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{Lifestyle} Mentally Training for a Race

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

by Ruthann Cunningham
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Do you have a goal to run a race - whether it be a marathon or a 5K? You might be thinking about the physical aspects of training, but it's equally important to prepare mentally.

Whether you’ve set the goal to complete a 5K or a marathon this year, you’ll find the coming months filled with physical preparation. In the future, I would love to give some suggestions on training for these different distances, but today I want to discuss another aspect of preparation that will have a huge impact on your final goal: mental training.

There will be a time during your preparation or your race when you want to quit. It is at these times you will find that having a positive attitude, pushing yourself a little further, and believing in yourself will be the difference between giving up or finishing your race.

It's exciting to have a goal to work towards and to see yourself progress over time. You may find, however, that there are days where this excitement is replaced with frustration or lack of interest in training. You are tired, busy, stressed, etc., and to go out and run seems to be another thing to add to your list. This attitude will only decrease your motivation. At these times, it is helpful to remind yourself of your end goal, perhaps see this as a chance to take a break from your everyday list, and then just go out and do instead carrying on a mental debate.

Having a positive mental attitude will get you running, but you'll also need it during and after your run. There will be times where a workout does not feel as easy as it should or you don’t finish a goal as quickly as you had hoped. During these times, you have to develop a positive attitude about the effort that you did put in. I know this all to well as I have tried for 5 years to qualify for the Boston Marathon and have come just short of the goal each time due to illness, cramping up, or my timing chip malfunctioning. I have learned from others to look at what I can improve for the future and then be happy about how far I have come and what I did accomplish.A positive attitude about your efforts changes your experience and your memories.

As you your training progresses, so does the distance, time, and speed. Stretching yourself is difficult and at times uncomfortable, but in order to improve, you have to make this stretch. When you hit what you feel is your limit, it is time for your mind to take over. You will need to mentally push yourself a little more than where you were at. Set a goal to go just a little further than you did the day before (even if it is just a couple of feet) or run a little faster than you did last week (mind you, if you feel a serious injury will result, you need to stop). By practicing this attitude of perseverance, you will be able to draw upon it during your race when you feel like you have given it your all. If you learn to keep going you will be surprised at what you can complete.

You will not only need to draw upon a positive attitude and the ability to mentally push yourself, but you need to believe in yourself. You have put forth the effort to prepare so when you start to doubt yourself or your ability to complete the race, mentally you need to tell yourself that you can do it. One minute you may feel on top of the world, and the next minute it may seem that everyone is passing you. Don’t let your mind wander and don’t question your abilities. You are not comparing yourself with other runners; you are running this race because it is your goal. Tell yourself that you can do it, even if it means repeating this to yourself over and over while you keep moving towards the finish. By believing in yourself and your abilities, you will find enjoyment in your run.

It is important to go into any running goal with proper physical training, but equally important is the mental training. If you can be positive about your efforts and goal, push yourself a little further, and believe in yourself, you will find the training and complettion of your race much more rewarding. You will also see it carry over into your individual race of life. Keep moving: the end goal is worth it!

5 habits of happy people

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:17:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Happy people aren't that way by accident. Here are five habits that many happy people have.

1. Service. Serving others is a hallmark of happy people. Selfless service connects us to the powers of heaven. As one Book of Mormon prophet said, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).

Who and what we serve are just as important as how we serve. The Savior said, "No man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). A person loyal to conflicting causes is disloyal to both. Likewise, those who gorge on self-indulgence are too bloated for selfless service.

Timeless Etiquette

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:07:00 -0600

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: *Take our etiquette poll here.

In conjunction with the March/April LDS Living article “Modern Manners,” we have come up with a few classic situations where etiquette should always be considered.

Some social graces do not diminish with time. These are a few things to remember whenever you’re with company.

Pregnancy Etiquette

Anyone who has been pregnant or has been in the company of pregnant women has seen that many typical social boundaries are put on hold. Here are some of the big no-nos when it comes to being around that “glowing” woman.

Belly Touching
The belly is off limits. This doesn’t bother some women as much as it bothers others, but uninvited touching is certainly inappropriate, especially for strangers. Ask before you touch. If you are the mother-to-be who deals with this problem, saying “I’m sorry; I’m uncomfortable with people touching my bump,” is appropriate for telling strangers to get away. Fending off friends is a little harder. Your best bet is probably to have your husband and best friend spread the word that you’d like to keep your belly to yourself.

Obnoxious Questions
“Should you really be eating that (fried chicken, donut, hamburger)?” “How much weight have you gained?” “Did you use fertility drugs?” And the worst one of all: “Was it planned?” It is never appropriate to ask whether or not the baby was planned, whether it be friends or family. If the mother wants to tell you it was a surprise, then that’s fine. Otherwise, keep your wonderings to yourself. As for the other questions, keep in mind that you would (hopefully) never ask an un-pregnant woman how much weight she has gained, or tell her what she should be eating.

By Any Other Name
When you attend a wedding, you always tell the bride how beautiful she looks, no matter how hideous you think the dress is. That’s the dress that made her feel like a princess, and it’s not your place to tell her differently. The same goes with a baby’s name. The name two parents choose is the name they want for the beautiful new member of their family, and they think it’s perfect. Unless you’re close with the couple and feel a responsibility to bring up a problem you think they may not have considered, keep your comments light and neutral.

Pregnancy and Labor Horror Stories
First-time moms are already nervous about their pregnancy, so it doesn’t help when you start telling about how your sister had to be on bed rest for the last two months and her baby still came 8 weeks early, or how your neighbor had to give birth on the side of the highway. When your friend or relative gets pregnant, just give her a big smile and say how happy you are for her and how you are sure everything is going to be great!

Social Gatherings

Here are some tips to take the focus away from your own insecurities and keep it on the other guests.

Introducing Yourself
You’ve wanted to meet a certain person for a while, and to your surprise, he or she shows up at a dinner you’re attending! The best way to make a good impression, says our expert, is to ask the person questions. “Say your name and how you got involved in the dinner, then start asking questions,” says Anna King, who teaches business etiquette at Brigham Young University. “It doesn’t matter if people want to get to know you; it’s enough that you want to know them. That’s enough to build a relationship.”

