Star ornaments

Music tree

We started a tradition at the beginning of our marriage to make a different ornament each year to add to our Christmas tree.  About ten years ago I wanted a more simple tree for our living room so we designed these stars.  For paper ornaments, they are surprisingly sturdy.  We stack them on top of each other in a shoe box and have been using the same ornaments for 10 years with no visible wear.  Each year a few people want to make some of these for their own home so I give a few more away.  Finally, this year the tree was getting so sparse we needed to make more so I have decided this would probably be the easiest way to share the pattern for others interested. 

1.  Design your stars.  This is where a little simple math kicks in.  There are 360° in a circle.  I made 5 pointed stars so if you want 5 points, make circles the size of your inner points, mark every 36° to have the 5 outer points and 5 inner points.  I do not like symmetrical stars so I made the inner 5 points equal distance from the center and the outer points different.  If you want a 6 pointed star, do the same thing every 30°. (I used the template below.)

2.  Gather Christmas music.   I love Sally Deford so my tree is covered with her Christmas music that she allows us to copy for free. (http://www.defordmusic.com/) You could make all the stars the same, but I like guessing the song from the little I see on a star and it's fun for my piano students so I cut four stars per page and use all different pages. I do not print the first page of any music to avoid the extra margins and title.  It takes a little time to make sure no stars have too much of the margins.  You want a lot of music per star.  Print on cardstock.

3.  Cut out the stars.  You can use your star templates and place each one on music, but I made a template for four stars and copied it to the back of my music pages.  I used only the outlines for my templates since I wanted the backs of my stars to be white, but I suppose you could print the lines to make folding easier.

4. Fold the stars.  This is the only hard part in these ornaments.  I line up the sides for each point and make a precise crease to the point.  After I have 2 points made, I align two of the creases together and continue the point to the center which also makes the downward creases for the inside points.

a. 

b.

c.

5. Paint and mod podge.  I sponge painted mine silver and gold.  Ours don't match.  Some we smudge to make look old.  Others we speckled.  All we painted the outer ridges.  We used mod podge to make the stars sturdy to last.  I have used the mod podge on the back before I cut the stars out.  It is easier to paint, but harder to crease the stars.  Either way, I use two layers front and back.  Completely dry between each layer.

6. Attach cording to hang from the tree.   Make sure the stars are completely dry or poking holes will damage the lines.  Poke two holes and attach cording or ribbon.  If using nylon or plastic, melt the edges to stop fraying.  If using ribbon, use glue or fray check edges.

I have been reading a Pride and Prejudice continuation focusing on Anne de Bourgh. Given Anne's delicate constitution and her nephew's having married "that insolent girl" Lady Catherine has taken it upon herself to gather all elligible bachelors, at once, to Rosings and select the proper husband for Anne. As my youngest daughter is nearing her sixteenth birthday, I have been fantacizing about my idea of a perfect birthday party.

First, I obtain a list of elligible young men throughout the stake. I can talk to friends, Young Men's presidents, etc. Then, for her party, we have a contest for who gets to be the first date.

Category 1: Obstacle Course measuring speed, strength and agility
Will he be able to protect my daughter?
Will my daughter be able to protect herself against him?
Will he be able to return my daughter safely before curfew?

Category 2: Spirituality and Scripture Mastery
Can he quote by memory 5 scriptures on chastity?
Did he remember to pray before coming to this party?

Category 3: Cooking
Can he follow a recipe and make a meal by himself?
Does he know that Top Ramen is not a meal?

Category 4: Mental Readiness
What books did he read this summer?
What are his post college plans?

Category 5: Social Skills
Can he list five interesting topics of conversation that do not include: video games, sex, or mocking others?
Can he tell me three things my daughter is personally interested in?


Ah, to have lived in a world where parents got to choose. I think we could do such a great job.

1st Ever Jim and Annie Marshall Family Reunion

July 22-25, 2010 was the first ever official Jim and Annie Marshall Family Reunion. For the first time in 8 years all 8 kids and their families would be together at the same time. We had 48 family members plus a few adopted family members. The only person missing was Cameron, our missionary in Argentina. There were some scares that a few people might not make it, surgeries postponed, people hospitalized, and things like that, but it all worked out and everyone came.



We had a youth temple trip, we stayed at the Astoria KOA resort, visited Tillamook Cheese Factory, hiked at Cape Lookout, had fish and chips in Astoria, took pictures on the windiest day ever, swam, played at the beach, played on the playgrounds and jumping pillow and made a family video. All in all, I thought it was pretty perfect and I can't believe how blessed I am to have such an incredible family!

We're Ready!

Yesterday we got the official news that Baby Girl Brown is ready to come any time. For our date night, Jay and I went out and got a portable crib for her to nap at our house in case she ever gets tired. We got the fuzzy soft sheets for her delicate face. Jay bought her a ball as he collects those and knew that's what she'd want to play with first. Then we came home, washed everything and set it up. I think this was one of the most fun dates we've ever had! Grammy and Granddad are ready, so feel free to come any time. (This is a very emotional week.:D)

Nick is a missionary

After all the months of preparation, Nick is a missionary!

Though I'll be far away until Jill can nearly drive and Jack's a deacon, I'll cherish the memories of my darling younger siblings.

I got set apart as a missionary by President Shafer. Turns out, he was probably my nursery teacher many years ago!

One last meal before I leave. My stomach is just not ready for food at 6 a.m.

One last view before I go out into the world to serve. This is going to be GREAT!

Welcome Hayden

Today my cousin, Missy, had a baby girl. Hayden Jean Case weighing in at 11 lb. 5 oz. Isn't she adorable!?

I've been feeling pretty nostalgic today as the wedding is over and everything I borrowed is returned. I keep watching the video that played at Kristen's reception Saturday. Those slide shows of the happy couple as they grow up and then become a couple are my favorite parts of receptions. They make their lives look so beautiful when set to inspirational music. Today I can't imagine a more perfect couple and they seem to be made exactly for each other. All the hard parts of raising a child seem to melt away as we watch all the photos that make their life look so enchanted. I was so blessed to have my Kristen in our world. She has brought so much laughter and fun into our family! It's so fantastic to watch her go off into her own life with DJ and yet, we will miss her. I look forward to what's ahead.

Missy is there at the beginning of another story. What will Hayden add to the flavor of their family? The Cases will never be quite the same as they were yesterday. I'm so excited to watch!

Tradition

Getting ready for a wedding reception has been something that has terrified me since I first had a daughter! My talents seem to fall more in other areas than entertaining, cooking and decorating. Yesterday I began making the traditional cream cheese mints for the reception. Being raised on a mint farm, we had handmade mints at my wedding reception and the receptions of many of my siblings. I have happy memories of sitting around the table and making these candies together. There is something so grounding about adding a little actual Marshall Farms mint oil to my daughter's mints. When she popped in yesterday in the middle of my mint making, it made my day as she explained to her husband that this is something she had to have in her wedding reception. Traditions really help! Luckily, he liked them too. I feel just a little more relaxed about next week.