"Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School Decorating Help
| Decorating Ideas & How-To's | Resource Links | V-M@il! | Help for Any VBS Theme |
Boomerang Express
V - M @ i l !
Have you located a decorating item for "Boomerang Express" that you're excited about?
Might you have digital pictures to share?
Have you found a helpful link that I haven't found?
Comments about my site?
Write to me, Bobbie, and I'll add it here to benefit everyone.
06/28/09 -- From California, Sister-in-Christ Sandi writes: "I am sitting here going over your site one more time, and I just needed to send a big THANKS! Your site was a blessing as I prepared for this year's VBS, and I was able to use several ideas, and save some money in the meantime. Thanks for all your hard work to help us have a great VBS!" Sandi, I was so glad to receive your note. Thanks for e-mailing me! I'm just doing the job that the Lord gave me to do. 
06/12/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Judy writes: "David's train and Marcia's artwork are AWESOME!!! God has blessed them with great talent; I'm glad they are using it for Him." I agree completely!!
06/10/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Marilyn writes: "I want to thank you for putting together great VBS pages. I've been planning VBS for over 15 years and your site is the best one that I have seen. It's has so much good stuff all in one place. Thank you." I appreciate your praise for my work, Marilyn. God gives me the ideas and I put them into action here. 
Each year I try to make the site better, easier, and more complete than before. If our decorations bring just one child closer to Jesus, we have succeeded. Thanks so much for writing!
Marilyn also offers this tip:
This one's a keeper! Thanks!!
06/10/09 -- From Tennessee, Sister-in-Christ Jill writes: "Thank you so much! I am decorating 4-5 year olds room for our Boomerang Express and I was really stuck on what to do. This website gave me so many ideas. I'm so glad you listened to "that still, small voice" and took so much time to put these ideas on here this year!!! You will be blessed!" Jill, I so much adore your enthusiasm!
06/08/09 -- From South Carolina, Sister-in-Christ Vanett wrote: "Thanks a million...I LOVE your site...it gave me GREAT ideas and made it very easy for me to copy pictures/cut-out. For whatever reason I could NOT download anything from LIFEWAY. You are a REAL life saver...THANK YOU...and GOD BLESS YOU!" Aww... I was just doing my job.
06/08/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Glenda wrote: "I am so glad to hear you will be back again next year. I love to see your creations. They inspire so many of us. Also I check in at least once a week just to see what’s new with Bobbie. Love and Prayers, Glenda." My dear Christian sister, you know I appreciate the love and the prayers.
My jaw fell to the floor when I saw these pictures. Talk about setting a scene!! This is incredible! Y'all, please notice the bench and suitcases on the far right -- that tells you what kind of scale was used to build this train.
Extraordinary work for our Lord, David!!! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
06/05/07 -- From Georgia, Sister-in-Christ Marcia sent this picture and says: "It is my own artwork - I got ideas from Lifeway. We will be using it as a backdrop when the kids sing at VBS." How fabulous!!! I can scarcely imagine the hours of work that went into this backdrop. Marcia, you are surely a blessing to your church. Thank you so very much for sending this and allowing me to show my readers.
06/05/09 -- From Kansas, Sister-in-Christ Lisa wrote: "I wasn’t going to do VBS this year. But, I changed my mind and volunteered to teach 1st-2nd Grade. My husband is an Associate Pastor – Youth & Christian Education and I am a Sunday School teacher and ministry director… so we just got through Graduation and our Youth Mission Trip… now I have kick it into high gear to be ready for June 22 VBS – Your site was the first place I went… I’m counting on you!
"Cardboard box train. Koala and kangaroo are clipart from LifeWay."
"The base of the poster is made of foam core. I painted the background with red and yellow acrylic paint. The letters were cut from white cardstock using the Zoo Balloo Cricut font on the shadow setting. The border was made with a rubber stamp and a white craft ink stamp pad."
Terrific art work!! Thanks so much for sending these pictures!
05/30/09 -- Pat wrote: "Your vbs ideas are the best I've found online after 2 days of searching. Thanks so much for your hard work!" I'm so glad you found me! Please visit again for next year's theme.
05/21/09 -- From South Carolina, Sister-in-Christ Juanita writes: "Thanks, Bobbie, it was joyous to find your site. I am new at this and neglected on creativity so I was most happy to find your ideas along with the instructions. May God richly bless you in all that you do." Delighted to be of help!!
