Saturday, December 04, 2010

Countdown to Christmas: 21 Days!

For a few years now, I've been wanting to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. The problem was, I would think about it every year around Christmastime, after it was already too late to fill a box for that year. This year (thanks to reminders from some of the blogs I read) I actually remembered ahead of time to stock up on some little things to fill a box. I was also able to make a few things to tuck inside--inspired by Monica's "Operation Homemade Shoebox" over at The Homespun Heart.

I was excited to fill a box for the very first time, and I even remembered to drop it off during the right week! Here you can see most of the things the shoebox was filled with. I was really amazed and pleased to discover just how much would fit in there!! I put in toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, etc.), school supplies (notebook, crayons, ruler, pencil, scissors, fun pad), toys (handmade doll, paper dolls printed from the internet), and clothes (pillowcase dress, matching ponytail holder).
Here is a closer shot of the pillowcase dress. The pillowcase cost me .25 at the thrift store. :) Isn't it cute? I used some leftover fabric to make a flower for the ponytail holder. I followed this great tutorial for making the dress.
Here is a close-up of the doll. I found the link to these on The Homespun Heart. You can download the PDF here. I loved how this could be made out of scraps that I had on hand. This was so much fun to make, and it is neat to think that it will likely be given to a little girl who has never had a doll before!

I also enclosed a note and a photo of our family. I am so glad I finally went ahead and took part in OCC this year. The shoebox didn't cost much to fill up, since I was able to do some handmade things and used freebies from Rite Aid as well. Now I'm hoping to make at least 2 boxes next year--I'd like to fill them for both a boy and a girl!

Have you ever taken part in OCC or something similar? It is really neat to have the opportunity to bless others who have so little, when we have been given so much.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

GREAT job on the shoebox project, Carrie! I especially love that you did so much homemade -- that dress is ADORABLE! I will most definitely look up that pillowcase dress tutorial. If it involves a pillowcase, it must be easy enough for me. :)

We did the shoeboxes last year but this year I kept putting it off and then, like you, I was too late to drop it off. :( I had even stocked up on some extra school supplies for the boxes. Oh well! Next year!

Anonymous said...

Hi Carrie,
I think that the doll is adorable...maybe your next giveaway?????Or you could sell them.It was so cute.Can you tell I like dolls?Nikki

Elisha said...

We just did OCC for the first time this year. I love the idea of doing homemade items also, I'll have to remember that for next year. This year we did one for a boy and one for a girl.

Mrs.T said...

Love the idea of doing the shoebox project, especially including so much that is homemade. I was telling the older granddaughters about all that you did, and think they would love to do some boxes with me for next year. Remind me when you start on yours!

Mary Ann said...

We have done a girl box & a boy box for the last two years. Silly girl that I am I never thought of making anything to put in there! Thanks for the inspiration.
And you are right, it's so easy for the deadline to slip up on you & miss the opportunity to fill a box.

Money Saving Maine-iac said...

Carrie;

This is so inspiring and lovely. Sometimes I am overwhelmed when I see other blogger filling 20 shoeboxes. I just need to focus on 1 or 2. I love that their are heartfelt items like the pillowcase dress, doll and photo of your family.

Thank you for sharing! Would you feel comfortable having me share this on my blog?

moneysavingmaineac@gmail.com