Freebies and Clearanced Stuffies for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes ~ Weekly Shoe Box Shopping 4/15

There is another bunny hiding behind
the blue one on the right.

I got a few fun items for my Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing this week and I also had an opportunity to give some of my donation (and personal) stock to a local charity.  I had three freebies this week.  At the grocery store there was a deal to get a free re-usable shopping bag if you bought five of one item.  These are

My Dollar General Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Shopping Trip ~ Saved 72%

Last week we moved into a new house and there is a Dollar General store just a mile away.  I read comments on the Clip With Purpose Facebook page of shoppers finding great items for their Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes on clearance at DG--clothing items for $1 each.  So I ran down today to see what our store had.  I was not disappointed.  I purchased $75.50 worth of products for $20.50.  Here's what I got:

2 -- Long Sleeve T-shirts (for 10-14 year old girl boxes) [reg. $8 each] $1 each
1 -- Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt (for 10-14 year old girl boxes) [reg. $8] $1
6 -- Coloring Books [reg. $1 each] $.50 each
3 -- Sticker Books [reg. $1 each] $.50 each
1 -- Hat & Glove Set (this has a "Cars" theme and I have some other items with that I had gotten earlier so this will make a fun theme box for a boy) [reg. $6.50] $1
1 -- 2-Pair pack of ladies gloves [reg. $3 each] $1 each
11 -- 2-Pair pack of toddlers mittens (I didn't have any of this size yet so am excited for these--there were even some with Penguins which we were already making theme boxes of) [reg. $3 each] $1 each

This is how I can fill many more shoeboxes.

Each Saturday Sarah shares our additions to our stockpile.  You can see them all here:  Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ Adding to Our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile.

Waiting for Upcycling for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts

Brightly colored gift bags waiting for upcycling into gifts for shoeboxes.  Images of one of the finished products, a Paper Pocket, and a link to instructions are below.  Many of the children around the world who receive shoeboxes full of gifts from Operation Christmas Child desperately need paper and pencils and other school supplies--it is often one of their favorite gifts. I thought repurposing gift bags to hold the paper would brighten their lives a little.

Paper Pocket Gift Bag Upcycling

Waiting to Play Leap Frog from an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift

These Webkinz Bullfrogs are practicing their leap frog skills while waiting for a ride in a shoebox to a new home where they will be able to bring a smile (as wide as theirs) to a child in crisis.  Operation Christmas Child will be delivering them around Christmas time.

Check out other ideas of Filler Items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.
Also, Why We Always Include a Stuffed Animal in Our Shoeboxes.

This post is part of Wordless Wednesday.

I've Joined Pinterest to Organize My Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Links

I had well over 100 sites bookmarked that I wanted to visit again for packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  From blogs about Operation Christmas Child to crochet patterns to free printables.  I knew if I wanted to ever be able to find what I wanted to do in an efficient manner I needed to get organized.  So I decided I'd try Pinterest.  I love it!

I am very visual, so having an image of the project right there in front of me I can just click on it and find my way to the instructions.  And because they offer the ability to sort by numerous "boards" I am able to "file" away the projects or information by topic.

So I joined on Friday and was sick all weekend and Monday, but when I had the strength to be on the computer at all I turned my bookmarks into pins--it was so simple it was mindless, which was great because with my head feeling like it would explode my  mind was not too with it.  I have made 16 boards and have pinned 188 items already--all to do with filling shoe boxes (or organizing my stuff I use).

I'd love to have you stop by my Simply Shoeboxes Pinterest board see what I've pinned--maybe you'll find some inspiration.

I know I have a lot to learn about Pinterest, but so far I am enjoying it while organizing my Operation Christmas Child shoebox ideas.  Are you on Pinterest?  Do you enjoy it?  Do you find it helpful?

If you like to pin crafting ideas check our index right here on Simply Shoeboxes of Crafting for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Tutorials.

Waiting to Become a Kid's Best Friend in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift

These are some Webkinz puppies waiting to be tucked into a shoe box and sent off on an adventure thru Operation Christmas Child to become a kid's best friend.

Check out other ideas of Filler Items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.
You can also read our post Why We Include a Stuffed Animal in Each of Our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes if you are interested in learning more of our thoughts on this subject. 

This post is part of Wordless Wednesday.