It's Official, these are our crafts fo Midnight Madness!

Our Midnight Madness will be held on Friday November 4th.  The last day to sign up for projects is Sunday October 30th with the exceptions of the Vinyl countdown blocks and the Joy (with the bell)  Those need to be ordered and we need at least two weeks notice, so those cut offs will be Sunday, October 23rd! PLEASE NOTE Last day for ALL projects is Sunday, October 23rd!

The Hooded Towel Class taught by Hayley.  The class is free but you will need to bring your own supplies which are: A Bath towel, hand towel and wash cloth.  Also 3 yards of matching ribbon and thread.  If you have a sewing machine, please bring that as well, it will make the project go faster!

 The Countdown blocks.  We have two options, Birthday and Christmas.  The project fee is $7.00 and will be taught by Brittany. You will be using Modge Podge, paint and vinyl.  Note the earlier cutoff for sign-ups.  10/23/2011 is the last day to sign up for these two projects!

 The Simple Nativity, taught by Rose.  The fee is $4.25.  You will be painting sanding and gluing.  Super easy project!

 The Christ Book, is $11.00.  This includes a scripture and possibly a story, a song and/or picture for 17 topics.  As well as a CD of all the songs mentioned in the book.  It can be used as a countdown to Christmas or Family Home Evening throughout the year, or as a theme study on the Savior's life.

 Crochet Earrings (6 Pair) or Bracelets (2) for $3.30 includes a hook, for each additional set it is $1.10.  This class is taught by Camelia.  It is a beginning crochet class.  You do need to bring your own embroidery floss, one thing of floss will do one set of earrings or one bracelet. These were my first time ever crocheting bracelets.  I will take a picture of the ones Camelia did and update the blog.  They are beautiful!

 Oreo Cookie Pops taught by Teri.  It will be $.50 per pop.  It involves candy coating oreos.  Such a fun skill and even more fun is to make them into things like Mickey mouse or a mummy!

 Joy the teacher is yet to be decided.  The cost is $8.75.  This involves minor tracing and cutting, painting and Modge Podge. 10/23/2011 is the last day to sign up for this project!

I don't have a picture yet but we will also be doing a File Folder Games class.  This will be a little different because you will not finish this project that night.  You will get 8 games for $11.00 taught by Rebecca.  This includes Velcro, the games printed on Card stock and a file folder.  You will have two weeks to color, cut and paste.  Then on Wednesday November 16th, return them to April and she will take them to Lakeshore Learning and have them heat laminated and returned to you on the following Sunday.

Also not pictured are a few quiet books.  A gospel ABC book, a Book of Mormon Book and a We Believe book, that shares gospel principles.

Midnight Madness Craft Planning

Here are some ideas we were thinking about for our Midnight Madness being held Friday November 4th.  There are bigger pictures and links to the activities below the poll.  Please feel free to add your own ideas as well.  Also when voting consider time and cost.  I am allowing you to vote for 4 projects so take the time and consider which projects you will truly do.  We are looking to narrow it down to 7 projects.

I had to reset the votes because it only allows you to vote one time.  So click all of your votes then submit, you will not be able to vote again.  I apologize for the confusion.

Menu Board

    http://www.domessticated.com/2010/11/magnetic-menu-board-my-dos-donts.html this one could be pricey maybe $20-25, (Frame, Magnetic paint paper, magnets for menu items)  Some one suggested it be used for an activity/clanedar planner, so if meal planning is not your thing, there maybe other uses!

Temple/Clock picture board could be as much as $40 we are trying to work out some copyright isuues that would make it cheaper.

Countdown Blocks-can make it for Birthday and Christmas? $11 includes paper and glue.

http://www.poppyseedprojects.com/Kit/Blocks/count-down-white-vinyl

Simple Nativity

http://learning-to-b-me.blogspot.com/2010/08/flags-and-more-wood.html scroll down to nativity.  Maybe $5.00

Wreath

http://teachcraftlove.blogspot.com/2010/06/front-door-wreaths_22.html with 1 letter we can probably do it for $15) We can either do fabric flowers or Silk flowers

