Craftivism Day for We Are Kenya

Hi there crafty people and do-gooders!

It has been almost a year since I have had a craftivism day and I sure do miss it.  When I can do something I am passionate about to show love to someone else, I feel full, joy and purposeful.

These small acts are done with the great hope that it will make a difference in one persons life.   I love to think about the small child that will hold the bear or wear the dress that I have made and my hope is they will know that someone somewhere cares about them.

Here are a few things we have done in the past for Craftivism Day:

We got together here to make bibs for babies in China,  Christmas Stockings for tornado victims in Alabama.

We  have made Birthing Kits for mothers in Haiti and  Pillow Case Dresses for girls in Africa.

This time we will join with Crafthope to make some handmade teddy bears.  The non-profit organization We Are Kenya has opened up a new dorm for orphans in Soweto Kenya.  Soweta is the second largest slum in Kenya.  We Are Kenya believes that changing the future of the youth will change a society.  They work in Soweta, bringing food, education and shelter to the orphans and children living in vulnerable situations.   They have asked for a few things for their new dorm.  They need twin sized quilts, stuffed animals, knitted beanies and scarfs and re-usable sanitary napkins.

Photo from Crafthope

We will make stuffed bears.  If you don't sew, or don't think you are crafty and can't do this, never fear.  This is a really easy project. Besides, there is always something for everyone to do, even if it is just hanging out with friends and cheering us on.

I found this great Free pattern for a stuffed teddy.  His name is Warren the Charity Bear.  I found him on Shiny Happy World.

Photo from Shiny Happy World

We will gather in my home on October 19th at 1:00 to make as many Charity Bears as we can in one afternoon.  If you have a sewing machine, please bring it.  If you would like to join us, please let me know.  Also, feel free to pass this on to anyone you think would be interested in joining us.

Hope to see you soon!

xoxo,

Carol

Craft Day for CraftHope Project 20

Hi Friends,

Let's get together and make some bibs for baby orphans in China!  Once again we are joining with CraftHope to share hope and love across the world.  See this link to read up on the story of why we are doing this and how our bibs will get to China.

We will be gathering together at my home on Sunday March 17th at 1:00 pm.  If you know how to sew, great!  Bring your sewing machine if you can.  If you don't know how to sew, that is great too.  Come help, cut, iron, hand sew or encourage.  If you want to bring some fabric, two bibs can be made from a fat quarter (this is a pre-cut measurement of fabric.)  You can find these at JoAnn's or any quilting store.

I will provide the terry cloth fabric for the back of the bibs and the velcro.

If you would like to join us, please comment below so I can get a count.

Hope you can join us.  We always have lots of fun!

Talk to you soon.

Carol

Pattern Remix DIY

I found this post I wrote a while back, but for some reason I never posted it.  And since I have been spending more time sewing lately, I thought it would still be fun to put up on the blog.

Here is a DIY for you sewers out there.  I made a little dress for Chloe for her first birthday.  You can see how her party turned out here on my daughter Brittny's Blog.  It was the cutest 1 year old birthday party.  

I found a basic McCall's Pattern.  

I wanted to switch it up a bit so I cut the pattern to give it an empire waste. When you do this, you have to remember to give each peace a seam allowance.  I added the seam allowance with some white pattern paper I have.  

Next, I wanted to give it some ruffles, so I cut four pattern pieces the width of the pattern plus an  extra 6 inches to make a ruffle.  This is the white rectangular shaped paper sitting on top of the pattern pieces.  

I cut the base of the dress out of a white cotton lining fabric with a cute Amy Butler fabric for the top.  I added the ruffles out of a white on white plaid voile fabirc to the basic dress.

Instead of using store bought bias tape, I made my own and added it for the band at the bottom of the empire waste and at the straps.  

I also made a matching bunting.  Here is the Post for the making of it.  

Awe, look how little Chleo was.

