21 Ideas To Give Back This Season

Want to do something special this season? Many are considering how to give back to the community.  Often they consider donating to a worthy cause. Here are 21 gift giving ideas that keep giving back.

Neighborhood Outreach Dinners for the Homeless
Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring
Online Fund Raising
Health Awareness Seminars
Farmers Market Outings with Seniors
Group Canning
Bake Sales For Fund Raising
Winter Wonderland Outings
Winter Fest Activities
Fall Fest Activities
Autumn Crafts
Fall Festivals
Charitable Organizing
Government Aid for Education
Scholastic Achievement Awards
Bible Travel Tours and Creation Sight Seeing
Crafts For Gift Giving
Group Bible Study by Skype
Door to Door Bible Ministry
Motivational Speaking
Bible Drama Movie Events

Check the items you've considered, share it with someone you know has experience participating or planning such an event.  Take action! Get the ball rolling and discover a 2000 year old truth. "There is more happiness in giving then in receiving."

My Gift to you. Brenda and I are active in Group Bible Study, Door to Door Bible Study, Motivational Public Speaking, Fall and Winter Fest Activities, Online Fund Raising, Crafts for Gift Giving, Bible Travel Tours and Creation Sight Seeing, Bible Drama Movie Events.  If you would like to support our work feel free to send us a modest donation.

A Book of Their Lives

My wife Brenda and her long time friend Jackie set out to spend some much needed downtime together in a very constructive and creative way two weeks ago. This particular Saturday afternoon rendezvou is more than just a casual spin about a local shopping district. An unspoken mission has been undertaken to encapsulate almost 40 years of friendship in preparation for a new challenge that lie ahead.

They visited a small ceramics and pottery shop. Glazed to Perfection. I knew this as I drove her there to pick up a completed work of art. The little shop situated on a strip of stores and shops was easy to spot with it's 3D ivory and fuchsia sign board. She quickly leaps out of the car with a briskness I had not seen in quite some time.

With equal pace she was back in the car carefully grasping a brown bag. With a look I can only describe as sheer girly glee with a hint of pride and purpose Brenda carefully removes the contents of the bag one item at a time. A lovely work of art.

In her palm she held a hand-painted and glazed ceramic cup and saucer. The set had an elegant leaf motif impression on the base of the cup and the same encircling the saucer accented with a green center. Brenda decided to paint the set a soft early evening blue with green highlights on the leaf motif wrapped around the base of the cup.

It was the ideal activity on that sunny Saturday afternoon for two long time friends who've been together since their youth. The perfect past-time to kick back and catch up with the comings and goings of old friends and family while creating a tangible memento of a chapter that will have to soon come to a close.

Brenda and Jackie's friendship spans a lifetime. It is not one that is based on mutual ambitions, achievements, class distinctions or economic advantage. It was not mere acquaintance based on mutual admiration for someone or something they both idolized.  It survived many tests and life altering setbacks because it was and is based on something truer than most are. And as it goes with friendships that mature over time, these two once young and silly girls, grew up and gained more priceless experience and wisdom than their own colleagues and acquaintances. And this they put to good use to reassure and bolster one another during the tough times.

I must admit that in their own way their friendship has added stability, color and a certain constant sustainable element to their lives and that of their families.

Their carefully scheduled engagements became a time to exhale. A reason to put it all on hold. To laugh a little and sigh a little. To even tear up a little. To qualify and quantify the decisions made and then after making sense of it all finally to see the need to get a firmer hold on what they have.

This day holds special significance for these two ageless girls. Soon Jackie will pack her bags and pile her tangibles that represent a half century of life inside a moving van. She will say goodbye to a life she devoted herself to three decades ago. She will travel a whole states distance  away from her friend in order to settle down once and for all with her aging parents. Another test of the resilience of Brenda and Jackie's friendship? Not so much. Despite the many miles that will lie between them this they both know... They will always remain connected.