Extracting Yourself
If you find yourself talking to a not-so-interesting someone at a party, you don’t have to be stuck forever. “You have a few options,” says King. “One is to introduce them to someone else.”

Say, “It’s been a pleasure talking to you. I’d like to introduce you to so-and-so; you have this in common.” Another option is to excuse yourself politely to speak with someone else. King says you can say, “I see that this person is available, and I’ve been meaning to talk to them. Please excuse me.” Most of all, remember to be gracious and consider the feelings of your companion.

Weddings

There are more opinions than there are guests when it comes to weddings, and navigating the treacherous rules of wedding etiquette can be difficult or downright impossible when so many emotions and people are involved. Whether you are keeping it small and intimate, or inviting the stake, here is Mormon Wedding etiquette to help keep offense at bay and celebrators at play!

To Line or Note to Line
The most dreaded part of a wedding reception is not a secret. Whether you are a bridesmaid, bride, mother-in-law, or guest, the line can be an awkward and tiring experience for all. Is it needed? Consensus and etiquette emphatically state yes: a line is a necessary evil, but its length and duration is negotiable.

Formal weddings demand a line consisting of (in order) mother of the bride, mother of the groom, bride, groom, maid of honor, and lastly bridesmaids. Traditionally, the groom is the sole male in the line, and the fathers of the happy couple mingle nearby.

However, most Mormon weddings do not call for such a receiving troupe, and many instead opt for a small reception line—also appropriate—consisting of the bride, the groom, and the parents of each. This allows the couple to greet and thank each individual, who otherwise may not have an opportunity to greet the couple. It is a courtesy, but it is appropriate to create the line in such a way that not all guests are forced to speak with the parents and other bridal party members. The line also ensures that more than just a few people take up the couple’s time. It is also appropriate to have a line for only a portion of the reception. Mention so in the invitation.

If you decide to forego the receiving line, you must still greet your guests. However, be warned! You are very likely to find your own fun and enjoyment cut down by all the required table-hopping.

Receptions and Invitations
Who to invite? Since the ceremony itself is small and intimate, many Mormon weddings have a much larger reception. There are many appropriate ways to have a reception and the decision is, as all others are, up to the couple and the budget.

If there is no desire for a large, open-house, invite-the-ward reception, it is absolutely appropriate to limit the guests to family and close friends. The Mormon culture is very concerned with community, almost to the point of a “the more the merrier” mindset, but your wedding is not public domain. Some may choose to be offended at a lack of invitation, but all should understand the wishes (and budget) of the bride and groom.

If the couple is interested in sharing their special day with acquaintances, ward members, etc., a large open-house (with a receiving line, of course) is ideal. When sending out invitations, keep the lists to people you know—those who come to mind when you sit down to make a list. As fun as it is to have a big group and impressive present-pile, it is better to spend more time with people you care about.

Who from the family is invited? Be sure to specify in your invitation the type of reception you will be having and who is invited. If an invited individual may bring another guest or their family, address the envelope accordingly.

Generally, if you are not invited, do not go. Pay attention to the invitation and reception venue in order to stay within the bounds of etiquette. For example, if the event is catered or requests an RSVP, it is not appropriate to bring another guest. However, there is more lee-way when it comes to open house events. If you are not sure, it is best to contact the host.

Food
Although most receptions provide more than just wedding cake, it is inappropriate to come starving and planning to eat enough for today and tomorrow! Be aware of the food available and be prepared to skip the seconds.

For the happy couple: if a cake is all your budget can afford, that is perfectly fine. Etiquette does not demand a full spread. Guests do not need bribery to celebrate your wedding.

Gifting
Wedding etiquette states that guests have up to one year after the wedding to send a gift, but prompt wedding gifts are preferable (within three months). However, in the practical world, no gift is ever too late!

Consider the feelings of non-LDS friends and family members
Those who are not LDS will be disappointed to know they are not able to attend the temple marriage ceremony. If the individual is part of the wedding party, it is appropriate to invite them to the temple grounds to take part in pre- and post-ceremony pictures and celebration. Be sure there is an LDS family member or friend to stay with the individual to help them feel included and to answer any questions they may have. When close family members are not invited into the temple, keep the temple party as intimate as possible. (It may be more a slap in the face to a mother if one of her son’s friends is attending and she can’t.)

A ring ceremony is also appropriate and can help include loved ones. However, a full, public wedding-type ceremony in conjunction with a temple ceremony is not appropriate. Consult your bishop for ring ceremony guidelines.

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Marriage a Priority

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Jonathan Swinton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
source: MormonLife.com

Does it ever feel difficult to find time to nurture your marriage amidst the hustle and bustle of life? You are not alone. The trend in our society seems to be moving toward adding more and more things to our schedules. Whether it is taking care of the kids, work commitments, driving the kids to the sports practices and music lessons, church responsibilities, or school, just thinking about it all makes me tired!

So how do we make marriage a priority while not neglecting our other responsibilities? Dr. William Doherty, a well-known marriage researcher, suggests daily couple rituals as a simple means to make each other a priority in a marriage relationship. I suggest them to couples I work with in counseling all the time because they improve the emotional connection in a marriage. Couple rituals are social interactions that are repeated, coordinated, and significant for both of you. They may not be convenient, but they are essential for a healthy, emotional connection. Here are 5 simple rituals:

   1. Talk rituals. Set aside 15 minutes each day for uninterrupted talking time. Let the kids know that it is mom and dad time, and unless they are bleeding profusely, don't let them interrupt. It can actually be very healthy for kids to see their parents having meaningful communication. Make sure you are not folding laundry, checking emails, or anything else that would distract you from paying attention to each other. Don't talk about logistical issues such as who will take the kids to soccer practice tomorrow. Think about the type of things you talked about when you first got together--talk like that. I recommend you set a specific time (right after dinner, after you put the kids to bed, etc.) to ensure that it happens every day. If one of you travels for work, talk by phone.

   2. Greeting rituals. Stop what you are doing anytime one of you returns from being gone for more than an hour or two and give each other a hug and a kiss, and tell each other it's great to see you. It won't take more than 10 or 15 seconds, but it will help nurture your relationship. If you need ideas, think of how dogs reacts when you come home. They stamp their feet and spin in circles. You have no doubt the dog is happy to see you. Wouldn't it be great if you got that excited to see each other?

