#SewToShare - Personal Progress: July 2015

It has been one seriously BUSY month around our home! Summer activities, camp, VBS, a complete room makeover (or TWO!), regular day to day duties like the MOUNTAIN of laundry generated by our household of 8, and even, yes, even a bit of sewing! 

We started off the month painting and redecorating our boys' room. They decided to go with a super hero theme and it turned out SUPER! I had so much fun with this and even painted a city scene mural on a whim that I had been inspired by on an Instagram page I follow. I still have some valances and pillowcases to sew for them, but all in all, an accomplishment we were all pleased with.

In the midst of that, I learned that my girls needed extra PJ bottoms for camp. Yea, you know, those last minute requests that have you sewing like the Grinch on the night before Christmas! I did manage to finish a big stack of flannel PJ pants just in time for them to leave for camp. They have NO TROUBLE whatsoever finding fabrics they love, so it was a fun mix to get to stitch up!

On a whim....which just seems to happen to me sometimes...I decided I was tired of vacuuming my stairs and so ripped the carpet off. This led to a sanding and painting episode that by most patient and wonderful husband had to endure. :) I had seen THIS TUTORIAL at Tamara Kate's blog that inspired me. I'm hoping to decide on a fabric to finish off my now freshly painted stairs soon!

If you are on Instagram, be sure to follow me @hopefulthreads I've been sharing a bunch of great pictures!

While they were gone, we helped decorate our church for a super fun jungle themed VBS the first week, followed by the fun filled VBS the next week! The rest of the time, we took on a SURPRISE makeover of our big girls' room, and while a lot of work, it was SO FUN and turned out perfect! They were totally surprised and are still talking about just how much they love it! It feels good when you really nail a vision for someone when they've shared different ideas of what they like. You can see all the pictures I shared on THIS POST.

I've also been working on clearing out my sewing space and getting things much more organized. This initiated a DESTASH, so please check that out if you haven't yet! Even if you aren't on Instagram, if you see something you are interested in, just email me. I will gladly consider reasonable offers as well, especially for multiple item purchases! ;) @hopefulthreads_destash

Part of the clean up in here meant making another awesome FLUFF Project delivery! My husband dropped off another 86 stuffed friends, bringing our current total delivered to date to 1,275!!! That just makes me smile every time I think about it! The staff and Magistrates of Juvenile Court had high praise and encouraging stories to share about the way the children are reacting to our gifts. I can't tell you how much this means to me and my family! Thank you for continuing to trust us with this very special mission of HOPE!

Left to Right: Frankie Holt, Knox County Clerk
Magistrate Kay Kaserman (who has shared some very touching first-hand stories regarding the reaction of the sweet children receiving the gifts!)
Magistrate Michael Fortune (who always cracks me up by immediately beginning to fill his personal courtroom box!)
Magistrate Irene Joseph
Lt. Jim Dunn, Knox Co. Sheriff's Dept.

I've also made a bit more progress on the MEGA stack of tote bags I'm working on for the foster closet. I picked up some more fusible fleece yesterday for these, so I'm hoping to have them on the finished list next month!

And that original goals list....well, not too bad...

Cook more, especially with my children.

Sew curtains for my youngest daughter's room. (FINALLY!!!)

Fresh paint for several rooms in our home. In Progress....and more added!

New skirts for my girls.

Sew "Busy Bags" & Totes for the foster closet. In Progress, A BUNCH!!!

Read some chapter books aloud to my kiddos.

Gifts for our local Animal Shelter.

Participate in library events.
Sort my patterns. ALL of them! 

Visit the zoo.

Help my youngest daughter, now 5, sew her first "something".

Create a pattern/tutorial for a special medical comfort item.

Sew some adult sized bibs for my grandfather.

Make new oven mitts, potholders and such for our kitchen.

Go on a picnic.

And, take a few naps! ;) Never Enough!
Update my 10 year old's scrapbook.
Rip the carpet from my stairs, sand and paint them.
Sew a new ironing board cover.
Take on the giant mending pile. (we'll keep this right here at the bottom!)

My list still has quite a bit of it not marked off....and I continue to find more to add to it....but, I'm still thrilled with all that's been accomplished! Heading into August ready for more!

#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!!! ;)

#SewToShare - Personal Progress: February

I've been a bit quiet this month on the blog, but here's a glimpse of some of what's been going on behind the scenes!

 First up, I had the privilege of testing another darling pattern for Sweetbriar Sisters. This is the Charming Chicks pattern that will be out any day now. It's the sweetest little chick hatching from his zippered egg. These will be darling filling the Easter baskets of the ones you love! My sweet friend found her place atop one of the shelves in my sewing room....she makes me smile!

I continue to make good progress on my GIANT stack of Teeny Tears Bereavement Diapers. My bushel basket is sure to be overflowing once I finish the last of my current stack!
Take a peek at this FABULOUS fabric donation from Fabric Outlet for my next bundle of diapers.....adorable, cozy fabrics! Thanks Kim!!!

My 2 oldest daughters and I had a LONG overdue sewing day together that was so much fun! One (finally) settled on making herself a new apron since she is quite the baker in our home. Love how it turned out too! She used the Dash of Love pattern by Fishsticks Designs for Create H.O.P.E. Designs. 

My other daughter chose this precious pattern from NimblePhish that she has been wanting to make for some time. Isn't he the sweetest?!?!?! This doll had some features that were even knew to me on how to create, so we learned together. :) So please with both of their projects and their desire to sew and satisfaction it brings!

We've continued to do a lot of clearance shopping for our donation bags and FLUFF Project and have lucked out on quite a few great finds! 

Last but certainly NOT least.....a stack of some of the sweetest ballerinas you'll ever see! I'm in the process of cutting out an entire dance team using a pattern from Blue Whimsy! Can't wait to work on these some more and see the finished product!!!

So there you have it! How's your month been? Any special #SewToShare projects?
If you'd like to follow along a little more consistently with what's going on in my world from day to day, be sure to check out my Instagram page HERE!

#SewToShare - Personal Progress: January

Our home has been raided with illness this month, still dealing with my youngest little fella battling a yucky tummy bug. :( 

Nonetheless, we are chugging through.....and mama has thankfully still gotten a least a bit of sewing time in!

Today I had the privilege of delivering 27 soft & cozy blankets to our Children's Hospital NICU for their Blanket Angel Project. 

 Most all of these sweet blankets were made using remnants or "bits" sent by our friends at Binkeez for Comfort. The fabrics are all super soft and cuddly for the babies. 

I was also able to drop 2 boxes full of comfort & hygiene bags to our local foster closet. I've been scouring the after Christmas clearance sales and have found a BUNCH of great items to use for this!!!

Lastly, I've been working on a HUGE stack of Teeny Tears Bereavement Diapers. I intend to fill a bushel basket before pausing to pin and wrap these tiny bundles. Then I will be approaching some new hospitals in my area in hopes of providing these tiny gifts for their grieving families.

I even finished near 30 pairs of lounge pants that I had started before Christmas, including a few for myself! :) I love wearing these!!!! I was so excited about the fabric prints I found!

So really, a decent amount of sewing after all for January!

How about you? Any special #SewToShare projects you finished this month? Would love to read about it if so, so please feel free to leave a link in your comments. 

Bring on February!!! :)