15 minutes a dress...

I have been working production line style on Pillow Cases Dresses as part of Little Big Girl Studio's


I had planned to make just one but couldn't decide what to make so I grabbed so fabric and started a production line....I cut out ten dresses and then set to work sewing...


I have worked out it takes about 15 or so minutes to make one....not long...they really are so easy...I think my favourite is the dark brown gingham...

I have a stash of fabric for Children of the Forest projects...I made twirling skirts last November to send...it is the pile on the right...


I always check out the remnants bin when I am waiting in line at Spotlight as often pick up some nice fabric, and check out the clearance section, and save fabric from projects of my own....And Textile Traders have remnants for $1...

And to make a baby size dress only requires about 40x60cm of fabric...I have plenty of scraps that size!

I have made all size dresses depending on the size of the pieces of fabric I had....

Even though I have joined in this sew-a-long I am just going to send my dresses straight to the Children of the Forest as I know they will appreciate them too...

I got the pattern from my Craft Hope book...which also has a specific project for Children of the Forest in it...and so that fits in with my other project this year...The Craft Book Challenge ...see the button to the right....

My plan next month is to make at least 10 pairs of shorts...they aren't so hard either...just have to work out a pattern and some sizes...and stock up on a few more boyish fabrics...but I will make some girls shorts too...Lissy

rice, rice, rice....

 At Christmas Children of the Forest had a Christmas Rice Appeal


They are trying to raise money for rice.

It is their main food.

They need 30kg of rice to feed all 150 children in the Child Protection Centre for one whole day.

30 kg of rice costs AUS $16 (GBP10)


They have raised enough money for rice for 166 days this year…until the end of April...

 They still need to raise money to buy rice for the other 199 days this year.

It is easy to donate through the link above...
 
Please help if you can and feed the kids for a day...
 
Please contact me if you have any queries....Lissy

Edited....many thanks to Nadene, Livvy and Jake and Bec S for donating...that is 170 days covered!

I am joining in...

I am going to join in why don't you join in too....hosted by Little Big Girl Studio ....pillowcases dresses are very quick and easy to make....

I am aiming to make one as I have a few other things I am supposed to be doing at the moment...but if I get my act together I will try and make a few...

It doesn't take much fabric...or use a pillowcase...see what you can do!

There are plenty of patterns to be found on line...easier still pop to the Dress A Girl Around the World website and there are patterns there...

And you can make stuff for boys too...Lissy

christmas in the forest...

And so Father Christmas came to the Forest...


And everyone got presents...
 

And got to open them...


And to have a new friend to love...


Thanks for all those who donated toys and clothing to be sent...

You have put a smile on a child's face this Christmas...

The Rice Appeal is going well and has raised £1,412.40...

And a special thanks to Zoe (8) and Sabine (6) who sold mini christmas trees to raise money...fabulous job!

Imagine the relief of the staff to know they have the funds secured to feed the children for the next three months! You can still donate here!

I am currently gathering school supplies to send...lead pencils, coloured pencils, erasers, and crayons...let me know if you can help...

And here's to a great New Year for you all and for the Children of the Forest...Lissy

and the winner is...

Well the names went in the hat...for the Christmas Giveaway with a Difference!
And Evangeline drew out...NADENE

CONGRATULATIONS Nadene! I have donated the money! I know your email so I can let you know when the Essential Care Package for Children of the Forest has been received by CoF for you!

A year's supply of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...It costs $ AUS 24 (£15) to provide these every day essentials for a year...

And the Christmas Rice Appeal is going well...thanks too Kylie for donating! £886 raised so far! You can donate here...

They eat £10 (30 kg) of rice a day! So they have raised about 88 days worth of rice...277 more days of rice needed to ensure a supply for 2011...£10 is about AUS $16...


Merry Christmas!
Lissy

christmas rice appeal...

Children of the Forest are having a Christmas Rice Appeal....

Here's the details....

A unique way to help Children of the Forest this Christmas.

With COF continuing to grow all of the time, providing food to all those within the project is a constant concern.

Currently COF requires 1000kg of rice per month just to feed all of the children and mothers within our protection centres.

In order to help COF cope with this need, we're launching a Christmas Rice Appeal.

We are asking you to consider buying 30kg of rice for Children of the Forest on a friend's behalf as a memorable and unique Christmas present for them.

To put this into context, 30kg of rice will feed all 150 children in the Child Protection Centre for one day.

You will receive a card to give to your friend, marking the donation and explaining what has been done in their name .

We hope that this will be a great way to raise funds for a supply of rice for 2011, whilst also spreading the word about COF's work to your friends and family.