There comes a moment when an awareness hits two individuals. It is when they become fully cognizant of the fact that they are no longer two separate individuals anymore. A realization of reciprocity. They are life long loyal companions with a symbioses in their nature that manifests itself with a phone call every few months or a card bought weeks ago, written weeks thereafter and finally put in the mail months later.

No matter how long it takes to connect again, that one moment will only deepen their resolve to connect again and again to meld their bond. There will be another sunny Saturday afternoon creating a memory, a memento and uniting their kindred spirit. A glass of wine, a cup of mocha, a dash of cinnamon on a pastry sweet. They'll sit cozy in their chairs and read together another page from their history, and then another, until unbeknownst to themselves they have written a new chapter in the book of their lives.

From your husband to the two of you. Here's to your true friendship, my dearest Brenda and Jackie.

A Book of Our Lives

It has been described as a book of our lives. The Family Reunion Planner is just that. Not only does it contain genealogy worksheets but it also is designed as a keepsake memento and heirloom.

In addition to the personalized event planning tutorial it contains a signature of ownership page,  poetic excerpts by Mark Askew,  and recipe compiler and a reunion planners journal. Set your course and take a remarkable journey writing the book of your life with the Family Reunion Planner Guide Book and Keepsake http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007VFVM4K.

Family Fun Weekend Projects
If your family reunion is still weeks away now is the time to spice it up, add meaning to it. Get together with a close family member and friend. Pour a cup of tea and start on your next weekend family reunion project using this quicklist.

Keepsake Memory Book
Download a family reunion keepsake memory booklet using Fimark's Family Reunion Booklet Maker. Go to to see the possibilities 

Print and Frame Family Reunion Poems
Download print and frame inspiring and beautifully crafted family reunion poems for keepsake gifts. To get inspired get Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app click on the link on this blog page or access the profiles page.

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Mark and Brenda

Making Your Family Reunion Keepsake Booklet More Social

It's family reunion season, and with that comes family reunion memories you'll want to cherish and pass down to the next generation. What better way to do that than with a family reunion keepsake memory booklet. Fimark Home Online introduces a craft many family reunion planners have been engaged in since the advent of the home-made booklet. Crafting the family reunion keepsake book.

We've discussed making a family reunion keepsake booklet but we did not discuss how to make your booklet more social. Today's social media allows users to connect more readily to other using several communication applications including texting,  blogging and chatting. These apps provide detailed information about a users, business, interests while providing photos, bios and more. This blog shows you how to add social media contact information, photos, interest and job-related data you'll find on social enabled family reunion planning web apps.

Making The Family Reunion Keepsake Booklet
There is nothing complicated about this project. All you'll need is a color printer, 12 pages of printing paper, a text editor like MS Word and Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app which includes several shortcuts plus the family reunion keepsake booklet maker template consisting of the following pages:

1. Booklet Cover
2. Chairperson Welcome page
3. Official Welcome page
4. History page
5. In Memoriam page
6. Reunion Activities page
7. Dinner Program page
8. Family Businesses page
9. Address/Phone Directory page
10. Acknowledgements page
11. Additional pages can be added like a genealogy tree, family reunion poems or a family Interests page (more details below).

Getting Started
Locate your booklet template.Edit and print the booklet cover adding the family surnames, reunion theme, date, and slogan. Add a page to place a copy of the Welcome Letter from Town Officials. Write your family history and add your story to the Our Family History Page. Add the In Memoriam page complete with photos.

The Family Photos Page
The photo page can include a collage of all family members who RSVP'd as attending the family reunion event. So how can you acquire these without having to go to each attendees profile page?  These photos are automatically displayed in list format from Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app.

Invitees Interest List Table (in pink)

Just highlight the cell of photos, copy and paste into a drawing program. Arrange the photos as desired and save. Next import the file into the Family Reunion Keepsake Booklet template on the photos page.

Making Your Booklet More Social
You can use the Invitees Interests table on the planner's interface to create a "Family Interests"  page" consisting of family members names, dates of birth and interests such as hobbies, sports or books and movies they like. Just highlight the entire row of each family member, copy and past each row into a blank spreadsheet. Next sort the table according to date of birth, interests or family name as needed and print. Family members will feel even more connected to those who share similar interest.

