Tuesday, March 15, 2011

There's No Place Like Home...


 I had the giddy fun and pleasure of creating lots of magical things for our Wizard of Oz themed New Beginnings that we hosted in February. Some of the fun items I got to create were:

- The Invitations (see above)
-A poem that went along with our theme I digi-scrapped and printed off
-Cupcake Circles (These are addictive to make! See example at bottom of post)
-Custom OZ character pictures
-Food labels (I love coming up with creative food name labels)
-The program for the evening
-Custom name labels circles
-Lettering to go on our 'brick road'
-Cute Country paper banners
-Magic...  :)

This was our vision of what we started calling the "Chic Country OZ!"
The program started with me introducing our theme and why we chose Wizard of Oz. I talked about how Dorothy represented all the girls on their own "journey" through Young Women's and how Christ has sent them people in their lives to help them along their way "home." Just as Glenda (the good witch) gave Dorothy the Ruby Slippers and a kiss to start her off right on her journey, each Young Woman has Personal Progress and us as leaders to do the same. 

Then, the next leader who talked represented the LION and talked about the COURAGE it takes to be in YW's, to represent the morals we believe in and to complete personal progress. The next leader represented the SCARECROW and discussed the KNOWLEDGE you gain while being in YW's and working through personal progress. She then walked us through an online demonstration of the new Personal Progress Online!  It was perfect!

The last leader who spoke represented the TIN MAN and represented the love and HEART we have as women in the program. We used this opportunity to introduce the new Beehives and show a short slide show of some of the wonderful things we did together last year set to the song, "Somewhere over the Rainbow" sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and his ukulele. (You may remember this song being played at the end of the movie "50 First Dates" with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.)

It was so fun to revisit memory lane and see the girls who will be coming in this year get so excited!
Mission Accomplished.
***

The food table


*My Inspiration*

Leslie (our YW president) made this amazing ruby slippers filled with Glenda the good witch's "gummy kisses" to give each of our Young Women to take home. She found the idea HERE at on of my favorite blogs Skip to my Lou


Here are one of the 10 different cupcake circles I created...I got a little carried away!
Seeing these beautiful Red Velvet Cupcake in every ones hand at the end of the evening made me smile... :)


Can I just say one more time how much I LOVE my Young Women...I can think of no better calling in the Church then the one I'm in right now. I'm so thankful for the girls in my ward and for the leaders I get to work with and I can't wait to see what other big ideas we will surely come up with next!

::UPDATE as of 1/1/14::
I've had so much great response to my Wizard of Oz printables that I couldn't keep up with the emails so I finally got smart and now have a link where you can download them for yourself.
Click HERE to view the folder with 14 different printable options for you to download. There are different options for all of your needs!


103 comments:

Jen said...

You are so creative and cute, I can't imagine anyone more perfect for Young Women's! I bet they LOVE you!

smalltowngirl said...

You are the best party thrower ever! I always love all your decorations and the detail that you put into it.

Author Robin King said...

Looked amazingly cute! Your work paid off. I loved your decor and cupcake circles. I miss working with you :(

Aly G said...

What a cute idea! You are so talented girly! If ever I need an idea I know who to call!!! Miss ya! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is ashley I was searching for YW camp ideas, and came across your blog!! I am actually from Vernal and grew up in the same ward as Jared. I was wondering where you got all your graphics for you new beginings and if you would share your ideas? if you would e-mail me I would love to pick your brain for some ideas!! claris@ubtanet.com . Thanks again

Brooke Hargett said...

Looks like it was an amazing night! You are so clever Kelly! I love all the creative things you do!!

Mariah said...

Hi, I just found your blog and the Wizard of Oz night you did for YM. I love everything about the event and was wondering if you had the printable files for the cupcake toppers and invitation that you might be willing to share? Thanks!

*Kelly* said...

Mariah, I don't mind sharing, what email do you want me to send it to?

restlessrisa said...

Kelly, This is Risa, Angie's sister-in-law. This looks amazing!!! I am pinning you in my pintrest! Thanks for sharing :)

<3

Risa

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi! My name is Danielle and I stumbled upon your blog while looking for ideas for our New Beginnings night coming up at the end of this month. I LOVE your invites and dessert labels. Do you mind sharing? If so, would you mind letting me know where you got your graphics from? My email is danielle_pedersen@hotmail.com Thanks so much!

Gigi said...

Our YW's Presidency is in LOVE with your Wizard of Oz theme and we are going to do it for our New Beginnings in Feb. You are so creative! Would you mind sharing the graphics you used such as the invitations, food labels etc. My email address is gigidover@gmai.com. We would really appreciate it! Thank you very much!

