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Manufacturer - Primary Song Sing • Along Quilt Panel

4/24/2015

2 Comments

 
Have you ever sat to sing songs with your (grand)kids and only remember a handful of those songs. I know just about all the Primary songs (Primary Chorister, favorite calling in the world!) but I still couldn't manage more than a few in the moment. Being a problem solver (ie: creative) I came up with this idea and designed it. A Primary Song Sing • Along Quilt. It's a quilt I can pull out that has over 50 songs listed on it. There'll never be a lull again. I can't make you all quilts but I can sell the fabric panel so you can make your own. 
LDS NEST Primary Songs Sing • Along Quilt Panel
Primary Songs Sing • Along Quilt Panel • Enlarge to See the Songs • Click Above
So that's what I've put in our Etsy Shop - Primary Song Sing•Along Fabric Panel.
LDS NEST Primary Song Sing • Along Quilt Fabric Panel
Singing the songs are so important for teaching the gospel. I think this is what I'm going to be giving to each of my grandkids when they're born. But I could see it being used as a babysitter blanket, wall hanging, singing time bean bags (cut down smaller), or pillowcase. 
What would you make out of the Primary Song Sing • Along Quilt Fabric Panel?
Shannon Christensen LDS NEST
2 Comments

BUSY GOOD LEARNING & YW CAMP CRAFTS

3/10/2015

4 Comments

 
There's busy good and there's busy bad. I consider learning to be one of the busy goods and I've been on a streak lately. 

• I've learned how to do editable PDFs (still working on being quick at it) which many of you have asked about and will be very cool to add to some of my future downloads. 

• I've learned some and continue to learn about surface design. They're a couple of fabric projects that I did months ago that I'm so excited about sharing with you. (I'll post soon)

• Being an artist as well, I'm learning how to take my hand drawings and make it into digital artwork. Then I can use it for so many things, some of which will make it here to LDS NEST. Plus I've gone a totally new creative direction with Shannon's Studio which has caused me to rework my brand and website. All the new things will be up in about a month. Sooner I hope. 

• Plus I'm doing a little website housecleaning here too. (Which I would love to know what you like best about LDS NEST. Or maybe you'd like to see.) 

• Then the best good busy news for us as a family is that our youngest son Wade got his mission call yesterday. We love Utah and lived there for 15 years. In fact, until about 5 years ago the St. George Mission used to be in the Provo Mission where we lived. (We moved to Missouri about 7 years ago.) Being born and raised in Provo Wade said it feels like coming home. 
Wade K. Christensen Mission Annoucement, St. George Utah
Because of all my new learning I haven't finished anything for LDS NEST lately so I went back through my files and found a camp craft I haven't shared with you. It's a flower clip and the gift download is here. You'll find photo instructions and supplies list. We gave this to the YCLs and they taught it to the girls.
DIY Fabric Flower Craft with photo instructions
As I was looking through things I couldn't find another camp craft that I thought I posted. I'm sure I posted it but figured if I couldn't find it then maybe you wouldn't be able to either. So, I'm re-posting that too. That gift download is here.
DIY Felt Bird Craft with photo instructions
Well, that's just a little update of my good busy life. How's yours going?
Shannon Christensen for LDS NEST
4 Comments

MATE • Valentine's Day Word Search for Your Perfect Match

1/31/2015

1 Comment

 
Perfect Match Anniversary Word Search
Gift I gave the Boyfriend about 15 years ago
About 15 years ago, before chalkboards were hip, I made an Anniversary Chalkboard Word Search for my Perfect Match. It took a couple of versions before I got it right and was a lot of work. This Valentine's Day I decided to offer an easy version to download. Print, cut, frame, and give. Way less work than I originally went through. You can find it here. Our shop is here.
Valentine's Day Project • DIY Word Search • Perfect Match (Print • Cut • Frame • Give)
8"x 8" and 5"x 5" Download Found in our Etsy Shop
If framed with glass then it can be used with a dry erase marker and reused. 
Valentine's Day Project • DIY Word Search • Perfect Match (Print • Cut • Frame • Give)
For your Perfect Match get our download or make one of your own. 
Happy Love Month.
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1 Comment

MANUFACTURER • Thanksgiving Sign - DIY Download

11/25/2014

0 Comments

 
Here's a link to our Thanksgiving sign post from last year. If you'd like the download go here.
DIY Thanksgiving sign • Free Download
Happy Thanksgiving from us to you!
0 Comments