One year old birthday parties are a big deal.  We should be having another one hear in a few months for Claire.  I better start working on her first birthday dress.

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Carol

Baby boots

So I whipped these up a few weeks ago.  I think I may need to make like 20 more. Aren't they so cute?

I gave them to a friend of mine, Nicole for her baby shower.  She is having a baby girl in February.  'Tis the season for babies.  She also does my hair.  What will I do while she is on 6 months of maternity leave?  

I bought the pattern from I Think Sew.  The pattern was easily downloaded and the instructions had lots of instruction and pictures.  Since I learn visually and generaly just look at the pictures to follow directions, I especially appreciated the many photos.  She has lots of great patterns for baby things and bags.  My two favorite things to sew right now.

These are size 9-12 month.

I'll post more as soon as Christmas is over and I have time to sew something other than Christmas presents.

Have a great Thursday.

xoxo,

Carol

Vintage Sheet PJ Bottoms

I love vintage things. Especially vintage linens.  I don't really know why.  I just do. 

I started buying up vintage sheets because I thought they were cool.

I knew I would think of something to make with them eventually.

One day I had the brilliant idea of making pajama bottoms out of these sheets.

And of course, Alexis had to have the first pair.

I had to add dingle balls.  These always remind me of Alexis.

I used the Slumber Buns pattern from paisley pincushion.   

They turned out so cute. 

Here's my stash.  Who should get the next pair?

xoxo,

Carol

Thrifting and Stockings

I love thrifting. Do you know what I mean?  It's like an adventure! You walk into the store, hoping to  find that perfect treasure.  Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't.

Before craftday I made one last stop at the The Thrift Station in Danville to try and find any fun linens to use in our stockings.  The store was pretty wiped out.  I decided to make one quick pass through the store before I left and look what I found.  

Isn't she cute?  And even better, look what I paid for her.

Here is her new home.  Now I have a place to put my morning cup of coffee.

So we had a great turnout for our Craftivism Day.  We made stockings to send off to the organization Christmas in Dixie.  This group is gathering Christmas decorations for the victims of the Tornado in Alabama.  

See this post for the details.

Everything was in order.  

Fabric table.

Trim table.

Yummy snacks from the farmers market.

Deliciously refreshing water.

Pretty flowers.

And a sample stocking.

Now all we needed were the people.  The wonderful helpers who came to give of their time and creativity to share love with others on the other side of the US.

Everyone worked hard.  We made 25 stockings!  

Ta..Da..

Thanks everyone!

xoxo,

Carol

Flower DIY

Another DIY

(I think I got enough photos this time.)

Today's DIY is for making fabric flowerettes.  They are easy and don't take much time.  You can make them while watching Project Runway or whatever your favorite TV show is.  That is what I do.  I don't like to just sit in front of the tele without something to do.

I made these for our stockings we made on Craft Day.

First you need a length of fabric.  I usually use the width of whatever fabric I am using.  So if the fabric is 45" wide, that is how long your piece will be.   You do not have to use this much.  You probably won't or you flower will get very large.  But it will work to make it larger,  you will just need to sew it up as you go.

Cut or rip about a 1" strip of fabric.  I like to rip my fabric because I like the edges all frayed, but it can have a clean edge as well.

Second, fold the end up to make a triangle.

Then grab the bottom of the triangle and start rolling the fabric.  This starts the center of the flower.

Once you get the center started, fold the long end of the strip.  See the picture below.

After you fold the strip down, keep rolling the center.

Keep folding and rolling, holding on to the small center part.  This acts as a sort of stem.

As the flower starts to get bigger, the pedals will start to form.  The flower will get flatter.

With a needle and thread, sew the underneath part of the flower securing all the layers.

 (ok, maybe I should have had one more picture here of me sewing the back so let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to get back to you)

Anyway, you will see these little guys show up in a later post on top of a stocking waiting to be shipped to Alabama.

xoxo,

Carol