Cloth Dolls for Children's Hospital

I was recently privileged to become friends with Lindsey from Sew To Grow. She told me about Project Made, in which she is highlighting 28 days of people around the world sharing kindness and goodwill through their creative endeavors. 

Lindsey invited me to share a project, and I immediately thought of a community effort I was a part of through my church. The Relief Society ( the women's charitable organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in my little corner of the world was making cloth dolls to donate to the local children's hospital. 

These dolls are used by medical professionals as a communication tool for explaining procedures to a child or diagnosing a child's discomfort.  The child is then given the doll, and often a little hospital gown for the doll, as their own to hold and keep. 

As you can see, the pattern is extremely simple. The body and gown patterns can be found here: http://hopkinschildrens.org/Cloth-Dolls-Blankets-Pillow-Cases/

Dozens of women sewed the doll bodies from fabric scraps, fat quarters, and extra pillow cases. Then last Saturday we met together to stuff them and sew up the final seam. 

By the door of classrooms throughout the church building, women could pick up unstuffed dolls to stuff or stuffed dolls to sew. As we listened to messages on subjects such as family relationships and charity from wonderful speakers, we worked. 

I especially loved seeing the joy of the women as they worked. Charity is always like that: Efforts to bring joy to others inevitably makes the giver as happy (or happier) than the receiver. 

As the morning went on, it was so exciting to see more and more completed dolls!

The goal was to make 125 dolls.  We were thrilled to discover that this incredible group of women far surpassed our goal, making a total of 288 dolls to donate! 

These sweet, important dolls are used in hospitals all over the world.  This is an excellent way to serve individually, in a small group, or as a larger community to bring joy to children in need. The materials are inexpensive, and the sewing is simple.

Participating in these link-ups.

Easy Head Scarves Sewing Tutorial

While visiting with a dear friend who is going through chemotherapy, I asked her if she would like me to make her a head scarf to wear. She said she really would, especially some that were better for the coming warm weather.  

This reminded me of an excellent story from this podcast: Wigs, Wigouts, and Insurace, in which a woman beautifully and hilariously determines if she is Wig Person or a Scarf Person while going through chemotherapy. It's a great listen.  And between it and my friend's request, I was determined to make some cool, ventilated, and not-too-heavy head scarves for my friend.

My husband came home when I was finishing these up. I had on this one, and he said, "Oooh. Cool head thingy!" He thought it was a fashion head wrap I had made for myself. And it totally could be! Head scarves are for everyone--whatever our health situation. 

I found an excellent tutorial from Daydream Believers, but uses a ribbed knit band and silky scarf. This didn't sound very comfortable or breathable for warm weather. So, I made a tutorial that uses thin jersey knit or stretchy lace fabric. I was so happy with the results!

To make an Easy Head Scarf, you'll need:

• 1/2 yard of thin jersey knit or other fabric that stretches in at least one direction.
• Measuring tape, measuring board and/or ruler.
• Scissors or rotary-cutter
• Sewing machine/serger with corresponding thread

Directions: 

1. Cut the band piece 6 inches x 20.5 inches. The stretch for this piece should be along the length of the cut.

3. Cut the scarf section: 44 inches x 12.5 inches.  Stretch can be in either direction here.

4. Fold the scarf section in half along the width.  Find the mid-point (6.25") of the width  on the open side of the folded fabric. Measure 5 inches straight down each side. Use a ruler or other straight edge to make a straight line from the mid-point to the 5 inch mark on each side.

6. Cut along those lines.  If you are using jersey knit, no finishing is required for the edges of the scarf. I decided to sew a thin rolled hem on my lacey fabric to prevent fraying.  If you are finishing the edges of your scarf, do so now. Then, set this piece aside.

7. Fold the band piece in half along the width, right sides together. Sew the open edges. (This is a good time to try it on your head. It should fit snug enough to not move, but not too tight. If it is too loose, trim 1/4 inch from the sewn edge, re-stitch, and try again, repeating until the fit is right).

8. Fold the band in half along the length, wrong sides together. 

9. Sew that edge up with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

10. Lay out your scarf piece right side up and find the mid-point along one length. Pin the band's front mid-point (directly opposite the seam) to the mid-point on the scarf piece. 

11. Continue to pin the scarf all the way around the base of the band. The right side is inside here, pinned all around the band. 

Make sure to finish pinning each end of the scarf right at the seam of the band, so the sides will be even. 

This head scarf shows the pinning process better because of the contrasting fabrics.

12. Sew along the pinned edge, all the way around  the band. 

And you are done! 

These are such an easy project, and a great item to make as a community service project and donate to cancer centers in your area. I did a simple internet search for "Where to donate to cancer centers" and had several options. 

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions as you are making these scarves. I'm happy to help!

Participating in these link-ups.

Chalkboard Christmas Countdown

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. 

You need a calendar, and this is where it's at! 

I saw a few calendars like this last year in my Pinterest perusings, so some friends and I decided to take the plunge and make our own. 

When I first set this out in December, the numbers are visible (as shown above).

Each day of December, we turn over a number to reveal a picture depicting scenes from Christ's life with an associated scripture reference, which we read together. As you can see, the scripture for Christmas Day is the account of Jesus' birth, from Luke 2.

Here's where the chalkboard function of the calendar comes into play.  Below each number/picture, I write an activity for us to do as a family. I will list several I have used below for ideas.

I use this chalk marker (purchased on Amazon, but also at craft stores), to write on the board. It wipes off with a wet paper towel. Regular chalk works, too.

You will need: 

12x12" sheet of numbered Christmas scrapbook paper

Chalkboard paint

Paint brushes

Mod Podge

Heavy-duty hole punch

Heavy-duty scissors, utility knife, and/or slide-cutter

12x12" piece of chip board

Not pictured: 

Black craft paint

Jesus pictures sized to same shape as numbers

Fifty (50) 1" thin nails with small heads

17"x14" wood boards

Vinyl and access to a vinyl cutter to make the heading 

Find scrapbook paper you really liked with 25 Christmas numbers. We found ours at a local scrapbook store. My sister, who lives in another state, decided to make one with friends when I told her what we were doing. She found the same paper at Hobby Lobby. Here is a link to some similar paper (it looks to have numbers the same size as ours, which is nice for the Jesus pictures I have links to below).
. 

We also bought chip board from a scrapbook store, chalkboard paint, thin nails with small heads (bring your hole punch when you shop), and had 17" x 14" boards cut and routed (courtesy of a husband).  

I sized Jesus pictures from lds.org to fit the numbers on the paper. This art is free to use as long as you aren't selling it.  I also added corresponding scriptures to the front of each picture. (Note: some scriptures are from the Book of Mormon. If you prefer only Holy Bible references, I attached the sized pics sans scriptures).  

Jesus Pictures
Jesus Pictures with scriptures (Please ignore the extra pages. I had a hard time with Excel's formatting when I added the scripture references. I finally just gave up trying to get rid of the added pages.)

To assemble: 

1. Sand the boards, then paint with the chalkboard paint. We did 2-3 coats and primed it with chalk when it dried.
2. Mount the scrapbook numbers on the chip board with a thin layer of Mod-podge and cut out each one. Heavy-duty scissors, a nice slide-cutter, or a utility knife with a guide are all good options for cutting through the chip board.
3. Paint the back of each mounted number black, if desired. (b/c the Jesus pics aren't exactly the same size as the numbers).
4. Print out the Jesus pics, and cut those out. Mount them on the back of the number they fit on.

5. Mod-podge over the front and back of the chip board pieces. 

6. Punch 2 holes in the top corners of each chip board piece. 

7. We arranged the pieces on the painted boards leaving room at the top for a heading and a 1/2 inch or so on the sides and bottom. I used painters tape to keep them in place, but I would use VERY small pieces b/c it took the modpodge off of a couple of my pictures and I had to re-cover them.

8. We nailed into each hole, leaving enough nail sticking out for hanging, but in enough so they are firmly in place.

9. A friend of a friend with a Silohuette machine made the heading for us with white vinyl.

10. I bought a chalk marker off Amazon for $4. It comes off with water, but doesn't wipe off easily like traditional chalk. Mine works great and is Uchida brand, called "Bistro Chalk Marker."

Here are a few process pictures a friend took who I shared this how-to with pre-blog post. (Thanks Cindy!!)

Scrap book paper, chip board, Mod-podge, brushes.

 Painting the chip board with craft paint first is much easier than waiting to paint after everything's cut out. (I would know.;-))

At this point in the process I was beginning to get excited. The finished product was in my sights. 

Here are some examples of activities to write on the chalkboard under the numbers. I love that I can customize this part of the calendar every year to accommodate concerts, school performances, parties, family traditions, and whatever else comes along from year to year.

• Write a letter to Santa
• Dance to Christmas music
• Choose a toy to give away
• Go to a Creche exhibit
• Watch a Christmas movie
• Attend a church devotional
• Make snowflakes
• Have hot cocoa with candycanes
• Make gingerbread houses
• Act out the nativity
• Host a neighborhood cookie exchange
• Drive around to see lights
• Make and decorate cut-out sugar cookies
• Make teacher gifts
• Deliver gifts to neighbors
• Go caroling 
• Play the present exchange game
• Have a nativity scavenger hunt with scripture clues
• Serve at a homeless shelter
• Do a random act of kindness 
• Attend The Nutcracker
• Read "The Night Before Christmas"

This post is linking at these parties.