How to Make Strawberry Boxes

Items you will need: 

1 Strawberry Pattern on Red or Pink card stock
2 Leaf Patterns on Green card stock
(We scanned in our template and printed out our patterns onto the cardstock but you can cut your pattern out and trace it onto card stock and it will work fine)
Scissors
Ribbon - Enough to weave through the strawberry ends and tie a bow
A Creaser - to smooth your folds (Can be found with Quilting supplies at WalMart)
1/8 inch Hole Punch
Secure bonding material (We just used clear tape but it is recommended to use something better)
Small amount of Easter Grass
Small amount of Candy to place inside your favor.  We used strawberry covered chocolate.  The wrapped strawberry hard candy would be a good choice too.

Trace your template onto card stock of your choice.  Cut out 1 strawberry pattern and 2 leaf patterns.

Next fold along the dotted lines of the strawberry pattern.  I fold where I can see the lines first to help me fold a straight line. Then fold the paper back to where you cannot see the lines and crease. 

Creasing with a tool is recommended but it doesn't have to be this kind of tool.

Bring the ends together and secure them in whatever manner.  I used tape but if you need it to be more secure use a more secure method. 

Use a 1/8 inch hole punch to punch holes as indicated on the pattern.  The leaves may not fit into your hole punch.   No worries, just fold the pattern in 1/2 and insert the pattern 1/2 way over the hole to punch.  In so doing, a complete hole will be punched.

Angle the ends of the ribbon with your scissors.  Weave the ribbon through the holes you made in the strawberry.  I like to begin in the section that I taped to first to help secure it.  Be sure to gather the paper as you thread the ribbon to keep from tearing your paper. 

Add some type of stuffing.  I used paper Easter Grass to keep from having static issues.  It looks natural having a little green hanging out of the strawberry as if it were fresh picked.

Pull ribbon together and secure by tieing, making sure that each pedal on the strawberry  is tucked under or over evenly around.  It will help to hide your folds and make your straberry have a better appearance.  If you are going to add a treat, now is the time to do it.  I added strawberry covered chocolate pieces.

Thread both ends of the ribbon through the center holes in both of the leaves you cut out.  Make sure that the printed pattern is face down.  Tie a bow to secure the leaves.  The leaves will look flat and fact.  Hold the center of the leaf secure so as not to tear the paper and run your finger nail down the center of each leaf curling as you go.  It will give a more natural texture to your leaves.  Make sure that your leaves are turned where both layers may be seen.

Your strawberry is finished and ready to display or give as a favor.  Make several and place in a basket or on a tray.  Simple, inexpensive, and adorable.  Oh, and they never spoil. 

Several of us thought it was neat to have strawberry boxes from the strawberry capital, Bald Knob, Arkansas.  Now we can have strawberrys anytime during the year.

Hope you enjoy the project.  Let us know if you try it.  There are several versions of this pattern available on the internet but this is the method that we used.

Have a strawberry day!

Staged Tea Pictures

So...since I didn't get pictures at the actual Ladies Tea.  So sorry!  I staged a little setting.  It isn't an exact replication but Sister was wanting to see the Carrots and Strawberry's.  You can see the ladies hankies we had for favors and the baskets did have a layer of green Easter grass.  Keep watching and we will share the instructions later.

Thank You!

Thanks to all the Ladies from Bald Knob and all the ladies who came and participated in our District Ladies Tea today.  Sorry, I just realized that I neglected to take pictures.

We started with prayer, a devotion on being "Stirred Up" (a demonstration making real butter).  The Bald Knob ladies are called the "Blue Bonnets".  It was a little funny that our devotion included making butter when Blue Bonnet is a well known name for butter.  Brother Willard says, "Of course, everything is better with Blue Bonnet on it!"  We worshipped in song while the butter was being processed in a food processor.  Singing:  Do Lord, I'll be Somewhere Listening, Revival Us Again, and Ain't God Good.  Key points in the devotion were:  We need to be stirred up by remembering, submit ourselves to God, seperate ourselves from the world, allow the Lord to wash us, be ye salt and make others thirsty for the Lord.  God has given us everything we need let us use what he has given us.  O taste and see...the Lord is GOOD! 

The food must have been enjoyable cause there was a hush in communication while everyone was eating.  We had snacks from biscuits and butter, finger sandwiches, veggie tray, dip, ham swirls, homemade sandwich cookies, pies, cakes....and of course Teas of all flavors.  Coffe and soda was also available for those who are not "tea" drinkers.

One of the decorations on the tables were strawberry boxes with candy inside.  A demonstration was given to share with everyone how to make this craft and envelops with patterns was provided so that each could take and make one of their own.  A strawberry box was also given to each lady so they will have a finished product.  Luke Wantulok helped to prepare the strawberry boxes for each of the ladies.  Thank you Luke.  Go forth and be FRUITFUL!

Brother Wantulok purchased enough ladies hankies so that each lady could received one as a favor from the Tea Party at Bald Knob. 

Several Ladies shared anointed testimonies.  We really enjoyed this time of praise unto the Lord with expressions of Glorify God for His wonderous blessings to us all.

Scripture Tea Bags where provided by Sister Cheryle Andras and she also had a drawing for 2 differeint hanging plants that were in full bloom.  Thereasa Martin and Martha Vinson received these 2 beautiful plants.  Katie Pierce and Abby Swan helped by drawing the numbers out for us.  Thank you little ladies!

We missed Sister Sherry Cox who was unable to attend due to illness.  She is the inspiration behind the District Ladies Teas.  A card was passed around that each lady signed and a gift will be presented to Sister Cox at a latter time for helping to organize these wonderful teas which our ladies enjoy so much.  Thank you Sister Cox.

A special thank you to Sean Wantulok who helped to load, unload and organize the fellowship hall before the ladies arrived. Brother Wantulok and Luke helped with the clean up. 

Decorations Included:  White table clothes, Silver Service and English Rose Tea Sets, Basket of Carrots (Orange Napkings with plastic flatware wrapped inside and tied with green pipe cleaners laying in green Easter grass.), Strawberry Boxes with a little candy treat inside, Strainer and Aluminum Bowl with Easter Grass, Carrots and Strawberry Boxes, different tea bags and coffee singles were strung along the center of each table, paper doilies were under the cups and saucers, paper plates with carrot servings on each plate.  Blue check valances hung in the window with the letters LADIES TEA in the window. 

It was a GREAT day!  Thank you ladies!  Thank the Lord!  Thank you visiting ladies.

Thank you Sister Cheryle and Sister Bobbie for helping me relax. 

So sorry that I neglected the pictures.  We will do better next time.

Watch and we will post how to make the carrot flatware and the strawberry boxes.

Isaiah 40: 31

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.   Isaiah 40:31

This is not an eagle.  I have been told that it is a golden tailed hawk.  This picture was taken from our dining room window just after it landed on this branch.  We had some wonderful services this weekend.  One of the songs that was such a blessing during worship was "You Raise Me Up".

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.  You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.  I am strong when I am on your shoulder.  You raise me up to more than I can be.  (words to the chorus of the song:  You Raise Me Up)

I thought you all might enjoy this picture.

Spring does come in March...proof that it is trying to get here soon!

Has it really been that long since I posted? Sorry!

I am so sorry that I have not posted sooner.  I really did not realize it had been that long.  We have been rather busy though.  Most everyone at Bald Knob has dealt with some type of sickness.  The Meredith's have both visited the hospital but are home doing better now.  Sister Swan hurt her foot but in on the mend.  The seasonal viruses hit around District Convention time as usual.  Although, we were blessed to have a good turn out and a fair representation for every local church. 

The young folks have had a couple of outings since we posted last.  One included a trip to NLR where they met with young folks from the Austin church at the Mall.  It was just a time to visit and have fun.  I think they did.  They are planning another outing this weekend.  I hope they have a great time.  They all need to be able to enjoy good fellowship.

The Andra's family did a wonderful job with our Febuary fellowship.  The decorations were beautiful, games, drawings, pizza, ice crea sundae's and floats.  Then we went into the sanctuary and watch video's featuring Brother R. Ammons in 1993 and the first session of last year's General Assembly 2010.  It was a good day.  We all enjoyed it.  The little ones that attended even took a nap.  A special thank you to Brother and Sister for all of their hard work and expense.  We certainly appreciate it.

March World Mission Month is upon us.  If you would like to make a contribution toward World Missions please contact any one of our WMB ladies.  All funds raised this month in the mission department will be going toward World Missions.  Thank you for your support.

The WMB service for March we had hoped to watch the DVD from Sister Bishoop but someone left the DVD on the desk.  I wonder who could have done that?  Oh well, we will watch Brother Paul and hear his children sing another time.  We did however share the latest report from Brother Paul in Northern India.  He had a wonderful report of one saved and baptised, to God be the Glory!  This is especially a great thing considering the persecution of Christians in their area.  May God bless and keep these dear Saints of God. 

Later in the service we shared a workbook on "How to Engraft the Word of God into our Lives".  We went over some of the highlights and talked about some of the information on sheep that relates to our current Sunday School lessons.  The workbooks were sent home and some asked for additional materials to share with others.  We need to be bound to the Word.

Remember that later this month we will be sponsoring the District Ladies Tea at Bald Knob, Arkansas on Saturday, March 26, at 2:00 PM.  Come and join us!  Bring a friend!  We would love for you to stop by and visit. 

Look for pictures of Spring to be posted soon!