100 Quilts for Kids

Tamir, who played along in the last I-Spy Swap, sent me an email with an idea for those spare I-Spy squares you may have left over....

The DC Modern Quilt Guild is hosting their second annual charity event called 100 Quilts for Kids. You can read details HERE. This sounds like an excellent way to use some of your unused (but still fun!) I-Spies, OR any other fabrics you have. The timing is very nice, with summer at its end and the holiday rush not yet in force. And, one of the best parts is that you can donate it to any organization of your choice! Why not whip together a little baby quilt and donate?

Check out the links!

Running for Ray

My little 6-year-old nephew Ray was diagnosed with cancer less than two weeks ago. As you can imagine, this is a huge shock, and has been followed by an enormous whirlwind of very frightening events. He has had one surgery to remove a grapefruit-sized tumor, and has already started chemotherapy. This is a lot for one little boy's body to handle, not to mention how much it is for one little boy's mind to comprehend. And then there's his momma... And his daddy....

The Ragnar Relay team (a team of 12 runners that cover 182 miles in 28 hours) is running in his honor, raising funds to help pay for his treatments. If you feel inclined to do so, you can read a little more about Ray and make a donation at this link.

We love you, Ray!

Another Amazing Cause

I am joining in to help out a cause at Greyson's Gift. I can't say what it is about any better than what Meryn said herself. Have a look.

Monkeys in the Mail

My Craft Hope sock monkeys are done and outta here. I'm so glad. Really. After trying and picking out four different kinds of eyes, all of which made them look creepish, I was certainly done. BUT -- I finally found a way to make cute eyes.

I love how they turned out, and I hope they will make some little people very happy!

He's my FAVORITE. He's the last one I did, so I was much better at it by then. But I absolutely love the socks I used -- they're so... MONKEY.


He's just so friendly!


Preppy girl is my favorite of the two girl monkeys, for sure. It's those SOCKS!

And that little cheerleader-y skirt!!

Jammies girl is fun too, though!

And of course I had to make things difficult for myself and make a socktopus, too! (Oh, stuffing those ridiculously long, skinny tentacles...) I LOVE his stripeyness!

Oops -- didn't get a picture of him with his mouth. Embroidered blue, and just like the monkeys. I hope his stripes don't make him creepy and spidery......?


Of course I had to whip up a bunch of blankies, too! And of course I overdid it and ended up with five beyond the ones for my monkeys! I am sure there are some other little monkeys who could use a blanky, though..... Right?

Monkey Jammies!!

I am still working on my sock monkeys for Craft Hope's 4th project. I spent an hour-ish this afternoon drafting and perfecting my sock monkey pajama pants pattern. I must say, I love how these turned out:

Look at those long, skinny legs! Hee hee!

Ah, Miss Diva Monkey is no longer nude! At least, not on her lower half.... Does the polka dot placement on her front look -- ahem -- unfortunate? Does she need a shirt?

Bonus: Her pants are a tail-friendly design!

Sock Monkeys Need Socks, Too!

Is Diva Monkey going preppy? These little knee socks are killing me!! I made them out of a pair of $1 women's ankle socks I bought at Target.


Now I need to rethink her dress. It's a little too... I don't know. Guess one of the other monkeys will wear it, because this girl is definitely turning preppy!!

Craft Hope, Project 4 -- Sock Monkey Tip!

The current project for Craft Hope is sock monkeys. These little monkeys will be heading to child burn victims at a camp called Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp. Read more on the project here.

I got started on my first monkey today! Here she is:

(Not a fantastic photo; sorry!)
Obviously she is not finished. I see her as quite a Diva Monkey. She will be fully accessorized!!

Stuffing those long arms, legs, and tails is a bit of a nuisance. My genius designer uncle, Quentin Webb, is the creator of KnitWits, creatures created from socks by Little Miss Matched. A while back he was featured on the Martha Stewart Show, demonstrating how he makes them. One part in particular is quite helpful in the stuffing of the long limbs, helping to eliminate lumpiness and get them stuffed more quickly and easily.

Find the link here. You should find the limb-stuffing tips around the two minute mark.

Good luck!

Craft Hope Project #4

Craft Hope has just announced project #4! Take a look!

Craft Hope Project 3

Here is a recap of Craft Hope's third project. I joined the group in the very last week of the project, but still ended up whipping together 18 receiving blankets and 10 pillowcases just in time for the deadline. It is amazing to hear how many contributions they received. You should also read about the results from their second project. It's quite touching.

I look forward to reading about the delivery of all these items, and I am excited to find out what their next project is!

Craft Hope -- Receiving Blankets!

Since I last posted, I cranked out (and I mean CRANKED out!!) a dozen receiving blankets. Like I said, I just love to have a project to work on start-to-finish in a very small window of time -- especially when it blesses other lives!!

Craft Hope

Well, it appears (after two attempts) that The Toy Society will not be emailing me back about joining. I've been on the lookout for another cause to help out with, and came across this one today. They are gathering blankets, booties, beanies, pillowcases and hankies for orphans in India. Since I have a ridiculously huge stash of fabric and can never in my lifetime use it all, this sounds like a great cause to sew some of it up for. BONUS that I now have a serger and can whip some of those things out quickly and simply and in bulk when I only have a few seconds to sew and just MUST make something start to finish!!

Click on the icon for a link to the site!

The Toy Society

I just spent a serious chunk of time looking at this blog. I must join. I love making weirdo little stuffed toys, but my kids don't necessarily enjoy them. A good excuse for making quick little projects when
I... just... MUST... MAKE SOMETHING!