Get Well Soon, Caleb!

My dear friend Cindy's two-year old little boy, Caleb, is having surgery today, and although I'm out of town all this week (which is why I have been a complete blog slacker, by the way!) I was sure to put together a little get better box for him before I left.

I used a Sterilite tub (just a couple of bucks at Meijer, and sturdy to last a long time!) and created the lid design using some simple stickers.

In the box was the art apron I created for a Babble article last month - you may remember it... it's a super cute little thing perfect for arts and crafts, or helping Mom in the kitchen!

Also in the box... some playdoh, a coloring book and crayons, stickers, and a cool little toy truck.

I'm thinking about Caleb and his parents today!  Please send good juju their way for an easy surgery and quick recovery!

Get Well Soon, Caleb!

Lily's Get Better Box

I finished up Lily's Get Better Box late Tuesday evening in time for her to have it before going in for surgery early Wednesday morning.  Excuse the poor quality photos (it was dark out!) but take a peek at the finished box and its contents!

As you can see, I used a rubbermaid-style tote with colored handles for the box.  It's shoebox size.  For the label, I used Stampin' Up! cardstock in Whisper White, Lovely Lilac, and Green Galore and but and embossed the butterflies using my Big Shot Die Cut Machine (also from SU).  The lettering was printed onto the cardstock.  You can't tell in this photo, but I used Stampin' Dimensionals for some of the bigger butterflies so that they popped off the box a little to give a 3D effect.

My older niece, Mariah, was on hand to help Lily open her box.  Of course Lily had no idea what was going on and why she was getting presents, especially so early in the morning.  But she was rocking out her cupcake PJ's and having a ball all the same!

You met the pink bunny a couple of days ago... she was a hit...

And you'll remember the ribbon-trimmed bandanas, too.  Four in all...

There was also a storybook, some playdough, a coloring book and crayons, and a sticker book and stickers...

And finally, a comfy pair of PJ pants for when she comes home...

I hope that this little box of fun will help Lily have a speedy recovery, and can be used and refilled for years to come bringing just a little smile when she's feeling under the weather.

Feel better soon, Lily!

Lily's Get Better Box - Sneak Peak!

After returning home from a lovely beach weekend with friends and family last night, I was on a sewing roll putting a few things together for Lily's Get Better Box (more info about the box in this post).  Her surgery is tomorrow (it came up so fast!) so I'm trying to quickly get everything together. 

I sewed this little bunny using some cotton and flannel I already had in my stash.  The pattern is from Martha Stewart Living and you can find all the info here.  I don't think I've ever had a sewing project come together so quickly and without a hiccup as this one.  Took me about an hour from start to finish!

I also sewed up a few cotton bandanas trimmed with ribbon (don't worry, Mum, I will give them a final press before they go in the box!) also using fabric and ribbon from my stash.  Not only will these be great for playtime during the summer, but I think they may come in handy to keep her hair out of her eyes after surgery.  These are a great little stashbuster - and look so cute on toddlers!  I'll be sharing a tutorial on these with you next week.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful day!

Get Better Box for Lily

If you're a regular reader, you'll have picked up on the fact that I'm very close with my friend Heather (Hi, Heather!) and her family, including kids (my "nieces and nephew" Mariah, Anthony, and Lily).  Heather and I like to bake...

Their whole family does the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk with us every year...

And you've seen me help throw Lily's first and second birthday parties...

Both of Heather and I's families live on the other side of the state - so we kind of act as each others' surrogate, local, families... and we enjoy spending lots of time together!

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you may remember that Mariah, Heather's eldest, had surgery on her wrist last February, and that I made her a Get Better Box...

The story behind get better boxes goes something like this...

When I was a child, I was an avid reader. One of my favorite anthologies was the “My Naughty Little Sister” collection by Dorothy Edwards. Yes, she was an English author, and these books are an “English thing” so I’m not sure if any of you will have even heard of them.

Anyway, there was one particular story about a “Get Better Box.” The little girl in the story was sick, and all of the adults in her life brought her a little something to make her feel better, which was all kept in her “Get Better Box.”

My Mum's Mum (my Grandma) kept a "Magic Box" for my Mum when she was sick as a child, and a combination of that box and the "Get Better Box" story inspired MY Mum to keep get better boxes for my brother and I when we were kids.  Whenever we got sick, Mum pulled out the “Get Better Box” filled with new coloring books and crayons, games, puzzles, etc... they were just little things, but the box and its contents always helped me feel better.

Mariah loved the Get Better Box I made her - and it was lots of fun to put together.  Having been through a couple of minor hospital stays as a kid and plenty of surgeries as a high school and college student, I can sympathize with how crappy even a minor illness can make you feel as a kid (and as adults too, right?!).  I was happy to do it!

