FLUFF Continues!

Just a little update to share that the FLUFF Project continues and a recent delivery was made to our local Juvenile Court. Another 62 stuffed friends are on their ways to provide hope, hugs & healing to a child in foster care. Thank you for continuing to care this way! 

You can learn more about the FLUFF Project and how you can be a part by clicking HERE. 

What an Honor!

It's truly an honor when something I have created or shared how to create is used to help provide comfort or encouragement to another. This has been the ongoing case with my 

G-Tube Button Pads Tutorial found here. 

This tutorial has been shared and sewn more than any I've created. It is currently highlighted on the Stitch-A-Wish of Cook Children's Hospital and soon to be on the Volunteer Page of Arkansas Children's. 

And to be certain, this precious, delightful boy is the inspiration behind it all!

 Learn more about the miracle of Elijah James here. 

Eli is using one of the Reusable Bed Pads with tutorial available here. 

Thank you for sharing your lives with me through the years and using my efforts for so much GOOD! It matters, in so many ways! 

FLUFF Project - Stuffed Friends for children in Foster Care

Be sure to see all the latest donated "Fluff" on my Instagram, @hopefulthreads

Total friends donated fast approaching 3,000!

Learn more on the "Fluff Project" page HERE.

"All Because of Christ" - Austin Stone Worship

Fill Your Time With FLUFF For Good!

Hello Friends!

Praying you are all well and stay that way. 

While you're stuck in the house, there are still ways to bring joy to yourself and others through creating! And, if you would like to help make stuffed friends for children in foster care, we will gladly make sure they get into the hands of those children. 

Our FLUFF Project has been doing this for over 7 years now and has delivered more than 2,500 stuffed friends! #hopehugshealing

There is currently a greater need for items specifically for ages 2 and under, but all are welcome.
You can learn more HERE and feel free to EMAIL ME with any questions!

Grace & Peace to you. 💟

FLUFF Project 2019

Wanted to take a minute to share a recent article with you all that highlights the need for the collection of stuffed friends, that we do through the FLUFF Project. Find the article HERE. 

We are fast approaching 2.500 stuffed friends delivered to date! There is no way that would have been possible without the help and generosity of people like YOU! 
Thank you! 💗💗💗 

We will be making another delivery soon, so if you would like to participate, you can learn more on the FLUFF Project tab above or by clicking here. 

FLUFF PROJECT - Continued Giving!

Hi Friends!

A short message to let you know that the #FluffProject continues to provide Hope, Hugs & Healing through the gift of stuffed friends to children in Foster Care.

You can follow with me on Instagram if you'd like, @hopefulthreads 

FLUFF Project Delivery SOON!

A brief update and reminder.....

FLUFF Project delivery soon! Waiting on date from Juvenile Court since it is such a large delivery! Stay connected and see photos on Instagram, @hopefulthreads

More soon....

Kristy

FLUFF Project - Collection Target Date Moved AHEAD

Hello All!

I wanted to let you know that I have moved the target date for our current Fluff Project collection to June 1, 2017. We have had several unexpected (and some expected!) things that have delayed my sewing time and I don't have near the stuffed friends finished for delivery that I have cut and in the sewing process. 

We are also hopeful that this extra time will allow more of you to participate as well, and help us reach our goal of the biggest single delivery to date of 500 stuffed friends for children in foster care! Can you help us???

We currently have around 200 friends ready for delivery, so we could use quite a few more to reach our goal! Here's some specific ideas of how you can help....

• Sew, Crochet, Knit, Hand-make a new stuffed friend!
• Spread the word about our #fluffproject collection, locally and through social media. There are share options at the bottom of this message to make it even easier for you!
• Watch for SALES! I've found adorable and very inexpensive stuffed friends to purchase for our collection following holidays like Valentine's and Easter. Keep watch for these opportunities to boost the number of items able to give without busting the budget! 
• Get your GROUP involved! This is a fun and easy outreach opportunity to include family, friends, church, scout and other group organizations. 
• SHIP BY JUNE 1, 2017

Other specifics about this collection can be found HERE.

