Thank you Karen and Lori!

My sincere apology to Karen and Lori from Wisconsin.  They sent in a package about a week and a half ago, and after I photographed the gifts, I neglected to post them to our blog! 

Karen and Lori are long time donors to Marine Corps Kids, and often send in packages of gifts that the two have made. 

Their most recent package contained these cute fleece receiving blankets sewn by Karen.  They are so soft and snuggly, and so practical for the new moms!  I love them!

Lori made this two-sided flannel blanket and this darling fleece hat. 

Thank you both!  Your continued support is so appreciated!!

Thank you, Miss Deb

Miss Deb wrote:

" I was looking for a small project for WWKIP (world wide knit in public) day and was given a link to your website.  I think you have a worthy cause and I am glad to contribute.  My small project turned into this box of projects.  I hope you find them useful.

...There is a lot of love included for these babies.   And a prayer that the baby daddies come home soon and safe.  Thank you for the opportunity to be a positive influence on their lives.

Miss Deb
Palm Springs, CA"

One thing is certain - this is no "small project"!  These gifts are beautiful!  Miss Deb sent 3 crocheted blankets, 3 bootie/mitt sets, a hat and 6 amazing sweaters!  As a beginner knitter who is currently attempting my first knit sweater, I am in awe of the detailed designs in these sweaters!  The stripes, hearts, scottie dogs, and owls are absolutely delightful!

Thank you so much, Miss Deb, for your generous gifts!  I know that the new moms who receive them will be delighted!

Another pink sweater

I'm still working my way through my pink Patons Silk Bamboo, so I made another sweater and hat for Marine Corps Kids.  I improvised heavily on this pattern, but like the way it turned out.  It will be on it's way to one of the babies soon.

More from Martha!

This week another box arrived from Martha in Oklahoma.  The blankets, hats and booties that she made are beautiful!

Martha made 7 blankets this time, and the patterns and textures are amazing.  There are shells bobbles, zig-zags, and granny squares.  Each is delightful, and the matching hats and booties are precious.

Thank you so much, Martha, for your continued support.  Thanks to crafters like you who continue to donate, we are able to send gifts to so many military families!!

Bibs from Sharon

Sharon from Colorado sent in a box of great bibs for the babies.

I love these!  The top picture shows some over the head bibs.  I have not seen this design before, but I think it's great.  I photographed one from the back side so you can see how the neck is like a sweater neck line.  It slips right over babies head so that no ties or buttons are necessary.  The second photo shows some traditional style bibs that Sharon made. 

New parents need a lot of bibs for their little ones, so I'm always pleased to be able to include them in the gift bundles.

Thank you so much, Sharon, for your continued support and generosity!

Top and Hat set

Just finished another little top and hat to donate.  This time I used this sweet pattern for the smock.  I improvised to make a matching hat.

This is another sweet pattern that is relatively simple. 

I have several more skeins of this pink yarn, so there may be a few more of these coming.  Then I need to start making some things for the baby boys!!

Gifts from Angela

Angela from Maryland sent in a box filled with wonderful gifts!

In it were 5 beautiful crocheted blankets, 5 cotton bibs, and 3 adorable stuffed toys.

These gifts have all been included in gift bundles that I put together this morning, and will be on there way to the families today!

Thank you so much, Angela!  The families appreciate these gifts so much, and we are thrilled that you have chosen to support them through Marine Corps Kids!

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Thank you!

Blankets from Denise

Today I received 12 beautiful crocheted blankets and a hat from Denise in California.

The blankets are all in different patterns and different yarns, and they are truly lovely!

I am working to put together hundreds of gifts for the upcoming baby shower and other needs, so these will soon be on their way to the babies.

Thank you so very much Denise!  Your generosity is appreciated!

Another quick and easy baby dress

Just finished another baby dress for Marine Corps Kids. 

This pattern is just as easy (or perhaps easier) than the dress I posted yesterday and is a great project for beginners. 

I had fun making this dress and will probably make more.

Thank you, Diane!

Diane from Ohio sent in another package for the kids.  In it were a big bag of her darling quilted balls and pillow toys, 3 bibs and 2 pairs of booties.

The stitching on the booties is so delicate - I can't imagine I'll ever master that level of expertise!  The bibs have darling designs worked into the stitch work, and the toys are great!  I love including these balls in the gift packages!  They are the perfect size for tiny hands, and so colorful and cheery.

Thank you so much, Diane!  I know that you've had a lot going on this year, and am so grateful that you still made time to craft for Marine Corps Kids!

Baby Dress

This is a simple little dress that I made for Marine Corps Kids.  It's a light and airy pattern which should be great for these hot summer months.

This is a very simple pattern to make, and I completed the dress in just a few hours.  If anyone is interested in the pattern, it is a great choice for beginners.  The skirt is made with Solomon's Knot, but the pattern include video instructions which make the entire dress really simple to complete.  If you are interested, you can find the pattern here.

Welcome Kathy!

Kathy from Michigan is a new crafter for Marine Corps Kids!  Today I received 3 beautiful knit blankets from her. 

These blankets are so soft and warm - I know that the new moms and their babies will be delighted with them! 

Thank you so much, Kathy, for supporting our military families in this way!  Your generosity is appreciated!!

Gifts from Christen

Many thanks to Christen from Oregon for making these darling hats and wash cloths for the babies. 

Her package arrived today - just in time to be included in bundles that we're preparing for The baby shower in Washington, and the gifts needed at Camp Pendleton.

Thank you so much Christen!

Upcoming needs

I spent some time this afternoon packing up gift bundles for the babies.  It's a rewarding task as I get to see all the beautiful things our crafters make, and mix and match them to create special gifts.

What you see in the photo is 29 gifts that I wrapped today.

Just this weekend I received a request for gifts for a military baby shower in Washington State.  250 families will be attending.  The gifts that I bundled today are just a tiny portion of what we hope to supply for the baby shower.  In addition, we'll receive more requests from bases like 29 Palms, Miramar, Camp Lejune and Quantico. 

The babies keep arriving, and our need for your donations continues to be strong.  Because our donors are so dedicated, we have reached thousands of families.

Marine Corps Kids will accept donations of any new, hand-crafted baby items.  We need blankets, sweaters, booties, hats, bibs, burp cloths, toys and more.  We tend to receive many hats and blankets, but are always in need of booties, bibs, sweaters and toys.  We are very happy to accept and distribute whatever it is that you enjoy making for the babies, so please continue to be generous.  Everything sent in goes to a military family, and they appreciate your gifts so much.

On a personal note, I want to thank all our wonderful crafters.  If ever I get depressed or discouraged, I go to my Marine Corps Kids prep room (the spare bedroom where I collect your gifts and bundle them) and look at all the love.  When so much of what we see and hear on the news is bad, I feel privileged to be connected with so many wonderful, giving people who choose to support our military families.  Thank you all for your continued support, and for allowing me to coordinate this wonderful project that we have created together!

More from Martha

Martha from Oklahoma has been very busy making gifts for the babies!  Yesterday another package arrived from her containing 3 blankets, 3 hats and a pair of booties.

These gifts are so beautiful and will be so cherished.

Thank you so much, Martha, for your ongoing support!