Well over 300 people (200 of which were there at the same time..lol) helped us fill
2410 shoebox gifts!!
Shoebox gifts that will become a tangible expression of God's love for children in need all over the world! We appreciate everyone that came out to help us fill, and sort, box, and "boo-boo bunny" Each and everyone of you is amazing! On behalf of the #CrazyShoeboxLady and her ever so amazing #CrazyShoeboxCrew we say "Thank-you!"
Check out the fabulous shirts created by our very own Mandie aka Princess of Product Procurement and owner of "Cat in my Shoe" crafts. She is taking orders for the 2018 Crazy Shoebox Crew shirts for only $15 each. Proceeds will go to shoebox shipping costs. Adult shirts are available in S - 3X in Heather Red or Heather Green. Youth shirts are available in XS - XL in Red or Heather Green. Refer to photos for shirt color info. Visit our t-shirt fundraiser page. Shipping Extra! Thank you!
Check out the set up for the Shoebox packing party! Saturday November 10th, 2018 9 AM to 5 PM. At CYCM 508 West Illinois Ave. Morris, IL hope you come join us in blessing kids around the world through Operation Christmas Child
It's not often the #CrazyShoeboxLady is rendered speechless...but this is one of those times. I always get concerned that we will might not have enough toys. This year especially 2-4 year old toys.
I was introduced to the head of Operation St. Nick through a mutual friend. When they heard about what we were doing for Operation Christmas Child, he said come and take anything that will fit into a shoebox. Today we grabbed a shoebox for size comparison and were able to do just that! We were blessed beyond measure. These are just some of the wonderful donated toys to us for the packing party! Thank you to Operation St. Nick, and to "Lucy and Ethyl" for picking up the donations and getting them into our storage area!
Are you in the Morris, IL are and looking to clean out your craft stash and want to help the #CrazyShoeboxCrew raise money for our Operation Christmas Child Project? Or are you looking for some crazy good deals and want to help the #CrazyShoeboxCrew.
If you are interested in selling check out the "Event Page" it's found in the menu bar above.
While we have been getting ready for the Operation Christmas Child, Three Rivers, IL area team Sew-a-thon. Our friends at All Free Sewing have been having one of their own!!
The grand total for the ONLINE SEW-A-THON is.....
To hear and see more about the cases that were made for Operation Christmas Child check out All Free Sewing's wrap up!
Are you in the Joliet, IL area and would like to join us in person?? On June 24, sewers and crafters from all over are going to come together to make another 1000 pillow cases. Check out the "Sew-a-Thon" menu at the top of the page for more information.!
One of my FAVORITE things to use is Mod Podge! I remember my mom using it as a child to make all sorts of craft projects and it's safe to say I followed in her footsteps!
Mod Podge is turning 50 and Plaid Crafts the makers of Mod Podge have declared May 19th as "National Mod Podge Day!"
The good folks at Plaid Crafts are holding a celebration all over the web to celebrate Mod Podge's 50th and sent me some Mod Podge to join in the celebration! Naturally I had to think of something fun to put into a shoebox gift for Operation Christmas Child using Mod Podge!
With Easter being just a few weeks back, we had a bunch of plastic eggs left over, when some spilled on the table they reminded me of a childhood toy. When I was little, I loved playing with "Weebols" (ya know the kind that wobble but don't fall down!) If you don't remember them, check out this old ad I found on You Tube from the Museum of Classic Chicago Television
My version isn't as fancy, but just as fun and even the "big kids" around here had fun knocking them down only to see them wobble back up. Best yet, they are perfect for 2-4 year old shoeboxes!
Wobble People
Supplies: plastic Easter eggs (test first as you will be using these with Mod Melts and the thinner plastic eggs can melt), metal nuts, wing nuts or washers for weights, Mod Melter by Plaid, Mod Melt sticks, Mod Podge, Brush, scissors, cut outs of faces, alcohol markers. Silicone Craft Mat. Optional Supplies: Silicone tool set.
Start by opening the eggs, using the Mod Melter, glue a couple of washers, or one nut into the middle of the bottom of the egg. (Images 1 and 2) You will notice that the "middle is already marked out for you due to the markings from the creating of the egg. TIP-the more weight the quicker the egg rights itself, less weight equals more "wobble". Wing nuts provide more of a "consistent" wobble. Experiment to find out what you like best. This is where the Silicone tools came in really handy, they don't stick to the glue AND are heat resistant!
