Barium Springs Home for Children

Today was the big day. No, not our move date but the day I took all the donated goods to the Barium Spring Home for Children. But let me back up a bit.

I had a yard sale on Saturday. It went okay. More people arrived than I expected and I actually made more money than I predicted. Afterwards I boxed up all the left over items - there was no way I was letting them back into the house! I have to say that I had a moment (or two) when I was folding the clothes and sorting them into boxes. How silly of me to be attached to certain articles of clothing! The cute little Gymboree sweaters. The snow suit. The dresses the girls wore at Christmas. I could tell you where or who we got everything from. But they had to go. So if they are going to go anywhere why not include it with the other donated items to Barium Springs?

Left over items from the garage sale.
Seven large moving boxes filled to the brim!
(I'm almost embarrassed to see how much stuff we have!)

Last night I sat down to do a bit of sewing - to finish up some bibs that I had been neglecting. To my horror my sewing machine WOULD NOT WORK! After my mini-freakout I looked at it as a sign that I had done enough. Did I reach my own personal goal of making 100 bibs? No, I didn't. But that's okay. It really is.

Thank you to Chickpea Sewing Studio for the free and easy bibs tutorial!

All items that were donated were loaded into my van - minus the handmade items. These special items were put into two separate piles. Blankets and hats in one container and bibs and burp cloths in another. On the outside of one of the containers I wrote:

I hope I didn't leave any states/countries out!

There was a total of 105 hand made items! Included were:

• 12 blankets
• 79 bibs
• 7 hats
• 7 burp cloths

If you include store-bought bibs and blankets we had an additional 11 bibs and 33 blankets. Everything else, clothing, shoes, household goods - TONS. And I mean TONS! Take a look at the Flikr photo show on the right side of this blog to see how much stuff was donate!

As scheduled I met with the donation coordinator of Barium Springs - Barb Carlson. What an awesome lady she is! She is a total breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her and wished I could've met her sooner! In accepting all the items she was incredibly gracious and appreciative to say the least! Barium Springs is so lucky to have her working for them and I am blessed to have met her!

Posing for a pic with Barb and all the handmade items.
You didn't want a picture with all the cardboard boxes, did you? ;)

So that's it. It's so strange for this whole thing to be over with. It started off as a project to give back to my community and in turn something was given back to me. You can call it a life lesson of sorts. A few things that I learned are that:

• People are good.
  
• People want to help. Don't be afraid to ask. Not only do people want to help but they appreciate the opportunity to do so! I can't tell you how many people thanked ME for allowing them to be a part of this project. It blows my mind!
  
• Sometimes it's the total stranger that comes through for you (again and again and again!)
  
• Be prepared for roadblocks because you will have them. And when you do try going with the flow because in the end it could be a blessing in disguise.
• SO.MUCH.MORE!
  

As I wrap things up I just want to thank ALL of you that helped me through this project! Those of you that donated items, blogged about it, or simply supported me by commenting on it! I couldn't have done it without you.

From Stephanie, Amanda, Dawn and Stephanie....

As I mentioned before we spent a little over a week in Virginia saying our final goodbyes to family and friends. While there my BFF Stephanie loaded up my van with bags and bags of stuff to give to the Barium Springs Home for Children!


Then another friend of mine, Dawn, who I know from the Peninsula Mommies and a local baby wearing group gave me two blankets that she had made. These blankets are AMAZING. Just as amazing as the baby slings that she makes! (I am the proud owner of one of her slings! Okay, two? No actually three!)

From Dawn - Hampton, Virginia

Then, when I arrived home there were two packages waiting for me.....

Another one of my BFF's, Stephanie (yes, I have two BFF's named Stephanie!) from A Pocket Full of Buttons and Sew Fierce donated 12 bibs that she had made! YES! TWELVE! They are unbelievably soft and well made! How cute is the little pocket she puts on the front?

Bibs from Stephanie - San Diego, California

Thank you Stephanie! I knew I could count on you to send me something fabulous! :)

The second package came all the way from Hawaii! Amanda from Patchwork in Paradise sent three precious handmade receiving blankets! Amanda and I have been chatting online via the Honolulu Mommies and our blogs - we have yet to meet in person but I am so looking forward to it!

From Amanda - Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Thank you Amanda! I am so happy to have received something from my home state! See you (meet you) soon! :)

So what is next? The deadline has come and gone (although if you are nearby and want to still donate something you can!) I actually have a couple of bibs to finish up myself and will post a picture when I am done. Tomorrow (Friday) I am expecting a confirmation call of what day next week our movers are coming. Once I know the day I can schedule a time to drop off all the wonderful goodies to Barium Springs. I will keep everyone posted!

