Puff Dollies

What do you do when someone donates 300 "potpourri dolls" to use for shoeboxes gifts? You remake them into "puff dollies."

These ancient kits came with everything you needed to create a potpourri doll (except the potpourri.) There was preprinted fabric circle skirts, the adorable doll head, and cute little arms. 

All that was needed were a few simple stitches and some stuffing instead of potpourri!

So a huge thanks to our volunteers that assembled nearly 300 of these dolls for our shoeboxes! I know there are some little girls out there that will LOVE THEM! 

And she's off!

By the time you read this post the #CrazyShoeboxLady will be on my way to Paraguay! It’s really hard to believe! It is a dream come true, trip of a lifetime. I wanted to take this opportunity to first of all say “Thank you” thank you for your support, with finances, prayers, time to help with shoeboxes, and even emotionally! 

Our team has been sharing in devotions in the time leading up to the trip, the more I read God’s word, and pray about the trip, the more humbled and amazed I am that this trip is even possible?? Yet with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

I then think about how I got here. The reason I can go on this trip is because of the generosity of friends, and family. The reason I was invited on this trip is because of the growth of my area team for Operation Christmas Child. The reason my area team has grown both in shoebox numbers and in team members,  is because I have an amazing area team! The reason I even HAVE an area team for OCC is because of our packing party “Shoebox 1K”  It caught the attention of Samaritan’s Purse, and they asked me to “join the team.” The only reason “Shoebox 1K” got so big is because of the time friends put in, because of the generosity of individuals, companies, groups and manufacturers. The only reason “Shoebox 1K” came into being is because I was challenged by a young man named “Caleb.” Caleb knew about shoeboxes because he was in my children’s ministry and his mom was one of my “partners in crime” for collecting supplies year round. The reason I started collecting supplies year round because a 3 year old Winter had her heart touched by our yearly family Christmas project. Our family’s Christmas project was started because someone told me, I could use a shoebox gift to bless a child in need and tell them about Jesus. 

Sunday, I was able to share with our Children's Ministry about my trip, they then helped me put the finishing touches on a shoebox I am taking with me. This shoebox represents so many who have given to not only this trip, but to Shoebox 1K! There are things from my fabulous group of "Shoebox 1K Crafters," there's a sewing kit with a sampler in it from Jack Dempsey Needle Arts,there are items chosen by dear friends, there is a special top made by Caleb (yes the one who first challenged me to do a 1000 boxes!) There is a Monster Loom from Rainbow Loom and a loom bracelet made by my daughter, there are letters and a "boo-boo" bunny from my Children's Ministry and I filled each and every nook and cranny the way my OCC team members Dorinda and Becky would :) Each item representing something/someone that means so very much to me, because they helped make this possible. 

THE SHOEBOX!

The children from church praying over this box

Monday, I should have been packing but you know me; I had to throw in a last minute crafting project *grin* (shhh they are for my team members in Paraguay.) Which then made me want to pack an emergency craft kit cause you never know when you will have a "crafting emergency!

Shh I should be packing, but decided to fit in some last minute crafting! 

Then I had the kids over before I left (and they came with friends) and now I should be sleeping but wanted to share here first. 

So if you think about me this week, pray for me, and the team and the opportunities the Lord will be opening up for us, and pray for those very precious children receiving the boxes we will be handing out! If you want to follow my adventures check out "Shoebox 1K" on Facebook! 

Stamp and Scrapbook Expo 2016-Milwaukee Here We Come!

Plaid donated some amazing products!

It's that time of year again! Shoebox 1K will once again be sponsoring their "Basket Raffle Fund Raiser" at the Milwaukee, WI Stamp and Scrapbook Expo! This year we have 60 gift baskets being raffled off over $2000 in prizes!!!

Tickets are only $1 each~

Plus we have specials~ Buy 10 get 2 free and $20 gets you 24 tickets and a free gift!!!

So come visit us at the baggage check booth and pick up your tickets for your chance to WIN!

All money raised will go to help us send gift filled shoeboxes to kids in need all over the world through Operation Christmas Child! 

These are awesome!

Some of the 60 gift baskets being raffled off over $2000 in prizes

Shoebox 1K would like to thank our generous sponsors:

The Christian Youth Center of Morris, Close to my Heart Independent Consultant Lori Brown, Creative Options, Epiphany Crafts **, Fave Crafts, Fellowship Bible Church, Fiskars , Forget-Me-Not Memories, Jack Dempsey Needle Arts, Operation Christmas Child, Paper Trail,  Peddler’s Den,  Photocentric, Plaid Crafts, Prime Publishing, Rainbow Loom, Stamp and Scrapbook Expo, Shoebox 1K, Stick With It, Unity Stamps, Xyron

** here at Scrapbook Expo

 

PARAGUAY! (When I grow up I'm going to deliver shoeboxes!)

When I was Children's Pastor I told the kids in my children's ministry "When I grow up, I'm going to deliver shoeboxes! This June I am going to be given a chance to do just that!

Please read below for more information about my trip and ways you can partner with me as I prepare to share "The power of a simple gift" with children in Paraguay.

Dear Friends and Family, 

Many years ago my heart was forever changed by a little girl rummaging around a “free bin” at a garage sale. This little girl was my daughter, and she was finding new toys to put into shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child. We had packed shoebox gifts as a family since she was born, but it was always at my prompting, yet at that time something had stirred in her heart to do this all on her own. Since that moment I have known that OCC is something special. If the ministry and message of Operation Christmas Child could stir the heart of my daughter at the tender age of 3 to give to those in need, then imagine what it would do to children on the receiving end of those shoebox gifts!

Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child (OCC) has sent gift filled shoeboxes to kids in need all over the world, along with the good news of God’s love. This year marks our family’s 21st year of packing shoebox gifts for this amazing organization! In 2013 I was approached by Samaritan’s Purse—the parent organization of OCC—to represent the ministry as a year round volunteer. I would be a mouthpiece for the group sharing about the ministry and message of Operation Christmas Child to area churches and community groups, along with encouraging and building up an area team of other volunteers to help with this goal. With the ultimate purpose of packing more shoebox gifts to give more opportunity to share God’s love to kids in need all over the world!

Each year Samaritan’s Purse invites a select group of volunteers to participate in a shoebox distribution to see what happens on “the other side of the box.” Shoebox gifts are distributed in partnership with local churches throughout the world to allow them a tangible way to reach out to their communities. 

This year I have been invited to participate in a trip to Paraguay to help deliver shoebox gifts. The trip will take place from June 1st-8th. In addition to the distribution, and seeing for myself the joy on a child’s face when they receive their shoebox gift, I will get to witness first hand the impact Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse has in Paraguay. 

I ask first of all that you would pray for me, the rest of the distribution team, and especially the local church we will be partnering with. Please pray for health for the team, pray for finances, pray for travel issues etc. Please pray also for the distribution, all of the customs issues, logistics etc. that happen during any type of event. Pray most of all for the children receiving these boxes, that God would touch their hearts, that they would feel and know the love shown to them by Him and those who  packed their shoebox gift. 

My cost for this trip is between $3,200 and $4,200. If the Lord would put it on your heart to help cover any of the expenses it would be greatly appreciated, as Samaritan’s Purse is a not-for-profit organization and can only do these trips if expenses are covered. 

If you wish to help with expenses, my local church has set up an account. All donations are tax-deductible. Please make out the check to:

Life Church Morris

P.O. Box 679

Morris, IL 60450

Please write: Paraguay in the memo line.

If you wish to donate online you may do so through my church, the button is below! "Life Church Morris" will be listed on the PayPal receipt

Please provide your address if you wish to receive a tax letter at the end of the year.

Thank you so much for your support! I appreciate the prayers of my friends as I prepare to share the good news and great joy through Operation Christmas Child in Paraguay.  Upon my return I look forward to sharing my adventures with you! 

Because Jesus Loves Children!

Betsy Burnett

#CrazyShoeboxLady

Thank you Jack Dempsey!

One of the reasons I am so passionate about Operation Christmas Child is the fact a simple filled shoebox can bring so much hope to a child in need. The group I coordinate called Shoebox 1K  attempts to pack 1000 shoebox gifts each year. We normally pack more but 1000 is the goal. In poorer societies, older children are normally already forced to help bring home money for the family, school sometimes getting cut short. Girls especially can be overlooked. 

This is why one of the things we love doing is packing sewing kits into our older girls boxes! We coordinate our kits by hand, using donated supplies and materials to make sure each girl gets an assortment of items useful to her in sewing. In addition we try to include a project to teach simple stitches, as well as some fabric for her to work with. 

