Operation Christmas Child Donations 2026

Last November I found out very late our new Church was involved with Operation Christmas Child which involves filling shoeboxes for ministries overseas. I scrambled to fill a box but didn't have time to make much to go with the doll we sent.

This year I'm planning on sending two dolls that are familiar to those who follow my Aztec Wishes donations an 8 Inch Lots to Love Baby doll for a younger girls box and a Chelsea doll for the middle girl box. This blog entry is not designed to include all the items we will be putting in the box or the items that are going in the middle boy box. Like with Aztec wishes it is more of a way of tracking what I made and what worked and didn't work for this new donation.

I find myself returning to the previous year summary pages for Aztec wishes as I don't make the exact same things every year and I go back to find something that fell off and it helps to see why. I'm hoping this is a ministry that lasts for us and as I experiment with what works and doesn't that I can return to these pages as well to see what I made and what I'd make again. I do keep lists on my phone as I do with Aztec wishes with inventories of the other non-crocheted items necessary for the donation. I just don't tend to keep notes on what hook size I used or where I bought the fiber as I do with the project notes for these projects.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll

February 2026

June 2026

Chelsea

May 2026

Glitter Girl Thread Pants, Top and Shoes

When I made the previous thread short outfit I realized the designer included pants so I decided I'd tried to include additional pants with some of her top patterns I'd previously picked up but not made.

You can purchase the shorts pattern that includes the pants, shorts, hat, different pair of shoes, and a different top here. You can purchase this top pattern and shoes here.

I'm thinking I have time for one or maybe two more outfits for this doll depending on time. I have one more thread casual outfit and one more yarn that I'd like to include.

Notes:

This pattern is made with an E hook and size 3 crochet thread. The blue is Aunt Lydia's Fashion 3 Blue Hawaii. The top is made with Lizbeth size 3 I believe springtime.

The top fit as written. I did finish the back to make adding the two snaps easier but that was the only change I made.

The botttom section of the shoe fit fine but the increases made the boot huge. I did not increase but kept the same number of rows once it moved from the bottom to the upper foot section.

I like these pants what I will do for the next set is make the legs a little less wide by reducing the count after the legs are split. I stopped the increases but the legs are still wider than I'd like.

Another note regarding supplies between the pants and the shoes I used almost a full cone of size 3 thread. Something to keep in mind for future pants projects. I'd want to start with a new cone, not a partial or if finishing off one, have another one to complete the project.

My Life Mermaid

When I start working on a theme across the dolls I try to find multiple patterns for the dolls I donate more than one of every year. That meant looking for some additional mermaid patterns.

This is Elle's Creation's pattern that can be purchased here.

The crown is from the free Yarnspirations mermaid pattern found here.

After making this for the Our Generation Boy I was trying to make this work better for me. I tried several tricks that have worked in the past but they all failed me. For my notes, crocheting over an elastic did not work for this project.

Notes:

I had to add more chains to get this to fit the My Life doll and started with a K hook. I joined after finishing first row. After second row I reduced to J hook and continued with the J until I was past the hips. I finished rest with I hook.

After first row I worked towards reducing count to match count suggested in pattern.

I played with the top as I didn't like the fit. There is a bikini top I made for one of Pamela Yarborough's swimsuits that I'd use the next time I made this instead. I'm actually thinking of using it for Sweet Silver Creation's Mermaid that I still need to make for the last My Life doll. You can purchase that pattern here.

Mermaid fins have been a bit of a challenge but I think I mastered this one the second time through. I used an H hook for the fin and realized you are decreasing and increasing only on one side. I took this picture as I think I finally like how it attaches here. The directions weren't as clear as I'd like but this gives me something to look at the next time I try it.

The crown is pretty straight foward. The green is another skein I was looking to finish. Lots left but it will only go when I use it. I do the first 2 rows with a K hook and the final row with an H to get it to fit. I also increased the starting chain.

The mermaid outfit is made with Loops and Threads facets and my experience hasn't improved. The yarn pulls apart breaking mid stitch. I've never worked with a yarn that self shreds like this. The colors are beautiful and it is incredibly soft. However, they need to fix this issue. I'm determined to finish off what I bought but then I'm out.

Pushing on to the end working on outfits for Skipper, Barbie and the Glitter Girl. I still need one more 18 inch doll Mermaid.