September 2013 FINALE & WINNERS!

A huge THANK YOU to all that have sewn along, spread the word and shown your support for the outreach of Create H.O.P.E. Designs! I hope you will continue to check back and think of them for purchasing PDF patterns ongoing. 

Ok....now, the moment we've all been waiting for....THE WINNERS!!!!!

The numbers have been selected using the Random.org True Random Number Generator.

#9 MadameUgly WINS...Aivilo Charlotte Designs - Winner's choice of 3 PDF patterns! 

#30 Jill D 123 WINS...Cute Quilt Patterns - Posy Patch Quilt Kit (includes pattern & fabrics to make this gorgeous quilt!) 

#41 Jodie Tawn WINS...Fishsticks Designs - Winner's choice of 4 PDF patterns!

#29 Melissa Dunworth WINS...Hopeful Threads - A+ Portfolio Kit (includes pattern & fabrics to make this fun project!)

#42 Bright Angel Baby WINS...Lilybird Studio - Winner's choice of 3 PDF patterns!

#2 Pattern Revolution WINS...The Mean Princess - MASTER Pattern Bundle! (includes each PDF pattern currently available in her collection!)

#43 Allison Parrish WINS...My Funny Buddy - 5 PDF Pattern Bundle, winner's choice of designs!

#4 Pam WINS & #47 friedturtle WINS...Seamingly Smitten - TWO 3 PDF Pattern Bundles!
#26 Piecestolove WINS...Petite Kids Boutique - 2 PDF Pattern Bundle!

#22 Sewing Miles of Smiles 2013 WINS...Izzy & Ivy Designs - GRAND PRIZE BUNDLE! Garden Party Skirts Pattern Book, Monster Mash Pattern Book, Brooklyn's Boho Beachwear Pattern Book +AND+ $100 Gift Card to Fat Quarter Shop!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
If your name is on this list, please EMAIL ME with either your preferred email address for your PDF patterns or shipping address for kit prizes.
Thanks again to all who helped make this month a success in so many way!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's announcement and October's Project announcement!

Let's Talk Textiles - Flannels & Fleece...you're perfect winter fabrics!

It's time to talk textiles again with our friend Kim from Fabric Outlet!

  

With winter months approaching we start thinking about warmer and cozier things to make, especially as Christmas gifts.  So I thought you might like to read a bit about flannels and fleece to help you shop for those fabrics with confidence! 

   There are several different grades of flannel, from the thick and thirsty to the almost thread barren see through look.  Remember to look for a name brand, you won't be disappointed that it costs a little more.  Ask the sales clerk if it is a "quilting flannel", those are the best grade and they won't pill up after one or two washes! And always wash flannel before you start your project because it has a much higher percent of shrinkage than other types of cottons. 

 

  There are several different kinds of fleece too! Regular polyester fleece will look the same on both sides, you won't see any weft. There is no need to wash it as shrinkage is minimal.   Micro fleece, Sweatshirt fleece, Minky fleece and especially Cuddle fleece are so soft and yummy but not recommended for tie blankets because they will shred when you cut your strips. I have seen many people who bring in something they bought from elsewhere without knowing the difference and had a mess on their hands. Be sure to buy Anti-Pill fleece, all fleece will pill eventually but Anti-Pill will last much longer without looking any different wash after wash. 

   I will be posting lots of flannels for this coming Friday Sale on my page!  Have fun creating!

Fabric Outlet has an amazing selection of FLEECES & FLANNELS in-stock and at outstanding prices!

Find Fabric Outlet on facebook here, where she lists all her newest arrivals, sales and specials!

Search "Let's Talk Textiles" in the sidebar for other great educational posts.

Sew BitterSweet Designs - Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along Blogger Share!

Always love to have my friend Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs sew along with me! We have helped one another with a variety of stitching projects, all through email convos and pics. Today, she's sharing her Create H.O.P.E. Designs sew along projects. She used the Mommy & Me Totes pattern.

While this bag is super cute, you just have to jump over to her blog and see her adorable model...even cuter! ;) Melissa actually made 2 different bags using this pattern, so you'll of course want to see the others too! Good stuff!

 Today also starts the sew-along using the pattern over at Pattern Revolution, so another great reason to grab up this pattern and join us!

 Find the Mommy & Me Totes pattern in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs shop here!

 Remember, all Create H.O.P.E. Designs patterns are only $5 and the money raised by the sale of the patterns is donated to organizations providing care for some of the most vulnerable children worldwide. 

Sew with us and make a difference this month!

Sew Along details here!

Lucy's Little Flower Tunic - Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along

Lucy's Little Flower Tunic is one of my favorite and most sewn Create H.O.P.E. Designs pattern. It's such a fun and easy pattern to make and looks absolutely adorable on my daughter.

My most recent version was made for her to wear for Lil' Brother's adoption day, and I think it's my favorite one yet! 

If you are new to shirring, this is the perfect little garment to practice with. It's just enough to add a sweet accent without being overwhelming to learn on. I do recommend a good quality elastic for shirring, like Stretch-Rite or Gutermann, it makes all the difference in the gathering results you get. 

I found the fabrics at my local JoAnn's and just love how they went together.

I embellished my band with a matching grosgrain ribbon and lots of coordinating buttons and flowers. 

