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 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

#SewToShare - Personal Progress: May 2015

Been doing a lot of sewing around here and finally taking the time to sit down and do a little progress post. All of this incredible fluff is finished, tagged and loaded into my van for delivery next week.....we can't wait!!! Delivery days are always so much fun for our family! A great way to kick of the summer for sure! 

These little friends were made using the Little Love Bunny pattern from Jennifer Jangles. I was thrilled to win this pattern during an Instagram giveaway! And the best part.....when Jennifer found out that I would be using the pattern to sew for our FLUFF Project, she sent a box of stuffed friends she had made to be included with our next delivery!! Awesome, I know!!! You can find the Little Love Bunny pattern HERE, and be sure to check out the other creative inspiration on Jennifer's site as well....including FREE sewing patterns! 

This is the "Starla Starfish" pattern that I created and offer for FREE! I've added ric rac loops to the ends of each "arm", along with sewn felt eyes, so these friends can be perfect for even our youngest recipients! It also allows a way to connect this soft friend to a stroller or carrier to help keep close by. You can find the FREE Starfish Pattern HERE!

These playful pups are some of my favorites to sew! Simple and quick and absolutely LOVABLE in every way! They are made using the George the Puppy pattern in the book Girl's Word by Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom. You can find this pattern FREE here! I have truly lost count of how many of these pups I have sewn over the years!

This is another simple and sweet pattern to sew! This is the Henry & Helga elephant pattern offered as a FREE pattern & tutorial at Birch Fabrics. Find this pattern HERE.

I love sewing these sweet dolls and they are always well received! The potential for making each individual and personal is endless! These were made using the Matroyshka Doll pattern by Whimsy Couture. You can find this darling pattern HERE. I think this pattern has even been updated to include multiple sizes since I first bought it years ago, allowing for the opportunity to make these sweet friends in a variety of huggable sizes! 

And last to share are my beautiful ballerinas that I posted in detail about yesterday! LOVE THEM!!! This pattern is by Blue Whimsy and is a ton of fun to sew with! These little sweethearts radiate cheer and personality!!! You can find this pattern HERE. 

So there you have it! A peek into my sewing accomplishments over the past couple of months!
Learn more about the FLUFF Project and how you can be a part by clicking the image below!

Now.....where to start next!!! ;)

Good Word Wednesday

Good Word Wednesday

Good Word Wednesday

My favorite message of the season!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!

2014 - 1st Quarter Project Announcement

As many of you know, our family is personally connected with our local foster care community. A need that is continually been brought to our attention is that of Hygiene Products for children as they enter foster custody. As I have mentioned before when we have sewn for the foster care community, it isn't uncommon for children to come into care with little to no personal belongings. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but the NEED remains the same. The children range in age from newborn - 18 years old. By providing Personal Care Bags for the children, they instantly have something in hand that belongs to them, while at the same time, it will help lighten the instant preparations of their new caregivers.  

For our 2014 - 1st Quarter Project, we are going to focus on how we can meet this need. I'm going to break down the details below with Suggestions of different items that can be sewn or purchased in support of our 1st Quarter Project. I'm trying to simplify and help guide our sewing/gathering with these suggestions, but please do not feel limited by them in any way. 

The need is Hygiene/Personal Care Bags filled with Age Appropriate items. 

Have fun filling them with things you, your children or grandchildren might like, and I'm sure they will find their way to a child who can use every single item included! As always, please don't hesitate to email me with any questions and I will personally reply as soon as I can. Here we go....

THINGS WE CAN SEW:

Tote Bags and/or Diaper Bags

Pillowcases

Laundry Bags

Cosmetic/Toiletry Bags & Pouches

**Additionally, I have had a specific request for Hooded Towels/Blankets since some children are having to be treated for head lice immediately upon coming into care, and may be transported with hair still wet. Having their heads covered is especially important during the cold months we are in. Find a link to several different DIY versions here.

THINGS WE CAN PURCHASE:

Many of these items may also easily be sewn for those interested in doing so. Focus here on what is age appropriate for the age range you are packing the bag for.

Newborn-Toddler Bag: Wipes, diapers, diaper cream, baby soap/shampoo, bibs, burpcloths, pacifiers, bottles/sippy cups, snacks, formula, small age appropriate toy/activity/book. 

5-12 years Child's/Junior's Bag: Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Tootbrush/Paste, Brush/Comb, Hair Accessories like pony tail holders, styling products, etc. , deodorant, lotion, underwear, socks, small age appropriate toy/activity/book.

13-18 years Teen's Bag: Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Tootbrush/Paste, Brush/Comb, Hair Accessories like pony tail holders, styling products, etc. , deodorant, lotion, perfume/cologne, underwear, socks, shaving supplies, menstrual supplies, journal.

TARGET DATE:

The need is immediate, so you can send your items as soon as they are ready, and I will make periodic deliveries throughout the Quarter as I have a box full.

The 1st Quarter Project will run active from January 1, 2014 - March 31, 2014. Seeing as how this is most definitely an on-going need, I will gladly continue to deliver any bags anyone wishes to send on-going for this need as well. 

SHIP TO:

When your item(s) are 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. As always, I will post either on your photo in our Flickr group album or facebook when packages are received. 

Kristy Smith

c/o Echelon Florist

1260 Rocky Hill Road

Knoxville, TN 37919

I will be sharing samples of the bags I put together along the way to provide ideas and welcome any you may have as well! I've created a 2014/1st Quarter Project Flickr Album where you can add pictures of your project donations, which can further serve as ideas and inspiration for others interested in participating. 

Additionally, if you come across any new patterns/tutorials or special sales on items that might be useful for our project, Please Share! I will do the same, and already have pinned many, many sewing tutorials perfect for this project on my Pinterest Boards HERE.

Let's make an impact on this precious community of children and their caregivers this quarter!