January Project FINALE!

Our first project for 2013 is coming to a close and I have to thank you all for making it another great success! The bag donations are beginning to roll in and they look AMAZING! 

There are over 60 bags photographed in our group album! I can't wait to deliver these, I know they are going to be such a blessing!

I intend to deliver them the second week of February, so that should give plenty of time for shipping. Be sure and see if your items can ship Priority Mail Flat Rate, as that is often times the cheapest route. I will post on facebook and under your picture in the group album once I pick up the bags so you will know when I have received yours. 

Also, if you've not yet entered our current Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway, it's the last day to do so! Scroll down a couple of posts and enter! If you've sewn along this month, you are eligible for a BONUS ENTRY too! :) Winner announced tomorrow!

Additionally, since once again you all have been incredible and inspiring and helped me to "Deliver Love" to someone who could use a little extra, by participating in this month's project, I have a little gift from my stash that I will be sending to one of you that have added your picture(s) to our project album. I will choose the winner for this gift tomorrow as well. 

I can't tell you all how very grateful I am to sew with you each month!

Remember, Every Stitch Matters!

And be sure to stop back tomorrow to find out what February's project is!!!!

SOOOOO EXCITED to share this one! Plenty more sewing fun ahead for sure!

Until then...

Pattern Review - Aivilo Fold Over Purse by Aivilo Charlotte Designs for Create H.O.P.E. Designs

 I'm very excited to share with you the newest pattern contribution to the Create H.O.P.E. Designs collection, the Aivilo Fold Over Purse by Aivilo Charlotte Designs.

 This is such a unique purse pattern, and a quick and fun project to sew too!

The purse itself is almost "sack" like, with optional inner pockets. 

The adorable ruffly edge is designed to fold over to close the purse and give it this perfectly pleasing purse look with no fuss at all. Love it! 

This one was made as part of our January 2013 "Bag It Up!" Project, but my daughter loved it so much, I imagine it won't be long before I'm making another! :)

Fact is, this sweet bag was so easy to put together with all of the step-by-step instructions and photographs provided, I had it finished in a single naptime from start to complete! NICE!

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Beginner

Size Range: N/A

Special Techniques: Ruffling for trim.

Pattern Format: PDF

Materials Used: The outer print is a light weight home dec. fabric and is lined with a regular cotton.

Personal Notes: Quick and fun to sew! Unique, easy to use bag that would be perfect for any age just by changing the fabrics you use. 

Find all of the fabulous $5 patterns in the Create H.O.P.E. Designs collection here!

Bags! Bags! Bags!!!

Have you checked out our project album for the January Project yet???

We are rapidly approaching our goal with lots of gorgeous bags being sewn!

THANK YOU!!!

 My latest additions, once again all created from the home dec. samples provided by Contemporary Cloth. They have been perfect for this project! 

Still plenty of time to sew along, and we'd love to have you a part!

Details here.

Baggin' It Up!

Here are some of the bags I've finished so far. 

All of these were made from Home Dec. samples donated by Contemporary Cloth. The larger cuts made for perfectly sized bags and the smaller I've used as pockets. An ideal upcycle if you ask me! :)

The fabrics are nice and sturdy making durable bags, and I love the beautiful prints. 

Hoping to finish a few more soon and get them all packed with goodies. 

How's your sewing going?

Remember, there's still plenty of time to participate and help us reach our goal of at least 50 bags donated this month. 

See this post for all the details and THANKS for being a part!

January 2013 - Monthly Project Announcement!

So.....WHO'S READY TO SEW???????????????

Good!!!!! Me too!!!!!! :)

And I'm excited about the first project of 2013....it's another great one, supporting another great outreach already in action!

I have some local friends who regularly work with and provide for the homeless in our community. They not only look to provide physical needs, but also build and nurture relationships, encouraging each they come in contact with. The outreach started as a simple Girl Scout project to provide bottled water to homeless individuals....thus it's name, Water Angels. This simple gesture has turned into a ministry that serves thousands of people annually! Love how One Small Thing turned BIG!!!!

 This time of year when it's getting cold around here, they provide blankets and shoes as part of their outreach. They recently provided over 500 pairs of shoes as part of their Christmas Service & Meal!  When I got to thinking of how we might could help them, I imagined those with very little stability in their lives needing a lot of things. I started to feel overwhelmed and had to remind myself of what I often share here....one small thing at a time....it adds up! One thing I thought would be nice for us to easily sew would be a Tote Bag or Backpack for them to carry their belongings. So, that's what we are going to work on for our January 2013 Project!

Here are a few simple, free tutorials to help you get started, but you can of course use any you would like.

Tote Bag Tutorial

Cinch-up Backpack Tutorial

Messenger Bag Tutorial

There are many other options on my "Sewing & Stitching" board on Pinterest here too.

