Apologies for being MIA

Thank you for being patient.  I must apologize for being MIA.  My house has been upside down lately while new flooring was installed as well as a little crown molding, chair rail and boxes in my dining room.  Now that my flooring in my craft room/computer room has been installed I've been moving my hoard of stuff up.  It has been in the basement for months and is scattered everywhere.  I'm also moving into a smaller space and have to clean out some of my items.  While doing this (hopefully before I go back to school in two weeks) I haven't had as much time to post things even though I have many things to post still.  I want to thank all those who left comments on my last post.  They will help me much.  Feel free to add your comments.  I realize that some of you are already in school and I will start working on these and posting them shortly.  I will post the one I showed as an example as well as a tag to put on the bag. 

I Need Help Coming up with Sayings. . .

I need the creative minds of you, my readers and friends.  I need to come up with some sayings and since I'm not as creative as many of you I thought I would beg for your help.  In return I promise to share what I make for all to use.  Read on and I'll explain.

I thought of this idea last year, but then was hired on at the school about 3 days before school started and since I hadn't worked for 5 years the time was spent adjusting instead of implementing.  At our school the classrooms don't have recess equipment unless the teacher has collected it her/himself (although thanks to fundraising the PE teachers do have some items now to check out for recess).  I was thinking that it would be nice to give the classroom a monthly gift by way of a item for recess.  At the beginning of the school year I would give a bag with a saying - something about: Here is a bag to collect all of the fun we will have this year.  (See what I mean about needing your help!)  Then each month I would give a piece of equipment to go in the bag along with a saying.


Here is an example.  I bought some bubbles for one of the months and this is what I have come up with:

This one has three sayings, but I don't necessarily need that.  The biggest bonus is that I was at Target this last week and their summer stuff is on clearance.  I was able to score bubbles, a football, sidewalk chalk, a jump rope, and a baseball bat & ball all 75% off.  I'm excited to do this idea this year at such a reasonable cost!  So if you would like to do this idea with me go stock up on all the clearance sales now.  I promise to post what I make ~ especially if you help me out (You can find the tags under Monthly School Idea).  Of course you don't need to follow me and do one a month, but it would be a cute teacher gift during teacher appreciation or any other time during the year.

Some equipment I need sayings for:
football
baseball bat & ball
bubbles (this one I have some ideas for -see above- but if you want to add to it feel free)
sidewalk chalk
jump rope
hula hoop
basketball
kickball or four square ball
soccer ball
Hoppy Taw (hopscotch)
Feel free to add to the list of equipment since I have purchased everything yet.


Just leave me a comment with your idea.  If for some reason that won't work (I had some issues, but I think it is fixed now) you can email me at flowersandbows(at)gmail(dot)com.

Banner Printable

The pennant flag banners are all the rage right now.  Well, my husband's birthday was last week and my oldest is always wanting to decorate the house for events such as this.  I decided to try my hand at a banner to help her out (plus they are so cute & I've been waiting for an excuse and enough free time to try one out).  This one is made with just paper (no sewing for me, I'm not that talented!).  

I decided I would just print some triangles out on scrapbook paper and then cut them out.  I did dig out my cricut and figured out how to use it enough to cut out letters (once I get my new craft room/computer room done I plan to really figure out what this baby can do).  After seeing how easy letters were I wondered why I didn't try it out with the triangles!  Well maybe next time (or it could be because I own a total of 2 cartridges)!  But because I used the computer I have a printable for YOU!
First I took some scrapbook paper and copied this on the back:

I actually used 12x12 paper and just cut it to 8 1/2 inches wide so it would fit in my printer.  I printed on the back - the white side - so the lines wouldn't show.  I cut them out and then folded down the small solid line (the top of the flag).  This created a fold to adhere the ribbon under.  I then took a ribbon and using scrapbook adhesive (I used runner dots, but a tape runner or double sided tape would work too) and secured the ribbon under the tab and the tab closed.  I also used it to attached my letters.  I wanted the dot paper to be my main paper and tried to find a few colors that matched it.  As I was in the process of doing these steps I decided to add another triangle to the back that matched the color of the letters.  This made each flag a little bigger, helped the letter color flow, and covered up the fold of the little triangle.  So I printed this:

This time I just printed one on cardstock and used it for a pattern.  You can get 3 on a 12x12 paper.  Then I found out I couldn't count.  I was a sheet short so I used an extra blue sheet that was the same as some of the smaller triangles.  I do like how it added some color and variation.

