What is better than flip flops in the summer? Flip flop SWAPS of course!
I found these cute flip flop cupcake toppers at my local craft store. All I had to do was remove the stick and add a tag. I does not get much easier. The possibilities are unlimited and the design is on both sides. These were great because they are colorful and I passed them out the day I wore my summer shirt with flip flops on it.
I love SWAPS! What’s not to love? They are cute tiny handmade items with safety pins for trading. The only problem with making SWAPS is the time needed to make them. Since I made almost 200 SWAPS for camp I needed easy SWAPS that were also inexpensive to make. So after scouring the internet I decided that I would make AHG Friendship Seeds.
There are many different “Friendship Seeds” floating around the internet, but none seemed just right. So, with the help of my very talented husband we created the text. The words were printed on paper and placed in a 2×3 zipper bag with a few seed beads. Nothing could be quicker!
If you would like to make some here is the poem ready for you to use. Just print and cut on the dotted lines. (AHG Friendship Seed Poem)
Do you have a wrinkled heart? Not sure what a wrinkled heart is, let me explain. Do you remember what the class bully said to you in 3rd grade? Do you remember the mean words your best friend in high school said when you were having a fight? Do you remember the unkind words of your spouse in a heated moment? Sure, we all do. Those are wrinkles in our heart. No matter how many times you have forgiven the other person, satan still uses those words to create self-doubt, and insecurities within us. Those wrinkles are very hard to heal and only by God’s grace will that ever happen.In an attempt to encourage the girls at camp to choose their words wisely, I created the first SWAPS for the week.
This was a super quick SWAPS to make. I began by cutting out hearts from construction paper with my Cricut using the George and Basic Shapes cartridge that came with the machine. I then crumbled each heart up and then “re-flattened” it. All that was left was to add a tag. If you would like to make this SWAPS you can download and print the SWAPS tag below. If you are making this or any SWAPS don’t forget to add your name and troop number somewhere on the SWAPS. The back of the tag works great for this.
wrinkled heart
NOTE: The idea came from an elementary school counselor (here).
I spent last week at AHG summer camp. If you do not know about AHG (American Heritage Girls) you can find out more at www.ahgonline.org I had the privilege of getting to accompany my beautiful daughter, and teach the Home Care and Repair Merit Badge. I will write more on that later, but today I want to talk about SWAPS.
We did not have SWAPS when I was a young camper, but I love them. If you do not know what a SWAPS is let me attempt to explain. SWAPS stands for Special Whatchamakallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. In short, they are little homemade items with a safety-pin attached that are traded / swapped at an event. They are a great opportunity for the girls to be able to meet other girls and have a starting point for a conversation. They also provide the girls with a souvenir / token to take home. While most adults do not participate in SWAPS, I cannot resist.
As a merit badge counselor, I opted to make SWAPS for the girls in my class and to share with other girls at camp. For each day of camp I made a different SWAPS to share with my class. I did not do it to actually trade but more as gives. There are always a few girls that are new to SWAPS and did not know to make any or did not have time to make any. This allowed them to have some to take home (usually other girls are more than willing to give SWAPS and trading is not required).
The next couple of post will highlight four of the SWAPS. For those who are not into scouts and SWAPS, bear with me, I will return to knitting and cooking soon. Here is a sneak peek at the next few posts.
Updated: Here are the links to the individual SWAPS for more information. Wrinkled Heart SWAP, Friendship Seeds SWAP, Sock Monkey SWAP, and Flip flop SWAP
Did you know that there are 13 folds when an American Flag is properly folded? Each fold symbolizes something. Learn the meaning of each fold and use it in a flag ceremony.
A few years back I heard the meanings of each fold as the flag was folded. It was a very moving experience for me, as I watched a group of military personal fold the flag. So when I saw this badge requirement I was excited to look it up with the hopes of including it at one of our ceremonies.
The first thing I learned is that Federal Flag code does not dictate the meaning behind the folds. But rather this has evolved over time to represent the religious principles that our nation was founded on.
Symbols for the Folds of the Flag
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
