|
Antiqued
Hanging Hearts FHE Board
What
You'll Need:
| • |
scrap
piece of ply wood (3/4 inch thick) |
• |
rags |
| • |
wooden
knobs with the screws |
• |
hammer |
| • |
1-inch
wooden molding |
• |
drill |
| • |
finish
nails |
• |
miter
box/saw(for molding only) |
| • |
paint
and brushes |
• |
1/8
inch ribbon |
| • |
sand
paper |
• |
2-inch
wooden hearts |
| • |
stain |
|
|
|
| Step
by Step:
 (1)
The scrap wood can be any size you desire. We
used a 15 1/2 inch across by 7 inches down.
(DEAL DIVA TIP: Sometimes you can find scrap wood
and plywood in the dumpster behind hardware stores
or lumber yards. All you have to do is ask.)
(2) Cut the molding to the proper size and miter
the ends, using a miter saw, for a clean picture
frame look.
(3)
Nail to the outside edge of the board with small
nails. If you're worried about splitting the board,
you can pre-drill the nail holes.
No miter saw? Not a problem:
If you don't have a way to miter the ends, try
butting the ends together instead. It doesn't
leave as clean a look, but is still nice. You
could also try gluing a small wood ball or heart
in each corner and fit the molding up to the corner
decoration. (Crafty Chic used this technique in
our Homework
Board, when we didn't have access to a miter
saw.)
 4)
Measure out the distance needed to place the knobs
evenly across the board. The sample board used
six knobs. Use more or less according to your
needs. The knobs will stand for the duties at
your FHE, i.e.: lesson, song, treat, etc. Drill
the holes.
(5)
To create the antiqued effect, we will paint and
then stain the board and knobs. We recommend using
a lighter paint color that will allow nice contrast
between the paint and stain. (Darker paint colors
don't always allow the stain to show.)
We
chose Maple Sugar Tan by Ceramcoat for our paint.
Paint
the board and the molding remembering the edges.
(CRAFTY
CHIC TIP: To paint the knobs you may want to poke
the screws through a piece of cardboard and then
screw the knobs down a few threads until they
are stable. Try painting them in this position.
It is easier to get to all sides with out getting
messy and having to only paint a portion at a
time.)
 (6)
With a dark, contrasting color, paint the titles
you wish to use above each knob: prayer, snack,
etc.
(7)
Now it's time to distress the wood. When the paint
has dried, sand the edges and the face of the
board. Do this as much or as little as you would
like, depending on how much distress you like.
Do the same with the knobs. A good rule of thumb
for distressing is to sand down the areas that
would have gotten the most use. The edges, the
corners, and any area where the object would see
the most handling or use.
(8)
Wipe away any dust from sanding, and get out the
stain. We used Minwax dark walnut stain/sealer
for our project. Wipe on the stain with an old
rag, and then wipe off the stain with a clean
one. You don't need to leave the stain on for
a long period of time, just be sure you get into
all the cracks and crevices. When wiping, don't
wipe out the stain from the grooves and dips.
This gives it a more worn and weathered look.
Let dry overnight.
 (9)
Screw the knobs into place. You may need to place
a screwdriver into the screw back while you twist
the knob.
(10)
Paint the wooden hearts with a base color. We
used Tomato Red by Ceramcoat. Using a liner brush
and a contrasting color like black, paint the
names of family members on the hearts.
(11)
Sand and antique the hearts as above.
(12)
Drill two small holes on either side of the top
of each heart. String the ribbon through to make
a loop and knot at the back of heart on both sides.
(13)
Hang the FHE board with some wire attached to
the back or with a picture hanger.
Your
FHE board is ready to be used. |
|
| Clothespin
FHE Board
What
You'll Need:
| • |
scrap
piece of ply wood (3/4 inch thick) 15 inches
x 5 inches |
• |
sealer |
| • |
wooden
clothes pins
|
• |
drill |
| • |
sandpaper |
• |
screws |
| • |
paint
and brushes |
• |
family
pictures |
|
| Step
by Step:
 (1)
Sand down any rough edges of your board and the
clothes pins.