   3. Departure rituals. Make sure you always say goodbye with affection. This is similar to the greeting rituals. Shouldn't we all be sad to say goodbye to our spouse? Show it. Tell them you love them.

   4. Message rituals. Send some kind of nice message to each other every day. You could leave notes for each other, text each other, send cute emails, write on each other’s Facebook page, etc. Be creative.

   5. Sleep rituals. Go to bed at the same time. This is not the same as going to sleep at the same time. I bring that up because couples are always using the excuse that one likes to go to bed later than the other, or one works the night shift. If one of you wants to stay up after the ritual, that is fine. It is healthy for a relationship to have a ritual that ends the day together. It could be as simple as having five minutes to connect again at the end of the day, giving each other a hug and a kiss, having a prayer together, and letting each other know you love each other.

If you are not doing these things at present it may feel a bit contrived at first, but that's okay. Give it time and it will start to feel natural. Doing all of these things will only take a total of about 30 minutes a day. They will be 30 minutes that really count for your relationship because you will be making your relationship a priority. If you don't think you have the time, make it. It will be worth it in the end.

Relationship expert Jonathan Swinton is a practicing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Swinton Counseling in Utah: 801-647-9951, www.swintoncounseling.com.

{Lifestyle} How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:30:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson & Old School
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Finally! A picture tutorial on how to fold a fitted sheet. I know how to fold a fitted sheet. It goes like this:

1. Fold in half.
2. Become frustrated and wad into ball.
3. Stuff into back of closet.

Ta da! No, seriously, that's how I fold a fitted sheet. Luckily, I came across this awesome blog, Old School, where tutorials are given on how to do things the old fashion way. And guess what I found? How to fold a fitted sheet!

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet
by Damselindisdress

1. Hold the sheet lengthwise with a hand in each fitted corner.

2. Lay this down carefully, and do the same with the other two corners.

3. Now pick them up, two nested corners in each hand, looking to see that the sheet hanging between isn’t twisted. Slip one hand over the other, so that now all four corners are nested inside each other.

4. Lay the sheet on a flat surface, the four corners at the upper left. The corners will make the top and left edges lap over the main part of the sheet. Slide your left hand up into the four corners to make it square, and flatten and straighten the whole thing into a rectangle.

5. Now fold the top edge down a third, and then a third again.

6. Make a nice flat rectangle.

7. Fold one more time.

8. And you’re done! This sweet little bundle will take up a lot less space than the rolled-up-in-a-ball way.

Click here to read the article on the Old School blog.

Eliminating Kitchen Clutter

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Simple ideas for clearing your kitchen clutter. Fact: the average homemaker will spend 15 years in the kitchen. If you’re going to be spending all that time there, why not make it a little more relaxing? Try some of these simple strategies for streamlining the most popular area of the house:

Use the wall. Maximize counter space by taking the spoon holders, dish soap, and paper towel dispenser out of the equation. Find suspension rails with accompanying containers, such as those sold at IKEA, which can hang from the rods and hold kitchen tools. Use shelves for bigger or heavier things. To free up some space in your cupboards, hang a pan holder in the ceiling.

Keep the favorites on-hand. On one of those shelves, put attractive containers holding your most used ingredients—flour, sugar, salt, etc.—for easy access. Tape a few of your family’s favorite recipes to a cupboard door near your working space; that way, you won’t have to search through all your cards each time you want to make it.

Clear the cupboards. Go through and identify which mixing bowls, baking pans, strainers, etc., you use the most; get rid of the rest. Chances are, you’re hanging onto a popcorn bowl you haven’t used in ten years.

Stash appliances. With your newly free cupboards, put your blender and stand mixer away. Unless you’re one of the few who use these appliances daily, they’re taking up valuable counter space.

Get an easy-wipe backsplash. A good backsplash will save you clean up time. If you have a beautiful mosaic backsplash, look into taping up a smooth layer of plastic wrap or putting laminate over it.

Weekend Craft: 'I Love You' Card

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Looking for a card that really expresses how you feel about your Valentine? This homemade card is just what you need. This folding card made from a file folder has four different tags to express your sentiments. The best part is that it truly stands on its own and will be a treasured keepsake! And, as Nat King Cole expressed it, “Love was made for me and you.”

Supplies Needed:

File Folder: 1/3 tab on top
Paper trimmer, ruler, scissors, cricut pick, score-it board
Bo Bunny: Crush Paper Pack
Bazzill Cardstock: red, 2 shades of pink, white and black
Tim Holtz: ink dabber, rubber stamps: From the Heart, Garment District,
Floral tattoo, blending foam, glossy accents
Ink: Jenni Bowlin, fountain pen
Adhesive: Glue Glider Pro – Perma Tac, foam squares
Glitter ritz, glitter magnet, Be Creative Tape
Embellishments: Bazzill: Clear Button, Prima: Black and Clear Flower Center,
Basic Grey: Opaline Pearls and Bling It
Ribbon: ribbon scraps

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed.)

See photo gallery for a list measurements.

Scoring: All measurements are approximate depending up the file folder used. They are not all alike.

   1. Fold bottom half of file folder up to be even with the bottom of the tab. The pocket should be approximately 3 ¾”. Use Score-it board to make a straight even score across the lower third of the folder. Keep folder folded when scoring. Do not glue pocket together at this time.
   2. Follow chart in photo gallery to make scores. Make the measurement from the upper tab edge. Fold after each score.
   3. When finished scoring and folding, the lower tab should be 3/8” shy of the right side.
   4. Using the blending tool and foam pad, ink black over all edges and folds. (This darkens the manila folder in case it shows through at the edges.) Ink both sides of folder.

Papers:

   1. Decide all paper combinations first before cutting and gluing for the front and backsides. Lay out on table in the chosen order.
   2. Start with the front cover side of the folder. (This is the side without the pocket.) Follow the chart from the photo gallery and trim paper according to measurements. Ink edges with black ink.
   3. After preparing the four papers for the cover side, adhere paper with Glue Glider Pro. Trim excess paper off tabs and on the top and bottom, if needed.
   4. Starting with panel 5a, cut each of the eight panels for the inside of the card. Set each panel in place and check the color/size combinations. They should alternate with a solid and print on each panel and then the opposite combination on the next panel.
   5. Ink edges.
   6. Adhere each of the top panels and trim off excess around tab.
   7. Adhere each bottom panel and trim of excess around tab.

