Oil Lamp Handout

 I was helping my mom with her lesson for Relief Society.  Her lesson was about the 10 virgins and the Bridesgroom.  I searched Pinterest for ideas and wasn't able to find any handouts like I was looking for.  I googled it and found some ideas that I could make work.  I came up with making little lamps to hand out to the sisters.

To begin, I purchased tea lights from the dollar store.  There were 8 in a package for a dollar.  I got the cream card stock paper from Michaels and I already had yarn around the house.

I borrowed a lamp from my mom's friend that I used to make a template.  She got the lamp from Deseret Book for $2.99.  I traced the lamp onto the card stock (and uploaded a copy here for you to use if you would like).

Here is a picture of the complete template.

I cut the lamps out and glued on the tea light.  I punched a hole in the end and used yarn to tie on a scripture that I typed up.  The reference I used was Matthew 25:13.  After the lesson, which turned out well, we passed out the handouts.

Personal Progress Handout

Let Personal Progress "Change" Your Life.

I try to bring a reminder every week for the girls to help them keep personal progress in their minds. I saw this idea on Pinterest and changed it up a little bit for my handout a few weeks ago.  

Here are the materials I used: Tulle from Walmart, gold coins from Winco (I bought them from the bulk bins), and some twine that had gold threads in it from Stampin' Up.  

I measured 9 inches of tulle...

and then cut it.

I used 3 inches of twine as well.

I put the coins inside the tulle and gathered the four corners to the center.

I tied the twine around to close it.

I printed up a saying which read, " Let Personal Progress Change Your Life."  Here is a link to a Dropbox Word file.  I also used a glue dot that I got from Michaels, but a glue gun might work better.

Here is the finished product!  The girls enjoyed it.

Step by step guide to make a Ferrero Tree

I wanted to give a thank you gift to some ward members that participated in a sacrament meeting at our church.  As I was searching Pinterest, I saw various versions of a Ferrero Tree that I really liked.  Luckily, I had some Ferrero candies in my pantry that I had previously gotten at Rite Aid for $2, so I decided to give it a try.  Unfortunately, I was having a hard time finding step by step instructions on making one, so I made my own version. It took me an hour to complete the project.

To begin, I went to Michael's and found some smooth 3" Styrofoam balls for $4.99 for a pack of six.  I did have a 40% off coupon which helped reduce the cost.  I also bought a 5/8" diameter dowel for $0.59.  It was 36" long and I cut it into three, but I also saw later that Joanne's sells an 8 pack of  12" long dowels for only $0.99.  They always have coupons in the mail as well. 

I inserted the 12" dowel into the Styrofoam ball.  The ball that I purchased already had a pre-drilled hole that made it easier.  

I had Washi Tape I got for Christmas that my husband picked up at Walmart for about $2.50 (he doesn't really remember prices)...

And wrapped it around the dowel.  You can leave an inch or so at the bottom since it will be going in the floral foam and there's no reason to waste the tape.

I bought some floral foam at the dollar store.  There were two circular foams in a package. I did see at Joanne's they have a 6 block pack of foam for $4.99 (but remember they often have coupons).  I found this particular box at the dollar store as well, but you could use whatever container you want (mugs, tin cans, etc.).  I cut the floral foam to fit snugly in the box.  

Next, I inserted the dowel into the floral foam about 1 to 1.5 inches deep.  You could obviously go further if needed.

The gold Ferrero wrapper is somewhat attached to the brown paper, but I added extra hot glue to securely fasten it.  I cut tissue paper into approximately 3 inch squares and crumpled it up in my hand.  I then unfolded it and used hot glue again to attach the brown paper to the tissue paper.  I suggest using bright color tissue paper, which helps it stand out better.  

Still using hot glue, I attached the first piece to the top center of the Styrofoam ball.

Then I added a row going around from the center....

And covered the entire ball.  I used 12 Ferrero candies for the entire tree.

My dowel was a little wobbly, so I stuck some tissue paper inside to help make it sturdy.

I used tissue paper to cover up the floral foam.

As a final touch, I added Hershey's hugs and kisses.

Tada!  The final product!

I added a small bow made from ribbon to the middle of the dowel to make it pretty. I went ahead and made another one using a mug and different colored tissue paper.  I also added tulle to fill in any gaps.  Here's what the two of them looked like when I was done.

January 2014 Visiting Teaching Handout

It's January and time to do my visiting teaching for our church.  I typically like to bring along a small gift or treat for the lovely sisters that I visit.  This month's visiting teaching message is "The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Exemplar," so I went to Pinterest (my favorite site) and searched for ideas.  I found this great idea from Pinterest.  Instead of using tea lights, I picked up some $1 candles that I found at Wal-mart.  Here are some pictures I took while making them, and they are super easy.

Here is one of the candles that I got at Wal-mart.  The sticker is "Easy Peel" so I took it right off.

I used some scrapbook paper scraps to wrap around the candle. I just used tape to attach it to the candle.

Next, I added a large, 1 inch pom-pom to the top.  I got a 24 piece package of these from JoAnne's for $3.

I printed a scripture that is part of the visiting teaching message.  Here is the Word Document I created to make the text.  Just in case you can't access the link, the text reads, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)."

Here are my finished products!  I made 5 of them, and my visiting teaching sisters really enjoyed them.