basket.html and another one that is pictured next comes from

http://jannekesmit.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-easter-basket-template.html Jannie who is the designer at this site, encourages you to make up her template and then take a photo of how it turned out and send it to her. That would be a nice way of saying Thank-you for using her template design for free.

I could go on and on with Easter ideas to give to the women you Visit Teach or to Friends, neighbors, your own children, parents, or whomever, but my time is gone and I need to clean my house, lest my husband return and say... "Did a tornado go through today?" Just kidding, he is really patient with me as he knows my love for creating cute things, but I do need to stop now. Hope you enjoy these ideas and if you have a cute one and would like to share.... please let me know. My email is listed on the right column of this blog. Happy Easter! Katie G.

Warming Wrap Tutorial

2011-03-28T12:02:00.000-06:00

I have been looking for a tutorial for a long time on how to make a warming wrap... you know one of those wonderful things filled with rice, grain, herbs or whatever.... that you put in the microwave to heat up and put on a part of you that is hurting. Well I just happened on one. It would make a great gift for your sister you Visit teach for when they are ill or recovering from a surgery. This one could be made in different fabrics, but it was obviously made for a man, to look a bit more masculine. BUT... you could pick a cute fabric and make one that fits your personality. If you click on the title of this post, it will take you to the tutorial in a flash! Enjoy! Katie G.

I realize this post is a bit random, but I have also been looking for a tutorial on how to make freezer paper stencils. Family reunions are coming up in the Spring - Summer months and how fun would it be to have matching family shirts? If you go to a store to buy them or have them printed, it is going to be pretty costly, but if you just buy a t shirt and then do your own stenciling, it would sure save a lot of money as well as you can be as original as you want with your design. Her is the link to the video tutorial http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/04/freezer-paper-stenciling-in-depth.html This gal is LDS, as I could tell because she also has a freebie printable for the YW theme which is the 13th article of faith, and it is a framable image that she offers for free as well. She is very talented and has great ideas. enjoy! Katie G

Somebodys having a Birthday? ( Plus more templates)

2011-03-28T09:30:00.008-06:00

My daughter had a birthday yesterday, her husband a week ago and my grandson this very same month. Now why didn't I think of this cute idea much earlier? Well it is OK because next month my family has several other birthdays. This isn't just for little children's birthdays, but can be a fun little thoughtful gift for you to make up for the women you Visit teach, for their birthdays. I found a slice of cake box all stuffed with cute little gifts at this blog http://afrecklefacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/06/cake-slice-boxes.html Click on the image to make it larger. See how they stuffed this piece of cake box with color coordinated things. This one however is for kids. I was thinking that there are so many cute little things that you could stuff your box with like post it notes and cute floral mini pens from the $1 section at Target. Kitchen gadgets, like bag clips, etc. You could also fill it with goodies and treats, and one way to get them without paying allot of money is to buy a bunch of after holiday sales candy. You can usually find this kind of candy for 50 % off the day after the holiday, and even more off days after that until it is all sold.

Here is a pattern or template for this cute cake box that I found online at: http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/images/cakebox.gif All you have to do to create a cute cake box like the one that is pictured above is to buy a piece of printed card stock scrapbook paper (8.5 x 11) and print the template on the side opposite of the print. Cut out and score, and fold into your darling cake box. If you want your stuffing's to match, be sure to buy them first and then take them with you when you buy your piece of card stock to match. Very cute idea.. huh?

NOTE FROM KATIE: If you really want to customize this piece of cake template, then go online to any of the hundreds of Digital Scrapbook stores that have so many cute papers for sale, or even offered as freebies. You will certainly find some cute prints for your piece of cake box there. You can also find many other cute templates for printing online, and then create them using the your digital paper selections so everything matches. People ask me how I do it to make things match and look so cute. This is how you do it, print them yourself and even make a cute tag or mini card in a coordinated print as well. Enjoy! Katie G

TEMPLATES, TEMPLATES, TEMPLATES!!!!!

Since I am in the template mode, I thought I would share with you some other cute templates of things you can print and create for upcoming gift ideas... Easter, Mothers day, etc.... In my searching for ideas I found a very cute site that has some really cute ideas. It is called Waltzing Mouse Stamps. This first one I found is a darling paper printable Easter basket template. It can be found here: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0034/2892/files/Mini_Square_Basket.pdf?1279558175 and at that same website, there are many other cute freebie templates like this cute Mothers Day card template that can be found here: http://www.waltzingmousestamps.com/products/freebie-watering-can-card If you go to this link at Waltzing Mouse Stamps, it will show you all the other cute freebie downloadable templates for other cute Easter baskets and other holiday designs. I love the Halloween witch, but since it isn't Halloween time, I won't post the image, but you should really go look at these. DARLING!!!! They also have other templates and ideas that they charge for and one that you should really look at is their slice of cake template. It combines many slices of cake to build one round big cake and their template has a lid and a bottom. It is soooooo CUTE!!! The digichick site http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/Piece-Of-Cake-Template-Set.html also has cute ideas for printing cake templates, however their template isn't much different than the one that I have posted above.

Here is another really cute idea to make for a Relief Society Birthday Party or whatever you choose. and it comes from Martha Stewart at http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/lace-cupcake-towers They show it here as a Wedding cupcake cake tower, but you could do it for any other kind of project by simply using the template and printing the image out on digital or scrapbook paper you buy in the store. This idea for the lace wrap around edge, was created by finding a pretty lace and color copying and enlarging it. Now how creative is that???? SOOOO cute!

Even easier and simpler for one person would be printing a cupcake wrap, and printing the template on scrapbook paper and wrapping it around the base of the cupcake. This would be a great little gift for your Visiting Teaching Sisters birthdays, and since you will have to bake up more cupcakes to get one to take with you to your Sister, your family will be very happy too because they too will get cupcakes for dessert. Here are several pre designed templates for the cupcake wrap arounds that I found on the internet at this site: http://foodartparty.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-free-cupcake-wrappers.html While you are at this blog, be sure to look at the way she decorates her sugar cookies. Absolutely fabulos! Also she lists freebie links to all different kinds of cupcake wrap printables for Valentines Day, Lego Parties, Ninja, Princess, Bird, Butterfly, Deer, Easter, Bohemian, Chandelier, black and white, Springtime, Superbowl, 4th of July and on and on!

I found this actual blank template here: http://imagesbyheatherm.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/printable-cupcake-wrapper-templates/

It is a ping that you can download the template and print from your computer. It has two different kinds of cupcake wraps, one plain edge andthe other is scalloped edge. NOW if you need some cute printable cupcake invitations...... well of course you can go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/honeybooart/sets/72157621961287600/ Be sure while you are there to go through the other cute printables that they have on that site. VERY CUTE!!! And if that wasn't enough make sure to check out this site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cutepaper/3795147666/in/pool-75055462@N00/

I have to be done now, as each darling idea leads me to the next and I could spend all day doing this, but I need to get some housework done today as well so.. Bye for now! Love, Katie G.

What do I use to design?

2011-03-23T09:39:00.002-06:00

I have had so many people ask me what I use to design what I design. I am almost embarrassed to tell you because the main program I have used is so user friendly and has been around for so many years. I started some 20+ years ago on The Print Shop by Brodderbund. It has had many version changes and I am not on the most recent verion of Print shop Professional. It does everything I have ever needed however the most recent version of Print Shop Pro doesn't have the fine cropping capability, so for that and other things I also use Photoshop Elements. Photoshop Elements has most of the things I would ever use for my scrapbooking though since I am self taught, I have to figure out how to use the different tools and capabilities that it has.

My son who is a master Graphic Designer came over a couple weeks ago and started to show me what Photoshop Elements could do, and I was so amazed. I need him to sit down and teach me some lessons. I have a lot more to learn but what I do is through using a combination of the two programs, and I love it.

I have recently had a reader post that they use another program called PhotoScape, and I looked at it and it looks pretty user friendly as well. You can download a free version of it though I don't know if there is a time limit they give to try it out. You would have to go look at it and see for yourself.

I am pretty sure that there are many other graphic design programs out there, and if my readers would post a comment about other programs they use, then I would be able to share that will all of you.

I have people asking me to teach them how to do this, and I just get tired thinking about it because it isn't just a sit down, and teach you everything in one lesson. It takes a long time to learn it all. I suggest that you could sign up for lessons somewhere or there may be tutorials on line, so google it and learn how to. Don't be afraid to try to figure things out all by yourself, because you can do it, and that is how I did it. I must admit I have had a lot of years learning, but I am still learning, and love it.

READERS: Please tell us what programs you use to design your projects with. Please comment below, and if you want a reply you will need to include your email.

Best regards, Katie G.

Spanish, Portuguese, or other languages.....I need your input.

2011-03-18T14:39:00.003-06:00

I have had several request lately for me to translate my handouts and freebies into Spanish. I don't speak Spanish so it isn't easy for me to accomplish this. I would, however love to have anyone of any language be able to use my handouts, so I have thought about a way that I could possibly accomplish this. I will need your imput to to know if this will work for you.

My idea is that when I design something like the book mark to the left, for example, I will do my creative thing and make something cute, and type in the message, scripture or whatever, in English and post it on my blog. Then I will also post a page of the same designed bookmark, without the message, leaving it blank for you to save to your computer and type in or insert however you can, the translation in whatever language you need to share with the sister you Visit teach, friends or whomever.

So, I designed this bookmark for you to try to put your own message on, just to see if you can do it. It is a cute Springy and Easter looking print from Shabby Princess, and you can see what you can do with it. This time I didn't include a scripture but I am sure you can come up with one about Springtime, the Resurrection, Jesus Christ's atonement, new life, or whatever else you think of. I know that not everyone will have the ability to do this on the computer but you could still print up the message, and type on it, or hand write the message.

Please let me know if this will work for you and how you accomplished it. I need feedback or I simply won't make the extra effort it will take to do this, as all of this takes allot of time. You can either click on the "comment" button below this post and comment there, or email me directly on my blog email which is posted at the top right column of this blog. If you just comment, please be sure to provide me your email address if you want me to reply because by default, no return email is listed.

Thanks for your help!

Katie G.

My time out update

2011-03-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: My surgery went well and I am beginning to feel much better. I hope to be back into the swing of things, very soon, so keep checking back. I actually posted a couple of things today. Thanks for your concern and prayers on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Katie G.

March 2011 visiting teaching message

2011-03-07T22:28:00.004-07:00

Click on the title to be directed to the Message page.

Mothers day early (2 printables)

2011-03-05T20:19:00.002-07:00

I designed a book insert, or bookmark if that is what you would like to call it to go with the lesson on A grateful heart.... BUT... I thought it would be really cute for Mothers Day too. The little kids on the bookmark are the early years "Campbell Soup Kids". I think they are so very cute. Anyway.... here it is...

I am asked all the time what program I use to create my printables and such. I am almost embarassed to say because it is one that I have used for years, though it has changed and improved. Nope, I don't use photoshop... though I do use Photoshop Elements to do some things, but I am not very good at Elements, so I use Print Shop Professional for mostly all of my graphic design. It is limited so that is why I use Photoshop Elements and that does the rest of what the other program doesn't.