Further details about the FLUFF Project and how & why it got started can be found here. 

Join Us!

Help spread Hope, Hugs & Healing to kids facing a difficult time!

Kristy

Send the FLUFF!!!

😷

Hello Friends!

We have spent the past week fighting off a very nasty virus. We are slowly.....but VERY thankfully, coming out of it. 

I have so much I can't wait to update on as we get back in the swing. But just wanted to say.....yes! PLEASE keep sending the FLUFF for our big collection goal! The sickness delayed my sewing and so is pushing back delivery, so you still have time to have your stuffed friends included!

Get all the details here!

Thanks and hope you have a great week!

Kristy

FLUFF Project Collection Update! 3/17

Just wanted to post a quick update to share with you all that our current count of stuffed friends donated for our upcoming #FLUFFproject delivery is at 115!!!

We are super excited for your amazing support and contributions towards this very special project! Thank you! 

There's still time to be part of this collection for our outreach to provide stuffed friends for children in foster and help us with our

BIGGEST DELIVERY TO DATE of 500 stuffed friends!

Get all the details here!

Hope you all are having a wonderful 1st day of SPRING!

#SewToShare

Kristy

FLUFF Project - New Mascot, Logo and HUGE collection!!!

I mentioned in my last post that we had a new "face" for the FLUFF Project. I've been about to BURST to share him with you!!!! So, without further delay, say hello to Finn!

Finn is the fluffy, friendly face that has been carefully and specifically created to represent the FLUFF Project! I couldn't love him any more than I already do and I'm so very grateful to my incredibly talented and giving friend Samantha, who brought him to life! 

Thank you! 💗

I will begin updating all FLUFF Project information with this new logo, and welcome you to share as well! Finn will adorn all of our outreach information, donations and become an image recognized for Hope, Hugs & Healing. Did I mention how much I love him???

Additionally, this year marks a BIG anniversary to celebrate! This April marks the beginning of our 5th year of collecting stuffed friends for children in foster care! It truly doesn't seem possible. We held our first collection as one of our Monthly Projects in April 2013. April is also the month when our family began our journey into foster care 7 years ago. And, April marks the 5th year since our first adoption through foster care too. April is a very special month!

Will you help us celebrate???

I would LOVE to host our biggest collection and delivery to date! I would LOVE to show up with a delivery of 500+ stuffed friends! I've been collecting for the past couple of months with this in mind, so we already have a great start! I've also been cutting stuffed friend patterns like a crazy woman, to begin sewing this month. 

So here are the basics....

FLUFF Project - April 2017 Details

• NEW items only. First, because these children deserve no less. Second, this may be the one and only personal item they have that they feel is all theirs at this time....let's make it a good one! Additionally, used stuffed toys can cause issues for our children with allergies and sensitivities. Thank you for understanding!
• Any type (sewn, knit/crochet, store bought) of stuffed animal or doll is welcome. Please just refrain from any designs that could potentially be scary or offensive. 
• All ages included. Children in the foster care system range in age from Newborn - 18 years old, that's a broad audience to create for, so lots of possibilities...and everyone can use a special friend! 
• HAVE FUN!!!😊

Items should be shipped by April 15th....thought that it being "tax day" it would be a memorable date to keep in mind! lol! This will also allow me to have them delivered by the end of April.

You can drop off or ship donations to the following address:

Kristy Smith

c/o Echelon Florist

1260 Rocky Hill Road

Knoxville, TN 37919

**business address provided to prevent any packages from being left unattended. 

If you are looking for inspiration for handmade donations, be sure and check out my "Stuffed Friends" board on Pinterest HERE.

It's bursting with ideas!

I will also post progress updates and donations received throughout, on my Facebook and Instagram pages, so you can follow along. I'm super excited to share this with you and look forward to all the HOPE, HUGS & HEALING our stuffed friends will bring to the children who receive them. Thank you for being a part! 

#SewToShare & spread the word with me!

Kristy

Loving our Foster Care Community and MORE!

Here we are at the end of February already! Another exciting and busy month!

