Archive for category: Crafts

By Captain Aimee Docherty
Intermountain Division

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

Goal: Using Alcohol inks you will create a beautiful work of art. then you can take your artwork and turn it into a card that you can give to someone that you would like to remind that they are a masterpiece created by God.

Supplies:

Note: All items can be found on Amazon, at a craft store such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby, while some items can be found at Dollar Tree. The alcohol inks can be a messy project so do this in a space that you don’t mind getting a bit messy.

Time frame expected: 1 – 2 hours.

1. Alcohol Inks
2. Rubbing Alcohol
3. Smaller Squirting bottles
4. Alcohol Ink paper
5. Straws
6. Scissors
7. Typed up and cut out Bible Verse
8. Gloves
9. Table Coverings
10. Paper towels
11. Glue sticks

       Step 1

Prepare the space

1. Cover all the tables with a plastic tablecloth.
2. Put down paper towels as a place mat for each person with some extra paper towels for each person to absorb any extra mess.
3. Put plastic gloves out for each person.
4. Open all bottles of alcohol inks in advance if they are brand new.
5. Place alcohol inks in center and place one piece of alcohol ink paper on top of their paper towel place mat.
6. Put one small squirt bottle, filled with alcohol ink at each place.
7. Place one straw at each place.

Step 2

a. Put a few drops of alcohol ink on the paper.

b. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol on top of the drops of ink.

c. Use straw to blow the liquid about until you are satisfied with the art.

d. Repeat, as desired, using different colors.

e. Put sheet of artwork aside to draw and create another one. Artwork will dry by itself in approximately 20 minutes. If you would like to move it along more quickly use a hairdryer on low.

Step 3:

a. After the artwork has dried, take the sheet that you like the most and fold in half to create a card shape.

b. Cut sheet in half so that you can make two cards.

c. Open up and glue the printed-up Bible verse into the card

d. Write a message to a friend to remind them that they are God’s masterpiece.
(Be aware that the more you handle the ink the more it spreads to your hands and all over the white paper. Also, it will leak around the edges when you are initially doing the ink work).

Other ideas: Take a cookie cutter and cut out a shape from your alcohol ink masterpiece. Then glue it to a white piece of construction paper folded in half to make a card. Finally glue your masterpiece note inside and write a personal note to a friend.

Download printable directions for this craft:

As you are creating your masterpiece, enjoy this inspiring song, Masterpiece, by Danny Gokey

By Lt. Colonel Noelle Nelson
Director of Special Services
Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command

Instead of throwing out your old hardback books, rescue them from the trash heap and make a knife block! It’s easy, unusual, and sure to be a conversation starter. Maybe springboard the conversation into how God rescued you and gave you a new purpose in life, just like these old books!

Supplies:

• 3 or 4 hardback books, of similar size/height. It looks best if the colors match or coordinate. If you don’t have books that match or coordinate, you can opt to spray paint the books in the color of your choice.
• Hot glue gun
• Popsicle stick, chopstick, or a pencil . Use this to press down on your ribbon after applying hot glue. Blisters are no fun!
• Ribbon (I used Burlap) – choose different colors, widths, or textures that will play off the color of your books
• Lace or twine
• Scissors
• Knives

Directions:

• Make sure books are clean, dry, and dusted off.
• Line up books in the order you’d like them to be.
• Hot glue the books together. Some glue on each corner and a bit in the middle should do the trick.

• Stand one book on its end and press it against the next one.
• Repeat until all books are glued together. Press the stack together to make sure the glue is secure.

• Wrap your ribbon around the stack of books and hot glue ends of ribbon together, on the back side of the books. (this is where the popsicle stick, chopstick, or pencil comes in handy!) You may want to measure your ribbon first to make sure it won’t be too short.

• Wrap Your lace or twine over the ribbon, and secure with hot glue on the back side. (use the popsicle stick or chopstick or pencil)

• You can also add any fun or seasonal embellishments for extra flair.
• You are now ready to store knives in your new knife block!

Download printable instructions of this craft:

By Major Peggy Helms, Riverside, CA Corps
& Major Angela Strickland, Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Golden State Division

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

Don’t be swayed by the thoughts and comments of others. Understand who’s you are and how much God loves you – so you can understand and love yourself. God wants you to give Him the places in your heart that you won’t let others see. When you look into the mirror, allow the reflection coming back to be whom God sees – as you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” – Psalms 139:14.

Materials:

1. Small mirror (handheld or stand type)
2. Butterfly or flower stickers (3D style)
3. Colored chalk markers (reversible tip)
4. Clean cloth and water or glass cleaner

Directions:
⦁ Choose mirror style, handheld or stand type (Dollar/discount shops have them)
⦁ Wipe mirror so that it is free of dirt and smudges
⦁ Write “You Are Beautiful” on the mirror (you can print vinyl stickers with Cricut)
⦁ Decorate the mirror with your stick-on butterflies and/or flowers. You can also use a hot glue gun for items that are not stick-on.

Additional Scripture:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:7

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:5-10

Download a printable version of this craft:

Enjoy this song, “Mirror” by BarlowGirl to remind you that the mirror does not define you.

By Margaret Grieco
Territorial Women’s Ministries Department

Philemon 1:4-5 – “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”

The celebration of our Savior’s birth always brings along with the season a beautiful sharing of gifts with those we love and cherish. As a special “thank you” to our family and friends, why not create a card for them that’s personal and very unique!

Supplies:
Plastic gems (I use 1-inch in size, but you can go smaller too)
Cardstock (8.5 x 11 – in any color)
Glue Dots (or Tacky Glue)
Gel Pen (or calligraphy pen)
Envelopes (4 x 6 – thicker paper would be better for mailing)
Paper Cutter
Ruler (optional)

Step 1:
Turn your cardstock to landscape and use a paper cutter to cut each sheet down the middle.

Step 2:
Turn your half sheets longwise and fold them in half (the fold should be a top).

Step 3:
Using a ruler, mark the center of the top of the card and line up your gems as you would like them to look on the card. Using Glue Dots, place a Dot on the back of each gem and secure it to your card, placing the gem where you lined it up originally.

Step 4:
Starting at the top of the card, draw a line (straight or curvy) from the top to the card to the gem and add a little bow anywhere on the line.

Step 5:
You can write “Thank You!” or “Thank You So Much!” at the bottom of the card, write a simple note on the inside and place it in your envelope for mailing to your intended recipient.

Each card will be unique and a fun surprise for those who didn’t expect a fabulous “Thank You” card!

Download printable instructions of this craft:

As you write out your thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts that you receive during this Christmas season, spend some time thanking God for His salvation.

By Captain Leilani Armendariz
Hemet, CA Corps – Southern California Division

This craft coordinates with this month’s devotional: His Precious Child.

Directions:

1. Paint a background on a canvas. Be as creative as you want. Let it dry. I would suggest painting first, letting it dry as the rest of the program proceeds and saving time at the end to finish it.
2. Using either a Circuit, print outs or your own handwriting, add the lyric from “Who You Say I Am” that says: “I’m a child of God, yes I am.”

While you are crafting, enjoy these songs, reminding you of who you are in Christ – you are a child of God!

Hello, My Name Is Child of the One True King

On my best days, I’m a child of God. On my worst days, I’m a child of God. Oh, everyday is a good day, and You’re the reason why.