I have a son who is amazing on Graphic Design and knows all the programs that there could ever be. I had him sit down with me for a few minutes and asked him to show me how to do a few things using Elements. I am a visual learner, so when he showed me what to do, I felt so empowered. Elements really has most of all the things I would ever use for my designing, I think, and it is a fraction of the cost of Adobe Photoshop. So... I think I will just continue to use my Print Shop Pro and keep learning more on Elements. It is a fun hobby for me and I certainly enjoy creating! Katie G.

P.S. I made these M&M bag toppers up originaly for my sister for a need she had, and changed the words to fit for Mothers day. Follow the directions that are printed and they would make cute little gifts to give to your sisters on Mothers Day or for a new little Mother who has just had a baby. Maybe there is someone you see in church that could use one of these as well, and so there are lots of applications for this little idea. Fill the bags with colored M&M's and print on colored paper. Enjoy!

A Grateful Heart

2011-03-03T14:03:00.005-07:00

I am working on a great lesson that is actually for Young Women, but would be a very good lesson for R.S.. FHE or other. I am putting together a handout booklet that will be filled with stories, a game, ideas, scriptures and such, that I will be suggesting that the YW can do a FHE with their family. Anyway... since it is just as applicable to R.S. as it is to Y.W. I will post it here too.
Here is the front cover that I designed, the pages can be found on my YW Blog. Just click on the title of this post and it will take you directly to that blog. Enjoy! Katie G.

FYI: I do booklets for handouts because I find so many wonderful stories, scriptures, images, etc, that I just can't have it in my lessons due to time constraints. So.. this is the way to keep on giving after your lesson is through.

Speaking of a Grateful heart, I just want you to know that I am grateful for all of you who come and visit my blog and share such nice comments and questions with me. It is uplifting to me to be a part of sharing the gospel in a different sort of a way, but in a way that provides service to others. I love it and just thank my Heavenly Father for the talents and abilities that He gave to me before I was born that have developed to the extent that I use them today. I am grateful and acknowledge that all I am or ever hope to be will be are a direct response of my Heavenly Fathers love for me. Sincerely, Katie G.

Bookmark

2011-02-26T11:28:00.002-07:00

Here is another bookmark that I created, actually for my daughter
but I like to pass things on, so here you go to use as you like. My
daughter wanted 10 per page, and that saves alot on ink if you are
doing the printing on your own home printer.
Enjoy! Katie G.

Printable Valentine Card

2011-02-14T08:44:00.001-07:00

I needed to make some cute Valentine cards to go with the heart shaped bowls filled with candies for my husband's Home teaching families, so I thought I would share with your too.

Just print them of on 8.5 x 11 cardstock (in Color), cut and fold them in half. You can buy the exact note card size envelop either at Walmart or Office Maxx or Depot, as that is where I buy mine.

Happy Valentines Day and Enjoy! Love, Katie G.

More Cute Valentine Ideas

2011-02-07T22:17:00.004-07:00

I usually make up my own Valentines, because I can, so I try to come up with a Valentine that has a message that is specific for either the gift I am giving, or for the person. Here is my little gift idea that i am giving to the ladies I Visit teach and I hope that none of them come look at this post before I get their Valentine to them. Well.... if they do, then they will have something to look forward to..... do you think?

Click on the image and it will make it larger for you to see in better detail. I love vintage so I took an old Vintage Valentine and added some other do dads, and turned it into a Valentine, that is color coded to match the little gift I am giving.

I went to Target and in their $1 section, I found some really cute black, red and white note pads that have a magnet on the back side. They also had some really cute matching pens so I bought them and taped them to the front of the note pad. I then found some matching pencils too, and did the same with them. I bundled all of this up in a Valentine Cellophane bag and tied the top off with a red ribbon. It turned out so very cute. Now... Notice what the Valentine says right at the top..."PLEASE NOTE" ... get it? Note pad and please note. Pretty cleaver and very cute.
These Valentines will print two per page and they are note card size. Walmart sometimes carries the note card size envelop, but if they don't have any, then Office Max or Office Depot or any other office store should carry them, but unfortunately in bulk. I do allot of card making so, I buy bulk most of the time.

Sending a Package to someone in the mail for Valentines Day? I made these up to send my Valentine Package to my son's family who lives in Wyoming. These can also be used as gift tags too, for cookies or other goodies that you make up to give to someone for Valentines Day. Enjoy!

I found a cute old Popcorn themed Valentine here: http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/ that I used to create one of my own, to put on a box of microwave popcorn to give to my sons and sons-in-law as part of the Valentine packages I do for my children's families. This Valentine (at the bottom) would be cute to use in many different ways. Today at my local Target store, I found these darling large heart shaped bowls in pink or red, and I thought how cute it would be to pop some popcorn and fill up those bowls. (and to make it extra yummy, add a bag of Valentine M&M's) I would wrap the popcorn filled bowl in cellophane and tie the top with a beautiful bow, and of course I would attach this cute Valentine to tie in the Popcorn message.

On my blog, http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/search/label/popcorn I even have a Mother gooses or Koolaid popcorn recipe that would be great to use for the popcorn if you wanted to get alittle more creative than just having buttered popcorn. Kettle Corn is really good too and that is easy to make as well. I found a very simple recipe for Kettle Corn on the Rachael Ray site. http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-index/appetizer-starter-recipes/Sweet---Salty-Kettle-Corn

I also found another site that did about what I did with this popcorn idea and here is their link http://keepingmycents.blogspot.com/2011/01/homemade-popcorn-valentine.html

Have fun and enjoy your Valentine giving! Love, Katie

Very Cute Valentine Ideas

2011-02-02T07:10:00.008-07:00

Have been looking for some cute and original Valentine Ideas to do for my children. I have found some really cute one that I wanted to provide links so that you too could see these fun things to do. Here is the first one that I found. It is soooo cute and would be cute even not hanging with a berry wreath behind it. I have put this link below the image. To see it closer, click on the image
http://www.lilluna.com/2011/01/tutorial-tuesday-valentines-wreath.html There is a complete tutorial of how this was made and it only cost $4!

Now I found this next one in my search for really cute and creative things to do for Valentines at this site: http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/01/whimsical-valentine-wreath.html I can't believe just by looking at the picture that it is made out of cupcake liners. The tutorial on how to make it is on the blog, so be sure to go to it and have a look see! My mind of course went wild with this one, because think about all the other holidays that you would like to have a wreath up and you could buy the cupcake liners for St. Patricks Day ( which I have a hard time finding decorations that I actually like for that holiday) of for any other holiday or time of year! SO CUTE! Make sure to scroll down below the instructions, because displayed on that blog are a bunch of other cupcake wreaths!

When I find some ideas from blogs that I like, I usually find that their tastes are like mine, so I really enjoy looking at the other cute things they have created, and I make sure to save them to my favorites list so I can find them again when I need another project. So.... I kept looking around on this same blog and found this other cute idea for Valentines Day.... They are playing cards made into Valentine Coupons. Now how cute and cleaver is this? She even has the printable coupon link on it so you can benefit from her work and ideas. It is so very cute. Here is the direct link to this project http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentine-project-playing-card-coupon.html You will need to go look at other projects on this blog because she has so many other ones that are just darling! So here is the link that will take you there http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/search/label/crafts

and as I scrolled down I came to these darling flowers made out of felt or leather, but I also thought you could buy some vinyl and make them too. http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/11/1-leather-or-felt-flower-gift-idea-with.html is the direct link to the tutorial to make these but what a versatile project. These could be given as a gift to someone or made for yourself to have a purse clip, a hair clip, a belt clip, a shoe clip or any other kind of clip that you came up with. I absolutely love this site and the ideas that she has so cleverly come up with that are new and fresh. You know, I have seen cute purses that have cute flowers and ruffles all over them, and you could make one using a plain purse or bag pattern and adorn your purse with these darling flowers. We have a store in Utah that is called Home Fabrics, that have bolts and bolts of fabric that can be used for draperies, upholstering furniture, and they also have large rolls of vinyl and leather for really cheap per yard. I think this must be a seconds store, but looking at these darling flowers tutorial, my mind went wild about where I can go to get the materials to make something really cute like this.

This image came from this blog http://ptskjohnson.blogspot.com/2010/09/jizdani-designer-bags-giveaway.html and gives sort of an idea of what you can do to decorate a purse with flowers. The one on the image aren't the same ones as above, but you can find a pattern for those as well online. Look how she has added a cute button to the center of the flower to make it even cuter!
Here is a link to a site that has all different kinds of free patterns for making purses that you can use. There is even one that is made out of duct tape if you can imagine!!!!
http://pursepatterns.com/free_bag_patterns.html Here is one that looks very simple to make, http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2006/06/shoulder_bag_tu.html and would be darling with flowers all over the front of it. I would make the purse in a vinyl and then put darling fabric or vinyl flowers all over the front of it. I found this purse at this site http://craftstew.com/sewing/free-purse-and-tote-bag-patterns and it has lots of other purse patterns too. I think just alittle clutch purse with a zipper would be so cute decorated with these flowers. Can you tell I like these flowers???

One last thing... Don't forget to go to my own Valentine ideas on this site that I have created in the past years for ideas too. (go to the Labels section on the right and at the bottom, click on "Valentines" ..They are still cute and current ideas and there are printable things that make it so much easier, that is if you own a printer. Enjoy! Katie G.

Bookmark on rededicating our lives in Service to the Lord

2011-02-01T10:24:00.003-07:00

If you want the spiritual thought that I wrote to go along with this bookmark, go to my other blog at http:visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com This is the corrected scripture reference... that is the for the words in "Quotes".

Happy Days are here again!

2011-01-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

Whoever was able to make this possible that my blogs are back, thank-you! They just disappeared from the face of the earth and I thought they would never be seen again. I didn't have the energy or the time to try to pick up the pieces, or even be able to alert anyone about the fact that they had disappeared, but now I am one happy camper! YEAH! My blogs are back.

I will get my act together and try to get something cute made to share!!! Much joy and happiness... Katie G.

How To Make: Home-Made Marshmallows

2010-12-16T23:08:00.003-07:00

I accidentally posted the idea before the video, so here is the
video for my post below.

Homemade Christmas Gift

2010-12-16T22:57:00.003-07:00

Homemade Marshmallows recipe can be found
on the Martha Stewart site. (Link below)

I have a great idea for a really unique Christmas gift for you to give to the Women you Visit Teach or to a neighbor, friend or whomever. One year my sister sent me a recipe for homemade marshmallows and I made them one day. Oooh, they were sooooo yummy. I was thinking that they could be cut into shapes using cookie cutters too.

On the Martha Stewart site, they have some freshly cut Marshmallow's sacked in cellophane bags. (see picture above) They can be eaten plain or plopped into a cute mug of hot chocolate. This would be such a great and unique gift. Everybody gives hot chocolate mix for gifts, but how fun would it be to include a bag of homemade marshmallows and maybe tie on the recipe, because they will want it after tasting them only once!!!

This is the link to the recipe and image

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/peppermint-marshmallows

Have fun with this and take a picture of your marshmallows in a bag and email it to me.