The Banquet Dinner Program Page
The actual Banquet Dinner Program template can be is included in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app and can be added to your booklet. You can include a paragraph or two of program highlights on the Banquet Dinner Program page.

The Family Business Page
On the page featuring family business simply cut and paste family business cards.  If you prefer not to use business cards take a look at the Invitees Interest List table found in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app. Look under the "About Me" cell header. If the family member has a business you may see information about the business there. Also take a look under the "Work" cell header. The Address/Phone Directory can include contact information such as email and the facebook user profile name with photo. This can be copied from the banquet/dinner seating list found in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app.

The Acknowledgements Page
Acknowledgements are a wonderful way to say thank you to those who helped in a significant way. Take a look at your ToDo list found in Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app and copy any contact information you entered for guest speakers, vendors and services used for the event. Copy and paste into the Acknowledgements page. If you used the family reunion spreadsheet with the committee and departments contact list you can copy and paste this list on your Acknowledgements page as well.

Planning a family reunion? Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app yet? Get it at this summers discount special. List Price $49. Now $39 for a limited time. You save $10 dollars. No coupon code needed. For more information about the family reunion planning app click on the link found on this blog page or go to profiles.

Hot Fun In The Summertime

The weather was the hottest in 30 years. Real feel 100 degrees! A real scorcher if I should say so myself and for a time we wondered if anyone would show up.

A no-show would be no surprise considering that the night before a brutal thunder storm moved with winds as high as 80 miles per hour. The severe storm knocked out power lines over a wide 30 mile radius and downed large 20 year old trees.

Many of the invitees were without power in their homes while others had to contend with structural damage. When we arrived at the park we were glad to see that no trees were down and the pavilions were in good condition. Still we noticed that the power outlets were dead. That meant our well planned surprise mini concert would have to be postponed. Not a disappointment. We would have more time to rehearse and present it during our September event. Just one more thing to look forward to.

Still we fired up the grill, blew up and hung decorative balloons and streamers, started up the bubble blowers and made sure we had plenty of iced water and cool water games. Then we waited, and waited and waited.

A few hours later a few showed up. An hour later more arrived. In time over 60 filled the two pavilions. The congregation annual Family BBQ had begun. This summer the event would be held at MeadowWood Park in Huntvalley MD.

The small park with lots of grassland was a first for us. It had a large playing field, cool shady pavilions and a small stream and cross bridge that local kids used to catch crayfish.

Family, friends and friends of friends attended. Everyone from little ones to our eldest were fully involved in the activities of the day.

As usual Brenda and I did much of the planning organizing and directing. We like to do something different each year and build anticipation weeks in advance. Wonderful memories were made, old friendships rekindled and new ones made.


Our activity list was as follows:
1, Face Painting
2. Bubble Games
3. Water Balloon Toss
4. Card Games
5. Prizes and Rewards


1. Face Painting - Face painting is indeed a craft requiring some practice. What you need is soft oil based face paint found at any party planning store or craft store. Small soft sponges. Soft bristle paint brushes work well. Stencils for making starts and heart shapes. Paper towels and soapy water for clean up.

2. Bubble Games - Kids will play with this for hours. What you need are various bubble wands in all shapes and sizes. A large flat tub full of bubble solution. Water and towels to wash soapy hands and faces.

3. Water Balloon Toss - Water balloons are a wonderful way to cool off in the hot sun. You'll need at least one hundred balloons for 10 minutes of fun. Small balloons are preferred as they are easy to handle and throw. Multiple colors make for a more attractive display that kids can't resist. Avoid over filling the balloon as they will burst as soon as they are handled. Fill the balloons with cool water only and place in a cool shady place until the games begin.




The most exciting activity of the day was throwing water balloons at each other mainly to cool off. The kids and kids at heart loved it.


