Simply Shoeboxes on Facebook

Because of time restraints I am still not able to post new content here on Simply Shoeboxes.  I have blogged here since the beginning of 2012 and have over 250 posts.  I have decided to begin sharing some of my old content on the Simply Shoe Boxes Facebook page.  So if you have not "liked" the page yet or clicked to follow or signed up to get notifications, be sure to do that now and you will have a front seat view to a variety of posts about shoe box packing--some you may have seen, many you probably missed.

Here is what you can expect:

• Monday Memories -- reminiscing of my shoebox packing from the past 
• Tuesday Tutorials -- DIY craft ideas for shoeboxes.
• Wednesday Resources -- things to help you in your packing.
• Throwback Thursday (or Thursday Thoughts) -- a variety of thoughts and ideas and personal experiences.
• Friday Finances -- easy ways to earn or save money to have more to pack more Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Hopefully someday this fall I can begin posting new material, until then:  Happy Packing!

Real Life Called: It Wants My Attention Back

Should I answer when Real Life calls?  I'm guessing I should.  Blogging, keeping up the Simply Shoeboxes Facebook page, replying to emails and chatting it up with other shoebox packers takes a lot of time, energy and emotions.  Three commodities I do not have enough of lately.  No matter how much I love it all.

When I do a thing I put my whole heart into it.  Unfortunately my heart is only so big, no matter how hard I try to increase its size by stretching it around more projects.  And I've tried to cut back, do things more simply, but I found that more stressful.  It's easier to change my schedule than to change my personality.  And I'd much rather cut something out of my schedule than cut out some of my caring or passion from my personality.

So to answer Real Life's call I need to hang up on blogging, at least for now.  Simply Shoeboxes will remain online so you can refer to it and share it as usual, but I won't be sharing any new posts.  I will miss my sweet readers and hearing about your Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing adventures.  I'll miss the inspiration and ideas I glean from you all.

Hopefully one day I will be able to return, but for now a final:  Happy Packing!

Image courtesy of Operation Christmas Child.

Mini Purse or Wallet Crochet Instructions ~ Sized to Fit Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

A Simply Shoebox reader and crafter for Operation Christmas Child shoebox fillers has agreed to share her instructions for her sweet Crocheted Wallets or Mini Purses.  Chelle, from Chelle's CayBees, created these delightful wallets just for shoeboxes and made lots last year and donated them to my packing efforts.  They

Winnie The Pooh Dress Waits to Be Finished for an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

Well, instead of a finished outfit and the beginning of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox like I normally share I'm sharing a very patiently waiting Winnie The Pooh.  I began this pillowcase style dress a couple of weeks ago, and yet here it sits on my sewing machine table waiting for my return.

Life sometimes gets in the way of crafting for shoeboxes.  As most of you know my mom lives with us and her care takes quite a bit of time.  Recently more time has

Reducing Packaging for More Room in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

We are always trying to find more room in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.  I am sure you all do, too.  Sarah recently was working on reducing some packaging on gifts for her girls' boxes.

She cut out the image from the front of the box and included it with the pieces inside a zipper bag.

You can see from the side view how much less space will be used for this toy in the shoebox.  Sorry about the poor quality in these images, not sure why they are so dark and discolored.

Sarah has since written several posts on Making it Fit in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox.  One of the most popular is How to Fit a Spiral Notebook in an OCC Go Box.

What ways have you found to make room in your boxes?

My Tub Overfloweth with Crafted Items Donated for Operation Christmas Child

My friend owns a discount craft store and she loves to help children.  For the past two years she has collected crafted items all year long for Operation Christmas Child.  I have the privilege of delivering them to OCC.  Many will go in my own shoeboxes and I'm able to deliver many as fillers each year for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox processing center.  Every month or two I receive the donated items.  As you can see, my tub overfloweth

There are dozens of fleece scarves and crocheted hats (many Aunt Ida's design) and crocheted lovey bitty blankets and pencil cases. Some of the pencil cases are