Enjoy! Katie G

CD or DVD Template

2010-12-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

I designed a printable CD or DVD sleeve Template today. I am making up a CD of family photos for my brothers and sister for Christmas, and wanted a cute folder to put it in. I am going to make it simple, because I am just printing the template on the backside of 8.5 x 11 Christmas scrapbook paper, then cutting them out. I am going to probably just buy a cute seal or sticker to match the paper to seal it shut. I may make a label but I don't have one made yet as it will depend on the paper that I find. Anyway... if you would like to use this template, feel free to use it for your personal use.

Now for Visitng Teaching... you could make a Chrismas Music CD to put in it, or maybe even record the Message or a talk from the first Presidency Chrismas devotional. Maybe you could make a slide presentation of pretty Chritmas pictures to go with some pretty background music. These are gifts of love and from the heart.

One other thing you can do for this template, is to use it as an envelop for a homemade card. Just cut your card to fit in it, and there you go.

Enjoy! Katie G.

Christmas lesson on Service

2010-12-04T22:49:00.004-07:00

I am right up to the very last minute with this lesson that I have been trying to prepare for weeks. I have never had so many trials and things that have taken me away from preparing a lesson for any organization of the church. This past month and a half have really been difficult ones for me and my family and one thing after the other keeps happening, and even up til today, more things have happened. Have you ever felt like it wasn't just raining, but pouring?

I have a testimony that gets me through even the most difficult challenges in life. I know that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and like the poem "Footsteps", He and my Savior, Jesus Christ, is walking beside me on my journey through life. I beleive that Old Scratch, as my dad use to call Satan, tries to thwart every good thing from happening. He has certainly bombarded me with everything he could possibly throw in front of me to make me stop my preparations for a message that he simply doesn't want spread. Service is how we can feel better because the natural effect from giving service is joy. Right now, I am feeling really good, because I know I have finally finnished, at the 11th hour, something that should make an impact on the Young Women of my ward. I know how difficult this world is to live in and these young women need to have every tool the Lord has to offer, and understand how to use them to get them through these troubled times. Service for me is the best drug off the market, and it has no alergic reactions, or detrimental effects. But service produces a natural 'High" if you will, that leaves the giver as happy and the receiver.

I'll stop rambling but before I leave this post, I will post my lesson in the event that any of you need a quick Christmas lesson. I have also been sent several others from kind hearted women, that I will post as well, so hopefully from all of these ideas, you can find what you are looking for.

As a bit of an explaintion, I selected all my picture stories out of the LDS Gospel Art Picture kit. You can download them and print them off if you like, but you can purchase the kit, like I have online, or at any of the distribution centers. It is so worth it as the pictures are lovely, and they even have a sumarized version of the story and scripture references that the picture has been created for. For my handouts, I have the booklet that I have put up on the next post, and also a few other handouts. Enjoy! Katie G.

Christmas Service Booklet

2010-12-03T21:27:00.003-07:00

After I got my lesson put together I came began putting together some pages of Stories, quotes, ideas and things that relate to serving at Christmas time and the whole year through. I will include these here so that if you need them for yourselves, you can access them as well. I am just stapeling them together with a front cover, that I don't have made yet. Here is what I have so far.

Christmas Lesson

2010-12-02T22:48:00.005-07:00

Thanks to those of you have sent me ideas for my Christmas lesson. I will be using some of those and it really helped me since I have been so preocupied dealing with some family crisis'. Life happens but I am grateful for the kindness of friends who are willing to help and share their time and talents. I will also be posting the ideas and lessons sent to me so that others can benefit from this kind service too. Thanks again girls and much gratitude and love sent your way!
Love, Katie G.

P.S I have attached my Secret of Christmas Book mark so that you can print it off and give it away if you like as a Thanks for sharing.

Printable recipe index cards

2010-11-18T08:39:00.001-07:00

I am trying to get organized with all the photos that I have been collecting since I was married. I finally have them sorted and now I need to put them in some boxes per family or child. I decided to design some index cards that same colors as are in the cute boxes that I have to store them in , so here are some that are
8" x 4" that can be printed off. If they are a bit too long for the box that you have, you can just trim it to fit. The particular box I am using is being turned sideways, so it had to be a bit longer. The boxes this size that I have are a little smaller so I will be trimming myself to fit those. They will still look the same if you just trim on the non tabbed side. Enjoy! Katie G.

Printable Thank-you cards

2010-11-17T16:33:00.003-07:00

I was in need of some cute new thankyou cards, so I designed a couple pages of them and thought I would share with you. Feel free to print them off for yourself. They fit nicely in the invitation envelopes that areou 4 3/8" x 5 3/4 ". Enjoy! Katie G.

Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation ( Wanted Poster)

2010-11-15T02:41:00.001-07:00

OK here, the story with this invitation. It is now 2:36 am, right about the time that I wake myself up in the middle of the night with some great idea. Actually the idea happened a couple hours ago when I could not sleep. I tried all I could but these thoughts about doing a wanted poster for Thanksgiving dinner kept scrolling through my mind. I tried to forget about them, but dang it.... they were so cute, and I didn't want to forget them, so I just came in my office and started drawing it up. Luckily for me, the ideas were already there in my mind, or it would have taken much longer. I am sure my husband is wondering what in the world I am doing at this time in the morning, plunking on the keys of my computer. I will show it to him in the morning, actually, I have just emailed it off to him and my children. So here you go, if you want to use this for your dinner invitation, I think it turned out pretty cute. I made this one so that you can fill in the blanks with your own info for your guests. Enjoy and Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Katie G.

Tutorial for Making a Cute Tissue box cover

2010-10-17T20:55:00.006-06:00

This is my tutorial for Making a cute Tissue box cover. This one happens to be fitting for the current upcoming holiday, but you could do it for any holiday or occasion or just to have a tissue box that would actually match your house. So here goes....

I hope the pictures are basic enough that you can see what to do. Here is a simple rundown.

Carefully take apart a box of tissue. (remove and set aside the folded tissue) Cover the box, using two pieces of the same print of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. If it is a heavy card stock it will look great, but will be harder to glue. A lighter weight scrapbook paper is preferred. I used a glue stick and coated the printed side of the tissue box and covered all of it. I seamed it on an edge which you will have to do.

Press firmly or pile some heavy books on it for 10 - 15 minutes, so the glue gets a great chance to adhere to the tissue box. Turn the box over to the inside, and trim off the scrapbook paper following the pattern of the box.

Fold the box back together with the sides first and glue. Fold and glue the bottom of the box. Insert the tissue that you had set aside and then fold the top of the box down and glue it. You will need to hold the box for a few minutes to ensure that the glue has a chance to hold.

Your box could be finished at this point, or you could do what I have pictured and I cut out a cute border to glue around the box to make it even more cutsie! Another idea would be to print out the name of the person that you are going to give it to on a strip of contrasting paper and glue it around the box. There you have it.... a Cute Tissue box!!! Whew, I wish I had thought of this years ago. No more pet peeve!

Also, if you use a very heavy card stock, then you could use the disassembled tissue box for the template and draw around it on to the scrapbook paper. ( I suggest two sided as it would be cute on the inside and the out.) You would need to score the folds using a pen and ruler to get them straight and fold it the way the tissue box is folded. Easy huh?

Please either comment below or email me as it is nice to know that you like what I come up with as far as ideas and fun stuff!

Enjoy Katie G.

One more thing to add to the gift.... MY VERY OWN POEM TO PRINT

I think you will figure out that laughter is the best medecine when you read the poem that I made up tonight to go with this little gift. I have been laughing my head off. I hope you do too. Let me know if you like it!

Printable recipe cards to go with the Soup exchange

2010-10-17T20:18:00.003-06:00

I am making up a bunch of cute things to give out at the Soup exchange that I am doing, and thought I would share. Here are three pages of tabbed fall recipe cards. The reason I am tabbing them is so that the different soups will be able to be found easier, as I find that my recipe cards kind of get stuck together after a while so... with tabs they can be seen and separtated easier. I was also thinking that they could be tab coded with the left tab for Brothy soups, the Middle tab for Creamy soups, and the tab on the right could be for favorites or whatever else you would want it for.

Once again... how can I relate this to Visiting teaching? Ok.... do you have a great soup recipe that you might like to share with someone you Visit Teach, or maybe even that you would be taking to a Relief Society night meeting? Here you go..... What I will be doing is printing out a bunch of these cards so the the ladies can write down their favorites off of the master that will be displayed on the table. Fun idea huh?

Enjoy and happy cooking!!! Katie G.

Be sure to scroll down for the invitation idea that I have below of the Soup label to invite friends over for a soup exchange.

More wonderful ideas for gift giving and for Halloween!

2010-10-15T18:36:00.003-06:00

http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/2008/12/flexible-flyer-loaf-of-bread-beyond.html

While I was looking for something else, I stumbled on a great tutorial for a darling bread box. It is made from Scrapbook paper and is so very cute.

Here is the link to the blog that you can find it at. http://www.technostamper.blogspot.com/2008/10/bread-box-mini-tutorial.html

This second blog uses stamps from Stampin Up too. Both are very cute!!! Great ideas for sharing the fruit breads we make this time of year.

I found these darling Halloween ideas and thought I had better pass them on too at

http://www.thelennoxx.com/?p=3531

Boo-nana Bread

2010-10-15T18:24:00.001-06:00

Christine T from West Virginia emailed me and said that she was going to use my header idea for her Banana Bread. She changed the header from Caramel Boo-corn to "Boo"nana Bread. I thought that was a great idea so I wanted to pass it on to you. I also told her that I would make another header for a Gallon Bag so here it is . Enjoy, Katie G

If you have any great ideas please email me and let me know!!!

Soup exchange

2010-10-14T20:34:00.002-06:00

Soup exchange soup label invitaiton to fill in the blanks.
Don't use this one if you want to send out as an invitaiton
because it has some typos. Use the blank version below.

I have been really busy this past month, trying to catch up with some fun things to share with you sisters to do with those you Visit teach, for Relief Society Night activities, or even just neighborhood friend activities. I think you are going to really like this one. My daughter got me thinking about this one as she and her friends in Park City, do freezer meal exchanges. I thought that would be such a great idea, but hard to do with a very large group.... so.... I have this neighborhood Lunch Bunch group and I thought I would take another turn at hosting it at my home. I decided to do a soup exchange since it is beginning to be fall weather, and soup is something that warms up everyone. Anyway... I created a soup exchange and made an invitation that looks like a soup label. I also created the directions of how this exchange would work to eliminate any misunderstandings about what constitutes soup. (Homemade is the only soup and it isn't home made from Costco, or from Campbell's, but made from scratch in the home.)

This is the one that you should use to print and send out. You
can use the top one to show you how you can fill in the
gold label with the date, time, place etc.

I thought that this was such a fun idea that I wanted to share it with you. Please feel free to share my blog ideas with your friends, neighbors, ward members, because I believe that these ideas should be shared with everyone. They will create fun times, and friendshipping experiences, which is what it is all about. Enjoy and if you use this, please drop me an email or comment so that I feel loved! Best regards and have a SOUPER time.... Katie G.