After the games were over we offered stuffed bears, flamingos and monkeys to all the kids who helped clean up the water balloon fallout. They quickly cleaned up and excitedly claimed their prized rewards with great glee. The kids seemed to like the long armed stuffed monkeys best of all.

For more ideas for your summer reunion look inside Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app. Follow the link on this page or access it from my profile.


Looking for more fantastic family reunion activity ideas? Find 7 fresh ideas at... http://familyreunionplanners.blogspot.com/2011/06/family-reunion-idea.html

Getting To Know Us

Most of you know that Brenda and I are the authors and co-authors of the "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner" and Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding  Planner, both works inspired by me and Brenda's 30 year love of event planning. These books were written to encourage family commitment,  support and unity in your household and community. 

Family Reunion Poem "We Rise To Tell Ehe Story"
by Mark Askew

Did You Know?
Many of our current readers may not know that this blogger is also the author of the poems "Finding Our Way Back Home" and "We Rise To Tell the Story", two popular family reunion poems about generations that have come and gone leaving significant contributions toward building a strong house. Brenda and I are also founder and director of the Family Reunion Planning Group which promotes November as Annual Family Reunion Planning Month.

Fun Poetic Craft Ideas
Thinking about offering a gift to family reunion attendees. Here are five fun crafts poetic art ideas you can do yourself with a color printer.

1. Download one of the poems mentioned above and printing it on a large or extra large t-shirt.

2. Print the poem on transparent paper and press between two glass panels. Insert bottom edge of panels into a grooved stand or use a transparent plastic counter top brochure display holder. Makes a great center piece on your photo table.

3. Print it on paper and iron it on 11x14 size canvas and frame it.

4. Print it on a plaque.

5. Print it on transfer paper and iron it on fabric and create a wall hanging.

Webinar and Speaking Engagements
Brenda and I are involed in webinars and giving  personal counseling to newly engaged couples, newly weds, wedding officiation and we speak before groups of 100 to 10,000 about the principles that lead to happy family life. While we are booked in these areas months in advance we will always take time to answer your event planning questions online via email.

Most of all we love to take the celebratory approach to buiding strong families by encouraging family gatherings filled with nothing but fun, inspiring and meaningful activities all the family will enjoy. Your success is our greatest reward.

Summer Savings News:
Did you know that Fimark's Family Reunion Planner keepsake guidebook was marked down from $29 to $17.99. Even better, now it's only $16.19 just in time for summer savings. This books makes a great keepsake gift for reunion attendees and planners. Buy two or more and get free shipping! Go to http://goo.gl/gVsY6.

Announcing a special Family Reunion Planning Package offer to all reunion  planners this summer only. Today you can get the Complete Family Reunion Planner Guide and Keepsake package including the 132 page ebook, the reunion planner  web app along with instant download of all printables poems and worksheets.  Follow the link on this page or access it from my profile.

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Mark & Brenda

How To Increase Event Funds

Your family reunion is just around the corner and you need to increase event funds fast? Fund raisers can be costly. Who wants to end up investing more than what was made.

To make your fun raiser a festive, colorful and interest event for all get as many involved in donating used items and craft items.  The more creative the better. Keep in mind that having a fund drive is a craft in and of itself. Setting up attractive displays takes some forethought.

Make items eye catching, inviting and laughable with punchy, witty price tags and colorful persuasive labels.

The key is to sell items that cost close to nothing but are valuable to the buyer. Here are some great DIY Fund Drive ideas courtesy of Fimark Home Online.

DIY Fund Drive Ideas provided by www.fimark.net
Visit us at www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome 

Like three or more of the listed ideas? Why not combine them all. The more variety the more support your fund drive will receive. Detail exactly what will be featured at the fund drive event and send out at least three reminders up to the day of the event.

Online Payment Systems

Many reunion planners have lamented about getting reunion dues in on time. If you are asking attendees to mail you money or drop off cash you're in for a long wait. Why? Some folks don't write checks or handle cash daily anymore. They pay bills online. That said,  setup your Paypal, Google Wallet or other online payment system asap or get a website that takes payments like the one reviewed here...http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/familyreunionwebsite.html

Send online payment ready emails to each family member to make the payment process easier. 

