i need your help!

Filed under: made gifts — admin at 3:20 pm on Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Two years this summer will mark the event of Jane’s arrival into our family. Some of you may wonder who I am talking about and I am glad to let you know-she is my sweet and feisty niece my sister and brother-in-law adopted from China.

You’ll also remember that I watched her last Spring while my sister went to China to visit orphanages (both private and government). My sister Susan (above) has been an advocate in raising funds for children in China and basically just caring for them. I thought it would be really cool to send homemade treasures for my sister to give out to the children she will visit, they really don’t have anything personal.

I need help with some ideas. I am figuring 300 children will be seen by my sister. The ages will range from infant to 12 years…

Some of my ideas:

dolls

maybe these

cuffs

little blankets (like little 12×18, soft , crib blankets)

Any ideas? Any help? I am figuring that I will narrow done the gifts to 3 or 4 ideas. Once I make my decision, I will list them and if anyone would like to help, I would be thrilled! I will send necessary patterns to helpers and just ask you buy the fabric/use what you have and send the finished product to me. Of course you can make more than one gift- I would love if everyone could make at least 5 of what they make, but of course I will take what I can get.

I know there are a lot of generous souls out there and think this would be a great way for some to get involved with an international need.

I promise I will share my sister’s photos of the trip and the children with their gifts.

Thanks- and I would LOVE to hear from YOU! I will see how the response goes and then list the projects in about a week.

An updated note: Thanks to all who have already responded! I am totally jazzed about this project. If you would like to grab a badge and post it on your blog, that would be great!

31 Comments »

Comment by Lisa K.

January 23, 2007 @ 4:01 pm

Hi there! I’d love to help! Please sign me up.

As for ideas, maybe you could ask your neighbor Hillary if it’s okay to make little Wees for the wee ones?

Comment by Maryellen

January 23, 2007 @ 4:35 pm

Count me in! I love these ideas and have also made some neat, colored pencil rolls that are made from place mats folded up about 2/3 with channels sewn in (I think from Martha Stewart Living). I am fairly crafty so feel free to assign to me whatever you’d like!

Comment by sunny

January 23, 2007 @ 4:48 pm

My mom makes these incredible, one of a kind baby afghans that she could alter to make bigger – since the current ones are 12″ x 18″. She’s volunteered some of them if they could be used.

(they’re crocheted using a shell pattern, with white alternating big stripes with a pastel color – based on a 1950’s carriage cover pattern). I can provide a photo if you’d like.

She could contribute two or three of those perhaps. Could you use them?

Comment by sunny

January 23, 2007 @ 4:48 pm

PS: I’ve visited orphanages in China and would love to help.

Comment by beki

January 23, 2007 @ 4:52 pm

Count me in on whatever gets organized!
How about those little tag blankets for wee ones?

Comment by susan

January 23, 2007 @ 5:53 pm

Thank you, Carol! I’m so excited about this projects and I know that the kids will love their gifts. You know that I’m not very creative, but I’d love to help.

Susan

Comment by meg

January 23, 2007 @ 7:35 pm

I would love to help!! I made similar totes for my nieces the past two Christmases, and used to make lots of little receiving blankets. Please count me in.

Comment by Michelle

January 23, 2007 @ 8:34 pm

Great idea, I’d be happy to help if I can. I think those peg people you did are fantastic, they’d be fast, small enough to carry on a plane easily, aren’t expensive, and there are so many possibilities. Can’t wait to see what the final ideas are.

Comment by molly

January 23, 2007 @ 9:53 pm

carol–i’d love to contribute, too–but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment by some projects that are on my plate. but let me know your timeline–i could contribute a few cuffs, if the timing works out…

Comment by Patricia

January 23, 2007 @ 11:24 pm

I’d love to help too!

Comment by Robyn

January 23, 2007 @ 11:59 pm

I would love to help! I think it’s a wonderful idea. What is the time frame?

