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Gift Basket Idea

UPDATE: Since I think this post is so spectacularly special I am using it for my Works For Me Wednesday Post (or perhaps it could be that my tired homeschoolin' mama brain just couldn't come up with anything else . . . . you be the judge. LOL)
So I am reposting this post from yesterday for WFMW. As my Grandpappy would say "Like it or lump it." **grins** Don't forget to click on over to Shannon's for other spectacular tips and a sneek peak at next week's theme . . . .

In our homeschool group we have drawn names between the moms and are committed to praying for and sending notes and gifts to another mom in the group. We are keeping the names secret. The purpose is to pray and encourage one another- which we all know each of us can use!
My secret mom is a very lovely mommy of 3 who just moved back to the area after being gone for almost 3 years. She actually helped start our little homeschool group but the family moved soon after due to her husband’s job change.
This is the little basket of goodies I am giving her in honor of their move.

Inside the green basket is a tin of Celestial Seasonings Apple Caramel Kiss Cider, a box of almond cinnamon thins (crackers), a glittery faux pumpkin with velvet leaves and a packet of homemade (by me) Just Moved postcards to send announcing their new address. I purchased the basket ($2), tin ($1), and crackers ($1) from Big Lots. The pumpkin ($1) came from Dollar General and I made the postcards with my print shop program and sheets of ink jet postcards (Avery #8577- don’t know how much they cost- have had the huge box for a couple of years).

So for just over $5 I have a lovely fall-ish gift to give to a dear friend. You may notice the red shredded paper in the bottom of the basket—I put red paper through my paper shredder and then added it to the bottom of the basket.
All I need to do is make a wonderful little name tag and it’s finished!

Valentine crafts

Wanted to share some of what we've been doing around here:
Our Valentines we gave to our homeschool friends.
This is Maiden's- we knit (cast on 2) braclets- Valentine colors for the girls and camo for the boys. Hope you can read the bible verse we added [Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times].

Here are Sassafras's- we made the cards, punched a hole and threaded the balloon through it and Voila!

And Mr. Conductor's are just the cutie-patootie-est! We melted old crayons (we've got about 3,000 around here) into a heart shaped muffin pan (got the idea from Family Fun).

For Maiden and Mr. Conductor's cards we used Business cards and Print Shop. The words on the front of Sass's were printed on business cards too but then she decided to use a heart-shaped punch. I like how it turned out. Oh, before I forget. I want to share the Valentines I gave out to the other homeschool moms. I'm filing this one away for future use- it was that good!

Bought the adorable bags in the wedding aisle of the craft dept. @ Walmart. I added 2 little tea bags- one Sweet Dreams and the other Carmel Delight. the tags were again printed on business cardstock (2 per card), cut in half, punched a little hole and threaded through the ribbon. I am especially excited about the verse I added- Proverbs 27:9b A Sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
How cool is that!?!
We had so much fun making these- even if I was bit stressed and knitting Maiden's last 3 bracelets during MOPS meeting right before our Valentine exchange . . . . .

Great Idea- Thanking MIL

On more of my wandering this morning,  I found a new homeschooling blog to add to my faves. The Notebooking Corner.
Look what I found:

Idea***************************************************************
Here is a wonderful way to send a blessing this Thanksgiving.

Send a “thank-you” card (or letter) to your husband's mom is a very respectful thing to do. The tone of it could be like this: "Thanks for my husband! Thanks for raising such a wonderful man. I'm benefiting from all the time and love and tears you poured into him for so many years." 

I am so going to do this!

Blessings Basket Craft

While out and about on blogging travels I found this wonderful site giving directions for a Thanksgiving Blessings Basket. I think it's such a wonderful idea that I wanted to share it!
http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/blessingbaskets.html.
We do a blessings tree here at our home but this would be a great gift for my Gram who just came back home from a 2 month stay at a nursing home. She is still healing and cannot get out much. I am thinking she could use the reminder of how much she is blessed.
My idea is to give Gram the basket and have the kids and I help her write a few blessings each time we visit. Gram has Rheumatiod arthritis and cannot write much.
Blessing to you all.

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