Easy-Peasy Picot Pattern (Edging)

I made this little Babysaurus Blanket and hat for Valdryk who's mommy is expecting him to make his grand entry into this world any day now. I fell in love with this fleece and just needed to add a simple edging to make a finished blanket.

This is the pattern I made-up:

Easy-Peasy Picot Edging



I hear many crocheters say that the picot is their least-favorite stitch. This pattern makes a pseudo-picot. It may be considered cheating, but it’s an easy way to add a tiny bit of texture around the edge.



This is a simple edging pattern for a fleece blanket, but it could easily be used to edge a crocheted or knitted item as well.



For a fleece blanket, start by piercing evenly spaced holes along the edge of your fabric. I used my Edgerydoo to trim the fabric and piece the holes.



Use any baby weight yarn of your choice and a C hook. I used Bernat Baby Coordinates.



Round 1) starting with any hole, sc in the hole, chain 2. Continue this pattern around and join.



Round 2) Chain 3 (counts as first DC), DC all the way around. Join to top of first chain-3.



Round 3) Chain 3 (counts as first DC), DC in next stitch, chain 2, skip next 2 DC, **DC in each of next 2 stitches, chain 2, skip next 2 DC** continue this pattern around and join.



Round 4) chain one, **sc in first 2 DC, then (in chain 2 space) sc, chain 2, sc**. Continue with ** pattern all the way around and join to finish.
Note: round 4 pattern puts a sc in each DC from round 3 and sc-chain2-sc in each chain2 space of round 3. This will form a small “mini-picot” over the spaces.



Weave in your yarn tail and you’re done.



Please feel free to use this pattern for any personal or charity projects. You may link to this post, but please do not pot the pattern elsewhere without permission. If you like this pattern and choose to use it, please do donate a finished piece to Marine Corps Kids. Thank you!

A Very Merry Family Christmas

It's been some time since I first posted about our Army Family, and we received many beautiful donations to send to all the kids.

The box has been packed and ready to go, but we have been waiting for Dad to write to us with the address. As I mentioned, dad is on active duty with the Army in Afghanistan, and we haven't heard from him in a few weeks. I was starting to get nervous. Well we just received a message from Dad and he is at home in Germany with his new family for some well deserved R&R!

According to Dad, "the kids are doing great and adjusting well. I told them I'd take take them sledding, but unfortunately I got sick when I got [to Germany] so we had to cancel the trip to Garmisch. We went to Nurnberg Zoo the other day, which was great except for the cold. We got to watch a dolphin show."

How wonderful that they will get to spend their first Christmas as a family together!!!

I'm printing an address label now, and our package will be shipping on Monday. It won't arrive in time for Christmas, but it will be there to help this family ring in 2008 together.

Thanks again to everyone who sent donations for this family, and for all our Marine Corps Kids Families! This month we sent a record number of packages!

I wish a very happy holiday to all our military families and to all our generous donors who continue to support the efforts of Operation Marine Corps Kids. And to this special family in Germany - Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday and for a lifetime of happiness together!!

Thank you, Gailya!

Today I received a package from Gailya in North Carolina! I was very excited to open it because I know that in addition to other fiber crafts, Gailya is a quilter. I dream about someday learning to quilt, and I just love quilted projects so I couldn't wait to see what she had sent. I was overwhelmed!

Gailya sent some beautiful crocheted and knitted hats, booties and bibs. She also included 2 quilts and a quilted diaper bag. One quilt is two sided with cute duck fabric on one side and dogs on the other. The other quilt and diaper bag were make with our Marine Corps Kids Logo! You can see how amazing they are in the photos, and the photos don't really do justice to the pieces.

Thank you Gailya! All of your donations are beautiful and I know that the mom's will be delighted to receive these items!

This week I have five boxes of donations that are going out for our Marine Corps families including items sent by Gailya, Cindy, Karen, Kathy, Judy, Laura, Melanie, all the great ladies involved with Hugs4Hope and more. Thank you all for your continued generosity and Happy Holidays to all!!