MANUFACTURER • DIY Young Women Lighted Torch Tabletop Decoration

11/9/2014

0 Comments

 
If you're looking for a tabletop or buffet table decoration for your YWIE or NB then here's a DIY Lighted Torch that just might do the trick. I made 2 of them and I've used them several times. 
DIY • YW Lighted Torch #LDS #YW #LDSYW
DIY • YW Lighted Torch #LDS #YW #LDSYW
DIY • YW Lighted Torch #LDS #YW #LDSYW
I enlarged the YW Torch image to about 15". Then I used a carbon sheet to trace the pattern onto the masonite board. I used a drill to make holes into each section to be cut out. Then I used my handheld jigsaw to cut out the design. These are painted white, though they could be painted the value colors if there're 8 of them.

Next, I bought small battery operated lights (very handy so I don't have to mess with finding a plug and having an extension cord), and hot glued (low melt) them onto the back of the board. I made sure the lights were visible from the front side and that the placement was staggered. And lastly, I took a tie wrap and tied all the loose wires from view. 

The masonite torch slides in and out of the approximately 1" x 3" base board. Using a table saw, cut a channel the same thickness as the masonite board. With this base, no glue is needed and it pulls apart so it stores away nicely.

The little holes seen at the end of the boards are for dowels to slide into. Flags, bandanas, buntings or anything can be put on a dowel and slid into the holes. This makes it versatile.
DIY • YW Lighted Torch #LDS #YW #LDSYW
Enlarge Torch • Trace Torch & Cut Masonite • Paint • Hot Glue Battery Operated Lights • Tie Wrap Loose Ends
Good luck on your upcoming Young Women In Excellence and New Beginnings. 
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0 Comments

MENTOR • How to make Service Message Youth Videos

10/9/2014

0 Comments

 
Back in July we had Youth Conference. In that post I mentioned that we did service videos but couldn't share them because they weren't edited yet. Well, now they are! Our Stake had a premiere night to show them to the youth. We did a red "carpet", awards, paparazzi, and dressed up. Here are photos from that night.
DIY How to Make Service Message Youth Videos & Premiere Night
DIY How to Make Service Message Youth Videos & Premiere Night
Here's how we did our backdrop. 
RED CARPET • Red plastic table cloth on a roll
ROPE • Red cording by the yard, pvc pipe spray painted gold, mason jars filled with sand to hold them up
BACKDROP • (2) 4' x 8' masonite boards painted in chalkboard paint
ANGEL ICON • Cut a stencil, use yellow chalk to stencil the icon on
Here are the videos.
#LDSMakeYourMark  #ShareGoodness
#LDSRealMen  #ShareGoodness
#LDSTrueBeauty  #ShareGoodness
#LDSMusicMovesMe  #ShareGoodness
I was in charge of the overall project so I thought I'd share how we went about doing it incase you want to try. We did four for our stake but I would recommend doing one on a ward level.
1) Have a message that you want to share
2) Have some guidelines as adult leaders. These were some of ours
        • to use the youth as much as possible, especially in the video
        • have a point/message to it
        • have the youth part of something bigger than they are
        • done so it won't be lame :)
              (don't have youth speak or act much, keep it simple)
3) Have some conceptual idea how you want it to video tape it. Copy other's ideas with variation. For example
        • Make Your Mark was based on the video Flourish by 
           Dana Tanamachi-Williams
        • True Beauty & Real Men were based on this video An       
           Experiment in Words
(or 36 Smiles) from the Pleasant     
           Grove Utah Mount Mahogany Stake 4th Ward
        • Get approval of the concept summaries
4) Make a committee
         • Ours included Stake Youth (SYC youth), Stake YWYM Presidency       
          members, and Specialists
          • Have youth go over video concepts and make changes, suggestions, 
          and/or other ideas
          • Re-write concept summaries and get approval
5) Get Specialists. These had to be skill specific. Meaning they had to be 
            artistic, conceptual thinkers, or have video/editing skills. It would 
            have been nice to have all professionals but that's usually not the 
            case in the church for projects like this. This is a large project that  
            requires Approve and call specialists.
          • Make Your Mark - construction crew (chalkboard), design,  
            videographer, video editor
          • True Beauty - Materials, videographer, video editor
          • Real Men - Props, videographer, video editor
          • Music Moves Me - transportation, music, talent, videographer, 
           video editor
6) Meet together as a whole. There's a lot of moving parts/people here so the sooner you can meet all together the better. The truth is, this didn't happen for some groups until the morning of. 
7) Video tape. We used a 3 hour block of Youth Conference to video tape. Every group (approx 220 total youth) worked at the same time. Before taping, we had a speaker for each group (except Music) talk about the topic for 15 minutes to set the tone and share the idea. Video tapping was a one shot deal so we had 2-3 videographers for each video. 
8) Edit video. This is basically a one person job. This is where your conceptual idea has to have been communicated clearly since it's this person who will ultimately pick and choose what goes into the video. Some or parts of our videos didn't turn out the way the committee had intended. Communication is key but even then sometimes things just work out differently than planned. Stake YWYM leaders did an initial viewing with recommended changes.
9) Final Approval. Our Stake Presidency had final approval and recommendations before the youth viewed them. 
10) Be realist, gracious, and thankful. Remember we all do this for free. Usually we don't actually know what we're doing. Being realist (for the planned and unplanned), gracious (accepting what people can/can't do), and thankful (that it came together at all) to all who help.
This video project was out of a lot of youth and leader's comfort zones. It's hard to say how things you've never done will turn out. The uncertainty adds anxiety. Hopefully these steps will help keep the stress level low. This is a project that I would do again.