My most exciting news and opportunity to share is that I have applied to become a foster care advocate through The Forgotten Initiative. As part of the application process, I will be completing a project for our local foster care community, and making over the Visitation Area at our DCS office. We are super excited to have this privilege and would like to invite those of you who might be interested to be a part!

Current room we will be "warming up"!

The goal of this project is to make this area a more inviting place to encourage family healing and bonding. We also want it to be a  warm and cheerful place for all who use it. I have created a Target wishlist with items that will help do this. Additionally, I will be shopping at Hobby Lobby for "family" decorations and Home Depot for our paint and supplies if you'd like to contribute Gift Cards. Here's a LINK TO THE WISHLIST which includes items from $5-$350 and all are equally needed and would be put to good use! I will of course share photos here so you can see any gifts you have given, in action! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me. Thanks in advance for your support and encouragement. 😊

On the alternatively creative front, I have been steadily pushing my way through a stack of projects and clearing room on my cutting table for easier productivity.....at least that lasts until I start work on the next project! It's the thought right???

I finished a second dress for my oldest daughter, and this one was to her satisfaction with all my kinks worked out. Now on to the final and original requested prints for her graduation dress! I am so very honored that she asked and trusts me to make this special dress for her, that she will always remember. 💗

I haven't started sewing any yet, but have cut out even more stuffed friends for the FLUFF Project. I've got mermaids coming out my ears! My hope is to have the largest delivery to date this year....something I'll share more about soon! I'm going to be sewing these piles for MONTHS I imagine! Truly, wouldn't have it any other way! Such a blessing to get to send love and hugs to so many children facing tough times. Fairfield World has once again shown their incredible generosity and support by sending over Poly-fil to help stuff all these handmade friends! We are soooo grateful! 

ANNNND..... I'm about to BURST to share the adorable new mascot and logo a dear friend created for the FLUFF Project! Squeeeeee!!!! Perfection I tell ya!

My latest FLUFF Project finishes!

I also have a stack of family PJs to get finished. These were started before Christmas. Yes. That's all I've got to say about that. 

And, we had a very special project date with our homeschool group and created Valentine's gifts for the elderly, at home members of our church. Each one included a fleece knot blanket the kids helped make and a bag of treats. Delivering these was a special, special day! 

So. How about you? What sewing and/or creating have you been up to? What plans do you have for the coming month? Share with me here or on any of my social outlets linked at the top of my sidebar. Thanks again for being here!

#SewToShare and bring hope and happy to others!

Kristy

January 2017 - Finishes and WIPs

January has been a busy month of getting back in our routine and trying to focus on what needs to get done around here. I've managed to get in quite a bit more sewing & cutting time than I would have thought possible and have a good bit lined up to work on for February!

A special friend of our family is preparing to travel to India to pick up her beloved daughter who is joining her family via the gift of adoption. We are so happy for them and excited to send over a bundle of handmade bibs for the little ones she currently shares a home with. I was able to get 35 adorable, squishy bibs made, most using the free Super Simple Little Bib tutorial from Gingercake. You can find it here! Sewing baby bibs is such a fun and satisfying project, and they are always welcome donations!

A few close friends helped us put together 22 bundles for our local Police Station, each including a cozy fleece blanket and a stuffed friend. They will keep these in their cruisers to have on hand when needed for children they care for and serve. This was the first time we have donated for this purpose, got this idea from our friends at Little Lambs of Utah. They were very warmly received by the Police Officers, so we certainly hope to be able to do this again!

Did a little painting/redecorating in our family room. The "Welcome" pic at the top gives a peek. I've been wanting to paint over the paneling in there for years, and I love it so much I don't know what took so long now!

I'm also working on a special dress for my oldest daughter's graduation from high school. I finished the "test" to work out both my jitters and kinks, and hope to get the real dress made soon! We both really loved this pattern, and I'm especially pleased at how it came together and how well it fits. I'll be sure to share more of the final dress once finished too!

I have been cutting up a storm in every free moment I've had and have over 100 stuffed friends in progress for the FLUFF Project! Still need to finish cutting the smaller bits like eyes, noses and hair for some, but I'm hoping to be able to get a lot of them sewn and ready to be stuffed this coming month. 

