I have a confession to make.  This week the reality of 'projects' kind of slapped me in the face.  You see ... we get lots of projects, and ideas and contest entries ... and I realized this week that I've taken for granted what something hand made can really mean to someone.  To both the gift giver and the gift receiver.  No matter how old or how young.  Sometimes the most thoughtful, heartfelt, love filled gifts are those that we make with our own two hands.

This month Trudy's project really touched my heart in an unexpected and welcome way.  It reminded me of the importance of what we do.  It reminded me how much love goes into our work and how much our 'projects' can bless the lives of others.

This month Trudy sent an email to accompany her project she sent.  It touched my heart in a way that words cannot express.  I want to share a smidge of Trudy's email because I know {for a fact} that Trudy and her family are not alone in their situation right now.  We have all been affected by the recession and we're all finding ways to keep moving forward with smiles on our faces.  Even though our hearts may be burden filled and heavy.

So ... an excerpt from Trudy's email,

"I made this as a gift for my now 8 year old son.  The finances around here have been REAL tight, like in many families, because my husband has had to take 'vacations', unpaid, from work that weren't planned so that his company could stay afloat.  This has meant that I had to be creative with a birthday present for Anthony. 







What you received is what I came up with once I was in my craft room. 

The bottle of candies was an old bacon bits bottle that I altered.



The 'coupon' book is just that.  He will be able to redeem them only one a week. 







The things that I chose are perfect for my son.  Let me explain them. 



Anthony loves to golf, but neither dad or I really do, lol, so dad told me he would put that ticket in and take him to a small course around here that is about $5. 





The kids are not allowed more than 45 minutes MAX on computer games or movies (unless school related).



The ice cream with me is perfect since it is very hard for me to spend one on one time, alone, with the boys right now. 



The last one is the staying up late, we have an 8:30 bedtime, no matter WHAT, if we are home.  So being able to be up after that time, with just mom and dad, while his brother and sister have to be in bed, is something that has never happened in his life ... that is the only one that I wasn't sure about, but thought we would try it.



Feel free to pull out the coupon that has a double (they are perforated) if it would help to show them better.  {Just a note ... I DIDN'T!  I just couldn't bring myself to remove one of Anthony's coupons.  I thought this should be HIS privilege!}.  He was fine with that when I told him I was sending his bday gift off before he could use it, lol."

WOW!  Isn't this why we create?!  To touch lives.  To hug hearts.  To bring joy to our friends and family.



Thank you Trudy!  You and Anthony touched my heart in an unexpected and quite delightful way!  I feel that I'm the one who was blessed the most by this project!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle