Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Tag It Ons GIVEAWAY!!!

Just as I mentioned in yesterday's post, now you have the chance to win a surprise assortment of TagItOns.com sew-on labels for your handmade projects!!!


I shared several different ways I have used these darling labels, and 2 lucky winners will receive an assorted packaged of their own to use as they would like! Simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to be entered. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
All eligible are welcome to enter. Winners will be announced and notified by email 2/22/14 and asked to respond within 48 hours to claim prize or alternate winner(s) may be selected. Thanks!

Just can't wait to get your hands on some of these sweet labels? Find out WHERE TO BUY here!

Good luck to all!
And THANK YOU to TagItOns.com for sharing these sweet labels with us!
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Monday, February 17, 2014

Special Touch of Tag It Ons!


If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know how much I love to add the personal touch of a special label to my finished items. So, it will come as no surprise to you that while at Market back in the fall, I fell in love with the adorably sweet labels of TagItOns.com!

TagItOns.com has the sweetest assortment of tags to personalize your gifts for your friends, loved ones and donation recipients.  Their special occasion tags like the "Happy Birthday" and other holiday designs are especially nice for handmade gifts.


 Each tag has a fold-over finish so that it can neatly be added to the edge or trim of a quilt, garment, soft toy or any handmade item you'd like to give that special touch.

I added the precious "Sweet Dreams" label to a mini, quilted lovey I made for one of our infant/toddler donation bags this quarter

I also used the "Somebody Cares", "hugs & kisses" and the signature TagItOns.com "P.S.I love you" tags on this sweet set that will also be added to an infant/toddler donation bag for our 1st Quarter Project. It includes a little tagged lovey, matching bib and stuffed doll.

TagItOns labels offers an assortment of sew-on labels that will help you to perfectly convey your sentiments for any occasion! These are high-quality, woven labels that can last the life of your handmade gift.

In addition to the darling labels they sent for me to sew with, they have also sent me an assortment to SHARE WITH YOU!!!! So....be sure to drop back by tomorrow for a giveaway so you can try these sweet TagItOns on your special projects!

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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Supporters of FLUFF

I am very grateful to share that Fairfield World has sent us a 25lb. box of polyester fiber in support of our FLUFF Project!!!!
 This is actually the second time they have done so, with the first being sent in April last  year when we first kicked off our project to provide stuffed friends for children in foster care. This incredibly generous donation will go a LONG way in helping us to continue to provide more!!!!

I have purchased and used Fairfield's quality products for years, but now whenever I am personally in need of batting, pillow forms, fiber stuffing and the like, their's is even more the label I look for! I am so incredible appreciative of their support and generosity!
Learn more about the products they offer on their website, Fairfieldworld.com .
 If you have a minute, I sure would appreciate you dropping by their facebook page HERE and giving them a virtual "high five" by saying THANKS for supporting the FLUFF Project at Hopeful Threads! 
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Monday, February 10, 2014

Petite Placemat Tote Tutorial


This tutorial will show you how I turned these sweet gingham placemats into these even sweeter petite totes!!! 

Using placemats is going to make the whole project go faster since they are durable and double sided and will not need interfaced or lined. However, you could easily modify the tutorial to use fat quarters, as the measurements of the placemats are 18 1/2" x 13 1/2".

STRAPS:
1st we need to make our tote straps or handles. I used the very complicated method of determining the width of the fabric remnant I wanted to use to determine the length and width of my handles. :) Basically, use what you have the best way. Mine ended up being about 5" x 20" each. 
 Fold and iron the fabric length wise to create a crease along the center. 
 Using the crease you just made, fold the sides in to the center at the crease and iron.
 Fold the strap on the crease again and stitch along the long, open side. You can leave the ends raw, they will be covered in the next step.
 Fold the end of your strap over about 1/2" as shown. 
With the fold on the inside, pin your strap in place 3" from each side and about 1/2" from the top, as pictured, to create the handle for your tote bag. Sew in place. I like to sew a little rectangle to best secure the handle. 

TOTE:
 Now you fold your placemat in half with the handles at the top. Pin the sides evenly as you smooth the placemat out. 
 Stitch in place with a 1/2" seam allowance.
 You now have a little "pocket" of sorts from your placemat.
 To make the boxed corners, place your hand inside of the "pocket" pictured above and smooth the side seams into a point by flattening them. 
 Mark 2" down from the point. 
 Stitch directly across the mark just made. Repeat with the other side.
 It will look like this on both sides when finished.
 Turn your bag right side out folding the pointed corners you just made down into the inside of the bag. 

That's it! 
Seriously!
Now you have a darling little "Petite Placemat Tote".
 And since they are so fast and easy and fun to make, you're going to instantly want to make another! :) 

 EMBELLISHMENTS & ADD-ONS:
If you'd like to add a pocket inside or out on your tote, it's super simple. Create your pocket by sewing and turning a square or rectangle from your coordinating fabric. Center and stitch the pocket onto the placemat BEFORE sewing the sides together. 

For a ribbon accent, simply stitch your ribbon across the placemat before sewing the sides together. 
 I was especially lucky with these sets of placemats as they already had this darling ric rac trim along the edges. :)

You can also add button, felt and bow accents to the finished bag as shown. 


The best part....yea, aside from how quick and adorable these are....I found the placemats 4 packs on clearance for $1, making these bags just a little more than 25 cents each!!!! LOVE that kind of deal! 

Can't wait to see your Petite Placemat Totes!
Have fun sewing! 
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Get to know Operation Smile

I'm excited to share with you all today about an international charity changing and saving lives across the globe, Operation Smile!

In case you aren't familiar, Operation Smile is the largest volunteer-based medical charity providing free cleft surgeries. As listed on their website, since 1982 they have provided more than 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with facial deformities. That's incredible!!!!

Being connected to several different organizations serving children in need around the globe, I have learned how having such a surgery can provide a person a chance in life that they would otherwise have been deprived of. This common surgery can allow them the opportunity to go to school, get a job, be accepted within their communities and peer groups and more. Good stuff!
Look at these beautiful faces....









Find Operation Smile in all your favorite places like Facebook...
On Twitter....
& on Pinterest where I found each of the adorable images above.

Additionally, if you have college students in your life, one unique way you can support the outreach of Operation Smile is by renting textbooks for yourself, your children or any other college student you know, from CampusBookRentals.com. They have partnered with Operation Smile and for every rental, CampusBookRentals.com makes a donation to Operation Smile.
You all know how I love seeing businesses find ways to GIVE BACK!

Watch this short video to get a closer look at how CampusBookRentals.com works and how it can make ordering textbooks easier and less expensive.
SIMPLE.
Isn't that revolutionary????
Wish I had this option when I was in college, textbooks are soooo expensive! We'll definitely be checking this out when the hubs enrolls for his next classes. 
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*In Full Disclosure, CampusBookRentals has offered financial compensation for my writing of this post. If you are familiar with my blog you are well aware that I am very supportive of businesses, like this, that seek to help others through their work, so sharing about them comes naturally. Thank you. 
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