Counting our blessings!

This past month, I've been really busy coordinating a Silent Auction fundraiser for our church, St. Paul's UCC here in Henderson. It was a lot of fun and it raised funds! Can't beat that, right? I gave the fundraiser a name.........called it the "Count Your Blessings Silent Auction". I talked about how when we count our blessings and then share what we have, it makes even more blessings. The concept for the auction was simple........congregation members were asked to bring a themed basket or just some item that could be placed for bid. It could be handmade or store-bought. I loved seeing the items that came in and then I took them and "flouffed" them. In other words, I took a few items and put them together to create one bid item. There were no gift certificates for restaurants or spas, no oil changes or anything like that. These items could be new or used and that's what made it fun. I've been doing Silent Auctions with non-profit groups for years and the format is a simple and easy way to raise some extra cash for a church or organization. As you can see in the photos below there were items for all ages..........

On this table there was a basket full of kids craft supplies, a nail polish assortment basket, children's books, a bin full of tools.........etc..........

A popular item was a rug made by Marvel Tesch and more baskets and decor items.........

There were a couple of "home movie" baskets filled with movies, treats, popcorn and in that cute popcorn container..........

Candles and Christmas greens, Red Hat items and a really popular item was the Jolly Green Giant!! We live just a few miles from LeSueur, MN and the valley that is home to the Jolly Green Giant.

My big purchase was a basket full of Christmas candles and goodies............

The event did more than raise funds, though. It created fellowship. It was something different and folks had fun doing this. I got to know some folks in the church that I had never talked to before. One was Elvirda Bird who embroidered a set of beautiful dishtowels. They came in after I took the photos and I forgot to go back and get a picture of them. Those who know me well, know that I rarely miss a picture opportunity but perhaps I can get a photo before they are picked up by the winner.
And speaking of winners................yep, it's another giveaway. I appreciated all the advice on what to do about the corners on my tabletopper. I am going to try a couple things on one corner and if it doesn't work, then it won't be too much to rip out. In the meantime, you can leave your name for a chance to win some of the poinsettia fabric in a blue colorway............

There are six fat quarters........oops! a little edit here ... I don't know what I was thinking because there are four fat eighths and two fat quarters in this grouping..... in this collection. Just leave your name, and this time tell me what little blessing has happened to you in the past week that makes this a good week!
My little blessing this week?..........hmmmm........let me think on that..........there was more than one thing that is making this a good week!!
Have a great day!
Sandi