Visiting Teaching Motto Bookmark

2010-10-12T01:20:00.001-06:00

This is my very own motto, that I loved so much when I first started blogging about Visiting Teaching about 4 years ago. I thought it was about time that I took James E. Faust's quote and put it into a bookmark.

This isn't the official R.S. motto, as that is Charity never faitheth." When I was reading the talk that this quote came from, which can be found on my other blog, I loved so much the message and decided that this is how I felt about Visiting teaching and added it to my blog at that time.

I made these is fall colors, so that you can give it out anytime this fall, or even in the winter. I made each one different so they will be fun for you to pick which design is your favorite.

Enjoy! Katie G.

You have been Boo'd

2010-10-07T01:06:00.012-06:00

I love Halloween, partly because it is my birthday month, but because it lots of fun. I love to decorate my home and even dress up in my old age, to greet the trick or treaters. I must be crazy, but I am sure having fun. So... I created my own "You have been Boo'd" flyer to go out when you take treats to your neighbors and friends. You are welcome to use mine if you like. You might want to start with those you visit teach! ( but don't count that as your visit! Ha, ha!) Enjoy!!! Katie G

P.S. I had forgotten about my other storage blog that goes with this one, and accidentally started posting this Halloween handout in that one. I thought I had better remind you too since I am the one who created it and forgot about it. Here is the link to see the things that are in it! http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/

My Sweet Son Andy, who is my computer guru, came over and fixed what was wrong with my internet that would not let me insert any photos on my blog. It took him less than a minute. Am I ever grateful for him, and you should be too. What is this blog without all the images that I put on it for you to download. Thanks, Andy!!!! Happy Halloweening.... Katie G.

I have been asked about whether or not people can use popcorn with the caramel recipe and I have said yes but....if you use it with puff corn, I can guarantee you that it will be gobbled up so fast, your head will spin. Everywhere I have ever taken it, people love it. There is a recipe on the back on one of the different brands bags of puff corn, but it just isn't like my caramel, but it is pretty good too. I recommend my caramel recipe. I also recommend that you try the puff corn and see if you agree about how yummy it is. One tip though.... caramel corn can really set up fast, and you want to be able to keep it as soft as possible. You could cook it about a minute or two less, but what you need to do is to put it immediately into plastic bags, so it stays as soft as possible. Oh and with popcorn... you can never get all the hard kernels out, and you about break your teeth chewing into one. Puff corn is so soft it will about melt in your mouth and the chewieness will come from the caramel. SOOOOOOO Good. Here are a couple of different brands of puff corn that I found on the internet:

Bookmarks,Service and President Monson

2010-10-05T22:38:00.001-06:00

Ok, ok, I do like bookmarks. I love creating them, and I love even more giving them out to others. So here you go.... if you want another cute bookmark for whatever occasion, go to my Visiting teaching tips blog or here is the direct link to that particular post.... http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-have-i-done-for-someone-today.html Enjoy! Love, Katie G.

Two Printable Note Cards

2010-10-03T22:34:00.000-06:00

"You are Loved" and "Thank-you" cards by Katie G.

I had occasion to need some greeting cards to give to some people this week. I thought that I would share them with you as well. Print them off on a white sheet of card stock. You will get two cards per one 8 x 10 and when you cut them in half, where the white space is between them, they will fit into a note card size envelop. I buy my note card envelopes from Office Max or Office Depot, but I have seen them from time to time at Walmart. The top card I am giving to a friend who has had a death in her family, but you could use it just to let those sisters you visit, know that they are loved.

My sister who lives in another state sends a card faithfully to a sister that she was asked to Visit teach years ago. This woman, does not want Visiting or Home teachers, but she was still assigned to my sister. I admire my sister Becky who has for years, sent a letter or card and message to this sister every single month. We spoke of it once over the phone and Becky said, "I will never know if keeping in contact with this sister in this way will ever impact her or get her back into activity in the church, but she will know that there is someone who cares for her." Becky went on to say, "I don't know if she even reads my letters or cards, or just throws them in the garbage when they arrive."

The bottom card is a thank-you card that I was sending to the woman who hosted our Young Women's Alice in Wonderland tea party. It turned out so lovely and this woman spent so much time in decorating, setting up, cooking and on. I wanted to send her a customized card and you will notice that the image on the card is a public domain image from one of the illustrated versions of Alice in Wonderland. I thought it was perfect, but the card is perfect for a Thank-you for anyone.

I hope you enjoy this printable. Please comment below if you use it as I do like to feel like my efforts are appreciated. Share the Love! Katie G.

A new Halloween Surprise for you!

2010-10-02T18:00:00.003-06:00

Happy Halloween Surprise box template

Halloween template

Well, I have been wanting to draw up my own template for a cute and easy printable gift box. I have used and posted others, but I wanted to see if I could do it.... and I did!!!! It took me the whole day to get it right, but I finally have a cute template for you. I have printed off several of these and they are adorable. I put the directions on the printout, but when I put them together, I thought that if I were to file the edges of the Happy Halloween tag, it would look even cuter. It certainly did. I then filed the edge of the sticker and it looked even better too. So I took it even one step further and sanded the box folds, and yes, it looked that much cuter!!! I think I will now tie a cute bow on the top and find something yummy to fill it up with. By the way, if you didn't already know, Xpedex sells all different kinds of cellophane and plastic bags from really tiny to pretty large. I like the looks of the cellophane ones the best, but rather than put your goodies right into the box, and tie it shut with a bow. ( You could leave the box flap open and that would look really cute.) I would line the box with a baggie... oh yea, even a sandwich baggie would work. I will take a photo of the finished project in a couple of hours, but for now... here is the templates for side one and side two. Enjoy!! Katie G.

Inside of box.

A great fall or winter thoughtful little gift for your sisters or a friend.

2010-09-29T09:39:00.002-06:00

I got my blogs mixed up and posted a cute idea for gift giving to those you visit teach sometime this fall or winter. Anyway, you will have to go back to this link http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/great-fall-visiting-teaching-gift.html to see what it is, but if you want to visit the entire blog, then click on the link just below the header or banner at the top of this page and it will take you do that blog. It is actually the master blog and this blog is just the ideas and creative things for little gift giving, handouts and such. I call this blog my "Storage Unit" for my other blog. Anyway... enjoy both blogs, and don't forget to leave a comment. Your comments make me feel loved!

Best regards, and Happy Visiting Teaching.... Love, Katie G.

Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party Invitaion

2010-09-20T12:34:00.021-06:00

This is the finished invitation.

All the materials cut out and ready to assemble the invitation.

I am inserting the invitation first followed by the other separate pages of the invitation. I have posted the pages so that you can fill in the blanks, to customize for your own use. I am using black card stock for the front and back cover for this book/card/invitation. Cut the black card stock in half which is 5.5 inches. Fold each of those in half for the cover.

This image to the left is what you print off, cut out and glue to the front book cover. Now you will need to paste the cute cover picture on the front of the black book card cover. Make sure to center it between the binding tape and the right hand edge of the black paper cover. I used white duct tape to look like binding and to cover up the staples, but I think I am going to go to the store and see if I can find some cute decorated duct tape instead of just a plain white duct tape binding.

The next step is to print the inside pages 1 - 4. Cut them out. If you are going to make a lot of these invitations, I highly suggest you purchase a cutter, as it makes the cuts straight and looks so much better. Takes far less time than cutting out things by hand. Then collate the pages 1 - 4 and insert into the folded black card stock cover. Staple as close to the edge of the fold on the book cover as you can. Using a strip of duct tape, place over the staples and over fold so that it covers both the front and backside. (see the photo)

Now for the bookmark................... Print the bookmark page on white card stock. I just my card stock at Walmart in a ream, because it is firm enough for cards, but not too firm to give me problems running it through my printer. I wanted my bookmarks to be two sided. The black and white printed paper below I found at Shabby Princess Paper and printed it on the back side of my bookmark page. You might want it to just use solid black but either way it goes great with the invitation.

Bookmark

The next step is to cut out the bookmark, so that a boarder of black is showing all the way around and then punch a hole in the top. I then cut a piece of Red ribbon, folded it in half and threaded the folded side through the back to the front side of the punched hole, then put the two ends through the folded ribbon loop and pulled it tight. I slipped this completed bookmark in the center pages of the book with the ribbon hanging out. I was thinking that a black and white polka dot or checked ribbon would be really cute instead of the red, but red is what I have.

The paper below was designed by Shabby Princess and Sara Carling called "Dinner Party." The link to Shabby princess is: http://www.shabbyprincess.com/ At the Shabby Princess site, you need to stay for a while because she has great scrap booking products and offers a bunch of really nice looking ones for her blog visitors to use for free. Very, Very generous!!! Just click on "downloads" and a whole bunch of complete digital packs will be displayed and you will really be amazed at just how pretty her freebies are!!! I am using this paper as the backside of the book mark as well as the page before page one and after page 4... just because it looks nice and gives an extra page to make it look more like a vintage book.

I just wanted to tell you why I include on the invitation the link found on page 4 to Project Gutenberg's site that has several Alice in Wonderland books, with different illustrators. I found out that the Young Women really love to read, and some of them read several books a week. I personally am not fond of the Alice in wonderland book, but it is a classic, and Project Gutenberg has spent countless hours digitizing so many wonderful classics (vintage books) for people to access and read online. We are trying to get the Youth to do productive things online instead of playing games, and just surfing the net, so I thought this would be a very worthwhile link to post on the invitation. I wonder how many parents know about Project Gutenberg? Here is the link to this wonderful site loaded with tons of free ebooks to read. http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page I love to pass on good tips, so take this one and pass it on to those you visit teach and give them a bookmark while you are at it.

I will be designing some place cards, and a Mad Hatter Hat favor in the next few days, so come back and I will have the templates and images of them as well.

Enjoy!

Katie G.

I just finished the name tags to be put on the table at the tea party and they turned out really cute as you can see in the picture. They are so easy, so not template for these. I have below this image the cute little tag that is hanging from the side of the favor box. This box I found at my local $ store for 8 of them only $1. They are pink. They will be filled with "English Toffee" and set by each table setting. This party is really going to be cute and fun. Oh the teapot that is behind my cute little printouts, is one that I purchased online because I wanted a very special and very cute one to have tea parties with my little Granddaughters. I think this one really fits the bill!

Enjoy!!! Katie G.

P.S. So just when I think I am done creating things for this party, I remember the hostess wanted to have some 2 sided menus to be displayed on each table. So below is what I came up with. In keeping with the Alice in Wonderland theme, I named all the different foods, with names from the Story. It turned out pretty cute.

Heart and Soul Skit ( my rewrite)

2010-09-15T16:06:00.003-06:00

Some months back, I offered to mail out copies to those who had wanted them of the rewrite of the "Heart and Soul" program that I rewrote to fit an Adult Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching night that was held together for all adults. It turned out really cute. Anyway, I finally scanned it with a new and really cool tool that my husband just bought me, and put this play on my Visiting Teaching Surprise storage blog. ( It is too many pages to put on this blog ) Here is the link and feel free to copy it off for yourself to use. BUT... if you do, I would love to know, so please write a comment.

Here is the link http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/09/visiting-teaching-skit-heart-and-soul.html

Now for the really cool tool my husband bought me. He knows that I love genealogy and also knows of my frustration of making copies of things I find at the library or family history center. They usually turn out dark, and then I have to rescan them to put them on my computer at home. ANYWAY... He and I took a little fun weekend trip and stayed a couple of days in SLC, and road trax, and went to all the touristy places in SLC. We went to Gateway and while there we went to Brookstone, looking for something that he wanted to find. While he was looking, so was I, and I found this really neat hand scanner that is only about the size of a hair straighter, or curling iron. What you do is scan down the pages of whatever you are needing to scan, and it saves the image in a tiny little micro memory card. This tiny card holds well over 100 scans. Then when I got home, I put that micro card in the memory card converter case and inserted it into the memory card slot on my computer. The rest is history, with saving all my scans on to my computer. WOW was I excited!!!! No more crappy copies!!!!! Anyway, I love to pass on good tips, so I thought I would let you know about this one. ( It was what scanned the copies of the above Heart and Soul skit)

It is a Portable Document and Photo scanner ( scan receipts, letters, recipes, photos and more)
iConvert makes it and Brookstone sells it. I think I paid somewhere around $100, and I feel like it was well worth the price to get the quality of copies that I want. Here is the link to Brookstone http://www.brookstone.com/portable-document-photo-scanner-handheld.html?bkeid=compare%7Cmercent%7Cgooglebase%7Csearch&mr:trackingCode=69CAEFAC-3E30-DF11-AE5B-0019B9C2BEFD&mr:referralID=NA

I don't have anything to do with the selling of these great scanners, but I definitely would become a spokesperson for these. When I went down to the library in the Genealogy and old records room, they would not let any of these books be checked out. There were many of these books loaded with family history of my family and ancestors, with photos and newspaper clippings, clipped obituaries and such. Well after I found this great scanner, I went back to the Library and opened up the books and scanned to my hearts content. I will show you an example of something that I scanned.... These are some old checks that my Great Great grandfather signed back in the early 1900's for Lehi Roller Mill, which is my Robinson side of the family.

I even found an old newspaper clipping of myself many, many, and I won't tell you how many years ago. I am the one at the bottom of the stairs. It was so fun to remember about the good old days. This was right in the binding side of the old Newspapers that the library keeps, and I was able to get this scan right up to the edge of the binding. Anyway.... I think you can see the possibilities. Once again... I like to pass on good tips and t his one is a really good one.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

2010-09-06T22:44:00.014-06:00

The Visiting teaching message for the month of September, 2010 suggests that you take a copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" with you and give to each sister you teach. You can find it at the following links:

For some reason, this link will not automatically come up for me so you have to copy the link and paste it into the address bar in order for it to come up on your screen. Don't know why but we don't always know these mysteries. This PDF has crop marks on it so that you can cut it and paste it to come pretty paper to give to your sisters.
http://lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TheFamily_AProclamationToTheWorld_35538_eng.pdf

This one looks just like the Proclamation that is pictured above on this post.

http://lds.org/messages/images/fr09oct14_sharing.jpg

ALSO... I finally had to redesign my Word document design of the Proclamation because the link from Google docs didn't work so... I have rededigned it and made it a jpeg so you should be able to just click on my design and print it out now. Sorry for all the troubles getting it here. I simply didn't have the time, and I am on my way again sooo happy visiting theaching.

Thanks, Katie G

Fathers Day.... Quick, cheap and printable cards, and gifts.

2010-06-16T10:09:00.008-06:00

I just had some fun ideas for Fathers day.......I thought I would add some links of some cute fathers day printables for you in case you find yourself wanting to do something creative and fun, lacking funds to buy a card or gift, or just want something original for you or your kids to do for fathers day. I have inserted a bunch of links that can take you to some pretty awesome and creative printables. The first site is one that I want to focus on as I just happened upon them today and LOVE, love, love, their site. The site is http://thetoymaker.com/ They not only have fathers day printables but printables for just about any other holiday or occasion you could think of and soooooo cute! They have some darling inline readable books as well that could keep your kids busy during the long summer. I want to insert a photo of the darling Fathers Day box that they have that you can print off and fill with with some of dad's favorite treats......

If you go to the link located here:

http://www.thetoymaker.com/Holidays/Fathersday/DADBOX.pdf you can print it off. Be sure to look through this entire site as you will find all kinds of fun things and they are sooooo cute!!!!!
More from that site can be found here for Fathers Day:
Card for Husband http://www.thetoymaker.com/Holidays/Fathersday/besthusband.pdf
Card s for Dad http://www.thetoymaker.com/Holidays/Fathersday/Bestdad.pdf

Thanks Toymaker.com for you talents, and hard work and for sharing!!!!

Other fun printables are here:
Coupons - http://familycrafts.about.com/od/fathersdaycrafts/ig/Printable-Father-s-Day-Coupons

Marble kids face magnets http://crafts.kaboose.com/family-marble-magnets.html

Fisher Price Printables
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=5254&e=thumbnail&mcat=pcFathersDay
Parents printables http://www.parents.com/holiday/fathers-day/printables/printable-fathers-day-cards/
Coupons http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1259/fathers_day.html?cat=74

Coupons http://familyfun.go.com/fathers-day/fathers-day-printables/fun-fathers-day-coupons-704055/

Fathers day Certificate http://familyfun.go.com/fathers-day/fathers-day-printables/printable-gift-worlds-greatest-dad-certificate-704051/

King for a day crown http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/printables/fathers-day-crown-printable-0510.pdf

To go with the printable here is a darling king for a day cake by wilton King for a day cake http://www.wilton.com/about/pressroom/pressrelease.cfm?id=320FAF4F-1E0B-C910-EA39B599F655FF69

This cake would be fun to just do a King for a day themed dinner and tread Dad or your husband like Royalty.

I found a site that takes this idea one step further and it can tell you all kinds of fun things to do to make your husband or Dad, king for a day at http://beautyandbedlam.com/fathers-day-ideas-king-for-the-day/ They even have a cute fathers day coupon booklet to print off located here http://beautyandbedlam.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/FathersDayCouponBook.pdf
Wondering what to cook on Fathersday? How about a "PAPA'S PIZZA"? This darling idea comes from the same site I found the king for a day ideas. Thanks again.... and here is the link http://beautyandbedlam.com/celebrate-dad-this-fathers-day-with-a-papa-pizza/ Thanks Jen at beautyandbedlam.com for all the great ideas!!

Enjoy these fun Fathers Day finds!!!!! Katie G.

Printable Note cards

2010-06-10T09:46:00.007-06:00

Before I create a first visit card of my own, I wanted to show you a whole bunch of free sites where you can print off some darling premade cards.

These two pages of darling cards can be found this link. Be sure to leave a thankyou note. http://keeleyskreations.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-printable-note-cards.html

Aren't these darling and I love the message. They print two per page and you can find them at this link: http://www.operationnice.com/2008/09/nice-assignment-gratitude-notes.html This is a great blog about being NICE. You should spend some time looking at this blog as they have many other "Nice" printables too. Oh and it would be Nice if you would write them a little not to thank them for their niceness!!!

I just found a link to this site for these darling cards to print off and give out whenever you feel like it, just to be nice! http://melissahead.com/operation_nice/kind_over_matter_cards.pdf
It is part of operation nice... can you tell! Now go out and do something nice for someone! It is another great site for you to go to and look at. Worth your time! http://kindovermatter.blogspot.com

I will take some more time to add some more great printable card sites and also include some of my own creations.... BUT I must leave my house right now, but I will be back!

Katie G.

Meaning of the Sacrament

2010-06-02T11:08:00.002-06:00

Revised Meaning of the Sacrament

New Relief Society meeting idea

2010-05-06T12:42:00.001-06:00

This is a darling invitation and idea sent by Meridith about a Relief Society meeting idea. Go to this link to view... http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-just-have-to-share-invitation-to.html

Your Hands are His hands.

2010-05-04T02:12:00.002-06:00

Here is a handout to use either with President Uchtdorf's April 2010 General Conference talk if that is the one that you pick to use for your own Visiting teaching message for the month, or you can use it for a Visiting Teaching Centered monthly Relief Society meeting. One sister emailed me and asked me for ideas and I had come up with this one as I was rereading the General Conference talks. Anyway, however you use this printable, enjoy and know that it was made with lots of love and hopes that you have a wonderful month doing your Visiting teaching. The message on the bookmarks, comes from President Uchtdorfs talk. For the R.S. meeting idea, go to http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com Enjoy! Katie G.

Mothers day ideas and printables

2010-05-03T11:24:00.001-06:00

I found a darling site with tons of printable things on them that could be customized for many things. Here is a PDF template for a Flower. You can print this off and cut out and make, or you could just use it as a pattern or template, and create your own flower by selecting your own craft paper and creating your own flowers. It is darling. The image shows what it will end up looking like if you use the exact template to print found at http://a.dolimg.com/familyfun/assets/cms/large-files/pdfs/printables/0507b_mothersday_flowers.pdf

This is a cute printable basket from the same site as above, that you could fill with something cute. The pictured basket is a fall basket, but you could fill it with just about anything to make it apply to whatever holiday, or season you would like. You just print off the basket, cut it out and fold it and glue or stapel. http://a.dolimg.com/familyfun/assets/cms/large-files/pdfs/printables/1008b-Holiday_Basket.pdf

Here is a site where you can find a darling printable purse template. This site had such darling ideas, you should go and take a look see at all the fun things. Thanks http://melstampz.blogspot.com
These can be added to make darling purses and all dolled up. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12298213#post1229821 and here http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384852
and here is another http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/11/flourish-purse-box-with-snowflake.html Now fill the purse with fun things!

2010 May Visiting Teaching message

2010-04-29T08:59:00.003-06:00

For the information on this months Visiting Teaching message please refer to this link http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/may-2010-visiting-teaching-message.html

LDS Church news today! I'm published!

2010-04-24T20:46:00.003-06:00

Go to http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/59230/Relief-society-Members-respond-to-April-message-on-personal-revelation.html to read the article I submitted and was printed today in the Deseret News LDS Church News section. It's fun to actually see my words in print.
Love, Katie G.

Please VOTE for my bag designs

2010-04-22T01:04:00.001-06:00

I entered a contest with Smith's food and drug store and now all I need are some votes. I don't get paid for anything I ever design, but this one time I decided to design something that has potential of winning a prize. I created 4 designs for their design contest, and you can vote for each of them every day. It doesn't take over a couple minutes to vote, so if you would, I would love your support.

Will you go to the following site, and vote for my bags? http://www.designareusablebag.com/?banner=smiths
and click on "VOTE". Under Find a group, type in "Katie G's Surprise".

I don't know if you have to register in order to vote, but try just voting and see what happens. You can vote for each of my bags every day until the end of the contest, which I think is the end of this month. The bag numbers are #20986 and #20818 and #20703 and #17992.

This last one is my personal favorite design which is "Green World Peas" I think that one is pretty cute, but please vote for all of them. Thanks and let me know which ones you like the best.
Sincerely, Katie G.

