A New Game of encouragement

Handmade gift idea # 1

This week I hope to post handmade gift ideas, one each day. Handmade is almost always better, and usually more appreciated! Sooooooooo, here we go with gift idea number 1!

Letter pillows

My friend Monica and I recently got together for a girls crafting day, and we had so much fun! One of the projects we made were these painted "pillows". She was recreating a candy cane pillow we had seen together in a store. I decided to branch out and try to spell something out in letters. The process was very simple.

1) Cut out shapes (one for the front, one for the back) for each letter or object you wish to create. We used pinking shears.

2) Sew around shapes leaving a 3/8's or 1/2 inch edge. Remember to leave an opening so you can stuff it.

3) Paint the pillow however you choose. They wouldn't have to be Christmas. Monica used natural canvas, which worked really well. I wanted white, but couldn't find white canvas so I substituted white twill. I painted the background white to make up for the loss in stiffness. The stiffness is needed so the letters keep their shape.

4) Stuff, and close up the opening. Easier then PIE!!!

Other ideas might be,

- baby shower gift using the letters of the baby's name

- Wedding gift, of the couples name or initials, or maybe a heart with the wedding date printed on it.

- Paint a simple outline of an animal lovers favorite pet.

- We also saw some painted shell pillows, at the same store, done in pale pinks and corals...very pretty.

The possibilities are endless...try it!

On another note,

I really, really, enjoyed the Thankful Game that we played here on a snip of goodness, for the month of November, and even though only a few played along, it was incredibly encouraging to me. I think some enjoyed participating, and others were possibly stirred to consider counting their blessings right along with us.

It is a new month now, and the last month of 2008! In January I read several blogs that were encouraging readers to choose a word for the year, a word that would inspire them throughout 2009. I thought about what my word would be, if I chose to participate, and at the time I was on a kick about how much Christian women need to be encouraging to one another. I chose the word encouragement, with the desire to make a concerted effort to encourage others in the new year. As most of you know, it turned out to be a very challenging year for me, and instead of being the giver of encouragement, I believe I was much more the recipient!

For the month of December, this last month of 2008, I propose that we all find ways to encourage others, and share those stories here, on a snip of goodness. Big ones, little ones, moving, simple, all kinds of encouragement! I think we will all find it very encouraging! I think people everywhere need a word of encouragement, and it is so very simple to give, and Oh, so rewarding! Perhaps we can share ways in which we have been encouraged ourselves also. Sooooooo,....lets go out there and determine to encourage someone during our everyday, and come back together to share, you never know how the Lord is going to bless you in return! This game is going to be a bit more challenging, because we have to actually act on it. More challenge, means more reward. Do you think you can encourage someone every day for the month of December? Are you up for the challenge? You aren't going to leave me out here to encourage alone are you? Now I'm feeling insecure, like I'm having a party, but no one is coming.....ever feel like that? Hey your first one can be me....encourage me by taking on the challenge of encouragement. Howabout it???

Because this is my first day on this mission, I will share a story from my past of how someone encouraged me:

When my boys were small, monthly haircuts became a ritual for us. We often went to a family owned barber on Hilton Head Island to get it done. The family all worked there, a father, mother, son, and daughter, and I believe an uncle. They had cool sharks teeth, and alligator heads, in the display cases, and even a tarantula spider, that the boys loved to look at while waiting their turn. On one particular visit, it came to be Kartwright's turn to sit still in the chair, and get a cut, and he began to act out. I remember feeling embarrassed, and frazzled, and ill equipped for the task at hand. He refused to get in the chair! I calmly took him outside, where I gave him a firm talk, and we discussed what the consequences would be for him not getting in the chair pleasantly, and sitting still for his haircut, I believe he was about 31/2 because I think Crockett was just a tiny baby. We then went back in the shop, and things went much more smoothly. Kartwright was terrifically compliant! The boys were clean cut, and left happily with lolly pops in hand. I went on about my frazzled ill equipped way. later that evening the phone rang, and I heard the voice of the mom barber on the other end. She just called to tell me how impressed she was with how I had handled my boys that morning, and how I had been able to deal with Kartwright's apprehension like a pro. She went on to say what a great Mom I was being to my boys, and how I was a good example to other young Moms. "I just wanted to encourage you" she said.

OOOOOOH doggies, and did she ever. I can share that story now, because I know looking back, that what I did was nothing special, but it was a more seasoned and mature Mom, that saw a struggling frazzled overwhelmed Mom, that needed someone to tell her that she was doing OK. It made my day! That was over 12 years ago, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. Because someone cared enough to pick up the phone and speak a word of encouragement, I was on cloud nine, and it built confidence in me, that maybe I could do that thing called mothering after all.

So, there's my story of encouragement, what's yours?