Gifts & Encouragement

It's so much fun to check the mail and realize there's something in there besides bills and junk mail. Gifts! Thanks to the generous artists in the One World One Heart giveaway, I actually won a few prizes, and they're starting to arrive.

From Kim Mailhot:

From Elsina Schepers:

From Diana Meade:

From Rhea Sunshine:

And I mailed off my gift, a Hope Jar made especially for Barbara Cagle:

I've been reminded recently how fulfilling it is to encourage others. A little goes a long way, especially when your tank is empty, so to speak. I've been praying for God to open my eyes to the opportunities He's placed around me, and then courage to act on it. Giving friendly smiles, encouraging words, and praying with people has made my life so much more enjoyable. It shouldn't be that surprising that loving people makes my heart overflow, but sometimes I let life distract me. It's so easy to become self-focused and forget that others are hurting.

So to all of you struggling in life right now- let someone know. Let them love you and help you through it. Go outside and enjoy the coming spring, the rebirth happening all around us. Create something to express what words can't for you. And especially, fix your eyes on Jesus. Stay in His presence and cling to His Word. The truth will transform your mind, alter your perspective, and help you rest in His goodness. No matter what's going on, God loves you, hasn't forgotten you, and is with you even now. I pray His peace will rest on you today.

:) Michelle

OWOH Giveaway Winner!

The One World One Heart winner is : #135 Barbara Cagle

If I don't hear back from the winner by 3 pm tomorrow, then I will choose another winner.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and especially for all of your wonderful comments! They really do make my day, like a Hershey's kiss from each of you. Man, I have been craving chocolate like a crazy person lately. :)

Also, I wanted to let you know that you can purchase a Hope Jar from my Etsy shop, MixedEmotions. Look around there- I've got jewelry, mixed media art prints, personalized decor boxes, and more. I love taking special orders and requests, so check out my sold orders to get ideas, or look through my blog for pictures. Thanks again for visiting me!

My Giveaway- One World One Heart!

It's time again for the annual One World One Heart Giveaway! All it takes to win is to be a blogger. Just leave a comment on each participant's blog, and you'll be entered to win their giveaway. This is a worldwide event, with thousands of people participating! You can go to this website to see the list of participating blogs. This is the last year they'll be doing it, so go sign up!

I participated 2 years ago, and it was so fun! I gave an art pendant away as a prize, and I won gifts from 2 different blogs. Plus, it's so great to look at everyones' blogs and see what people are doing around the world.

For those of you just stopping by, I'm Michelle. Wife to my childhood sweetheart, mom to 3 (my 4th due in June). I love doing art- mixed media, jewelry, crafts, etc.- especially using reclaimed materials. I'm also a musician and I'm passionate about helping wounded people. Which is why...

This year I'm giving away one of my Hope Jars. These are recycled glass jars, decorated with special papers and paints. Each jar is filled with 365 encouraging quotes, Scriptures, and lyrics.

If you're the winner, just tell me your favorite colors and what you'd like inside, and I will make your jar especially for you. Leave a comment to enter the giveaway, and on February 17th, I'll draw a winner. So be sure to check back Feb. 17th to see if you've won!

Hope Jars

For Christmas, I gave people what I called "Hope Jars"- Upcycled containers with 365 encouraging quotes, song lyrics, or Scriptures in them. Since we didn't have any money to spend, and because I love making special gifts for people, I had to be creative.

I collected glass and plastic food jars, cleaned them out, and decoupaged with pretty papers. I painted a bird and "Hope Jar" on each one, and filled them with daily words of encouragement. Most of the strips of paper were from "Streams in the Desert" and other books that had really given me hope last year. I prayed over each quote and each jar as I was making them, and it really blessed me as much as it blessed the people I gave them to. I even made one for Ted & myself, so we read one daily and put it in a box to reuse for the next year.

I will be posting a few "Hope Jars" on my etsy shop soon, so let me know if you'd like to buy one for yourself or as a special gift for someone else.