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| Inspiration above discovered in Amanda Blake Soule’s book, Handmade Home. The purpose of the Family Heart, according to Soule, is to provide a way for a family member to carry the love of their family with them whenever they may be away from home. The heart even has a pocket for family love notes that can be taken out and re-read, bringing comfort to the family member. With my husband deployed at this time, I fell absolutely in love with this project! I couldn’t wait to create my own to mail to Steven, as a reflection of our love for one another. I incorporated fabrics that we both associate with special life events, and from previous crafts we’ve made for our home. |
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| The Hoover family heart. |
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| 3 years ago, Steven attended flight school in Florida and earned his commercial flight license. He had always wanted to fly as a little boy, and his dream finally became a reality. |
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| Steven and I have done crafts our whole lives. Since we’ve been married, we have both enjoyed the commonality of doing crafts in our home. Steven enjoys leather and paper craft, and I enjoy sewing and painting. We have a designated art area in our home, and we pretty much live there. |
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| A scrap from our wedding day…We have been married for 7 years now, and still thoroughly enjoy and desperately love one another. We are such a compatible couple, and are strained when we have to be apart (like now during his deployment). I sew quite a lot for our home and for others. For the past 2 years, sewing has been my main hobby. |
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| Steven has been in the Army since 1983 and has been a sniper, paratrooper, infantry man, and now is a civil affairs specialist. I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished for our country, and for helping other countries try to get back on their feet and thrive once again. |
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| Our biggest accomplishment, is our precious son, Nathan, born this year. He is a true gift from the Lord, and is an extension of the love that Steven and I have for one another. |
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| This is the love note that Nathan and I wrote to place in the heart pocket for Steven. I know Steven will re-read it endlessly while he’s away and treasure it as a gift from home. |
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| Here is the heart all put together and ready to get placed in Steven’s next care package. I know he’ll love it, and when he brings it home next year, we will look forward to adding to it in the coming years. |
