We like to begin our spring tea with a craft project. We really like to see the natural conversations that develop around the table as the women do their crafts side-by-side. 

This year we provided canvas bags (purchased from Oriental Trading), fabric paints, stencils, rubber stamps and stencil brushes. We printed designs onto iron on computer paper for those who don't feel they are crafty. We also printed seed packet enveolpes, tea bag envelopes, etc., for them to use to fill their bags.

The women were to decorate the outside of their bag, and the catch was that they couldn't keep the bag. Sometime during the next three months they were to pass it on annonomously as a random act of kindness. We stressed it was not what or how much money went into the bag but rather the act of kindness itself.

Here are some of the ideas we gave them for filling up their bags before giving them away:

• coffee mug and a packet of coffee
• cookies, small loaf of bread or chocolates
• journal, pen, and devotional
• small flower pot, seeds and gardening gloves
• mini spa items
• pad of paper, crayons or markers and a small toy (for a child)
• cooking utensils, pasta, pasta sauce and napkins
• stationery and pens
• candles, bookmarker and a good book

We encouraged women by reminding them to use whatever would be meaningful to the recipient.

Everyone loved it, and we repeatedly overheard "I know just who to give this to." We have young girls as well the women at this event. They all had a great time as they oohed and aahed over each others creations and enjoyed doing something special for someone else.