When talking to Jack Dempsey Needle Arts about our project, they were touched, they volunteered to donate sampler fabric and the directions for 500 sewing kits! 

Each sewing kit not only gives a girl a chance to have some necessary and needed supplies at home, but because we try to include picture directions, it could give a girl a chance to learn some life skills to help her when she gets older! 

One of our 500 boxes for the 10-14 year old girls, complete with sewing kit!

It took our volunteers many, many, many hours this summer, to sort through donated fabric, cut it into usable pieces, sort out embroidery floss and thread, purchase scissors, and then collate the 500 plus bags to be packed. But in the end it was so worth it!  

A big thank you to our volunteers but especially to Jack Dempsey Needle Arts for their generous donation!!

Shoebox 1K-2015

It's time! It's time! It's time to register for this year's Shoebox 1K, shoebox packing party for Operation Christmas Child.

For the past 10 years our group has been coming together to pack shoebox gifts. After being filled with; personal care items, school supplies, small toys, a beanie baby, hard candy and more, these boxes are sent all over the world along with the good news of God's love. Last year over 300 volunteers joined together to pack 2129 shoebox gifts most of which were distributed in Ecuador!

This year we aim to pack 2500 shoebox gifts but we can't do it without YOU!! How can you get involved? Click on the button below it will take you to more information on how you or your group can get involved with this years Shoebox 1K Packing party.

First the details:

The party will take place on November 7, 2015 from 8am-9pm, at the Christian Youth Center of Morris, IL. Registrations are available in 2 hour shifts. We ask that in order to allow as many people to participate as possible you only register for one shift. If you wish to work more than one shift please contact Betsy Burnett event coordinator. More information is available on the registration page.

When you arrive at your shift, you will go through a brief orientation video and training, then you will be able to start packing your shoeboxes.

Once again the fabulous team from Shine FM will be there with their amazing team of volunteers running the photo booth for us! So be sure to stop by the booth and have your photo snapped to place into your shoebox!

While attending this event is free, we ask you to prayerfully consider how you can be a part of helping cover the shipping expense for the shoeboxes you pack. Each shoebox gift has a suggested donation of $7 to ship, which is a real bargain if you have ever tried shipping a package to India through the post office! You can bring your shipping donation directly to the packing party or donate online through Operation Christmas Child-Follow your box. (<---click on the link to find out more)  If you donate online you will receive a bar code label to attach to the shoeboxes you pack. You will then receive email updates as your box travels around the world!

Don't miss out on your opportunity to help bless kids all over the world! Click on the link below to register yourself or your group.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

To clothe the naked...dolls that is!

For many years my family has packed shoeboxes full of gifts to send to kids in need all over the world through Operation Christmas Child (OCC) . Because of our family involvement and our love of this organization, I eventually started getting others involved. We have since set a goal each year to pack at least 1000 shoebox gifts for OCC.  Because of that we call ourselves "Shoebox 1K"

Our group recently received a donation of over 200 dolls. Which is fabulous! Little girls LOVE dolls and we love being able to put them into shoeboxes! Yet we had a problem. These dolls were a little larger than your standard sized Barbie doll and  that means they cannot wear Barbie clothes and the dolls came to me naked!





















Knowing that the creative community has a huge heart, I reached out to them.  I put out a call for help and my friend Laura Johnson from Ellie Inspired answered that call! Laura not only created a pattern but enlisted the help of her Ellie Inspired Pattern Group to help us create dresses for our dolls!

Today the first of the dresses arrived! I received a lovely note and 20 dresses!

How exciting for us! We quickly dressed our lovely ladies! These are now ready to be put into shoebox gifts for this season. 

But, we still have more to finish! 

The the simple peasant style dress looks adorable! The pattern takes under 1/4 yd of fabric and goes together really fast. Best yet Laura made the pattern available for FREE to anyone that wants to help us clothe the dolls. The dress pattern has the added advantage of working for your Barbie sized dolls as well. So it's a great project to do with your kids. We would LOVE for you to be a part of our project!