Christbook

http://www.sewdangcutecrafts.com/2010/12/christ-book.html This is a great family gift for parents to children.  It is a countdown/study to Christmas.  I am thinking it could be about $15.  (It includes a binder, 40 page protectors, a song, story, picture and scripture for 17 themes (the entire picture packets for the primary manuals 1 and 2, some of which will be used for the binder the rest can be put in a FHE file or something)

Headbands-simple sewing project (must bring sewing machine)

$2.00 or have them buy their own supplies, thread, fabric and elastic. http://www.happytogethercreates.com/2011/07/double-sided-fabric-headband-pattern.html

Class one of the following

• pie making-crust? Then we can bake them and serve for dessert that evening.
• Gifts in a Jar
• Truffle Making, serve them for dessert for the evening

Any additional thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

K.I.S.S.

The rest of the projects.

Temple Block $2.00 payable to April Jacobs.  YOu will have a choice of "Families are Forever" or "I am going there someday"  You will get to paint the block, then Modge Podge to put the picture on the block and tie a ribbon.

Project Display Board $2.75 payable to April Jacobs.  This fabric is applied to the wood using Modge Podge.  We will also Modge Podge fabric to the clothes pins and embellish with ribbons and buttons.  You can make the labels say what ever you prefer.  The fabric shown will be provided (at no charge), if you would like something to match your own color scheme feel free to bring it.  Scraps will work for the clothes pins, and the main piece of fabric should measure 22" x 11."  Black Ribbon and black and white buttons will also be provided.

 

Christmas Card $0.75 payable to Olive Barnes.  All supplies will be provided.

Savior Ornaments $3.00 each payable to Natalie Jacobsen.  Pictures are printed on transperancies and you will cut out and put inside the ornament.  Then you can embellish the top to your liking.  Please bring good paper scissors.

Ribbon Bookmarks this is a free class provided by Teri Rossi.  Ribbons, buttons, silk flowers or other embellishment donations appreciated.

A gift Basket Sample There will be a demonstration provided by Darlene Loving and Kathy Clark.  They will show you how to design a gift basket.  There is a list of supplies if you would like to bring your own items, they will help you assemble your basket.  There are item suggestions for a spa basket and a baby basket.  The supplies for the spa basket totaled less than $28.00 and the baby basket was less than $20 although I can't recall the exact amount.

Pillowcases for our service projects.  This is a no charge activity.  Although we will accept material donations.  If you would like to bring your own sewing machine, please feel free.  All pillowcases will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House through the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge.  YOu cna find more about this here.

Knitted Baby Hats This is another free humanitarian project.  These hats will either be donated to a local hospital or to the Church Humanitarian Project.  We will use Medium Round Looms, if you have one that you would like to bring feel free to bring it.  Just make sure to label it.  We have lots of plain yarn to use up! 

 

I hope you will be able to find a project or two to do.  There are lots of fun things, but if crafting is just not your thing, please come and visit with your fellow sisters and cheer them on in learning a new skill.  Dinner should be awesome  and there will be door prizes too!  Who doesn't like to win something!

Midnight Madness

Just a quick overview...

You are invited

Midnight Madness:

A Night of Crafts and Laughs

will be held on 

Friday October 8th from 6:00pm to Midnight.

There will be lots of options, from demonstrations, crafts for all skill levels, freebies and service projects.

Dinner will be served at 6:00pm

We will also be doing door prizes, so please bring something that you would like to gift to a sister.  In going with the theme we ask that it be homemade.  So whatever your strength, baking, cooking, paper-crafting, fabric, yarn, decoupage...anything, just something that you made.

Scroll down to see pictures and scroll even further down to see all the information!

Pictures of Classes

Here are the first batch of pictures...more to come.

Homemade Salt Scrub and Lip Balm.  That will be $3.00 payable to Misty Muhlestein. 

Felt ornaments.  You can do up to 3 free, and then pay for 3 more at 0.25 each.  Checks payable to Camelia Bradshaw. (Please let her know how many you will want.)

There will be a demonstration class using Royal icing.  If you would like to try it it will be $0.50 per cookie. That includes ribbon and a bag.  Checks Payable to April Jacobs. (Stand not included.)

Personalized Soap Dispenser.  Checks payable to Joy Muhlestein.  It will have words as well as the last name of your choice.

