Gratitude Activity

A Grateful Heart

As I was trying to think of something I could do to help my kids be thankful this November I came across an idea. I modified it a bit and this is what I came up with. (I did this with our young women group as well.)

 I made several of these little heart boxes. On both sides it says, "A Grateful Heart." Inside I put as many Hershey Kisses as would fit. I then told those participating that the idea is to learn to recognize and be grateful for someone when they do something nice for us. This can be done throughout the month of November, the week of Thanksgiving, or even Thanksgiving Day.

1. Recognize an act of kindness, service or likewise
2. Tell that person how much you appreciate what they have done for you
3. Present them with one of the Grateful Heart boxes and treats to show your gratitude
4. Write in your journal what that person did for you and why it touched you
5. Be quick to recognize future kindnesses and acknowledge them
6. Thank Heavenly Father for those acts of kindness towards you
7. Strive to be kind to others

Flower Birthday Card

I love birthdays. 

When I first moved to my new neighborhood I had the thought that I should take one of my neighbors a birthday card on her birthday. I hesitated because we were fairly new to the area and I didn't know her well at that point. The decision to not take her a card has been one of my regrets. I came to find out later that in this friend's native country, birthdays are huge. She had been feeling somewhat overlooked and unhappy because of the circumstances of that particular birthday. And I did nothing to make it any better.

I learned a great lesson that day. First, to follow the impressions we have. God does love us and he knows what we need...he often works through others. And second, birthdays are special days for everyone and just to be recognized makes each one of us feel better.

So, send a card. Here is a simple one. I made some to give away as gifts and others to use for birthdays.

This card was made using a pre-made embossed 5.5 x 5.5 inch square card. If you don't have any that are pre-made, simply cute a piece of white paper 5.5 x 11, score the middle and fold. You can choose any paper design or emboss on the card.

I cut a 2.5 inch square with rounded corners out on my silhouette machine with the happy birthday saying using the print and cut feature. Then I cut out a white frame slightly smaller than the square. I chose a flower I liked from the silhouette store and cut 2 of them out in pink card stock. 

Glue the first square onto the card and the first flower onto the square. Make sure it is situated so that the happy birthday sentiment is visible. Next, secure the frame and the second flower to the card using foam glue dots to give it a 3-D look. 

Simple as that and you can bring a smile to someone who needs it.

Cute Owl Card

I have been experimenting with the backgrounds and paper printables found at the silhouette store. This is a fun card that can be given for birthdays or as a thank you for a great time.

I used a wood background and then had my silhouette cut a hole in it. I chose one of the many cute owls and the print and cut sentiment "Best Day Ever".

Happy Card Making!

Sending My Love

I thought this card was adorable when I found it on Pinterest so I decided to try to re-create it on my own. I think it turned out cute and it could be sent for various occassions.

This picture is a bit darker than I had hoped.

I love how the hearts are coming out of the vintage typewriter with the sentiment "Sending My Love". I used a heart card, a printable background and a vintage typewriter from the silhouette store. The typewriter is adhered using glue dots so it sits away from the page. I attached the card to a single background piece of maroon card stock.

Get yourself a silhouette and start making cards :) There are so many great ideas.