Tags:

   1. Using four different printed papers, cut the base 3 x 7 ¼”, ink edges with black ink.
   2. Trim coordinating solid cardstock 2 ¾ x 6 ¾”, ink edges with black ink.
   3. Adhere to tag base. Punch hole in top of tag when decorated and finish with ribbon.

Embellishment:

   1. Cut two 13” strips of sheer ribbon for ties of card.
   2. If using any brads on pockets, adhere them at this point before gluing pockets down.
   3. For any of the sticker medallions, mount on coordinating cardstock. In some cases, the stickers may be mounted on more than one color of cardstock. Trim around sticker with scissors and mount with foam squares.
   4. Run strips of glue down each of the folds and along edges. Insert ties above and below tabs. Glue with a strong glue at ribbon. Fold up pocket and press together. Weigh down and let dry.

Weekend Craft: Charm Tree

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: This lovely charm tree speaks Valentine's Day without overdoing the hearts! Each charm is made from double-sided paper, so no matter how you look at the tree, there is always an interesting view. Scraps of ribbon and paper are used to make the charms, a few embellishments for the charms, and voila! You have your very own charm tree. After the holiday, change out the ribbon for a long velvet piece and use a charm as a necklace.

Supplies Needed:

Doodlebug Tree or any small white tree
Echopark Paper: Be Mine Collection, coordinating solids
Inkssentials: inking tool
Ranger Alcolhol Ink: Pink Sherbet
Tim Holtz Ideology: facets (2 packages), baubles, chain clips, adornments
Paper piercer
Adhesive: Glossy Accents, Glue Glide Pro, permanent and repositionable
Embossing Folder: Sizzix, Valentine #2, Damask Set
Jenni Bowlin: Stick Candy
Scissors
General craft: scrap ribbon, tissue paper
Small needle nose pliers
Embossing machine: Big Shot or Cuttlebug

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed at ohmycrafts.com.)

Charms:

   1. Choose half of the facet charms to give a slight pink color to by inking with alcohol ink. (Place a few drops of ink on the felt applicator and lightly dab up/down until the desired color is achieved. Note: you may see some small bubbles or streaks – this is normal.) Set aside to dry – they dry almost instantly depending upon how much ink is used.
   2. Choose a different pattern of paper for each charm. We even used some of the stickers and placed them on a scrap of paper to take care of the sticky part.
   3. Trace around facet with a pencil. Trim from paper, cutting just inside of the line.
   4. Using Glossy Accents, draw a line of glue around the paper backing about a 1/8” in from the outer edge. (Make sure you place the glue on the right side of the paper that you want to show through the facet.) Place facet over paper and lightly smooth around the glue. Set aside to dry for about 30 minutes.
   5. When the paper is dry, use piercer to punch hole.
   6. Repeat steps 2-5 for each charm.
   7. If adding a bauble or adornment to any of the charms, insert a chain clip onto the bauble so it will be ready for the ribbon hanger.
   8. Open a jump ring and thread through the facet and bauble; close with pliers.
   9. Cut a 9 ½” piece of ribbon and thread through charm; place on tree.

Base:

   1. Cut 4 squares of dark gray solid coordinating paper 4 ¾ x 4 ¾”, set aside.
   2. Cut 4 squares of dark pink solid coordinating paper 4 ¼ x 4 ¼”.
   3. Center the pink square in between the damask embossing folder and emboss. Repeat with all squares. Using permanent adhesive, adhere the pink square to the dark gray squares.
   4. Place repositionable adhesive on the backside of the gray square and attach to base of tree. (By using repositionable adhesive, you can easily remove squares and decorate the tree for another holiday.)

Top:

   1. Cut 2 squares 2 x 3” of dark pink paper.
   2. Insert one piece of paper into heart embossing folder and emboss. Flip over embossing folder and insert second sheet of paper and emboss. (By flipping over the embossing folder you will be able to put the hearts together and have them fit properly.)
   3. Line up both hearts so they fit together. Trim around heart through both layers.
   4. Glue the outer edges together so that a hole is left in the middle to place over tree trunk. Ink edges of heart with stamp pad.

10 Ways to Reinvent Your Sunday

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living Staff and LDS Living Readers
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Looking for ways to improve your Sabbath day experience? Here are our best ideas for making your day of rest better and easier. Let’s face it—sometimes Sundays aren’t as enjoyable or fulfilling as we’d like them to be. Between the stress of getting the family—and yourself—ready for church, preparing lessons, preparing meals, and keeping the kids occupied for the rest of the day, our day of rest can be anything but restful. If you’ve been stuck in a rut, try some of these ideas to help reinvent your Sunday.

1. Simplify Sunday meals.
This was by far the most popular concept with LDS Living staff and readers alike. Here is a list of great suggestions to make feeding the family a little easier:

Get rid of the notion that we need to have a huge traditional meal after church. “It doesn’t really fit in with our day of rest,” writes Lisa Lemich Sherman on LDS Living’s Facebook page. “Use up those leftovers!” Another LDS Living Facebook friend, Sarah Gailey Emke, agrees. “I’ve done away with the big Sunday dinner. We have whatever I can think of that is easiest. It also makes for less dishes—a definite plus!”

Make a meal one day during the week that can be doubled and put in the freezer for Sunday. Several LDS Living readers also suggested having crock-pot dinners on Saturdays to further simplify meals on the weekends.

Cook brunch instead of breakfast. “This is the perfect solution if you have your church meetings later in the day,” says LDS Living editor Dena Kennedy. “To make things even easier, mix up a breakfast casserole the night before and serve it around eleven a.m.” Here is a recipe she often uses:

• 1 (32-ounce) package frozen shredded hash browns
• 2 cups diced ham
• 2 cups grated cheese
• 6 large eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Sprinkle half of the hash browns in a greased 9 × 13 pan. Layer on ham and cheese, then sprinkle remaining potatoes on top. Whisk together eggs, milk, cottage cheese & pepper. Pour this mixture over the hash browns. Store in refrigerator overnight. Bake uncovered at 350˚ F for 45 to 50 minutes or until light golden brown and firm in the center.