You can find the pattern and information on how you can help  ---> HERE

Shoebox 1k

The long anticipated day came and left and oh how we were blessed! Over 300 volunteers converged upon the Christian Youth Center of Morris, IL to help us pack over 2000 shoebox gifts. (Our final total ended up being 2129!) In addition to the 300 volunteers we had Shine FM radio join us for the day as well. They took photos that people could put in their packed shoeboxes along with a letter to the child receiving the boxes.

I wish to thank the hundreds of people that have volunteered not just during the packing party, but throughout the year as well. Thanks to our generous sponsors that donated supplies and money and items to raffle off.My regular crew; David, Winter, Emily, Sharon, Sherri, Tricia (and kids,) Mike, Ed, Jules, Judy, Heidi, Erica, Laurie (and company) Lana, Rita, Sylvia, Clare, and Emma, and I'm sure there are more people that I am forgetting...(please forgive me) You all are amazing and it's our efforts put all together and mixed in with God that turn this project into a "whole lot of AWESOME"

Please enjoy a few snapshots from the day, to view the full photo albums, visit the "Shoebox 1k" photo albums on Facebook:

Shift 1 

Shift 2

Shift 3

Shift 4

Shift 5

CD Tops!

When people find out you are "crafty" there is no end to the things they ask if you want. Earlier this summer I was given two boxes of old CD's Not quite sure what I would do with them I held on to them until I figured out a project or two. When I came across a how to for creating tops out of CD's I knew I had found a winning project.

The directions called for "shooter sized" marbles,  or ping pong balls, but the thrifty queen in my balked at the price. I had literally hundreds of these tops that I could make and didn't really want to pay $5 for 2 dozen marbles of the correct size. I decided to look elsewhere. Looking at Oriental Trading Company, I found small rubber balls that were 3/4' in diameter, and in addition to being the perfect size for this project, happened to be $5 for 144, much more friendly on my budget! Besides the Cd's and marbles, I would need wrapping paper, mod podge, soda caps and a hot glue gun to complete this project.

Then it was time to call in the troops.

About 10 of us, traced the Cd's onto the wrapping paper, then cut out the circles. These circles were mod podged to the CD's and when dry, we glued the rubber ball inside the hole of the Cd and then glued a soda cap on top as a handle. The result were some adorable Cd tops that spun surprisingly well. In our morning of crafting we finished around 200 of these guys to put in shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child.

I will say that we had difficulty with the glue sticking when we used a lo-temp gluegun. We found we needed the high temperature glue or the handles would peel off. To find the original directions I based this project from visit: Mama's Little Muse 

Order Out of Chaos!

Almost 20 years ago, I became involved with a project called "Operation Christmas Child"  OCC as it is commonly known sends gift filled shoeboxes to children in need all over the world. Shoebox gifts contain; school supplies, personal care items, small toys, hard candy and more and for some children are the first and sometimes only gift they will ever receive in their lives.

My involvement with OCC expanded to becoming a project leader and then finally an Area Coordinator for our area. I currently oversee a project called "Shoebox 1k" named from a challenge one of the boys in my children's ministry issued one year to do "A THOUSAND BOXES." Currently just working on our third year, news of our project has spread far and wide. Being the case we need LOTS of storage space. In the past I was able to have a back room in our church building, when the building was sold, the Christian Youth Center of Morris graciously allowed me to move the operation in there.

Naturally when one thinks of filling 1000 shoebox gifts you would think about how many supplies are needed to accomplish this goal. Our packing date is November 1 and being close to the date of our packing party obviously have mountains of supplies to accomplish our goal. Imagine my surprise and dread when I was notified, I had to MOVE everything over two bays in the storage area less than one month before everything was to be moved out?

Rather than just putting everything into piles in the new area, I enlisted the help of my father, my son and some other fine gentlemen to create a shelving unit able to withstand not only the amount of supplies we would need in for our project but the weight of cartons of shoeboxes. School supplies, and cartons of soap aren't light!

 It took the 5 of us 2 days and several hundred dollars of donated wood and screws to create the shelves. But the result was oh so worth it! There are 6 sets of shelves 8 feet by 4 feet. In addition we created two sorting tables, that can double as supply tables during the actual shoebox packing party!  I love the new space, and it should make it very easy to stay organized this next year.

A HUGE thank you to my father Ken, my son David, and friends Mike and Ed for all of their hard work!!!

(For more information on Shoebox 1k and how you can get involved in our local efforts, check out the link above or click on "Shoebox 1k" at the top menu.)