April 2010 Visiting Teaching Handout

2010-04-06T00:02:00.005-06:00

OOOPSIES!!!! Thanks to a reader, who pointed out that I had attributed the quote on this handout to the wrong person... it has now been changed and proper credit is now given to President Boyd K. Packer for his wonderful quote in this months visiting teaching lesson...... Now... read on......

If you will go and read the message on LDS.org you will find out that the April 2010 message is on Seeking and Receiving Personal Revelation. I wrote a story about my daughter and granddaughter that goes well with this message on my other blog at this link http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com The quote that I used to make this bookmark handout comes from President Boyd K. Packer that says "Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil". Don't you love that quote? To me it means it is up to us and we hold the key to personal revelatio and communication with the Lord. Once we insert the key into the keyhole, we unlock the door to the inspiration and guidance we seek. Heavenly Father is willing to provide it to us, but He will never force it upon us, so we need to exercise the key we are given, which is prayer, and ask for His guidance and divine intervention in our lives.

Bookmark: The top page is obviously side one and the next page is the paper to print on the backside of the bookmark. I always print on white cardstock and then I cut them out and laminate them. They turn out very nice this way! This beautiful paper came from veralimdesign and the pack is called "Grateful". I just love these wonderful designers that share their paper creations with all of us! Here is one little tip from me... you can buy a ream of white cardstock at Walmart for cheap and it will last you through so many printings. I can run this weight of cardstock through my personal HP photosmare inkjet printer, as well as my husbands big color lasar printer. It looks best in lasar though, especially if you don't laminate them.

Hope you will take advantage of this freebie from me to take with youVisiting Teaching this month.
Enjoy! Katie G.

Had to show you how I used the Easter Printable

2010-04-05T13:24:00.001-06:00

I loved the cute printable that I posted below this post, and wanted to show you that I use the things I post too! You won't find me posting something that I don't care for. Anyway, here is a photo of my Easter Table. I made each one of my children one of these little favors that sat at the top of their plate. They loved the yummy variety of egg candies that I filled them with. That actually turned out to be their Easter basket.

I also wanted to show you the cake I made. Don't laugh because I thought it was very cute, considering that I don't do cakes, I don't really care for cake, but I made an Easter cake for the centerpiece for the Easter buffet I spread on my bar. My son even said it tasted good. It must have because he had 2 large slices. It was a 4 layer cake with pink and yellow cakes, and strawberry marshmallow inbetween the layers. Like I said before, I don't do cakes, I don't know how to ice cakes, and admire those who have that talent, but it just has not been one that I have done much with. The entire reason I made this cake was that I found the topper, a large sugar egg, that was hollow inside with cute Easter bunny and decorations, from The peppermint place for only $1.50. I figured with that and sprinkling on a few M& M's, colored Sprinkles, and Hearshys milk chocolate eggs, my cake would practically decorate itself. If it wasn't very tasty, then my guests could just pick out the chocolate candies and fight over who got to keep the egg topper. Actually it all went well, no fighting until my grandson age 3, wanted to eat it right then and there and his mother said "NO!" We had a fun Easter, and I hope you did too.

How about a cute Easter Printable???

2010-04-01T16:51:00.003-06:00

This would be such a cute printable for a little, thoughtful Easter gift for the sisters you teach, or your friends, kids, family or whomever you like. I just found this as I have been searching for something for Easter dinner favor. I found this already with a cute design that matches my Pastel Easter Table settings. All you do is cut it out and score with a pen the dotted lines, then fold into a darling Easter Egg box. Fill it with your favorite "candy eggs" such as jelly beans, Robin eggs, or whatever you want, and then punch the two holes at the top and tie it with a cute pastel bow. If you wanted it to be a combo favor, and place setting, then just write the persons name on it and set it either on their dinner plate, or just above their plate on the table. I was so excited that I found it at http://melissaesplin.com/home/2010/04/easter-egg-basket-printable
They have lots of very cute things to print, make and fold.

Another darling one that comes in different pastel color designs that would be just as cute can be found at a different site called "Don't eat the paste". It is called Spiral dot box and here is the direct link
http://www.donteatthepaste.com/2009/07/spiral-dot-box.html they also have a darling pink one that is called a circle dot box. http://www.donteatthepaste.com/2009/08/circle-dot-box.html These aren't the only ones they have but you will have to go to the site and find the rest of the cute printable boxes. OOOOHhhhh so very cute for Easter and Spring!!!

My SPRING FHE, SPRING/EASTER "EGG" luncheon and Lots of Easter ideas in the April Archives 2009

2010-03-28T21:55:00.007-06:00

Because so many of you have responded to wanting a copy of my FHE, and Easter "Egg" luncheon

that I am doing with my neighborhood lunch bunch, I have just posted ALL of these ideas at this link http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/03/april-2010-empty-nesters-family-home.html

I have been emailed by a reader who said that this link doesn't work. It works for me so I don't know what to change BUT, if it doesn't work for you, just go to http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com

and just scroll down until you find the FHE and Egg luncheon posts. They are the most recent posts I have made on that particular blog, so it should be easy to find. ENJOY!!! Katie

You are welcome to use any of these ideas, anmd, but one thing I do ask, is that you just fire me off a quick email to say Thanks or let me know how you are using it. I spend so much time creating all my ideas and things, that it is just so nice to hear back from people who are using them. I might even add your ideas to mine on this blog too so email me! My email is ktgauger@gmail.com

I wanted to remind you to look back through the 2009 ARCHIVES for March and April on this blog, as I had TONS, and I mean TONS of fun and cute Easter Ideas in 2009 for you. To get to the archives, scroll down until you see on the right hand side of this screen the words "BLOG ARCHIVE" then click on 2009, then March and April. That will take you to the posts and just click on them to see all the cute ideas!!!! Oh and just for the record.... My favorite easter treat is Roasted Peeps with Easter M & M's squashed into the warm peep. It is soooooo yummy! Too bad I am now diabet and can't have any. Boo hoo!

Happy Easter!!!! Love, Katie G.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's "Create"

2010-03-22T18:03:00.003-06:00

I so relate to this wonderful video. I love it and hope that you love it too. Wonderful, and purposeful message! Click on this link and enjoy! President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's"Create"

My Best St. Patricks Day Wishes to you and to those you teach.

2010-03-17T00:28:00.003-06:00

I hope that you get this before the day is over, because I wanted to give you a little freebie printable to take to your sister you teach. Just print it off and the directions are on the side of the page. Prints 2 per page. I printed mine out on Photo paper, and they turned out darling!!!

Happy St. Patricks day, and remember.... wear green and don't get pinched!!
Love, Katie G.

Don't you just love printables?

2010-03-16T08:08:00.004-06:00

Don't you just love printables and especially those that are for free???

I have been looking for some cute seed packet printables, and found some, but I also found some really cute other kinds of printables that I thought I would pass on to you.

This link has some really cute freebie vintage easter bunny printables, Santa and ancestor printables. They have more printables that they sell as well but there are many freebies on this site. Go to http://www.ewenmeprintables.com/shop/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=8
These are out of season now, but they are very cute Bottle Cap Santa images and can be found at http://www.ewenmeprintables.com/Freebies/FreeSantaBottlecap.pdf and the tutorial of how to make them is at http://www.ewenmeprintables.com/shop/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=12 This next link is a tutorial of how to make their pillow boxes http://ewenmeprintables.com/shop/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=36

These are really cute free downloadable patterns of some cut things to make located at: http://bettestomorrowstreasures.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=11

Free Easter Craft projects http://www.allcrafts.net/easter.htm#freeprojects This is the parent site that has tons of all different kinds of project, crafts and craft paterns for free. I don't really like alot of this stuff, but it gives you ideas of basic things to make and then you can doll them up the way you like. http://www.allcrafts.net/

Blank Printable seed packet template http://wormandflowers.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/printable-seed-envelope/ by they way... these seed packets can be used for other things like little tiny treats for kids, or a treat envelope for your Visiting teaching ladies, or you can put in things like paper clips, small office supplies, or even it could be the packaging for your own gift tags or whatever else you want it to be. This is a good basic pattern and you can take it and doll it up with whatever you like. I think it would be darling printed on some scrapbook paper, and cut out, and once it is folded up, it looks like a mini gift box. Add a bow and it is soooo cute!

More seed packets http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/2009/05/diy-seed-packet-favors/

Now this site has some of the cutest ideas so take some time and just see what they have for you. You will not be disapointed. It is the same one as the above seed packet template, but it has so many more cute things to print off for free http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/

This is all I have time to search for right now, but I will be back!!!! Love, Katie G.

Handout - March 2010 Visiting Teaching Message - "Strengthening Faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ through Personal Scripture Study"

2010-03-05T22:22:00.006-07:00

I thought about designing up a great looking Scripture chart, but why, when there were already some really great ones already made and ready to be printed off. Thanks to all who contributed as these could really get us motivated to read daily our scriptures!

For a great Book of Mormon reading chart the size of a bookmark, go to http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/2003/readingchart_bofm.pdf

For a great Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price bookmark size reading chart go to http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/2003/readingchart_dc.pdf

New Testament chart...http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/2003/readingchart_nt.pdf

Old Testament chart ( 3 per page) Seminary version
http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/2003/readingchart_seminary_ot.pdf

Old Testament (2 per page) Once you have copied the first page, turn over the paper and print the second half on the back side. http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/2003/readingchart_ot.pdf

READING THE SCRIPTURES ONLINE:
Want to read the scriptures online? Go to: http://scriptures.lds.org/ If you want to read them in numerous other languages, got to this same link and on the right side of the page where it says "English" click on that and a drop down menu will appear of other languages you can read them in. REALLY NEAT!!!!

Espanol? http://lds.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://scriptures.lds.org/

AUDIO VERSION OF THE SCRIPTURES AS WELL AS OTHER CHURCH PUBLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html

READING THE SCRITPURES FAMILY HOME EVENING http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/daily/fhe/scriptures.html

March 2010 Visiting Teaching Message - HANDOUT

2010-02-24T09:18:00.004-07:00

I will have the March 2010 handout ready soon. Check back. For the March 2010 Visiting Teaching Message, go to this link http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2010/02/march-2010-visiting-teaching-message.html

Love, Katie G.

Cute Printable Visiting Teaching Candy Bar Wrapper

2010-02-22T13:51:00.006-07:00

I just found this cute candy bar wrapper for anytime use for Visiting Teaching. They came from this site http://lds.about.com/library/bl/aids/blbar_vt1.htm# and that site also offeres tons of other pre made wrappers for many, many other topics that can be found here http://lds.about.com/od/visualmusicalaids/a/bar_wrappers_3.htm They even have wrappers for the mini candy bars too. Very cute!!!

My Valentine For you

2010-02-12T19:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Valentines Day! Love, Katie G.

My Valentine Post Card

2010-02-11T20:58:00.004-07:00

I made these Valentines up to give to my friends who are coming to visit for a Valentine luncheon. I invited my old girlfriends from highschool and on one of the little cute
Valentine gifts I have for them, I have put these cards. By the wasy if you are wondering
they were made 2 per page and are not the normal size post cards. Anyway, I thought you might like to use them for the sisters that you Visit teach or some friends as well. Make sure to sign the backside of the card with all your contact information.

