Ballet Teacher Appreciation Clip Board

Well, this weekend we wrapped up a whole years worth of ballet lesson with Maggie's 1st recital.  She had an adorable little solo and she just melted her mommy's heart.  It's a good thing she's always so confident because I was a nervous wreck.  She performed beautifully and I couldn't have been more proud.

Her teacher has done so much for her and I really wanted to make her something that she could use and something to remember Mags by.  My friend JJ had the clever idea of getting her a clipboard.  Perfect! 

She takes ballet at one of the large churches down here.  If you're not familiar with the south, theere are lots of large churches and most have preschool and school programs, rec centers, classes and more.  They are very similar to community centers.  We don't attend church here {we go HERE} but we love our time spent with our new friends.  Before each class the girls get together and sing a song called a ballerina prayer.  My favorite lyric of the song is 

"Make me a good ballerina Lord, 

I'll practice hard each day."

I wanted to include part of it on her clipboard.  I'll show you how I did the whole clipboard but first I just have to show you the sweetest little ballerina that ever lived.

She's just so sweet.  Looking at these pictures almost makes me forget that she drew all over the walls yesterday.  Almost.

Okay, so back to the clipboard -

How I did it:  I got the clipboard in a pack of 3 for $3 from Office Max.  You can also purchase them here on Amazon.  It was just that solid particle wood kind.  I sprayed all the metal parts with spray primer.  I then randomly painted brown spots and corners on it {I wanted it to look shabby chic}.  Once the brown paint was dry, I went over the spots with Vaseline.  On top of that I painted the whole thing pink.  Where the Vaseline was the pink paint didn't sick and I was able to wipe away the pink to reveal the brown.  I really liked the worn look it gave the board.

Once the pink dried I used my Cricut and Sure-Cuts-A-Lot program to create a stencil of her teachers name, along with the saying and a silhouette of a ballerina.  I was worried that the excessive rubbing of the top of the board would eventually rub the paint off so I tied some ribbon and rickrack to the top to finish it off.

A gift that is personalized but is also functional.  You really can do so many things with a clipboard for your children's coaches and teachers.  We are just so grateful for all the things Mrs. Andi taught Mags.

Okay I have to do it.  One more picture of the Magster in all of her ballerina cuteness -

Dad and brother gave her flowers and she was over the moon!

If you're looking for more ballet ideas be sure to check out

Ballerina Cupcake Toppers

and

The Bubble Ruffle Tu-Tu

Create - Ispirational Video

I recently was asked to speak at at Young Women leader training meeting. The main topic I was asked to speak on was how creative doesn't just mean crafty. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to think more about what creativity means.


In my preparation I came across an inspiring video with clips from one of my favorite talks of all time, "Happiness, Your Herritage" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This talk touches on so many points that are inspiring and encouraging to all women. It should be no surprise though that what touched me the most was the part of his talk about creativity.  This short youtube clip has been done in such a beautiful way.  I watch it over and over again and just feel a surge of empowerment everytime I do.  It makes me want to drop everything and create something of "substance or beauty".

 

I hope that this video and my blog can insipre you to create something that brings you joy.  There is no better feeling than creating "something that did not exist before".  So like he says, "start small" and "Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you", especially if that critic is you.

Create something today.  Because you're amazing and the world is waiting.

So Grateful Sunday: Reno Temple Cross Stitch from Alicia

I need to introduce you to my dearest and oldest friend, Alicia.  No, not me, Alicia.  A-lish-a.  I'm
A-leash-a.  Clear as mud?  That's okay.  We're used to the name confusion.

Alicia and I met my Freshman year of High School (her Sophomore) and we've been besties ever since.  We've been through some good times her and I.  Like tagging random stupid stuff on the walls next to gangster and tag artist's street names.  Yeah we know we're cool.  {Don't worry it was a designated place in Reno for this kind of thing.  No need to call the authorities.}  Do you like how I took a picture of a picture?  I told you she was my oldest friend, we didn't even have digital cameras back then.

Here's a picture of Alicia with her adorable family.  I love that her kids hate pictures just like mine do.

(photo stolen from facebook.  sue me.)

Alicia is amazing.  She is the friend that everyone should have.  She is so generous.  She is always doing things for others and is always thinking about what she can do to help out.  She's a talented photographer and will take any ones pictures for free.  Anytime.  You don't find a lot of people who will do that.  She also takes the time to put on wonderful showers for people (she did my bridal shower!) and they always turn out so fabulous.  I also love that she is so funny.  Seriously, I don't even know if she means to be but everything she says is so thoughtful and hilarious.  She's so stinkin' smart it kills me.  In High School she pretended to play the trumpet because the band was going to Hawaii that year and she really wanted to go.  She was terrible!  But she got to go to Hawaii!  Ha ha.  I wish I could list all of her "best of" moments but this post would be forever.

The thing I love most about Alicia is that she's honest.  Not just the kind of honest where people will return a lost wallet honest.  I mean honest honest.  She will always tell you the truth about anything.  She's not going to sugar coat something just because.  She'll always tell you if your breath stinks or if there's spinach in your teeth.  Everyone needs a friend like that.  One that will tell things to you straight because they care about you.  More people on American Idol need friends like Alicia.  I love that I know that Alicia is always being genuine and true to herself.  And when I get compliments from her they mean so much more to me than anything else because I know that she really means what she says.

Another thing that I think is cool about Alicia is that she's always trying new things and when she makes a goal she follows through.  You don't find many adults that decide that they want to learn to play piano and then go out and do it.  She's gotten quite good too.  So if you're nervous about learning something new or following a dream you should just do it.  Alicia did and it's made her very happy. 