I've also received 2 good sized donations of stuffed animals for our next FLUFF Project delivery already, so I'm hoping for an impressive first delivery to Juvenile Court for 2017! 

Be sure to keep up with the day to day happenings of life and sewing over on my Instagram page, @hopefulthreads

Thanks for being here!

Keep looking for ways you can #SewToShare & #SpreadHope!

Big Hugs,

Kristy 

2017??? Holy BLOG Batman!!!

2017?

Seriously???

Hard to believe!

While I've not been active on the blog scene, if you follow me on Instagram, you've had a chance to see the whirlwind that was 2016 for our family and my sewing adventures. I've shared a lot of my personal projects, as well as, projects for giving. I continue to love finding opportunities to #sewtoshare and there certainly seems to be no shortage. If you aren't following on IG, you should be! Such a fun and easy to use app that makes it quick to stay connected. Find me, @hopefulthreads HERE.

Lots of plans for more sewing, creating and even a bit of quilting on the agenda for 2017. I also hope to blog a bit as time allows. I enjoy this outlet and sharing and interacting with all of you! I would love to update and add some new Tips & Tutorials. Maybe host a special anniversary collection of stuffed friends for the Fluff Project and/or another giving back opportunity. My brain is churning with inspiration after spending a day cleaning up my sewing space! Lol!

 And, speaking of the Fluff Project, if you haven't checked out our on-going count of stuffed friends being regularly donated, we passed 1,500 friends given to children in foster care with our last delivery! Very exciting!!! And we are so very grateful for those of you that have and continue to support this outreach that is so dear to our family. Thank you! 

I hope you'll follow along....jump in with your comments, interaction and participation as you can, makes things much more fun! 😊

You can find all the ways to keep up on the sidebar to the right. 

Wishing you all a great start to you New Year!

Happy Hello!

Hello My Friends!

I hope you are having a wonderful start to 2016. Things have started off just right for our family and we are full of gratitude and excitement for what's ahead!

Of course, any New Years plans for me also include plans for sewing. :) The opportunity to  #SewToShare has very much become a part of my life. I love sewing and truly can't imagine my life without it. Whether sewing for my family or creating a gift for a stranger, it makes busy my hands and fills my heart at the same time. A perfect combination in my opinion!

I thought I would share with you some of the more regular items I will be sewing to share this year and invite you to participate with any contributions you may like as you are able.

• Zipper Pouches - We will be filling these with travel sized hygiene items for the ICU waiting room at one of our local hospitals. We had a family member spend some time in the ICU & step down unit at the end of last year, and experienced the need for these items for the waiting families firsthand. Sometimes the simplest things can provide the greatest comfort and encouragement.
• Tote Bags - We will be filling these with activities, books, snacks and the like to be provided to children as they come into foster care in our community. This allows each child something to call their own during a very difficult transition. You can read more about the items often included in these bags on my previous post here. 
• Receiving Blankets - The NICU at our local Children's Hospital regularly collects blankets for the babies in their care, they call it the Blanket Angel Project. They have always been so very grateful for anything we have brought to them!
• FLUFF Project - Last but certainly not least, we will continue to collect stuffed friends to be provided to children in foster care through our local Department of Children's Services offices and Juvenile Courts. This project is extra special to our family, and I invite you to learn more on the FLUFF Project page at the top of my blog. I will be making the first delivery for 2016 very soon!

When you have item(s) ready to be mailed, you can ship them to me at the following business address to insure the packages are never left unattended. **Please notify me upon shipping your package whenever possible so I can be watching for it. You can email me and I will gladly share once your items are received and again once delivered. 

Kristy Smith

c/o Echelon Florist

1260 Rocky Hill Road

Knoxville, TN 37919

Thank you all for continuing to be a support and encouragement to me, and also for allowing our family the privilege of delivering your gifts and donations to those listed above. 

Every. Stitch. Matters.

Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing you all the blessings of Christ this season!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

source

The Meaning of Christmas