Saturday, February 17, 2007

Yarn Doll Ministry


I think the "theme" for my life should include the word MULTI-TASKING! I'm beginning to think that I get more done when I have a lot going on- I think this started with nursing school. I planned our wedding during the first year of school and then I was pregnant with our first child the second year. I'm beginning to constantly think about the phrase "when you want something done- ask a busy person." Except, I'm doing this to myself.... :)

We received an American Girl Craft Idea Book for Christmas. In that book was how to make an "old fashioned" yarn doll. Dear daughter #3 wanted to make a yarn doll for her friend's birthday present- so, this morning we ventured to make our very first yarn doll. How cute! It turned out great and it is so cute!

To make a long story short, I was drying my hair after my morning shower and an idea hit me like a ton of bricks. I have just a mountain of yarn sitting in a rubbermaid bin. *Of course, I have great intentions to knit something or to finish crocheting that blanket I started about 8 years ago. It took me about 15 minutes to make the body of the yarn doll, and another 5-8 minutes to make the hair and glue on the eyes/nose/mouth (buttons). I think it would be so great to do a "yarn doll ministry" for the Liberian orphans. Hubby and I usually sit down every night after the kids are in bed and watch atleast an hour of tv (we're huge American Idol & Survivor fans). I could make 4-6 dolls a night while we watch our favorite shows- MULTI-TASKING AT ITS FINEST!

My goal is to make atleast 50 yarn dolls with the materials I have on hand. Literally the only thing I need to purchase are little styrofoam balls (for the head of the doll). I think I bought a 6 pack for about $1. I'd really like to send the dolls with hubby to Liberia when he goes to bring the kids home. I'm remembering the post on our adoption loop about the small stuffed teddy bears were brought to the boys at one of the orphanages. They were so blessed to be given a teddy bear and just loved on them and cuddled them. That may have been the first and only gift they'd ever received.

If I can make 50 yarn dolls for the children- how many more smiles will those little dolls bring forward? I just know they will feel so blessed to receive them. So, this is my goal... 50 yarn dolls by the time hubby leaves for Liberia. If you would like to join in on this ministry, please do so! You can make the dolls as plain or as fancy as you'd like. Our dolls will be fairly plain, with button eyes/nose and a red yarn mouth. We'll make long hair for the girl dolls and tie in some ribbon.

I would like to keep this going even after the kids come home. You can send us the yarn dolls and we will get them to Liberia and into the children's hands. Please email me for our mailing address at: gusnbec@hughes.net

I'll keep you updated as I make the dolls- and how many I have completed. This is a great way for you to keep me held accountable as I follow through on this project. Below you will find some links on how you can make your own yarn doll(s). I would also be happy to copy our directions and mail them to you, just drop me an email. Have a blessed weekend!

http://www.makingfriends.com/yarn_doll.htm

http://www.aokcorral.com/how2mar2000.htm

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/do/yarndoll.html

2 comments:

Sugar-n-Spice said...

how awesome is this?....you need to show us how, so we can make some, too. i've been looking for service projects that can include my children, and that sounds perfect! when can you come to my house and what supplies do i need....email me! :)

Anonymous said...

I would enjoy making the dolls. I am always looking for a project to do during our nightly T.V. time after the kids are in bed. It is so hard for me to sit still! I am going to check out the link. I already have the right color yarn sitting around from an afghan I started, the kids cut up my yarn, and I haven't been motivated to get back to it since!

Maury