Thank you SOOOOOO MUCH to everyone that has helped out!

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!

Blankets from Karen

From Karen - Newport News, Virginia

Polka dots have arrived!

Yesterday I received a package from Karen of Newport News, Virginia. I met Karen while living in Virginia through our local babywearing group and mom's club. She sent three polka dotted blankets that she had made to donate to the Barium Springs Home for Children! Don't the dots just make you smile? :) THANK YOU KAREN! You know I absolutely mean it!

Bibs from Kim

From Kim - Ontario, Canada

Look what sweet things arrived in the mail today? Kim from Ontario, Canada sent twelve handmade bibs to donate to the Barium Springs Home for Children! Some small, some large....but all are super cute and super soft! Kim, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for sharing your talent and being so generous in sending so many bibs!

On that note - we are getting close to the deadline for sending in bibs and/or blankets. Remember, Monday, June 22nd is the final deadline! Several people have been in contact with me and will be sending in items to donate. I'm looking forward to receiving items from Virginia, California and Hawaii! I'll let you know when they arrive. Thanks everyone!

Drop Dead Deadline for Bibs & Blankets!

This Sunday is May 31st - the deadline I had posted for the bibs, blankets, etc. for donation to the Barium Springs Home for Children. I don't have the words to express my appreciation to all of you that have already donated items!

I realize that the deadline may have crept up on some of you but don't panic!

The ABSOLUTE-NO-LATER-THAN-DEADLINE is June 22nd!

I will be packing up and moving a few days after that! That gives everyone that still wants to participate about three weeks and a couple of days to make your bibs, blankets, etc. and get them in to me! Thank you so much!

Since I have a some new followers let me just give you a brief explanation of what is going on in case you might want to help!

My girls and I have been temporarily living in N.C. with my father since Christmas. We moved here from Virginia and are actually on our way back to my home state of Hawaii in just a couple of weeks. While living here I wanted to give something back to this community. Since I love to sew I decided to do a collection drive of homemade bibs, blankets, etc. for The Barium Springs Home for Children which is located a short drive from where I live. My goal was to donate 1000 (yes, I said a thousand!) bibs and blankets.

Without friends nearby I knew I was either going to have to do this on my own or enlist some help. I did a "shout-out" on my blog, Craftster, and Facebook asking fellow lover-of-crafts to help out. To my surprise people volunteered! A few friends and even more strangers! I have truly been blessed and touched by the contributions and support that I have received from people that I don't even know!

Now, do I think that I will reach my goal of 1000 bibs and blankets? No. I admit, I was beating myself up about it recently - that I didn't work hard enough to get the word out; that I made an unrealistic goal, etc. But you know what? I may not have 1000 bibs and blankets to give but I have so much more thanks to everyone's help! And the help continues to come. I received an email today saying some bibs are on the way!

So if you'd like to help you still have time! You can leave a comment on my blog or send me an email at SHARKritzler(at)AOL(dot)com. I can then send you my mailing address.

If you'd like to see some of the beautiful things people have already sent in check out the pictures on the right side of my blog. I also have links to tutorials for bibs and blankets but please don't feel these are the only things I am accepting! While it started off as a handmade drive I have had many people donate other items that the home has on their needs list. As long as the items are in clean and working condition the home will take it.

Thank you again for your help! It warms my heart and will do even more for the kids and families that will receive 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!

Bibs from Cecilia

I was so annoyed this morning when the mail lady came hours earlier than normal. I was actually prepping a few things to mail off when I saw her pull up. *Sigh* Just my luck. I was so irritated that I didn't even see her put a package in the mailbox for me. I would soon find out that the package contained BIBS!

Cecilia, a childhood friend of mine from Japan sent me six sock monkey oilcloth bibs that she had made! They are too cute for words! And to think that she heard my call for help much later in the game and has already made them and sent them! THANK YOU CECILIA!!!

From Cecilia - L.A., California

Bibs, Blankets, Etc. Update!

This past Saturday I participated in a yard sale with the Central Foothill Mommies. It was a great way for me to meet some other moms, sell quite a bit of stuff and of course take advantage of a few good deals! :)

Two of the moms from the club surprised me with donations to the Barium Springs Home for Children. Helene gave me a stack of flannel receiving blankets....

From Helene - Conover, N.C.

....and Tammy passed along bibs, blankets and TONS of clothes!

From Tammy - Stony Point, N.C.

Thank you ladies!

The CFM had asked their members to donate items to sell at the yard sale to profit the club. All items that were left over after the sale were graciously given to me to take to Barium Springs. There were two large boxes of stuff! I sorted through it and here is what was given:

From the Central Foothills Mommies - N.C.

