Texas Bridal Shower

Marisa had a beautiful bridal shower - thanks to a dear friend, Lisa Butler. She made it so dreamy! Look at those flowers, food, cake, desserts, and details! We had other wonderful friends helping with food and all - it was perfect!  Tropical Storm Bill was at our door but we didn't let him ruin anything ;)

Lisa had suggested we play a questionnaire game - usually the out-of-town groom would be on video answering the questions. But we had Chris in town and hiding while Marisa tried to answer the first question. Then he answered in person and she was suprised to see him just standing behind her - it was really cute!

Wonderful gifts for the new couple!

 Opening her ice cream maker - she loves ice cream!!

 Her cute gift bow bonnet :)

  Sisters (and one of her bridesmaids)

Marisa and her wonderful hostess, Lisa, who made the day lovely!

13 going on 30!!

 Marisa is always looking to practice her skills and Tess proved to be a perfect subject! It's crazy to see my 13 year-old looking so mature at this shoot. I'm glad this isn't an everyday look and she's still my baby some days :)  If you're in need of makeup, hair or photography up in Utah, check out Marisa's work!  www.marisarosephotography.blogspot.com

Remembering Summer....

Young Womens in Excellence 2014

Time to catch up on some blog stuff! We had our Young Women's in Excellence in November. Our theme was "Night of Stars" - since our girls are always shining brightly! I got the inspiration from here 

I loved how she had made star invites to hand out to all the girls rather than mailing a flat invitation.

I found these stars already cut at Hobby Lobby school/craft section. There were about 24 in a pack. I just cut out the smaller stars from glitter paper and used glitter tulle behind it - hot glue worked!  I bought a pack of wooden dowels and painted them silver and glued away. I made the oval print in Photoshop and assembled everything - they turned out really cute and the girls loved them!

 My wonderful teaching partner and I made this ribbon wall. I ordered ribbons in silver, white, gold and cream from papermart.com. It was much less expensive than buying ribbon from any local craft store. We took a piece of ribbon and just tacked it to my wall. Then we cut and tied long pieces of ribbons just randomly across it until we ran out of ribbon! It shimmered so pretty in the nighttime light.

 Luckily this fell during Christmas crafting season - I found silver and gold wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby (my favorite wrapping source). We lined the existing chalkboard and wall below with the gold wrapping paper. Then we hung lights and our ribbon curtain over them.

 I added gold sparkling tulle with stars I had sprayed with gold glitter (same stars as the invite). I just attached everything at the church with my mini stapler.

We ran red tablecloth plastic down for our "red carpet" and lined it with lights. The girls walked the red carpet when they came forward to share what they had done for Personal Progress.

Our front table had our gifts for the girls - clear boxes with gold stars printed on them and filled with silver Hershey Kisses. 

 We had a table in the back of the room that displayed things to represent what the girls made or did for PP. The girls had helped to make all the cut out stars. We placed each one's name on a glittered paper for their display area. It was a wonderful evening with shining beautiful girls!

Back to School Survival Mutual

Last night we had a Back to School mutual activity at church.  I made Survival kits - found the idea here. We had the girls list their fall time activities on our YW calendar so we could go and support them. Then we had each girl stand in front of the chalkboard and all the other girls wrote cute things around them - seen on Pinterest. We took their picture with their decorated board and erased it all before they could see it. We'll print all the photos and display them for the girls to see. It was really cute and the girls loved it.

 My "apple" cupcakes (red velvet of course!) 

 These are the little notes and treats that went into the survival kits

I used red bags from Hobby Lobby - Target also has red lunch paper lunch bags that are less expensive.  

Red velvet cupcakes with pretzel stick stems and frosting leaf :)

Simply Prom 2014

Our stake (with six others) held the area's first Mormon Prom. It was titled "Simply Prom - a Royal Ball". The kids were encouraged to ask a date or as a group. YW leaders provided a "fancy" dinner at the church - the parents hosted a table & decorated it. The youth said they really loved that part of the evening. We had a little after party at our home - the kids swam, ate snacks & had fun!

Back to School 2014

Volleyball

Our club volleyball season just ended - now only a couple months break until the school season starts in August!! I'm just thrilled it's an indoor sport :)

Valentine's Surprise

Past year's birthdays

I'm finally getting caught up on some pages - I always start with Birthdays. It's been a crazy fall and winter so I love when I get a few minutes to create and look at pictures of my kiddos! I love them!!

 

Scripture Cover

I made up this scripture cover a couple weeks ago so I could teach my church girls how to make them. I've had requests from friends on my pattern and how-to.  So I'm posting this tutorial in hopes it helps any of you (I apologize that all photos are with my phone - terrible quality but it had to do).  I sew a lot so if I'm not super explanatory for beginners, I apologize!

Also, I didn't take step-by-step pics of the one above - but of one that got started at our "sewing night".  

In my original one above (chevron), I used two fabrics - the main cover and then one for the inside and straps. This polka dot one (below) only used one fabric.

You will need from the main fabric a piece 14"x8.5"

The lining fabric you need a 14"x8.5" plus two pieces that are 8.5"x5" (sleeves)

Two strap pieces 12"x2.5"

Stretch elastic (this is what they use for headbands and hair ties - found on a spool at Hobby Lobby) 8" long

Two pieces of ribbon 12" each

 

You will hem one long raw edge on each "sleeve" piece (the 8.5"x5" pieces - top right in pic). These straps were already made before I started pictures.  I ironed in the two raw edges of the straps - overlapping each other.  Then sewed on the ribbon to hide the exposed raw edge. Make sure you sew both edges of the ribbon and not down just the center. Then stitch the straps and elastic to the side edges of the main fabric (like above). I just eyeball it but you can measure to be precise on placement.

 

 Then you will place the sleeves on top of the main fabric - sandwiching in the straps and elastic like above. Make sure sleeve fabric is nice-side down like below.

 Then you'll place the lining piece (14"x8.5") on top of all that above. Making sure that the lining is also nice-side down like below.

 Pin all around to keep everything in it's place.

  On the bottom edge, I made small marks about 4" apart - you will NOT sew between those marks - that's how we'll turn it all right side out.

Once sewn with a 1/2" seam, you will then clip your four corners to help with fabric excess when turned right side out.

 Carefully turn it all right side out through the opening on the bottom. Your seams all around will be puffy (below) - you will now want to press them so they are nice and crisp!

  There are a couple ways to close the bottom opening. You can stitch it (I didn't choose to do this since there will not be top-stitching around the whole cover and I don't want to see it on the bottom only).  I used Stitch Witchery - it's basically a strip of dried glue that will melt when ironed.

I just cut a piece the length of the opening and sandwich it in there - then iron well and voila! It's stuck together :)

 Now I've made a little mark that is half way down the cover and 1.5" in from the edge - this is where the button will be hand-sewn.  You want to make sure you do NOT sew through the sleeve piece on the inside of the cover - keep your hand there to make sure you're not going through.

  I love these cute square bling buttons - found them also at Hobby Lobby in the sewing notions - on $2 for six of them!

 Slide your scripture covers into the sleeves and....

 ...you have the cutest scripture cover ever!!

 My church girls were given six fabric and four ribbon choices that they could mix up. Here are a couple other ones - so cute!

As a side note - on my original chevron one, I put a pencil/pen holder down the spine of the lining. I cut a piece that was 8"x2" - hemmed the top edge, folded in the sides and bottom, and then stitched closely around them. 

Hope this helps - any questions, leave me a comment and I'll try to help :)

Enjoy and create!! ~Jenny