Blessing: A Gift of Love

I love this film. It's actually very cute, so I decided to share it with you.

Hallelujah! It is time to celebrate life, love and family by gathering together with great food, lots of laughter, and a few well thought out gifts. 

Last year I wrote a post on gift ideas that you can make for someone you love. But this year I have an idea that you can give to everyone you love. It can be very simple or as complicated as you want it to be. But no matter how you decide to do it, it will bless that person. And you know what? It can be a great last-minute gift, too! It is so simple, yet so perfect, that I think some fanfare is in order:

Tooot ta-ta-toot!

Presenting...the...Blessing!

A blessing can be long or short. It can be big or small. It can be something they can hang over their bed, wear around their neck , tuck into their Bible, or keep in their pocket or purse.

I am going to make a blessing for every person in my family. So if you know how large my family is and how last minute this is, you know I'm going to have to prepare some very speedy blessings. Here are some of the ways I may choose to bless my sweeties:

Jewelry: I make jewelry, and I have metal stamps that I can use to put a favorite blessing on. But if you don't make jewelry, you still may have time to go to a store that does engraving, and have a necklace, charm, glass or other object engraved with a blessing. You may want to just have verse (like the scripture Jeremiah 29:11) engraved on the object.

Paper:  Of course the quickest and least expensive thing you can do is write a blessing out on paper. You can make something to hang on the wall; you can frame it or make a poster. A bookmark is a good choice. Using a sturdy piece of card stock, write or collage the verse onto the paper, embellish it with ribbon, buttons, and pretty papers, and Voila.

Book:  Tiny books are easier to make than you might think. You just figure out how large you want the book to be and how many pages you'll need. Then cut the paper twice that size, so it can be folded in half. Next, with a heavy needle and some sturdy thread, make a row of stitches down the seam. Then, with a pen or pencil, write the blessing out in your own hand. Decorate any blank pages, or leave them blank so your friend can write thoughts or answered prayers on them.

Below is a demonstration on how to make an Origami book:

Clay: I know I was talking about quick and easy, but if you work in clay, you can make a tile and write or stamp letters in it, and put a slit on the back for it to be hung on a wall.

Sew: A pillow would be a great thing to write a blessing on. Just write it on using fabric paints.

Embroidery: I embroidered the Aaronic Blessing on a piece of cloth and framed it for my husband long ago. You don't need a fancy pattern. Just write it on the cloth and stitch over it with embroidery floss.

Wood: Any piece of board or wood can make a sign or a plaque. First, just paint your board with a base color.  You may be able to find an old painted piece of wood that already has a character of its own. If so, then leave it as is. Then write out the words lightly in pencil. Paint them on. Then add a couple of screw eyes or nails to the top edte of the board, add wire or a sturdy twine, and it's ready for hanging.

Now for a few of those Bible blessings:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans for a future and a hope.

Aaronic Blessing: Numbers 6: 22-27
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May He make His face to shine on you
and be gracious to you;
May he lift up his countenance upon you
and give you his peace..

Jude 24-25
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever, Amen.

Romans 16: 24
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen

Psalm 91:
This whole Psalm is actually a blessing, but some of my favorite verses are below.
Because you have made the Lord your resting place,
No evil shall befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Because he has set his love upon me (says the Lord), therefore I will deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

And for children, here is one I'm sure you've heard before:
I see the moon and the moon sees me.
The moon sees somebody I want to see.
God bless the moon and God bless me,
And God bless the somebody I want to see.

For a few more special blessings, check this out: http://www.wilsonmar.com/benedic.htm

Of course, you may make up your own. I always blessed my children as I tucked them into bed. I made a cross on their foreheads and said, "God bless you in the name of Jesus." Then I sealed it with a kiss. Then I let them bless me back. It was a sweet way to end the day.

I must go; I've got lots of blessings to make, and I better get started right away. I would like to write more on blessings next week. If not, then next year!

In the meantime, I think I'd like to leave you with this blessing:

May God make his angels to watch over you and your loved ones. May he bless the work of your hands and the words of your mouth. May he show favor to you and your loved ones, and give you peace, strength and joy. Amen.

Happy, Happy holidays, my friend.

Twelve Handmade Gifts for Mother's Day

We moms enjoy all kinds of wonderful gifts, but my Mom's favorite, and now my own, are the gifts made by the hands of our children.

Your mom might like this gift

if she has a garden with a pond...

but then again, maybe not...

If you'd like to make something for your mom this Mother's Day, I've got a dozen last minute gifts you can whip up before Sunday, guaranteed to please and delight your mom.

1. Memory Pages - This is one thing you can do alone or with your siblings. Buy a Memory Book or Photo Album, and make up a few pages for Mom with photos, sweet and funny comments and mementos.
   Note: You can even make a party of this gift, with your mom as the guest of honor. Bring the book, tape, glue, ribbon, ephemera ("junk to glue on", as some of us say in the art world), and photos, and do it together. That will add another layer to the wonderful memories.

