Paperback Pumpkins

 

Materials needed:

         *  Paperback book, any size (the more pages, the fuller the pumpkin – about 250 or 300 works well)

         *  Orange spray paint

         *  Scissors

         *  Pumpkin pattern 

         *  Cinnamon stick or twig (about 4” long)

         *  Green fabric strip for the leaves – 1-1/2” x 13”

         *  Hot glue gun

 

1.    Carefully remove the book cover.  (You can use it to make the pattern for your pumpkin). 

2.   Make the pattern for the shape and size pumpkin to fit your book.  Only make ½ of the pumpkin, as the book spine will be the middle of the pumpkin.

3.   Using the pattern, trace the pumpkin shape on the book and cut approximately 5 pages at a time.  Cutting more than 5 may cause your pumpkin to lose the shape you desire.  Repeat this process, cutting just inside the lines you draw each time so that each cutting will be approximately the same size (otherwise each cutting could be larger than the one before causing your pumpkin to be out of shape by the time you are done).  Repeat until the entire book is cut into the pumpkin shape.

4.   Gently bend the spine of the book a few pages at a time to fan it around into a circle.  Hot glue a dot on some pages to help them keep the pumpkin open in a round shape, if desired.

 

 

5.   Using the orange spray paint, lightly spray the edges of the book so you can see the color all around the pumpkin but the interior still shows the words of the book.  Let dry a few minutes.

6.   Hot glue the cinnamon stick or twig into the center of the top to form the stem of the pumpkin.

7.   Tie your green fabric on the stem to represent leaves.

 

 

The round Pumpkin Pattern is the one used at the Make 'n Take.  The others are variation ideas to spark your creativity.  

 

 

 

 

 

Our Make 'n Take was so much fun!



Our 2nd Annual Elkhorn Springs 1st Ward Relief Society Make 'n Take was a huge success.  We had a great turn-out of more than 35 sisters. 

 

We practiced our song for the November 18th Sacrament meeting, had drawings for those who had completed their Visiting Teaching in October, and had a wonderful dinner. 



 

Several sisters brought delicious homemade soups, and we had bread sticks from Olive Garden and veggies to snack on.  

 

After dinner, Brother May read the story of the Christmas Jar while we watched a slide show of pictures from the book.  Then we had the privilege of hearing from Bishop Morris.

 

Next, Theresa Cornwell gave us a demonstration on making pumpkin rolls.  Unfortunately, our photographer was cutting extra rolls for our dessert, and was not able to take photos.

 

We were able to work on several craft projects ~ Sammy Snowman made from a paving brick, the Harvest Banner with burlap flags, a Candy Bar Snowman made with a Hershey bar, a Small Sweet gift made with a pack of gum, and a Paperback Pumpkin from a book.  We also had the opportunity to make our own Christmas Jar, taste Russian Refresher Wassail Mix (and take one home), make up candy bags for military personnel as a service project, and exchange our slightly used home decor items for new ones. 

 

Many of the craft projects, as well as some alternatives, will be listed in the blog.  Just check out the links on the right side of this blog to go directly to the instructions and recipes you desire.  That way you won't have to scroll through the entire blog to find

what you are looking for. 

 

This entire evening was the culmination of many hands and hours.  Thank you to everyone who helped ~ from our nursery workers, to those who provided the soups, and to all who helped with the crafts, planning, program, decorating, set up and clean up.  It wouldn't have happened without all of you! 

THANK YOU!



We are ready for you!

Sisters, we are ready for you!  See you at 5 PM (or as soon as you can arrive) for a wonderful night of crafts, sisterhood, dinner and surprises!

Today is the Day!

Today is the day of the 2nd annual Elkhorn Springs 1st Ward Relief Society Make 'n Take.  Come at 5 PM (or as soon as you can get there) and stay until 8:30 PM.  Enjoy dinner and crafts and conversations.  Remember to bring your scissors, glue guns, your decorating exchange items and a sack lunch for each child that is going to play in the nursery.  We are so excited for this day!  See you then!

One day to the fun!

Only one day left until the ES 1st ward RS Make 'n Take!  Today is the "gathering" day ~ gather your scissors, glue gun, items for the Home Decor Exchange, and lunch sacks for each child that will be in nursery.  Put your child's name on the sack and pack the lunch, if possible. We will see you tomorrow at 5 PM! 

Two days to go!

Only two days until our Relief Society Make 'n Take!  Remember to plan a dinner for your hubby and the children you are not bringing to the nursery......  Shop for the goodies you want to put into the sack lunches for the children you are bringing to the nursery. Lots of fun awaits you on Thursday! 

Three days to the Make 'n Take Fun!

 
Are you ready?  Only three days until we have the Make 'n Take for Relief Society!  Lots of good things are in store for you!  Have you visited your sisters on your Visiting Teaching route this month?  (hint, hint)