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!

A Favorite Things Giveaway - SMS Giveaway Day!!!

I've been wanting to say "THANK YOU!!!" for all of your support and participation this year, and have been gathering items with this in mind, so what better way than a GIVEAWAY!!! I figured the SMS Giveaway Day was the perfect opportunity to do so! 

I'm putting together a FABULOUS surprise bundle of some of my favorite things....some sewing....some just special treats! I'll update this post throughout the week with some pictures of fun things I've found to include in the bundle, so be sure and stop back by and take a peek! :)

Ok....here's that peek!

• A Laura Ashley pencil box perfect for storing little notions and such.
• Post-It Notes....can't hardly imagine life without them!
• A roll of my favorite RED Scotch tape.....the only tape for PDF pattern assembly!
• Jelly Belly goodness
• Sewing patterns
• Thread pack with threader and thimble
• Fabric (OF COURSE!!!)
• Woven labels to personalize your handmade items
• A unique pattern coloring book......and more!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My giveaway is open for US shipping. HOWEVER....if you are an international participant of our projects and have sent items in support of any of our 2014 projects, then you are also invited to enter!  I appreciate you all so very much and know the added expense that shipping can be!

OK.

Here's how to enter.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have fun and Happy Giveaway MADNESS!!! 

Find loads more Giveaway fun HERE!

UPDATED!!! Tips & Tutorials Page!

I accomplished a VERY BIG update on the blog this weekend,and I wanted to share with you so it didn't get missed. :) If you are looking for any of the "Tips & Tutorials" I've shared here, it will be MUCH easier for you to find them now. I have updated the "Tips & Tutorials" page and you can visit it by clicking the appropriately labeled tab at the top of the blog. 

OR, JUST CLICK HERE. :)

Maybe there are some you have missed before?

Maybe you have created using one of them?

Would love to hear from you!

Happy Sewing!

Hopeful Threads - What, Why & How???

To try and sum up what Hopeful Threads is can be kind of difficult for me. While at Quilt Market, I was asked many times to do so, and the truth is, I never perfected my "elevator speech". This frustrated me a little at first, but the more I have pondered it, the more appropriate it seems.

I went to Market to help my friends and have the chance to meet in person and say thanks to so many that have supported the sewing outreach of Hopeful Threads. I was not there to intentionally promote Hopeful Threads, though was grateful for each opportunity to share. But the fact that I was unable to compartmentalize this community and the work we do each month...while awkward in the moment, actually makes me smile now. :) 

There have been several posts I've written around here highlighting the "WHY", but I think this one does a great job of expressing my heart and desire for the impact of Hopeful Threads.

In addition....

Hopeful Threads is a community effort. While my family & I personally pour a lot into the outreach each month, we could not do all that we are able to do and give all that we've been able to give without the support & participation of so many of YOU!

 Hopeful Threads is a choice. I do not sew out of obligation, it is my pleasure, and I hope the same for each person that participates in our Monthly Projects. It is a dream come true, a prayer answered. 

Hopeful Threads is growing. We are rounding out our third year of sewing to give and each month I am blown away by the continued generosity and enthusiasm surrounding our projects. 

I am reminded and inspired when I receive comments from participants about the positive impact that sewing along has had on them.......when a tutorial I have shared helps someone create a comforting or practical gift for a friend or loved one......when I receive pictures or messages sharing about our sewn items in action as they were made for. It matters. Every Stitch Matters. 

Hopeful Threads....STILL a place to share your creativity in a way that helps another. 

You can read more about how it all began on my "About Me" page and if you are interested or ever need a reminder yourself about the "WHY" of Hopeful Threads, you can always get a perfect glimpse on the "Recipients" page too. :)

Official Announcement - The FLUFF Project....our ongoing effort to GIVE BACK to children in Foster Care

I'm very excited to share this OFFICIAL news with you!!!

During our April Project Finale and the delivery of nearly 400 stuffed toys for children in Foster Care last month, I decided that sewing and donating stuffed friends for this cause would become the first ONGOING project at Hopeful Threads. The response both of those participating and the caregivers that received the toys to be given out to the children was overwhelming to say the least! So very touching! Our family is excited to see where this will go! The outreach will be known as "The FLUFF Project".

I've created the above badge that you can find on "The FLUFF Project" page at the top of the blog. I would LOVE to have you add this badge to your blogs and websites and help me get the word out that this will indeed continue! 

I have already heard from several others in the Hopeful Threads community that they too have hopes of developing such an outreach within their own local communities, and provide these cheerful and hope-filled gifts to children in Foster Care near them as well. Nothing could please me more than to see this grow and grow and have an impact across the US Foster Care System! I would be delighted to share the progress of any such efforts too, so please share with us as you do this.

Remember, I have created a board on Pinterest FULL of all kinds of plushie and soft toy patterns, tutorials and inspiration to help you as you create. You can find that here, and I will be adding to it continually. 

Additionally, I have a swarm of plushie ideas stirring about in my head that I hope to create and share over time, in support of "The FLUFF Project". 

The first will be Whaley & Starla that I created in April during our original project, and I plan to have them ready to share very soon!

EVERY STITCH MATTERS!

Every single thing you do, whether sewing, spreading the word, starting your own local efforts, purchasing a toy for donation, adding the "FLUFF" badge to your blog/website.....ALL of it matters! All of it leads to ONE MORE child that will receive a stuffed friend to comfort and encourage them during a difficult time. 

Thank you so very much! For being such a HUGE part of bringing this about, for being such a HUGE blessing to me and those who receive your donations, and for helping to make this continued effort an ongoing success! I already have a box beginning to fill and can't wait for it to be full and ready to deliver! I know this is going to be great!