Inspiring Incentive

Sometimes attendees need incentive to get those fees paid. Here are some dues payment incentives. Offer rewards for the first 10 0r 20 payees. Offer special seating at the reception for those who send payments early. Offer a special party favor to early payees. Offer mention in the family reunion keepsake booklet. 

Hand out certificates, a baked item or award them with a favorite keepsake heirloom like the family reunion planning keepsake book featured at Createspace... https://www.createspace.com/3601499.  This 132 page Family Reunion Planner keepsake book can be given to timely payees. The event planning book contains a family reunion planner, family tree, pedigree, family recipes section, journal and reunion themes and games. Makes a great fund drive offering, gift, reward and family heirloom. It also contains detailed cost saving fund drive ideas to raise money for your event.

Visit us at www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome

Crafts: Family Reunion Table Settings

What a ball we had last summer. It was a veritable feast in the park. Our family and friends love to cook and eat and work it off with fun activities. Somehow the grills, the smells of simmering and roasting food set it all  off just right. Yum!

Still you want everyone to keep in mind the theme of the occasion so they will anticipate theme related activities and prepare to work and play in harmony with the theme.

Remember to plan to decorate the family reunion venue in harmony with the theme. The items you chose to decorate has   much to do with that. The theme we chose last summer was centered around having fun with our children.

We called it "Fun In The Park." So we decorated with the fun activities in mind.

Activities included the kite flying, dodge ball, bubble blowing contests, a bible drama, water balloon relay and winning and eating lots of snacks.

Water Balloons: The kids could not wait to get their hands on these. As a matter of fact some did try.

We had to post a guard around them for fear the balloons would all disappear before the games began. 

Bubble Blowing Contest: This captivated the kids for hours...

and hours...

.
Brenda made beautiful table centerpieces based on the theme.

Table Centerpieces Made of Bags of Candy

 
What You Need:
1. Spindles of colored ribbon
2. Party bags
3. Wrapped and boxed candies (Choose candies that hold up on warm sunny days.)
4. Helium filled balloons (Any size or shape will do.)
5. Scissors

Sort the candies so a few of each kind goes in each bag. Fill the bags evenly. Run the edge of your scissors over about 12 inches of the ribbon to produce a twirl on the end of the ribbon string. Tie the ribbon in a knot around the bag opening leaving about 10 inches to twirl about the bag. Attach the other end of the ribbon to the helium filled balloons. Place the bags evenly along the center of the picnic tables.

The colorful ribbons, balloons, party bags and the sweet smell of candies will raise the fun and excitement to the next level.

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

A Weekend Like No Other

This weekend was a very special one. Brenda and I bonded with our granddaughter. Needless to say she is a cutey. But this weekend was extra special because it was just Brenda, our grand-d and me. We ate at a favorite restaurant and discovered that she loves all things  coconut - just like me. She remembers parts of conversations and repeats the dialog with precision timing. She slept over for the first time. No fuss.

She loves all things mechanical. If there is a button to push a knob to turn or a door to open She's on it. She seldom cries unless she's awakened abruptly. She likes to play with books and cards and loves to sing and dance to music. We took pictures with our smart phones. I think we're up to about a thousand pics.

I composed a lullaby that features a little ditty her father (the son who did his own genealogy research online.) made up when he was about her age. I added the very first song I made up at the age of 8. When she immediately broke into her happy dance it was obvious we had a hit on our hands. She loved it. So that just makes me love her more. Another fond memory made.

Making Family Reunion Keepsake Booklets
In a recent newsletter we discussed where you want to be on the "Family Reunion Timeline Checklist". Complete ordering t-shirts. You should have also collected photos, stories, genealogy research and have started on your photo and genealogy presentations. These can also be added to your family reunion keepsake booklet.