Bookmarks

I made these crocheted bookmarks as gifts for the mom's for our Holiday Gift Drive.

There is still time to send donations if anyone else would like to participate.

Thank you, Karen!!

Today I received a large box from Karen in WI.

The box was filled with very soft and warm fleece blankets and scarves! There are blankets sized for babies and for larger kids, and great warm scarves for older kids and teens. They are all so soft and cuddly, and I know that the kids will just love snuggling up in them this winter!

Thank you, Karen! I'm putting together a very large shipment to ship to the families this week, and these wonderful gifts will be included!

Many Thanks to the members of Hugs4Hope

I can't even begin to describe what a thrill it is for me when I receive a box of donations for Marine Corps Kids. I'm always delighted by the beautiful things that are sent and by all the talent from our donors.

Today I received a large box of things that were donated by the members of Hugs4Hope. Hugs4Hope is a Yahoo Group whose members craft and donate items for babies.

As I unpacked the box I was just amazed by the wonderful things that were sent. Incredible hats, sweaters, blankets, booties, full outfits and scrunchies that were beautifully sewn, knit and crocheted. Everything was made with incredibly soft yarns, and you can see that love was worked into every stitch.

The photos in this post show just a few of the items that were sent. Please click on the link to our photo album to see all the amazing items that were sent by:

Nancy in TN
Kay in IL
Kelly in NY
Dana in MN
Nancy in NC
and
Annette in PA

A few of the items did not include donation cards, so if there may be some additional donors. Thank you all for your generosity! Your work is absolutely beautiful! I'll be sending everything that you sent for our new Marine Corps Kids soon. The mom's so appreciate your gifts. A million thanks for all you do!

Gifts for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and with it the unofficial kick-off of the “Holiday Season”. Everyone wants to be home for the holidays, but for thousands of our service men and women, that just isn’t possible. For the families of our deployed troops, the holidays can be a very bittersweet time. The joy of the season is tempered by the absence of loved ones who can’t share in festivities.


During this time of the year, we’re all focusing on our own families and celebrations, and our charitable crafting sometimes takes second place to our personal plans. All of you who have donated to Marine Corps Kids have proven that you have huge hearts and generous souls, and everything that you have sent, and continue to send, is very much appreciated.

I know that it is a lot to ask, but for those of you who can, please try and send a donation for our service members’ families. I would like to be able to send gifts for the holidays - not just for the newborns, but for everyone in the family. A blanket for the babies, a hand-made toy for older kids, a scarf for mom – anything you send will remind these families that they are in our hearts, and help to make their holidays bright. No donation is too small – ornaments, bookmarks, fridgies, hats – whatever you have the time and inclination to make will be appreciated.

No matter what holiday you celebrate, I wish you all the happiest of seasons and appreciate your generosity in helping our troops’ families to ring in a new year of love, hope and peace.

Veterans Day Thanks!

Today is Veterans Day, and a perfect time to thank all of our service men and women who are fighting for our freedoms. I don't have the words to express my own gratitude for what you do, but the sentiment is genuine and felt every day - not just on Veteran's Day.

I also want to send a special thanks to the families who are waiting for their loved ones to come home. You all pay a sacrifice that is so often overlooked. On Veterans Day, I hope that you know how much that sacrifice is appreciated, and that we hold you and your loved ones in our hearts. The gifts that Operation Marine Corps Kids sends is just a tiny gesture of our gratitude to you and your families.

Semper Fi.

Our Special Request Family is on their way home!

Many thanks to all of you who have sent donations for our Special Request Army Family.

We just got word from Dad in Afghanistan, that his wife and his five kids are finally going home to the army base in Germany. The kids' citizen paperwork is all in order, and they should be back on base in about two weeks.

I'm sure this move will be very tough on Grandma and Grandpa who have been loving their time with all the kids, and another overseas flight is sure to be difficult for the kids and mom. We hope to help by having a GREAT package of donations to send to them upon their arrival.

