Craft Hope Project 19!

I LOVE CraftHope.  I made a couple aprons to send off months ago and it felt really good knowing something so small from me could help someone else.  I've been wanting to participate in their projects ever since but hadn't found the time.  When I happened to check out their Facebook page (their website is being worked on) I saw they are collecting dolls and monkeys for the victims of hurricane Sandy, I knew immediately I had to get in on this one.  I have made many dolls using Bit Of Whimsy patterns ( I love them, they are easy to follow and come together quick, even for a simple, not so great sewer like me)  and knew I wanted to make at least one to send.  Grant doesn't really like me sewing cuz you know that means my full attention is not on him, so sewing anything becomes quite a job.

 

I actually used 2 different Bit of Whimsy patterns to create this doll.  I used the Jean doll for the body and the Beth doll pattern for the front and back of her hair.  The pig tails I cut out free handed.

 

I wanted the doll to have clothes that were removable and reversable, and I really wanted an excuse to use a new pattern I bought awhile back.  The Criss Cross and Ruffles pattern was so quick and simple and I love that it's reversable.  I only did the dress because I ran out of time and needed to get this little one in the mail but the pants look really simple as well and probably wouldn't take much time.

My intent was to make a few different stuffed toys but needless to say time got away from me.  I am glad I at least got to send this 1 doll and hopefully there is a little girl out there to love her.

Craft Hope

I found Craft Hope about 2 years ago.  I even own the book.  For those of you who have never heard of Craft Hope they are an amazing organization who ask crafters all over the world to hand make items for those in need for a different charity every few months.  Please check out their Facebook page.  I am a little ashamed to say I have yet to participate in one of their projects.  I have no good excuses.  The main reason is I question how nice the things I make are.  I think a lot of crafters are the same way when you are giving something away as a gift you want it to be flawless.  Let's be honest here, nothing I make is flawless.  Even those items I have made seemingly a hundred times, I still screw something up on them.  The procrastinator in me doesn't help either. 
I randomly checked their facebook page (have I mentioned how much I really am not a fan of facebook and it pains me to have to go to a facebook page to find information) because their usual web page is under construction.  I found their latest project deadline is the end of June and it's Aprons for Haiti.  Aprons are very easy to make and are a great way to use up your fabric stash so I'm super excited with the idea of putting my crafting to good use and participating in this amazing charity.  An added bonus is using up some fabric so I don't have to pack it to a new place in a few months.

I bought this fabric literally about 8 years ago for the retro kitchen I dreamed of having during my teenage years.  It has taken up home in my fabric stash since then with no real purpose.  I saw this as the perfect opportunity to use it up.  I made 2 aprons with pockets to send to Craft Hope.

Then for the first time, ever I think, I made something for myself.  I made an apron with no pockets.  I didn't really use measurements.  Each of them are different widths with a different length of ties.  I have used this tutorial in the past and it's really simple and easy to follow. 

I'm really anxious to see what the next project will be and I'm really gonna try to not procrastinate this time.

Soft Blocks-A Christmas Gift

We are trying to keep things simple for Little Man this Christmas since lets face it, he is only 1 and is more interested in the boxes and wrapping paper than what's inside them.

I have wanted to make him some cloth blocks for awhile now but like everything else on my to-do list, I have procrastinated.

I bought this book last year:

For those of you who haven't heard of Craft Hope you should check it out.  The link is on my side bar.

Inside it are loads of craft ideas and patterns.  All of them with charity organizations you can send your creations to.  One of those "creations" are the cloth blocks.  Once again I merely looked at the picture and read the first couple sentences of how to make them, then just started cutting and sewing.

Here is the end result:

6 cute little cloth blocks.  Originally I was going to make them all with the same fabrics, then I thought, naah, why do that when I can switch it up a bit? 

I am super excited with how they turned out, simple, cute, and they won't hurt when Grant chucks them at me from across the room, haha.