Ward Bulletin Boards...

I have the distinguished honor of maintaining our church ward's bulletin board, keeping it current with the latest info. Now keeping in mind, there really is only SO MUCH that one can do to a board such as this, that is not too...I don't even know the word for it. Let's just say, it is challenging to keep the board neutral, eye-pleasing, and efficient.

Anywho...there were a couple of other board ideas that were executed but not photographed. This is one of the first few attempts at updating it. (You should have seen it before I came along!) ...Sorry, but I just don't think it's acceptable for someone to just print headings off on standard white paper, fold the edges to "trim" off the excess borders, then staple it to the board. L.A.Z.Y. ...but that's just me.

In this photo below, I was winging it. I was given the calling on a Thursday, not knowing the exact board measurements, I just guessed at the size the headings should be and cut them out with my Cricut...oops. The yearly theme for 2009 was "Taking the Next Step..." and each month's theme completed the sentance. This is what I like to call my "rough draft board."

There was another "board" in between the first and this one. I attached little shoes - various types, around the upper and lower board borders, symbolic of taking a step. The shoes were a little cheesey, but the Bishop's wife had requested that I use them. Here, I re-cut the headings, utilizing my trusty Cricut machine. All colors used here were all from the Fall color family. I cut the words out of vinyl - WAY easier than attaching individual letters for the wording. Nothing too exciting, but it got the job done.

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, I hand-crafted all of these flowers, once again utilizing my handy-dandy Cricut machine, and attached them to a background border, which was then attached to the board itself. Now, some may call me an "over-achiever," but I'll admit that I'm still not satisfied with how it looks.

Here are some close-ups of some of the flowers before they were mounted on display. I won't say they were all quick or easy to make...I don't want to fib :)

Spider Mums & Begonias, (which look like roses to me.)

Marigolds & Mums
Bachelor Buttons, Impatiens, & Pansy

More Begonias

Daffodils

And a collage containing all of the flowers above as well as others - Clematis, Cosmo, Azalea,Echinacea, Wind Flower, Dogwood, Gerber Daisy, and a couple of other random ones... I wish I had cut more flowers, making the border fuller, but wasn't about to come back for round 2. I had spent ample time on what was done already...

Now, I've got to come up with something even more special for the Summer! Any ideas? There are only 2 of you women out there that even know I keep this blog, so if you're really reading it, I'll be expecting your suggestions in the comment section! :)

A Few Vinyl Projects

I own a Cricut Expressions cutting machine, so when I find free time, I like to work on vinyl projects like these.. If I were a smart woman, I would put my machine to work for me and try to make some cash with it...just something I should and could easily consider. Anywho...

I have this quote on my bedroom wall - I put it up as a constant reminder to keep my calm, whether times be good or bad, hard or easy, and it really has helped get me through...

This is in my upstairs family room, above the front windows. No matter what faith you belong to, I feel that this could apply.

...And last, but not the least, I put up this quote on the mirror in my oldest son's room - in a place where he's guaranteed to see it at least twice a day. He's awesome, and on some of my busier days, I feel like I've neglected to tell him just how much I cherish his sweet spirit. These three things are very important for him to know, how ever the message is given.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party & Banner

My sister-in-law, Ginger, along with much help from myself and my sister-in-laws, threw the cutest "Cat in the Hat" themed party for her twin son's first birthday last weekend. She served green (deviled) eggs and ham with croissants, ...jello jigglers cut out in the shape of fish, and gold fish crackers, of course... Note to self: Cotton candy melts very quickly on humid days, so if you're going to try using it for cupcake toppers again in the future, make sure it's the final touch to your table, not the first...

Blue punch rounded out the color scheme.

I put together this banner... ...and also made these pom-poms out of tissue paper - should have made more for a bigger impact!
Per Ginger's request, I literally threw together these little hat cakes. They were perfect, by no means, but were all "cattywompus" and imperfect, just as she had asked them to be.
The multi-talented Amy, my other sister-in-law hand painted these Thing 1 & Thing 2 faceboard cut-outs. They were adorable! The kids loved having their pictures taken with it!
Everyone had a fun, fun, fun time! Thanks Ging!