Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month is OCTOBER!

Today I'm sharing over at Ladybug Bend, so please drop by and say "Hello!" and learn a little more about Sensory Processing and how it effects all of us. 

PLUS.....Taya has a special challenge and opportunity for all of those interested in sewing along to help her reach her goal of 100 Weighted Vests donated in honor of Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month! And, she's offering her awesome pattern to make a Weighted Vest ON SALE too! 

You can see more pictures of the vest I made for my daughter on my original review post here. 

Our Ornament Fundraiser - The potential impact of ONE!

I wanted to say a special THANK YOU to those who have purchased and/or shared about our Ornament Fundraiser to support the FLUFF Project! Each and every ornament sold helps us in the continued outreach of providing stuffed friends to children in foster care. 

I wanted to share a closer look at some ways the funds can be used to help us continue to give in this way.

Poly-Fil stuffing to stuff the handmade toys I sew. Purchased from Jo-Ann's 32oz. pkg. $8.99

Some projects also call for pillow forms. 

Doll Panels like these....Hello Tokyo from Contemporary Cloth Inc. 

-OR- Storybook from Fabric Outlet range in price from $5.50 and up.

Additional fabric yardage is used for backing panels and creating stuffed toys from scratch too. While I am a careful clearance and sale shopper, even when discounted, good quality fabric averages $5-$8 a yard. 

Many PDF pattern designers have generously provided their patterns as a donation to the FLUFF project, I do also purchase patterns specifically for the project as well. The price of patterns can range from $1-$10 each. I am of course able to reuse these and also try and use free tutorials found on-line as well, to affordably expand the selection we provide. 

Other expenses include, felt & wool felt, thread, embroidery floss, needles, buttons, appliques, interfacing and a variety of tools that occasionally need to be replaced such as rotary blades, turning tools and the like.

Finally, in addition to the handmade items that are regularly contributed to the FLUFF Project, we also watch for deals on store bought stuffed toys. One excellent and inexpensive option are the $5 Kohl's Cares stuffed toys.

Locally, the money from the sale of these items goes to our Children's Hospital, which is doing great things within our community and beyond.....something we are very proud to support!

****Now, I think it's important that I say, our family is more than happy to contribute to these expenses, as we have and will continue to. This is simply an opportunity for those who would like to support our efforts while getting a special holiday gift at the same time.****

To find out more about the beautiful, keepsake ornaments available for purchase now - December 1st with the $$ raised poured back into our FLUFF Project, see the Ornament Fundraiser album here. You can email me directly with any questions or to place your order. 

THANK YOU for helping us to give back even more!

Monster FLUFF!!!! Free tutorial and pattern template!

I recently had the pleasure to work with the creative folks over at ButtonLovers.com. We collaborated on a few fun, button embellished projects, and this is one of them I wanted to be sure you didn't miss! 

Meet Fin & Polly, my Monster Fluff Friends! 

Download the FREE PDF Pattern Templates for both here.

Find the step-by-step, photo tutorial here.

While I welcome you to use this pattern/tutorial to sew for the children in your lives, if you do, I also ask that you please find a way to Give Back using it. One great option is to support children in foster care, just as our FLUFF Project does on-going. 

Thanks and enjoy! Can't wait to see your creations!

Product Review - Better Bobbin Thread Winder

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Better Bobbin Thread Winder. 

It's a handy little gadget used to refill your bobbin without having to unthread your sewing machine. Let's take a closer look....

 When your bobbin is ready to be refilled, you simply remove it from your machine. With the presser foot of your machine raised, and leaving your machine threaded, following the step-by-step number guide on the top of the winder, slip your thread end through step 1, around step 2 and then through the hole in your bobbin just as you normally would to refill it. Place your bobbin on the winder at step 3. Then flip the "off" lever against the empty bobbin and press the black button to start the winder. 

It's FAST!!!!!! I was surprised at how fast. 

In a matter of seconds, you will have a full bobbin ready to sew again and don't have to bother with re-threading your machine! I love that! :) When your bobbin is full, you simply pull the small blue lever back to the "off" position and cut your thread. 