Collecting Photos
You will want to do one of two things with your photos.
1. Scan them into your computer
2. Take a picture of the photo using your digital camera, camera phone or cell phone and transfer them to your computer.

Now that your photos are on your computer use your photo editing tools to crop (cut-around) the images into a perfect square.

Documenting Family History
Next, from your family history files put together two paragraphs of information about your ancestors from the earliest records available. Include full first names, middle and surnames of both father and mother, marriage dates, education, trades and employment, residents, migration and births leading up to the eldest living family member.
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/family_reunion_booklet.html

Putting together your family reunion keepsake booklet can be one of the most rewarding projects associated with the event, so remember to get the family involved.

Happy Family Reunion Planning!

Don't have the latest version of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner?
Get your copy of the award winning Family Reunion Planner 3.0 at
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net

Fun Weekend Family Reunion Craft Projects

Reunion planners. Looking for a Fun weekend project that gets the family involved? Get together with a close family member and friend. Pour a glass of iced tea or a cup of coffee and snacks and start on your next Sunday afternoon family reunion project.

1. Download family reunion logos for your T-shirts. To begin go to http://dld.bz/afgvU

2. Download, print and frame family reunion certificate. To get started go to  http://goo.gl/Cq0Sm

3. Download a family reunion keepsake memory booklet using Fimark's Family Reunion Booklet Maker. Go to to see the possibilities http://dld.bz/agenW

4. Download print and frame inspiring and beautifully crafted family reunion poems for keepsake gifts. To get inspired go to http://goo.gl/dlqAi

Something even more engaging? Try event planning at it's personal best. Personalized event planning tutorial with signature poetic excerpts, a reunion planners journal, recipe compiler all in the form of a legendary heritage heirloom for you and your family. Set your course and take a remarkable journey planning your family reunion with The Family Reunion Planner Guide Book and Keepsake http://goo.gl/MRoIz.

How To Make A Family Reunion Flyer

Follow these six simple steps to make your family reunion invitational flyer in minutes.

1.  First select and download a printable family reunion flyer template. Many full featured flyer templates can be found simply by using the keywords "family reunion flyer" at top search engines such as Google, Bing or Yahoo!  After downloading your flyer template import it into your Ms Office or compatible document editor.

2.  Reunion Theme - Locate the text boxes on the flyer template. Text boxes allow the user to enter and edit text over the flyers embedded graphic. The theme should be positioned near the top center of the flyer above all other text to be entered. Experiment with various font colors, faces and styles such as bolded, large size text.

3.  Family Reunion Slogan - Now add the family reunion slogan. This can be centered within a text box under the theme using a smaller sized font.

4.  Family Reunion Date(s) - Now enter the family reunion date(s). Although numerical month, day and year is sufficient it's usually best to spell out the day(s) and month so users will know exactly what day of the week they are to attend.

5.  Family Reunion Activities - List as many planned activities under the date text box as available space allows. List activities according to rank of importance or significance while including those that will appeal to the majority of attendees.

6.  Contact Information - Add full name(s), email address, home and cell phone numbers, fax and family reunion website address and any special RSVP deadline instructions.

Send online invitations and keep up with RSVP's using one of the following resources and applications:

Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social - An award winning event planning web app with everything you need to plan your next family reunion.

MyEvent.com - Personal event planning website with tools to create a family reunion web site, history page, family tree and essential tools to plan your family reunion event.

Memorials - Bridge To A Fulfillng Future

Many times when we've lost a loved one we step away from the past in order to deal with the present and plan for the future. Certainly this is essential to our survival. But we must always take time out to remember, in order to heal, console and be able to truly move on. That said, a memorial can be a bridge to the future. A granting to oneself persmission to fully connect to ones past and still plan for a fulfilling life. 

This weekend many will be following a national celebration to remember lost loved ones. Some will be engaged in festive celebration. Others will choose to spend the day in somber reflection. Some may not know just what to do. A few may even dread the days activities for fear they will slip back into mourning.

