Crops of Luv

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend the day with the most amazing group of papercrafters. We were all gathered at a Crops of Luv event to make scrapbooks for critically ill children (and their families) who have been granted wishes by nonprofit organizations such as the Make-A-Wish and Give Kids the World foundations.

Although I’d heard about Crops of Luv a year or two ago, this is the first time I’ve ever attended one of their events. Jody and Roberta have everything so well organized that it’s easy to jump in and start making pages. For someone like me, who is so patterned-paper challenged and for whom choosing paper is the hardest part of getting started, receiving a packet complete with paper, photos and embellishments made completing the pages very easy. And, should you decide that you need to add some brads, ribbon, a border punch or two, or bling it up a bit, they have all of that available too! Yesterday, 36 volunteers completed 18 books. Of those 18 books, I managed to finish four two-page layouts. **My commitment issues get in the way…if I could just put stuff on the page and call it “done” I’d finish a lot faster, but no…I have to shift things this way or that, be critical and move things around at least ten times before I’m ready to add adhesive!** Hopefully, next time I’ll increase that number!

Many of my readers know that I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and that one of our main objectives is to provide community service not only locally, but to our global community as well. My local chapter is very active in the Phoenix community and whenever time allows I participate in community service events. Members are also encouraged to do community service independent of the sorority. I’ve often struggled with finding something that I can do AND sustain, that fits in with my full-time job, and life in general. I think I've found it. The sense of peace and giving that I felt yesterday and the camaraderie evident among the regular volunteers lets me know that I will be back. And what better way to sustain that mojo and crafting spirit than to make something that will bring joy to the hearts of others while helping them preserve precious memories.

If you are so inclined, please take a look at Crops of Luv’s blog and Facebook page and see if there isn’t some way that you can help.

The take-away from today’s post: Try to find a way to provide community service that incorporates giving back to others with something that you love to do. Your heart will be better for it....

Thanks for reading!

WrinkleFreeDiva