Craft Hope - Orphan Outreach

The last time I participated with Craft Hope was back in February of 2009. I can't believe it's been over two years! Back then they were asking for handmade dolls to be sent to an orphanage in Nicaragua. Here's what I sent in: 

(You can find my post about the dolls here.)

This time around they are asking for handmade bracelets to be sent to an orphanage in Russia. What a coinkydink! I just so happen to have everything we need to make some bracelets. I let Momo (4) give it a shot:

And the girl has been addicted ever since:

Watching her "string" the beads through the wire by herself got me thinking. If it was easy enough for my 4-year old to do what about other kids the same age? I decided to host a play date and have some other kids (and moms) make some more....and here's what everyone did:

Aren't they pretty?

Thanks to my friends and their kids from "Aloha Moms" for helping out!

But while the bracelets are done they aren't quite ready to be shipped. That would be because:

Yeah. She's STILL beading!

When I explained to her why we were making bracelets and who would be receiving them she said, "Mommy, I know! Let the kids with no mommies and no daddies come live with us!"

*Heart Melt* 

Since that's not going to happen she's decided to make more and more bracelets for the orphans. She has become a beading beast! Luckily the deadline for the bracelets isn't until June 15th so if you want to participate you still have time! 

For more information on Craft Hope and this project (or others) check out their website:

Out of Town.....Craft Hope......Blankets

I am currently out of town but have computer access - if that's what you want to call it. This computer I am on has the slowest-ever connection. I think I'm going to die. If I'm posting less on here this week that's why!

Just in case I don't get to post for awhile I wanted to remind everyone that is helping out with my donation project to the Barium Springs Home for Children that the bibs, blankets, etc. are due on Monday, June 22nd. If you need my address please message me!

Speaking of blankets....Craft Hope has announced their thrid project! Craft Hope has partnered with The Miracle Foundation to provide blankets, beanies and booties for newborn babies in India. The deadline is July 25th - sooooo..... if you have any extra blankets you want to donate but can't make my deadline won't you consider donating it to Craft Hope? For more info on Craft Hope and project three click here:

By the way - the latest count for dolls made and donated for Craft Hope's second project is 340! Isn't that awesome? I was so happy to be a part of it!

Bibs from Tonya

From Tonya - Shawnee, Kansas

MAIL CALL!

Guess what came in the mail today? BIBS!

I received a package from Tonya today that had seven handmade bibs for the Barium Springs Home for Children! The bibs are absolutely darling and I'm sorry to say but my picture does not do them justice! (I just LOVE the dark corduroy one!) If you get the chance head over to her blog at Crazy Cucumbers! Tonya is also a participant of Craft Hope and made some dolls for the orphanage in Nicaragua. She is the one I give credit to for inspiring me to finish (actually START on) my dolls! Check out her adorable, one-of-a-kind dolls here!

Tonya - if you are reading this I am so grateful and feel so blessed to have received your bibs! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Another Doll for Craft Hope

Last week I was so busy preparing for a yard sale that I thought I missed the deadline to turn in my doll to Craft Hope. I went into a total panic! After a frantic email promising to send my doll Priority Shipping the next day I received a friendly email reminding me that the deadline wasn't until June 13th. For some reason I had May stuck in my head. What was I thinking? I even have it posted here on my blog that the deadline is in June. I guess I either need more sleep or more coffee!

Relieved that I didn't miss the deadline I decided to make one more doll. This one is made with Hello Kitty fabric. After all, who doesn't like Hello Kitty?

If you get the chance check out some of the other dolls that have been handmade for Craft Hope. Each and every one of them is unique! It is really inspirational to see all the different dolls made by so many different craftsters! Click here to view them!

Wordless Wednesday: Craft Hope

Momo's, Kailani's & Craft Hope's

My "Wordless Wednesday" today is a little bit wordful. :)

Back in February I posted about "Craft Hope." In their own words this is who they are:

"Craft Hope is a faith-based, love inspired project designed to share handmade crafts with those less fortunate. It is our hope to combine our love for crafting and desire to help others into a project to make a difference around the world."

I found out about them a little too late to help out with their first project but I am happy to say that I am able to help out with their second.

For their current project they are asking for donations of handmade dolls to give to the Casa Bernabe orphanage in Mangua, Nicaragua. This orphanage houses boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 18. Many of the children have come from abusive backgrounds and almost all of them arrive at the orphanage with nothing. Donating the dolls will not only give the children something of their very own but it will also allow the children to develop the nurturing instincts that they are born with but have been deprived of themselves.

While Craft Hope provided several links to free patterns/tutorials online I decided to go with a pattern from the You Can Make This website. I was a bit undecided so I let Kailani help me choose. Together we decided on the "Doodle Girl Doll." A simple pattern that requires only a quarter yard of fabric. Plus, I liked the fact that the hair on the doll was made from fabric vs. yarn. While I think the yarn hair is really cute quite honestly I didn't want to have to deal with it.

Can anyone guess what the problem is when making a doll? If your guess was "you have two girls" you are right. I knew that I would have to make them one too. That's okay. I figured I would test out the pattern on theirs. I let them both choose which fabric they wanted as well as the eye and hair color then went to work.

I think they turned out pretty cute. There are a few changes that I made to the pattern but overall is was very easy to do. The dolls have already brought a lot of joy to our house - hopefully it will bring some joy to the orphanage in Nicaragua!

If you are interested in helping out with this project you still have time. The deadline to send in a doll(s) is June 13th. Click on the logo for more information. Help if you can!

For more Wordless Wednesday click here.