I don't know about you, but when we turn the clocks back in the fall and it's dark by 5:30 pm, I start looking for something to do with my hands in the evenings. If you're in the same boat as me, I have two ideas for how you could put your hands to work for others this winter (and have some fun yourself)!

For the first project, knowing how to knit or crochet is helpful (or this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for to finally learn - if I can knit, you can too). For the second project, all you need to do is cut and tie. Regardless of which project you select, someone will be blessed by your your creations and you'll have something to do during these long winter evenings.

The American Heart Association is looking for individuals who are willing to knit or crochet red hats for newborn babies. These hats will be given out all over the country to newborn babies during the month of February (American Heart month). The hats are to serve as a reminder to mothers to take "family heart health to heart while also raising awareness about Congenital Heart Defects." This increased awareness is particularly close to us as Maureen's youngest son has a very special heart and we have other close friends who have faced this with their children as well.

You can find out what hospitals in your state will be collecting little red hats by clicking here as well as some other helpful project details.

Here's my favorite newborn knit hat pattern. Of course, you would want to do red and white for this project.

When my dad was undergoing chemotherapy, he struggled with being cold. My mom's best friend gave him a hand tied fleece blanket and he was finally warm. From this gift, my sister started Project Chemo Comfies.

While my dad was still living, she collected hand tied fleece blankets and delivered them to local cancer centers. Our friends and families hosted parties where guests made blankets. Now, she has continued this tradition in memory of my dad. Just this past week, there was a huge blanket party. The donations will go to Cool Kids Campaign, Pappus Hospice House in York, Wellspan Surgical Oncology, and York Cancer Center. My sister has said often that the best part of this project is handing out the blankets to patients because it brings warmth, hope, and smiles.

These blanket making parties have really caught on because it's something that everyone can do together. At the last party, they attached encouraging notes to each blanket.

You can learn how to make a hand tied fleece blanket here. Just one blanket can make a difference to someone who is facing cancer this winter.