A Scarf a Day

Camy here! Some of you may know that I am the coordinator for the ACFW Genesis contest for unpublished writers. The Genesis would not even exist without the hundreds of judges who volunteer their time to judge the entries each year. This year we had over 550 entries! Each entry is judged by 3 judges. Our judges agree to judge anywhere from 3 to 21 entries each!

Because I’m so grateful to our judges, I decided to try to make scarves for all of them who are going to be at the ACFW Conference in September. I’m guessing about 200 judges will be at the conference, and I have five months. I figure, if I do a scarf or two a day, I’ll make enough for all my judges who will be at the conference. As of today, I have a dozen or two scarves already made.

I’m not making really intricate scarves, but I’m using some neat yarn from my stash and making quick scarves with large needles (size US 35). I’m also using a size S crochet hook for some Tunisian crochet scarves. Most of the scarves I’ve made take less than an hour per scarf, even the ones with a lace pattern. The big needles help the work go quickly, but the scarves still look really nice and squishy.

My point? What can you do to show someone your appreciation? It doesn’t have to be anything big. Each of these scarves only takes 60 minutes of my time, and I make most of them when I’m in front of the TV. But I know the judges will appreciate the time and the thought that went into making scarves for them.

Who would you like to say thank you to? What can you do to show them your appreciation?

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is her humorous contemporary romance novel, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Formula for Danger. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she ponders dogs, knitting and spinning wool, running, Asiana, and other frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter for giveways!

Click here to find out how you can join my Street Team—it’s free and there’s lots of chances to win prizes!

Inexpensive Christmas gifts

Camy here! Have you started thinking about Christmas yet?

I love Christmas. I mostly like giving gifts to my friends and family. I especially like being able to give them something they’ll really enjoy and could use.

I’m also dirt poor, so the challenge is giving a gift that’s not cheap-looking, but that’s inexpensive to make or buy.

Yarn craft

I’m big into knitting, so I like asking my friends point blank what they’d like me to make them for Christmas. I give options like a scarf, hat, mittens, fingerless gloves, bag, etc. It makes it easy for me, and it guarantees they’ll get what they want. Then I buy the yarn and make something for them.

Do you crochet or do some type of yarn craft? Why not make your gifts this year? You can also learn to knit or crochet really easily online. Believe it or not, I learned to knit from watching knitting videos.
Knittinghelp.com videos
Knitpicks.com community learn to knit tutorials
Lion Brand website for knitting and crochet tutorials

Sewing

There’s a sewing group that meets at my church who have volunteered to show me how to sew, although I haven’t taken them up on it yet. But it makes me think that if I do, I can make cute sewing projects for gifts, too. iPod or phone cases, bags, pillowcases.

If you sew, consider some cool sewing you can do for your friends or family as gifts. Pillowcases in cute fabric are always great gifts and they’re very inexpensive, too.

If you embroider, consider buying something small and embroidering the person’s name or designs on it. Regular or ribbon embroidery can really dress up something that’s otherwise very plain.

Cards

I also like making cards for people to use, because everyone could use thank you cards or birthday cards. I get stamps, colored paper, double-sided tape, and ribbon trim from the local craft store and then go to town. It’s fun because I get really creative, and it’s fast because I can make several copies of the same card really easily.

And if I make several different designs, I can give everyone one or two cards of each design, for a total of a dozen or two dozen cards as a gift. I wrap the bundle of cards in ribbon and it looks great!

If you’re creative and wise with what stamp sets you buy, each card can be as little as 25 cents each to make. There are some stamp sets that are hearts or flowers, with several stamps in the set, and you can mix and match with different colors, different paper, and different ribbon or trim to make different types of cards with the same set.

Are you a photographer? Why not develop several copies of your favorite pictures and paste them to cardstock to make fantastic blank cards to give away? You don’t even have to embellish the cards if you don’t want to, because the photos themselves make the cards special.

Sparkly stuff

Some of you do beading, and jewelry is a great gift to give. Earrings, a pendant, or a bracelet are relatively inexpensive, and you can make them in your friend’s or relative’s favorite colors.

And you don’t have to limit yourself to jewelry. You can also make cell phone charms, bookmarks (see those book thongs in Borders?), zipper pulls. Be creative!

Any other ideas?

What are you considering for inexpensive Christmas gifts this year?

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is her humorous contemporary romance novel, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Deadly Intent. She also runs the Story Sensei critique service. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels and ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for giveways!

Nothing Special

Our family went on a mission trip this past week to Kentucky. I served in a homeless shelter. Actually, I felt so at home in the homeless shelter.

The first day, I cried through our praise songs. I couldn't believe God's sweet Spirit showed up in a dingy bleak room. His love was so heavy I coudn't open my mouth.

I still cry when I think about this lady I met. She'd just left her abusive husband for the third time. She says this time she's going to stay away and get help. We prayed and talked. I asked her what she liked to do--if she had any hobbies. She said she loved to crochet.

I didn't think it was anything special. No big deal. I ran to Wal-Mart before we left and got her red yarn (God's love) and a crochet needle. I spent about $6.You'd have thought I'd given her a million dollars. She's making a blanket for the winter. I said, "As you crochet, pray. Keep your mind on God's love for you." She nodded and promised she would. Her name is Christy. Maybe you'll say a prayer for her.

I didn't realize that when you show His love even in the SIMPLEST ways, He totally fills you.

Changed,
Julie