Operation Christmas Children III

 

 

 

So we're doin' this thing!

We've gathered some boxes and collected some gift items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involve the kids.
Make this a yearly tradition.

You're teaching generosity, grace,

and what it means to love your neighbor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrap the boxes up pretty.

Have the kids design their own wrapping paper with handprints,

potato stamps, drawings, or the like.

Use fabric, ribbon, bling, have fun!

Only be sure to leave it open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, you needn't wrap your shoebox.

It's what's on the inside that counts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over seas and across continents,

one child WILL receive your shoebox!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven dollars covers the shipping cost.

Simply include the amount in an envelope inside your shoebox.

Donate, if you're able, to cover the costs for boxes given without this provision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pray for the child who awaits your special gift.

The Lord is preparing their heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Children II

 

 

 

What are some of your favorite gifts for shoeboxes?

I'm creative so my favorites are papers, color pencils, and a sharpener.

All ages of boys and girls like these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many great ideas for kids.

Just look at this precious little girl with her new pink hat and mittens.

That's gratefulness in those sparkly eyes!

Do you change your toothbrush every few months?

Tooth paste and a tooth brush make a welcome gift.
So does soap and a nice washcloth.

A brush, comb, barrettes, headband, leg warmers, slippers, flip flops,

hat, purse, bandana, sunglasses will also bless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, there are always toys!

And candy!

Hard candy is best, as it handles time and temperatures.

Think yoyos, Matchbox cars, LEGOs, marbles, dolls, balls, plushies,

puppets, colored chalk, bells, play dough, you're catching on!

Just promise to toss in a toothbrush alongside those

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to pray for the child who will be receiving your shoebox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And be blessed!

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Children

It's That Time of Year!

 

 

 

 

These shoeboxes are so fun to put together.

I choose every year to do at least one each for the older kids,

they always receive the least.

 

 

 

 

It's not complicated.  There are few rules.

You can visit the Samaritan's Purse website (or just click on the link I provided)

to help with any questions.

Pretty much no liquids, perishables, or war-related toys.

Too many children around the world are exposed to fighting and violence.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, shoeboxes come in many different sizes!

Sometimes people use plastic bins.

You may or may not wrap it,

just be sure to leave it open.

But pray for the child that will be receiving it!

This is very often an uncommonly great blessing.

 

 

Use the same link above to print these labels for your box.

 

 

Be sure to bring your filled shoeboxes to a drop-off location near you

no later than November 11 - 17!

Again, you can find this information on the link above,

or on the Samaritan's Purse website.

 

 

 

 

Thank you!

Old Ties Still Bind

For instructions on how to make several belt styles from neckties see:

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4542/4-belt-styles-that-are-a-cinch-to-make

I've included two different styles of card holder case patterns for you here.

With all the punches and stamps at the local coffee shops and hobby centers,

you're gonna be glad to have a neat place to keep them all!

http://tamdoll.blogspot.com/2008/03/business-card-holder-tutorial.html

http://roseycornercreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/too-cute-card-keeper-with-clear-vinyl.html

Now this is something I have never yet attempted, but I'm game!

Here I have a video tutorial and written, as well.

http://cleverlyinspired.com/2011/03/video-make-a-clutch-purse/

http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2006/12/purse_frames_de.html

This looks like a GREAT baby gift!

I totally have to do this!!!

http://www.handmadebabyclothes.org/infant-boy-clothes/infant-boy-clothes-tie-onesie-tutorial

I love these ideas for dressy doggie duds!

This looks like a very good toot:

http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/recyled-dog-col.html

http://www.erinerickson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Little-Dog-Tie-PDF.pdf

This is the closest I could find for a lampshade pattern for neckties.

Put your clever cap on, measure thrice and cut but once:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4899519_make-sewn-silk-lampshade.html

This particular lampshade was created by Nancy Gamon:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nancygamon

For the footstool toot, you'll need to stitch your fabrics together first.

http://projectsbyjess.blogspot.com/2011/03/upholstered-footstool-ballard-design.html

http://firstadream.blogspot.com/2011/03/chair-weaving-tutorial.html

I could not find any instructions for this magnificent throw,

but I did find out that this gal goes by Eileen Away,

and she has made other such beatiful pieces.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tierug/6285726301/in/photostream

 

Creating this will be easier than you might expect,

but you will need a grand collection!

This would make a great masculine quilt for the good fellas in your life.

http://greenupgrader.com/18150/necktie-craft-projects/

Check my Etsy shops for possibly available upcycled neckties,

I keep my eyes peeled:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/YeOldeKnackery

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EcoBrilliance

Egg Salad Week

Rachael Ray's Deviled Egg Salad on Pumpernickel

Ingredients:

8 large eggs



1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon hot sauce (Tabasco)

2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard

3 tablespoons mayonnaise or 3 tablespoons ranch dressing

1/4 cup onion (white, grated or minced)

1 celery rib (small, from the heart with greens and finely chopped)

2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped

3 tablespoons green salad olives and pimentos, drained and finely chopped

salt

black pepper

8 slices pumpernickel bread

4 lettuce leaves1 teaspoon paprika 

She's Baaaaack

Forgive me!! 

I seem to have fallen off the edge of the earth

just before Christmastime. 

Well, I won't claim to have returned,

but I'm going to try. 

I'm working on clearing out my home.

Specifically:

knick knacks, collections,

"useless" nostalgia,

had-to-have-its, things, stuff, and the like. 

We're switching two of the kids' rooms around,

painting them as well.

How's that going?

Just note that I have no photos.

My house is a mess,

with a capital "M".

A sty.

And, because I didn't have enough on

my plate, I started a business!

Oh, yes!

I'm selling all my glorious treasures

on my Etsy shop -

full time now,

although the pay is certainly not so.

Perhaps it's the getting-started breaks.

That's what I'm telling myself.

I've changed the name of my little shop, too.

From "Restless Fingers" to

(insert drum roll here...)

"Compass Jannock".

No.  It doesn't have je ne sais quoi,

but it's quirky

and has meaning.

Jannock is an old, old word

that means

pleasant; outspoken; honest; genuine; straightforward; generous.

I like that.

I want to be that, to emulate that.

So I also choose Compass.

My talent is clearly not with naming businesses,

This isn't likely to prove memorable.

My first choice was Knackatory,

but that was taken.

C'est la vie.

Well, I suppose these piles won't organize themselves...

Really Bad Christmas Ads

You're a Bad Role Model, Santa



I hope you kept the receipt.

 



OH!  You're going to be doing the laundry!  That's great!!

 



...than with you, if that's what you give her.

 



And just as I'm getting into puberty, too!

Santa needs to share his cookies with "the wife."

 

 

Santi, them ciggies'll getcher gloves all yeller.

Who knew Santa was such an old fart?



Buy yourself a gun for Christmas.





Get one for everyone!





Oh yes!  Get a scale for Christmas!

 



Delivery boy wishing you happy smoking this Christmas!

 

 

Ronny's merriest Christmas is with Chesterfield.
And lots of'em!



I vacuum with a smile and a dress.
Don't you?



All the other ladies will be so jealous,
and cancer-free.



Smoke-up, darling.
We've plenty of life insurance.



Santa really gets around.
This kid stuff is just a cover-up.