Altoid Box Make-Over

I saw an idea similar to this on Pinterest. I applied the fabric to mine with modge podge. The problem I ran into was the text showing through the fabric. I added a few well placed appliques to cover it up. On the pink tin, I added glitter to the modge podge. The sides of the tins are decorated with washi tape. It is the perfect width. I plan on filling these with crayons or bandaids to put in our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. 

Scrapbook Paper Pads

Another shoe box idea: scrapbook paper pads. I have recently ended up with an odd selection of scrapbook paper left from VBS projects and I wanted to use it up. I had a few of those 12 by 12 'stacks' to work with.  I just tore out the sheets that were left, and cut them in fourths. These pads are square...but they sure don't look like it in the photo! I punched two holes in the top and tied them with ribbon scraps. I know I have heard a lot of stories about how often children are prevented from attending school because of lack of basic supplies. In fact, I recently read that in Uganda, the most common reason children are unable to attend school is the lack of pencils...pencils! While I realize that this is patterned scrapbook paper and won't really be that useful for school, I hope it will be a fun thing for whoever receives them...along with the pencils I will be sure to put in there!

Another Shoebox Idea: DIY Stress Ball

We used to make these when we were kids, and I had completely forgotten about them til I saw them on good ol' pinterest the other day. To make one, you need rice, three or more balloons and a funnel or tube.  The wider the spout of the funnel or tube, the better. I actually ended up using the sheath of my candy thermometer and it worked great! Fit the tube into the mouth of a balloon and pour in rice. When balloon begins to fill up, you can stretch it to make room for more rice, or use the blunt end of a knitting needle or something similar to pack it in. When the balloon is full enough to fit comfortably in a child's hand, fold the balloon end over. With the two remaining balloons, cut away the neck of each balloon. You can also cut a hole in the opposite end, to create a window if you'd like. Stretch balloons over ball to cover the opening. You can layer additional balloons if you want to add more color, and it will also make them more sturdy.

Crafting For Operation Christmas Child

Our family loves filling shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and I am always on the lookout for deals to stock up on. In the past, I have made things here and there to add to our boxes but never on a grand scale. Recently as I was cruising Pinterest, it dawned on me that there are an awful lot of cute little crafts I could make to put in our boxes! I dug through my stash and found almost everything I needed to make some cute hair clips. The cards are made from cardstock-weight scrapbooking paper. There was no tutorial for the felt bows, only pictures. You can click on my OCC board to see the picture/link.  The tutorial for the pinwheels is here. The bow tutorial is here. I will be posting more shoe box craft ideas soon!

Shoebox Blanket

Every year, our family participates in Operation Christmas Child. It is a program that sends shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, toiletries and other gifts to kids living in poverty around the world. I am always on the lookout for things to fill our shoe boxes, and the other night my daughter and I decided to make a simple flannel blanket. There is obviously not a ton of room in a shoe box, but I always try to put something soft and snuggly in each box. We embellished it with a yard sale find crocheted flower, and some zigzagged topstitching.  I think we will be making many more of these!