How to Make Pansy Cookies

One of the first things I would do when I got to Grandma’s would be to check the top of her fridge for cookies, and usually I would find some.  Often they were burned on the bottom which didn’t faze me a bit;  I’d just get a butter knife and scrape or cut off the burned part before I ate it.  The moral of this story is, if your cookies aren't perfect, your kids and family will still love them, so...Think Grandma Maxine!

Celebrate spring with these pretty pansy cookies from Women's Day magazine.  They use the hard-drying glaze that I love so they won't smear when you wrap them.

How to Make Decorative Plates

Economical, creative and fun, these plates are definitely a craft Grandma Maxine would appreciate.  Instead of hanging them on her wall, however, I think she would be more likely to pile them with cookies and send them over to a neighbor.

I wanted something up on my kitchen wall that would match my curtains, but I couldn't find anything that was just right so I decided to use the same fabric and paint to make decorative wall plates.

How to Get Rid of White Powder Residue on Dishes

Thanks to my sister, Sarah, for taking time to post this useful info!

Last week, I called the dishwasher repair man to check out a suspicious noise. Fifteen minutes after he arrived and $100 dollars later, he handed me the toothpick he removed from the guts of my dishwasher. Trying to get the most out of the visit, I got him talking while he wrote up the invoice. As a result, I got these tips for getting rid of the nasty white residue on dishes that are supposed to be clean.

How to Make Plastic Beads

Here's a fun idea from Family Fun magazine.

 




It appeals to my make-something-out-of-nothing side and my oh-cool-we-get-to-stick-plastic-in-the-oven side. But don't worry you don't have to have either of those sides to think this is fun. It would be a great activity for a party or a fun friend Christmas gift for kids. You just need permanent markers and 2 -liter bottles to make the beads.  And an oven :). Cool.

Posted by Elizabeth Jr.

Doorway Puppet Show

I loved this idea from Family Fun magazine to hang fabric (they used pillowcases) in a doorway for a puppet theater. It's so easy to store and reuse! I figure you could use any size doorway/entryway you want if you don't use pillowcases. It'd just take a little more sewing.

I especially like the idea for changing the backdrop scenery. Very fun.

Posted by Elizabeth Jr.

How to Store Ideas from Magazines

I think it's a great idea to use an idea blog, if you happen to have one :), to keep track of great ideas you find in magazines.

Otherwise, they have to be paper filed or lost forever. This way they can all be in one spot and sorted nicely by topic. Plus you can share them with other people, so they might actually get used.

Posted by Elizabeth Jr.

Christ-Centered Easter Gifts

We like to keep our Easter celebration Christ-centered by giving each child a religious gift in their basket with just some candy and their dyed eggs. In past years we've included things like 5" X 7" framed religious prints, scripture stories books, church DVDs, scriptures, gospel art books, etc. It's nice because you can find some pretty neat and very inexpensive stuff at the church distribution center, and our kids really like this tradition.

Posted by Elizabeth Jr.

How to Have An LDS Week of Easter--

This year our family plans to remember Christ's last week on the earth with a week full of Easter activities.  The first four days are celebrated at dinner time while the last three are commemorated at evening scripture or family time.  Take a look at our plan, and who knows, your family may want to do it, too!

Christ-Centered Easter Egg Hunt

One of our family's favorite Easter traditions is this Easter egg hunt activity that reminds us of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Easter--New Life Activity

Invite your family to join you in a planting activity to celebrate spring, and Easter's promise of new life by planting something beautiful in your yard or the yard of someone you love.

Thanks, Elizabeth M H for this great idea!

LDS Easter Program

I wrote the script to this LDS Easter program because I love Christ and I love the prophets and scriptures that testify of Him.  Although I included song suggestions, I did not include music.

How to Make Easter Bread Bunnies

Growing up, my mom, Jenny, would make bread every week.  There is nothing better than fresh baked bread unless it's a fresh baked bread bunny!

Here is my new Easter bread bunny post with step by step instructions and photos.  Enjoy!

Bread bunnies are fun to make and are more nutritious than traditional chocolate bunnies.  For a simple Easter breakfast, serve them with boiled Easter eggs and ham.

How to Make Baby Headbands

I wanted to make baby headbands that had interchangeable decorations, so:

• I bought those stretchy mesh baby headbands (the thinner ones) in different colors for 75 cents each.

• Then I found flowers that I liked (the flowers I bought were actually meant for scrapbooking, but they served my purpose).

• Then I bought small hairclips.

• With a glue gun, I attached the flowers to the hairclips.

Now I can change out the flowers on each headband, depending on baby's outfit that day. I think I'd like to try it with bows and other decorations, too. (The pictures are kinda hard to see, but you get the idea).

How to Make a Family tree wall hanging

So, what do you think this wall hanging made of?  Wrought Iron?  Wood?  No. . . Toilet paper rolls.  

Click here to check it out!

I can't wait to try this.

Donut Seeds Gag Gift

Family Fun had a fun gag gift idea--Donut seeds!  Just put Cheerios in a donut seed envelope and give to a friend.  Great for April fools day.

You can go to Family Fun and print out their donut seed envelope template , or you can use mine.  It comes with a fun message to glue on the back of the envelope.  Whichever you use, you are sure to get a laugh.

Family Home Evening on the Sacrament

We did this family home evening for activity days.  It fills the requirement in the Faith in God book that says:  "Explain how taking the sacrament helps you renew your baptismal covenant. In a family home evening, teach
others about things we can do to remain faithful." It is chock full of fun object lessons that use common household objects and are easy for kids to do.