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Lorraine D. Hebler

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Making German Stars

By Lorraine

Folded paper German stars remind many of childhood when they were made at Christmas time. Easy to follow, step-by-step video tutorial teaches you how.Betcha can’t make just one paper German Star. I only needed to make one star to include with a bridal shower gift and look what happened. I am making German stars again and if you ever wanted to make these pretty folded paper ornaments or just need a refresher, I have an easy to follow, step-by-step video tutorial that will have you on your way.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, Holidays, More Crafts Tagged With: Crafts, German Stars, tutorial

Personalized Bookmarks

By Lorraine

I am always looking for gift ideas that are personal and useful.
These durable bookmarks fit the bill for many occasions.
They are made as a Microsoft Word document, printed and glued to a piece of card stock that was edged using a paper punch, laminated at Staples and finished with a ribbon.
The possibilities are endless… Photos, monograms, quotes,  and verses are just a few ideas that you can use to create a special keepsake.
Here is what I did, step-by-step:
1)  Open New document in Word.
2) Adjust the right margin to the desired with of your bookmark remembering that the decorative border will add width to the finished size.
3) Click Insert Picture to take you to your photo files.
4) Choose your picture/image.  Repeat if you want to add additional images as I did above. (I added the letter ‘L’ and then the scrolls above and below the letter)
5) Add your desired text. It might be a favorite verse, quote or commemorate a special occasion or date.
6) I like to enter a few times to create an empty area at the top of the bookmark for a ribbon.
7) Highlight the entire design that will be encompassed by a border.
8) On the Toolbar, click the border icon and select Borders & Shading from the drop down list.

9) Scroll down to the style border you like best.
10) You can also pick a color by clicking directly below the Style tab.  I like to use a color that matches the paper stock I will use to back the bookmark.

11) When everything looks just like you want, Print your bookmark.  Trim leaving a small border.
12)  Cut a piece of card stock in a complimentary color.  A straight edge is very nice and masculine.  I used a paper punch for the fancy scalloped edge for the girls.
13) Using a paper hole punch, punch a single or double hole for a ribbon. (I think a single ribbon is more masculine and the bow is more feminine.
14) At this point, the bookmarks can be finished simply by adding a ribbon.  If you would like to make them more durable, take them to Staples to have them laminated.  You can fit at least three bookmarks on a sheet and it costs $1.00 a sheet for lamination.  A bargain, I’d say!  After lamination, trim them apart being careful not to cut too close so the front and back piece remains sealed.
15) Finally, add a ribbon!
~*~
I used images graciously shared by Karen on her amazing site, The Graphics Fairy.
As you can see from my photo file, I save lots of images from this site!
Thank you, Karen!

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts Tagged With: Crafts, tutorial

Giant Bubbles Fun Summer Activity with Grandchildren

By Lorraine

Time with grandchildren is some of the very best moments of all. They are even more precious when those grandchildren live a distance away. As our daughter Jill and husband, Brad’s visit was nearing an end, we had one last activity we wanted to do with the kids before they head back to up-state New York. Making bubbles. GIANT bubbles. Bubbles they could almost climb into. And it was so much fun! If you are looking for a great activity to do with kids, grand kids, your own kids, neighborhood kids, youth group kids and even big kids, make a batch of bubble solution together and see who can make the biggest one!
Ryan caught on quickly and was making some pretty impressive bubbles in no time.
Shaela needed a little help at first from PopPop
 She soon caught on and was making some amazing bubbles all by herself.
 And, pretty thrilled about it.
How To Make GIANT Bubbles
For convenience, supplies can be purchased from Amazon through links below.

Supplies to make the bubble solution:
1 Gallon Purified Water 
5 cups Unscented and uncolored Dish-washing Soap
1/2 cup Glycerin

Directions:
Pour the water into a bucket. I used a clean plastic container. 
Pour the dish-washing soap into the water. Then mix it gently with a wooden spoon. 
Pour the glycerin in. Mix gently again. You don’t want ANY bubbles. 