Now we've learned that little Lily (Heather's just-turned-two-year-old) will be having surgery on June 2nd.  Turns out she was born without tear ducts!  Poor baby!  I think it's obvious that I'm going to make her a Get Better Box as well!  : )  I've already purchased a couple of things and will of course be making some hand-made goodies as well, which I'll share with you in the next week or so.

Here's where you come in...

I'm calling on my blogging friends to help make this Get Better box extra special.  Several of you contributed some lovely handmade things to Mariah's box last year, and I would be so honored if you'd consider crafting some love for Lily's box as well.  Won't you help me?

If you'd like to participate, drop me an e-mail and I will send you my mailing address.  You can send something homemade, or store bought, or even a simple card if you'd like.  Any small items to help a little one feel better as she recoups from surgery would be PERFECT!  Only catch is we're on a little bit of a time constraint - I will need all Get Better Box items by Tuesday June 1.

Thanks in advance for your help!  : )

Mariah's Surgery

I gave Mariah her Get Better Box this morning and she loved it! It definitely helped alleviate some nerves before she went in for surgery...



I just got word that she is in recovery and that all went well. Thanks to everyone who made something for the Get Better Box, sent well-wishes, or gave me ideas and/or inspiration for projects and gifts to put in it.

This has been such a fun project to work on -- it's always wonderful to make things for others. Here's to Mariah making a speedy recovery! : )

Mariah's Get Better Box FINAL UPDATE - Thanks, Mum!

My wonderful mother made a blouse for Mariah. It's a long tunic she can wear with jeans or over leggings. So cute! The photo really doesn't do it justice at all. She is so talented -- I can't wait to learn how to sew! (note to self: must purchase sewing machine first)


And that was the final piece of Mariah's Get Better Box. Here are some photos (I apologize for the quality, I'm tired and in a hurry - I'm going to work on a light box next week so my photos in general will be much clearer for you all!)

The Get Better Box and all of its contents

Everything packed inside

Packed up and ready to give!

Mariah's Get Better Box Update 6 - Thanks, Alison!

I was going to include with this post a text message dialog between Mariah and I (yes, she text messages!) yesterday evening with Mariah asking me questions and talking about her nerves regarding her upcoming surgery... but I am too tired to type it all out (damn flu!) so you'll have to wait for tomorrow's post for that. It was incredibly cute though - the poor thing is all stressed out.

I'll leave you though with Alison's fantastic submissions to Mariah's Get Better Box - bangles and bookmarks. I love everything, but especially the bangles - I'm going to need to make some of those for myself! : )

Mariah's Get Better Box Update 5

I made my final contribution to the Get Better Box this weekend. Three quick cards, blank inside, with envelopes, that Mariah can write in and give to friends (per Alison's suggestion!) I'm looking forward to receiving a few more items in the mail - and then giving the box to Mariah. Her surgery is this Thursday.


I may post again later with more weekend projects, we'll see. I'm home with the flu today - and although I'm trying to work from my home office, I have a feeling I'll end up back in bed shortly. Blah... : (

Mariah's Get Better Box Update 4 - Thanks, Stephanie!

I found the Pandacub Etsy Shop through Futuregirl's blog and just HAD to order Mariah some of her music note hair accessories. They reminded me of all the little hair things I had when I was a child. I received my order in the mail yesterday and they are so darling!



Etsy seller Stephanie was great to work with, and even sent an extra set of ponytail elastics from herself as a get well gift for Mariah. How sweet! Thank you, Stephanie!


So what are you waiting for? Go check out the Pandacub Etsy Shop and place your order today!

Mariah's Get Better Box - Update 3

Friday's are just the best days, aren't they? : )

I made some stickers this afternoon to include in Mariah's Get Better Box. I was inspired by a sticker post earlier this week over at The Swell Life. I felt like a kid making them - it was fun! I can't draw to save my life, but I can doodle with the best of them - and that worked for these. I love how saturated the color is - Sharpies are the best for coloring!


And then... (drumroll, please!) ... I finished Mariah's scarf! My first completed knitting project EVER. I think it's such a fun little scarf - perfect for a young girl. I hope she likes it!



I hope to finish up all of my pieces for Mariah's Get Better Box by the end of the weekend. I've got some more goodies coming from Etsy next week, and contributions coming from both Alison and my Mum as well... : ) Surgery day is Thursday - so I'm thinking of taking the box over on Wednesday, so she can have something to look forward to when she gets home from the hospital.

Happy Weekend!

Mariah's Get Better Box - Update 2

I received one of the items I had ordered from Etsy for Mariah's Get Better Box today.

Etsy seller Delane from It's All About You Too designs jewelry for girls, specializing in pendants made from scrabble tiles like this one. She also has another pendant store for grown-ups, It's All About You.

Check out her Etsy shops today!