Help

I was recently asked to teach a class at our ward's Super Saturday in November. I am very excited about this (no sarcasm present). I gave the enrichment committee a bunch of suggestions of things that I could competently teach and was prepared to let them decide. When the enrichment leader reported to me that anything I submitted would be great and that I should choose which I want to do, I was a little disappointed because, well, that makes it a little harder on me. (Remember that I'm not that great at making decisions.) So now I need your help. I'll show you the five projects from which I am choosing one to teach. Tell me which one you'd be more likely to do (and pay for) at a Super Saturday enrichment. Thanks!

These are bags that I've not yet tried, but think that they would be VERY easy, as they are made out of placemats (how cool is that?!). The women would be asked to supply their own placemats and I would bring the webbing and extra fabrics. The cost would be really inexpensive, maybe around $2-$3.


These are actual placemats that I have made. The cost here would also be minimal, maybe $5.


This is a bag that I made and used during my short-lived primary career. The cost here would be about the same as the placemats, $5.


This is a family tree made for my in-laws. The cost of the trees would be expensive because of the frames. I believe they were about $20 per frame, so about $45 for the entire project.


This final picture is a needlepoint display of President Hinckley's 6 B's (this was before he added the others!). If you wanted the frame, the cost is around $12. But if you wanted to do something else with it (e.g., pillow), then only $2. The frame can be painted, but when I give this as a gift, I usually leave it natural so that the receiver can decide what color best matches her decor.

Music Request

From the bonus I was given last year, C and I treated ourselves: he got a Wii, and I got a Bose SoundDock for my iPod. (We did put the rest in savings however. We're not that irresponsible.) The SoundDock has saved my life at work. Podcasts have successfully kept me awake when I thought I just couldn't take it anymore. But I can't wait for the day when I quit this job and can have the SoundDock as our at-home stereo. Before that happens, we are going to need some serious amounts of new music. Given that our current radio listening consists of only 45 minutes of a morning talk show, a smattering of regular radio while in the car later in the day, and "Stained Glass Bluegrass" on Sundays, I just don't know where to begin in this search for new music. I typically like stuff that is more simple. For example, a woman and her guitar are enough for me; I don't need a full orchestra. I also enjoy oldies and classic rock. I like bluegrass as long as it's more bluegrass than country. Obviously, I do not like country, and I think C and I have enough rap to last us a bit. So does anyone have any suggestions?

HELP! (part 2)

Some time ago, I was getting yummy French toast breakfast at Eastern Market (this was actually the Saturday before it was destroyed by fire). At the flea market across the street, there was a vendor selling framed stamps. Being the re-creative person that I am (you can see other things that I re-created here), I thought, “Why pay $15 for this when I can make it for way cheaper?!” But before I make a few of these, I want to make sure that I know exactly what I'm going to do with them. So I created a mock-up of what they would look like: framed stamps in a white mat. Of course, there are many different stamps that I can use, some of my favorites being the quilts, crops, Muppets, lighthouses, and American wonders.

But here’s the problem, once I frame a couple of these, where do I put them? How many should I frame? Are the stamps too small to be seen on a wall? How would you organize these on the wall (randomly, in a line)? In which room should I put them (bedroom, bathroom, hallway, kitchen)? I like them too much to ignore their possibilities, but just can't figure out what, exactly, to do with them.

HELP!

I need help with two things. First, I am really bored at work. So if anyone has any projects for me that don’t include crafts or cooking (I can’t easily do these things at work and still look like I’m actually working) send them my way. I’m serious. Anything. Projects for me or projects for you. You need a fancy spreadsheet created?! Allow me! You want me to create an electronic copy of your recipes, just send me the copies and I’ll do it. Honest. I’m not kidding, just that bored.

Second, I am turning 30 in a few short weeks (!) and can’t decide how to celebrate. I have no idea why I am having such a hard time with this. We were initially going to go to NYC, but I waited too long and couldn’t get reservations at the cheap place. Then, I found an affordable inn in West Virginia to which I’ve never been, near some four-season resorts and state parks. But for some reason, I’m dragging my feet in getting a reservation. So here’s the deal: we have $500 and a three-day weekend. What to do?! I thought about flying to Charleston or Savannah, but then slapped my forehead and said “Duh” quite loudly. Me, below the 38th parallel in August?? Suuure, that’s gonna happen. Then Boston came to mind, but I can’t imagine that it’s affordable. Plus, it’s probably very busy this time of year and I generally try to eschew crowds. Another thought was Niagara Falls, but after the initial “Ooooh,” while viewing said falls, what do you do next? Finally, I thought maybe I’ll just stay home, invite friends, have a BBQ, and go shopping with the leftover monies. But I just can’t decide! Any other suggestions of fun places to visit? Or fun things to do over that first weekend in August? Help!