FHE Activity Board.  $15.00 payable to Christina Ballin.  This Board will vary in font.  Also in the sample the assignments are painted ours will be vinyl!.  You can paint the background any color you want.

Nativity Blocks  $40.00 payable to Joy Muhlestein.  These will include lights inside.  They are absolutely beautiful!

Picture Cube $5.00 payable to Christina Ballin.  Please bring 4 to 6 pictures that are 3.5" square.  The block can be painted any color you wish.

Pot Holders $0.50 payable to Joann Carney plus you will need to bring 1 yard of *Homespun Fabric* which is about $4-5/yard.  The one on the left is washed, the one on the right is prewashed.

Left is a customized onesie.  There will be a few options. $2.75 payable to April Jacobs.  It will be a short sleeved onesie. Top middle is the Reindeer Poop Dispenser (Whoppers) $2.75 payable to Camelia Bradshaw. On the right are children's ties $0.50 payable to April Jacobs for the elastic.  You will also need to bring a man's tie, which can make up to two smaller ties.  I was able to do a 13" and a 10" out of one tie.

Scalloped Tote $7.00 payable to Joy Muhlestein.  All will be provided.  If you have a sewing machine, please bring it.

The following projects will have pictures soon...
Temple Block
Project Display Board
Christmas Card
Savior Ornaments
Ribbon Bookmarks

A gift Basket Sample

Pillowcases for our service projects
Knitted Baby Hats (If you have a Medium Round Loom please bring it!

Want to Put a Midnight Madness kit together...Don't forget to bring the following tools as needed...paper scissors, fabric scissors, Rotary Cutter, Self Healing Mat, Exacto Knife...  Also don't forget to label EVERYTHING you bring!

Thank you Jen for the pictures!

Midnight Madness information

Below you will find printable lists for Midnight Madness. It will be a combined event with Concord 2nd. We are really excited to have the opportunity to meet some new sisters! The first is a summary list of the activities that will be available. We have varying types of crafts as well as demonstrations, freebies and two service projects. The classes will start according to the schedule below. The teachers will only be at their station at the scheduled time. We want them to have fun too. You can come to get the instruction then go to another project and come back when you are ready.

Please remember, checks are payable by Sunday September 26th. This allows plenty of time for the teacher to collect the supplies. Note that you may not be writing the check to the teachers so please read carefully.

Midnight Madness Activity List

Midnight Madness Schedule

Feeling the love

Themed cooking night.  This happens every other month.  We will pick a theme and bring a prepared recipe to share.  The recipes will then be posted on this blog.  The recipes that were shared are as follows:

Bruschetta brought by Michelle Rockwood

One baguette

4 medium roma tomatoes
6-8 fresh basil leaves
1-2 Garlic cloves, cut in half
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt/Pepper

Dice up your tomatoes. Put in medium bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. About 1 1/2 tablespoons or so. I like to add a little balsamic vinegar to mine also. Finely chop your basil. Add to tomatoes. Stir together. Let sit while preparing bread.

Cut baguette on the diagonal so that your pieces are a little bit bigger. Warm up your frying pan with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add as many bread slices as you can. Let them get nice and golden brown. Once you take your bread pieces off the frying pan, rub the garlic into the bread. This will give you a nice garlic flavor, but will not overpower the wonderful tomatoes.

Cinnamon Love Knots brought by Hayley Cook
Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

TOPPING:
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add milk, butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Stir in enough flour to form a stiff dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; divide into three portions. Cover two with plastic wrap. Shape one portion into 12 balls. Roll each ball into an 8-in. rope. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip rope into melted butter, then coat with cinnamon-sugar. Tie into a knot. Tuck and pinch ends under and place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 3 dozen.
 
Lasagna brought by Olie Chavez
Lasagne noodles, cooked per directions

Red sauce with oregano, salt, pepper, grilled onions, garlic, homemade or from a jar
4 boiled eggs, mashed a bit
Package of frozen spinach added at the end of cooking sauce, or fresh spinach
Mozzarella cheese

Put some sauce at bottom of lasagne pan, noodles, layer with sauce, boiled egg and cheese ending with sauce and a layer of cheese on top. I like to cover my lasagne so it doesn't dry out the noodles while baking. 400* 20 minutes or until bubbly.

