Had Any "Good Fun" Lately?

I so remember when my boys were young and we would do something and then they would declare - "That was good fun!"  I am not sure where it started or where it came from but it always made me smile.  Last week I found out about a new book full of good fun and I just have to spread the word about this wonderful idea!!  It is called "The Good Fun Book" and it is full of party ideas for children but---here's the catch--they all include ideas that celebrate service!  What a wonderful simple idea and what a great way to teach children to do for others.

Today - my copy arrived and I am so excited about this idea that I can't say enough.  It surely doesn't hurt that the Binky Patrol is included and is one of the suggested ideas, but that is not my only reason for loving it.  If we can teach our children when they are young to always keep in mind that giving is so rewarding and should be an integral part of all our lives they will pass it on.  As one of the reviews states, this could be the beginning of a change in our world - start with the children and the ideas will grow.

Something I read last week has stayed with me - it was a post on Facebook from the Ronald McDonald House Charities that stated "We believe that when you change a child's life, you change a family's, which can change a community, and ultimately the world."  This is our belief as well and such a profound way of looking at things.  Who would have thought that "Good Fun" could involve service as well.  Don't miss out on this book and this idea - give it as a gift to every child you know - we can all make a difference - even the smallest of us!

Binkies and Dollies and Baby Bunnies and So Much More....

As always we are staying busy at the BPSC!!  We have been working on year end reports and getting things lined up for 2011!  Today we were able to get permission from the owner of MMM Crafts - Larissa Holland - to use one of her patterns for our shelter and hospital projects.  This is very exciting - the pattern is for her Baby Binky Bunny - what could be more perfect!  These little babies have their own binky and they can be made safe for children under three.  They also have room for our embroidery designs on the back of the diaper.  ;o)  We hope to get these babies out to some of our shelters as well as the Ronald McDonald Children's Room at our local Palmetto Richland Hospital.  As soon as we get our first one created we will post a picture - here he is from Larissa's blog - what a cutie!!  We can make these with open or closed eyes and they are all soft and squishable and most lovable!

We have also taken on a new project for the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.   This is something that has been close to my heart for quite a while and I am so happy to have found a hospital that accepts outside donations.  We will be working on blank cloth dolls - these are used for children at the MUSC Children's Hospital to illustrate procedures they will be having done.  They actually get IV's, casts, bandages - what a wonderful way to explain necessary medical procedures to a child....  We will also be sending blankets along to the children's hospital for parents as well as the children.

We also received wonderful news this weekend!  Peggy Ledford with Creative Sewing Machine Center contacted us to be a part of their 10th Anniversary Celebration in March!  They have been very kind to us donating fabric and batting as well as taking time to answer tons of questions and offer demonstrations for the embroidery techniques.  I can't say enough about this wonderful shop - my most favorite dreamland.  ;o)  If you have never been, it is worth traveling to see it!!  Watch for the binky Andrea is creating with the bolt of beautiful fabric Peggy gave us!

Stay tuned as we grow, and jump in any time if you would like to get involved.  Just email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com or visit our web site at www.scbinkypatrol.com.

Oh My Gosh........

Andrea's Preemie Blanket

Nancy's Preemie Creations

Preemie Outfits

OMG ~ OH MY GOSH!!!  I can't say it enough!!  The ladies in this group are so exceptional that I can't begin to thank them enough!!  We now have a great mix of talents - knitter, crocheter, sewer, quilter and a doll maker!  Sounds like a children's nursery rhyme.  We have been hard at work on our preemie project - we do our best to provide items for a family with a baby in the NICU - until the baby makes it home safely.  Then we plan to send a NICU Grad package - the happiest one of all.  I sent out the call for this project a couple of weeks ago, just after we heard about the birth of the baby.  Well, the items that have been received and that are in the works are just so wonderful.  The two handmade binkies, hats, socks and onsie are so colorful and soft.  We sent these over to our preemie family along with a handmade doll for the big sister in the family and some more preemie clothing.  We were also able to send a gift card from Walmart for incidentals as having a preemie in the family can be quite expensive and not something we really plan for.  Anita has a quilt made for both the baby and the big sister that we will be sending over next week.  This project has been very exciting.  We would love to do more of these but we need more hands working to do that.  Please think about joining us - there is not requirement about how much any member does - just what they can - it all adds up and enables us to do wonderful things!!

