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

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

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

Revised Meaning of the Sacrament

New Relief Society meeting idea

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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???

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

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"

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.

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?

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"

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

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

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

Happy Valentines Day! Love, Katie G.

My Valentine Post Card

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

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.

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

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!

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.

1. Scripture Covers http://diaryofacraftaholic.blogspot.com/2009/12/scripture-cover-tutorial.html
2. Valentine Fortune Cookies made out of felt http://deckthehalls-christmas.blogspot.com/2010/01/sending-fortune-cookie-to-you.html
3. Cute Valentine or anytime decorated box tutorial http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/gablebox/
4. Very cute ideas for all kinds of giving ( I love her ideas!!!) http://barbschram.blogspot.com/
5. 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
6. Darling Star project http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/cg_display.asp?g=1&seed_id=22545
7. Melted Flowers tutorial http://seamseweasy.blogspot.com/2009/11/melted-flower-tutorial.html
8. A Variety of Cute free printable templates http://cuddlybuddly.com/freebies/free-templates/

SHOES FOR HAITI

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:

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

Sourdough Bread - Good things are worth sharing!

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"

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!!!

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