Proud Mama SHARE!!! Crazy Little KIDS Projects

Do you all follow the creative blog Crazy Little Projects?

I do! It's packed with all kinds of ideas and tutorials to inspire your creativity! Lots of fun! I am usually most drawn to her sewing projects, but recently saw this post that GRABBED my attention.

Amber has started a weekly series FOR kids and BY kids and it's so much fun!!! If chosen, not only does your child's project get highlighted, but they win $20!

Now here's where the "Proud Mama" part comes in....

My oldest daughter was selected to share her project entry this month and her post is up today!!! I would LOVE for you to go check it out and show some comment love. :)

CrazyLittleProjects.com

PLUS, while you're there you can get some creative ideas to share with your kiddos for those summer months that are just around the corner.....and maybe even enter one of their own projects to be featured!

Thanks Amber/Crazy Little Projects for this exciting series and for featuring my sweet girl's work! You made both of our days! :)

Sewing to Rebuild - Join the efforts to GIVE BACK to OK families!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Monthly Project to share with you a tangible need that you can help with! 

Sewing to Rebuild

You can get all the details, address for shipping and links to a variety of free patterns on THIS POST at Pattern Revolution. 

I will resume sewing for our May Project when they have a minimum of 101 items in their flickr group album of donations here. 

Join me and MANY others in the sewing community and lets all show our care and support for the families of Oklahoma who are dealing with so much right now.

Every Stitch Matters.

Gratitude Giveaway!

Every once in a while I just like to remind you all how much I appreciate you being a part of the Hopeful Threads community and our efforts to give back through sewing each month. 

Today I have a giveaway just to say "THANKS!".

I've included some fat quarters from my stash, an adorable fat quarter of this insanely cute puppy print sent to me from Contemporary Cloth Inc. AND a set of the sweetest puppy sew-on labels I recently received from Assunta Store. If you'd be interested in having this sweet bundle come your way, simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter.

I used this playful print for some of the Pet Treat Pouches I made...did you see the tutorial from yesterday? Be sure to check it out, it's a quick & easy pet loving project! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open to US entrants. International entrants welcome with the understanding that you are responsible for shipping charges if you are the winner. Winner announced and emailed 5/27/13 and provided 48 hours to respond and claim their prize. Further details regarding giveaways at Hopeful Threads on the GIVEAWAYS page at the top of the blog.

Thanks again for being a part and good luck!

Pet Treat Pouch - Free Sewing Tutorial

 I've got a simple and quick sewing tutorial for you today that's a great scrap buster!

It's for a Pet Treat Pouch.

Ready???

Cut 2 rectangles from your fabrics. I used a cotton print for the outer and PUL for the inner, but you can use just about anything in your scrap bin. 

My rectangles are approximately 4.5" x 12.5". 

Pin your fabrics right sides facing, or if using PUL, you can sew the print side to the shiny side so your wipe-able shiny side will be on the inside of your finished pouch.

Position your ribbon loop near the top of one of the long sides. You'll need to point the loop according to how you want it to lay when finished, paying attention if you have a directional print. 

 Sew around the outside of your rectangle with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a small opening on one of the short ends for turning. I like to stitch back and forth an extra time over the ribbon to give it a little extra strength.

Turn your fabrics right sides out. Fold the bottom (the short end that is sewn closed) of your pouch up where you want it and pin in place.

Sew starting at one corner of the folded end, all the way around, being sure to catch the opening at the top. 

 I added a snap closure to each of mine to finish them, but you could also sew a small piece of velcro on for a closure. 

Your Treat Pouch can be hung by your door where it's easy to grab when the pets come in, worn on your belt for when you are on a walk or doing any kind of training exercise, or even put on your keychain.

Super easy sewing, perfect for our May Project!

Home-made Pet TREATS!

  This yummy donation for the May Project required peanut butter and oats instead of fabric and thread!

The kids LOVED getting to help with this and we made 4 batches! :)

I got the simple ingredient recipe here.

They smelled so good mixing and baking, we could hardly wait for them to cool to see what Sophie thought. Sophie buries EVERYTHING!!! No really....everything. She LOVES to hide her treats and bones all over the back yard. But not these. She chomped down as many as I let the kids give her! 

When we were done baking, we broke out the scrapbooking supplies and made these little labels for the bags. We included the ingredients just in case. 

Slid a few treats in a cello bag, added our label, and we have a bunch ready to be added to our other donations for our fur friends this month!

Lots of creative ways to show our support for pets, pet care and bonding opportunities this month. 

Join Us!

MAY Mid-month Reminder!

For those stitching in support of the May 2013 Project....it's that time again!

Have you found a local shelter or rescue to donate your handmade gifts to this month?

Or, will you be sending to me for H.A.B.I.T.?

Either way, I hope you are enjoying the opportunity to give back through your sewing/creating this way!

Need inspiration or ideas? Check out our "Furry Friends" pin board here.

You can also add pics of your finished projects to our May Project album here. 

SEW ON!

The Power of the Pet Bond

I shared earlier this month that we have 2 cats. 

Sir Smokey is our gray male that reminds me of a Blue Russian, which has always been one of my favorite cat breeds! When we went to LOOK (yea right! That's just what we told daddy!) at cats when we were ready to add to our family, we all immediately fell in love with Smokey. He was playing with our fingers through the glass and well....

I mean look at him....

There was NO WAY we could leave without him!

The children and I quickly convinced daddy that this was the kitty for our family. And so....we went back into the store, our local Petsmart hosts one of our local rescues so that those looking for pets have the opportunity to consider adopting one of the pets looking for a home. I love that! As we started talking to the volunteer vet there that day, she shared that the other little black kitten with Smokey had been his foster litter mate in their temporary rescue home. That she was the last one left. 

Yea....you see where I'm going! :)

So, we left that day....the day we were just "looking", with 2 new additions to our family. 

But how could we resist???

Now, I love my cats. While I have had pets of all kinds and love them all, I'd have to say I'm a "cat person". Smokey is my bud and I love him and his dominant arrogance. But.......our sweet Princess.....well, she is hands down the sweetest, most affectionate cat I have ever had and I am reminded daily how thankful I am that we said yes to 2 that day. :)

She and my son have the absolute sweetest bond. 

What about you? Do you have a very special pet? A fur friend that offers a unique bond?

I invite you to share pics on our facebook page all week as a reminder of our May Project and what we are sewing for this month. :)

And if you are looking to add a new fur member to your family, remember to check your animal shelters, humane society and/or local rescues for many, many pets looking for loving homes.