Serve grab-and-go foods. “Since my children ate nutritious breakfasts the rest of the week, I decided that on Sunday mornings they could indulge in Pop-Tarts and a glass of milk,” writes Susan Elzey of Danville, Virginia. “It was the perfect solution: Pop-Tarts could be served on a napkin, everyone liked them, and they were a treat that urged the kids out of bed.” Jamie Lawson, managing editor of LDS Living, suggests items like Oscar Meyer Lunchables for quick meals between meetings. “When I was serving in our ward’s Young Women presidency, there was very little time to get the family fed after church before our presidency meetings would start. Lunchables were the perfect solution, and the kids loved them.”

For more easy meal ideas, read Simple Sunday Recipes.

2. Sweeten the deal.
Reward children who are ready for church on time with a special treat or prize. Let the person who is ready for church first choose the FHE treat that week. “Treats usually work wonders for those who can’t find their shoes,” writes Kristen Nelson, a mother of six in Myerstown, Pennsylvania.

3. Update the family blog.
“We created a family blog and we update it on Sunday, [posting] pictures of what we did throughout the week,” writes Kristen Nelson. “This helps us stay connected to grandparents who are across the country.”

4. Memorize.
“My mom challenged everyone in our family to memorize ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World.’ The first person to get it done won twenty dollars,” says Kaela Worthen, an intern at LDS Living. “If the whole family got it done by a certain date, we all got a reward. It was a great thing for Sunday afternoons, and it really helped my testimony to grow as I studied and developed a greater understanding of those words. You could do the same thing with ‘The Living Christ’ or scriptures, and the rewards could vary.”

5. Have “Table Time.”
Stephanie Nixon of American Fork, Utah, says, “Every Sunday at our home, we like to do something called ‘Table Time.’ Elder LeGrand R. Curtis once said, ‘One of the more important furnishings found in most homes is the kitchen table. Now it may be small, it may be large, or in the form of a little counter with barely room to put the food and utensils. Its major function seems to be a place for the different members of the family to receive nourishment.’” Nixon suggests filling the kitchen table with activities like jigsaw puzzles, board games, Legos, and crafts. “Talk about current events, conference talks, or that day’s lessons,” she says. “My idea for Table Time came when I realized I had an opportunity to nourish my children spiritually as well as physically at the kitchen table.”

6. Plan your week.
“I spend fifteen minutes with each child to schedule their activities for the week,” says
Tiffani Thomson. “I put it all on the family calendar. That way, things are less likely to fall through the cracks, and our week is much less chaotic.”

7. Read and report.
“We have each member of our family read a [Church] magazine article on his or her own time during the day, and then we have each person report on the article during our family together time in the evening,” writes Janet Littleford of Cedar City, Utah. “This helps us to make time for reading the magazines and helps us strengthen our testimonies when we relate the articles to the rest of the family.”

8. Pack a church bag—for yourself.
“When my kids were younger, I’d pack their church bag the night before. Now that they’re older, I pack my own church bag the night before!” says Dena Kennedy. “I always print and take a few extra conference talks or BYU devotionals. I don’t get to read them every Sunday, but they come in really handy between meetings or before sacrament meeting starts.”

9. Work on awards.
“Sunday is the perfect day to work on Personal Progress, Faith in God, Duty to God, and Scouts,” says Tiffani Thomson, “even if it’s just for fifteen minutes.” Some LDS Living readers wrote in to suggest that children should be required to work on awards before they have free time on Sundays.

10. Learn about other faiths.
“Attend religious concerts (for example, an organ recital at a Roman Catholic cathedral) or other services,” suggests Katherine Morris, an intern at LDS Living. “Spending some time getting to know and appreciate people of other faiths helps us realize what we have in common. It’s a good way to build trust with friends and neighbors of other faiths and it opens the door to sharing your own faith.”

For more ways to reinvent your Sunday, read the full article in the Jan/Feb 2011 issue of LDS Living magazine.

What do you do to make Sunday the best day of your week? Leave a comment below.

Weekend Craft: Flourish Vinyl Frame

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Make this designer frame in no time at all! Ever notice how designer frames cost so much? You say to yourself, “I could do that," but you never do. Procrastinate no more, because you can make one of these frames with almost no effort at all! Use a ready-made frame (ours came from Rod Works) or one that you paint yourself, and you’ll have a designer frame in no time.

Supplies Needed:

Die Cutting Machine: Any Cricut machine
Oh My Crafts Vinyl: Color of your choice and transfer tape
Cricut Cartridges: Cindy Loo and Home Décor

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed at ohmycrafts.com.)

Flourishes:

   1. Cut 2 flourishes as seen in cutting found in the photo gallery of this article.
   2. With a craft knife, lightly cut a box around the flourish and then weed out the excess vinyl, leaving the design in the center. Remember to pick out the centers of the flourish.
   3. Trim a piece of transfer tape the size of each flourish. Remove liner and place adhesive down on top of one flourish and burnish firmly. Carefully lift up tape and peel back from liner. The vinyl should be attached to the transfer tape. Next, position on frame, making certain that the design is straight and burnish is in place.
   4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for second flourish.
   5. Cut fleur-de-lis according to chart.
   6. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Eating Smart When Eating Out

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:06:00 -0700

by Sarah M. McConkie
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Here are tricks you can bring to the table to order a tasty, healthy, and wallet-friendly meal from any menu. After a hectic day, dining out can be just what everyone (especially Mom) needs. Yet the choices that restaurants offer to kids are often loaded with calories and fat. A cheeseburger kid’s meal (a kiddie-sized burger, shake, and order of fries) looks fairly innocuous, yet even this downsized version of an adult combo meal can easily contain a startling 990 calories and 38 grams of fat. That’s 70 percent of the recommended daily caloric intake for an 8-year-old!

And fast-food eateries aren’t the only bad guys. A kid-sized portion of fettuccine Alfredo at a sit-down restaurant can tip the scale at 800 calories and a whopping 48 grams of fat. On top of all that, kid’s meals aren’t always cheap: the average American family spends $279 a month eating out.

But there’s no need to feel down in the mouth about the occasional family dinner outing. Here are four steps that will help you balance nutrition with fun when ordering meals for your kids—all for an affordable price.

Sit Down
If you have a choice between a sit-down restaurant and a fast-food chain, choose the traditional restaurant.

Good for Your Health: A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that even one fast-food meal per week raised the subjects’ BMIs over the course of a decade. But oddly enough, one extra meal per week at a sit-down restaurant did not cause body weight to increase.

“Generally, I would encourage sit-down restaurants because it encourages the family time and slower eating, and [you] often have more options for fruits and vegetables,” says Lori Ameh, registered dietitian and director of the Women, Infants, and Children Clinic in Provo, Utah.

Good for Your Wallet: Isn’t it more expensive to eat at a sit-down restaurant versus a fast-food chain? Not necessarily. Restaurants know the economic downturn has made it hard for families to eat out, and they’ve offered promotions to keep customers coming. Many eateries—such as IHOP, Lonestar, and Marie Callender’s— have occasional kids-eat-free specials. Be sure to call ahead to make sure that your location is participating in the promotion and that you know what days and times qualify for the freebie.

And, if you’ve taken the time to sit down and eat, you can use the experience as a money-smarts lesson for kids. For example, you could suggest a target price per meal and challenge them to find a menu choice that fits the night’s “budget.” And when you pay, you can also talk to kids about using coupons, how to calculate a tip, or how credit cards work.
Talking to your kids about finances and allowing them to take part in little spending decisions is a great way to teach money management skills.

Study Up
Before eating out, take a minute to look over the menu and the nutritional data many restaurants provide.

Good for Your Health: A 2009 study at Yale’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that people who are aware of a food’s nutritional data will eat an average of 250 fewer calories than those who don’t know their food’s calorie content— both at the meal and during the rest of the evening. “It is a good idea to check out the nutritional value of the food choices at both traditional and fast food restaurants,” Ameh says. “By looking at the comparison tables of various foods, you can make an educated selection.”

You can often find nutritional info in pamphlets near the cash register (some restaurants even list nutrition on the menu), but almost all chain restaurants now provide this data online. Pick up or print nutrition data about the restaurants your family frequents. That way, you can keep the nutritional info in the family car for quick reference.

Good for Your Wallet: If you plan ahead, you can catch those awesome kids-eat- free nights and other deals too. You’ll find coupons and discounted gift certificates for many chain restaurants through websites like citydeals.com, dineoutcheap.com, or restaurant.com. There are also great blogs that can help you save. “A restaurant’s website can be the single best place to find special promotion and possibly discount coupons,” says Michelle Hovestadt of Wicked Cool Deals, a blog that directs users to coupons on things like restaurants and groceries. “As more and more people turn to the Web to find discounts and coupons, restaurants are doing everything they can to lure readers to their websites. Take advantage of it!”

Split It Up
Sharing is a great strategy for getting all the taste for half the calories and half the price.

Good for Your Health: A small Butterfinger Blizzard at Dairy Queen contains 470 calories. But if you split it between two people, the dessert contains a manageable 235 calories. (Tip: if the thought of having “only half” makes a younger child upset, quietly ask the waiter or cashier to serve the food in two small cups or on two small plates so that your child won’t see you taking half the item away.)

Good for Your Wallet: Sit-down restaurants are notorious for their huge helping sizes, but you can use this to your advantage. Find a reasonably priced adult entrée that two or three of your kids can split, and you can spend even less per child than you would for a typical fast-food kid’s meal. For example, a full-size teriyaki rice bowl costs $7.25 and can easily be split between three youngsters. That’s means you’re paying less than $2.50 per child—how’s that for thrifty?

Swap It Out
Just say no to calorie-laden sides and sugary drinks.

Good for Your Health: Concerns about the rise of childhood obesity have prompted many restaurants to provide lighter alternatives to their typical fare. Chains like Burger King, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Subway, Arby’s, and Chik-Fil-A now offer choices like mandarin oranges, yogurt, applesauce, and fruit cups in place of fries.

“It helps tremendously if parents are eating the way they want their child to eat,” says Melissa Johnson, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “If a parent substitutes a side salad for the fries, the child will be more likely to do the same. It’s a great way to teach a child how to eat in moderation and how to balance food out.”

Many chains also offer milk as an alternative to soft drinks. “Although chocolate milk has some added sugar, it has a ton more nutrition than soda, so I think it is a good compromise,” Johnson says. “It allows the child to still feel like it’s a ‘treat,’ but it gives them nutrients that soda would not give.”

Good for Your Wallet: Ordering waters instead of soft drinks will yield huge savings. Even the cheapest soft drinks generally cost $1.00 apiece. Do the math: a family of six that eats out three times a month could save an impressive $216.00 each year by saying no to soft drinks when eating out.

*Click here for the nutrition facts of 40 popular restaurant chains.

Seven Secrets of Successful Parenting

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:46:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

Ahh, blissful morning.

You awake to classical music on your clock radio. The sun rises in a glorious ball of fire outside your window. Birds perch on the sill to whistle you a cheery tune. You read your scriptures, a full 30 minutes.

Just as you finish with a happy sigh, your children knock on the door.

"Mom, I'm dressed, my hair is combed, and I've already practiced the piano," they call. "Can we help you make breakfast?" You dance to your bedroom door, a bastion of joy.

The whole family runs downstairs to pull together a five-course spread of pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit and toast. You read the morning paper together, or perhaps a slim volume of poetry, before giving each child a sound kiss on the head and sending them out the door to school.

I know surely, surely, there is a family like this somewhere. They may only exist in a Disney cartoon, but their very presence makes me eternally hope for such a morning.

Weekend Craft: Fuss Free Gift Tags

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:01:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Make your own holiday gift tags to match your gifts. The finishing touch of a perfectly wrapped present is the tag. Choose from five different versions of gift tags that are easy to make and fuss free, too. The best part of tag making is that the tag can be made to match your gift. Teach the kids how to make them and you’ll be set for the holiday wrapping season. Enjoy!