Sarah F. said...

Our YW's is doing a Wizard of Oz theme this year! Do you mind sharing the graphics and things you used? My email is sarahfamilia at gmail dot com. Thank you so much!

Margie said...

I am a little late but we are just not getting ready to do this in March. Do you mind sharing your graphics? margie.jury@gmail.com

Me and My Brain said...

Thank you so much for sharing such wonderful creativness. I am planning our program now and was wondering if I could us your idea... mainly the invites.. my address is maykatustison(AT)gmail(DOT)com... thank you
Mayka

Anonymous said...

Hi - I have been searching and searching for an idea I love to do for NB this year - I would LOVE to do this one if you don't mind. Could you please email me the invitations and graphics etc? My address is becgrinceri@gmail.com

Thanks : )

Buffy said...

LOVE THIS IDEA!! We too would like to use this for our NB - my email address is 3codds@gmail.com if you don't mind sharing your cute graphics, and invitations. Thanks!!!
Buffy

Anonymous said...

Love your ideas! We would love to use your graphics if you don't mind sharing. thegodwin6@yahoo.com
thanks ~ Leta

Ashleigh said...

I LOVE this idea!! It turned out so cute! I also would love it if you could share your genius work. If so can you email me at aug142004 at gmail? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This is so amazing! I would also love to use these fun things. We could use them for our Wizard of Oz theme for girls camp this year! :)mrslerch2000@msn.com

Jacobson Five said...

We are doing this for our YW in Excellence and would love the graphics you used for your invite and cupcake toppers, etc. If you would be willing to share I would love it. audreyjacobson@hotmail.com. Thanks!!!

Amber said...

Love love love this idea!!! Would love it if you would share your graphics? amberraecoles@gmail.com

Thanks Amber

Lindsey H. said...

I just read through the comments and see all the people requesting the graphics! If you aren't totally sick of such requests and you have a spare moment, do you mind forwarding them to me as well? lindseyhulet at gmail.com Thanks!

{irene} said...

Hi!....like everyone else...could I get the files?....This is an amazing program!..Please share!:)
icaso@hotmail.com

The Wyler Family said...

Hi! I LOVE this idea. We are thinking about using this theme for our New Beginnings in January. Would you mind sharing your invitation and cupcake toppers with me? Or share where you found all the cute graphics?

Thanks!
Debbie
wyler27 at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

We are also thinking of using this idea for yw in excellence. I am in the same page as Debbie. I would like to know where you found all the cute graphics? And if you wouldn't mind sharing your cute invite and cupcake toppers with me?
Thanks
Perla
tiggirlttfn@yahoo.com

Alissa said...

We are doing this for our YW in Excellence and would love the graphics you used for your invite! If you would be willing to share I would love it. thank you! here is my email: uhlissa (at) gmail (dot) com

Matt & Stacie said...

This is late, but i would also love to use your graphics if you allowed. Love your idea! Best I've seen! stacie214@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Can I please be added to your list of emails for the graphics?!?! We LOVE all of your ideas & can't wait to implement them with our new beginnings! My email is heizy4@embarqmail.com. A huge thank you in advance!

Anonymous said...

Will you please email me the pdf for the invitations. Thanks! Michelle

mskelly32@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I notice that you are so kind and willing to share your graphics for invitations, decorations, etc. We are excited to follow your lead and use your wonderful ideas for our New Beginnings. Could you please email me your graphics, or tell me where you found them on the web? It would be so very much appreciated. Thank you in advance! My email is jillgibson@embarqmail.com.

mom said...

I am new to young women and was put in charge of new beginnings in 2 weeks. Could you please please send graphics?
Beverly@southforkanimalclinic.com. I am an old lady and don't know how to get rid of the capital B on my email. It is supposed to be a small b

Unknown said...

I was wondering if you were willing to share your graphics on your amazing idea. I have two darling girls coming in that both love the Wizard of oz and it would be perfect. My email is lexiedubell@comcast.net.
Thank you

Jessica said...

I too would love to have the graphics for the invite and such for your idea. If you wouldn't mind sharing. Thanks so much

Jessica said...

Forgot to leave my address...can you please email the graphics to jessibella64@hotmail.com

Julie said...

