A Chain of Thanks

This was a project we first did last year on Thanksgiving and we're going to repeat it this year.  It was very popular and so easy to do!  Here's my directions from last year:

Start with some autumn color construction paper cut into 1 1/2" wide strips:




Provide a strip to everyone gathered at your Thanksgiving table and write why you are thankful:

Collect the strips and create a chain of thanks:

My kids had a great time doing this with grandma and grandpa.  Later we went to my brother and sister-in-law's house for dessert.  They usually have a lot of people over for Thanksgiving, including many friends.  Even though we didn't know many of them, people were happy to share their thoughts of thanks with us.  It brought a great meaning to Thanksgiving.

After making our chain of thanks, we hung it on our Christmas tree to remember to be thankful during the holidays.  It added a sense of continuity to the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Have a thankful Thanksgiving!

cindy

Happy Anniversary Straddling the Gap!

This week marks the one year anniversary of Straddling the Gap.  It's gone by so quickly, but I have learned so much since last June.  When I started this blog on the suggestion of my dear friend Katie, I couldn't even figure out what a blog was or why I should write one.  Some days I'm still not sure, but I now have an awesome creative outlet.  Better than that, I have encountered a whole new world of interesting, funny and amazingly creative people.  If you do a Google search on "how to" or "do it yourself" on any topic, you are sure to find at least one blog in the first five results.  (Don't believe me - give it a try).  I'm having fun being part of this enormous community and plan on sticking around as long as someone is reading (even if it's me).

For the next week, to celebrate my anniversary, Straddling the Gap will feature some new projects, bring back a few old projects and end the week with the introduction of Pretty, Pretty Cindy, my new Etsy store.

If you've been reading Straddling the Gap this year, thank you!  I'm looking forward to more adventures in being a wife and mother while pursuing my creativity - I'm still straddling the gap. 

cindy

P.S.  Tomorrow is the first big day - the craft room reveal!  Don't miss all the picture

Roses in Winter

I love Arizona.  When we moved into our house, I noticed the previous owner planted about 25 rose bushes.  I'm not as good at maintaining them as I should be, but they are very forgiving.  It's the time of year when the roses come out again and I couldn't resist.  This is Peace:

I wish I could remember the name of all of them:

I do remember this one - it's a Tiffany rose:

God is good!

cindy

Links in a Chain of Thanks

Although it's always special to spend time with friends and family feasting on turkey and joining together, sometimes it's hard to remember why we gather on Thanksgiving.  This year we're going to start a new tradition that will help us remember.

Start with some autumn color construction paper cut into 1 1/2" wide strips:

Provide a strip to everyone gathered at your Thanksgiving table and write why you are thankful:

Collect the strips and create a chain of thanks:

You can use the chain to adorn your Thanksgiving table or save it for next year.  It can also be a good addition to your Christmas tree to tie the holidays together.  This is a great activity for kids.  It's so easy to prepare (think about giving the paper to the kids during the morning when you're trying to cook), and it teaches children to think about the spirit of this American holiday.  You can also use the chain to ring your table and thank God for your blessings just before dinner.

Have a thankful Thanksgiving.

cindy