05/17/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Glenda wrote: "Wanted to comment on Judy’s mural, AWESOME! Thanks to everyone who sends in their ideas. Those of us who are less talented appreciate them." My sentiments exactly, Glenda! I think I learn more from y'all than y'all learn from me.
It took me the longest kind of time to think of the name for the picture I had in my head.
04/17/09 -- And here's Judy's completed mural! She writes: "I couldn't get a real good picture in my kitchen. This thing is 10 to 12 feet long. I had to take the picture at a angle but you can get a idea of what I did with the cabin I made." I'm impressed, Sis! I don't possess this kind of creativity and so I'm fascinated with what others can do. This is wonderful!!! And bound to be a strong encouragement for other decorators. Thanks so much!!
03/10/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Sabrina writes: "Once again, your site is a must see for anyone working with LifeWay VBS. It’s easy to get excited and want to start working on projects now after visiting your site. I’d love to share a link I found for making a train out of a cardboard box. At the site they sell these really neat looking rivets for fastening cardboard creations. There is a photo gallery and also some How To plans for free. Here is the direct link to the plans: Mr. McGroovy's" Sabrina, this Web site is a keeper! Perhaps an alternative to the rivets that are advertised could be nuts and bolts? Worth a try! Thank you SO much for sending this link for all of us. You're a dear!
02/11/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Glenda is busier than I am. Look what she found: "I am working on some fun signs to hang for VBS. I was looking at Oriental Trading and saw some note pads with cute sayings on them:
01/13/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Challie writes: "You do a great job with the crafts for the Bible School themes. I am sure you must have a warehouse of crafts or you spend a lot of time shopping for things to have on hand. Your website is easy, even for someone like me that is not very good with a computer."I do have a lot decorating supplies on hand, tucked in odd spaces in our small home. Posterboard lives behind the microwave cart. I have a craft box on a high shelf in my bedroom, and my Sharpie markers are in a Mason jar on a bookshelf. The rest just kind of piles up on my computer desk.
I'm thrilled to know that my Web pages are easy for you to use, and if you ever have difficulty, you just let me know and I'll help. Thank you, Challie!
01/09/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Joanne writes: "Sister Bobbie, you are always so full of VBS ideas. It's a wonder you get anything else done during the year. You efforts have made VBS easier for people everywhere! Each year your ideas never fail to amaze me." I appreciate those sweet words, Joanne. And the truth is that I don't get much of anything else done during the year.
Glenda is referring to this LifeWay clipart image.
11/30/08 -- Sister-in-Christ Judy writes: "I am so excited! My VBS sampler is set to be delivered tomorrow! I was on the Oriental Trading site earlier and noticed they will have their 2009 VBS theme items available in January! One of which will be a outback theme!"
Thanks for the heads-up, Judy!
I especially like the "Wild about Australia" image!!
Those dingoes are a bit spooky, aren't they?
Sheila, thanks so much! Love this hat...
09/13/08 -- From Ohio, Sister-in-Christ Cindy writes: "I wish I lived closer as you do an AWESOME job with decor!! God Bless you and your efforts." I'm delighted to be of service. Thank you, Cindy, for your sweet note!
09/13/08 -- From Florida, Sister-in-Christ Bonnie writes: "I want to thank you Bobbi for putting this VBS help on internet for all to benefit from. I get so tired of going to sites and it cost money, or they only give you bits of information. We are a small church and most all of the decor comes out of our own pocket - gladly - yet we have to be careful - and it is tiring to keep inventing ideas when I know others have been at this longer than I and more gifted than I in creativity. So I thank you VERY MUCH for putting this VBS decor ideas on internet. I have not looked to see if you offer more help in other things- but wanted to thank you for what I just viewed. Thank you for being a blessing." I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm! No, I have nothing else to offer but VBS decorating, unless you count the rare craft and even rarer snack idea.
09/12/08 -- From Tennessee, Sister-in-Christ Becky writes: "Ms. Pugh, thank you so much for your website for bible school. We have used it here in Tennessee for the past 2 years and love it. Expecially because you have it ready so soon! Thanks and God Bless....Keep that site up and going." I'm here for the duration, Becky!
09/06/08 -- Sister-in-Christ Juanita is on the ball with clever decorating. She writes: "It's me again. I went into your Resource Links on your website and looked up the website for "Everything Australian" located in Sherwood, Arkansas. I found these calendars which were orginally $11.95 now on sale for $6.00 because they are 2008 calendars. I ordered four of them and the pictures are in beautiful color and are 13 by 9 1/2 inches. My favorite pictures for children of the four calendars are the ones in the Wildlife calendar. Natural Australia would be my second choice but the other two, Wildflowers and Sydney are beautiful, also. God bless you and thanks for all of your help." Great shopping, my dear! You'll have portable artwork to use anywhere. Great tip for us all -- remember that all calendars are discounted after the first of the year, and anything Australian would be appropriate for us. Also, look for marked-down specialty calendars such a those devoted to trains. That could be a plus for depot decorating.
08/18/08 -- From Oklahoma, Sister-in-Christ Glenda is back with this plan: "I believe we are going to do a tribute either on one wall or in a classroom to the Great Barrier Reef. While cleaning my son’s bedroom this weekend I found a huge (2 ½ foot long) clown fish that he won at the fair a few years back. My kids found a small one at the Dollar Tree this weekend. I think we will do a sign above the door with the large one pulling the sign and the small one following behind." I'm intrigued by your idea, and guess what I have in my closet? -- a huge stuffed clownfish and a huge stuffed seahorse! Plus some leftover "Finding Nemo" fabric, which I had used to make a pillowcase for my granddaughter Evelyn.
08/17/08/ -- Brother-in-Christ Jamie writes: "I work in my church, Glenn's Bay Baptist, every year for VBS. Since I did the slideshow for the week end event this year, it got my creative juices flowing, so I made a promo for next year. All the pictures in this video I obtained from the internet, and it is my belief that each one is in the public domain. I got them from google pictures while searching keyword australia. Just thought you might could use it as well." Jamie's "Boomerang Express" Promo Video
08/15/08 -- From Illinois, Sister-in-Christ Juanita sent info about an Oriental Trading Co. item (thanks, Sis!), and writes: "I am collecting school folders in colors Green and Yellow. You can, if you look at the sales, find them for $.10 each. I don't know exactly what I will do with them yet, but I am sure they will come in handy for posters of some kind." Excellent! Yes, use them for small posters, kangaroo or boomerang cut-outs, spirals, invitations, and name tags. At ten cents each during the school sales, you can't go wrong! Juanita, you're a blessing!
Readers: Carefully snip the narrow elastic that holds the toy to the bath net. The net puff will remain intact.
Revised June 28, 2009
Use a paper painter's drop cloth to paint any design , and hang it up by stapling it wherever you want it. The staples are so small that they don't mess up your walls. Paint drop cloths come in a package of 2; they are 12' x 9' so you can cut them to fit any wall. They're about $5.99 at your local Home Depot.
Just when I think I can't do this anymore, a pile of mail comes my way from people who happily found these Web pages, and I know how blessed I am. 
I'm very glad to have been a help to you. Thank you for your uplifting message!!
And I've truly been surprised at the many loyal followers that this Web site seems to have, and the wonderful friends I've found. 
06/07/09 -- Brother-in-Christ David has blown me away with his train. He writes: "My wife and I spent a lot of time on it, but it was fun building. She was my go-fer as we built this in our basement. We carried it to the church today and set up for VBS starting tomorrow p.m. Now let's pray that this train will somehow play a role in winning our children to Christ."
I used several of your ideas last year (and even used one… undoing the shower scrunchies… to help decorate our Graduation Brunch tables last year). You are providing incredible encouragement and service with what you do and I just wanted to say thank you!!! I hope you don’t stop any time soon!" Lisa, notes like yours are what keep me going. I'll likely be offering decorating ideas until the Lord calls me home. Thanks SO much for writing!
06/02/09 -- Brother-in-Christ Dan sent these terrific pictures! He says: "I made this welcome sign using cardboard, scrapbooking paper, and die cuts made using Cricut machine. The paper dolls cartridge not only had the dolls but the sheep, and sheep pen also. I custom cut the piece of cardboad to fit my scrapbook paper.
It's 24 inches by 24 inches."
03/31/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Joyce wrote: "Dear Bobbie, I am a frequent visitor to your VBS site, every year! You give me so many ideas. I thank the Lord for your wonderful ideas. I teach Missions Rotation for both our Associational Training Clinic and our church vbs. I have found so little to decorate my room except for the focal area in the front. I like to decorate the entrance of my room and around the room leading to the focal point. I kinda thought maybe the entrance could be like boarding a ship, but have no idea how to achieve this or even know what it would look like. I know you are so busy, but if you have any kind of idea I could use, I would be so grateful."