Kelly, It looks like your idea has gone viral. I loved it as well. Do you still have the graphics that you could e-mail to me as well? I think it will go great with this year's theme to "Stand in Holy Places." The ruby slippers will be just the thing to tie it all in. :) Thanks!
julie.nance@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I feel bad even asking, because you're probably sick of it, but these will go along perfectly with our theme for New Beginnings this year. Is there any way I could get the info too? doug03ruth@yahoo.com Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

I would love to get the info and graphics for this idea, so creative and I am not. Thank you for sharing. My email luvinam@aol.com

Unknown said...

Wow! You work is loved! I feel really bad to ask too, but we would love to use your beautiful printables if you don't mind sharing still. It would be very appreciated! My e-mail is bratprather@yahoo.com THANKS SO MUCH! Great work

Anonymous said...

I, too, am in charge of New Beginnings this year and I keep coming back to your blog on Pintrest. Can I please have the printables too? teine.samoa@live.com

Thank you so much!

Shawni

Liz said...

Hi Kelly!
My girls came across you blog and loved this idea! They want to do it for New Beginnings. I too am wondering if you would email me the printables. They are beautiful!

lizrowley06@yahoo.com

Thanks!

The Reynolds Family said...

So great!! We live in Kansas and are excited to do this theme in a few weeks for our new beginnings. Could you add me to your list to use your darling printables?

Jennilyn.reynolds@gmail.com

If your willing I would love to see the poem you came up with.

Thanks for sharing your creativity!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You are so creative! Our ward is also doing this theme for new beginnings! Would you mind sharing the graphics and invitation/poem? We would be so thankful if you could help us! My email is pianoteacherjen@hotmail.com. Thank you so much!

Allyson White said...

We are a very new presidency and are trying to pull off our New Beginning in a couple of weeks. We loved this idea. Could I get the pdf for the invitation and any other graphics you can send? My e-mail is allysonwhite@sbcglobal.net.

Thanks so much!

Brooke said...

I would also appreciate it if you could please send me the files for your invitations. I love what you did! Thanks for sharing your talent!

My email is onewildefamily at yahoo dot com

Buggymomma said...

Hi Kelly! We are going to be doing our New Beginnings in less than 3 weeks and really want to do this theme! I love how it turned out for your YW- would you mind sharing your files? My email is aftonwelker at gmail dot com.
Thanks! Your ideas are fantastic!

Krystal said...

Ditto everyone else, this is the cutest New Beginnings idea ever. Would love the printables- khclover@hotmail.com. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!

Anonymous said...

This is perfect! Please can I also have the printables? So glad there are people like you out there!! My address : leahfagg@msn.com

Nikki said...

Any possibility you are sharing your invitations (in editable format) and other pictures/printables?

I saw this on pinterest, pitched it to the YW presidency and they loved it. I would like to do it for our YW in excellence this next month.

Please email me at alandnikki@gmail.com

Thanks again!

Nikki

Monica B said...

Wow! This is exactly what I'm looking for. Our new beginnings is in a couple of weeks and I'd love to please use your files, if you'll share with me? My email address is monica@cheetahsupply.com
Thank you so much, in advance!!! You're amazing!

Anonymous said...

I have been preparing a new beginnings around the wizard of oz and ran across your blog. It's just what I'm looking for. If you could share your invitations and graphics that would be awesome. My e-mail is jayteegee55@yahoo.com. Thanks sooo much.

Anonymous said...

hi! My name is Angela. Just like everyone else, I would love your info. Please also make sure to include the poem that you wrote for the night! I"m truly amazed and hope we can do this too! Thanks so much! sethandangie@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, I just found your blog and the Wizard of Oz night. We are thinking of using it for the 2013 theme. Follow the Yellow Brick Road....to the temple. I love everything about the event and was wondering if you had the printable files for the cupcake toppers and invitation that you might be willing to share? I was hoping you might also send the poem you wrote. Jen_ifer17@yahoo.com Thanks!

Stella said...

Just add me to the list! This is just beautiful! You are one very talented lady! I would really appreciate your help with the printables. Any chance you would share? Our new beginnings is in 2 weeks, yikes! My email is cutler.holly@gmail.com
Thank you!

bonnie said...

This is darling! Our Stake YW's used the Wizard of Oz theme for a training night. I would love to use it for New Beginnings. If you are will to share your graphics I would love it. My email is bonnieluks@embarqmail.com. Thanks so much for all the work...it looks like it was an amazing night.

Anonymous said...

We love this idea and want to use this for our new beginnings next month. It's perfect for this years theme :) Would you be willing to share your files for the invitations and cupcake toppers? Thank you! You are so talented!!

kristiwallman@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing!!We are just one of the many other wards that LOVE your theme here! Would you please email me a copy of your files as well?
1soonerchick@gmail.com

Jeanne Garner said...