(2)
Wipe off any dust and debris.
(3)
Paint the board anyway you would like. Paint the
clothes pins a contrasting color. Let dry. Spray
with gloss or matte sealer.
(4) Decide on the placement of your clothes pins.
(5)
Drill small holes through the board at your marks.
Screw through the back of the board and into the
thicker part of the clothes pin, above the hinge.
(6) Add a picture hanger on the back.
(7) Mount your family pictures on to cardstock,
or cardboard to give them some stiffness and place
in the clothes pins. |
|
| Felt
board FHE Board
| What
You'll Need:
| • |
felt
board |
• |
scissors |
| • |
felt
(various colors)
|
• |
pen |
|
| Step
by Step:
 By
using an old or unused felt board you can make a
fun simple FHE chart. Your family might enjoy putting
this together during a FHE.
(1)
Cut out body shapes for each family member. Design
and cut out clothes for each felt person.
(2)
Write down your FHE categories on pieces of scrap
felt and your FHE is ready to be organized. |
|
| Flower
Pot FHE Organizer
What
You'll Need:
| • |
inexpensive
flower pots (one for each FHE duty to assign) |
• |
paint |
| • |
Styrofoam
|
• |
construction
paper, cardstock, or fabric (to use as the petals
and leaves) or, use artificial flowers |
| • |
Spanish
moss |
• |
markers |
| • |
popsicle
sticks |
|
|
|
| Step
by Step:
(1)
Fill small, inexpensive flower pots with Styrofoam
Hot glue Spanish moss to the Styrofoam
(2)
Paint popsicle sticks green and add a leaf or two
out of foam, construction paper, cardstock, or fabric.
 (3)
Create flowers for the top of the stick using paper,
fabric or whatever you have on hand.
(4)
Write each family members name on the stem or the
flower, and on the flower pot write the FHE category
with a permanent marker or paint.
(5)
Stick the flowers in the pots.
You
could also use silk flowers for the pots. Each member
could have their own type of flower: Mom = rose,
Dad = tulip, etc.
Try
it with different items as well, like old forks.
What fun! |
|
|
Fabric
Pockets on Posterboard FHE Board
|
What
You'll Need:
| • |
posterboard
|
• |
hot
glue |
| • |
fabric
scraps
|
• |
markers |
| • |
iron |
• |
your
imagination |
|
|
Step
by Step:
(1)
Select the size of posterboard you would like. Pick
a colored piece or paint one any shade you would
like.
(2)
Decide what you will be using to slip into the pockets
to mark your family members. You can use pictures,
index cards, popsicle sticks, whatever pleases you.
After choosing your marker, measure the fabric out
one inch larger then your marker, on the bottom
and the two sides. Measure out about 1/4 inch larger
for the top. Be sure that you have measured so that
enough of your marker will be sticking out of the
top when finished.
(3)
Iron the edges of each pocket over 1/4 or an inch.
(4)
Hot glue each folded corner down to the back. This
makes it easier to glue and place on the posterboard.
(5)
Decide the placement of the pockets and mark if
needed.
 (6)
Add hot glue the edges on the back of the two sides
and bottom of your pocket and quickly place on the
posterboard. Make sure you leave the top unglued
and enough room to slip your marker into the pocket.
(7)
Paint , stencil or freehand the FHE category under
each pocket.
(8)
Create your markers and slide them into the pockets.
(9)
Hang on the wall.
You
could also create this project by sewing the pockets
onto a quilt back (as shown in the picture above),
instead of the posterboard. This is a more involved
project, but is much sturdier. |
|
| Stars
on Sticks FHE Board |
 |
What
You'll Need:
| • |
2
x 2 wood plank |
• |
wooden
stars, or other shape |
| • |
paint
and brushes |
• |
drill |
| • |
wood
dowels |
• |
hot
glue |
| • |
saw |
• |
permanent
marker |
|
|
| Step
by Step:
 (1)
Start with a two x two cut to the length you
want it. (The length will depend on how many
stars you need and how far you want them spaced
on the two x two.