Comment by sjsd

January 24, 2007 @ 1:27 am

something i would definitely be interested in. what is the time line? would you be okay with my older children helping? (8 yo. and 6 yo.)i would do my best, but i am not a fabulous crafter nor a perfectionist :) still want my help? :) it is a wonderful idea you have. just let me know. sidenote: found your blog skimming around, stop in now and again, this is me delurking :) peace.

Comment by sjsd

January 24, 2007 @ 1:33 am

wow, i didn’t know i put so many smiles in there.

Comment by Kristy

January 24, 2007 @ 7:55 am

This is such a lovely idea we would love to help! x

Pingback by kidding around » sewing, schedule, sanity

January 24, 2007 @ 11:08 am

[...] Giving [...]

Comment by Alina

January 24, 2007 @ 11:35 am

I am interested in making something, just update me once you have decided on what to make.

Comment by Heidi

January 24, 2007 @ 5:26 pm

My husband and I are in the middle of adopting a daughter from China (and a son from Vietnam), so I would love to join this. Our paperwork was logged in last February, so we may have her home by the end of this year (maybe).

Comment by Kimberly Lennert

January 24, 2007 @ 7:19 pm

Count me in, although I may have to come over for lessons. I could also be your “prep cook” as it were – cutting, pinning etc. You could do the actual sewing! Great idea Carol!!

Comment by Stephanie

January 25, 2007 @ 2:30 am

I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog before, but I’ve been lurking for quite a while. I’m rather handy at sewing (and although I don’t have a crafty blog to share you can see some of my work at my store ). I’d love to help out.

Comment by Stephanie

January 25, 2007 @ 2:32 am

And, since my link didn’t work, I’ll try again.

Comment by tracy

January 26, 2007 @ 4:33 pm

let me know your timeline carol. i would love and try to help…

Comment by christi

January 26, 2007 @ 6:29 pm

I would love to help. Count me in to do whatever projects you need most. I belong to a collective, so I’m sure they’ll help, as well.

Comment by leslie

January 28, 2007 @ 1:34 am

count me in, anything you would need. let me know!

Comment by Melanie Taylor

January 29, 2007 @ 10:13 pm

Carol, I would love to help make gifts for the children. I have a bag of about 40 yo-yos and I coulnd’t figure out what to do with them. I am going to make some cute yo-yo and button barrettes. I am very excited to help out with this project.

Comment by Jennifer S

February 6, 2007 @ 11:56 pm

Comment by Jennifer S

February 6, 2007 @ 11:57 pm

I just talked to Susan and I want to help! I can do whatever you need more of- I can sew and I love to do crafts. Carol, I think this is such a great idea and I can’t wait to contribute.

Pingback by I heart Yo-Yos! « Taylor Design

February 9, 2007 @ 11:39 am

[...] 9 Feb 2007 I heart Yo-Yos! Posted by taylordesign under Crafts , Gifts , Sewing , Groups  Yo-Yo barrettes forCarol’s Made For China endeavor over at Kidding Around.  Check it out, she is sending gifts to  orphanages in China.  When I heard about it, I jumped on the chance to help her, I hold a special place in my heart for orphans because Joe and I would like to adopt down the road. [...]

Comment by Solidia Hubbard

February 14, 2007 @ 1:59 pm

Hello! I was linked to your blog while reading another. I would like to make a couple of blankets or anything else you might need. Just email me.

Comment by dannelle

February 15, 2007 @ 6:20 pm

what a heartwarming idea! my lil’ 3 year old & i, have been packing up his toys & clothes he has outgrown to send to ophanages in africa. i would so love to help. i am all the way over in oz but if i can make a lil’ something & get it to you in time, i will! :)

Comment by Carrie

February 16, 2007 @ 11:25 pm

I’d be happy to participate if you choose a project on the easy side as I’m new to sewing. One idea I’ll throw out is fabric headbands for little girls. There’s the Hooray for Headbands tutorial at Heather Bailey’s blog (http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/) that is simple and cute.

Comment by Cindy Sue

February 26, 2007 @ 9:28 am

Hello there, just came across your web site, would love to help. Not the best sewer in the world, but can do simple things. Please let me know what you would like me to do.

This is fantastic, can’t wait to be a part of it.

Cindy

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