Carefully on the inside of the top half of the egg place a thin ribbon of Mod Melt and then quickly close the egg to glue shut. (Image 3)
Color in your faces or images you wish to adhere to your eggs using alcohol markers. Alcohol markers will not run when you apply the Mod Podge.
Mod Podge your images to the surface of the egg, for fun add images on the front and the back. Allow to dry and add a second coat. I only covered the the image with Mod Podge. I felt it looked better. TIP-if you create a "circle" of mod melt on the silicone mat and allow to cool, it will act as a base to hold your egg while Mod Podging. (Images 4 and 5)
You are now ready to try them out:
How would you like a chance to win a $50 prize pack from Plaid Crafts the Makers of Mod Podge???
This prize pack includes:-8 OZ. Mod Podge gloss, 8 OZ. Mod Podge Matte, 8 Oz. Dishwasher Safe Gloss, Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium 2 Oz., Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat, Mod Podge 7 Piece Tool Kit, Mod Podge 4pc Spouncer Set, Mod Podge 4pc Foam Brush Set.
To enter, you simply have to leave a comment sharing your favorite toy as a child! Want a second entry, subscribe to my blog. Entries will be accepted until 12:00 Noon CST May 23th 2017. Sorry the contest is open to US residents only. Winners will be selected at random based on all comments. Be sure to enter your email in the comment form if you wish to be contacted when you won!
Be sure to follow Plaid Crafts on Facebook May 19th for more giveaways and amazing Mod Podge inspiration!!
Special thanks to Sarah Renee Clark.com for letting us use the "cartoon face" images on our Wobble People! To see the images we used check out her blog!
In the life of THIS crafter not only is March National Craft Month BUT as one that collects all year long for Operation Christmas Child "quality crafts" are the item of the month! What better way to celebrate both occasions than to create something for Operation Christmas Child!
I love creating items to put into my shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child. I believe I put a piece of my heart into every item I make. Who better to give a piece of my heart to than a child in need?
Operation Christmas Child typically receives the least amount of boxes for children in the 10-14 year old age range. Having four kids of my own, my guess for this occurrence would be simply "what do you get (or make) a child that age?" For year round shoebox packers and filler item collectors I wanted to come up with a project that would answer that question.
This roll-up checkerboard fits the bill. Perfect for a boy or a girl it can even be personalized by the colors you choose, or the items you use for checkers.
Markers, Buttons, tokens (12 each of 2 different colors)
Optional:
Iron
VELCRO® 5/8" sew on coins
.
Directions:
Make sure placemat is clean and ironed flat if necessary
With placemat facing you lengthwise, position the checkerboard stencil on one end of the placemat and tape stencil in place using masking tape.
Using stencil brush, apply paint to the stenciled areas, remove stencil and allow to dry.
Apply 2- 2 inch pieces of Fabric Fuse to the non painted end of the placemat. Fold non painted end of placemat up to the checkerboard to form a pocket. Apply firm pressure to taped areas to make sure the adhesive bond is secure.
Fill the pocket with the pieces you have decided to use for checkers and roll up board. Mark area on back side you wish to place the ribbon tie. Remove checkers. Apply 1 1/2 inch piece of Fabric Fuse to middle of ribbon (you might have to trim or fold over the adhesive depending on the width of your ribbon.) Place ribbon unto area marked, and apply firm pressure to secure adhesive.
To play: unroll mat and remove checkers For storage: place pieces inside of pocket and roll up. Tie ribbon to secure.
Optional:
Once rolled up most normal sized tokens being used for checker pieces should stay in place for storage. For bulkier pieces apply a VELCRO® 5/8" sew on coin along the edge of the pocket using fabric fuse.
A HUGE THANK-YOU to Plaid Crafts for providing the stencils, brushes, and paint, and Therm-o-web for providing Fabric Fuse for this project!
Would you like to learn more about Operation Christmas Child and how you can pack your own shoebox gift for a child in need? Check out their website for more information. How to pack a shoebox! Check out the #CrazyShoeboxCrew on Facebook
