Missionary Mini Photo Album

My little sister is going on a mission soon, so for her birthday I made her a little scrapbook that will fit in her scripture bag, so that she can show the people on her mission pictures from home. My husband took a small album on his mission and he said that everyone loved to look at it.
I put pictures of where she is from- UT, and a picture of our parents. And a picture of the Salt Lake Temple.
I left a page for her to put pictures of her home- so my parents house, and the mountains that they see every day. (One of my very favorite things about UT!)
And I left some pictures for her to put our family pictures in that we are getting taken in a couple months- right before she leaves:) This book is also for her to carrier a little piece of home with her where ever she goes:)

My blessing dress!

This is my blessing dress! I was just a tiny little baby when I wore this:) My Mom just recently pulled this out of her cedar chest and gave it to me! So I wanted to display it and keep it from yellowing:) So I put it in this shadow box! The plan is to put my husbands and all my kids' blessing outfits in shadow boxes and display them all together when we have more room! Click HERE to see more of the shadow boxes I have put together, including my baby boy's blessing outfit!

Visiting Teaching Hand Out

So I am a little bit of a slacker, and on the last day of March, I ran these around to the lasses that I visit teach:) I picked my favorite part of the lesson, which happened to be a scripture- D&C 88:119. Then I just printed it out and scrapbooked it just a tad, and put it on a mag board:) If you want to know more awesome scriptures, or info, head to my Church's website!

Creative Coping

I have had some interest in what I like to call my "Creative Coping Mechanism". So I wanted to give you the story.:) When my baby was 10 weeks old, I started to feel really horrible. I felt like I couldn't do anything about it. I felt lost. I cried constantly, and I worried that I couldn't control my emotions anymore. I tried to find someone who had been through the same thing, but I couldn't. It seemed I was the only one! (Which is another reason I want to share my story- so that you know you are not the only one!!) So that is when I called my doctor. He told me a little about postpartum depression. He prescribed me some anti-depressants. They helped. But they didn't make the problem go away completely. So I decided to really pray hard! Then all of a sudden I started wanting to do different projects all the time. I wanted to learn new things constantly. I either taught myself how to do things, or I got help learning new things. I learned to sew, digital scrapbook, hand embroider, make vinyl lettering, refinish almost any type of furniture... and I am still learning! I found a place inside me that makes me feel happy. The Lord really blessed me with this ability. I came to KNOW my Heavenly Father through this trial. I have found so much happiness through my little family, my faith, and now-my hobbies!:)

Eventually, when we have a little more money...or a lot, I want to focus on my DREAM to someday open a place of business where women of any age, race, or health status can come and "cope" together, and share their creativity, inspiration, and stories! Help this "CRAFT THERAPY" become a reality! Donate to the cause!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Over at www.tipjunkie.blogspot.com, they are talking about "How to keep Christ in Christmas". Sometimes it is hard to keep the focus on Christ, so I try to do little things...
this year I made little ornaments out of wood, and vinyl lettering that remind me of what Christmas is really about. Some of them say "Christ", "Give", "Believe", "Dream", "Love", etc. Instead of using words that describe the commercial side, like "presents, santa, snow, etc.". (Which are all great too, don't get me wrong!:)
So, there is a small way to keep Christ in Christmas!!:)
Here is a Christmas banner that I put together after ordering a kit from www.emmiecakes.blogspot.com. I LOVE it!

Religious Decor

I love this picture of Christ. It is such a good reminder for me to look at this picture during the day, and try to be better. I also love the "believe sign". My friend Candice gave this to me for Christmas a couple years ago! I have the word "believe" in many of my decorations. I don't know why, I just really like it, and it reminds me of my faith.
Here is a picture of the first presidency! They are such good men, and I have been reading lately about Nephi in the book of mormon, and his revelations and visions that he had. It is so incredible to me that these men are just like the prophet Nephi, and have those same revelations today. It has been such a testimony builder to me to remember that our prophet, and his counselors are the same as the prophets of old, and that the prophets of old actually did live on this same earth so many years ago. So amazing.
Here is a little picture frame collage in our front room, with the word "pray". Another great reminder!!