Think STURDY and LONG LASTING as you make your fabric selections.

All ages and prints for men, women & children welcome.

Additionally, there is always a significant need for toiletries and socks, so if you can include any of these kinds of items with your bags, that would be WONDERFUL!!!! Do you have a friend that is a dentist? Great! Ask for some extra toothbrushes or toothpaste! Got a discount store near by? How about purchasing some non-perishable, nutritious food items like granola bars to add to the bags. There are so many great items we can include to show our support and care for those in need....have fun with it and get your kids involved! Mine LOVE to participate in these kinds of things!

Saw this pic/idea on a friend's facebook page, they called them "Blessing Bags" and they kept them in their car to hand out anytime they saw someone in need. What an awesome idea!

If you would like to participate this month, but don't have time to sew, then PLEASE feel free to send items to help fill the bags. Everything you give will be much appreciate and put to good use!

When I asked how many they typically serve each week, the Director shared that it was around 150. She has only asked for 50 bags. I think we can beat that though don't you????? :)

These are the kinds of items that can ALWAYS be used, so I say let's see if we can just blow them away with our outpouring! 

ARE YOU WITH ME?????

I especially need your sewing help this month, as we are still adjusting to our precious new addition, so let me just say THANK YOU in advance for your enthusiasm and willingness to jump in! :)

Now, if you have a local homeless outreach that you would like to support with your sewing this month, by all means, do so! If you'd like to specifically help support the outreach of Water Angels that I am coordinating, then just email me when you are ready to ship your item(s) to me and I'll send you the mailing address. I intend to deliver these HOPEFULLY stuffed bags early February.
You can add pictures of your finished bags to our January 2013 Project Album here. 

So join me! Let's "Bag It Up!" and show our care and compassion for the homeless in our communities by sewing and filling these special bags just for them!

Learn more about the Water Angels outreach on their website here.

Follow the Water Angels facebook page here.

Monthly Project Finale!

January's project comes to a close and here's what we have to offer Annabelle's Wish for the sweet babies they care for!

From Kristy (Me!)

From Pam @ Threading My Way

From Sarah @ Fabric Seeds

From Lana @ Elfqueenof5

From Bonnie @ Fishsticks Designs

From Melissa

From Sunni @ Love Affair

From Jodi

From Kelly

From Garilyn @ It's Time to Sew!

Ready to get packed and shipped!!!

There are still a few covers yet to arrive and be added to our box before shipping, but I have been delighted and encouraged by your enthusiastic response and support! THANK YOU!

Make sure you stop by tomorrow to see what we'll be up to for February....it's going to be a FUN and FULL month!!!

Monthly Project Progress Report!

Well, here they are... 

My finished bloomers for January's Monthly Project.

I ended up with 1-3M, 5-12M and 8-3T. I flubbed up on my other two 3Ts, but had another seamstress agree to contribute this past week, so we should still be all good! I can determine what's still needed when packing everything up, but looks good right now.

There's still a week left for this month's focus, and I've already heard from several of you that your bloomers are on the way. I will be sure to share on facebook each time I have a package arrive and will show our complete pile together once I have them all. It's been so exciting to have you all sewing along this month! Thank you again for your help!

Meet Annabelle's Wish!

 I wanted to take a minute to give a proper introduction and glimpse into the work of Annabelle's Wish, the organization who will be arranging delivery of the bloomers we are making this month, to China!

Annabelle's Wish came to be in 1995 when the founder Jeannie was preparing to travel to China to complete the adoption of her daughter Haley.

Jeannie began gathering supplies to take to the orphanage that was caring for Haley while they were fulfilling the adoption process. Touched by the generosity of donors, she learned quickly that this wouldn't be a one time gift for her and her family. Since, they have helped deliver a variety of items like diapers, clothing, toys, vitamins and medicines to a growing  number of orphanages and foster homes in China. Additionally, they have begun to help arrange medical services and surgery like cleft lip repair, as well as, educational services for older children. They are currently serving approximately 2,000 children. 

WOW!!!! That is super exciting!

For a closer look, you can visit the Starfish Foster Home to see one of the facilities that benefits from the work and love of Annabelle's Wish and the donor's (like you!) that support them!

(For an EXTRA dose of sweetness & smiles, you can meet the other sweet babies here!)

I hope you will take a moment to get to know these incredible children and the loving caregivers that provide for their needs everyday! They are both AMAZING! There are a multitude of ways you can support their efforts and be a part of something wonderful! Their newsletter lists items that can be donated and shipped to a US address for redistribution and will save the expense of international shipping. Jeannie likes to fill the suitcases of travelers and businessmen and save the $ for supplies...I love that! If you would like to receive Annabelle's newsletter or learn more about child sponsorship, you can email here. Blessings guaranteed! :)