Supplies Needed:

Any kind of electronic die cutting machine (Cricut, Eclips, Silhouette, Slice, etc.)
For this project, we used Cricut cartridge: Sentimentals
Christmas Paper Kit (this kit has lots of embellishments)
Card stock (our special Paper Packs are perfect for these tags)
Ribbon (narrow) your choice of colors
To/From stamp
Stamps: No Shakin, peekin stamp
Ink pads: Seed Packet, Chilli Powder
(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed from ohmycrafts.com.)

Cutting chart for Cricut machines:

*See photo gallery for a chart of instructions.

    1.    Follow the chart above to cut each tag. If a direction given is inside <> these brackets, it means you need to use the alternate key.
    2.    Ink edges with matching ink pad.
    3.    Assemble layers if needed.
    4.    Stamp on smooth side of cardstock.
    5.    Adhere any stickers, if desired.
    6.    Place ribbon through hole.

Relieve Your Holiday Stress

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:01:00 -0700

by Angela Lankford
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Tips for a (mostly) stress-free holiday season! Christmas is known as a time of peace...and shopping lists, extended family, and kids home from school. Ever feel like you need a vacation from all the Christmas vacation? Here are some tips to help relieve a little holiday stress.

1. Be selective about your holiday traditions. You don't have to do every single tradition from your childhood to adult life. Instead, select a few traditions to do this holiday season and save the others ones for next year. Rotating your traditions yearly will relieve your stress and also allow you to hold on to the traditions you love.   

2. Stop searching for the perfect gift. Trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one, along with budgeting and affording those gifts, can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday. Shop online to save time or consider getting gift cards for your teens and tweens so that they can then go and pick out the perfect gift for themselves.   

3. Keep a gift closet. Shop year-round for gifts to save yourself some stress during the holiday season. If you see a toy or item that your child could grow into in a year, buy it and save it in your gift closet. The gift closet is not only effective for Christmas time, but also for birthdays and other gift-giving occasions.   

4. Do a Secret Santa amongst your family members so that you won’t feel overwhelmed trying to buy gifts for everyone. Secret Santa delegates who gives gifts to whom and ensures that no one is forgotten.

5. Do service for others. When you get outside of yourself to help those in need, you are better able to forget your own stress. Helping those in need to have a wonderful holiday season will also help to brighten your own. Consider caroling to neighbors or baking Christmas cookies to leave at someone's door.

6. Eat well and exercise throughout the holiday season instead of just making a New Year’s resolution to do better after the holidays. As you get your body moving through exercise, your whole being will feel more relaxed.

7. Remind yourself of the true meaning of Christmas and the Savior’s birth. This will help you feel less stressed about the commercialism of the holidays and traditions that you feel obligated to keep up with.

How to create a winning Mormon Messages video

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:28:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

The Mormon Message video contest is a great opportunity for video experts around the globe to share the gospel. But what if you're not an expert? What if you have a story but don't know how to produce it? Well, to be honest, you have some work ahead of you. The good news is we're here to help.

If you've read the official Mormon Message video contest rules at lds.org/videocontest, you probably noticed the line, "See current Mormon Messages for ideas." Before you do anything else, sit down and watch several of the beautifully crafted messages already at www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages.

Simple Gift How-to

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:02:00 -0700

by Heather Holm
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: “Christmas” doesn't have to mean spending $15 on each of your friends, or even spending hours on lavish and original homemade gifts. Instead, try these simple solutions, which can each be easily expanded to account for multiple receivers. COOKIES AND COCOA GIFT BASKET

A few years ago, a neighbor surprised me with a basketful of homemade cookies. She included a homemade cocoa mix that was absolutely delicious. I was delighted! It made my Christmas extra special that year.

If you would like to consider using this idea for a Christmas gift, feel free to use any cookie recipe, and include the cocoa mix as an added bonus.

Materials
  An attractive empty basket
  1 or 3 Mason jars with lids and rings
        (The Mason jar can be small or large, depending on the size of the recipient's family.)
  Cocoa Mix (below)
  Christmas wrapping paper or fabric
  Decorative-edged scissors
  Homemade cookies
  A bow for the handle of the basket
  Paper label
  Christmas tissue paper (optional)
  Christmas mugs (optional)

Cocoa Mix Recipe
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
½ cup non-dairy cream powder
¼ tsp. salt
2 ¾ cups instant nonfat powdered milk
1 cup miniature marshmallows, wrapped in pretty cellophane or placed in a baggie tied with a bow (optional)

Directions
Mix the dry cocoa ingredients together and pour them into one of the Mason jars. Securely place the lid and ring on the jar.

Cut a 10-inch-square piece from the Christmas wrapping paper (or fabric) and place it on the table, decorative side down. Turn the jar of cocoa mix upside down (lid first) and place it in the center of the wrapping paper. Draw the ends of the wrapping paper upward toward you. At the neck of the jar, wrap the ribbon around the wrapping paper and tie it in a pretty bow. Turn the jar right side up and place a label on it with directions on how to mix the cocoa, which is to add 3 to 4 tablespoons of the mix to 1 cup of hot water.

Bake the cookies, and when they've cooled, place them in a pretty container. You can decorate an empty Cool Whip container (or something similar), or place the cookies on a pretty, disposable plate and cover them with decorative cellophane.

Place a couple of layers of Christmas tissue in the basket. Add the cookies, marshmallows, and cocoa mix. Tie a big bow on the handle of the basket. Don't forget to include a card!
You can also combine the dry cookie ingredients and put them in a jar. Label the jar with instructions, such as necessary additional ingredients, oven temperature, how to prepare the dough, and how to bake the cookies. If you do it this way, you will have room in the basket to add inexpensive Christmas mugs for each member of the recipient's family.

ICE MELTER IN A BUCKET

My neighbors gave me one of these several Christmases ago, and I refill the bucket and reuse it every year. What a practical and thoughtful gift.

Materials
Empty gallon-sized bucket with lid (used or new)
Ice melter (to melt ice and snow on sidewalks and driveways)
Scoop (can be small and inexpensive)
Bow or other decoration
Spray paint (optional)

Directions
If your bucket is in really bad shape, you may want to spray paint it. You can also purchase a nice bucket at your local hardware store.

