Organizing Hat Crocheting Supplies for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party

First hats Elizabeth has made towards the 200 shoebox packing party.  She uses Aunt Ida's hat pattern from Joy with Purpose.

My oldest daughter is crocheting hats for a new OCC packing party Sarah has been invited to help host.  The goal is to collect enough stuff for 200 boxes.  They are trying to do it all thru donations and hope to even gather extras to donate as fillers.  We will donate much of our leftover stockpile from this year's shoebox packing, but Elizabeth wanted to do something more and decided to see how many hats she can

Discounted Craft Supplies from The Fabric & Yarn Lady ~ Great Source for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Crafting

Chelle, from Chelle's Caybees, donates hundreds of crocheted items each year to our Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing stockpile.  She is currently helping her friend sell off the stock from her closed discount craft store.  They are listing it on Etsy at The Fabric & Yarn Lady.

Bulk ribbon I purchased from The Fabric & Yarn Lady.  

This is grosgrain ribbon she sold by the yard in the store.  I use it on my dresses and skirts mostly.  I'll never find this price again so I've stocked up for the next few years.

They offer mostly bulk lots of discounted crafting supplies.  New listings are added almost daily and will continue for the next couple of months.  If you love to craft for your OCC shoeboxes as much as I do you may find some deals on craft supplies

My Latest Giveawy Wins: Dress Pattern & Fabric to Make for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

I have mentioned several times that I am entering blog giveaways to be able to pack more boxes for Operation Christmas Child in 2015.  Several of the giveaways are for fabric and I recently won a gift card from Lady Belle Fabric.  I invited my daughters to join me in choosing fabric.

The three pieces on the left Elizabeth and I choose for dresses.  The three on the right Sarah choose for making things for her 10 to 14 year old girls boxes.  The frog and snail fabric, by Windham Fabrics, are adorable in person -- and the softness of the fabric is amazing!

The owner also included this free tiny, charm pack.  You can see how tiny the squares are by the size of the kiss.  I think there are 30 pieces of fabric. When Sarah saw it she said it would be perfect to include with one of the large sewing kits

A Favorite Tool Makes Quick Work of Cutting Fleece

When pulling together our Spur of The Moment Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party for 125 boxes this year I shared how I had made some quick crafts to stretch the budget.  Included were dozens of fleece scarves (some from clearanced blankets) and fleece mini blankets.  These electric scissors made quick work out of it.

I have a lot of joint and muscle pain, so I am always looking for ways to be able to do things I love to do more easily.  Months ago while making dozens of pillowcase style dresses I remembered years ago seeing electric scissors so I started Googling!  I found these online at Joanne Fabrics and had a 50% off one item and free shipping. I don't remember the final cost, but they are so worth it.  They are easy to hold and make super quick work out of cutting many items at once.

Have you found a favorite tool to make your Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing go quicker or smoother?

If you are looking for some new craft ideas for your shoeboxes check out our Crafting For Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Tutorial Index.  Lots of free patterns and illustrated instructions for easy to make fillers for shoeboxes.

Free Fabric ~ Adding to My Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Crafting Fabric Stash

A special stash of fabric was added to my Operation Christmas Child shoebox crafting stash.  As many of you know my sister died last Spring.  Several years ago she took up quilting.  One of the projects she had planned to do, before she became ill, was a tea cup/pot themed one for my mom. She was never able to begin it.

A few months back my niece brought the fabric to my mom.  Since Mom is no longer sewing, she has passed it on to me to make some special things for the shoebox

Boxes of Blessings Unpacked: A Little Bit of Many Things for OCC Crafting

Well, we have unpacked the boxes I told you about that my Father-in-law brought us (at least half were for my daughters work at church).  We now have a nice supply of retro/vintage craft supplies for my shoe boxes--most will go for Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing.

There were several pieces of Christmas print material and some other pieces that must be from the 60's.  There is one large piece of double knit.  I can always find something to create out of fabric:  tote bags, dresses, cuddlies, doll

Boxes of Blessings: What's Inside for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Crafting?

My father-in-law is here to visit for a few days and has brought us several boxes of goodies.  My mother-in-law died several years ago and left a great supply of craft and sewing items.  Before we moved into our new home with my new laundry/crafting room I didn't have space to take much of it so over the years he has shared most of it with ministries or crafters who create items for my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

When I knew he was coming I asked if he had anything left I could craft items for my shoe boxes if he'd bring me some.  We also asked for anything like silk flowers, vases, etc. that my daughters could use for the banquets they do at church.  As always, Grandpa came thru.  Here is a pic of the boxes before we began to open them.We have only gotten into a couple so far and as soon as we are thru I'll share what treasures we found inside :-).  I thought it would be fun to have you join us in the suspense.

Update:  Adding this link to the unboxing post:  Boxes of Blessings Unpacked for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.