Hi, everyone! It's been awhile since I posted on this blog. I thought November would be a great time to start a 30 day challenge -- 30 Days of Gratitude. So here's the introduction to what I will be doing during the month of November. I'd like you to join me on this adventure!
There is no doubt that during this time of uncertainty -- political, pandemic, and just life in general -- we need to remember the things we're thankful for -- to show our gratitude -- to our friends, our families, those we don't know, but most importantly to God.
The project I will be doing during November is a Gratitude Garland. So if you'd like to join me, here are the instructions for the supplies that you will need to join me.
1. "30 Days of Gratitude" Scripture Bookmark and Title Tags
Print this page out on cardstock (click on the link above). Cut out the "30 Days of Gratitude" Scripture Bookmark. Color it with colored pencils or watercolors and keep it with your Bible for reference throughout the month of November. Also cut out each Pumpkin Letter square. Again, color the pumpkins with colored pencils or water colors. Punch a hole in the top of each square. And proceed to the next step.
2. Use a piece of twine, string, or yarn to create a garland. I hung mine on my computer desk. Make sure that you make a loop at the ends of the twine to hang your garland.
3. After coloring and punching holes in your "Gratitude" pumpkin tags, tie them to the middle of your garland. Leave a space between them so that you can hand your gratitude tags and leaves on the garland every day of the month.
4. Print out Page 1 and Page 2 of "Leaves and Tags" on cardstock. You'll need to print out at least two of each page, which will give you 28 leaves and tags. With the leftover cardstock, make a couple more tags to make a total of 30.
5. Prepare your tags ahead of time by coloring them with colored pencils or watercolors. Cut out your tags and punch a hole in the top of each one. Tie a piece of twine, string, or yarn through each hole so that you're read to tie your completed tag or leaf each day. (Just a thought...it might be fun to hang each tag/leaf with a mini clothespin. Stay tuned!)
6. Tomorrow I'll go through the steps with you as I demonstrate my tag for Day 1. You'll want to have one prepared tag or leaf, your "30 Days of Gratitude" Bookmark, and a marker (like a black Sharpie).
Ways to Prep Your Tags:
There are several different ways to prepare your tags:
1. Color them with colored pencils. Use different fall colors -- orange, red, yellow. Either color each tag or leaf a different fall color or be creative and blend the fall colors.
2. Watercolor paints give a unique appearance to your tags or leaves. (Check out the picture at the very top of this blog. I used Distress Oxide ink and water to create this effect.) This will take some time ahead to prepare so that they can dry before you write on them. One of the most creative ways to use watercolors is to let the colors blend together. To do this, you can paint your tag/leaf with different colors and then spray with water, or you can spray or paint the tag/leaf with water, and then paint on a couple of different watercolors and let them blend together. Make sure you try them out together first to make sure they don't make a yucky color. Check out YouTube for videos on watercolor painting with spray bottles.
One more thing...if you don't have the supplies I've mentioned, don't worry. You can use whatever art supplies you have on hand. You can print out the pages on regular copy paper. You don't even have to print out the tags & leaves. Make them using construction paper. Just be creative. See you all tomorrow, November 1st, for our first day of Gratitude.
**If you are reading this post after the first of November, don't worry, you can get caught up with us. You'll just end up with double blessings.
Credits: Thank you to Marsha Baker for the inspiration for this Gratitude Garland.
