Once again, I sewed dresses for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. My husband, daughter, and I dropped the finished shoeboxes off yesterday afternoon. Phew, that’s done until January, when I’ll start again for the 2023 season. Now to focus on gifts closer to home. Btw, through the years I think practically all of my boxes have gone to a country on the African continent.
My goal was to make two dresses every month, January through October, which was easy enough to do. Towards the end of the year I also made some little stuffies to put in the dress pockets. I think I will do that for each dress next year. And, maybe make scrunchies, too. I have sooo much fabric and hand made items are special. At least, I think so. If you have any other ideas I’d love to hear them.
I didn’t change the dress pattern at all. I used different fabrics from those used in 2021so that made it fun. I am a fabric junkie–I love it! Also, each dress uses four different fabrics: main dress fabric, pocket, ties, and bias binding. Back when (not sure how many years ago that was) I started sewing these dresses I wrote a tutorial in case anyone was interested. It’s on my website here. Ha ha! I even used my own tutorial in January of this year after taking a couple of months off of sewing.
Here are the little bunny treasures to be found in the pockets. Except for the lemon bear; she was a bit too tall for the pocket.
I love lemon bear, but she was so fiddly to make. I don’t think I could get enough of them made without going batty. She looks innocent enough, but nope, she’s a bit fussy. I had to rip out the stitching where her legs attach to her body three times before they looked nice. At the last minute I found a pair of Kish Chrysalis shorts that fit her and sent those along. She has a polymer clay cupcake in her purse.😋 She is sweet though, isn’t she?
As we put the shoeboxes together we made a mess of the dining room. The fuzzy plush bears were added to the boxes that didn’t have one of the hand made bunnies.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my shoeboxes for 2022. I pray that they find their way into the little arms of a little girl that they would be perfect for.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate. If not, wishing you a beautiful week!
Thank you for visiting with me today. I appreciate you so much! Sending hugs🤗op
Cindy Rice Designs 
Love the pocket pets. I’m sure they will be appreciated. When you think that many there have to walk miles to even get water, having a new dress and goodies will be such a special gift. Cheers to Cindy for making so many happy. 🙂
Hello, Joy! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I sure hope my boxes make a few little girls happy. It is a leap of faith I know; I will never know for sure.
We are beyond fortunate in this country, and sadly most of the time we all can forget that.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 🦃
Wonderful work Cindy. I’m sure your hard work and generosity will be appreciated.
Thanks so much, Judy. I hope so. ❤️Enjoy your week.
you are an inspiration
I’m sure your handiwork adds light to the world.
respect
Aww, thanks so much, Orli. I am happy to do my very tiny part. I believe that if we all do just a tiny bit it adds up to a lot. I am honored to be an inspiration–thank you💖
Cindy, I have recently joined your blog. I just wanted to tell you that I was so touched by your dress ministry. I don’t know how you ever thought of that but is both needed and cheerful. Many girls must be delighted because of your generosity.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Debbie
Hi, Debra. Thank you for following my blog and commenting. Welcome!!!
I had read about a woman named Eva who sewed and sewed and sewed–dresses for the shoeboxes. Her story touched me and led me to develop a pattern that worked for me so that I could do the same. Here’s her story: https://www.facebook.com/OCCshoeboxes/videos/10155516692773209/
Thanks so much, Debra. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!🦃
Thank you for your dedication to this wonderful project. The stuffed animals are so adorable, and an added bonus. May you be richly blessed for your selflessness. Have you ever thought of making some bucket hats to match the dresses?
Hi, Dee. Thank you!❤️I am happy to be able to continue my sewing. I always feel at peace when I am sitting at my sewing machine making these dresses and now the little animals. Bucket hats are a great idea. I will start looking for a pattern. Thank you for the suggestion. 👏🏻
Enjoy the rest of your week!💕
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We do have so much to be thankful for living in America even with its imperfections. Another cute hat would be the one that has several sections coming to a point on top of the head. It reminds me of a flower that has started blooming.
Hi Cindy!! God bless you for using your amazing talents and once again making dresses for girls in need who will have a big smile on their face when they open their shoeboxes ! Also to your Husband and Daughter for their help. You deserve the break after your hard work . It is great that the boxes mostly go to Africa. The extra items are something the girls will love . Thank you for the tutorial Cindy . I would need a lot of direction to follow your lead . How cute are those bunnies for the pockets ? Lemon bear is so sweet . You persevered and were able to have her looking perfect for her girl to love. I pray they get to the girls who will love and treasure these special gifts created by you Cindy. Sending hugs back to you from snow covered Minnesota ❤ Terri xo.
Thank you, Terri. I pray, too, that the perfect recipients are found for the boxes. I will never know, will I? But, I keep the faith that that happens.
Are you in the middle of a blizzard right now. We are on day 11 (and counting) of dark and dreary days. Today was the worst–cold and rainy all day long.
Take care, Terri ❤️
Hello Cindy! It will be good if the organization could take a few photos of the recipients, as they get their shoe box. I do hope they go to the rightful people. We are having a snow storm today it is a real Winter Wonderland! I will add some photos to my blog at the weekend. I hope your dark snd dreary days are ending soon 🌞🌞 Send lots of hugs to all your girls from me, Terri 💗