Archive for category: Crafts

By Major Harryette Raihl
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary
Southern California Division

Supplies Needed:
(6) 6 mm beads (smaller beads or larger beads vary the size of the cross)
(10) spacer seed beads
Gold/silver jump ring (found with jewelry making supplies in stores)
Jewelry Wire (wire sized to fit through the beads are used)
*Necklace chain if you want to attach the beaded cross pendant.

There are many different ways to do these beaded crosses. You will find some designers harder to follow and some easier. The following directions are the ones that work the best and quickest for me and look the nicest in my opinion!

Instructions:

1.Fold the cut wire in half. (Cut wire about 8 inches to allow extra)

2.Lace one seed bead on the wire then twist tight.

3. On BOTH wires put one big bead, then one little seed bead, then a big bead, etc. so three big beads and three seed beads are on the wires.

4. Separate the wire. On one wire string, place one seed bead, then one big, then one seed bead THEN…skip seed bead and put wire through the big bead very tight with no slack. On the other wire do the same.

5. Then add one seed bead on each wire and twist very tight.

6. Add big bead through BOTH wires and then add little seed bead.

7. ON one wire add the jump ring and thread wire back through the large bead. Then wrap several times around to secure the jump ring. Cut the wire and if necessary, thread back through hold so that no sharp wires are exposed.

8. The wire that is left can be twisted around the large bead and then cut off so that no shape wires are exposed.

Once the cross is completed simply lace through the necklace chain.

These directions seem a little complicated at first, but once you have done once and experienced what ways work best and easiest for you, the crosses can be made rather quickly. This is a relatively inexpensive craft since you usually buy the supplies in bulk so that you may make many at a time.

Download printable directions of this craft:

By Captain Hilda Parks
Renton, WA Corps
Northwest Division

A great way to unplug is to craft. Here is an easy craft that you can make and enjoy during your “unplugged” times.

Materials: 
Plant
Mug 
Decorative Napkins
Mod podge 
paint brush

Instructions: 

• Pick any small plant from your patio or buy a small one at any grocery store. 
• Chose any mug and floral napkins that you like, preferable ones with flowers so you can cut the pattern.  
• Once cut attach one by one to the mug, using the mod podge, then cover the mug entirely with your patterns in a thin layer of mod podge using a brush or even your fingers.
• Once all covered add a full coat of mod podge.
• Allow to dry 24 hours then enjoy with your favorite plant.

By Captain Amber Ohl
Bozeman, MT Corps – Intermountain Division

For me Smash Books are just a more beautiful journal. I think of it as a doodle pad, journal, maybe even a scrapbook; but it doesn’t have a set plan. It can be messy, it could be overstuffed, and most of all, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

When it comes to Sabbath, we might be stuck in the idea that it is a rigid day of rest with all these rules and such. But Sabbath is a day to focus on who God is and to be able to be refreshed. That is my hope for this smash book, that we are able to compile all these different amazing ways to be able to focus on God, but also to refresh ourselves. One of my favorite examples is found under the “T” section and that is take a nap, listen. Sometimes we just need a nap.

1. Gather some supplies. I recommend that the journals would be an 8 1/2 by 11 size. Michaels is a great place to get them as they are either on sale or you can find a coupon through their rewards app. Other supplies include the printable pages attached, scissors, mod podge, brushes, scrapbooking paper, stickers colorful pens, wasabi tape, and anything else that your women might light. This might be a good time to clean out some drawers or leftover art supplies.

2.With this activity, they can work at their own pace. It’s easy as explaining what to do and let them have at it. They can cut out the letters to the word “SABBATH,” some of the ladies just did a rough cut, while others cut on the lines; both works. I would encourage that the letters are placed about 10 to 15 pages apart. This will allow for when they do engage in their Sabbath activity provides that extra space.

S – Sing/Songs. Write lyrics that help you connect you to God

A – Attributes. What are the attributes of God? OR A – Actively Rest. How can you actively rest?

B – Bible – Book by Book

B – Be in Nature

A – Art. Doodle in these pages while spending time with God, search online for Bible art that can be pasted in these pages to color, or pick up a craft that you have not done in a while.

T – Take a nap. Talk with a friend.

H – Hobby. Whether it is a hobby that you have not done in a while or it’s something you wan to try.

3.One thing we did was add an envelopes so that we could use that to tuck away some small notes or cards.

4. I added extra pages that are some examples of a word to associate to each letter of “SABBATH.” I would encourage your ladies to add in their own that would help them on their Sabbath.

5. Also, Pinterest is a great resource if you ladies would like some extra pages. Maybe they want to add in some coloring pages or look up verses to color.

6. Remember it does not have to be perfect; that is what’s fun about smash books!

Prayer for you: For this moment of Sabbath may God help you engage in true Sabbath rest. May you unattach from the daily burdens and the concerns that are yours. May you pause long enough to pray, be present enough to enjoy, and slow down enough to rest. But most of all, I pray that you may worship the One who gives us Sabbath.

Download a printable version of these directions. It has also has extra printable pages and quotes to include in your Sabbath Smash Book.

By Major Noelle Nelson
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Golden State Division

The desert has a lot of beauty. The shades of red and orange, the cliffs, cactus, various trees, plant life, and the variety of animals may come as a surprise! There is more than meets the eye. This craft will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the desert, and even take it with you, without having to brave the heat.

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

ACTIVE TIME: 1 hour

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes

Materials

• Empty clear glass bottle or container
• Funnel (you can make one with paper taped together into a cone)
• Various kinds of sand (try to pick distinct colors or textures – from
  outside, the craft store, etc.)
• Small clippings of desert-type plants, or bits of rough shrub
• Small rocks (make sure they will fit through the opening of your bottle)
• Paper towel, plastic wrap, & tape to create stopper (if your container
  does not have a stopper or lid)

Tools

• A bamboo skewer to move items around in the bottle (remember, the opening is small)

Instructions

1. Gather all your materials. If working indoors, work over a shallow box or newspaper to catch all the sand and clippings.
2. Funnel in your sand. If you have gathered sand from outside, made sure to sift out any debris. To create slopes, tilt your funnel to one side for one sand color then fill the gap with the next sand type. You can also use the skewer to swirl the colors together.
3. Continue to create sand layers, adding pretty decorative rocks between the layers. NOTE: the rock layers need to be thick so the sand won’t cover them.
4. Keep going until the neck of the bottle starts to get smaller.
5. Add plants, small colorful rocks, and other treasures! Use the skewer to position them.
6. Stop the bottle and treat it gently! Fashion a stopper using some paper towel. Cover over tightly with a piece of plastic wrap; secure with clear tape. If you have to transport it, try to make sure it stays level! Too much motion could cause the contents to get mixed together.
7. Enjoy your Desert in a Bottle!

Download a printable version of these instructions: