Sandy Hook Quilt ~ Dedication Update Information

We are approaching the 5 month mark of the terrible tragedy that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.  As some of you may remember, one of my dear friend's in the quilting world came up with the idea of making an angel quilt for the 26 lives that were senselessly lost.  Her name is Sally of Sally's Quilting Corner, she took all of the blocks I made, herself and others from the USA and pieced and quilted it together.  As you know this quilt has been made for months, and we couldn't wait to place it into the hands of those hearts we hope to be touched by it.  Things were delayed due to snow, illness and even more tragic events.  Well, the time has come that is the right time to hand over this loving quilt. 

This special quilt will be dedicated on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the YPD 5K Race (Yarmouth Police Department) that is being held at the Skipper Restaurant in South Yarmouth on South Shore Drive.  This is the 6th year that the YPD will be hosting this popular event.  There will be very special guests at this event like the father of one of the children lost at the Sandy Hook School shooting and one of the many heroes that helped save lives at the Boston Marathon Bombing and you can read more about it at Sally's website.  It is an event that I personally won't be able to attend because of a previous commitment, but my heart felt desire to help dedicate this special quilt will be there.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy 

April 2013 ~ Scrap Book Cover

As simple as this photo scrap album cover should or could have been, it wasn't.  I made it way more complicated that it needed to be that is for sure.  =P I made this for my husband's birthday and let's just say I made a few of my dumbest sewing moments on it... Ribbit Ribbit was heard in the background (rip it) with the seam ripper way to many time...lol!

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

DIY Business / Gift Card Holders ~ Tutorial Soon too!

I did manage to fix the business / gift card holder from a week or so ago where my snap pliers put a lovely hole into my fabric, stabilizer and all.  I had them ready for Easter, I just hadn't posted the pictures here yet.  

I first used Velcro that I sewed on in place of the snaps, then covered the hole and my outside stitching by adding an appliqued circle to it. Sorry this picture is a bit blurry, I didn't know until it was uploaded today and I already passed it on as a gift to a close friend.  I will be posting a tutorial on these great quick gifts soon!

The above picture shows the inside view of the card holder.  In the future if not already sewn together, I can do it in a way you wouldn't have to see the circle of applique that you currently see.

One more I made, just the opposite with the bright colors on the outside and a cute green button covering up any stitches from adding the plastic snap to the inside.  The pic was quickly taken when I had it ready to be mailed to a different friend of mine.

Did I mention, Spring is here!!!  It was in the 80's today!  Whewwww hooooo, bring it on Spring!  I am ready!  =) 

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

Easy & cheap (free) DIY 1/4 inch Sewing Guide Tool

This is a cool and easy way to have a quarter inch tool at your fingertips, even if you can't find your measuring tape or special clear ruler!  This tool was first given to me from my quilt instructor during my first quilting class when I made a beginner's sampler quilt, you can click this link to see it!  She told us how to use it so we would know when to stop while we are sewing on our binding.  When you see this special tool you may say something like "Why didn't I think of that?"  That is if you don't already know about this unique tool...hehehe.  Now take a seat if you aren't already, don't want you to fall over when you start to giggle. 

Yes, you are looking at a business card that can either be your own or one of the 100's you can pick up during a quilt convention for free!  Below is a picture of how I made my very own special tool, since I lost my original guide that was given to me from my first quilting teacher.  

Just place your ruler over the corner of the card and mark at the quarter inch mark, viola, it is that simple!  Now you can know exactly where to stop when you are putting on your bindings and need to pause and turn at the 1/4 inch spot.  Just be sure to use something that disappears and won't leave a permanent mark when you mark your fabric.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy Tweet

Pliers Snap Kit Issues - I'm Looking for your 2 Cents or More Please! =)

I bought this pliers kit so I could add a snap to the business card holder I made.

I used it and it put a hole almost all the way around the snap that was inserted.

So, I know how I plan on fixing the hole that was put into the business card holder with the snap pliers.  But I am wondering if anyone has a set similar that they have never had this issue with and they swear by?  I am returning this set and want to get a set that I won't ever have these issues with.  It was really difficult to use, I had to squeeze unreasonably hard to get it even to clamp enough to let go of the pliers, which I am sure why it has a hole in the fabric in the first place.  I love the variegated thread I used to finish the edges.  If you know of another brand that I wouldn't have issues with like I did this one, please leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you =)


Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

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March 2013 ~ Quick & Easy Quilt As You Go Method for this Baby Quilt I made =)

Baby season at my boy's school, I believe there were at least 9 or 10 pregnant teachers there at the same time.  Well, two of them happen to be my boy's 3rd & 5th grade teachers.  The first one due is my oldest son's and I had decided as soon as I heard that I would be making them both baby quilts.  

So my 5th grader didn't let me know their class had asked for permission from the principal to have a baby shower for her until the night before.  Thank goodness I had the quilt complete, it just needed to be tagged and binded.  Not my proudest binding to say the least but it isn't going to fall off any time soon hehe...

I used the simple flip & stitch method to make this quilt and I did it in an "Eye Spy" type of look.   I imagine her having her little guy (yes, it is going to be a boy!) laying on it and being able to teach him all of his colors and things like soccer ball, strawberries & cucumber.  I also made a whacky, funky binding where I mixed about 5 of the fabrics I used to frame it.

The kid's in his class were thrilled that I made the quilt and that they were all included as having given it to her.  I hope she thinks of each of them over the years he is using it, yes, I want it loved & dragged around everywhere he goes.  =)

This was the best pic I have of the binding and it was in the gift bag, I didn't take enough pictures. OOpsies =P

Picture before the binding was added.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy