Warming Wrap Tutorial

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)

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?

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.

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

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

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

Mothers day early (2 printables)

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

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.