She approved! :)

And she sure looked cute all dressed up too!

I also made matching leggings, a headband and a big bow and you can find the tutorial for them over on the Button Lover's blog here. They provided all the buttons for this sweet project!

You can see a couple of my other Lucy's Tunics here and here. 

You can find the Lucy's Little Flower Tunic in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs shop here.

Just with all the other high-quality Create H.O.P.E. Designs patterns, it's only $5 and the money raised is used to support organizations serving children in need worldwide.....just like China Little Flower who this sweet pattern is named after!

Won't you join us and sew along to make a difference this month!?!?
Get the details here. 

Pieces to Love - Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along Blogger Share!

 Today Deb from Pieces to Love is sharing her beautiful Create H.O.P.E. Designs creation! Take a peek at this quilt... Deb used the Soft Place to Land quilt pattern and I love the calming, cool fabrics she's selected for it. BEAUTIFUL!!! You'll want to hop over to her blog here to see the whole thing! 

Find the Soft Place to Land quilt pattern in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs pattern shop here!

 Remember, all Create H.O.P.E. Designs patterns are only $5 and the money raised by the sale of the patterns is donated to organizations providing care for some of the most vulnerable children worldwide. 

Sew with us and make a difference this month!

Sew Along details here!

Mid-Month Reminder! September 2013 Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along

We've hit the HALF-WAY mark for our September Project and Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along!

We've had some great participation so far with lots of beautifully sewn items added to our September Project Album, many of which are being donated to various organizations and needs! Love it!!!

There is still plenty of time to join us and lots of inspiration between the lovely pattern collection in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs shop AND all the amazing items that have been sponsored for giveaway at the end of the month for some of those lucky folks that do sew along! :)

GET ALL THE DETAILS HERE! 

To help maintain and inspire further momentum, the very generous Cute Quilt Patterns has donated this absolutely GORGEOUS Cherry On Top quilt kit for GIVEAWAY!!!! :)

US Shipping included.

To enter, simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Additionally, you can find the Cute Quilt Patterns contribution to the Create H.O.P.E. Designs pattern collection in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs shop here!

It's called A Soft Place to Land....isn't it lovely!?!?!

Thanks for your amazing support Cute Quilt Patterns and good luck to all!

Sewing Miles of Smiles - Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along Blogger Share!

Today is Dona's stop on our Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along fun!

Dona blogs at Sewing Miles of Smiles and is sharing her absolutely ADORABLE versions of Chunky Monkey & His Friends!

Drop by and see all her fluffy cuteness! If you don't know Dona, she spends much of her stitching time sewing the most adorable and special gifts for children at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in WA. Big, big heart and great talent!

Find the Chunky Monkey & His Friends pattern in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs shop here!

Remember, all Create H.O.P.E. Designs patterns are only $5 each and the money raised by the sale of the patterns is donated to organizations providing care for some of the most vulnerable children worldwide.

Sew with us and make a difference this month! All the details in the sidebar! 

Celebrating!!!!

Our family is very proud and excited to announce we have finalized the adoption of our youngest son, making us a big, fun, loud and loving group of 8 now!!!! :) 

Art courtesy of Darling Doodles

Forgive me if I'm a little giddy and scattered for at least a few days ok?!?!? ;)

The AIVI Doll Carrier - Create H.O.P.E. Designs Sew Along Blogger Share!

Today I'm excited to have my friend Lisa here to share her Create H.O.P.E. Designs sewing! Take it away Lisa! 

Thank you, Kristy, for having me as a part of this wonderful Create H.O.P.E. sew along! I was super excited when Kristy asked me if I would like to review the Avivi Doll Carrier pattern (by Yellow Hibiscus). My little girl has been asking me for a carrier for her baby for a while now. (Interestingly, her doll's name is baby Hope. :) ) When she started asking me, I asked Kristy for a good option, since I knew she would have one, and the first thing she said was the Avivi Doll Carrier. I rushed off and bought it within five minutes. Unfortunately, it took me a couple months to be able to make it. And let me just say, my baby girl was tickled when she woke up to discover her doll in it!

As far as the pattern goes, it was easy to read, easy to understand, and in spite of one mistake I made, the project went together in an under two hours. Here are my fabric pieces after cutting:                                                                                                                                            

You may not notice, but this picture has my mistake. The first time I cut out the main body of the carrier, I did so without having the pattern pieces fully constructed. I forgot to tape the lower strip on which completes the length of the piece. After I took this picture I had to re-cut my fabric to have them the proper size. Apart from that mistake, which was not at all due to the pattern, I really enjoyed making this project and using this pattern. Here is my finished carrier:

                                                             

And here is the carrier on my little model!

        

                                                                                                        

And I could not resist sharing this gratuitous cuteness! She is a happy little dolly mommy! :)  

I would say it was a project success! :)

I definitely recommend this pattern to anyone looking to make a doll carrier for a special little girl in their life.

Thanks again Kristy for letting me share some time on your blog.

Lisa :)

THANK YOU LISA!!! :) Your carrier and your precious model are absolutely ADORABLE!!!

You can find the AVIVI Doll Carrier pattern in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs Shop here!

Join our September Sew Along Fun HERE!!!