MY 2CENTS ON WASHCLOTHS

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I know most experience shoebox packers include a wash cloth.  I have three points to make.

1.  Use packaging to sew a hanging loop on the cloth.  Have you ever sent a kid to camp?  There aren't usually towel bars available, maybe a nail.  I imagine that this might also be the case for shoebox recipients.  I think it is a thoughtful thing to do.  It only takes a minute or so.  
I use the ribbon or twill tape that comes around the package.  I have always had enough.  See below.

2.  Do any of you live in the South and have boys?  When my boys were small, it was IMPOSSIBLE to keep their socks white. Back to the Summer Camp theme, white items were never a good thing to send with them.  This would also be true for shoebox recipients using well water or river water.

I try not to send white washcloths, a few sneak through when in an assortment.  Try to pick colors that won't be stained with mineral stains.

3.  Prices are all over the place.

Home Goods:  $4.99 for 8
Big Lots $5 for 9 (some packages have 8)
Walmart $3.47 for 18
Target on sale $3 for 8  ( I haven't seen these in person)

In the past, I used the Walmart ones.  I have given up even the price is soooo good.  These are cheap, thin, flimsy.  When my husband was doing his PhD research in Mexico, I remember how HARSH the detergent was.  Our clothes were in tatters when we left.  The Walmart washcloths just won't last.  Spend  few extra bucks and spring for a quality washcloth.  Does anyone have any feedback on the Target ones?  Other sources?

SHOESTRING: TUESDAY MORNING VS DOLLAR TREE

Cheap thread at Tuesday Morning.  I know Dollar Tree is a favorite place to fill a shoebox.  It isn't always the best place in terms of quality and price.

This is a great example that I found yesterday at Tuesday Morning. This package of 12 spools of thread, needles and threader were only 49 cents. You could even split up between two boxes.

This little kit from Dollar Tree is cute and comes with more needles, less thread but it is twice the price.

What do you think?  

SHOESTRING: POSSIBLE FREE ITEM LLBEAN

Do you get LLBean Catalogs?  If not, you need to get on their list.  A couple of times a year, I get one that offers $10 off any size purchase.  They always offer free shipping.  This one came in the mail recently.  Look and see if you got the offer.  

Here are some options that will be FREE!  Check the clearance section and sort low to high, they have some kids clothing items that will work too.

This item won't be free, but what a great WOW item, solar powered and hand crank flash light.

SHOESTRING: APRONS FROM MEN'S SHIRTS

The Goodwill in Upstate SC marks their items down differently than they do at home in Atlanta.  Atlanta takes 50% off for the color of the week, Upstate marks the color of the week to 50 CENTS. I thought about what I could do for a shoebox with one of the men's shirts.

I did my own thing but you can find a tutorial here for the green apron above.

I used one sleeve to make the ties.

I ended up with an apron, two little button pouches from the cuffs.  I still have one sleeve and the back left over.  Any ideas what to do with the leftovers?

I need to give everything a good press (I don't have a full size ironing board here) and a spray or two of starch to make it look crisp.

I was worried that the recipient might not realize what it is, a strange backless dress?  I made some tags that you can download and pin to your aprons, in English, Spanish, and French.

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

SHOESTRING: DOWNLOAD AND PRINT MINI COLORING BOOKS, SECONDS TO MAKE

I have created five little coloring books to add to your shoeboxes.  They take ONLY A SINGLE piece of paper each.  No special tools etc.

I cut a piece of scrap of card stock and stapled around but you certainly don't need to do that.  I still like to staple the middle with a single staple as it holds together better.

I am sorry that I didn't keep track of the sources of downloads.  You can easily create your own, just google coloring sheets for kids.  They are small enough to fit in a pencil box or a small purse.  Coloring book is on the front in English, Spanish and French.  FYI, use google translator to include instructions as needed.

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

I have shared a YouTube Video for you visual learners. This isn't my video, just sharing how to cut and fold.


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SHOESTRING: OLD SCRAPBOOK STICKERS

Do you know a scrapbooker?

I am 100% sure if you do, they have some supplies that would be a great addition to your shoeboxes. 

• Stickers

• Pads of "dated" papers

• Decorative Scissors 

• Embellishments 

I have tons of this kind of stuff in my craft room. The decorative edge scissors would be such a fun addition to a box and your scrapbooker friends would be happy to give them up!

SHOESTRING: SAMPLE MACHINE SAM'S CLUB

I was at Sam's Club last Sunday and found this sample machine giving out packages of Fruit Snacks. Just swipe your card and out spits a package of Dinosaur Fruit Snacks.  I looked all over the package and found no "use by" date.  Maybe like Twinkies and will last forever.

If you think they would be good in Shoeboxes, they seem to be a good price, 7.48 for 75 packages, 10 cents a piece.

Throw these in your Shoebox Tub, free is always good.

SHOESTRING: FREE ITEMS FOR OLDER BOYS SHOE BOXES HARBOR FREIGHT

If you are lucky enough to live near or drive by regularly a Harbor Freight, they always have coupons for free items.  The picture above is an example.  The Flash light is great for any boy (just remember to include batteries), it has a hanging hook and magnet on the back.  The Screwdriver set or tape measure would be perfect for older boys.  I think the  tarp would work too, in fact it could be an incredibly useful item.  You could also include a clothes line bundle from the Dollar Tree.  My son has used this tarp to make a sun shade when working in the yard.  It could be a very useful family item.

I get Harbor Freight coupons in the value packs that comes in the mail.  You can also sign up for their MAILING LIST to get them emailed to you.  

They also offer via text:

Get even more coupons through text messages*

To get coupons and sales alerts via text message from Harbor Freight, text the word TOOLS to 222377

They also have an app that you can use.

If you happen to drive by all the time, lucky you!  You can put away great items