(2)
Paint the two x two base.
(3)
Figure out placement and mark it on the base.
Use a drill bit that it just bigger than the
diameter of the dowels you have chosen. This
will make them easier to pull in and out of
the holes. Drill your holes.
(4)
Cut the dowels to lengths you want. They can
all be the same size or vary.
(5)
Paint the wooden stars or other shape that
you would like. If the wooden shape is chunky
enough, you may be able to drill a small hole
up the bottom of the shape. If not, lots of
hot glue will connect the shape to the dowel.
Glue it to the back and not the bottom.
(6)
Write family names on the stars and write
the category of FHE on the base. Seal with
gloss or matte sealer. |
|
|
| Found
Object/ Whimsical FHE Organizers
What
You'll Need:
| • |
old,
rusty rake |
• |
cookie
cutters |
| • |
fishing
line or ribbon |
• |
old
rolling pin |
|
| Step
by Step:
Try
looking around your home for objects to inspire
you. There is nothing that says you have to have
the same kind of FHE chart that everyone else does.
After all, your FHE is probably nothing like any
other families. Be unique and have fun!
Try
this whimsical idea.
(1)
Using a rusty old rake head, that has been cleaned.
(2)
Tie some fishing line or ribbon to a few cookie
cutters and loop them over the tines.
 (3)
Each tine or two can be for a different category
in your FHE. Label them with little hanging hearts
behind the cookie cutters.
(4)
Make each cookie cutter shape belong to a different
member of your family by labeling and your rake
is ready to hang.
(5)
Add something fun to the top like this old wooden
rolling pin.
Additional
ideas for fun, whimsical FHE organizers are these
wire hearts (seen above) hung on wire and "planted"
in a flower box. |
|
• • • • • • • • • •
|
Tips
for Easy Lettering
| Step
by Step:
Lettering
can be very intimidating to some. If you do not
feel comfortable doing your lettering freehand,
try the following method.
(1)
Use your computer in a word-processing or layout
program. Find the font you would like to use and
experiment with the size.
(2)
Print out the words/phrases you need.
(3)
Cut them out and place them on the project where
you need them. Make sure they are the right size
for the project.
(4) After finding the correct size and placement,
rub the flat of the pencil lead across the backside
of your lettering.
(5)
Place the lettering on your project and go over
the lettering. There should be a faint tracing on
the project when you are through.
(6)
Either paint right over the tracing or make it darker
by first tracing over the markings and then painting. |
|
• • • • • • • • • •
|
FHE
Board/Chart Categories
| Here
are some of the jobs and responsiblities that can
be assigned out to members of your family.
•
Opening Prayer
• Closing Prayer
• Music
• Snack/treat
• Game
• Activity
• Lesson
• Conducting
• Scripture
• Article of Faith
• Inspirational Thought
|
|
• • • • • • • • • •
|
Placement
| To
figure out the placement of knobs, pockets, clothespins,
etc. on your FHE projects you will need a ruler
or tape measure, a pencil and the item you will
be placing.
As
an example, if you need to place six knobs on a
board, you will need to measure the space you have
and divide by seven. Why seven and not six? There
are seven spaces between the six knobs you are using
--don't forget either end.
If
the board is 15 inches long, divide 15 by 7. You
will get 2 1/7. This is your measurement from the
edge of the board to your first knob, make a mark.
From the first mark measure 2 1/7 inches and make
another mark. Continue until you are finished.
When
you line up the knobs on the marks, you may need
to do some slight adjusting to make it look the
way you want it.
Always
check by placing the items on the board before attaching.
