Conference Door Sign

I made this cute Conference Sign to hang on our door this weekend for General Conference.

I just bought a frame(2"x3") at the second hand store($0.50), painted it & drilled holes for the ribbon.

You can go here to print one.

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Fall Fabric Ribbon Garland

As we are counting down the days til General Conference, I thought it would be great to have something to hang all the pictures of the Apostles and First Presidency. 

I have the 8x10 pictures but to hang on this garland I used these. I punched out a tab to put in between the picture sheet and info sheet(double stick tape). I added extra to the clothespin by using glitter puffy paint, then spray a clear coat in gloss over the whole thing and then write the name in a sharpie marker.

Attach the pictures onto the garland with the clothespins.

How to make the Fabric Ribbon Garland:

Cut strips of fabric (I did 3 different colors in T-shirt, 8 printed cotton=1/2 yard each one, & tuelle)into 1 1/2"x21".

With the tuelle spool I cut the length to match the fabric strip(21") then cut it in 1/2. I only put the tuelle with the coordinating printed cotton fabric NOT the T-shirt material. it is a little wider than the fabric strip.

Layer the tuelle then the fabric over your "base" ribbon.

Tie a single knot.

 Slide the knotted fabric to combine with the other ones. Keep going in your pattern until you reach your desired length.( I did ours to fit our fireplace =8')

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General {Conference Countdown}

Our kids love General Conference. 

It is a blessing to see the traditions we have for Holidays(and yes, conference is like a Holiday at our home) make such an impact on them. I made this Countdown to further their excitement for the big weekend. I was inspired by the September issue(pg. 11) of the Friend. I took about 1/2 of the ideas then added some of my own. Sorry this is so late in coming.

I decided to start the Countdown at 15 (12 apostles and 3 in the First Presidency) because each night we  focus on one of the men. It  just helps them remember who they will be watching. You can purchase the 8x10 photos here.

Cut a backboard 8"x11" (paint black) and a piece of beadboard 6"x9 1/4".

Paint the whole board a lighter color(I had cream).

Sand it.

Glue (Mod Podge) paper strips to fit the flat grooves of the beadboard. Add the vinyl title & hammer 2 nails( I used finishing nails 8d 2 1/2" from Home Depot)into the wood. *TIP: I predrilled the holes for the nails so when I hammered it wouldn't split the wood. Drill holes in the JUMBO sticks. Go slow because they split easy. I did a few at a time.

Use JUMBO sticks for the countdown numbers & activities.

After doing the activity(the backside of the stick), turn the stick over & place on "right" nail.

I have a printable here. I will list it here as well:

#15 Sing "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet (hymn pg 19) and
talk about why we have General Conference

#14 Scavenger Hunt or Scripture Chase verses about Prophets

#13 Play Temple matching game

#12 Read about the righteous Nephites in 4 Nephi 1: 1-13, 16-18

#11 Do a Service. This one is a great idea for Home/Visiting Teaching Families.

#10 Read an inspirational story from the Friend. I found this one.

#9 Sing "Follow the Prophet" (Children's Songbook pg 110-11)

#8 Talk about this teaching from Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Today I make you a promise. It's a simple one, but it is true. If you will listen to the living Prophet and the Apostles and heed our counsel, you will not go astray."

#7 Read about King Benjamin speaking to his people (Mosiah 2: 1,5,9,41).
How is this meeting like General Conference? Coloring page here.

#6 Play a game. This one seems fun.

#5 Read about Lehi's Liahona (1 Nephi 16: 10, 28-29 & Alma 37: 38-40). How are the words of the prophets like a Liahona for our family today?

#4 Pick out snacks to enjoy while watching Conference. We usually pick out snacks for everyone to share but I let them choose a candy that is just for them. They still have that choice to share though.

 #3 Write in your journal specific question and thoughts you have.
Pray to have your mind focused and heart opened.

#2 Play "Prophets and Apostles" matching game.

#1 Sing "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" (hymn pg 19)

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{CTR} Conference Pillow

To add to our special General Conference weekend I wanted the kids to be comfortable and cozy(hopefully not so much that they fall asleep).
I decided to make pillow cases (& blankets) to be used only for Conference. [This was an investment but luckily I hit a great sale at Joann Fabric 1/2 off fleece sale].

HOW TO:

First cut out the "CTR" letters[mine are 6" wide x 9" tall] to sew onto the front fleece piece. I cut them out of t-shirt material found at the second hand store.


FRONT SIDE: cut a piece of red/blue & yellow fleece(21"x 10.5"). Stitch each letter onto the coordinating color. Then sew the panels together with a 1/2" seam.