Seasonings-in-a-pot

2. An Herb Garden - Everyone who cooks can appreciate a few basic potted herbs growing in a sunny window or on the back deck. You can find herbs at most hardware stores and nurseries. They can be potted in one big pot for a porch or deck, or individually in small pots for the kitchen window. Some good herbs are:
Basil - Go by smell. If you like the smell, it's a nice Basil. I like Purple Ruffle, Globe, and Lemon.
Rosemary - One of my favorites. Not only a good cullinary herb, Rosemary has beautiful little longlasting flowers when it's mature, and makes a pretty potted plant.
Thyme - Lemon Thyme is a must in my own kitchen, but French or English Thymes are good basics.
Chamomile - The flowers of Chamomile make a nice, relaxing tea. Roman Chamomile is a perennial, and German is an annual.
Oregano - Greek Oregano is easily found, but if you can find Cuban Oregano, it is delicious, and the large leaves can be fried as well as added to Mom's spaghetti.
Lavender - Lady Lavender is a pretty plant which blooms the first year and grows well in a pot. Flowers can be added to teas, or put under pillow cases for a good night's sleep.
Chives - The most popular chives are the Garlic Chives, with edible pink flowers and tubular leaves.

Necklace of glass and stone;

many bead stores offer assistance in making jewelry.

3. Jewelry - A lovely necklace or bracelet can be a speedy project for you to create. Some stores, like Bisque and Bead here in my town, can assist you with choosing the beads and putting them together from start to finish. But Michael's, AC Moore and Walmart have how-to books, beads, tools and "findings" (the clasps and other necessaries) for you if you want to start a new hobby.

4. Music CD - If you have a few cd's that your mom enjoys, you might want to record a collection of music for her from them. If you have the know-how, be sure to record a sweet or funny introduction to her in your own voice. Make it mushy so you can make her cry...happy tears. Then decorate the front of the CD with permanent markers.

5. Cards - A Mother's Day card may seem like a "given" to you, but there are many ways to make really special cards. Stamping is a fun project, and paper, stamps and stamp pads are easy to find at any craft store. Or you can glue or draw things. You can also make a photo card using a special photo. Most photo programs have a way to put your photos on card stock. Any adorable family picture can be made into a pack of 6 to 10 notecards, printing two cards per piece of card stock. Buy envelopes for notecards at an office store or Walmart.

An easy apron

6. Apron - If you sew and have a sewing machine, you can make an easy "half apron" from one yard of 36" (or wider) fabric without a pattern.
Cut a 22" x 36" strip of fabric for the skirt.
Trim side selvages, fold edges over and stitch.
Fold a 3" hem, iron and stitch.
Cut two 3" x 36" strips for a waist band.
Sew one end together, fold down the length, top of fabric together and iron.
Stitch ends, and stitch from each end toward the middle, leaving a 22 1/2" opening to insert the skirt.
Turn and iron so that the unsewn part is folded down the same as the sewn seams.
Gather the top of the hemmed piece, and pin to what will be the inside of the back of the waist band.
Machine sew.
Hand stitch the top of the waist band to the skirt, and topstitch if you prefer a more finished look.

Pick flowers fresh from your yard

7. Garden Flowers - If you have a yard, it's likely that you will have something nice blooming there. Pick a handful, and present them to your mom in a little vase (Dollar stores always have affordable vases) or even in a Mason Jar tied with a ribbon. If all you have are a handful of wild violets, don't despair. They are lovely in a shot glass or small bottle.

A "Mommy Vase" made from wire and an old bottle,

for tiny blooms

8. Recycle and Repurpose Bottles and Jars - I call these "Mommy Vases", because they're great for the tiny, short-stemmed blossoms picked for Mommie by the little ones. You can take a small bottle or jar, wrap it in wire (copper is nice and available at the hardware and craft stores), make a loop on top, and Voila. A great vase to hang in the kitchen window with violets.

My grandson hard at work making art

9. Children's Art - If you have some colorful children's art of your own or your children's, you can matt it and put it in a simple frame. It will make a treasured gift for Mom.

A water garden: pot, plant, small goldfish,

water conditioner, and fish food

10. A Water Garden - Buy a large non-toxic pot with a rubber plug or no hole (2 gallons or more), a miniature water lily (both are usually found at Lowes or Home Depot), and some water conditioner, two "feeder fish" and a tiny container of fish food from the pet store. Condition the water and add the plant according to directions, add the fish, and you have a pretty little miniature water garden for Mom's patio.
   Note: This gift will need part shade so it won't get too hot for the fish. Only one or two small fish would be recommended for this container; if you don't want fish, clean out the water weekly to avoid mosquitos.

11. Cook Something Yummy - If you bake a delicious cake, you can buy some frosting in a tube and write something on top. Or bake Mom's favorite cookies or a tart. You can even make dinner for her. She'll love that! Just don't forget to clean the kitchen when you're done.

12. Make a Book of Coupons for Helpful Chores - You can make up a little package of things you can do for her and tuck them into your card. She can redeem them as she needs them done. Weed the garden, clean the kitchen, do the dishes, mow the lawn, help clean out a room or closet, organize her studio... Anything you will actually be able and willing to do for her. She'll be so pleased with what a thoughtful person you have become, and will appreciate this more than you may ever know.

This is just a sample of wonderful things you can do for your mom. Depending on what she's interested in and your budget, this is a pretty fun selection.

Remember, the most important thing is to give your special gift with a note that expresses your grattitude and love...words that she'll treasure in her heart forever.