A True Love Story

Happy Valentine's Day!

Watch or Listen HERE.

Happy Veteran's Day

Post by The Revolution.

In Memory & Gratitude for all who have and do sacrifice so much, every day.

#TBT - A quick & useful Father's Day Gift....with FREE Pattern!

Father's Day is JUST around the corner! As in, 10 days away.

No worries, I've got you covered with a perfectly useful gift for all those awesome BBQ Kings! :)

Find the Downloadable Pattern & Tutorial HERE!

Happy Sewing!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas....

source

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Maybe....

Free Printable HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving!

source

Wishing you and your families a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving weekend.

Our Ornament Fundraiser - The potential impact of ONE!

I wanted to say a special THANK YOU to those who have purchased and/or shared about our Ornament Fundraiser to support the FLUFF Project! Each and every ornament sold helps us in the continued outreach of providing stuffed friends to children in foster care. 

I wanted to share a closer look at some ways the funds can be used to help us continue to give in this way.

Poly-Fil stuffing to stuff the handmade toys I sew. Purchased from Jo-Ann's 32oz. pkg. $8.99

Some projects also call for pillow forms. 

Doll Panels like these....Hello Tokyo from Contemporary Cloth Inc. 

-OR- Storybook from Fabric Outlet range in price from $5.50 and up.

Additional fabric yardage is used for backing panels and creating stuffed toys from scratch too. While I am a careful clearance and sale shopper, even when discounted, good quality fabric averages $5-$8 a yard. 

Many PDF pattern designers have generously provided their patterns as a donation to the FLUFF project, I do also purchase patterns specifically for the project as well. The price of patterns can range from $1-$10 each. I am of course able to reuse these and also try and use free tutorials found on-line as well, to affordably expand the selection we provide. 

Other expenses include, felt & wool felt, thread, embroidery floss, needles, buttons, appliques, interfacing and a variety of tools that occasionally need to be replaced such as rotary blades, turning tools and the like.

Finally, in addition to the handmade items that are regularly contributed to the FLUFF Project, we also watch for deals on store bought stuffed toys. One excellent and inexpensive option are the $5 Kohl's Cares stuffed toys.

Locally, the money from the sale of these items goes to our Children's Hospital, which is doing great things within our community and beyond.....something we are very proud to support!

****Now, I think it's important that I say, our family is more than happy to contribute to these expenses, as we have and will continue to. This is simply an opportunity for those who would like to support our efforts while getting a special holiday gift at the same time.****

To find out more about the beautiful, keepsake ornaments available for purchase now - December 1st with the $$ raised poured back into our FLUFF Project, see the Ornament Fundraiser album here. You can email me directly with any questions or to place your order. 

THANK YOU for helping us to give back even more!

Holiday Fundraiser to support Hopeful Threads/FLUFF Project!

My friends at Quantum Jewelry have offered me a very special opportunity to use their beautiful, SnowWonders® Snowflakes Christmas Ornaments for a fundraiser for Hopeful Threads! 

They believe strongly in giving back, and have very tender hearts for children in need, and so they would like to show their support for the ongoing outreach efforts of Hopeful Threads and the FLUFF Project by offering these beautifully crafted keepsakes to you and your families. From now through December 1, 2013, you can purchase any of their SnowWonders® Snowflakes Ornaments, and know that you are also helping Hopeful Threads! For each $15 ornament ordered through me, Hopeful Threads will receive $10 to put towards the FLUFF Project! This is a HUGE blessing, especially as we go into the holidays and would like to make sure plenty of stuffed friends are on hand for the kiddos! 

***UPDATE!!!*** Just received this message from my friend Tammy at Quantum Jewelry regarding our Ornament Fundraiser posted about this morning... "Kristy, I just got word from an anonymous donor that they will match 5.00 to each ornament ordered. THAT means you keep the full 15.00 for each ornament sold!!!!!! Great news for a MONDAY! Loving it!" 

I don't know what to say! THANK YOU!!!! Both the Quantum Jewelry family and this generous anonymous donor!!! 

SPORTS. CAREER. HOBBY. SEASONAL. 

Here's a glimpse at some of the intricately detailed and personally themed ornaments available...

 And my personal favorite with thimbles, needles and scissors, perfect for the Seamstress!

These beautiful ornaments are a unique & personal gift for all those on your holiday shopping list!

To order, you can check out the individual options in the "Ornament Fundraiser Album" on the Hopeful Threads facebook page or see the complete selection at SnowWonders.com . Then, email me with the name(s) of the ornament(s) you'd like to order. I will invoice you and then forward your paid order on to Quantum for delivery. (orders must come through me for Hopeful Threads to receive our portion)
Further details in the "Ornament Fundraiser Album".

Order yours and support the FLUFF Project to provide stuffed friends for children in foster care!

EMAIL ME with any questions at all!
And THANK YOU for allowing your holiday shopping to help Hopeful Threads!
 

Happy Mother's Day!

For all of those that fill the irreplaceable role of "Mom", I wish you a beautiful day! 

You matter more than I'm sure you will ever know.

Free Printable Source

Easter Blessings

source

LOVE

Happy Valentines Day! 

Happy MLK Jr. Day!

from pinterest

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Looking forward to a year of sewing with you in 2013!

Every Stitch Matters. Each item sewn and donated makes a difference. When showing we care for another, no act or effort is too small. 

Excited. Full of gratitude for this community. Hopeful as we look ahead.

It's going to be a GREAT year!

Makin' a List

 It's that time of year when many of us have gifts for our family and friends on the mind. Today, I wanted to offer a list of possible places to consider shopping for some of those special gifts. Each of these businesses/organizations have a greater meaning behind their gifts and offer the opportunity for your gift to give in even more ways....got to love that! :) 

You can learn more by clicking each image link below. 

Thirty-One Products

Unique Jewelry & Ornaments

Sewing & Cloth Diapering Supplies

Boutique Children's Clothing

Coffee With Heart

PDF Sewing Patterns

Global Handmade Gifts

Gifts that Invest in more!

Auctions of HOPE

Gifts that keep giving!

Every product has a story.

World Vision

This is only a sample of the possibilities, there are  so many choices!

Give More.

Shop With Purpose.

Invest in something BIGGER!

And feel good about the gifts you give this season. :)

"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want." ~Anna Lappe

Pattern Review - Peasant Top & Bodacious Bow by Whimsy Couture

Anyone else fully enjoying Christmas sewing???

I sure am!

This is one of my latest creations for my Lil' Bit, made using the Peasant Top pattern by Whimsy Couture, including the fabulous Bodacious Bow accent! (Which I LOVE!!!) :)

 I finished it with the little snowflake looking stitch, which is the only thing that could have made me love it even more! :) Can't wait to see this one on my sweet girl!

 This is a very quick and simple top/dress to sew. The pattern offers multiple variations so you can personalize your sewing. I chose long sleeves with shirring.

And THAT BOW!!! My favorite part! 

 This will be an easy wear option too, perfect with boots and leggings and layered for the colder months. 

You can find the pattern in the Whimsy Couture pattern shop here. 

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Beginner

Size Range: 0/3 Months - 11/12 Years

Special Techniques: Elastic Casing, Shirring (optional)

Pattern Format: PDF

Materials Used: Cotton Christmas print and solid.

Personal Notes: Fun and easy to sew and perfect for cotton fabrics. Enjoyed the accent stitching and shirring option of the sleeves, and that BOW!!! Just love that bow! :)