Darling Doodles

August 2016 Visiting Teaching

By Brie @Darling Doodles | August 2, 2016 - 10:10 pm | LDS, Visiting Teaching

The message for the month of August is called Nurturing Families Together. It is a beautiful message that talks about the sacred responsibilities that husbands and wives have to each other and their children. I remember a few years ago when my husband and I were in the midst of infertility and all that heartache, and I might have thought that a message like this didn’t apply to me. But one thing I love about the visiting teaching messages is there are truths and passages that can reach everybody. Two lines that I particularly love are “The home is to be God’s laboratory of love and service,” (Elder Russell M. Nelson) and ““How often do we intentionally ‘speak kind words to each other’?” (Sister Linda K. Burton).

We can all make our home, no matter how many people reside in it, a place of love and service. And to go about intentionally speaking kinds words to those around us is a small way to have a large impact.

Download the PDF Handout to mail or take to the ladies you visit teach.

Thank you sisters for all that you do, and for the inspiring way you fulfill your visiting teaching callings!

2016 Summer Olympic Printables

By Brie @Darling Doodles | July 27, 2016 - 3:51 pm | Family, Olympics

3 Comments

Some of my readers must be as excited for the Olympics as I am because I have received a few different requests asking if I can update my Olympic Printables for 2016. Well requests granted!

DOWNLOAD OLYMPIC PRINTABLE SET PDF

In this set you’ll find gold, silver, and bronze medals in a large and small size, several decorative circles that can be used as cupcake toppers, a mini banner, or whatever! And a sheet to keep a tally of which country is in the lead in the medal count. And I know, not everyone is going to be able to use the USA items, but I just had to include them for my homeland. You can throw them away if you need to, no hard feelings. :)

My husband spent two years in Rio de Janeiro as a missionary and Brazil holds a very special place in his heart. We are even more excited for these Olympics then we have been for the others and Sam can’t wait to see glimpses of his favorite place, even if it is just on TV. And we have already had fun with our toddler in making medals and playing games to see who can win the gold. The Olympics open so many opportunities for family time, I hope the prints I share can help you take advantage of them all!

Fourth of July Decor: From Sea to Shining Sea

By Brie @Darling Doodles | June 22, 2016 - 10:14 pm | fourth of july, Holiday

4 Comments

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but the 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays. I love everything about the day from the parades and fireworks to picnics and flags flying in the breeze. I love the feelings of pride, patriotism, gratitude, and love for our country that seem to fill the air. And I love bringing a little bit of that feeling into my home by putting together a holiday display.

I’ve had this display up in my home for a couple of weeks now and I have been meaning to post it before we get too close to the holiday but I’ve been so busy lately! (Side note: thanks for all the custom orders, I have the BEST customers!)

The best part of this display is that I didn’t have to buy a single thing. I raided my guest room for all the nautical elements and then stole the rest from other parts of the house. The old books are my favorite, I’m a sucker for beautiful antique books.

I made the banner using scrapbook paper and some thick, white twine. Took me about two minutes which is about all the time I have to spare for crafting lately.

Really, the only things that are actually 4th of July in this display are the flags and the print I made. Everything else is just blue and red or has that “Americana” type of feel.

And of course, I’m sharing the Sea to Shining Sea print that I made! Even if you don’t have any other nautical decorations I think this print will fit in beautifully to any patriotic display.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF

The 4th is only a week and a half away! Get that decor up soon and show your patriotic spirit!

Man Up this Father’s Day

By Brie @Darling Doodles | June 13, 2016 - 10:36 pm | Father's Day, gift ideas, Gift Tags

5 Comments

SAM! If you are reading this post, stop now! You will ruin your Father’s Day and then your wife and children will cry big tears of utter sadness and despair. You don’t want that so STOP READING!!!

Just to clarify, if you name is Sam and you are not my husband then you can continue reading. The Sam ban only applies to the man who lives in my house. :)

I wanted to put together a quick little gift idea for Father’s Day since it is only a few days away. Something that didn’t cost any money, or take lots of time to put together but that is still thoughtful and will definitely be enjoyed. I tried to think of something my own wonderful husband and the best father to my children would like, and this is what I came up with!

Between work, family and church commitments, and the day to day stresses of mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, etc. my man doesn’t get much time to focus on his hobbies. Sam loves to go out in his workshop building and creating but he usually has to do it in short spurts during the rare moments he has some free time. Your man might enjoy hitting the golf course, spending the day on the lake fishing, or holed up with their favorite video games. This gift card gives them the whole day to enjoy their “man time” without any guilt or worry!

DOWNLOAD THE PDF

And Sam, if you kept reading…well then Happy Early Father’s Day. We love you!

This Post is Nothing Bundt Adorable!

By Brie @Darling Doodles | June 8, 2016 - 10:16 pm | bridal shower, gift ideas, Gift Tags, wedding

2 Comments

I have a cute gift idea to share that centers around a bundt cake pan. When I was planning the post I thought to myself, “Self…wouldn’t it be great to make a pretty bundt cake to use for staging the pictures? And then I’ll have a tasty cake to eat after I’m done! Win!” If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you saw how that fabulous idea turned out. If you missed it, here is my pretty cake in all its glory.

I should have taken a picture after I managed to carve the cake out of the pan and then frosted it. You would think the frosting would help cover all manner of sins, but it actually looked worse. Oh well…you better believe we still ate it and hey, my oven got a really good cleaning!

So now back to the gift idea. Since wedding season is upon us I put together a gift idea and tag that is perfect for a bridal shower or as a wedding present. Wish the new couple “Nothing Bundt Love and Joy!”

This gift requires a bundt cake pan, but after that it is up to you what you want to put in. I used some dishtowels, dishcloths, measuring cups, kitchen utensils, and a cute mason jar. You could also put in a boxed cake mix and frosting, spices like vanilla or cinnamon, toothpicks and cupcake liners, etc. Anything “baking” will totally fit!

Download the PDF Gift Tag

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I also wanted to let you know about a Coupon Code I have going for my Etsy Shop right now! If you use the code ORGANIZE20 to purchase one of my matching Calendar and Menu Planner sets then you’ll receive 20% off. This code is good for the next week so don’t miss out on this chance to get one of my favorite items! Here’s just a few of the sets for sale!

June Visiting Teaching

By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 31, 2016 - 8:40 pm | LDS, Visiting Teaching

4 Comments

Can you believe it? We are in June… that is halfway through the year! I’m kind of in denial about it being June because that means we are about to enter the “Period of Perpetual Sun and Death” that is Phoenix in the summer. We are hitting 115+ degrees this week. Pray for me people. Pray for me.

In other news, the message for this month is a beautiful one. It is called Temple Ordinances and Covenants and reminds us of the importance of the promises we make with our Father in Heaven. You can download the handout to take to the ladies you visit teach or mail it to them in a letter. Last month I was really pressed for time so I just attached the handout image to an email and sent it that way. While a visit is always great, just reaching out is wonderful too!