I'll be packing everything up a week or so, and getting it ready to mail to Germany. If anyone else is making something for this family, or would like to, please e-mail me at delia.mck.at.gmail.com and I'll be sure to hold the package until your donation arrives.

MCK Ribbed Cap

MCK Ribbed Cap

By Wormie

The following is an original copyrighted pattern. Please feel free to use it for charity or personal use. You may link to the pattern on this site, but please don’t post it elsewhere. If you do use and enjoy the pattern, please consider donating a completed cap to Marine Corps Kids. Thank you!

Uses small quantities of 2 colors of baby weight yarn (I used Bernat Softee) and a G (4.5 mm) hook.

Note: The ribbing in this hat is made with Front Post Double Crochet stitches. To form the crown of the hat, you will increase stitches in the first 5 rows. When increasing, you will do a DC in the same stitch as your FPDC. Starting in row 6 you no longer increase.

To start – with color A chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a loop.

1) chain 3 (counts as first DC here and throughout), 9 DC in loop (10 dc)

2) chain 3, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in SAME stitch*, repeat ** around ending with a FPDC, slip stitch to join (20 stitches– 10 each alternating DC and FPDC)

3) chain 3, dc in next stitch, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in same stitch, dc in next stitch*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing to color B (30 stitches)

4) with color B, chain 3, dc in next two stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in same stitch, dc in next 2 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color A (40 stitches)

5) with color A, chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in same stitch, dc in next 3 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

You are done increasing now. Continue pattern without increasing – you no longer will do a DC in the same stitch as your FPDC

6) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

7) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color B (50 stitches)

8) with color B chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color A (50 stitches)

9) with color A chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

10) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

11) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color B (50 stitches)

12) with color B, chain 3, FPDC in next stitch, dc in next stitch. Continue alternating FPDC and DC around the row to create a ribbed edging.

Thank you, Cindy!!

Several people have told me that they love what Marine Corps Kids does and would love to contribute, but that they aren't crafty. One of those people is my dear friend Cindy, from the Detroit area.

When Cindy heard about our special Army family she wanted to help. I just received this package from her with adorable socks for the kids and a pretty tote for mom filled with some yummy scented Crabtree and Evelyn goodies for mom.

Thank you Cindy!! The kids toes will stay warm this winter, and I'm sure mom will love the treat too!!!

Thank you, Kathy!

Kathy from Alabama sent this great fleece blanket and this adorable bag of balls for our special Army family. I think their little boy will love snuggling in this soft blanket, and I'm hoping that he'll enjoy playing with his sisters and this great set of balls.

Thank you, Kathy! Your work is beautiful and I think the kids are going to just love these!!

As soon as the family gets settled in Germany, we'll be sending these and the other donations. If anyone else is making, or would like to make, something for this family, please let me know (delia.mck@gmail.com)

Thank you!!

Thank you, Judy!!

Today I came home to a Large box of beautiful donations from Judy in PA. Inside were bags and bags or adorable sets for the kids. These photos show just a few of the cute sets that Judy sent. There are a few more in the photo album, and a few more that I haven't had the chance to photograph yet.

Thank you, Judy! Everything is just beautiful. The babies and there mom's will be thrilled to receive these!!

Hats from Laura

Today I received a package from Laura in Arkansas. Laura sent hats for our special Army family - one for each of the kids and a hat for mom too!!! The hats are beautiful! I'm still unpacking and have yet to find my camera, but when I do, I'll come back and post a photo!!!

The family is doing well. Mom and the kids are in the states with Grandma and Grandpa getting all of the citizenship papers worked out. Once everything is settled, mom and the kids will return to the Army base in Germany, and when they do, we'll send a package for them.

If anyone else is making things for the kids or would like to, please send me an e-mail at delia.mck@gmail.com, and I'll make sure your donations are included in the package.

Thanks also to Lynn in PA for for the recent boxes that you sent! Your work is beautiful and we appreciate your continued support!


Edited on 10-18 to add the photo!