I was able to fit everything into one big box.

If you would still like to donate items you still have time! While this project started off as a "handmade bib & blanket drive" I will obviously take donations whether they be handmade or not. I actually called Barium Springs this afternoon to make sure that they would take a lot of the already donated items and they said "yes." Clothing, toys, household items, etc - as long as the items are in good, clean condition then they will take them!

The deadline is coming up: June 1st! Just a few more weeks to go! If you'd like to participate just leave me a comment here with your email address and I will send you my mailing address. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Been Sick...Been in Denial.....

Sorry I've been missing for a bit. Life got a little crazy and I got a little sick. Now laundry is piled up, dishes are needing to be washed, and projects had to be put on the back burner. Oh wait. That's how life is everyday!

*sigh*

But I have been feeling under the weather and I have been in complete and total denial.

"Denial about what?" you might ask.

Denial about moving. Don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED to be moving back home! In about 10 weeks we will be on a jet plane headed back to the islands. But that means in less than 10 weeks I have a ton of stuff do to! This is where the denial sets in. While I SHOULD be reorganizing, packing, donating or selling things I am not. I am either surfing the web or thinking of what craft project I should do next! *yet another big sigh*

Moving onward...

My father returned home from church on Sunday with a wonderful surprise! (Please don't ask why I wasn't in church!) One of the ladies in his church, Eileen K. gave him some handmade blankets as well as some store bought ones to donate to the Barium Springs Home for Children. Much like when the bibs arrived from Pat in Arizona I was absolutely floored. Floored at the talent as well as the generosity! I am blessed to already own a blanket made by Eileen as she gave us one when Momo was born. Now Barium Springs will be a lucky recipient to own handmade blankets from her as well! Thank you Eileen!

From Eileen K. - Hiddenite, N.C.

I have also posted a picture of the hats that Pat made and sent along with her bibs. Please see my original post here. They are darling!

If anyone else is ready to send in their blankets, bibs, etc. please do! Leave a comment with your email address and I'll send you my mailing address! Also - if you are making bibs but don't want to deal with attaching a snap or Velcro feel free to send them to me to do so. After all, I spent and arm and a leg for an industrial snap press! Might as well put it to good use!

Also - I've been working on a project. I'll give you a hint - MERMAIDS. :) There. It's "out there". Now I have to hold myself accountable! Yikes.

Bibs Have Arrived!

Just a few minutes ago a FedEx truck backed into the driveway. I wasn't expecting a delivery so you can imagine my surprise when he handed a box to me with my name on it. Everybody loves a little snail mail - especially a BOX with something inside!

I opened the box and to my surprise packed inside were a bunch of knitted bibs and baby hats! Someone whom I never met took the time to make and send 10 bibs and 7 beautifully made hats to donate to the Barium Springs Home for Children!

Pat W. from Arizona - thank you so much!

From Pat W. ~ Arizona

ETA: If you're not sure what I'm referring to when I mention bibs and blankets, etc. please see my original post here. There are several updates since then - see here and here. Thanks!

PS - I plan to add a photo stream to my blog showing all the bibs, blankets, etc. that have been donated. Please be patient as I figure out how!

Bibs & Blankets Update & New Deadline

First off let me apologize for not updating until now.

The most important thing everyone needs to know is the deadline change. The new deadline is June 1st (versus July 1st). We recently found out that we will be leaving N.C. about a month earlier than expected. Lots of scrambling on my end to get everything in order before we leave! Even with the deadline change I hope all of you that have volunteered to help can still help!

As far as where I am in this whole process: in addition to sewing other things I promise that I have still been working on the bibs! My personal goal is to make 100 bibs and a few blankets. I've got about 50 in progress - think of it as an assembly line of sorts. Some are bibs waiting to be snapped; others are waiting to be sewn; some fabric waiting to be cut, etc. I'm trying my best to avoid buying any fabric and using what I already have! While I've been meaning to try out different bib patterns I have still continued to use the free one offered at Chickpea Sewing Studio. So simple yet so cute!



I haven't made any blankets yet but did you know that You Can Make This is now offering a free tutorial for three different styles of receiving blankets? Here's the link to take you to the free download! (Edited to add: if you'd like this free download you have to sign up for a free account. I encourage you to do it! YCMT is one of my most favorite places to buy patterns and to simply be inspired! Don't worry - they will not spam your mailbox!)

If you've already completed your bibs or blankets please feel free to send them my way. Leave me a comment with your email address and I will happily give you my mailing address. Thank you so much for participating and helping out!

PS - Did you happen to stumble on my site and you have no clue what I'm talking about? Please see my older post regarding this project here. Hope you can help!