Boxing Day 2022, share any charity work!

[babypoohsmom]

Hi Chris…Walmart shipment should be to you by the end of the week. They let me put some dolls in the cart and then said they were out of stock at checkout. So I honestly don’t remember what I ended up with. It will be a surprise for both of us! 

[Bailey4]

You are the best!!!!   Thank you so much!!!

[Tampa Doll]

Ok no freezer here.  The only ones who own them are Serial Killers.  Don't you watch the cop shows?  Law & Order and such, the serial killers always have a body in the freezer under the ice cream.

I love Omaha.  Especially in the spring when they put their seafood on sale in time for Lent.  That is the only time DH has to eat fish every Friday.  It is something my Mom got us into, because Dad was Catholic, so no meat on Fridays, till the Pope said it was ok, except for Lent.

Well, I am off to watch Hockey.  Hopefully the Lightning will win again tonight, but not holding my breath, they are playing the Boston Bruins.

Have a good night.

[Bailey4]

I am so thrilled thank you so much Denise.  Two Walmart boxes were at my door this morning.  The 2023 Doll donation has kicked off!!!

[Bailey4]

Drop off day is got to be one of my favorite days of the year!!!!

The kids seem more excited than ever this year.  We were escorted by 2 sophomore girls who are really into all things doll.  They opened all 17 boxes.  We are up one box from last year.  Not sure if it was the sizes of the boxes but I'll take it. 

They were so excited by the hand made clothes, the baby blankets, etc.

I believe Denise sent the Lovies I have to check my records and I have to leave shortly for PT and I wanted to share this before I left because I'm riding high now and I suspect I'm going to be in pain after PT.

I know we've sent loveys before and they were appreciated and put to use but this time there was a real need.  One of the girls told me there is a Mom in the group they are donating to who is due in December and expecting a girl!!!! The girls were so excited to have these to give to the Mom!!!!

Husband is telling me to get myself moving so I'm not late to PT.

Thank you all for your thoughtfulness and generosity.  I so love donation day.  I feel amazing right now!!!!  Not likely to last once PT starts but I'll take it while I have it.

 

 

[Tampa Doll]

Now that is a picture worth seeing.  WOW 17 boxes, that is so cool.

I know you have to feel good when you drop these off.  I remember last year a couple of the boys said "Here comes the fun stuff" when you dropped off last year.  You also mentioned the girls wanting to play with all the stuff.

It is always fun to make the cloths and it makes us all happy to hear what goes on when you do the drop off.

Enjoy your PT, and I know you will hurt, but you are working towards the good.

 

 

[babypoohsmom]

Chris, you should get one more doll next week. I figured for $15 each, I should order enough to get free shipping. I think the last one is a blonde. 
Thanks for posting the haul! I’m inspired to make more lovies this year. They are about the size of my attention span and the Dollar Tree got a few more of the bigger stuffed animals in.  I’m actually surprised that you fit all of that in your car.

A few years ago I wondered if we should keep our CAL or just merge with another, but then at the end of the year, I wouldn’t trade our little group for anything. I might, might, try mini stockings again. I keep looking at the goofy one I made and think “I can do better”.  I won’t throw it away so I can remember my mistake(s). Plus I was recently gifted 3 huge skeins of red yarn. And of course, cat mats are always my “go to” project. 

[Bailey4]

You are amazing!!!! I look forward to the new start to the year. I love seeing what everyone is doing!!!

 

[Bailey4]

Got home from a rescue dog fundraiser, Annie got her picture taken with Santa, to find another My Life doll waiting on my door step.  Thank you Denise!!!

 

[babypoohsmom]

That is the last one. See? I thought she was blonde but no. Glad I was able to get some. I placed an order for 4 bolts of fleece that was on sale on line only at Joann’s. They sent me an email saying some items were out of stock. It was the whole order! 
Sigh. 

[Tampa Doll]

Very cool dolls.  Love the outfits.

[bgs]

Great job to everybody.  I love seeing completed projects thru out the year.  It is often a reminder and inspiration to start something.  But seeing the stack of boxes when its time to turn things in is just wow.  Then I stop and remember our friend Darski and am thankful for all the patterns she gave us to use.  Where ever she may be I think she would be happy to know she is still a part of this.

[babypoohsmom]

Absolutely. I hope Darski knows how much we appreciate her and that her legacy of doll patterns will bring happiness for years to come. 

[babypoohsmom]

60 new blankets cut, washed and tagged ready for the adoption centers. Someone else bought two bolts of the grey fabric. I am *not* in love with it and would exchange the second bolt if I had the receipt.

The other picture is a kitty I rescued today. He showed up at one of my feral cat feeding stations. We don’t know who his mom could be as we keep on top of TNR whenever we see a new cat. Also, he was solo. No other kittens around. He is safe and sound tonight. It rained all day yesterday and it broke my heart that he was out in the cold. He is so sweet. He purrs and rubs his head on your hand. We are working on a name for him.