Enjoy yet another Katie G. creation and Happy Valentines Day!!!

Printable Vintage Valentines

2010-02-11T20:34:00.005-07:00

I just love Vintage everything. I found a site that offers free Vintage Valentines, Victorian Valentines, and so many other cute vintage clips. I wanted to share the site with you if you are as Vintage as I am. Go to http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/victorian-valentines-cherubs

Freebies, downloadables, Printables, etc.

2010-02-08T21:32:00.011-07:00

I am always out looking for new ideas and once again, I have found some more really cute downloadable Valentine things as well as other things. When I find these, I can see such great applications such as tags for little gifts, or even tiny bookmarks, things for kids of those you Visit teach or for new baby gifts and so forth. Since it is Valentines, I have found some really cute Valentiney printables and ideas. There are some pretty talented people in this world and generous as well to let anyone download their creations. Ok here is the link list:
http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/free-love-and-ice-cream-gift-tag-set-printables

Here is a blog that has a bunch of darling printables. Click on the printable and it will take you to the link that you can download from.
http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/more-printables/

Here are some DARLING Valentine Printables http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/tag/valentine-freebie

Once again more printables....
http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/more-printables/

Forgive me, but I just can't stop finding these darling printables. I love them!http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/cc-printables/

Soooo Cute ....Valentine heart Purse notepad or Card http://www.stampington.com/html/tempting_template_am07.html

Really cute templates
http://www.stampington.com/html/tempting_template_index.html

Cute stuff!
http://theangelcompany.net/Downloads.html

Darling, I mean Darling Vintage Valentine cards http://www.4shared.com/file/84604498/f77b523e/linnysvalentinemontage.html The site that this link was provided also has a darling Valentine bag that uses these Vintage Valentines on it. Go to http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/a-vintage-valentine-bag-and-a-freebie/

I found a wonderful site that has a Holiday download and there are really cute Valentine Papers in there as well as other things too! Go to http://www.shabbyprincess.com/2006SeasonalSampler.asp

Now I realize that these paperdolls don't have anything to do with Adult Women, except for the fact I am an adult woman and I love them. If you want to see some darling Vintage Cards that have Paperdolls a part of the card, that you can download and print off for yourself, your kids or whomever go to: http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/valentines/index.html Also connected to this site are tons of paper dolls of all types, but mostly vintage. They are just so cute! http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/

Note at door or door hanger templates

2010-02-03T21:04:00.020-07:00

I designed this cute door hanger to help you with your Visiting Teaching efforts. I suggest that you cut out the hanger, leaving some black boarder, and then select the message that best fits your attempted visit. Also, if you have tried many times to contact your sister, and have had no success, then make sure to attach a copy of the monthly Visiting Teaching message to the door hanger so that she can get a chance to read it when she returns. Click on the jpeg image and you should be able to save it to your computer, size it if needed, and then print it off. This blank door hanger, would let you customize it. You could get a piece of Cute scrapbook paper, draw the template on the paper and then either use one of my ready made messages from the template above this one, or customize one including your own little message. I also thought that you could print up one of the quotes from the Message, and put glue it on the backside of this door hanger. Lots of choices and options for you! Enjoy! Katie G.

For this template go to:
http://www.craftideas4kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/do-not-disturb-door-hanger-template.jpg

For this template go to:
http://cdn1.cuddlybuddly.com/freebies/7/kem-doorhanger.jpg

Do you ever have the problem of having a sister to Visit teach and you can never reach her? Do you have an appointment made and when you get to her door, she doesn't answer or isn't home? Do you have a sister who has said she would be willing to have Visiting teachers, just as long as they don't share a message when they come? I think most of us have had these issues and more in our roles as Visiting teachers.

I have experienced this very thing lately as my Visiting Teaching partner and I have tried to get an appointment with a woman who doesn't want a message but says we can come by for a visit. The problem is that she won't pick up the phone when we call and her phone won't let us leave a message. Our only choice is to drop by her home and hopefully catch her for a brief visit. This past month, I have to say that we didn't get catch her home, and she probably doesn't even know that we tried to see her. So to not let that happen ever a gain, I have decided to make a little door tag to hang on her door, just to let her know that we dropped by and were thinking of her. Love Katie G.

REALLY CUTE IDEAS OF THINGS HANDMADE!

2010-01-27T21:07:00.003-07:00

Do you want some really cute ideas for some fun handmade crafts and things? Since I can't make them because I am still recovering from my Carpal Tunnel Surgery, I will give some great links for you to go to directly and see the fun projects and crafts for yourself! Enjoy! Katie G.

Scripture Covers http://diaryofacraftaholic.blogspot.com/2009/12/scripture-cover-tutorial.html
Valentine Fortune Cookies made out of felt http://deckthehalls-christmas.blogspot.com/2010/01/sending-fortune-cookie-to-you.html
Cute Valentine or anytime decorated box tutorial http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/gablebox/
Very cute ideas for all kinds of giving ( I love her ideas!!!) http://barbschram.blogspot.com/
Valentines Day darling ideas and gifts to make ( my favorite is the conversation hearts attached to a sand pile shovel that says..."I Dig You!" oooh, so cute!) http://deckthehalls-christmas.blogspot.com/search/label/Happy%20Valentines%20Day
Darling Star project http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/cg_display.asp?g=1&seed_id=22545
Melted Flowers tutorial http://seamseweasy.blogspot.com/2009/11/melted-flower-tutorial.html
A Variety of Cute free printable templates http://cuddlybuddly.com/freebies/free-templates/

SHOES FOR HAITI

2010-01-22T09:48:00.004-07:00

Go to the following link to read about this worthwhile campaign to help the people of Haiti. http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=11863818
Utah athletes to collect shoes for Haiti victims.... Associated Press - January 22, 2010 8:05 AM ET SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Athletes at the University of Utah are collecting gently used shoes for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
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Shoes are needed in Haiti. Athletes at the U of U are collecting gently worn shoes to give to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. This is late notice, but the shoe drive will be held today when the Utes host Georgia in gymnastics and at the men's basketball game against Air Force on Saturday. The donation bin will be at every Huntsman Center Entrance. Please forward on to all your friends and let's do something to help. Shoes of all sizes are needed! Read below for more information:

This shoe drive is something that everyone can do to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. If you or anyone you know are going to either the basketball game on Saturday (U of U vs.. Air Force) or the gymnastics event (Utes vs.. Georgia), you can take your gently worn shoes of all kinds and deposit them in the bins outside the Huntsman Center. Maybe even take this one step further, and call some friends for donations to be brought to your house, and then you take all the donations with you to these events. It is worth the trip, and will make you feel that you have done something to help out this great cause! Pass this on to your friends and let's get the word out in a hurry.... the drive is today and tomorrow (Friday, and Saturday)

ALSO: Sports Chalet stores nationwide is also collecting shoes in the "Soles4Souls" campaign. All Sports Chalet store locations will have a collection bin for gently used shoes to be sent directly to Haiti. The link for this is http://blogs.pe.com/moms/2010/01/sport-chalet-stores-collect-sh.html They will be collecting shoes until the January 30th, 2010. To find locations, go to www.sportchalet.com

There is a woman in Lehi, Utah named Jeannie, who will be collecting shoes in this area to be donated to this Soles4Souls campaign. She will be collecting shoes at the "Curves" location in Lehi, Utah until the morning of January 30th, 2010. She will then take all the donations up to the Salt Lake location of Sports Chalet to be added to those they have collected. ( Sports Chalet is located in Jordan Landing - 7682 S. Campus View Dr. West Jordan Utah and phone # is 801-282-0619) The Lehi Curves address is 785 East 200 South #12 and it is right next door to where the A Fresh Market (or old Albertsons foods).

Everyone has at least one pair of shoes they have either grown out of, or don't fit right, or you don't wear for one reason or another that you have had in your closet waiting for the right time to bring them out again, but that time has never happened. Maybe the right time is now, and certainly your shoes donation will be gratefully accepted! I have a favorite poem that says.... If you want to be happy, give something away. Also one of the greatest ways to cure depression or take away the blues is to give service. There are side benefits for sharing what you have with others.

Pass this on to others you know who you think might like to share in these compassionate service projects! When a disaster hits, many people sit around and feel sad about what has happened and though they would like to do something, they don't know what to do to help. This is a way that you can help and I urge you to participate in this worthwhile cause!

Sincerely,
Katie G.

For some cute and simple gift giving ideas using canning jars and seeds from your garden go to:

2010-01-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2009/09/cute-and-simple-gift-ideas-to-take-with.html

Sourdough Bread - Good things are worth sharing!

2010-01-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love to go to a nice resturaunt and once seated, they bring out a fresh mini loaf of sourdough bread and butter to enjoy? I don't kow about you, but I absolutely love sourdough bread and quite by accident, when I was searching for a recipe for Amish Friendship Bread Starter, I found a great blog that I really like. It is called "My Sisters Kitchen" and you can find it at http://mysisterskitchen.wordpress.com
Anyway, as I was looking through this great blog, I came upon a post about how to make a sour dough start and different bread variations. If you are interested in this too, go to ttp://mysisterskitchen.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/sourdough-bread/ and you can read if for yourself. Also be sure to read the "COMMENTS" as they are great and have many more great ideas. I bet you don't stop there, but read more and more from this fantastic blog!

Now how does this relate to Visiting Teaching? How about making up some great sourdough bread loaves, and taking one to each of the sisters that you Visit Teach? I can only imagine how much they would enjoy a fresh baked loaf of sourdough bread. My own visiting teacher brought to me for Christmas, a fresh baked loaf of bread, and then brought another to me while I was healing from my surgery I had about a week ago. What a wonderful and thoughtful treat, and homemade too!

If you have variations of this recipe or one of your own that you would like to share, please feel free to comment, and know I love your comments!!!!

I am making my "Family Tree Magnet Board"

2010-01-13T09:22:00.003-07:00

While I am trying to recouperate from my surgery, I have been thinking of ways to make my resting time spent, more useful. I have been thinking about a project that I have almost all the necessary items for, but have never completed it. It is something that will be a family treasure or heirloom one day, but I have to make it first. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT IT...

Back in about September of 2009, my daughter and I went to Swiss Days that is a huge boutique and Celebration held in Midway, Utah, a little town boardering Heber City and just outside of Park City, Utah. This is what I feel is the biggest and best boutiques held in Utah and I try to go to it every year.

One of the best finds of booths that really struck my fancy was the "Stories by Me" booth. This is the link to their website http://www.storiesbyme.com and their blog http://www.storiesbymeblog.blogspot.com/

This project will be a good one for Ward Relief Societies as they come up with monthly activities and things that can enrich the lives of the women, with something useful, fun and with a good focus which is family history. The top photo is temporary and from the site of Stories by me, but I will replace it with my finnished project and how I did it. They also have other darling ideas and projects using family photos, that will help create memories and fun. I plan also on making the puzzle blocks using the faces of my grandchildren to make the puzzles. It will be lots of fun! You should also check out their darling calendar that can be used monthly with pictures of the birthdays in the family. Such cute ideas and worth while projects to do!!!!!