I think this is a new face for service. It's not the traditional shovels and rags but a lot of work nonetheless. Which translated into 15,000 Facebook views for about the first week. Not bad for a bunch of mostly amateurs.
One last thing - CELEBRATE at a Premiere Night.
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0 Comments

MANUFACTURER • Create Your Own Flyers

8/26/2014

0 Comments

 
Just a quick post. I have to do flyers periodically for activities. A flyer is just a little more eye catching if an image added. You can download these blank flyers by clicking the images below. It'll take you to our download page. Then add your own content. Another way we make your life a little easier.
 Flyer example DIY Blank Flyer Download
CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR LINK TO DOWNLOAD BLANK FLYER
 Flyer example DIY Blank Flyer Download
CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR LINK TO DOWNLOAD BLANK FLYER
Here's a link to the previous post about our DIY blank flyers.
Blank Flyer DIY Download
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR DOWNLOAD PAGE
Blank Flyer DIY Download
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR DOWNLOAD PAGE
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0 Comments

MESSENGERS • Service Message Videos for Youth Conference

7/20/2014

0 Comments

 
Here are a couple of photos from our Stake's Youth Conference the last couple of days. This first one is of Wade (son and brother) and his t-shirt design. He did it himself and you can read more about it here. Love this kid.
Wade Christensen Youth Conference T-shirt Design
Wade and his Youth Conference T-shirt Design
Second is a photo from one of our service projects. I don't know about your stake but our youth are super fast at service projects and we often have a hard time finding something that will fit our 3 hour time frame that involves our 200 youth. (If you have any good ideas, share them with us below.) This year our stake decided to broaden our service project vision. We did the filming for 4 Service Message Videos at youth conference. One of the videos involves this 24' x 8' chalkboard near our stake center and Kansas City Temple.
Liberty Missouri Stake Youth Conference  Service Message Video Preview Shot #ldsmakeyourmark  #ldsmusicmovesme  #ldstruebeauty  #ldsrealmen
Liberty Missouri Stake Youth Conference Service Message Video Preview Shot #ldsmakeyourmark
I think this video (#ldsmakeyourmark) had about 75 youth with scriptures that inspired them and their testimonies. The other videos involve music (#ldsmakeyourmark), beauty (#ldstruebeauty) and manhood (#ldsrealmen). I'm not going to say much more about it. Except I'm very excited about them (though there was a lot of uncertainty in the project until we did it) and to share them with you. You'll have to watch for the videos in September.

What do you think of our Service Message Videos idea?
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PS You might even see one of Alisha's boys - my grandson - in one of them.
0 Comments

MORALIST • Compliment Kit Craft Remix

7/10/2014

6 Comments

 
We've been having a terrible time with our download site (ge.tt). It's a free service so we can't complain much but it's frustrating. For you and us. It's been down on and off for the past month and many of you have tried to download our nestibles and haven't been able to. Some of you have emailed us to ask for files and we try to get back to all of you. (Sorry if we've missed someone.)

The nice thing about the download mess is that we get to meet some of you, Nesties, through email. One such person is Janelle J. She emailed about some files and said she was doing them for YW. She had a great idea that we have to share.
Compliment Kit DIY Download  • LDSNESTCompliment Kit Link
If you've been around LDS NEST you know about our Compliment Kits. The first file had over 3000 downloads and the new one put up a couple of weeks ago has a few hundred. A few of you like it.