I think if I had to do this again I would use the dotted paper as the background triangle and the solid colors on the inside so the letters will stand out better.  But then again, would I?

I didn't want to create a design/letters on my computer because it uses so much ink.  Scrapbook paper was a lot cheaper.  I used my cricut to cut out the letters, but you could print out letters and cut them out, write on the flags, or use a stencil. 

Download here for small triangles (inside of flags).

Download here for large triangles (outside of flags).

Speaking of my husband's birthday.  Last year I through a 70's surprise party complete with Minute to Win It games.  I know that idea is done everywhere, but it wasn't as common a year ago.  I'll have to pull out the pictures and give you a few ideas of what I did for it.

Bear Cub Scout Achievement 7

We invited a church member who happens to be a law enforcement officer to come and talk with the bears.  He did an amazing job at covering Achievement 7.  We did this achievement over 2 weeks.  First the law officer covered the material and the second week we used what we learned and had a little fun.

Requirement 7a:

Practice one way police gather evidence: by taking fingerprints, or taking shoe-prints, or taking tire track casts.

For Requirement 7a (above) I made them all sheets to take fingerprints on and a top secret file folder to hold them in.

To make the file folder:

• Print on cardstock (I used tan cardstock):  http://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/images/articles/filefolderalbum_template.pdf

• Then download this.  Run your printed (not cut out) file folder through the printer.  You want the stamp on the front of the folder.  You may have to play with your printer to make sure it prints correctly.  It should look like this:

•  Cut out the file folder
• Score on the lines or fold carefully ~ accordion style.  I just folded on the lines.  My cardstock wasn't super thick which helped.
• Use double sided tape to adhere it together.

It does have a tab on top, but I cut it out of the picture since it had a name on it.

Then you are ready for something to go inside the folder.  You could do this in their book, but not everyone has a book in my den and even if they did, what are the chances they ALL remember to bring them.  I made these so you could just print them out on 3x5 index cards.  I only had ones with lines so I just printed on the white side.  I also wanted to have them so each boy could have their own fingerprints plus one set of every boy there. (I used this for the activity the next week).  I also printed out some extra so I could have a copy of the boys' prints (one hand only).  I told them that this one would be to practice on, but I really needed it for a game the following week.

Download Fingerprint Form Here.

The law enforcement officer gathered the boys around and spoke to them.  (Covered Requirement 7b: Visit your local sheriff's office or police station or talk with a law enforcement officer visiting your den or pack to discuss crime prevention).  He covered with them 7c: Help with crime prevention in your home.  He went over what they should do to protect their home.  He also covered 7f: Know what you can do to help law enforcement.  He talked about 7d: Be sure where to get help in your neighborhood and 7e: Learn the phone numbers to use in an emergency and post them by each phone in your home.  We had already filled out the forms to cover 7d & 7e.  Next time I will do them ALL at the same time.  It would be more fun done that way and you get more accomplished in only one meeting.  To get the forms for requirement 7d and 7e click here.

After he spoke with them we did the fingerprint activity.  That was a lot of fun.  (If there is a boy that isn't there, but normally is you probably want to make him a set of each boys fingerprints for the activity next week).  Don't forget to bring ink to do the prints and baby wipes to clean off their fingers.  I kept their top secret file folder with all the fingerprints in it for the following week. The highlight of the night was when the kids went outside and saw the police car!

Week two:

I made them detective notebooks (The picture I used for the cover is on the same document as the fingerprint form).  I used one of those small notebooks that fit in your hand (maybe 3x5).  Here is just a page of detectives if that will work better for you.

I also purchased some magnifying glasses at the dollar store.

I made them a file to keep all their gear in:  the mini file folder full of fingerprints from the week before, the detective notebook I made them pictured above, a magnifying glass (above) and a pen.

I had regular file folders, but wanted something with sides so I made my own accordion style file folders.  First I took a regular file folder and creased it at the bottom on the last scored line (look at the bottom of your file folder, there are already scored lines to expand the folder):

Now it has two creases in the bottom.  It gives it a flat bottom instead of the normal fold.

Then I took an extra file folder and cut it down the crease.  Using a scoring blade on my paper cutter.  I made it about every 1/4 inch (if I remember right - it may be a little smaller).  It works best for folding if you flip the folder over with each score made (score on one side, flip, score on that side, flip, score on this side, etc).  Then fold it back and forth accordion style.