Getting Chilly

Having lived in Florida for so long, I haven't experienced winter in quite some time. Now that I've moved to the mid-west, I'm experiencing climate shock. It's not winter yet, but I'm cold. It has reminded me of how many hats, blankets, sweaters and booties our tiny Marine Corps Kid heroes will need in the coming months.

There are many babies expected in the coming months, and I hope we can send gifts to all of them.

Whether you sew, knit or crochet, please consider sending gifts for the kids. If you're not a crafter but would like to contribute, you can choose to purchase a gift from our Marine Corps Kids store.

Pl0ease help us by spreading the word about our cause. We want to reach as many crafters and as many Service families as we can, and we rely on word of mouth to let people know that we're here!

Thank you all for your continued support!!

New Address!!

Marine Corps Kids has a new address, and we're ready to receive donations.

Please feel free to send hand-crafted gifts for the kids to:

Marine Corps Kids
2532 N. Skyline Drive
Bloomington, IN 47404

Change of Address

Dear Donors,

I want to thank everyone who has been supporting Operation Marine Corps Kids through their donations. The moms who receive your gifts are absolutely thrilled by them.

While I hope that you'll all continue to send donations for the kids, I'm writing to ask you not to send anything for a week or two. I am moving out of state, and will set up a new address for donations as soon as I'm settled in Indiana.

After this weekend, I'll probably be off-line for about a week; then I'll be back and will post a new address where you all can send donations. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me at delia.mck@gmail.com - don't be discouraged if it takes me a few days to respond - I'm in the midst of moving chaos, but I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks!

Delia

Say Hello to Valdryk

This little cutie is Valdryk. He won't be born until January, but he's a Marine Corps Kid.

The name Valdryk is a Norse name meaning "warrior", and he has earned the name with his struggle to survive through a difficult pregnancy.

Valdryk's mommy sent me this e-mail:

Thank you so much for all you do. I do a lot of volunteer work for the government and am usually on the "giving" end of this all so this is a new unique experience for me. I am so extremely grateful and thankful. Since I have not been able to work my normal job due to my health and preserving Valdryk's it has caused such a strain on our family. I can't wait until he is born and safe in his little bassinet so I can contribute once again wholly and financially to my family.

My husband has been such an angel I am truly blessed. He is a wonderful Marine, I am a former Marine so I guess that makes me qualified to say that, ha ha..

Thank you and every one for your care and concern. It is tough being a military family at times. We have lost so many friends in Iraq leaving behind children lately, it's been a little harder on our family with a new baby coming. I can see the hurt in my husbands eyes whenever any one mentions to my husband about missing the birth. That in itself is an entire different combat battle. The thoughtfulness of yourself and
others is really helping our family pull through this. Just knowing others care means so much to us.

My husband and I are Ordained Ministers and we pray so deeply for every one who opens their hearts to others they do not even know. You
are truly saints in the making. God Bless you and thank you so much for
your email and every thing you do.

Sincerely,
Mandy

Valdryk's parents and his brother and sisters are waiting for his arrival, and when he gets here, Operation Marine Corps Kids will send a special package to welcome him.

Marine Corps Family Foundation

The Marine Corps Family Foundation was selected as the America Supports You Homefront Organization of the Week last week!

The article mentions the great work that Marine Corps Kids is doing, as well as other ongoing Marine Corps Family Foundation projects such as Operation Santa and Operation Never Forgotten.

The Marine Corps Family Foundation sponsors and supports Marine Corps Kids and all of our efforts. For more information, check out the Marine Corps Family Foundation website here. Also check out Marine Corps Kids co-founder Deb's blog site, Marine Corps Moms for great articles, stories and links!

A message from a New Mom

Earlier this week I sent a gift package to a new mom. Her husband is overseas, and could not be here last week for the birth of their daughter.

Today I got this e-mail from her.

I received your gift yesterday. Thank you so much. It was absolutely
wonderful. I know that Baby M. will look beautiful in all the
wonderful blankets and hats. The little pig is also adorable and I am
sure she will love cuddling with it.

