Satin Blanket Binding on Bitty Blankets for OCC Shoeboxes

I recently tried out another idea I've had for making bitty blanket loveys for the 2 to 4 year old Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  Kristy, from Hopeful Threads, had sent me some crafting goodies a while back and included were two packages of blanket binding.  Such fun prints and it is silky smooth -- just what little ones would love to finger as they fall asleep or need a little comfort.

I love Winnie The Pooh.  The ORIGINAL Winnie The Pooh, not so much the Disney "impostor" as I have heard him called.  It's sort of like if you've read the book you'll hate the movie idea.  Once you have read the original stories the cartoons don't

Tic-Tac-Toe Game from Upcycled Greeting Cards ~ Perfect for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

I always save my greeting cards to find ways to incorporate the bright images into my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  A friend passed some on this past holiday season and I had some poker chips left over from my Drawstring Tic-Tac-Toe Games so I decided to make a super simple tic-tac-toe (also known as noughts

Crafting Tote Bags for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes: Playing Catch-up

I played catch-up this week on my Operation Christmas Child shoebox crafting.  I have had these hand towels and bandannas longer than I want to admit.  We purchased most of the towels after Christmas clearance for a quarter or less and some were from my late mother-in-law's stash.  We sent many as towels in the boxes but I wanted to craft with some.

The bandannas were used as table decorations at a church banquet.  When my daughters are in charge of the decorations they always try to use themed items that can then be packed in shoe boxes.  These make perfect drawstring bags.  They are

Toys & More ~ My Recent Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Additions

A few months ago I won a Toys R Us gift card for my Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing on a blog giveaway.  We do not have a Toys R Us store near us so we had to order online.  The $125 didn't go real far, but we tried to get things on sale and clearance and by ordering $50 or more both times we received free shipping.

Sarah chose some items with multiples that can be split between boxes.

Three times we received the wrong item and they couldn't send us a replacement as it was out of stock, so they gave us the credit back and said to keep the item.  One item we cannot use in shoeboxes, but the other two we can.  Three items

3-Step, Five Minute Drawstring Tote Bag for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

While rearranging my sewing room I came across several hand towels and bandannas that I had tucked away in my Operation Christmas Child craft pile a year or so ago.  I decided to quickly turn them into drawstring bags and the 3-Step, Five Minute Drawstring Tote Bag was born!  I love the sturdy fabrics and the fact that the seams are already finished.  The terrycloth is also great for the hygiene items and one towel is the perfect size to hold them all.


Supplies:

Joining A Month of Letters: Operation Christmas Child Style

My daughter, Sarah, is participating in "A Month of Letters,"  also known as LetterMo.  A challenge set by a blogger to send a piece of snail mail each day the USPS delivers mail throughout the month of February.  This is the third year she has participated I think.  It got me thinking about the letters I want to put in each Operation Christmas Child shoebox I pack.

So I have decided to join LetterMo OCC style!  Each day this month I plan to write one letter for my shoe boxes. I want to make them more personal and try to note something in the box.  Since I won't have all of my boxes planned I'll have

Hello Kitty!! ~ A Sweet Donation

After sharing my Hello Kitty themed Operation Christmas Child shoe box last week some readers were sharing on the Simply Shoe Boxes Facebook page where I may be able to get more Hello Kitty items.  I replied that none of those stores were near me and I hadn't found anything local.  Soon after I received a message from one of the readers saying she would like to pick up some items for me at Target. Within a week I received this box of Hello Kitty goodies from Mary.

Mary said she couldn't decide between the two bags so she bought both.
Notice the picture below and how these red socks will be perfect!

I am so thankful for people who have donated to my shoe box packing efforts.  It makes my boxes better or allows me to pack more boxes--both things make me