Mourning is a necessary process the mind and body require in order to flush itself of shock, feelings of sudden abandonment and dispair.  At the end of the process one is better able to embrace the memory of the loved one and draw comfort from what they have been given by that one.

The day this process takes place is not important. Whether it is best you  surround yourself with friends and family or are alone with your thoughts all depends on what works for you. What matters most is that we allow the process to run it's course and see it thru.

How do some choose to remember? It all depends on what works best for you and yours.

Fun Family Crafts
One family made a family photo tree.  With each photo placed on the tree a biographical paragraph was written underneath. Each family member contributed one sentence to the biography.

Another family worked on a keepsake memory book. The in memoriam page was the project of the day. Each family member examined several photos and tried to remember the story behind them. Others read excerpts from past journals. The process lead to clarity of memory, a few tears and a lot of laughter.
This process helps each family member to respectfully build a bridge, a clear reconnection to that loved one while learning to accept the fact that we all have our place in time.  As we embrace the memories in such a way, others will learn to embrace the memory we leave others, building yet another bridge that connects the past to a fulfilling future.

Other families just talk. Starting off each topic with "remember when" can help each family member contribute to the discussion while finding a way to trigger a fond memory that opens the doors to a happy place everyone can still enjoy does wonders.

Family Reunion Planning Guide & Keepsake Book

ships in 24hrs - 10% off Free shipping
http://goo.gl/MRoIz

Family Reunion Keepsake Memory Bookket Maker
http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/family_reunion_booklet.html

Making A Family Reunion T-shirt Quilt

You've carefully saved them year after year. As they accumulated, every now and then you looked them over trying to remember some of the activities of the special day. For some time you hesitated to find a reason to put them on for fear you would eventually wash away the family reunion logo and slogan and fade both the art and the memory of that moment in time. So back into the dresser drawer, storage bin or closet they go.

Now there is a reason, a very important and meaningful reason, to take your family reunion t-shirts out of the closet and bins and put them back in circulation. And just what could this good reason possible be?

It's time to make a family reunion quilt? Not just any quilt. A family reunion t-shirt quilt.

Family Reunion T-Shirt Quilts

Like other family reunion quilts, this quilting project will bring the family together like no other. It will speak of years of reunions and thus serve as a historic monument, a keepsake and heirloom. So how do we get started?

1. Materials

You'll need several family reunion t-shirts, a block grid, 9 block patches, scissors, light colored pencil, a hand sewing kit with pins, a ruler and coordinated block patches. For extra quilt blocks rry Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts quilt block patches, iron ons & appliques as well as quilting kit supplies and materials.

2. Family Reunion T-Shirts

Your family reunion t-shirts are the main feature of your quilt. That said, choose shirts that are in good condition, less faded and the material is in good condition. Avoid using shirts with small holes, torn threads or worn.

3. Block Grid

The basic nine patch quilt block pattern is the base for your quilt. In order to enlarge or reduce any block pattern you need to create a grid. Determine the number of blocks in the grid. For example a 9 patch quilt has 9 blocks of equal size. An 18 patch quilt has 18 blocks of the same size. Make your block grid accordingly. Having made the grid look over the patterns of your t-shirts and determine the most uniform or meaningful placement. You may wish to place them in chronological order. Perhaps the color pattern will be your guide. Or the themes will determine the order.

4. Block Patches

To determine the number of inches for each square look over the t-shirts you will be using. Find the shirt with the widest printed graphics. Using a ruler measure the edge of the graphic end to end length and height. Now add two to 4 extra inches to the length and height of the quilts back to serve as a border along the edges.

5. Cutting Out The Tshirt Blocks

You want your quilt patch blocks to be cut so that they are placed symetrical. Each will need to be the exact same size whether you're making a quilt that's nine squares or 18.  Your t-shirt block pattern should measure 8x8 or 10x10 or 12x12, etc. Cut a piece of poster board into a pefect square using the measurements determine. This will be your standard block pattern to be used when cutting the block patches from each t-shirt. Carefully place the standard block pattern on the shirt so that the logo and slogan is centered vertically and horizontally. Trace around the edge of the block pattern using a light colored pencil. Now using your scissors cut out the patch. Make certain the scissors are sharp so as not to pull and tear the threads of the shirt.