This is a great organization you have going here. I often feel like I'm the only one going through this and that no one understands, but after your gift and prayers, I know that we are going to be alright with the help and care of people like you.

Thank you so much. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.

Thanks again,
J

I wanted to share this note with all of our donors. The families of our service men and women face so many challenges and sacrifices, and even the smallest gift of a hat or blanket really can go a long way in bringing a smile.

Thank you all for your continued support!

Photo Album

As I said in a recent post, I regret that I haven't photographed all of our lovely donated items. I will be making an effort to do so going forward, or to at least get photos of a sampling of the items that everyone sends in.

I have created an online photo album for the images that I do have. If you haven't noticed, there is a link to this album on the menu bar to the right of this blog.

I'll continue to add photographs to the album as we receive more donations.

To all of you who sent donations for which I don't have photos, I am truly sorry. All the work is beautiful, and I do wish I had a record of it. I'll do better going forwards.

Thank you all!!

Delia

Hats from Melanie

These great fleece caps are just a small sample of those made and donated by Melanie in AL.

The hats are soft and fun. This easy sew pattern can be found online here (I've also added the link to our pattern side bar).

Thank you Melanie for the great hats and the beautiful crochet blanket that you sent!!

A new way to support Operation Marine Corps Kids

I am proud to announce the grand opening of the Operation Marine Corps Kids Online Store! This is an easy way to help Operation Marine Corps Kids support our service men and women and their families.

Shop the store for great deals on Marine Corps Kids logo merchandise. You can buy these goods for yourself, for the family of your favorite Marine, or as a donation to Operation Marine Corps Kids efforts.

100% of our proceeds from these sales will help to defer Operation Marine Corps Kids' operating costs.

Follow the link above or to the right of this page to enter our store and view our great selections.

Thank you for your continued support, and please keep those blankets, hats, sweaters and booties coming!

9-11-07

Six years later and I still don't know what to feel.

A friend posted the other day that this year we should try to mark the day by doing something good. I think that's the best way to manage any emotions I may be feeling. Memories are still fresh.

I woke up sort of forgetting the date, until I turned on my PC. Then I had a wierd feeling. I think it's a day to remember, but a day to really LIVE too, and it's still early to know how to balance all that.

Then I got an e-mail. Last week Deb copied me on an e-mail from an expecting mom who's husband is in Iraq. She had read about Operation Marine Corps Kids and was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Deb and I both wrote back. This morning I got an e-mail from her. Her little girl arrived on Sunday! Daddy hasn't seen her yet, but they did get to speak on the phone.

So today I will be packing up a box from the donations we received and sending it to her. I know that the mom is appreciative, but timing is everything. On 9-11 I get to send her a package, and I get to remember all the brave people who died 6 years ago and our troops who are overseas, while also focusing on moving forward, the next generation, and hope for the future.

Some of our Donations

Every time I receive donations for Operation Marine Corps Kids, I am overwhelmed by the generosity and the incredible talent of our donors! Sometimes I receive so many items that its impossible to photograph everything, but I am going to start to photograph as many items as I can and share pictures of some of the beautiful donations that we receive!

The items pictured here are just a sampling of the beautiful work donated by Judy in Pennsylvania. Thank you, Judy! All of these lovely items will be sent to the babies soon!

To the rest of you who have sent in donations, I'm sorry that I didn't get to photograph everything. All the work is fabulous! I will make an effort to show more pictures to the group and to save photographs in an on-line album that I can share with all of you.

Special Notice

Operation Marine Corps Kids will soon be moving and will have a new mailing address. Anyone sending things this week is fine - the move may not take place for several weeks. Please send me an e-mail at delia.mck@gmail.com when you are planning to send donations, and I will confirm where to send your packages. When our new address if finalized, I'll post it here on the blog for everyone to see.

Also, I wanted to point out our patterns section on the right side of our blog page. I have links there to several of my own designs as well as to some pages where you can find other free patterns on-line. If any of you have original patterns that you would like to share with our group, I would be delighted to post links to them - just let me know.