This compact little muscle of a machine also includes a thread cutter that you can see on the top, and the lid includes a stand for a large spool of thread as you can see in the first photo, so your bobbin can be filled separately from your machine as well if you choose. 

 Quick Overview:

PROS: Very fast and easy to use. 

Saves time from having to re-thread your machine.

Compact for storage.
Long cord.

CONS: Doesn't shut off automatically when bobbin is full.

Doesn't seem to consistently get as even and tight of a wind on the bobbin as my machine does. 

There you have it, the Better Bobbin Thread Winder. 

All in all, a fun, little gadget that I have enjoyed using for sure!

*Disclosure - I received this product free of charge to try and share my opinion. No other compensation was received. Opinions shared are my own.

Holiday Fundraiser to support Hopeful Threads/FLUFF Project!

My friends at Quantum Jewelry have offered me a very special opportunity to use their beautiful, SnowWonders® Snowflakes Christmas Ornaments for a fundraiser for Hopeful Threads! 

They believe strongly in giving back, and have very tender hearts for children in need, and so they would like to show their support for the ongoing outreach efforts of Hopeful Threads and the FLUFF Project by offering these beautifully crafted keepsakes to you and your families. From now through December 1, 2013, you can purchase any of their SnowWonders® Snowflakes Ornaments, and know that you are also helping Hopeful Threads! For each $15 ornament ordered through me, Hopeful Threads will receive $10 to put towards the FLUFF Project! This is a HUGE blessing, especially as we go into the holidays and would like to make sure plenty of stuffed friends are on hand for the kiddos! 

***UPDATE!!!*** Just received this message from my friend Tammy at Quantum Jewelry regarding our Ornament Fundraiser posted about this morning... "Kristy, I just got word from an anonymous donor that they will match 5.00 to each ornament ordered. THAT means you keep the full 15.00 for each ornament sold!!!!!! Great news for a MONDAY! Loving it!" 

I don't know what to say! THANK YOU!!!! Both the Quantum Jewelry family and this generous anonymous donor!!! 

SPORTS. CAREER. HOBBY. SEASONAL. 

Here's a glimpse at some of the intricately detailed and personally themed ornaments available...

 And my personal favorite with thimbles, needles and scissors, perfect for the Seamstress!

These beautiful ornaments are a unique & personal gift for all those on your holiday shopping list!

To order, you can check out the individual options in the "Ornament Fundraiser Album" on the Hopeful Threads facebook page or see the complete selection at SnowWonders.com . Then, email me with the name(s) of the ornament(s) you'd like to order. I will invoice you and then forward your paid order on to Quantum for delivery. (orders must come through me for Hopeful Threads to receive our portion)
Further details in the "Ornament Fundraiser Album".

Order yours and support the FLUFF Project to provide stuffed friends for children in foster care!

EMAIL ME with any questions at all!
And THANK YOU for allowing your holiday shopping to help Hopeful Threads!
 

HATS OFF!!!

I finished my first hat last night and OH MY!!!! This might just get addicting! 

These soft, little head-toppers are so much fun to make and really go together quickly!

I've used this tutorial from On Hand By Hand, with these modifications for "bear ears" from Monkey See, Monkey Do. Mine are made with fleece outer and a printed flannel lining. 

We will be sewing HATS all month long for our October Project, hope you'll join us!

Find out all the details here. 

October 2013 - Monthly Project Announcement

For our October 2013 Project, we are teaming up with Dona from Sewing Miles of Smiles to sew and donate as many hats as we can for the patients she regularly cares for in her community!

Dona is one of those people that is always looking for how she can GIVE MORE and I'm honored to get to work with her on this special project!

I've created an album on Pinterest with a variety of hat tutorials and inspiration called "Head Gear", you can find it here. Any sizes from preemie to adult welcome, and sewn, crochet or knit, in any material also welcome. Run with it! And know that you are helping care for someone who may be experiencing a challenging time in their lives right now. 

When you have your hats ready to ship, simply email me for the mailing address. 

I'm looking forward to sewing with you this month and seeing your cozy creations! 

If you'd like to share what you've made for this project, I've created an October Project Album here where you can add your pictures. 

Love to have you grab the project badge and help us spread the word!