We love this idea. We had planned a New Beginnings, with the Wizard of Oz theme. Could you email me the invitation? jeannegarner@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Love all of your ideas! We too planned our New Beginnings around the Wizard of Oz theme and would love if you shared your cupcake toppers and graphics..please email tanaudfox@hotmail.com...Thank you!!

Unknown said...

Thank you to everyone who has left comments and been so kind!
I've been having issues with blogger notifying me when people comment which unfortunatly means I've missed seeing many of your requests for files! I FEEL HORRIBLE!
I am sending out a mass email tonight to those of you who have left comments in the last month to see if I'm not too late to help but I fear many of you will have already held your New Beginnings. Now I start checking my comments on a much more regular basis. Sorry to anyone this has inconvienienced, I always want to help where I can!

stephytolley said...

I would LOVE that email of of your graphics if you don't mind. We are using your ideas next month for our New Beginnings! Where did you get that Click Your Heels poster? I LOVE it! My email is stephytolley@yahoo.com
Thanks again!

Katie Holt said...

I would love to be added to the list requesting the downloads. Such a darling idea!
katiebottholt@gmail.com

Unknown said...

No problem Katie! I'll email you tonight

Unknown said...

I too would love your graphic downloads. We're doing a similar theme for relief society and these are perfect. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity
Gingsd@cox.net

sharee said...

Any chance I can get the downloads too? We want to have this as our Standards Night theme. laidlaws@burgoyne.com

Liz said...

I would also love to get a copy of your downloads, if possible. I love your decorations they turned out so cute! We are doing something similar for our YW in excellence.

Thank you!
Lizbeth.rowe03@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This is so incredibly cute! My laurels just planned our YW in excellence with this theme today. I was so happy to find your post! ;) would you mind sharing with us? Thank you!
Megan
Lukiesmom@hotmail.com

Erin said...

Any chance I could get you to e-mail me the Dorothy you used? If so my e-mail is mesmith03@msn.com. If you have any of your other items that you could easily e-mail I would LOVE it.

Thank you!!!

Anonymous said...

This is EXACTLY what I've had on my brain for a couple of months! I love your 'twist' to it-super creative and inspired. I know your list is long, but I, too, would really appreciate an email of your downloads four our YW in Excellence!
Thank you kindly! runlikagrl@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I just sent you an email Liz and Megan, hope you have a great evening with your YW!

Unknown said...

I've also emailed you last two ladies as well!

If you want me to email you printables, please help me by specifying WHAT items you want in particular. That helps cut down on my guessing, thank you!

Anonymous said...

I know it has been awhile but I was wondering where you got the silhouette graphics from. (Both Dorothy and Dorothy with the rest of the characters).

We are doing a Wizard of Oz theme for out YW in Excellence (There is no place like my Heavenly Home) and would love to use the silhouettes.

I would love an email response if you have the time. Ford.Margene@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you foor the goοd writeup. It if truth be told was а enϳoyment acсount
it. Look cοmpliсаted to mοre brοught agreeable frоm you!
Howeνег, how can we κeеρ up a coгrespondеnce?



My homepage: Easy Systems In Antivirus Coupons for 2013 Explained

Anonymous said...

Amazing work! I would love the invitation printable if your willing. brandiloo@comcast.net. Thank you so much!

Heather and Trevor said...

This is exactly what I need! Can you please send me the graphics too? and thank you so much in advanced!! you are so so talanted! :)

igolfgirl(@)gmail(dot)com

Dune Divas said...

Kelly... I love this idea and we would like to use it for our YW in Excellence this year. I would love to have a copy of the file if you are willing to share. Thanks so much! Jamie Zobrist
jamiezobrist@cox.net

Amy said...

Love all your ideas!! We are planning our New Beginnings, with the Wizard of Oz theme. I was wondering if you had the printable files for the cupcake toppers and invitation that you might be willing to share? seadoodavis@hotmail.com Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Cute idea, would you send me a copy of your invitation and the other graphic, hkkunzler@gmail.com

brittney and leeon said...

We are doing this idea for New beginnings in January and was wondering if you could email me the invitations and other graphics? Thanks
beaufish@msn.com

Mommamort said...

Such a cute idea!!! Are you willing to share your graphics etc.? I am also interested in the poem you mentioned. I love how it looks! we are interested in doing this for our New Beginnings this year. Thank you. mommamort@hotmail.com

Kenny and Karissa said...