6. Adding Coordinated Block Patches

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If you only have a few t-shirts consider adding coordinated block patches. Try this using Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts quilt block patches, iron ons & appliques, as well as quilting kits.

Your block patches can display colorful family reunion theme images printed on iron-on paper and transfered to patch face.  You'll find family reunion theme images ideal for family reunion iron-on transfers at Fimark's Family Reunion T-Shirt Designers

7. The Quilt Border

Next measure material the full size of your quilt adding 4 inches to the pattern. The will be the quilts back and frame. The additional inches are to half-fold over the edge of the quilt.

8. Preparing For Stitching
Now using sewing pins attach each patch, seam to seam, until the 9 blocks are prepared for sewing.

9. Sewing Your Quilt
After pinning the seams between your patches lay them over the quilt backing material face up and perfectly centered. Commence sewing along the seams of all the patches thru the back material. You can do this by hand or using a sewing machine.  

10. Completing The Border
Half-fold the quilts back material over the edge of the sewn patches and create a small seam. Sew along the seams edge.

Ready For Display

In no time your t-shirt quilt is complete and ready for display. What memories this quilt will trigger as you enjoy a new family heirloom to last for generations.

T-shirt graphics provided by Fimark Home Online at http://family-reunion-t-shirts.fimark.net/

Preserving Memories With Old Greeting Cards

Making, preserving, and perusing memories is what family is all
about. In addition to running the Family Reunion Planner resource and
website I also operate a greeting card website. One page is devoted
to the question "What to do with old greeting cards?" Here are 9
creative and fun ways to turn your old greeting cards into useful
tangible art form.

Scrapbook Art: Cut out parts of the greeting card face. Not also the hand written words on the inside cover to add that personal touch and meaning to your photo scrapbook.

Photo Frame/Matting: Cut out a rectangle in center of greeting card
to fit photos. Tape photo inside frame/matting.

Frame Art: Buy small cute frames that feature designs and colors
that match the art and theme of a card you love. Matted frames work
well too. You preserve the card and it's meaning.

Baby Room Mobile: Using baby shower greeting cards cut cards to a smaller size and tie to mobile frame. Hang from ceiling. Cut out
alphabets spelling the child's name or initials. Cut out animal, toy
and solar system shapes. Hang from mobile frame.

DVD Cover Insert:
Use a card that has special meaning to you. Cut front face of card to fit DVD cover. Ad text to Card and insert card
in DVD cover sleeve. Perfect for family reunion, wedding and annivesary events.

For more ideas visit Fimark Home Onlines Greeting Card Crafts page.

Incoming Year 2011

Seems like 2001 was just yesterday and yet here we are in 2011.
As the song goes "Time keeps on slipping into the future." What will you do to make this a memorable year? While many warm moments in time are the result of unforeseen occurrences and chance we have to admit the majority of ones that matter most are those that are well planned and much anticipated.

No doubt you've made a resolution to complete a family reunion project before the spring. But it is likely that like me you're now busier than ever.

While life has a way of making demands on your time it's important to take time to yourself, immerse yourself in your own personal projects and enjoy the good results of your labor.

That said, let's look over a list of some of the things our family reunion planners are determined to accomplish.

1. Highlight the last family reunion event in a newsletter
2. Finish a family quilt project
3. Appraise a family heirloom
4. Complete a family reunion keepsake booklet
5. Interview family elders
6. Discuss a family reunion cruise
7. Find family reunion t-shirt designs
8. Build a family website
9. Finalize reunion travel plans
10. Plan summer vacation
11. Knit a sweater or blanket for baby
12. Take supportive auntie and cousins to a Spa

Now that sounds like fun doesn't?
Gotta download a template? http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net