{free printable} Compassionate Dinner Note Cards

We all have friends who occasionally fall ill or have a baby.  I, personally, was grateful for the compassionate dinners I received after I gave birth to both of my boys.  It was such a relief to know that for a few days following our return from the hospital that I didn't have to focus on anything, but my family.  So with that said, these compassionate dinner cards are meant to help out with that task.

What's included in this printable set:

• "Made with love by: dinner card w/ baking time/temperature instructions (for those who handmade dinner, but it still needs cooking)
• "Made with love by" dinner card w/ out baking instructions (for those who handmade the dinner, but no baking is needed)
• "Provided with love by" dinner card w/ baking time/temperature instructions (for those who bought a dinner that still needs baking.  ie-- Costco lasagna)
• "Provided with love by" dinner card w/out baking instructions (for those buying take-out such as pizza or chinese for your friends)
• Contact Calling Card
• Allergies Checklist Card
• 6 different printable circles with generic sayings: "get well soon", "congrats", "thinking of you", "we love you", "baby girl", and "baby boy"

All of the cards have space in the lower-left hand corner to attach the circular message that best suits your friend's situation.

Other tips to make things easier on your friends on the receiving end of your service:

• If you've promised dinner, be prompt and reliable.  If I know one thing it's that nursing moms can eat often and are always looking forward to their next meal! :)
• Call ahead to make sure no major allergies are in the family.
• Deliver your dinner in disposable tin pans so your friends don't have to worry about return/washing your dishes.
• If you're sick make arrangements to have someone else cook dinner that night.  No need spreading your cold around to an already sick friend or newborn babies.
• Lastly, don't forget to include cooking instructions with your dinner so they cook it correctly. 

{tutorial & free printable pattern} Felt Nativity Hand Puppets

I in no way came up with this project on my own.  My church provided these kits to make felt nativity hand puppets and I just thought I would share it with everyone because they were quick and super cute!

 Felt Requirements:  these are just suggested body colors to make all 8 puppets using 9" x 12" felt pieces.

- 2 pieces each (light blue, tan, green, dark tan, purple, and red)

- 4 pieces each (white)

- Scrap pieces (flesh, black, yellow, dark brown, gold, dark blue, brown, pink, and gray)

Also Needed:

-Sharp fabric scissors

-Tacky craft glue

-Sewing Machine (optional)

 Other Doo-Dads Needed:

-2 brown pipe cleaners

-Ric-rac, braid, and trim

-Jewels, wooden bead, and gold button

-Small pink pom pom (for lamb's nose)

-Small bell & cord (for lamb's neck)

Download the nativity puppet outline and pattern HERE.

 It's as easy as printing the PDF pattern, cutting out the pieces and gluing them together. The instructions on the PDF file are fairly clear and concise.  My mother in law was in town last week and got a kit for herself, but she she's going to sew the hand pieces so that they last longer.  However, I did mine with craft tacky glue and they seem to be holding up just fine, thus far.

{The Three Wise Men}

{Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph}

{Lamb, Shepherd & Angel}

The puppets came together relatively quickly and I just know the kidlets will enjoy playing with them through the holidays.  Again, download your pattern HERE.

{free printable & LDS Church Lesson Help} Lesson 34-- Developing our Talents

Part of my duty in my religion is to help teach the lessons to the ladies at church.  When I do teach I like to make it visual in some small way.  For those of you out there that are LDS and can find this helpful for your lessons you can find the DOWNLOAD HERE .  LDS or not, these 6 steps to developing our talents go for anyone out there and can be useful in all walks of life.  

I would love to hear from you-- what are some of your talents you feel others benefit from?

Halloween Cupcakes

This is what my kitchen looked like for two days straight. I'm sure my hubby loved that. I tell you what he did love though-- the fruits of my labor-- cupcakes.

It was my first real time working with fondant and it was surprisingly easy. I bought the pre-made Wilton rolled fondant in white from Michaels and used all of my own stuff to color and cut them. The secret is to have plenty of crisco and confectioners sugar at hand. If your fondant becomes too dry grease your hands up with shortening and it will become soft again. If it becomes too sticky-- add more sugar and you will be able to roll it out smoothly.

My newest favorite items are coloring powder. You add a little to water or some other liquid agent and then you can paint onto the fondant (like watercolors).

I think my next venture into the fondant world is to make an actual cake. But for now, I think the cupcakes turned out darling.

Blessing Day Decor

Graham's blessing day is this coming Sunday. Although it will be mostly family and a few friends attending the gathering following the blessing, I've decided to decorate the food table with a few homemade pieces. First off, I've made a darling twine/paper garland and secondly, I've made the above sign to be displayed in a frame next to a picture of Graham. If you would like to print your own "count your blessings" artwork you can download it here.