Sock Doll Humanitarian Project

Last month at church, our women's group "The Relief Society", did a few service projects. And of course a centerpiece for each table always add a bit of flair. So I bought these ceramic pots and metal garden angels at the local $1 store and spray painted them all white. I then printed gold Relief Society emblems and glued them behind the heads for halos. Wa-la! "the Errand of Angels is given to Women"... Oh, and for table toppers, I bought 2 rolls of shipping wrap paper (at the $1 store) and cut out scalloped squares. That so far is the most inexpensive decor I have done for a party/meeting.

. We made these cute little sock dolls that new mothers use to comfort their babies if they are too little or sick and can not go home yet. The Mom, Dad or caregiver can place the doll inside their clothing, close to the skin and the doll will soak up their scent. The next time they visit the baby, the doll is place next to the baby to snuggle and/or prop tubes and the baby will feel the comfort and smell of their loved one. The dolls are very easy to make so I've included the instructions if you would like to make some yourself and donate to your local hospital.

Bethlehem Costumes and Instructions

So our church is having "A Night in Bethlehem" family party where there will be "shops" that feature all things in the time when Christ was born. (Glampa Fabulous and I will be running a pottery shop where everyone can roll some clay and inscribe their names in Hebrew and make ornaments for their trees at home.) And of course there will be a nativity scene and a musical program about the birth of Jesus Christ. Above are some of the costumes I have made for me, Glampa and the Glamchildren.

And here is a pile of costumes waiting to be sewn...
I went to Home Fabrics and Rugs when they had their $1 sale this last Tuesday and bought over 120 yards of fabric!!! I was able to cut out 83 outfits consisting of a tunic, long vest and a belt. I needed 27 outfits for just my family and the rest went to friends. (I do have a few "outfits" pictured above if any of you want one ((already cut out, but you have to sew them))...first come, first served.)

I researched costume patterns and put together these instructions that I thought I'd pass on to you. The first sheet contains a simple tunic and vest guidelines that you measure to the people in your family. Below are a few non-sewing ideas that I found.
On Christmas Eve, we have the glamkids dress up and Glampa reads from Luke about the Savior's birth. This year I'll have these "fancy" costumes, but it is just as meaningful to just read the story without the costumes as a family. It is also fun to tell the kids to go put together outfits and props from around the house. It's cute to see a child wrapped in a sheet or towel and caring a perfume bottle as one of the three kings, or pinning a paper tail and ears on to be a donkey... Hope these instructions can be of use to you!

I almost forgot, above are a few "head hole" ideas. Just remember to cut small, then cut the opening larger if you need to. (mistake made, lesson learned already.)

A Tribute to Nanny Openshaw

My Husband's dear Grandmother passed away last Sunday, January 27. (She would be 97 years old next month, the same age as Pres. Hinckley) (( Our family thinks they "High Fived" when they passed thru those Golden Gates)) We attended her funeral in Missouri. Nanny was one amazing lady! She loved her family, traveling, gardening and being outside. She was an avid quilter and she gave them all to family and friends alike. She was a Woman of Service. Nanny had 10 children, 70 grandchildren, 166 great grandchildren and 35 (with 10 on the way) great great grandchildren. She was fun, vivacious and truely wonderful. Nanny was an ordinary woman who led an extrodinary life. WOW!

Introducing Grandchild # 9 !!!!

This new darling babe certainly does not look like a new born! Carma Nicole was born today, Monday the 28th of January, 2008 at 8:30 ish PM at a whopping 8 pounds 12.4 ounces and is 21 inches long. She took a long time coming and was even scheduled to be born emergency Cesarean section at 5:15 PM, but Her wonderful Midwife decided to check "one more time" and decided to let that babe take a little longer. Thanks Heavens for a Midwife who doesn't care about the time it takes out of her day and who's concerns about the health of the mother and baby are the #1 priority. Thanks also to Carma's Dad and Grandfather for giving her Mom a blessing and her Aunts, Uncles and especially her Cousins for praying for her safe entry into this world. The prayers of my fabulous grandchildren for their new cousin were answered, the faith of those children is awesome and inspiring. It was a long 20+ hours of labor at the hospital and that doesn't count the hours at home in labor. Congratulations to my dear daughter #4 and her loving husband on having their very first baby!

Young Woman Angel

I bought this angel a few days ago at Michaels. It was a Christmas item and it was 80% off. It was originally $12.99 and I paid $2.60. I took the wings off with wire cutters, primed and then painted the angel/now girl with white gloss spray paint. Wa La! A "Young Women" figurine! O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the a trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Alma 29:1