The cost of this is £10 (about $AUS 16) per card, but we ask that you add 80p to your total donation in order to cover the costs of postage & packaging. After printing costs, £9.50 of your donation will go directly to Children of the Forest to buy the 30kg of rice.

To place your order for the card, please email Karen on karen.hargrave@gmail.com. You will need to include in your email:

The number of cards you wish to order, Your method of payment and amount paid, and Your postal address
You can pay for this in two ways:

1. You can send a cheque made out to 'Children of the Forest' to: Karen Hargrave, Heatherleigh, Bonsey Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PP UK

2. You can pay via the justgiving site (http://www.justgiving.com/ChristmasRice). PAYPAL or Credit Card....Just follow the instructions to donate, ensuring that your name is visible with your donation (for our ease in keeping track of who has paid). Please note that this donation is not eligible for gift aid.

If you could pass this information about the Rice Appeal on to anyone else you think might be interested, we'd be extremely grateful!

Thank so much for your time -
Merry Christmas from Children of the Forest

So I donated for Morganne and Evangeline...easy to do through paypal...

And I have just donated for another friend Pierre who gave me the cash today! So go ahead!

Make a donation as you know you will be enjoying a little more than rice for Christmas! 

And a lovely freind gave me a bag of coins this morning...$6.40 of 5c coins...to add to our collection! Thanks Michelle! That is three months of  essential supplies for one child!

And don't forget to join in my Christmas Giveaway...see post below...ends December 16th... Lissy

it's raining toys...

I have posted off 8 bags of donated soft toys in the last couple of weeks to the Children of the Forest...about 120 toys....

for Something to Love for Christmas...and I have a few more to send...the last two bags will be posted today...

Evangeline bought a couple of toys last Friday with her pocket money...from the market day at school...It was her idea...she is getting to an age where she can understand about the true joy of giving...

And look they have started arriving!

Goodness knows where the staff will hide them all for the next 19 days!

The Children of the Forest will have a Merry Christmas!

I cannot wait to see photos when they get them! Ho Ho Ho....Lissy

helping the children...

I couldn't get to sleep last night...and I got to thinking...about helping the Children of the Forest children...and why I do it...I cannot bare the thought of children being vulnerable and going without...the movie Slum Dog Millionaire still gives me nightmares...

As for the Children of the Forest...here is the update...

Mark (Manager, the Children of the Forest Foundation) says...

"We have 138 kids living with us on site.

About 100 are in our full care.

38 children are with mothers in one of the steps of COF Mother and Child Protection Program.

The children range in age for 6 months to 18yrs.

About 60% are girls.

6 months to 3yrs - 8 children.

4yrs- 8yrs - 40 children.

8yrs to 12yrs - 40 children.

13yrs to 18 yrs- 50 children"

And  helping these children is keeping me very busy!...recently 150 pairs of underpants were collected and sent thanks to the girls in Hyden...for the Undie Drive...though this is only one pair per child so I am hoping to send some more...so keep them coming...especially underwear for teens...and if you have any bras available they are always needed....

I have made and sent 11 skirts...for our part in Craft Hope... I hope to get a few more made and even try some shorts and pillow case dresses...and maybe some back packs from the book....

And 110 soft toys have been posted...one family donated this...yes 6 garbage bags of toys...collected by Sharon and delivered to me...amazing....These are for our Something to Love for Christmas collection...And all of which have been posted in the last couple of weeks...Parcels of donated clothing and shoes are sent on a regular basis...

And 140 toothbrushes were sent this week...which was my addition to this weeks shopping list...and I found Target sell packs of 15 pairs of white socks like these ones for $15...perfect...so a grabbed some of them as well...They need them as part of their Thai school uniform...

And my girls have found more spare change around the house and in the car for our $2 a month project...so we have now collected $9.15c...which includes our 5c jar...

How are your collections of 5c coins coming along?...

And don't forget to join in my Christmas Giveaway....just see the post below and leave a comment...Lissy

christmas giveaway...with a difference...

So Christmas is coming...in a mere 23 days...had you noticed!

And in the festive spirit...I am going to have a giveaway...

with a difference...

The lucky winner will have
a Children of the Forest Essential Care Package
given in their name...

A years supply of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...It costs $ AUS 24 to provide these every day essentials for a year...
So come on, come out of the wood work and leave me a COMMENT on this post, any comment, even just a hello...only takes a minute!

There is a Post A Comment button at the end of this post...or email me...button on right of page...

And the entries will go in a hat to be drawn by Evangeline...on December 16th...

And then I will donate the money for you!

Join in and spread some festive cheer...Lissy

our 5c jar...

Here is our 5 c jar...we added more coins this week...I am actually pleased when I get some 5c in my change at the shops...though I have managed to resist asking for change in 5c coins....lol...