Thanks again to everyone for their continued support!!!

A Special Request

Operation Marine Corps Kids is dedicated to supporting the families or all our service men and women.

While we continue with our regular collections, I am posting today about a special collection that we are organizing for a soldier who is deployed with the Army in Afghanistan. He and his wife are expecting – not just one, but five children!!!

The couple is adopting five children from Ethiopia. The new mom is currently en route to the US with the kids to get their US citizenship, then they will be going to Germany where her husband is based. We would like to create a special gift package to welcome them into their new family.

Overnight this family will grow from a couple to a family of seven including six year-old twin girls, 4 year-old boy and girl twins, and a one year-old baby girl. Mom will be on her own with the kids until dad completes his tour of duty.

We will be collecting hand-crafted blankets, toys, hats, scarves, mittens, and sweaters – anything that these kids might need to help them feel welcomed and to help them deal with a climate that is a bit cooler than what they may be used to.

If you are interested in making something for these children, please feel free to e-mail me at delia.mck@gmail.com. While we appreciate all donations, we want to organize this one to ensure that all the kids receive an appropriate number of gifts.

The Few. The Proud. The Marines.

Yesterday I received the following e-mail:

The United States Marine Corps and JWT are honored to announce that "The
Few. The Proud. The Marines." has been nominated BEST SLOGAN for the
Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. More than just a slogan, these
three sentences represent what Marines are all about, epitomizing the
challenge of becoming (The Few), and the reward of being (The Proud), one
of the elite (The Marines). Suffice it to say, Few slogans convey such a
Proud tradition.

With your help, we now have the opportunity to immortalize these words as
an American cultural icon. The Marine Corps will compete with 26 others for
entry into the hall of fame based upon total number of votes received
online.

The winning slogan will be etched on a plaque, and set alongside other
time-honored brands on Madison Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.

We ask that you vote for "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." by going to
this website and voting.

Be sure to pass this email along to your co workers, family members and
friends so that they may also vote. We are confident a concentrated effort
will deliver "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." into the hall of fame, in
its rightful place among elite American slogans. Thank you for your
support.

I placed my vote, and am sharing the link in hopes that you'll vote too! It's another easy way to support our brave Marines!

Of course your hand-crafted donations for Marine Corps Kids are still being accepted and distributed. It's a wonderful way to show our support for the families!

Update

Over the past two months, thanks to the generosity of our charitable donors, we have sent gifts of hats, blankets, booties, sweaters and toys to the families of our troops. The response to our initial announcements has been heartwarming.

Many thanks to all of you who have expressed interest in contributing to this worthy cause, and to all of you who have so generously donated your time and your beautiful craft works. Your donations are so appreciated.

We are accepting donations of hand-crafted baby items - hats, blankets, booties, bibs, toys and clothing. All forms of craft work are accepted and appreciated! Whether you crochet, knit, sew or quilt, your beautiful crafts will be sent to the families of our serving Marines. Feel free to use the patterns of your choice. We only ask that all items be baby-appropriate in color and fiber. Please use soft yarns in acrylic and/or cotton. We discourage the use of wool or wool blends which could create allergy issues for some children.

Your donations are a significant gesture of support those who keep the home fires burning!

Donations can be sent to:

Marine Corps Kids
1570 LaCosta Drive West
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027

Thank you all for your continued support and for helping to spread the word about this worthy cause.

Patterns

We want Operation Marine Corps Kids to be an organization where people can donate what they enjoy making. We don't restrict what patterns you use, we simply ask that your donations be baby friendly in color and fibers. Please use soft acrylic and/or cotton yarns or fabrics. Colors should be appropriate for babies.

In the pattern section, I have posted links to several of my own crochet patterns as well as links to sites that share many other free patterns. Feel free to use any of these, but don't feel restricted. Whether you crochet, knit, weave or sew we are delighted to accept your donations and distribute them to the families of our Marines who are serving overseas.