 

[Tampa Doll]

Wow on the blankets.  Now with the kitty name, his eyes remind me of the character Puss N Boots.  They are so large and all black.

That is great of you to bring him in, before he become feral. Good luck with him.

[pineknott]

stopped by to see what was going on so glad you will keep it going

trying to get myself together, its been a rough couple of months with legs swelling due to lymphedema.

I'm starting back on my scarfs, the only thing I did last year was the butterflies for Rene's church

hope to see you at the start of the new year

[Jayashiangel]

Congratulations Bailey on getting your donation boxes dropped off....

However I was wondering if you could do a quick post informing everyone of things that you could use... Or things that we could crochet and make for you that way if someone has some spare time and need a small project we'd have an idea of some of the different types of donation items... create a List  That would include dolls as well as other items crochet/ toys/ etc..

Thank you

Edited December 7, 2022 by Jayashiangel

[Bailey4]

On 12/6/2022 at 7:18 PM, Jayashiangel said:

Congratulations Bailey on getting your donation boxes dropped off....

However I was wondering if you could do a quick post informing everyone of things that you could use... Or things that we could crochet and make for you that way if someone has some spare time and need a small project we'd have an idea of some of the different types of donation items... create a List  That would include dolls as well as other items crochet/ toys/ etc..

Thank you

With the help of the ladies here we donate dolls of all sizes.  If there is a doll you like that I didn't list and you want to send it by all means feel free.  My one rule is I try to stay away from celebrity dolls as I never know what parents like X celebrity and which ones won't let the kids have X celebrity doll and I imagine it would be unpleasant to get a gift you aren't going to give your kid to play with for Christmas.

We currently do a range of baby dolls

We have the Lots to Love Love 8, 10, and 14" Baby Dolls I sometimes get a 14" donated in addition to the one I purchase

Lil Cutesies Baby Dolls I sometimes get donated one in addition to the one I buy

JC LA Baby 16" Baby Dolls at least 2 each year

Rag Dolls I do one I sometimes get a second one I purchase the ones at Factory Direct

My Life (Walmart's 18" dolls) I donate 2 each year and we've been doing a 3rd with clothes made from Crochetville members.  This year I've already received an amazing gift of 3 dolls from a Crochetville member.

Our Generation (Target's 18" doll) I find the fit a bit larger than the My Life doll so the clothes I make that aren't quite right for the My Life often end up here.  My Mom tends to knit larger so her clothes usually end up on the Our Generation Doll as well.  I send one a year.  I just don't have the clothing donations for 2.

Glitter Girl Doll: This is a knock off of the American Girl Wellie Wishers dolls.  I fond lots of patterns to try and I added this doll last year as I need to try new things to hold my interest.  I donated one and plan on doing the same next year in order to have enough items to send her with clothing and accessories.

I started back with the Barbie line a few years ago.  I learned to crochet to make my nieces Barbie and 18" doll clothes.  When I started donating I focused first on the 18" dolls, added the baby dolls and last year returned to Barbie.

I send 1 Barbie, Ken, Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea each year.  I crochet clothes, pick up accessories, furniture at places like Dollar Tree and online when I find them at an affordable price.

Accessories:

Purchased: I try to send the baby dolls out with bassinets, feeding kits, and diaper bags each year. 

Bassinets:

I used to make the bassinets but I made 1 last year and realized my hands can't do the 3 strands of yarn at a time to make them strong enough to hold the larger dolls.  I'm going to start the year making the small doll ones that I never got to last year but I'm going to need to purchase the ones for the larger baby dolls.  I was fortunate to find the one for the 14" doll on sale.  If anyone is interested in crochet or sewing them I'm more than thrilled to have them.

Diaper bags:

People have sewed them for me a few times but I bought them last year as I can't crochet bags and I don't sew.  I found a smaller version on sale for the 14" doll for next year but I still need 2 for the 16" dolls.

I still crochet the wipes and the diapers for the larger dolls as I find the reusable items are more practical in general but even more for parents who are financially challenged.

I crochet bibs for the 3 larger baby dolls. I haven't been able to get one to fit the smaller dolls.  I'd probably have to go down to thread or get someone to sew some to make them work.

The 14" doll comes with one cloth diaper and I'm hoping the new kit has diapers that will fit this doll as I've tried a couple crochet patterns and never found one that fit right.  I've never bought the Melissa and Doug diaper bag before before but the diapers are cloth and reusable so we will see. 

I don't do diapers for the smaller dolls as they are just really small.  A couple of them do come with an original diaper but not having the dolls in front of me I don't remember which ones of the smaller have diapers and which don't. When I tried making diapers they didn't fit well and they made trying to fit clothes over them difficult. I suspect to make them work they'd need to be sewn, a skill I lack.

Blankets:

This is a big donation item each year.  Most people crochet larger squares.  I think we decided they were 20" Squares.  Any patterns that work for you work for me.  I only ask for yarn that doesn't need to be hand washed.  Acrylic works really well.  I find it is a great way to use up left over yarn.  Scrap blankets are a great option.  We never have too many as we try to send every doll and stuff animal donated out with a hand made blanket.  If I really am overwhelmed I'll put them towards next year.  That hasn't happened to date.  We almost always have a box to donate though beyond what we need to send all our donated dolls out with a blanket.

As far as clothing my one request is you label what you send me so I know what doll you intend the outfit to be used for as I often have no clue.  If you post a picture it makes my life even more easy as I've been known to confuse a poncho for a skirt.  I can also print the picture and put it in with the bag I send the clothes with so the child sees the outfit as intended. I'm not the only one that confuses ponchos for skirts.

If you are interested in the 18 inch doll clothes that will fit the My Life or the Our Generation dolls a good place to start is

Darski's pattern list

she also has lots of baby doll patterns there as well.

American Girl Flamenco Dress

This is a quick and easy 18" doll pattern that even fits the 16" baby doll.

Feel free to crochet for any of the dolls listed or any dolls you feel like you'd like to add to the donation.  If you are looking for patterns post a question and we can probably help you find something.

Play food is always a great addition either crocheted or purchased.  I made a hamburger set one year that was a huge hit.  The last few years I've added little food sets as I've found them out shopping to the 18" dolls, the Rag Doll, and the Glitter Girl sets.

Another thing we've added the last 2 years were Lovey blankets.  This year the high school kids were thrilled because they have a Mom on the list expecting in December so they were thrilled the baby will have a Lovey waiting. I actually made a Lovey for one of the Baby dolls 2 years ago and found the pattern again so I'm hoping to get that back into the donation. 

If you have ideas you are interested in making or have questions on how to get started feel free to post or message.  The ladies here are amazing so I'm not the only one who can help you with ideas on how to get started.

I really love this project.  There are so many projects that help kids get toys at Christmas I love this project because it encourages teenagers to get involved and understand how to give back to the community. Realistically there resources are limited but with support they can be empowered to believe in the power of helping others.

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by Bailey4

[Bailey4]

2022 Doll Donation Pictures

I also found out the Auto Shop helped out with fund raising offering car detailing to staff to raise money for the project this year.  They had to limit the number of cars as I guess last year they were overwhelmed by the number of people who wanted in on the deal.  They raised the price slightly this year so they'd bring in the same amount of $ and they still sold out.

[Tampa Doll]

Bailey4 I am so impressed with the kids.  They are so ambitious.  I love the idea of the car detailing.  Boy could I use them down here.  Great job to the kids and you for handling all the boxes.

Beautiful day.  The sun is out, the sky is clear and it is 74 degrees.  A cold front is coming in.

Enjoy your day

 

[Jayashiangel]

Bailey... Thank you for taking the extra time out to give me a detailed information I'm sure others on here may have wanted the information as well But may not have taken the time out to ask... But I'm kinda nosy like that.... PS congratulations on getting your  donations done on time....

Edited December 11, 2022 by Jayashiangel

[Bailey4]

Over the years I've picked up a few of the male 18" doll patterns through Adoring Doll's sets.  I finally picked up 2 Our Generation Boy Dolls one for my model and one for the donation for next year.  I like to try new things and this would be different.  I had tried to hold out for the My Life but they haven't had the boy dolls in ages and I got a BOGO deal on the Our Generation dolls. So we can add that to the list of the dolls going out next year.

I'm making a Christmas Shawl for myself from a Herschnerr's kit I ordered in Oct and started as a travel project.  It's been a great "waiting" project but now that my last box is ready to be mailed I'm getting serious about finishing it so I have it for Christmas Eve Church services.

I'm going to start with the Moses baskets for the small baby dolls as none of them got one last year.  I try to start with the stuff I didn't make the previous year.  Over the holidays I'm going to stick with small projects like the diapers, wipes, etc.  Those are quick but there are lots of them so getting them finished is always a relief.

[babypoohsmom]

Bailey, I know I asked you years ago…but can you tell me which pattern you use for bassinets? My friend at work likes to try new things and I think she might try one. 
(The girl who made the Harry Potter clothes)

She made me this for Christmas. She started it and then the pattern disappeared from the internet and she had to finish it by “eyeballing it”. 

[Tampa Doll]

That is just adorable.  I needed that laugh.

 

[greyhoundgrandma]

Love the cat! Hilarious!

The only cat I have now is 7 and has always been an outside/shop cat. DH would let her stay in the shop when it was wet/cold. So now she's spending that time in the house and this is her first Christmas inside. She's been having lots of fun taking ornaments off the tree.