It is great to get the kids involved too...E and M like making the piles of ten coins to count...we have $4.20 in just 5c coins so far...two months worth of supplies...

We will soon have $24 to donate a essential child care package for Children of the Forest...

It will provide the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...to last a year...

It would be a great thing to do as a part of Advent...maybe I should get the kids to raid their Grandparents change too...

How is your jar coming along? Lissy

a special gift...

I have been busy this weekend making a special gift...it is to send to Porpoyii for Christmas (who we sponsor at Children of the Forest)...I think it is the gift that has made me happiest this year...

I made her a tote bag...It is made of red denim...with some cute red stars fabric by Anna Griffin...I also made a pencil case (red stars) and a toiletries bag (red and blue denim)...

I made loads of mistakes and my machine desperately needs a service as it is not sewing well...but I am sure Porpoyii will not mind!
 
Evangeline and I went shopping yesterday and she bought with her pocket money some coloured pencils, some lead pencils and a spotty notebook to send...


I bought some small soap, a little bottle of shampoo, some toothpaste, a tooth brush and a hair brush, some hair clips and a visual diary, sharpener and eraser to add to the bag...

I hope to get it posted this week....

And on my shopping list this week...140 toothbrushes...I can get packs of 9 from Red Dot for $3...I need 15 packs...$46...not so much really...I figure they maybe need some new ones...

I am planning on adding something to my shopping each week...a hairbursh, a packet of underpants, coloured pencils, crayons, lead pencils ...things they need...a few dollars for us each week...we won't miss it...but the good will be greatly appreciated at Children of the Forest...

What Christmas Gift is making you the most happy this year?  Lissy

it is real...

I am a bit of a sceptic really...wondering where money goes when it is donated to charity...does it really get through to those in need??? Unfortunately I think a lot of the times it does not...

BUT

I know Children of the Forest is real...I know they receive all our parcels that we send...because they send me many photo like these every time...
And these are our old school uniforms we have been sending since we changed to polo shirts...

And I have regular email contact from Mark and Tom to find out what is needed...and to let me know things have arrived and are greatly appreciated...with emails like these...

The steady arrival of your parcels have really made a difference to the lives of the children here...

Sorry we haven't been in touch and sent photos. We have been particularly busy due to recent events in Burma affecting our programs. I have put together an update newsletter which I will send out later today or tomorrow. We need lots of help at the moment so big thanks for all your efforts Lis.

I just wanted to let you know how much the staff and children look forward to and appreciate your parcels. A big thank you to you and all your friends and family who support our vital work.

Just to let you know that we have received another parcel..... big thanks to all who are contributing.

Thanks for the wonderful parcels recently. As I have said many times, without your help and your supporters help we we would really struggle to find the beautiful clothes you are providing the children. Thank you again.

Sorry for the delay in responding. We have been receiving your parcels and they continue to play a vital part in our child protection program. We struggle to find money for clothes but your donation means that our children look smart and cared for and most importantly they love to wear what you send.I am attaching a few photos....

I am not sharing this to make myself look good...I actually find it rather embarrassing...but to let you know that your contributions really do make a difference...

We get hand drawn cards from Porpoyii (who we sponsor)

And from other children...And I know I could visit anytime...but at the moment I feel my time and money is better spent providing things they need...though Evangeline asks quite often to go and meet Porpoyii so maybe one day when she is older we will go...

Sharon made a donation through paypal yesterday and received an email from Tom...your help really does go where it is needed and it is really appreciated...

Many children are saved from traffikers...and they are in a safe haven being provided with a home, schooling and health care...

So keep collecting those 5c coins!! Lissy

two dollars...

So...

Do you have a spare $2 floating around in your change jar???

Lost under the seat of your car???

Fallen out of your pocket in the laundry???

Well did you know that measly $2 can provide a child care package of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...to last a month...

Yes a mere $2 a month to have the basics that none of us would consider going with out...

That makes a grand total of $24 a year...

Well this time I am going to ask…straight out...can you please donate $2 a month...

We have worked out that it costs about $270 per month to purchase the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls) each month locally in Thailand for Children of the Forest... See post below...

That works out at about $2 per child per month…but they are struggling to provide essentials like food and health care…so they mostly go without these basics...

So now I am asking….can you commit to $2 per month…for a child care package of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder…

Not per day…not per week…per month….$2

$24 dollars a year ...not a month...a year...to provide these essentials for a child…

I think we can all do it…I know we can all do it...that is one family meal at McDonald’s for us or a few magazines…per year…nothing…but an amazing gift to these children…

You can donate directly through paypal on the charity’s website...(Friends and Family...I am happy for you to give the money to me to donate for you if you would prefer...but paypal is easy and secure...)