DinkyBaby by Vicki Riley

This little guy is about the size of a 4-5 pound preemie and he can wear preemie clothes.  He also had a handmade hat and booties.  :o)  These babies are great for older siblings to get ready for the new baby.  He even wear's a preemie diaper.  So cute and snuggly and soft!  He was donated by Vicki Riley of DinkyBaby.com.

We have so many more projects in the works - there is much work to be done.  Check out our web site to find out more at http://www.scbinkypatrol.com or email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.

What's On Our Needles.....

We are starting our year off very busy.  I am working on reports and all of the necessary paperwork that is required with any non-profit.  I am very slow, so if you are waiting on receipts, etc., bear with me - they will get there.  ;o)

We are starting a new feature on our blog - What's On Our Needles....this can be knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing or embroidery machine needles - what ever needles seem to be flying at the moment.  As I mentioned in my last post, we have a very special Preemie Project this month and in the coming year.  It has long been our goal to assist families experiencing the trauma of a preemie and life in the NICU.  Last year we learned of Baby Emma - a sweet little girl suffering from Spina Bifida and we have offered up prayers for her over the past months.  Her story is here http://babyemmayoung.blogspot.com/2011/01/food-she-doesnt-like.html and it is so wonderful - filled with tears and laughter, videos and wonderful pictures.  I have been spell bound by her since the first day I heard about her story and we are getting ready to send her a sweet little soft binkie.  She has stabilized somewhat and is just so beautiful.  I will post a pic when we get ready to ship it.  So that one is on my sewing machine.

Next up on the needles are hats and preemie wraps for a new little preemie - Baby Ethan born just shy of 28 weeks and doing well.  Nonetheless, his family is going through all of the traumas that NICU life brings to a family and this is something we never plan for.  We plan to support them with gifts for the family over the first weeks and months of Ethan's life until he is home safe and sound.  He has a big sister Emma, an angelic little cherub that will steal your heart with one little smile.  We  have a dolly just like baby brother going out to her this week along with a little princess for her to hang in her room, a special preemie size binky for Ethan (made quickly by Andrea when I sent out the emergency call) as well as some preemie outfits he will be able to wear later.  We also are crocheting some little diaper shirts that are easy off and on for when he can wear clothing in the NICU.  Nancy is whipping up a knit kimono - she knows much about preemies as a NICU nurse.  Anita is fast at work on quilts for both Emma and Ethan.  We are praying and sending good thoughts for the day that he becomes a NICU GRAD!!  Please remember this little family in your thoughts and prayers.  Grandma Margaret is keeping us abreast of things and will be handling the delivery of our packages to the family - thanks so much to her and special blessing for her as a Grandmother to a preemie. 

On the knitting front we are working on booties for the bootie blitz at God's Tiny Angels.  As always, Danette is hard at work and hitting the ground running with her organization.  We have learned so much from her and are so grateful for her allowing us to join in.  She is just so amazing with over 10,000 items donated in 2010 - we are so very proud to have been a small part with 50 items donated as well as funds for her shipping costs.

I know I have not updated on the embroidery front in quite a while and I am ashamed to say that other than reading about the machine, I have not made much progress.  Hubby and I have decided to take down the bed in my craft room this week as no one uses it - when the boys or anyone else stays over, they don't want to bunk in there with the dolls and other girly stuff.  ;o)  So.......that means that I might be able to finally get organized!  I gave myself a gift of an organizational book I am reading on my PC - let's hope and pray it works miracles because I have to get organized!!!

There is so much more going on and too much to tell but just know that we are very busy and we need all of the hands we can get.  If you want to join us, please email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com  or check out our web site at http://www.scbinkypatrol.com.  We are so very fortunate to have a small group of very talented, caring women but we can do so much more with more hands, prayers and materials, as well as postage.

Happy New Year from the Binky Patrol South Carolina!!!