Janelle liked it and did the Compliment Kits with her YW. But, the fabric covering was going to be trickier than she wanted to do so she came up with an alternative. Duct Tape Covered Tins. Genius easy. I asked for a photo and her's turned out so cute that I asked if I could share it with you. She kindly said yes.


If you're looking for a craft remix, a different way to cover your tins, besides fabric this is one way to go. I'm going to try it for my next ones.

Thanks Janelle!!
Compliment Kits by Janelle J.
Photo Janelle J.
Do you have any photos of your Compliment Kits you want to share? Share them on our Facebook page.
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6 Comments

MANUFACTURER • Candy Bar Wrapper YW Thank You Gift 

7/2/2014

0 Comments

 
Candy Bar Wrapper Thank You • DIY Download
Click on Image Above for Download Page
Our YW Camp and 4th Year Adventure are done for the year. (On to Youth Conference!) Camp always requires so many people's effort. And it's all volunteer as you know. Our Stake likes to show a little love and appreciation even for the smallest of services. This is a little Thank You Gift that we gave out this year. It was super fast and super easy. (Think of me, my paper cutter and double-sided tape standing at the back of my car.) 
“It has been said that when Heavenly Father wishes to bless us, he often sends that blessing through the service of another—a friend, a parent, a Church leader, a teacher. Expressing appreciation to these agents of the Lord’s love accomplishes two important things: 
it reminds us of the kind and thoughtful service they have given us, and 
it knits our hearts together.”

Carolyn Wright, The Thankful Heart,  March 1994


Candy Bar Wrapper Thank You • DIY Download
Click on Image Above for Download Page
I've changed up the version above to be camp generic for your use. Download here if you need a little YW Camp help. Share some of the thank you gifts you've given (or received) for service.
Shannon Christensen for LDS NEST
0 Comments

LOVE • Love is All You Need, Really???

6/26/2014

2 Comments

 
It's been camp, camp, camp on my brain. And I have a few things to share with you about that. But, for today, I've got a print in our Esty shop that I did before the camp rush.
All You Need Is Love, Oh And... DIY Print • LDSNEST.com
Esty Print
The Boyfriend and my anniversary is next month (we're celebrating 32 years) so marriage has been on my mind. I kept seeing "all you need is love" or "love is all you need" everywhere on Pinterest when I was doing a little research. Anyone who's been married any length of time (or even for shorter periods) knows it takes more than love. Sure it's the basis, but if it were all up to love we wouldn't have any broken relationships. Married or otherwise.
DIY Print • All You Need Is Love, Oh And... • LDSNEST.com
Etsy Shop
"Love is all you need" is such an over simplification. Love is the start and the driver but it better get some other passengers on board (forgiveness, patience, fidelity, kindness, etc.) if it wants the fuel to go anywhere for any length of time. Can you tell I have strong opinions about this? Do you?
Well I didn't want anyone in this house thinking that all they had to do was have a little love for a strong relationship so I put my thoughts to paper. And tried to make it handsome. You can find it here.

What are 3 qualities besides love that you think a relationship, any relationship, needs?
Shannon Christensen
PS • You might want to give it as a wedding gift. Just a thought.
2 Comments

MANUFACTURER • YW Camp Thank You Gifts

6/7/2014

3 Comments

 
Manufacturer: One Who Makes or Produces Anything
I'm in charge of YW Camp thank you gifts this year. So I went back to see what we did last year. Then I thought you all might be needing some ideas too. Of course you can use this idea anytime.
Take A Break Buckets • Thank You Gifts • LDSNEST.com
Take A Break Buckets • Thank You Gifts • LDSNEST.com
1) Buckets
Take A Break Buckets • Thank You Gifts • LDSNEST.com
2) Write in paint pen
Take A Break Buckets • Thank You Gifts • LDSNEST.com
3) Add dots on ends of letters
Take A Break Buckets • Thank You Gifts • LDSNEST.com
4) Write some more
Take A Break Buckets • Thank You Gifts • LDSNEST.com
5) Add some after camp relaxing stuff
There you have it. A personalized thank you gift that's easy to do and put together. Have any you want to share with us?
Shannon Christensen
3 Comments

MORALIST • FHE Father's Day - Cracker Jack Dad

5/20/2014

0 Comments

 
Here's a little FHE for Father's Day - Cracker Jack Dad. It's all about the Dad in your family.
FHE Cracker Jack Dad Father's Day • LDSNEST.com
Download File with the Image Link Above
Here's a lesson outline and a cracker jack box project. Have a fun evening with dad.
FHE Cracker Jack Dad Father's Day • LDSNEST.com
Download File with the Image Link Above
Let us know how you appreciate the Dads in your life.
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0 Comments

ME • My Resolution Word This Year

5/12/2014

8 Comments

 
We hope everyone's Mother's day was meaningful. Mine was. Especially this year. 

I went to visit Leila's gravesite Saturday. And, I actually took a selfie. Don't know why I just went with it. (Alisha left some lovely flowers there earlier in the day.) It was a pretty teary-eyed hour, no surprise. 
A selfie. Shannon Christensen w/Leila Christensen LDSNEST.com
A selfie with Leila. With the photo taker that she was, I think she would approve.
For some reason I just wished that I could bring Joseph there. I know she's not really there but I think there's something about going anyways. On Sunday, Leila's husband came up with Joseph so I asked if I could take JoJo to Leila's graveside. He said yes and came with us. I know this might not be able to happen every year and he's likely to have another mother to celebrate but I'm glad I got to this first year. Considering the day before, amazingly I didn't cry once with Joseph there. I was happy for the moment. Who wouldn't be happy around a face like that!
Leila's Joseph Mother's Day 2014 LDSNEST.com
Joseph
Which brings me to my New Year's resolution word post that I did a few weeks ago but haven't shared yet. I felt maybe I was being over dramatic or something with my word choice. But, after my first Mother's day without Leila it seemed like exactly the right word at the right time. So here it is...

I used to do a list of goals for my New Year's resolutions and I've loved the lists I've done over the years but I find that it's really a year round habit now.  So the past few years I've used a different method. Now I pick one word for the year to work on. For 2011 it was "Focused" and 2012 was "Finish". I had one for 2013 but didn't write it down, just had it floating in my head. Then when Leila died everything changed and I seriously can't remember what it was. 2013 will forever be a different kind of year for me.
When 2014 came I picked another word. I like to "wear" the word for a month or two before I commit to it. It has to feel right. That's one of the reasons I like this change in methods for resolutions. It makes me go deeper into my feelings and it becomes more meaningful. 
My word for 2014 is...
2014 New Year Resolution in a word. LDS NEST
I know I'm not letting you know until the year is almost half over. Don't judge :) Like I said, it has to feel right. And sometimes right doesn't fit the calendar's timetable. 

Then I made something to help me remember this year's word. It's been in one of my black idea books for a little while now and it seemed like a good time to do it.
DIY Do Not Be Dismayed Subway Art • LDSNEST.com
12" x 36" DIY Download Found Here (Tutorial Soon)
It also has a special meaning relating to a phrase in my patriarchal blessing that really helped/helps me. There's also a song by Sara Bareilles - Brave - that's a little upbeat reminder. So, this year I'm gonna be BRAVE!

That was my post before Mother's day. Then this morning I read this post by one of Joseph's amazing NICU nurses, Sally. More tears. As it turns out I was able to put "my word" into full practice the last few days. If nothing else, this weekend I was brave.

Do you have a word to share?
Shannon Christensen for LDS NEST
8 Comments

MATE • Valentine's Day Download - Love & Kisses

1/29/2014

4 Comments

 
Love & kisses and Valentine's day all go together so well! 
Valentine's Day Download - Love & Kisses • Shannon Christensen for LDSNEST.com
Here's my gift to the Boyfriend. This was so easy to do - red lipstick, pucker up, put it to paper, sign. Bam! Done. Well, except the framing part. But still pretty easy. So I thought I'd share.

Then I thought to myself, self, how easy it would be to make it into a downloadable. If you aren't inclined to do your own, then just - print, sign, frame. Wham Bam!
Valentines Love & Kisses Download • Shannon Christensen for LDSNEST.com
Click the image for the Download page • 8.5" x 11"
Valentine's day Love & Kisses Download • Shannon Christensen for LDSNEST.com
Prints to fit a 8" x 10" frame (Pink lips)
Valentine's day Love & Kisses Download • Shannon Christensen for LDSNEST.com
Click the above image for the Download page • 5" x 7"
Valentine's day Love & Kisses Download • Shannon Christensen for LDSNEST.com
Prints to fit a 5" x 7" frame (Red lips)
So what do you think? If you like it, share the Valentine love. 
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