Simple, Thoughtful and easy!!!

2010-01-11T20:13:00.007-07:00

Recouperating from my surgery, I was reminded of a nice gift that my husband gave me once, just to pamper me. He had purchased a heatable and scented heating bag, that fit around my shoulders. I just put it in the microwace for a couple of minutes and then put it on my shoulders, or on my head to help with a headache or wherever I needed some quick warmth. I loved it and use it over and over. I was thinking that it could be used for the sisters that you Visit teach, to add a touch of "Warmth" to their lives during these cold winter months.

I searched the internet for directions to make one, and found it at http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-microwave-heating-pad/ and other directions and photo at http://commoncentsliving.blogspot.com/2007/10/rice-bags-multi-purpose-accessory.html
I would find some cute fabric to make it out of and a great place to find some is at Hobbie Lobby if you have one close to you and always get 30% off their already low priced darling fabrics.... or go online to to fabrics.com at http://www.fabric.com/ and look up some of the darling Michael Miller prints, as shown above. You won't need much fabric to make one, but take advantage of their free shipping policy if you buy $35 or more, or double up with others who want to order too and make it worth the order. (there are all kinds of online fabric stores to choose from)

Anyway follow the directions and make a thoughtful little gift or when you know she is ill you could take it to her then to let her know that you are thinking of her and sending "warm wishes" her way. Great idea huh? I think ao! Love, Katie G

The Secret of Christmas Bookmark

2009-12-20T00:14:00.006-07:00

Once again may I remind you.... you may use this and the other things that I have on this blog for your own personal use or to aid you in doing your Visiting Teaching. Not to be sold or claimed as your own work, but it would be nice if you told others about this blog so that they could be beneficiaries of my work as well to do their good works. Thanks, Katie G

Here's a repeat of Last year's pictures of the Friendly Beasts song.

2009-12-16T15:54:00.006-07:00

The Friendly Beasts

Jesus our brother kind and good

Was humbly born in a stable wood,

The friendly beasts around him stood,

Jesus Our Brother Kind and good.

I said the Donkey all shaggy and brown,

I carried his mother uphill and down,

I carried her safely to Bethlehem town,

I said the donkey all shaggy and brown.

"I" said the cow all white and red

I gave him my manger for a bed

I gave him my hay for to pillow his head

"I" said the cow all white and red

"I" said the sheep with a curly horn

I have him my wool for his blanket warm

And he wore my coat on that Christmas morn

"I" said the sheep with a curly horn

"I" said the dove from the rafters high
I Cooed him to sleep that he should not cry

We cooed him to sleep my love and I

"I" said the dove from the rafters high

"I" said the camel all yellow and black

Over the desert upon my back

I brought him a gift in the wise men's pack

"I" said the camel all yellow and black

Thus every beast remembering it well

In the stable dark was so proud to tell

Of the gifts that they gave Emmanuel

The gifts that they gave Emmanuel

Originally Posted by Katie Gauger at 9:59 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Monday, November 17, 2008

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Something to warm yourself when it's cold outside.

2009-12-10T22:17:00.007-07:00

My grandmother Robinson use to make up the best, what we called it..."Hot Spice Punch" every year at Christmas time. I remember going to her house and when we entered the front door, I could immediately smell the most fragrant, wonderful smell. It always drew me to her kitchen where she had a large pot of her hot spice punch simmering on the stove. The fragrant cloves and cinnamon made my mouth water and I couldn't wait until she offered me some. She would then unwrap a tiny candy cane and hook the crook of the cane over the edge of the mug. Those were great memories. I have kept my grandmothers wassail recipe and have integrated it with my own family traditions over the years, and my own children ask me every year if I am going to make the Hot spice punch.

Today I am trying to battle my cold and I decided that I would make some hot spice punch to warm me up and hopefully help me to get alittle extra vitamin C for my cold. This time, I tried to expedite the process and I think that I like the new recipe even better than the old one. I have added a couple new things to mine and taken away one of the ingredients and substituted another.... but it turned out to be absolutely delicious.

In years past, I have made up this recipe and after it had sufficiently simmered, I poured some into a glass pint or a quart canning jar for gift giving. I have made the fabric lids that you can find on this blog, and put them on with a label of one kind or another. This would make a great and easy Visiting Teaching gift.

Let me know what you think of my new and improved recipe, even though you can't compare it with the old one since I am not posting that one. You can print this off to share if you like. Enjoy! Katie G.

Needing Christmas Ideas? I have some and a sneek preview of my new business, "Cuteness in the Kitchen"

2009-11-27T22:25:00.012-07:00

I spent a lot of time last year preparing a bunch of wonderful ideas for gift giving for Christmas. I wanted to remind you that I have a great archive from 2008 that you should go to. On the right column, scroll down until you see the archives and then click on 2008. They might help you this year. After the Boutique in Park City, that I have made a poster for, I will have some more things that I will put up on this blog, but I am just too busy now getting all the last minute crafts completed and packaged. I hope that some of you who read this blog will come and say hello. My booth is "Cuteness in the Kitchen" and most of my Christmas Crafts and items for sale have to do with the kitchen. I have designed some darling Kitchen aprons for women, and some matching ones for little girls. I have a cute one for a Man in the kitchen as well. I have another line of aprons that are so cute. I want to give you a little preview of my aprons, before I actually open my website, so let me know what you think, and if you want to order one, you can email me at ktgauger@gmail.com NOW FOR YOUR SNEAK PEEK.......
When I designed this cute apron, I wanted one that would look good on every woman. This one does and has a very feminine look to it. The prints are all really cute! If a woman work is in the kitchen for most of the day, she may as well look and feel great while doing the work, all the time keeping your clothing under the apron clean.
My inspiration was my Grandmother Robinson. She was raised in the generation that you always wore a crisply ironed apron. She always looked so cute and had such a great assortment of kitchen aprons, or front aprons as she called them.

This is what the mans apron looks like,except there isn't a pocket like pictured, but I have designed a Chef logo stitched in red and white and the apron is in black, so it looks great side by side with the woman wearing my aprons in the kitchen. I will have lots of these available at the Park City Little Dickens Fair.

These little aprons are so darling and fit a little girl from about age 4 - 8. This top apron is one fo the Mommy and me prints available.
These aprons are so cute on little girls as they are just as feminine as the Mommy apron. They make the little girl feel special as she is matching her Mommy. She can be side by side Mom in the kitchen making cookies, or helping do the dishes, keeping her clothing underneath the apron clean. She can also wear this as a craft apron as children need something to protect their clothing while doing craft projects. Isn't she adorable?
This bottom apron, which I call lipstick damask, is so popular that I have had to order more fabric and won't be available at the fair, but I will be taking orders.

I will also be selling a different retro style of women's aprons. These are darling. I won't have many available at the fair, but I will be taking orders and will ship to my customers homes within a few days of getting the order. When first seeing this apron, everyone asks...."Is this a dress and does it go all the way around?" The answer is no, it isn't a dress but an apron. It is so cute and looks really good on. The sash at the waist is very long and wraps around the back and back around the front and ties there, making even a more feminine look to it.
The same goes with this style. Notice that the bib of this apron is styled differently, but still very feminine and cute! Oh, such "Cuteness in the Kitchen!"
I also carry a line of "Glovables" that are designer rubber gloves, that match the aprons. These are so cute and useable. When I first saw them, I thought that these could be a gift to give the woman who has everything, or to a new bride along side of a black bucket (which I will have at the boutique) and a mop and a black scrub brush. SOOOOOO cute!!!

You are the first to see my new product line in my new business. I hope you like them, and I would love to hear what you think. Please comment below.

FYI - CLICK on the image to enlare it to be more readable.

2009-11-27T21:17:00.003-07:00

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T17:11:00.005-07:00

This darling postcard was found at http://hubpages.com/hub/Thanksgiving-vintage-postcards

Thanksgiving Gift or Table Favor / nametag

2009-11-24T16:44:00.009-07:00

I just created a little gift for my husband to give to the families that he Home Teaches for Thanksgiving, and decided that some of you might benefit from this as well. It certainly turns out cute, and easy to do. I did not put the dimentions of the bag that you will need for this header on the page, so here it is. You will need a 4" wide and 6" long plastic bag. I get mine at Xpedex and I even have one that has the self adhesive top so the goodies stay in the bag. Don't fill the bag more than 3/4 full so that you have some of the top of the bag to stapel the header to.

I printed this on both white card stock and tan cardstock and both look equally cute. I am sure that you will have a hit with this one as it is just darling!!!! (If I do say so myself)

Hope you like this little surprise for you and Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Katie G.

As an afterthought, I decided that the above little header was so cute that it could pass for a tag to go on the Thanksgiving Table for assigning seating. I just cropped a vintage woman for the Women, a little girl for the Girls, and used the same Pilgrim boy for both Men and Boys. I printed the names of my guests on the bottom right hand side of the picture, and I though that you could personalize them after printing by using a black magic marker and writing in your guests names. Enjoy! Katie G.

November 2009 Visiting Teaching Handout

2009-11-17T18:14:00.006-07:00

Here is another signature bookmark from yours truly. It may not go with the Conference talk that you choose to give as your lesson, but it has a good message taken from Mosiah 24:14. The talk that I prepared for my sisters is found on the Visiting Teaching Tips blog if you want to read it. http://visitingteachingtip.bogspot.com/

I love this message and if you read the scripture that it comes from you can see how it fits in. It is the last part of the scripture. It comes from the Lord telling Alma that he will not leave them in their afflictions and their burdens that they carry will be made light. You should go and read the whole chapter, as it is a great story that can strengthen all of us, especially when we are challenged or suffering or afflicted.

Enjoy the bookmark. Oh and I will have a special bookmark at the Park City Little Dickens Christmas Craft fair and boutique. I have printed it off and laminated it, and it has a Christmas message. Come drop by my booth and say hello. Love Katie G.

Little Dickens Christmas Fair and Boutique in Park City, Utah

2009-11-06T08:13:00.008-07:00

The Little Dickens Holiday Boutique
When Saturday, December 5, 2009 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where The Park City Community Church - Fellowship Hall
4501 N. HWY 224, Park City (behind Park City Nursery)
Cost $2.00 per person OR $5.00 per family
($2.00 off if you bring canned food for The Park City Christian Center)
What - Over 35 vendors selling Holiday Gifts
- Beautiful wreaths and Poinsettias for sale
- Famous Bake Sale with hot beverages
- Prize Drawing that includes Deer Valley ski tickets
- Live Musical entertainment from local school choirs
and the PCCC choir
- DAY-CARE is available up to age 2 OR a supervised movie
and craft room for ages 3 to 8 - $2.00 per child!

I wanted to make sure that all of you knew about this! I will be there at my own booth with tons of cute gifts and things and "YES" there will be some cute ideas to give to the sisters you Visit Teach. I will also post some of these ideas in the comming Months. Drop by my booth and say hello to me! Sincerely, Katie G.