Keepin' In Touch!

Hey Friends!

As our incredible Creative Community continues to grow, I just want to remind you of a few ways to stay connected and in the loop with what's going on at Hopeful Threads each month. You can additionally find links to all of these in the sidebar.

First, and likely most popular, we are on facebook.

I know everyone doesn't like to use it, but it has been a GREAT way for our community to interact with one another and easily link to ideas and tutorials throughout the month as we keep up with our project progress. 

You can of course subscribe to this blog through GFC - Google Friend Connect. The little "Join this Site" that shows your sweet profile picture OR via FeedBurner email at the very top of the sidebar.

Also have the Networked Blogs option for those who like to keep everything in one convenient and personalized place.

If you are on Twitter, you can find me there too! @hopefulthreads

And who doesn't LOVE the creative time vacuum known as Pinterest!?!?! 

Yep, you got it, we're there too! And with LOADS of links to fun sewing tutorials, tips, pattern lists and gorgeous fabric images to drool over as you are inspired to Get Sewin'!

You can follow our progress and share your project sewing with us on flickr too!

We typically have a new album each month to share what we are sewing for that specific project. You can find it, again, in the sidebar, near the top.

You are always, always, always welcome to email me too! :)

Ok...I think that covers it....at least for now!

CHEER Giveaway!

I want to thank you all for jumping in to sew along and SPREAD CHEER the way you have! I appreciate, more than you will likely ever know, sewing with you each month with the purpose of making a difference in the life of someone else. What a blessing!

Today I'd like to offer my gratitude through a CHEER-filled giveaway! :)

This little bundle was created from my stash and includes an unused Stocking Pattern, various fabric cuts from charms to fat quarter size, a package of holiday appropriate buttons and yards of lace in both red and green. A perfect bundle to spread some CHEER! :)

If you are sewing along with us this month, simply follow the prompts below to be entered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner will be announced and emailed 11/26/12 and given 48 hours to respond and claim prize.

Again, thank you all for sewing along and using your gifts and talents to give back in such creative and generous ways!

Thoughtful....Giving....Beautiful!

Just a few of the words I would use to describe the amazing community of Hopeful Threads. 

I am so incredibly THANKFUL for each of you and your support and enthusiasm in giving back through your talents. You are a blessing to many!

I am privileged to receive messages and emails that remind of this on a regular basis. 

This week I received this one...

"Dear Kristy,

I have been holding my breath for about a week waiting to email you about this month's project. Here's the deal. Sometime earlier this year, in an attempt to whittle down my fabric stash, I pulled out all the Christmas fabric I have collected over the years, mostly scraps given to me by friends and coworkers after they find out that I sew and usually little crafty things. The pieces were too small and not the right fabric for decent stockings, so I started making drawstring gift bags. Mid-October hit and I emailed a couple of local charities too see if they would accept handmade items. By late October I hadn't gotten any responses, then you announced your November project. I held my breath to give the charities another few days to respond, but I should have just waited in the first place to see what you had up your sleeve!!!

Most of the bags are between five and seven inches tall, and I have a dozen or so ready to go. I've been playing around with the idea of putting felt tangrams or five stone games (like soft jacks) in some of them, but have three baby showers and holiday hours at work, so I don't know if that will happen. Technically your call was for stockings, but I'm hoping that the bags are close enough to the heart of the projects that I can play too! 

Thanks again for getting everyone involved in such a fabulous project especially during this time of year when your kind of spirit can get lost in the hustle and bustle.

Audrey"

My response,  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is exactly the kind of thing I love to see happen! Someone considering what they have and how it can be used. Hopeful Threads as a springboard for something more, something personal. Perfect.  Thoughtful. Giving. Beautiful.
While I do create a specific project focus each month, that is primarily to help simplify and clarify as we create a common goal. It makes it easier than the vast possibilities. However, if there is ever a way that you want to give that is applicable to our project, that is ALWAYS WELCOME!
This month alone examples of such are gifts like these adorable bags, stocking stuffers, plush friends, pillowcases....all that would be perfect, CHEERFUL gifts for children in the hospital during the holidays. 
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -Theodore Roosevelt 

Why Are We Even Doing This???

Because Every Stitch Matters.

It really does.

I believe so. 

I think it's a good idea to revisit the "Why?" behind Hopeful Threads from time to time. It helps provide a reminder and hopefully encouragement for those who have been around for a while and maybe clarify some things for new friends. Either way, keeping the "Why?" front and center helps us all remain on the same page, headed toward the same goal....sharing our creativity in a way that helps another.

I recently received pictures from my friend Jeannie at Caring for China's Orphans. (formerly known as Annabelle's Wish for those of you who may have heard me mention before) The pictures are of our little friends at the Starfish Foster Home in Xi'an China who were the recipients of our January 2012 sewing project of bloomers. Lots of precious little models here to show off your work! Do you see any of the bloomers you made???

These little cuties can clarify the "WHY?" far better than anything I could say, so here you are...

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs provided by Caring for China's Orphans. Please use only with their permission.

That's certainly enough to keep me sewing! :)

Leads me to think of this quote I read on another blog recently,
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' "
~Erma Louise Bombeck

Caring for China's Orphans has been caring for the needs of Chinese orphans since 1995. They are in the process of developing their website, but you can follow the progress on their facebook page here or request to be added to their newsletter list. 

For more on how Hopeful Threads got started you can read the "About Me" page at the top of the blog and you are always welcome to email me as well.