 
Oreo Cookie Pops brought by April Jacobs
One Package of Double Stuf Oreos
One bag of Melting Chocolate (I used white witha little red)
Candy sticks
 
Pull cookies apart
Melt Chocolate in double boiler (Or pot with hot water and a glass bowl)
Dip stick in melted chocolate and press gently into creme filling, replace top of cookie.  Continue with the rest.
Place cookie pop in chocolate and spoon chocolate around the cookie.  Pull up with a slotted spoon and lett excess chocolate run off.  Tap on side of bowl for a smooth finish. let harden on wax paper.  Decorate while the chocolate is still soft, with sprinkles, or mores drizzled chocolate.

Recipes from Cooking Group

Our theme this time was Autumn. Thank you to those who showed up. It was fun to sit and chat as well as get to know some of you sisters a little bit better. I didn't do sign ups but it turned out we had 1 soup, 1 side dish, 1 main dish, and 1 dessert. Here are the recipes. I meant to take pictures but forgot, you will have to take my word for it, it all looked good and tasted better.

Corn and Bacon Chowder
Brought by: Evelania Moser (Olie Chavez' daughter)

5 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, halved and sliced (like red onion)
2 cups milk
2 cups frozen corn
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup diced potatoes (I unusually use red potatoes and more than 1 cup)
1/4 tsp. black pepper

In large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and drain bacon on paper towels. Leave 2 tbsp of the bacon drippings in saucepan. Cook onion rings in reserved bacon drippings until tender. Stir in milk, soup, corn, potato and pepper. Bring to a boil. reduce heat, simmer uncovered 2-3 minutes, Remove from heat.

Top individual servings with crumbled bacon.

Makes 4-6 servings...so they say, I like to double the recipe.
Taken from the book 365 Ideas for Dinner

Green Beans with Garlic
Brought by Rosa Young
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Serves: 8

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (14 oz) can 99% fat free chicken broth
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2lb. fresh green beans, cut into pieces
6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

1. In saucepan place olive oil and butter over medium heat; add garlic and onion. Cook and stir constantly until tender, about 3 minutes.

2. Add chicken broth, sugar and pepper to taste. Bring to boiling; add green beans. Return to boiling, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until beans are tender.

3. Meanwhile prepare bacon. Place cooked beans in serving dish and top with crumbled bacon. serve hot.

Thanksgiving Wreath
Brought by April Jacobs Here is a video of one.

2 tubes of crescent roll
1 9 oz package turkey deli meat
1/2 can whole cranberry sauce
1 can cream of Chicken soup
1 cup shredded Mozzarella
1 package stove top stuffing prepared as directed.

Roll out crescent roll triangles. lay them in a circle so the short side over laps half way and the long part points out, continue in a circle. When done you should have a circle in the middle about a 2.5 inch solid crescent ring then the points of the crescent roll pointing outwards. (That is the hardest part of the dish!). Mix soup and cheese.

Layer lunch meat, followed by cranberry sauce, kind of like jam on bread. Spread soup and cheese mixture next. Top with prepared stuffing. I used about 1/2 to 2/3 of the box.

Take each point and wrap over the top and tuck under. Continue around circle. When mine was done the lunch meat ended up being kind of like a boat hold the stuff in while the crescent rolls braced the sides. Hopefully that makes sense.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes

Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Roll
Brought by Rachel Cottam
serves 10

3/4 c. Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup solid- pack canned pumpkin

1 cup walnuts, chopped.

1. Preheat oven 375. Grease 15"x10"x1" jelly roll pan. Line with parchment paper; grease and flour parchment paper.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg & salt. Set aside.
3. Beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until thick and fluffy. Beat in pumpkin. Stir sifted dry ingredients into mix. Pour into prepared pan; spread evenly. Sprinkle with nuts.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until center springs back when touched.
5. Loosen cake edges. Invert onto a clean damp towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peal off parchment paper. Trim 1/4" from all sides. Roll up cake and towel together from short side. Place seam down on wire rack; cool completely.

Filling:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese
6 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Unroll cake. Spread with filling then re roll. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

A link to check out

Misty Muhlstein in our wad has a website and wanted to get the word out. It is like a craig's list with an LDS focus. Check it out.

www.beehivelist.com

Midnight Madness!

