I took the "Stalking" Challenge!

Are you playing along with the "Stalking" challenge at Pattern Revolution???

I immediately knew I wanted to take part, but having SOOOOOO many patterns I love I had no idea where to start! 

The idea is to take the FREE stocking pattern they are offering and transform it into a unique creation in honor of one of your favorite patterns. Essentially....make the stocking look like your favorite pattern. 

After MUCH deliberation, I decided it would be fun and festive to use one of my favorite stuffed toy patterns from My Funny Buddy! I decided to make my stocking mimic Lucy's Reindeer Pattern.

Ok, so here are the pictures of the pattern from the My Funny Buddy shop...

 ...and here is my "Stalking" creation...

Whatcha think????

Pretty stinkin' cute right???

Sure hope My Funny Buddy likes it too! :)

I'll be adding my little fella to the contest....yes, the whole "Stalking" challenge is part of a contest. You can play along too! Get all the details here.

And don't forget....you can get 25% OFF anything in the My Funny Buddy shop until 12/21/13 using discount code "HOPE25". She has soooo many cute patterns that would be perfect holiday gifts and stocking stuffers!

Oh!!! Be sure to stop back by later this week to see the gorgeous new stockings I made for my crew using the fabulous free pattern above from Pattern Revolution. I've sewn this one a few times now! ;)

The Power of One. YOU.

Sewing Essential - Crafter's Comfort (Arthritis Relief) Gloves

If there were ever an item I felt "essential" in my sewing room, especially during the colder months, this would be it! What I'm wearing above is the Crafter's Comfort Gloves by Dritz. I've worn a similar product focused towards arthritis patients for several years, so I was delighted to see this product being offered within the crafting industry, since I primarily wear them when I am sewing. 

 The gloves are part of a product line called Creative Comfort. This clever line of products has been thoughtfully designed by an Orthopedic Surgeon to enable crafters to keep doing what they love - while supporting, warming and providing pain relief to their thumbs, hands, wrists, back & neck. See the full collection here. 

I sincerely love these gloves!

 Having experienced an injury to my right arm several years ago that resulted in some loss of circulation to my hand, my hand gets very, very cold, very, very easily. Cold hands become stiff hands, and well.....stiff hands don't want to do all the things I need to do to be able to sew and create as I wish to. When I wear these gloves, they not only keep my hand nicely warm, but they help me maintain my flexibility and prevent some of the hand & upper arm arthritic aching that I experienced before wearing them. 

I use them comfortably & easily throughout my creative process.

The gloves come in a variety of sizes. They are made of a breathable cotton/spandex fabric, so no sweating. They provide mild compression throughout the covered area that supports and warms as you work. The open finger tips allow you to still be able to grip and type/text freely. They are machine washable. You can ask for them wherever you buy your Dritz sewing products. 

Because my hand is hard to keep warm during the winter months, I have often even slept with mine on. This is an item that I can not do without when it comes to sewing during the winter. My work room is in our basement, with concrete floors and is much cooler than the rest of our house. These gloves keep my hand warm & flexible which keeps me sewing....which makes me very happy! :) 

An absolute "Sewing Essential" for me!

For other items I like to keep in my sewing room or consider sewing essentials, see the "Sewing Essentials" page at the top of the blog. 

*Disclaimer: The particular pair of gloves used in this post were provided to me for review. All opinions are my own. 

Perfect Stocking Stuffers from My Funny Buddy!

If you are looking for a fun, quick and perfect gift to help stuff those stockings, the Reindeer Stuffie from My Funny Buddy is perfect!

 These little guys go together in a snap and are so cute! Perfect gift for boys and girls!

This bundle was made for some really special kids in our community. 3 of them are going to a set of brothers that along with their amazing Mama each year, they perform RACKs. That is Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. I am loving following along with their fun this year! They do the simplest yet most thoughtful things like "plug" soda machines so the next person doesn't have to pay, leave microwave popcorn taped to a movie rental box and candy canes taped to ATMs, each with a note that says "You've been RACKed!" with an explanation of what that is. Well, they inspired me! And, these little guys will be showing up in their mailbox with a message saying they too have been RACKed! :)

The 4th one is headed to a very special girl that has been going above and beyond in her family. I hope each of them likes their new holiday friend!

Find this sweet pattern in the My Funny Buddy shop here!

Maybe you can perform your own RACKs in your neighborhood! :)

**BONUS**
Use Code "HOPE25" to receive 25% OFF Anything in the My Funny Buddy Shop from now until 12/21/13! Check out all that's available here. 

Merry Christmas!

Pattern Review - Ellie the Baby Elephant, Wardrobe & Travel Case by Ruby Jean's Closet

Hold on to your hats, because your cuteness meter is about to blow it's top!!!

This is one insanely cute set by Ruby Jean's Closet and I'm so exited to share about it with you in time for Christmas sewing since it would make a perfect gift for any little love on your list! 

This is the Ellie Baby Elephant Doll, Wardrobe and Travel Case by Ruby Jeans Closet. Each of these patterns can be purchased separately, but once you see them, you're going to want them all! Ruby Jean was so kind and generous and sent the set over for me to sew up in support of the FLUFF Project. I have 2 more sweet Ellie's in the works right now for our next donation delivery. 

