Tic-Tac-Toe Game from Upcycled Greeting Cards ~ Perfect for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

I always save my greeting cards to find ways to incorporate the bright images into my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  A friend passed some on this past holiday season and I had some poker chips left over from my Drawstring Tic-Tac-Toe Games so I decided to make a super simple tic-tac-toe (also known as noughts

DIY Easy Coloring Books, Drawing Pads & Sketch Pads for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

I have had a hard time finding nice coloring books small enough to tuck easily into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. I have often seen packers printing their own.  I've finally decided to take the plunge.  [I'll share the how-to's at the bottom

Upcycling Greeting Cards Into Needle Books for Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Gifts

I am always trying to think of ways to upcycle cards as they are so sturdy and lovely.  Here is my latest:  needle books for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  I want to include small sewing kits in several of my 10 to 14 year old girl shoeboxes this year.  My mom can no longer sew and I have a box of her sewing supplies.  I decided to check it out and see if there were any new items I could use in my sewing kits.  I found some pins and needles and to make a simple needle book I used felt and a greeting card.  These will be included along with thread, scissors

Upcycled Cards & Cardboard Tubes = Paper Holders for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Finished tubes.

I watched a long interview online of an OCC Representative talking about all aspects of  Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts.  I am sorry but I have no idea where I saw this or who it was, so I can't share it.  She began at one point showing what she had in her box and one thing stuck with me--an upcycled toilet paper roll tube.

She took the tube and wrapped it in pretty paper.  She then rolled the school paper she was including in the box and tucked it inside the tube.  It kept the paper from creasing and also looked pretty.  I knew I had to try this and also share it with you all.  As always, I added a twist to the original idea:  make tubes out of cards!

Greeting cards are already decorated and with a little free tape I had on hand it was a breeze to whip some up.  I am thinking some stick glue might work nicely, too, but I don't have much experience with it.  I just rolled my cards up and taped

Paper Pocket ~ Upcycling Gift Bags for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

I had some gift bags that I wanted to upcycle for my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes as the bright colors could really brighten the box for a child.  I remember a missionary telling our family that she collected the fronts of cards in America to give to the children in Chad, Africa because the surroundings were so dull there and that the families enjoyed using them as artwork to hang on their