Valentine Décor is up

I have seen this idea all over pinterest and so Imagine my thrill when I came across these mailboxes {brand-new} in the salvation army for 50 cents each.  I added some vinyl (of course!) and created a little mailbox for each of us to leave love notes. 

This burlap love banner was so simple to create.  I simply cut out the triangles (burlap is a mess to work with so be prepared!), then I cut out the letters on my cricut but didn’t use the letter…I used the outline part of it – you know, the part you throw away.  It was my stencil, then I used acrylic paint to stencil the shape or letter onto each triangle.  I stapled the burlap to jute and added some pieces of ribbon between each triangle.

Organizing the craft room

We spent the day organizing my craft room.  This room also doubles as Evie’s bedroom.  From the before picture, you can only imagine why she has trouble sleeping!!  She is surrounded by chaos!  I just started to pile, and pile, and pile!  Does anyone else do this or is it just me?!?!  How embarrassing to even show this!

However, I am proud to show the AFTER!  What this also does not show is the entire expanse of floor space and play area for Evie now!  It is a true bedroom for her. 

Valentine’s Day Decor

I admit that my winter is still out, but I have been working on valentine décor since the day after Christmas!  I’ll probably start putting valentine stuff out next week today – changed my mind!  I try to mix it up with my SNOW theme for January & February.  Anyway…here are some designs this year. 

The Countdown to Kisses idea was taken from Infarrantly Creative. I’m so excited to use it this year.  She has the tutorial on there to learn how you can make one too!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My New Calling & primary theme board

I am now the Primary Music leader… and I love, love, love it!  ‘nuff said. 

Iron Chef Competition

Our Mutual activity was an iron chef competition.  My nieces did something similar in their ward, and so we decided to give it a shot.  It was a blast!  The youth were so excited about their creations, and the leaders also seemed to have a fun time too (so bonus!).  I think everyone loves a little competition every once in awhile. 

We started out by dividing into 4 groups.  I had pre-assigned the groups and pre-assigned the house they would go to.  I had asked in advance 4 ladies from the ward if we could come to their house.  I then told them the food items the youth would be bringing so that they were a little prepared.  The youth were given a bag with 4 items:

• Bell Pepper (cut in 1/2 to save on cost)
• Strawberries (a few bagged together)
• cut up pieces from a rotisserie chicken
• a Hershey’s candy bar
• Secret Ingredient: Cream Cheese

They were to make an appetizer (1 serving size each), main dish and dessert.  Each item had to be used somewhere in the dishes and the secret ingredient had to be used in all three dishes.  The youth took their bag and headed to their house.  The ladies and other leaders with them then helped the youth create these dishes.  They could use anything in the pantry the host-house was willing to share.  They could also use recipes from there.  Mostly the youth did it all, creating, organizing, cooking– some more than others, of course.  They were very excited about their creations.  

(Here is the instruction page given to the youth.)

After a pre-determined time, we met back at the church and there sat the bishopric as the judges.  Each group presented their dishes and the judges then voted.  The awards were for:

• Best presentation
• best missionary meal
• best dessert
• most original
• Bishopric favorite (that was the grand prize)

The youth presented their dishes to the bishopric and told them what ingredients were used.  (They were so stuffed after!!)

So, each group won a prize and then one group won the grand prize.  I had Hershey's chocolate bars for that award. The other awards were little candy bars, homemade cookies & leftover and then bagged Christmas candy.  (Perfect time to get rid of some!).

Here are the results of the activity overall: I think all of the youth participated, they were proud of their creations and had to work together.  I think this can be called a success!

Beautiful Young Women Girls!

Last week we went to temple square for a mutual activity.  I took this photo of my wonderful advisor and dear friend Shelly with my 4 favs!!!  These girls are so dear to me and will forever stay in my heart.  It has been a joy to get to know them over the past three years as the Young Women President.  They have grown into beautiful, lovely, virtuous & compassionate women.  I am so proud of them and who they have become.  When I am released from this calling, I will miss these people the most.  I know, I know, I’m not dying or going anywhere, but when you aren’t with them every single week 2x’s, things change!