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As I mentioned in one of the earlier articles, you should encourage your kids to repeat projects. Just by changing fabrics you are giving: variety, an opportunity to master skills, and the chance to practice visualizing the construction of the project. Repeating projects is also a great way to teach your kids to see things differently. Ask them, "what can we change this time/or add, to give this project a special touch"?

My youngest automatically repeated every project she came up with. In order to help persuade my older daughter, I encouraged my girls from the beginning of our sewing journey to give some of their projects away.

Although the initial purpose was for the reasons above, over time it uncovered an INCREDIBLE BENEFIT!

The girls now have a desire to make all of their gifts, whether sewing or another craft. It is amazing the joy that comes from making your own gift by hand. The preparation is exciting - thinking about the person that will receive it, the care that goes into making it, and then "the excitement of watching them open it" (my girls' own words)!

Through repeating projects we have gone beyond just creating for special occasions. The girls are using their skills as a ministry, to give gifts to others "just because"; to brighten a persons day when they weren't expecting anything.

As your working with your kids have them repeat projects. One, to master skills, but more importantly to encourage them to give. When you start this early, they learn the joys of blessing others, and the barrier of "what I make may not be good enough to give away" is also broken.

Start with friends and family. Move to neighbors, and people you come into contact within your community. This year my girls gave gifts to the ladies at the post office, the librarian, and a precious lady who works at the convenient store we go to regularly. The expressions on the people's faces of shock and surprise were worth every second of their work. Then venture out and search for those in need.

Just today my oldest daughter found an organization that combines four of her loves: sewing, knitting, babies, and animals. The organization donates blankets, hats, and booties to hospitals for preemies, and toys for the animal shelters.

So encourage your kids to master the skills and experience the greater gift of giving.