This event will take place...

Friday, October 10th

6:30pm at the Dekinger Chapel

Dinner, desert, crafts and friends, what more could you ask for?

Midnight Madness

Temple Frame
Cost: $4
Taught by: Sister

Handmade soaps & Etched "Be Clean" Jar
Cost:
Taught by: Sister Smith
Aprons
Cost: $2
Taught by: Sister Evans
Halloween Water Bottles
Cost:
Taught by: Sister Barnes
Holiday Candy Holders
Cost: .75 each
Taught by: Sister Barnes
Give Thanks Blocks
Cost: $10
Taught by: Sister Romer
Boo Halloween Blocks
Cost: $6
Taught by: Sister Romer
Button Necklace
Cost: $4
Taught by: Sister Smith
Stamped Family Frame
Cost: $2
Taught by: Sister Jacobs
Barrettes
Cost: $5 for 6
Taught by: Sister Lopez

Playgroup

We will plan on meeting on Fridays at 11:30. We will go to the same park for the entire month. Clayton has some awesome parks I am concerned with getting pack in time to pick up siblings so if time is an issue we may change these parks to a more centrally located park.

I will try to get evites out the week before potlucks so we don’t have 12 people bring crackers.

If you have any other questions or suggestions please feel free to contact me, I love input and want this to be fun for you and your child too.

2008-2009 SCHEDULE
September-Library Park
12th Back to School potluck

October- Concord Neighborhood Park
31st – Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch

November-Concord Community Park (Cowell Park)
21st-Thanskgiving Potluck

December- Let’s not plan playgroup this month but do a Christmas potluck on the 12th of December at the Denkinger Chapel unless someone wants to have it at their house.

January-Dependant on Weather Pleasant Hill Community Park/Denkinger Chapel

February-Clayton Park “The Grove” in the Heart of Clayton
13th- Valentine Potluck

March – Hillcrest Park
13th- Extreme Green Potluck

April – Brazil Quarry Park
10th- Easter Egg hunt

May – Clayton Community Park (Regency Drive Clayton)
8th- Mother’s Day Potluck Let’s not be humble and celebrate ourselves!

Upcoming Events

Friday July 4th
9:00 a.m. (Meet at the flagpole)
Pancake Breakfast with Concord II Ward

Summer Field Trips

We are going on field trips to keep the kids busy during the Summer. We are going every Wednesday. Times will be different for each trip.

Here are the upcoming plans. Contact April Jacobs with any questions:

June
25th: Oakland Center for Art & Science
Cost: Free
Details:
Junior Center of Art and Science
Lakeside Park
558 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610

Directions:
Take I-680
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Oakland/San Jose/I-680 S and merge onto I-680 S 3.5 mi
Take the exit onto CA-24 W toward Oakland/Lafayette 13.6 mi
Take the exit onto I-580 E toward Hayward 1.9 mi
Take the exit toward Grand Ave 0.1 mi
Merge onto MacArthur Blvd 423 ft
Turn right at Grand Ave 0.6 mi
Turn left at Bellevue Ave

July
2nd: San Francisco Zoo
Cost: Bridge free for carpool/Admission Free (Parking $$)

9th: Old Borges Ranch (Walnut Creek)
Cost: Free

16th: Pacifica Beach
Cost: Bridge free for carpool/No additional cost

23rd: Tilden Park (Oakland)
Cost: Free

August
6th: San Francisco Exploratorium (If we have a group of 10 or more we need a reservation.)
Cost: Bridge free for carpool/Admission Free (Parking $$)

13th: Fortune Cookie Factory (Oakland)
Cost: $1 (includes a bag of fortune cookies)

20th: Oakland Zoo
Cost: Parking $6, Admission* 2-14=$6.00, >14=9.50
*If we do a reservation with more then 12 paying the cost will be 2-14=4.50, >14=5.50

Playgroup

We meet every Friday around 12:00 to let the kiddos play and Mommies talk.

Here are our upcoming dates:

June
27th: Clayton Park (Water Park)

July
4th: Happy Fourth! (No Park Date)
11th: Osage Park-Danville (Water Park)
18th: Brazil Quarry Park, Potluck (No Bathrooms)
25th: Hillcrest Park (Water Park)