Measuring isn't always as accurate as you think
and sometimes it still looks funny when you are
accurate. Eyeball it to make sure it suits your
fancy. |
|
|
Playing
Dress up
by
Jennifer Slaugh, staff writer
Bringing
the scripture stories to life can be a real challenge, especially
with small children. One of the best ways to make a story memorable
is to have the children act out the stories. Basic costumes
can be fashioned with just some tape, construction paper, scrap
fabric, and a little imagination.
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
Two
Nephites (paper bag vests)
This costume allowed the kids to participate a little bit more
than the other ones. I showed them drawings of Nephites and
then cut the paper sacks into the shape of a vest. (Hint: The
bottom of the bag has a center piece where all the sides are
glued together. Try not to cut this piece out because the bag
will start to fall apart with this piece missing.) After I cut
the bags I gave them to the kids with markers and let them color
them any way they wanted. I used some scrap material for the
headbands, and they were set!
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
Nephites
and Lamanites
Kolby came up with his “skirt” by tying a blue pillowcase
around his waste. Levi saw what he had done, took a piece of
green fabric, and made him a loincloth. I guess it just goes
to show that all they need is a little guidance in the beginning
and then the kids will start to be creative on their own.
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
Nephite
Woman
This costume is just a sheet draped over the head for the covering
and then a red children’s robe. The drawing we were looking
at when we put the costume together has a woman with beads,
so Jasmyn found so play beads to wear. Holding this ceramic
pot she really looks like she could be a Book of Mormon character.
This costume would work for any scripture woman, either from
the Book of Mormon or from the Bible. It would make a good Esther
or Ruth costume when acting out those stories.
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
Lamanite
We put together this Lamanite “toga” with a white
sheet and some scraps of fabric. The headband is just a piece
of construction paper taped on. Levi really liked this outfit
and wouldn’t take it off for quite a while.
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
Jonah
This is the most basic of scripture outfits. Jasmyn is wearing
on of her dad’s shirts with a belt tied just lower than
her waist. A lot of the pictures we were using as a reference
had an outfit similar to this (see David.)
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
Goliath
Goliath’s entire outfit is made from construction paper.
We cut out the orange pieces for the skirt and he marked the
decorative circle on the bottom (the picture showed the skirt
with jewels there.) We taped the strips to his belt so that
it would stay on him. The armbands and headband are held on
with tape. The spear is a construction paper triangle taped
to the handle of a mop.
CLICK TO VIEW LARGER
David
David’s outfit is a striped T-shirt with a strip of cloth
serving as a belt and the headband. His sling is also just a
piece of fabric, but used properly it can sure sling that little
foam ball! David and Goliath had some great battles with the
cloth slingshot and the mop spear.
• • • • •
Fabulous
FHE Ideas
1.
Play age-appropriate board game (like Cranium, Monopoly, Operation,
Hungry Hungry Hippos, or Trival Pursuit) and have treats.
2. Watch a family movie and have treats.
3. Do a family project, like rake leaves, shovel snow, etc.
4. Play outside on the tree swing. Swing family members, pets,
etc., and take pictures. Then put the pictures on the computer
and edit them in fun ways.
5. Go for a drive and stop at a park. Take interesting pictures
along the way, and then do the same as above with the pictures.
6. Make a treat together. Even something as simple as air popcorn
is fun for a four-year-old.
7. Read together: the scriptures, the Friend, or a fun novel
like Harry Potter.
8. Go to a family movie together.
9. Play with the trains together or marble works.
10. Rubber stamp cards or make scrapbook pages together. Use
some fun pictures and clipart from the computer.
11.
Add a new category to the FHE rotation. Instead of only the
usuals-- song, prayer, lesson, refreshments-- add a new vocabulary
word category. Have someone be in charge of presenting a new
word and definition to the family. (Helps your vocabulary grow).
12. Invite the missionaries to your FHE. Is one of your children
approaching the age of eight? Have the Elder/Sisters come by
and teach your children about baptism.