Maybe you could ask some friends or family to donate…or make it one of your Christmas presents for the year...or you could give it as a gift to someone...

Or encourage your kids to share some of their pocket money...can they spare 20 or 50c a week or a month??

Or maybe you could stretch to donating $5 per month…

Perhaps you can just start a spare change jar...it won't take long to get a jar of 5c, 10c 20c and 50c coins...

What do you think? Do you think you can afford $2 a month??? Sure you can..

Some people tell me they cannot afford to help...but you can...

I just counted our change jar of 5c 10c and 20c pieces...there isn't much in there...mainly 5c coins...change that the kids play with...and I needed a photo for my post....lol...

Well there was $3 of just 5c coins alone...and a total of $6.30...three months of essential supplies...I plan to get the kids looking around the house and car for more change tomorrow...won't take long to find $24 for this year...

So just grab a jar and save only 5c coins for the year...your change from lunch or morning coffee...clear out the 5c pieces from your wallet each week...and the coins just laying around that you do not even bother to pick up...You can afford to help....it is just down to whether you want to or not!And I know you do!

OK so I am putting the hard word on which is so unlike me...but please help...don't hate me...or avoid me in the street...I just didn't realise that so very little could help so very much...Go on...help...you will feel good if you do...Lissy

each month....

Each month Children of the Forest use

• shampoo - 100 bottles
• soap - 100 bars
• toothpaste - 100 tubes
• Baby powder - 100 pots
• clothes washing powder - 75kg
• sanitary pads - 60 packs

And with recent events in Burma there has been an influx of refugees...so more strain on the resources...and obviously most funds go to food and health care...

They are only a small charity and need all the help they can get...
Clothing and underwear is always needed...

And these items for schooling are in short supply too...new or used but in reasonable condition is greatly appreciated...any sizes as there are kids and teenagers of all ages...

Can you help?

A little bit by each person adds up...one pair of socks, some underpants, a tube of tooth paste and a bar of soap would make a huge difference to a child's life...

Items can be sent directly to me or to Thailand...I collect up items until I can send a large parcel as that is more economical...maybe you could get together with a few friends and send a parcel??

I am looking into the cost of shipping boxes...any help or info about this would be appreciated...

Or maybe you would like to give a donation...via PAYPAL...each bit adds up...$20 can make a huge difference...

Or sponsor a child? This can be done directly through the charity's website...it costs us about $7 a week to sponsor our girl...not much really...the cost of a magazine??

See what you can do!

With thanks....Lissy

PS...I am not a charity or paid to do this...it is just something I like to do...to help these kids that have so little...and it makes me so happy when people come forward to help too...but please do not avoid me feeling I may proposition you!

Christmas in the Forest...

NEWS FLASH

Father Christmas is planning on visiting the Forest…

But he needs some help…

I have been sending clothing and the odd toy to the Children of the Forest in Thailand…for last Christmas we sent practical gifts…as requested…from Mark's email 2009...."This year for Christmas we have told the children that Father Christmas can only bring a clothing item. Hat, shoes, jackets etc and we have asked the children to write a letter choosing an item. Daniel introduced FC when the project first started not realising that FC would soon have more than 150 children to visit. Perhaps some of the things that you might be able to send in the parcels could be used to help our already stretched budget."

As I am sending clothing on an ongoing basis as things are donated…

I thought this year it would be nice to send…

SOMETHING TO LOVE for CHRISTMAS

I have been saving the soft toys donated recently trying to gather at least 150 to send for Christmas…

So if you are having a pre Christmas Toy Clear Out at your house…maybe you can find a soft toy or two to donate.

Postage is very expensive so if you can offer any assistance in this area it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to get it all posted by the end of November...Lissy

PS we are still collecting UNDERWEAR to send for the UNDIE DRIVE...

little girls should have a skirt for twirling...

I made 6 skirts today...skirts that I hope some little girls will do some twirling in...

Not my girls...

But little girls at the Children of the Forest...as part of Craft Hope...

A friend asked me today why I do all this...meaning collecting and sending clothes and underwear and so on to Children of the Forest...well my answer is probably simply because I want to...

This skirt making has only cost my time...I have raided my stash for ric rac and ribbon...and some fabric scraps from clothes I have made for my girls...and a few pillow cases I thrifted yesterday...

Morganne was happy to model twirling in the pink one even though it was a little big...I started with the idea of following the skirt in the Craft Hope book...but soon got side tracked creating all sorts of different skirts for twirling...But making these skirts made me think a little more...I tried to make each one completely different...To make something special for a little girl who does not have a mum or a grandma to make her things...to make her a twirly skirt...

Please contact me if you would like to join in and are not sure what to do...Lissy