If you're like me, you are sometimes overwhelmed by the needs of children and babies in the USA and other countries. I'm so busy sewing and knitting that I can't seem to find the time to post here.

Winter is coming in the North, and all my charity crafting friends are preparing lots of warm blankets, hats, and outfits to help out.  Here are some of the things I've made.

Click on a photo to see it larger.
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This is absolutely the easiest blanket I have ever made!  I think it took me longer to get all the fabrics nice and flat than to sew them together.

I used 1 yard of each fabric.

The top layer is a cute cotton print with teddy bears.  The lining is a plain broadcloth, and you could use any cotton fabric such as quilt backing.  The interlining is sandwiched between the two fabrics. I used a piece of flannel to give baby a little warmth.

Before starting, make sure you have washed all the fabrics so they are already preshrunk when you lay them out.

Put your three fabrics flat on a table or, if you're limber enough, on a clean floor.  Pin all around, leaving a space of about 5" for turning.  Stitch, clip the corners at a 45 degree angle. Turn over and stitch the opening closed.

Done!

I made myself NOT start anything new till I had completely finished several of the Summer outfits I had started.  I intend to send those to my "adopted" family in Pine Ridge.  The family has four children, three boys and one girl, all age 5 and under. 

Armed with several size charts, I did my best to hopefully make clothes that will fit them and maybe have room to grow.  The striped fabric is a knit that was quite uneven and was difficult to make and align the stripes.

The little girl's outfit is made of a knit fabric that looks like denim but is more comfortable because it stretches.  I really liked this fabric: it keeps its shape and looks like it won't show dirt too easily.

Here are the photos!

The knitting season is about over down in the hot sub-tropics.  I can only knit at night and even then, it depends on the temperature.  I wanted to share what I have so far to send to Cooper Hospital in New Jersey.

I love the little diaper cover. I put a ruffle on the back, and the front has two buttons for easy opening and changing of baby.

While browsing on Ravelry in one of the many charity-oriented groups, I came across a thread to send baby items to a birthing center in Guatemala.  Click on the link above if you're interested in sending a little donation.  They accept newborn hats, socks, cocoons, and blankets.  The project web site is here:  Maya Midwifery

Somehow, I never seem to be able to mail small boxes. I try, I really do, to save on postage, but I always go over LOL!  It's the blanket that took me over.  But it turned out so cute with it's matching hat that I had to send it.  Besides that, 3 cocoons with coordinating hats, and 5 little hats that used up yarn leftovers went in the box.

Four years after disaster stroke Haiti, they are still among the poorest and neediest nations in the world.  My favorite group, All Crafts For Charity, decided to devote a month of crafting to make much needed clothes.  We made some pillowcase dresses and other Summer dresses for the little girls, and some shorts and tee-shirts for the boys.

This was great for me because their climate is similar to ours in South Florida.  I am better acquainted with cotton and lightweight fabrics than with what is needed in cold climates.  So, I put aside the knitting needles and got busy at the sewing machine.  It reminded me of when my children were small, and I would make some of their clothes.  As a matter of fact, the little airplane buttons were left over from when I made my son some overalls.

If you like to sew, knit, or crochet, there are plenty of opportunities to lend your skills and to help out these innocent kids. Reservations in the USA are also always in need of clothing.  If you're not sure how to get started, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.

With the proverbial strength in numbers, the group collected a lot of outfits for those poor children.  Here's my modest contribution:

I know, it's been forever since I wrote something here.  I have been extremely busy with a lot of projects.  Many involving knitting or sewing for charity.

The thing is, when you live in a tropical climate, you have to do yarn crafts in the Winter.  Or what passes for Winter.  When the temperatures get up into the 90's, well, the yarn just does not slide on the needles, your hands get sweaty, and your lap is suffocating.  That's when I wait till the wee hours when it's a tad cooler to do a few more rows. 

I do have a reserve of items.  Actually, I have a large bag full of things, just so I'll have something to send out for our Summer projects.  It's depressing to see all the needs and have nothing to send.  Makes me feel bad.  So, here I have a stash that I hope will help some babies in Texas, North Carolina, and other areas.

Some of you know that I am in this wonderful online group called All Crafts For Charity.  I love this group and the people in it!  This group has been active for several years and the rules are exactly in sync with my personal feelings:

• First, you only have to donate when you can.  No pressure, no whining. They only ask that you participate once per year, and even that's not really enforced.  We all have lives and things happening, and this group is very understanding.
  
• Second, you don't have to stick to a certain pattern.  I'm terrible at following directions, I don't use patterns or tutorials.  Tell me right, and I go left :))!  Here, you get guidelines of what is needed the most.  Last month, there was a dire need for sweater sets for babies.  We could make any color and any style, which is what I like.  My little donations were made with the yarn I had on hand, and I just made up different designs as I went.  I don't like making the same thing twice, too boring.  And if I were the recipient, I wouldn't like to see that my baby got the exact same sweater as the other 10 in the ward.  I believe each baby is unique and deserves something special.
• Third, the group coordinators go through a lot of trouble to offer new projects every month.  I like variety. I like that we're helping in various parts of the country and even of the world.
• Fourth, and this is a big one for me, you're never asked for money.  I know, I know, money is needed to fund programs that are crucial. But, money is easily... shall we say... misrouted.  In the world of cash donations, we all know that some never reach their intended recipients.  Let's face it, some of those places have corrupted government officials, who are all too happy to pocket those donations.  It's a lot less likely that clothing would be stolen.  And, if someone does take a few booties, well, maybe they needed them for their babies.
• Last, it is not a group overwhelmed by Christian righteous people.  I am a Christian, I am Catholic. But I don't see the point of endless preaching.  The focus here is to make clothing for needy people, regardless of their beliefs.  This business of patting oneself on the back because one is doing one's Christian duty just rubs me wrong.  Much preferred, in my view, is the person who contributes what he or she can discreetly.  Boasting not needed.  Enough said...

Ok, off the soapbox and let's have some photos.