Cut a pillowcase(from the second hand store, only $1.00) in half. For the front & back. Cut another piece of fleece for the backside. This one will match the blanket(21" x 30").


Pin & sew the "paneled"(=the front) piece and the "matching blanket" piece(=the backside) to each side of the cut pillowcase.


Face right sides together, stitch around the end casing then stitch the other 3 sides to close the pillowcase up.


Each pillowcase will have a NEW matching blanket. Sew the edge of the blanket(60"x 70"). I might stitch their names on the blankets like I did here.

Other fun things to add to our Conference tote:
The DAY BEFORE:

They get these M&M's the Friday before so they can prepare their mind.


We go food shopping so they can use these fun trays(I got these at Pottery Barn 5+ ago but I think Walmart has some).

CONFERENCE DAY:

New Fuzzy Socks(found at Target) with a poem.


Paper packets here & here with a new pen(found at Michael's for $1.00).


Our memory game.


BINGO cards(different ones for spring & fall) using their favorite candy.

All of our Conference items are kept in a tote (thanks Cami!) ready for April & October.

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Being Prepared for Conference

I found this informative Blog that had some great Ideas to help be prepared for our up coming General Conference.

President Uchtdorf also had some great insights.

I'm so excited to hear inspiring Words of Wisdom from our Church Leaders.

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Conference {Blankets}

In preparation for General Conference coming I wanted to make our kiddos something special.

To be comfortable, our kids like to have their blankets and pillows ready to go. I thought it would be fun starting this Conference to have a special Blanket to use.


I just got a flannel sheet(these are nice and soft) at the the second hand store(for only $1.99-Target's were $19.99). Fold it in 1/2 so it measures about 44"x62". The beauty of using a sheet the edges are already hemmed so you can just start pinning them to sew. Start with the long edge first then do both sides then the "fold" side.


Then pin a straight line of pins 20 1/2" from the short ends.
Stitch around edge of "Blanket" and stitch 2 horizontal/vertical lines(so that the blanket doesn't buckle in the middle).


Cut letters for the child's name to stitch on to the corner. I used my stencils as a guide. You could do this before you sew the sides together but I like to do it afterwards so it will give an added strength.

I think I will have them do their handprints or add symbols to what that conference was about. Then add the date.

These are work in progress!
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"C" stands for. . .

{CONFERENCE}
Today we are getting ready for this big weekend. General Conference and Easter. Our kids love the traditions we have for conference. We are starting a new one this year: everything starts with "C".

The kids' "Conference Clipboards". I just took a picture of them (the head dress is a pillowcase from Goodwill) & turned it black and white. Then I copied the picture of Jesus (picture 3-57: Jesus blessing Nephite children) onto cardstock. I just cut along the outside edge of his body. I covered up the bottom right corner with scrapbook paper and covered the whole clipboard(bought at dollar store) with contact paper.


The kids' "Conference Journals". I just got these simple notebooks at the Dollar store. They were already decorated, I just added the paper title on the front. I even made one for me, I'm so excited to use mine. This is going to be such a keepsake!


Inside is a "checklist" and a page for them to write their thoughts and feelings before conference starts. Then the following pages they can write who the speaker is, key points of their talk, any impressions that come to their mind and room for drawing a picture. When this weekend is over there is still enough room to put more tabs for the future Conferences.

{CHRIST}

Since this is all about our Savior this weekend, this project came to my mind. This will be a great centerpiece.


1-Cut board (9"x12") and letter "C".


2-Copy the picture onto a piece of cardstock (picture came from Ensign Feb 2010). Trace around the wooden letter with a pencil.


3-Exacto knife it out.


4-Erase pencil marks.


5-Mod podge pictures on the base board and the wooden letter.

6-Glue the "c" onto the base board. Finish it with a clear poly spray.

I love how it turned out and the wonderful thing is that you could do this for any picture you wanted to highlight something!


{FOOD}

Since it's all about the letter "C", the food is included in that as well. Here is our menu plan for the next 2 days:

[BREAKFAST]
Saturday: Crepes with Canadian Bacon and Cheese / Cranberry Juice
Sunday: Cinnamon Rolls / Hot Cocoa / Cheerio Cereal

[LUNCH]
Saturday: Coleslaw Salad / Cottage Cheese
Sunday: Cheeseburger / Corn Dogs / Cantelope

[DINNER]
Saturday: Chinese
Sunday: Chicken / Cornbread and Honey Butter / Corn on the Cob

[DESSERT]
Saturday: Cherry Chocolate Cake
Sunday: Creme Brulee Custard

[SNACKS]
Cheetos Chips / Crackers / Cupcakes / Candy / Cauliflour and Carrots with dip.


I hope everyone has a Wonderful Weekend! Pin It