Fill the bucket with ice melter and bury the scoop in it so just a small portion of the handle is showing. Put the lid on the bucket. Attach a silk poinsettia or some other Christmas decoration to the top of the bucket. You'll be amazed at how appreciated this gift will be!

HEATING PAD

Everyone loves these! They are soothing on stiff joints and muscles. The heating pad needs to fit into a microwave to be warmed, so don't make it too big.

Materials
Soft hand towel (or similar material)
Rice
Sewing thread to match hand towel
Gift Tag

Directions
Fold the dish towel in half and se two of the sides closed. (Or you can double the material by folding the towel in half, twice.) Fill 2/3 full of rice. Add more rice if desired, but don't overfill; the rice needs to be loose inside of the bag. Fold the edges of the third side into the bag and hand baste it closed. On a sewing machine with a decorative stitch, sew a seam tag with instructions on how long to leave the heating pad in the microwave (usually 1 to 2 minutes on medium heat).

FAMILY COOKBOOK

Collect a favorite recipe (or two) from each of your relatives' families and combine the recipes into a simple, inexpensive cookbook. Give a copy to everyone for Christmas.

HOMEMADE CANDLES

Keep in mind that wax is flammable and can ignite at approximately 400 degrees. Adult supervision of children is necessary when making candles.

Materials
Paraffin wax for as many candles as you intend to make (This depends on the size of your molds.)
Tapered candles (or string) for wicks
Crayons for color (optional)
Double boiler pan
A clean can
Crushed ice (optional)
Wooden stick or spoon
Containers of various sizes and shapes (preferably discarded milk or cottage cheese carton, especially those coated with wax; or you can use glass containers)
Wooden stick or ruler

Directions
Put at least 2 inches of water in the bottom of the double boiler. Break or cut the paraffin wax into small pieces and place the pieces in a clean can. (You can also use the top of the double boiler if you want to take the time afterward to clean out the wax.) Put the can directly into the water in the bottom of the double boiler. For safety reasons, warm on low heat.

If you want a colored candle, cut a colored crayon into pieces and add it to the melted wax. Stir well for an even color.

Cut the tapered candle on the bottom (wide) end so that it is the same height as the mold. Anchor the taper by pouring at least ½ inch of melted wax into the bottom of the mold. Hold the taper in place a few minutes until the wax has set. If you are not using ice, fill the mold to the top with melted wax.

If you want to use string for the wick, you must attach a weight to the string to anchor it in place when you add the hot wax. To do this, tie a small decorative rock (or a clean rock from outside) to one end to the string and center the rock in the bottom of the mold.

Using masking tape, secure a stick or a wooden ruler across the top of the mold. Tie the other end of the string to the ruler. Make sure the rock and the string are centered properly before you add the melted wax. If using ice, at this point you should only add 1 inch of melted wax to the bottom of the mold to hold the rock in place. If you are not using ice, fill the mold to the top with melted wax.

If you want your candle to have a lacy appearance, you can add crushed ice to the melted wax. (Note: This will not work with glass molds because the water from the melted ice won't be able to drain from the hardened candle.) Here's how:

Once your taper (or wick) is anchored into the wax, carefully place a layer of crushed ice (or small ice cubes, depending on the desired appearance) around the taper. Add melted wax until the ice is almost completely covered. Add more ice and more wax, more ice and more wax, alternating between the two until the mold is full. You may want to experiment by remelting the wax until the desired appearance is achieved.

Because the mold will leak water as the wax cools, you will need to place it in a bowl or a pan and let it sit until the wax has hardened completely. Remove the mold by carefully tearing or peeling it off the candle. You can add decorations such as glitter, beads, or sequins to your candle, but you can't light it if you do this.

*Excerpted from Discovering the Magic of Christmas: 75 Ways to Make Your Holiday More Meaningful; Cedar Fort

Weekend Craft: Holiday Wall Décor

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:01:00 -0700

by Oh My Craft
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Sometimes all a blank wall needs is a little “something” to jazz it up!

Easy to put up and take down, vinyl can change with the season for very little cost. This week, we’ve included 5 different areas of the home that are easy to decorate and will really wow your guests. Step by step instructions are given for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” but these steps can be applied to any of the projects shown. Happy decorating!

Supplies Needed:

Any kind of electronic die cutting machine (Cricut- Eclips, Silhouette, Slice etc.)
For this project, we used Cricut cartridges: Winter Wonderland-We wish you a Merry Christmas and Winter Frolic for the pine trees,
Ruby Flake Vinyl
Sky Blue Flake Vinyl
Gold Flake Vinyl
Transfer tape
Vinyl – We Wish You A Merry Christmas

*To buy these supplies, please visit OhMyCrafts.com.

Determine the height of the space you wish to put the phrase, this will dictate the length of the phrase.

Using Winter Woodland cartridge, highlight the font function key located in the middle of the far left side. With this key highlighted, turn to page 117 titled Font. This page will show the location of each letter. For example, to enter the capital letter “W” highlight the shift key and the highlight the second key from the left, row 2 from the top of the key pad. To enter the “e” un-highlight the shift key and then highlight the third key from the left. Remember to use the space key between words.

Turn to page 55 to find the leaning pine trees. Determine the size needed and cut trees. If you want the trees decorated, then cut the garlands using the layers function key. To use multiple colors on the tree, repeat the process for each colored desired.

Use a blade depth of 3 or 4 depending upon your machine, a medium speed, and a low pressure. After cutting letters, lightly cut a box around the letters with craft knife and weed away the remaining excess vinyl. Pick out all centers and holes.

Once all the holes and excess vinyl are removed, cut a piece of transfer tape the size of the letters to remove each word strip from the paper backing. Burnish (rub) well to transfer words to transfer tape. This kind of metal vinyl is a little tricky to attach to the transfer tape. A dental pick may be needed to help lift the flake from the backing. Lightly place phrase on wall and check placement. Burnish tape on wall and then remove tape, repeat as needed until phrase and trees are in place.

Other Cartridges used:

Jasmine – Wise men, Alphalicious- The stockings were hung, and Teardrop – In the meadow…, Seasonal-Winter Gingerbread cartridge –gingerbread cookies.
Additional colors used on other projects:
Silver Glitter Vinyl
Plum Vinyl
Pink Vinyl