But of course, when my little Princess saw it, she really needed one for herself too. :) And just to go ahead and make sure we are all on the same page....our theme....PINK!!!! :D

 The sweet elephant doll is such a great size for cuddling! She comes with the patterns for bib and diaper you'll see below as part of the wardrobe, and also the little bow. I love the bow!!! Instructions are included for how to add a bit of velcro so the bows can be interchanged, but knowing my Lil' Miss and how things get lost, I opted to just put this one on a safety pin so that when it was "missing" it wouldn't look like our little friend had a bandage on her head. ;) Maybe when she's a little older we can revisit the interchangeable bows, as I think that is such a fun idea!

When open, the Travel Case serves as Ellie's home. One side has her dresser that INDEED holds her clothing.... 

 ....while the other side is her bed. Seriously.....you think it can't get cuter already don't you!?!?! Well just wait, it DOES!!!!

When ready for on the go, Ellie and all her goodies tuck neatly inside and zip up in this very sturdy and attractive Travel Case. 

You are loving her as much as I am aren't you??? :) Well get ready for her fashion show, because now it's time to share her Wardrobe!

Of course we have the Twirl Skirt with coordinating Bow that you have seen....

Then she has this darling Pillowcase Dress that can be made in 3 lengths for a top, dress or gown. Mine is made in the gown length. I think I'll have to make my Miss a matcher soon! :)

 And OH MY!!!! What about these PJs!?!?! I know! SQUEEEEEE!!!!

 Every Baby needs a diaper and bib, and I made mine out of soft flannel. 

 There are even more items in her Wardrobe that you can add too, and remember, all can be stuffed right inside her Dresser in the Travel Case for storage and easy "to go" play as well!

My verdict is TOTAL LOVE! I can't wait for my Sweet One to open this on Christmas morning and realize Mommy did make her one too! ;) She watches all my sewing and is always curious about which items will stay and which will be going. I've had to play this one off a bit. ;)

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience: Doll and Wardrobe are suitable for a confident Beginner Seamstress, Travel Case better for seamstress with Intermediate level sewing skills/experience.

Size Range: N/A

Special Techniques: Sewing a stuffed toy, applique, applying bias tape, working with elastic, inserting a zipper. 

Pattern Format: PDF

Materials Used: I have used all designer Cotton Wovens for my project with some fusible interfacing as noted in pattern. 2 zippers for case. Elastic for clothing. 

Personal Notes: LOVE! Love this sweet doll and all her trimmings! She is a doll I will make again for donation and love the dimension and ease of assembly the pattern provides.  

FINAL DAY of Hidden Treasures Auction!

Today is the FINAL DAY of the current Hidden Treasures auction....the FINAL AUCTION of the 2013 year! 

Can I ask you to please take a minute to visit the auction and consider bidding on one of the incredible donations? There are loads of gift cards, handmade gifts, candies, jewelry, toys and MORE!!!! All items will be shipped in time for Christmas, so this is a great way to get a gift and GIVE one at the same time!!! Just click on the Hidden Treasures logo image above and you'll be there!

I have one of my Super Dolls in the auction again who is currently well below the regular retail price they sell for! Wouldn't he be perfect for a little "super" fella in your life???

For Good or For Bad....the Power of 1

I didn't know anything about this story when my daughter asked to go see the movie. She gave me a briefing as we headed to the theater this past weekend and it sounded like something we would definitely enjoy. It was.
The movie is The Book Thief.

Movie Poster

I don't want to give anything specific away, because it is very worthwhile seeing, but it did provide a perfect image of the powerful impact 1 person can have....for good or for bad.

Being set in Germany during World War II, you can image the dire circumstances surrounding the characters. The main character being Liesel, a young girl that faces more loss and heartbreak.....more reasons to loose all hope than can hardly be imagined. More opportunities, as a child, to be courageous than many face in a lifetime.

I had never really considered the devastating impact of Hitler's corrupt leadership on everyday life for his own people. The negative reach of his inhumanity was consuming of victims expanding far and wide that weren't even his direct targets. Obviously those that were his targets receiving the greatest measure of his relentless and unjust punishments. One of which finds refuge with Liesel and her family, offering her an opportunity to learn and to love and to embody all that is humanity.

Oh it's a beautiful story!!! A sad, difficult story, but one full of genuine hope.

Obviously you know how the War ends, so it's not a spoiler to share that HUMANITY WINS! The Good...while broken, scarred and forever changed, rises up. Overcomes. Blooms from the ashes. It's not a glorious image of victory, but a bold and true life, changed yet again...stronger. More beautiful and relate-able. One that says simply with it's presence
"I will not give in. I will give more."
And so leaves me wanting to know more of this young girl and the woman she grew to become.

Here's the trailer if you'd like to watch.

The movie is based on the novel by the same title written by Australian author, Markus Zusak. We will definitely be adding it to our library very soon.

I'll leave you with one of the most thoughtful quotes from the narrator of the book, who is a most interesting character all his own....
"I'm always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty and I wonder how the same thing can be both..."