I located this view of a gangplank, and wrote: "The answer is "gangplank," and I've attached a picture. Might you perhaps have access to posts (maybe a half-dozen microphone stands), which could be connected with rope? Cardboard tubes on which drapery material and canvas is rolled could be used -- such tubes can be 60" or more in length, but can be cut with a hand- or power saw. They take paint wonderfully, and are generally "throw-aways." It costs nothing to ask for some at your local fabric store, canvas shop (I work in one), or upholstery shop. A power drill can bore some holes through which the rope could pass -- very nautical! The perfect solution would be to borrow the chrome-post-and-velvet-rope set-ups that you see in movie theaters. Maybe hang some narrow streamers from the ceiling, like a bon voyage party." And Joyce wrote back: "You are truly heaven sent. This will make a perfect entrance into my room! I am so excited!!! And don't apologize for taking so long. I appreciate this so much." Glad I could help, even if I was a bit pokey about it. Send pictures!
02/28/09 -- Sister-in-Christ Judy made this outback cabin! She says: "I used the LifeWay clip art and my overhead projector. It's painted on paper I got from our local newpaper. It was a very cheap project. The paper was free and its just cheap craft paint from Wal Mart. I probably don't have $3 in the whole thing. It measures roughly about 8 ft. wide and 6 ft. tall so it will fill in a lot of space. I plan on using it in a outback scene. I am doing a wind mill, rock and other outback terrain to go with it. Due to space I am working on it in sections and when I move it to the church I can put it all together." Oh, I like it!!! It sounds like an enormous undertaking, and I have to admire your planning. Very nice work, Judy!
I was thinking of some bright paper with some cute animal cutouts. The kidaroos should like this. And it is supper easy! I’ll try to send a few pictures when they are all done. [And] I really like the puzzle art. I think I’ll try that one myself. My kids love to help and they are much better at puzzles then I am. Thanks for all your help. You make it look so easy." It's my job to do all the trial-and error stuff so it's easy for y'all! You've made another great find, Glenda -- thank you! (2/16) Glenda, your signage is terrific! I'm glad to add the pictures you sent. Thanks so much!
Working for the Lord is more important, and fun, than anything else anyway.
12/02/08 -- Sister-in-Christ Glenda writes: "I made a VBS decoration that I am proud to say turned out quite cute. I liked the animal caution sign with “No Worries VBS Ahead.” So I made my own. I copied the Koala, Wombat, and Kangaroo pictures onto yellow paper in the correct diamond shape with border. Then on yellow paper I also typed out the message. I cut and taped it together. To make the post, I used gray duct tape. Then it was ready to be taped to the wall."
Excellent adaptation! Inexpensive, portable, vivid... A+ !!!
10/23/08 -- From Oklahoma, Sister-in-Christ Glenda writes: "These are some of my favorite clip arts I have found and would like to share…"
Adorable!
Thank you, Sis!
10/22/08 -- From Florida, Sister-in-Christ Sheila writes: "Just got back from the Lifeway Kids Conference here in Orlando.Thought you would enjoy seeing these pictures from the VBS Preview. Jeff Slaughter and a children's choir present the VBS Musical... "
I do try to come up with decorations at low cost, with the smaller churches (and budgets) in mind. Thank you, Bonnie!
It's always nice to know that these pages are truly a help. Thank you!
Thank you, Juanita!!!
I didn't do anything with "Recreation Reef" for "Outrigger Island," but with your help, I just might create a Great Barrier Reef scene.
Wow!! This is better than the stuff LifeWay puts together! (Did I say that out loud?) Can't THANK YOU enough for thinking of me and my readers.
08/05/08 -- From Oklahoma, Sister-in-Christ Glenda writes: "As always thanks so much for sharing your God given talents. I love to check in and see what’s new with VBS and your family. I just stopped by the local $ Tree where I spotted a stuffed Koala and Kangaroo bath sponge. I was easily able to separate the two. They are only about 3 inches tall but too cute to pass up."
Nifty find! I trekked out to the Dollar Tree in my city and found them, too! Thanks for that tip, Glenda!
Please Visit Again!
Decorating Ideas & How-To's
Resource Links
V-M@il!
Help for Any VBS Theme
I'm here to serve! Your sister in Christ, Bobbie