I scored it 7 times and on the 8th I cut it.  I used double sided scrapbook tape &/or glue and adhered the accordion fold to the sides of my file folder.  Now the folder has sides and the items wouldn't fall out of it.  I was going to make them into briefcases, but just left them as folders.

 This is my son's.  It is over a month old now and a little smashed up.

Fingerprint Activity

I took the extra set of fingerprints I made myself and cut them apart.  I labeled the back with whom it belonged to (so you couldn't see it through the front) and numbered the front.  I taped them to a wall in the room.  They had to use their fingerprints they collected last week (and their magnifying glasses if they chose) to identify whom each fingerprint belonged to.

Cookie Thief Activity

The object of this station was to determine who had bitten from the cookie.  Supplies: Cookies (I had one cookie for each boy) and Styrofoam plates.  Take the Styrofoam plate and cut into 6 wedges.  Stack two wedges on top of each other and cut off the tip (a fairly large triangle section).  Have a boy bite onto the plate (not hard enough to bite through, but just hard enough to leave an impression of his teeth.  Label the wedge with name and if it is the top or the bottom.  Do this with each boy.  Have each boy take a bite out of one cookie.  Lay each cookie out with a number next to it. When they reach this station they are to identify who took a bite out of which cookie with the help of the Styrofoam plate indention of their bite.  Give them clues to look for missing, crooked, or chipped teeth.

Shoe Mold

For this I made a plaster cast of a shoe print at home (similar to this, but with shoe prints instead of tire tracks) and then brought the plaster cast and a variety of shoes with me.  I numbered each shoe.  They had to identify which shoe made the print.

I had them use their detective notebooks for the three stations.  We had three scouts at this activity so for the fingerprints there were nine fingerprints to identify (I used 3 fingerprints ~ the best ones out of the 5 I had ~ from each boy).  They numbered 1-9 in their notebook and wrote the name of who they thought each fingerprint belonged to next to the number.  They did the same thing for the shoes and cookies.  At the end we went over the answers to see how well they investigated the clues.

Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say (I'm typing this up with multiple interruptions from children, no wonder I normally do this after the kids are asleep).  If you have any questions let me know.

Bear Cub Scout Achievement 17e

Bear Cub Scout Achievement 17 Requirement e:

Write a letter to a company that makes something you use.  Use e-mail or the U.S. Postal Service.

I saw this posted via facebook (I can't remember who posted it though ~ it was one of my freebie sites):

Have your kids write a letter to Disney letting them know who their favorite character is and why they love them so much!  Disney will actually send back a free autographed picture. Just make sure you include your return address so they can do so.

I know that my kids watch enough Disney channel, love Disney World, Disney movies, and everything else Disney that I figured that is would count as "something they use".  I had them talk about their favorite character and other things they enjoyed about Disney (movies, shows, etc.).  We also covered how to address an envelope including return address, and stamps (a few didn't even know where a stamp went).  Hopefully they'll get something back!


If you want to try it out mail to:
Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Bear Scout Achievement 3a

Achievement 3, Requirement a:

Write or Tell what makes America special to you.

This is a simple item that can be added with some other requirements OR you can do something fun & throw this in to pass off a requirement.  I think July is the perfect time to do this so I wanted to but it up for you now.  I have to still do this with my scouts (and haven't had time to actually plan what I'm doing with it) so if I do something fun I'll post it as well.  I was thinking about doing it this month with some Pioneer type games. 
Some Pioneer games ideas can be found here: Sugardoodle's list.

Download Printable Here

Visiting Teaching Handout July 2011

Here is what I'm giving the ladies I visit teach for July's message: Come to the Temple and Claim Your Blessings .  I got the idea from here: Chasing Molly.


1. I pulled up the temple box (use link here or off of website above):  temple box

2. I went to print preview and changed the scale to 130% (it filled the paper better. 


3. I selected some thick scrapbook paper that was decorated on one side and white on the other.  I printed the temple box in color on the WHITE side (outside) and the pattern was on the inside.

This is the decorative paper I used (the inside after I assembled it).

4. Cut, fold, glue

5. Print off the Quotes page and cut out: Download Quotes Here
I used mainly scissor on these, but for the small circle I did use my scallop punch to make it look like a flower.

6. I made a flag for the back by punching two small holes in the end and sliding a toothpick in the holes.  You can use a needle to punch the holes I used these:

7. Then I taped the toothpick to the back corner of the box.

8. Place quotes around the inside and fill with candy.  I put the large quote diagonal and then one quote on each side.

Or you could punch a hole in the quotes and put them on a ring.  I may go back and do this.