Service men and women project-Stockings are due November 10th

[lifeisgrand]

Well, fellow quilters- it's that time of year when we start thinking about sharing Christmas with those serving in the armed forces. Once again my second grade students are collecting items to send to our area service men and women. We are collecting items in a three week time frame. The first week (Oct. 6-10th) my students and I are collecting school-related items: pens, pencils, stationery, envelopes, stamps, notebooks, etc. The second week (Oct. 13-17th) we are collecting personal hygiene items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, soap, razors, combs, shaving cream, etc. The third week (Oct. 20-24th) we will be collecting food items: licorice, hard candies, sardines, cookies, crackers, etc. While visiting with the president of the women's auxilliary (that will be in charge of mailing out my second grader's "Care Packages"), I told her that I am wanting to give each service man/woman a Christmas stocking too! I think it would be sooooooo touching to have our 'goodies' tucked inside a specially-made Christmas stocking!
Here's where YOU come in! I would like to invite any interested quilters to join me in constructing a Christmas stocking for these service men and women. Presently I am needing 40 stockings to cover the number of individuals from our area that are doing active duty right now. (However, there may be a couple more that will be deployed between now and the time we mail out these Christmas care packages.) My second graders are EXCITED about this project and are also going to be making Christmas cards to tuck inside each gift. I too am excited and plan to use El's 'strippy' stocking pattern to construct some stockings...but I could sure use some help in getting FORTY sewn up!!! I plan to use a lot of my Red/White/Blue fabrics; but will also use some of my Christmas fabrics too. (I think these soldiers will be tickled about any fabric we use...just the gesture that we thought of them will touch their hearts!)
If you are interested in constructing a Christmas stocking or two- please let me know! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Hugs~Marcia

OOPS- forgot to mention that the Care Packages' send-off date is November 15th...so the Christmas stocking deadline should be November 10th (to give us a little time between the two deadlines)! Hope this gives everyone plenty of time!

Elves who volunteered to help construct stockings:
***Abbigail (Brenda)
**donnacrazylady
**Gramajojo
**Grammy2
**Iowagal
****luv_2quilt60
**************kho (Sandy)
**kittyquilt9292 (Carol)
************ladybess
*****************lifeisgrand (Marcia)
box filled with pens & other goodies-maryq
*********oasis
***quiltwithmom
**Sandy 5689
sewcarolyn
****swtsarahjane
****towens71 (Traci)
**vagrandma (Sandy)

Quilting friends from my area:
*******Kaye
******Jody
****Jolene


TOTAL: 102 Christmas stockings

[Kittyquilt9292]

Hi Marcia, Was just thinking this morning about your school kids' projects. How timely. What are the time frames for each group of things? I have items like you mentioned just waiting for a good home. Can't think of a better one. Let me know how to proceed. When do you need what? What is the due date for the stockings?

By the way, are you going to make/send the pillowcases as you did last years?

HUGS for doing this. I'll wait to see more details.
carol/kittyquilt

[luv_2quilt60]

Hi Marcia,
I would like to do a couple...I told GP I didnt make none last year..and would like to help with making some.....I have the fabric and the book...this is a nice thing...I know How Much Our Military appreciate this.....My DB said He seen the Looks on there faces and it Just Brightned his Day, that people care enough to make homemade things and send...He ,will Get to Leave Iraq Hopefully the 13 of Nov...so, He wil be home this Christmas...for one yr and then he may have to go to afganistan Next.....Hugs Beverly

[luv_2quilt60]

You need to post this on the chit chat too...Get everyone involved...............

[vagrandma]

Marcia...I'd love to help out with the Christmas stockings. Not sure how many I can make but will do at least two to start. I'll be waiting for further details.

Sandy

[Oasis]

Hi Marcia,

What size are we making up? The smaller ones on the free pattern page or the larger ones in the bear paws book?

It is so fun when you let us help with your students. I was a school secretary for 26 years and sooooo miss doing these things with the teachers and students.

[Grammy2]

I will help out also. Just need to know what size

[quiltwithmom]

Count me in for at least one. Maybe more if I have time.
Hugs!

[ladybess]

Is it the same pattern and size from last year's project? Lori

[quiltwithmom]

IF it is the stocking in the free pattern area it is 9 x 7. Not sure how that is measured. I measure mine from cuff to heal. The ones we did last year for GP were larger. Mine were 17 inches long.