13. Invite your neighbors or children's friends to join you
14. Go to the park, or plan a picnic and hike. Be sure to include
a lesson about nature, or the creation story.
15. Play 'spin the bottle' for an activity. Pick a different
activity for each spin. For example, the whoever the bottle
lands on has to...
•
Kiss mom
• Sing a song
• Stand on his/her head
16. Teach everyone how to lead the music.
17.
Check out Church videos from library.
18. Share your FHE with another family once and awhile. It is
fun to get together and learn from others.
19.
Play ultimate Frisbee, softball, or another team sport.
20. Have a cookie recipe exchange with other singles/families
in your ward. (Be sure to bring the cookies, too!)
21. Order pizza and watch NCAA playoffs or any televised sporting
event.
22.
Decorate cookies or cupcakes and take to others.
23. Have your own karaoke or lip-sink activity. You could even
dress up and make your own music videos.
24. Each person chooses a two minute clip from a movie and watch
all the little clips.
25. Go up canyon (or to the lake, countryside, etc.) and have
a bonfire. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows, play games, and
have music.
26.
Have a family track meet. Come up with events, such as 50-yard
dash, long jump, pull ups or flexed arm hang, vertical jump,
relay races, sit and stretch (how close can you come to touching
your toes). etc. You could even turn this activity into a cleaning
Olympics of sorts, having events that would help clean your
house, such as, toilet cleaning, vacuuming, and clothes-folding
races. Award homemade metals or ribbons to everyone for their
efforts.
27. Discuss the family's finances/budget. Draw up the the income
and expenses for the family. Have kids and adults discuss which
expenses are discretionary and mandatory. Have the family decide
on a budget together.
• • • • •
Fun
Ideas to
Do Each Week
Keep
minutes. This is a fun way of keeping track of your Family Nights
and is always a fun activity in itself to reread years later.
Discuss
family business or have a family council. Plan dinner, write
grocery list, discuss weekly activities, etc.
Add
a compliment section to your FHE. Have each family member compliment
another family member on something good they had done that week.
Learn
scriptures/Articles of Faith as a family each week.
Use
a dry erase or chalk board to illustrate the stories you tell.
• • • • •
Kids'
Lessons
Allow
your children to give the FHE lesson as often as possible, preparing
the lesson with minimal guidance from you. Your child will learn
more about the lesson topic and you will be pleasantly surprised
at how well they do on their own.
Older
children can talk about what they learned in Primary/YM/YW the
day before for a lesson.
• • • • •
FHE
Resources
The
Church has wonderful resources for families to use in preparing
FHE lessons. The Family Home Evening Resource manual, gospel
art kit, Church magazines (Ensign, Friend, New Era, Liahona,
etc), and Primary manuals all have very creative, fun and simple
ways of teaching children of all ages gospel principles.
If
you want to expand your circle of resources, many of the LDS
book stores carry supplemental resource books filled with games
and activities perfect for FHE lessons. Even some of the supplemental
primary resources can be easily adapted to work in a FHE situation.
These books and their contents can be pricey (in comparison
with using resources published by the church) since they usually
involve a significant amount of photocopying, coloring and laminating,
in addition to purchasing the resource book, in order to put
together each activity.
• • • • •
FHE
Resource Group
If
you are really struggling for FHE ideas, start or join a FHE
group with women in your ward or with your sisters and sister-in-laws.
First determine the FHE elements you want covered in each FHE
lesson -- song(s), lesson, story, activity, treat, etc -- this
may depend on the number of people in your group. Then pick
a FHE theme to build reach lesson around -- The 10 Commandments,
President Hinckley's 10 Virtues or 6/10 Be's, The Articles of
Faith, The Life of the Savior, etc. Assign each member of the
group one element of the FHE lesson - cycling through one commandment,
virtue, article of faith per month. Each member creates enough
copies of their element for each member of the group. At the
end of the month meet and exchange elements. In no time you'll
have a whole new packet of FHE ideas to share with your family. |