NOTE: Humidity has a lot to do with good bubble making so you might want to add a little more or less water to get a good consistency. Since it is so humid here in August, a little thinner was better.
Supplies for making the wand
2 Wooden or Poly Dowels, we cut them 16 to 24-inch 
2 Eye screws
3 to 4   1/4 inch nuts  (to weigh the line down)
Cotton String (we used kitchen twine) 

Directions: The photos will be a help in making the wand

  • Drill a small hole in the end of each dowel. 
  • Screw the Eye Hooks into the holes you just drilled until they are secure. 
  • Cut a 70-inch piece of cotton string. Cut another piece of string that measures 30-inches. You can make the string as long or short as you like just as long as one string is longer than the other. 
  • Put the 3 to 4 nuts through the 70 inch string. 
  • Put the ends of both pieces of string through one of the eye hooks and tie a knot. Do the same thing on the other eye hook. Now you should have a long string and a shorter one that runs from one dowel to the other.

    Even our pup lent a paw in the process of measuring the string and making the wand!

    Now for the Fun part: 
    Making Giant Bubbles 

    • Head outside with your bucket of solution
    • Put the end of the dowels in the bucket so the string is submerged in the bubble solution. 
    • Bring the ends of the dowels up from the bubble solution, together until about chest high. 
    • Then separate the dowels by pulling them outward so the string makes a triangle that points down. The washers will weigh the center of the bottom string down. see photo below.
    • Step backward quickly so that the air goes through the bubble solution between the dowels and makes a bubble.  

    We had to give it a few tries before getting the hang of making the bubbles but as you can see, even little kids were quickly able to master it.

    And the big kids couldn’t resist a try 🙂





    There are affiliate links in this post. That
    means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but
    it won’t cost you anything additional.


    Filed Under: Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: Brenna, Crafts, DIY, Grandchildren, Ryan, shaela, tutorial

    Continental Knitting

    By Lorraine

    I don’t know this little one in person but her momma gave me permission to post photos she had done by a professional photographer of baby Casey’s 1st Birthday. I am honored that Casey is wearing one of my beanies!
    She has the softest, sweetest little face with beautiful eyes!

    Continue Reading

    Filed Under: Crafts, Knitting Tagged With: Crochet, Crocheting, gifts, Knitting, tutorial

    DIY Wooden Tic-Tac-Toe Game Gift for Boy

    By Lorraine

    I made this Tic-Tac-Toe board game for our little guys, Ryan and Noah but it would work for any age or as a coffee table item. Here is how I made them:

    I began with a sanded pine board that was cut to an 8.5-inch square. You can paint this to add color. I like the look of the natural wood to contrast with the paper so I left mine plain.

    I purchased a piece of scrapbook paper with a relatively non-busy background and cut it to an 8-inch square.

    I had a bag of 1/4-inch wooden rectangles that I cut in half so each measures 1.5-inches. You can purchase little wooden squares or circles that are just the right size. You will need a total of 10 for each game. Again, you can paint these or leave natural.

    For the Tic-Tac-Toe pieces I used images with a theme I thought would interest our little guys. I scaled them on a photo editor and printed them to just shy of 1.5-inches. Then I had them copied at Staples. For an easier version, use stickers or images from cute scrapbook paper. Then you can skip the trip to Staples and move right along without interruption 🙂

    You will need two different images for each game.

    Using Mod Podge, I applied the 8-inch piece of paper to the 8.5-inch board.

    I used electrical tape to make the grid. I cut 4 strips 1/4-inch wide x 7 3/4-inch long. It would had been much easier to just cut strips of paper and glue them on but somehow I manage to find a more difficult way to do things 🙂

    Then I applied each image to the playing piece.

    I glued four little wooden thingies (see pic) on the bottom four corners for feet.

    I finished with a couple of coats of water-based varnish for durability.

    I tossed the playing pieces in a small draw-string bag and there you have it! Now, who thinks they can beat Ryan at his favorite game?



    Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts Tagged With: Crafts, gifts, Noah, Ryan, tutorial

    Paper German Stars Video Tutorial

    By Lorraine

    Beautiful folded paper German stars remind many of childhood when they were made at Christmas time. Easy to follow, step-by-step video tutorial teaches you how to make them.

    Do you recognize these folded paper German stars? Many folks remember making them as a child or seeing relatives make them. You might even have one or two from long ago. Would you like to learn to make them? Follow my video tutorial and I’ll walk you through the many steps one fold at a time.

    Continue Reading

    Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts Tagged With: Crafts, tutorial

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    Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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