Many thanks to all our contributors for their generous donations and continued support!

more donations

Word about Operation Marine Corps Kids is spreading, and we are getting more requests for donations. Lots of Marine Corps Family babies are expected in the next few months, and I hope to be able to send gifts to as many as we possibly can!

We sent out two cartons of gifts today, and I will be packing up much more to ship over the weekend.

Many thanks to Judy, Vee, Lynn and Sue for their lovely and generous donations.

As word spreads our need for blankets, booties and other baby items will increase.

Please help spread the word about Operation Marine Corps Kids and our goals. Your donations are very much appreciated.

Such an outpouring of generosity!

Many thanks to everyone who is showing interest in donating to Operation Marine Corps Kids, and to all those who are helping to spread the word about our mission. The outpouring of generosity has been truly heartwarming.

Just today I received numerous e-mails from people who want to donate. Many people are making hats, blankets and toys for the kids, we've had several monetary donations, and my sister sent me a huge box filled with all the yarn shown above so that I can make more things to send to the babies.

We've sent many hats and blankets for the three baby girls that where born in the past few weeks and for the dozens more that are expected in the next few months. With the wonderful response that I'm seeing from charitable crafters, we'll have many more things to donate!

Just as the word is passing amongst crafters, the word seems to be passing through the Marine Corps family organizations. So many women will be giving birth while their husbands are serving overseas. I hope we'll be able to send gifts to all of them!


Thank you all for your generosity and support!

Our Logo

The English Bulldog is the mascot of the US Marine Corps. When we conceived of the idea of Operation Marine Corps Kids, the bulldog pup was the obvious choice for our logo.

Sara Ascalon, a very talented graphic designer, was kind enough to design our adorable Bulldog pup logo. Below is a card that all our contributors can send with their donations. I have created these donation cards to work with size 3612 Avery business cards. You can print these on regular paper and cut them, or e-mail me at delia.mck@gmail.com and I will send you the file to print on Avery labels.

Thank you

Now that Operation Marine Corps Kids is up and running, I want to say a special thank you to everyone who has so generously donated already.

We have received numerous donations from crafters in Mississippi, Alabama, Oregon, Maryland, California, Indiana and Florida. Many thanks to all of you who have donated! We appreciate your support and welcome your continued contributions towards this effort!

Operation Marine Corps Kids

700,000 children in this country have a parent at war. When babies are born to deployed troops, it's doubly hard for both mom and dad. The dad must wait weeks or months to meet his newest child. The mom has responsibilities of both parents, juggling the exhausting care of a newborn while meeting the needs of other children without the help of her husband. It's a sacrifice, and one that military families make every single day.

Operation Marine Corps Kids is a new effort designed to support the quiet heroines of this war and the littlest heroes - the kids that miss their daddy but know that he is away helping to protect them.


Operation Marine Corps Kids will send care packages to the families of deployed troops when babies are born. The packages might include a hand-crafted baby afghan, cap or bonnet, booties or toy. With sufficient resources, we'll also be able to include a handmade toy for other kids in the family. It's a small, but significant, gesture of love and support for those who keep the home fires burning alone.


After our initial project announcement, crafters from all over the United States generously worked and sent some beautiful hats and blankets to get us started. Now, we are ready to start sending packages.


Our first package will be mailed this week to the new mom of a precious baby girl in California! We also know of about twenty other expecting mom’s who we will be sending gifts to in the next few months.


We invite all crafters at every level to join us in this effort. No gift is too small and all gifts are appreciated. Donations of hand crafted clothing, hats, blankets, booties and toys will be accepted. Feel free to use any pattern of your choosing. We do ask that all donations be in soft acrylic or cotton yarns, and that color choices be appropriate for babies.


If you would like to help us with a monetary donation to help cover the cost of postage, you can donate through PayPal at this site. Many thanks to Deb of Marine Corps Moms and to the VA Mortgage Center for their donation which is making this all possible.

Donations can be sent to:

Marine Corps Kids
4524 E Beardsley Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401

For more information, contact Delia at delia.mck@gmail.com or Deb at deb@marinecorpsmoms.com.