As expected she was at my wedding and she had her camera in hand.  I don't know if she would pick this as her favorite of the roll but I really love it. 

In addition to pictures and a slide show she also gave us this beautiful cross stitch of the Reno Nevada Temple where John and I were married.  It's quite large and very detailed.  Even the tulips in the front are the exact color.  This must have taken her forever to do.  I've cross stitched before I know know the time it takes.  This just blows my mind.

I apologize for the bad pictures it was the best I could get with my skills and lighting issues.  I hope you can get a glimpse though of this gorgeous piece of art.  It has hung on my wall every day and will continue to hang there forever.

I'm so grateful to have Alicia in my life.  It would be so dull without her!  Thanks Alicia for being there for me all these years.  I couldn't have asked for a better friend!

So Grateful Sunday - Katie's Nursery Song Pocket Flip Book

This is Katie.

She's the best.

 I think she might be the Utes biggest fan.

(Sorry, Katie I had to steal your Facebook picture.)

Katie and I have been friends for several years now and my life is so much better because of it.  I've taught all her kids at Church and we served in a Young Women Presidency together.  We've had a lot of good times together.  She's super mom.  Somehow she can handle 4 kids and a husband with a busy doctor's schedule, about a million neighbor kids at any time, and a billion other things and does it all with a smile.  She's so relaxed and just plain cool.  She takes every opportunity that comes her way gladly and because of her enjoy life attitude, she's traveled all over the world and done all kinds of amazing things.  I love to hear about all of her fun adventures.

  She makes me laugh, she's always dependable, she's a great example of a mom, she's held my hand through 3 Twilight movie midnight showings and even putting up with my squeals and constant giggling.  Ha!  Like I said, she's the best.

Recently, Katie has been the nursery (kids 18mo-3 years) song leader at Church.  The kids love her.  Especially my daughter.  Maggie has a hard time with words but songs just speak to her little heart and she loves them.  In nursery Katie has a flip chart that she uses to show the kids which song they are going to sing next.  It's easy for the kids to identify and they love it.

Recently Katie made each child their own pocket flip book.  Maggie has been in heaven and hasn't put hers down!  She flips the pages and sings the songs to herself.  I love to watch her.

Katie took the pictures from her flip book and printed them on photo paper.  On the back she hand wrote the names of the songs.  Finally she punched a hole in the cards and put them on a ring.  I know it had to have taken her some time to do one for each child.  It was a labor of love.

Here are just a few examples of the pictures.  Head, shoulders, knees and toes, If you're happy and you know it, The wise man and the foolish man, and the last one doubles for two - Jesus wants me for a sunbeam & I'm trying to be like Jesus.

If you'd like the words to these songs or music for any other children's songs and hymns you can get them HERE.

We love Katie's gift and will treasure it for a long, long time.  Last week I sadly had to say goodbye to her and her great family as fantastic career opportunities opened up, and the state of Utah has stolen them from us.  Good luck on settling into your new place and know that we miss you!

Camp Craft Series: Locker Magnets

This is part of a series of tutorials of crafts that were made at Girls Camp.  Check back throughout the week for more tutorials and amazing examples from all the wonderful, creative girls.

When deciding on crafts we chose to create these locker magnets.  We wanted to girls to come away with something that would remind them of their values, of who they are, of the Savior, of things that are important to them.  We hope that these magnets will be a reminder, a hope, a comfort to the girls (even if just for a second) on those long hard days of school.  There is so much temptation to do wrong that sometimes it takes a little reminder of who you are, and where you're going to keep you on the straight and narrow.

Supplies:

• Glass Tiles 1 7/8 x 7/8 (see below)
• Images (see printables below)
• Mod Podge
• E 6000 glue
• Magnets (see below)
• Foam brush
• Scissors

The glass tiles and magnets were purchased from ThoseSweetSensations.  I was unable to find the tiles anywhere in stores and this shop had exactly what I needed in the quantities I needed and for a reasonable price.  They also had the best magnets I have ever seen.  I would highly recommend getting their magnets.  They were extremely thin and extremely strong.

 If you click on the following images you will be directed to a site where you can print off the images for the magnets.  I would recommend printing with a laser jet (we used a copy service) and letting the ink dry at least over night to ensure you won't have a smudged image.



*THESE PRINTABLES ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY*

In no way do you have permission to sell anything made from them.



Click to get printable



Click to get printable







Click to get printable



 








TUTORIAL:

Step 1:  On the rough side of the glass paint on a thin but even layer of Mod Podge.

Step 2:  Cut out the image and place it face down onto the Mod Podged side of the glass.

Step 3:  Allow glue to dry enough that the paper won't move if you touch it.  Your image will look foggy at first.  The Mod Podge will dry and become clear.

Step 4:  Take a small amount of the E 6000 and place it on one side of the magnet.

Step 5:  Place the magnet onto the back of the paper and tile.  Let dry.



These were the simplest craft that we had and some of the girls who considered themselves, "not crafty" enjoyed making these.  There wasn't a lot of room for personalization with these but we did have extra glass gems that I donated from my personal stash.  The young women were able to use the same method as above but used scrapbook paper instead of the printables.

One girl created a set of magnets with the Young Women Values written on them.  They are so beautiful.  She used scrapbooking paper and a permanent marker to create them.

Make sure you come back tomorrow for

Decorated Wooden Frames

and check out yesterday's

Friendship Bracelets

if you missed 'em!