Easter Break is here and I'm excited to be part of a mini Vacation Bible School my church is doing for one day this week.  It's called "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE" and is based on John 10 where Jesus tells us:

 

 "...and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10: 3-4

 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11

What a wonderful lesson to share with the little ones.  So, I volunteered for the drama part  and along with another person, we get to act out a few Bible stories centered around Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  I agreed to make props for the room and she is handling the story telling.  (little do they know how much I love to act and how much I love to set a stage)

Since this is a one day deal, no one was expecting too much as far as decorating and/or props and truthfully none are really needed.  God's Word stands alone and the kids will leave knowing how much He loves and cares for them.  They will hear his voice too!! 

Having said all that, we are going to perform a few skits so what's the harm in having a couple of  props?  Okay, I plan on transforming the room into a vivid pasture scene of green rolling hills with blue skies.  I want them to feel like they are sheep in the story so I plan to include sounds of sheep bleeting as they enter the room.  I expect this will make them giggle, but also capture their attention and prepare them for the message.

Already my kids are getting so excited as they watch paper and cardboard turn into murals and sheep pen's, etc.  The sheep pen is their favorite so far because it's interactive.  They can pet the fuzzy sheep and also get in the pen and hide. 

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Here is a tutorial on how to make one for yourself.  If time was not an issue, I would have double coated the paint and added some details like flowers and clouds, etc. but I'm happy with this as is for what we need it to do.

 Because we want to use materials we already have, I'm making scene setters for two walls using brown and white craft paper and finger paints.  Each scene will be 15' long by 6.5' high and consist of blue sky, hills and flocks of sheep.  I'm dividing it up into 5' sections because I don't have a lot of work space. 

 

If money is no object, you can purchase 4'X12' color paper rolls for $7.99 each at JoAnn's

 

Busy Kid's Paper Roll in Green Apple and cloud design at JoAnn Fabrics

 Or order scene setters. To save some time, I purchased this scene setter from Christian Bookstore.com which is 4' X 30' to cover up cabinets and a wall.  I plan on using light blue table clothes that I picked up at the $1 store for sky.  

A Beautiful Life

Ever since I heard the song A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, I've been wanting to try and use my slideshow program to create a short music video.  I will feature my kids.  This photo is inspiring the whole direction for the video...stay tuned....

 

Superhero Party Follow-up

Sorry I took so long to post anything.  Here is a slideshow I did to recap my kid's 5th birthday party.   

DIY Superhero Party on a Budget

So the twins are turning 5 this month and this year's event is going to be "Super!"  Since I didn't want to go with the typical superhero characters (i.e. Batman, Spiderman, Captain America, etc.) I decided to use primary colors and found a cute digital scrapbook kit called All American Superheros by Plum Dumpling  Designs.

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Here is the invitation I made in Photoshop using mostly the All American Hero kit.

Party Plan:

I have created a unique Superhero identity for each child including a hero name, super power, weakness, mode of transportation and emblem.  

When the kids arrive, they will each receive their own unique Superhero identity package which will include a customized felt mask, t-shirt with iron on emblem and matching cape. 

 A few cape design ideas I have for the kids.  I don't sew so I'm going to pick up some t-shirts and cut out the front and sleeves and then shape into a cape.  Then I'll use fusion web or hot glue gun to adhere felt emblem shapes.

They will change into their Superhero uniforms in the Big Red Phone Booth.  You can buy an authentic one from PartyPlanners.com  

This cardboard phone booth is $49 at partyplanners.com.  I'm going to make my own.

Next, kids will take photos.  One photo op area will be a cityscape made from cardboard boxes that I painted with primer paint and added post-it note windows.

Another area will let them lay above a city scape which will look like they are flying over it.  I think we'll turn on our large fan so their cape can move.  LOL.

Then they will be instructed to Save The City by coloring in a black/white cityscape.  I got the idea from Anders-Ruff Printable Parties.  You can order the design from her etsy shop and have it printed.  I'm on a diy budget so I plan on drawing my own cityscape on white poster boards with a black sharpie.

 While some kids are Saving The City, others will be getting in some Superhero Training in a 15 X 15 X 15 Bouncey House from Eastlake Bouncers.

Finally, kids will enter the Secret Superhero Hideout Liar.  I've primed large cardboard boxes that once held wood flooring.  They are now hanging on the wall and I've sketched out a large computer so far.  I'll be painting it this week and adding some 3d effects (christmas lights, foam squares, colorful sponges, slinky, rubik's cube, etc.)  The kids will eat their Wonder Dogs in this area along with other muchies that will Boost Energy, Build Muscles and Recharge Super Powers!!

Of course we will have a red phone for emergency calls to catch villians.

Other Props will include an incredibles red phone and Kryptonite under glass.  Got a kit that turns rocks into crystals that my kids will help me with this weekend.  A little glow in the dark paint and some black lighting and I'll have some Kryptonite!

I'll also have Super Hero Supplies.  I'm going to make my own graphics.  You can buy some fun supplies from The Super Hero Supply Store in NY.  Go figure...

Beatles and Batman Forever

As I'm waiting for my wall art to come back from the printers, I had to share this amazing creative work with you.  I cannot take the credit though.  Nope, this incredible art work was done with a Sharpie pen on a friends guitar.  What's even more incredible is the artist is a 14 year old girl.  The guitarist is a big fan of the Beatles and Batman.  Check out all the detail.  All I have to say is Wow!!!!

Bedroom Wall Art Project Continues

After going to Michael's and buying some fab 12 X 12 scrapbook papers, I decided I wanted to create my own look for my bedroom.  Instead of gluing on scrapbook papers, I'm creating my own papers, word art and effects in Photoshop. Here is a sneak peak at my idea board.  When I finalize my art, I will send them to Reedy Photo Process for professional printing. The next post will show it on my wall...

Scrappy Photo

My wall art project for my bedroom is in progress.  In the meantime, here is a little scrappy snack for ya.

I wanted to frame my daughter's ballet photo so I picked up a cute frame from Target.  Instead of a typical mat, I decided to use a piece of scrapbook paper as my background so I cut a 12 X 12 sheet down to 8 X 10 to fit the frame. 

Next, I cut a few more pieces of scrapbook paper in dark green and light green for emphasis and used sticky dots to stick it all together.  I was too lazy too cut out the mat so this was the next best thing.

Then I added some chipboard letters for a little more 3D UMPH!  This little beauty will be one of many pics on my stairwell photo gallery wall!