This is my PIF.
I was the recipient of a full set of Rapidograph pens on Freecycle. I have given away fabric in the past when it became overwhelming.
When I moved things into my new studio space I knew I had way too much in the form of art supplies. I had kept extras for 2 reasons: one was to have a traveling set and the other was that I periodically gave free lessons to someone who wanted to learn painting basics.
A mom who home schools her teenage daughter posted on Freecycle for art supplies. After a couple of emails back and forth with her, I put together this beginning art kit. The table top easel, brushes, artist box and pan watercolors are lovingly used…the acrylic paints are a new student set. The book is an old one, but good for a beginner, too. The mom is picking this up today and is very excited!
If you have PIFed recently, I would love to hear about it in the comments.
Janice Paine Dawes, Artist 
Yay, Janice! I love the Pay-It-Forward game, and have done the following things … listed here as suggestions for others who might want to try it.1) Pay for a small purchase of the person in line behind you.2) Let a harried/hurried shopper go ahead of you in line, even if they have more stuff to check out than you do.3) Send an unexpected hand-made postcard (fiber-art, painting, collage, etc.) to someone you don't know in a nursing home.4) Post encouraging-but-honest remarks in an art blogger's blog.5) Leave a small piece of "guerrilla art" in a public place, with a note that says, "take me, I'm yours".6) Leave a book that you have read and enjoyed in a public place, with a similar note. (I got started with this via the http://www.bookcrossing.com website).7) Take a neighbor's child to a movie, to give the Mom a break. (Side benefit … you get to see a great kids' movie that you would be embarrassed to go into without a kid!)8) Volunteer to walk the dog for a sick friend.9) Send a small art/crafting kit to someone who is having to spend a lot of time in a hospital with a sick relative.10) Pick up any trash you see along your daily walk … I sometimes carry a recycled plastic bag with me for the purpose.Not only is Pay-It-Forward fun to do, it can actually become a hobby in its own right!
Fifteen years ago, a college student from our town was killed on campus in a random act of violence. It shook our community to the core, so I decided to personally dedicate random acts of kindness (RAKs) the rest of my life to his memory. They range from small to medium and now and then, a big one.Wow, I have never told anyone about this, but it has been such a good and healing practice for me, that I decided to tell you all. I was inspired by Janice and Linda!
Several years ago my fabric out-grew its shelf space. I did a serious cull. One quilting friend had been working with a group of pre-release women at the local prison. They had two hours a week with them and were teaching beginning quilting. These were women who had never held a needle in their hands before. All the tools and fabric, etc. were donated. The friend came and we loaded her car–probably a couple hundred pounds. It was well worth it. At least a couple of these women have joined local quilt groups since release.
I have given boxes of fabric to a lady thatteaches less privileged women….. I know its going where its needed whereas in our own guildwe have an auction and most of the fabric thatis given is purchased very inexpensively by people who don't really need it as they all have serious stashes. It is fun to find a good home for things you no longer need no matter what – furniture – fabric – clothing – decluttering and helping someone else is the greatest.