You are incredible! This is sooo cute. I feel guilty asking, but could I also get a copy of your graphics? We are also doing this theme for New beginnings in Jan. Thank you, thank you! olpinroo@yahoo.com

kdegarimore said...

I am totally using your awesome idea for our New Beginnings this month. I would love if you could send me any files you would care to share! Thank you so much!!
Kdegarimore@msn.com

Unknown said...

UPDATE AS OF 1/1/14

I HAVE ADDED A LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST WHERE YOU CAN NOW DOWNLOAD ALL THE GRAPHICS AND INVITES FOR YOURSELF. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES OR QUESTIONS!
KELLY

kristina said...

Thanks for sharing! What was the yellow brick road made out of on the chalk board? was it just posters taped together? how were you able to get all the blue table cloth/curtains to match? what did you use?
thanks!!

kristinaclark3@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Kristina,
One of the gals on our committee worked at a school and brought home tons of yellow butcher paper that we then traced bricks onto. We then cut out what we wanted for the chalk board and floor to look like the yellow brick road.


The blue and white gingham fabric we bought with a 40% off coupon from our local Joanne's fabric store! It was a little expensive but we've used it many times since so it was worth it!

Becca Benson said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm using your invitation and added to the presentation. I don't know if you'd like a copy of what I did. I'm willing to share with the 2014 Theme of Come Unto Christ. Thanks for the inspiration. It'll be fun...
~Becca

Doris Oehler said...

I am doing this for our new beginnings! We are new in young women too! Can you help me and share the Grafit for invitation! And the little notes for food ????
dorissud1@hotmail.com

Doris Oehler said...

It's not hotmail sorry!!!!!
dorissud1@live.com

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to thank you for everything! Thank you for your creativity but especially for your willingness to share it freely. I am so grateful for all the hard work you did and shared with me. It made my life not as hard. We did this theme for new beginnings last week and it was so awesome! Thank you thank you!

Shannon said...

I also wanted to thank you sooooo much for posting this along with the downloads!! I just did our new beginnings last night and used your ideas and it turned out wonderful!! I would love to send you pics from our activity if you are interested. Please let me know your email address. Mine is shannonrichards at gmail dot com. Thanks!!

LeAnn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I love this idea. You are so creative. We will be using the Wizard of Oz theme for our New Beginnings and I was wondering if the invitations you have in the folder are able to be edited and I can add the date and time? I would love any help you could provide. Thanks so much.
Stacy
crzy4teaching@msn.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, Kelly. Would you mind sharing what fonts you used for the New Beginnings invitation? Specifically, for "New Beginnings" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". If possible, I'd like to be consistent and create the same look on the program.

Thanks in advance.

CHW

kari said...

I don't see the link for the invites and graphics. Please send it to me at 69macattack@gmail.com. Great ideas. Thanks so much. Also where can I get a copy of the poem you used?

Unknown said...

HI this is Natalie,
I love what you did, could you use this theme of the wizard of oz for young women of excellence?

Campbell Clan said...

I love your ideas and thank you for sharing. Is there anyway I can get a copy of your program?

Thank you,
Tish
dugsoup@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is so great. What wonderful ideas. Could i also get a copy of your program if you don't mind. What should i open with in order to be able to edit the invitation?

Thank you so much
Giovi
giovi.klein.72@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

wow!You are so amazing and creative. I love this!! We are going to use this as our new beginnings and excellence theme. I was wondering if there is a way we can edit the invitation so we can add in the date and time? I really appreciate your willingness to let us use your printables.
Thanks,
cami_tennislady@hotmail.com

Nikki said...

Just a quick thank you.
Appreciate your sharing this great idea.
We used many of your ideas and resources and then added some of our own ideas.
Thanks again.

~~Nik

Nicki said...

Cannot thank you enough for your adorable creativity! You have made my job of speaking at YW Camp this year a breeze! Thank for sharing!!! <3

Unknown said...

We have our New Beginnings at the end of this month and I absolutely love your Wizard of Oz theme. I would love it if I could use your invitations. They are so cute!! My email address is yobaby24@msn.com
Thanks so much,
Yvonne

Unknown said...

We have our New Beginnings at the end of this month and I absolutely love your Wizard of Oz theme. I would love it if I could use your invitations. They are so cute!! My email address is yobaby24@msn.com
Thanks so much,
Yvonne

Robin said...

Hello! I just stumbled across your blog. Would you by chance be willing to share your Yellow Brick Road poem with me. It is our theme this year at Girl's Camp. robin2az@gmail.com