More Angel Appliqued Quilt Blocks for Sandy Hook...

A few days ago I posted the 1st angel quilt block I had designed and appliqued for the Connecticut tribute quilt that I am helping Sally, a fellow quilting friend of mine make blocks for.  Twenty six blocks are being designed, one for each victim who was lost in the school tragedy.  You can click the link above to read more about it and even how you can help :-)  

Well, now I have four new blocks to share with you.  All I can hope is that maybe when the friends and family pass by this quilt when it is complete it can help bring them back to some happy memories of the ones they lost in such a horrific way.  I would love to hear what you think of these blocks, please leave me a comment if you have a few minutes.  PS...Happy early New Year to you and yours!  :-)

This was the 1st block I made :)

FYI:  This is lightweight iron on adhesive I used for the back of my appliqued angels .  It is called Heat n Bond Lite (HeatnBond).  In the past I have used Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 and this time it was recommended I try this and I have had no complaints so far.  I love that I no longer have to figure out what sheet to trace on first to make sure it is on the adhesive side.  This adhesive is made so I don't have to think to hard when it is late at night (giggles) one side it paper, the other side is adhesive!  WoW!  Love that!   

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

Appliqued Angel Quilt Block for Tribute Quilt Being Made for Connecticut Victims (Sandy Hook)

I made my first block for the tribute quilt that a friend, Sally has started for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy that happened in Connecticut this month.  

I designed this appliqued angel quilt block myself and the finished size of the block is 12 1/2 inches as Sally has requested for the quilt she is making to donate to the school.  She is still looking for more blocks if you are able and interested in making one or more yourself...hint hint hint :-)  If she were to receive any extra angels they will be made into wall hangings that will also be donated to the school.  Here is a link to Sally's Quilting Corner blog so you can contact her if you have any questions.  I hope everyone is ready for the New Year, and remember that one action of kindness can spread like wildfire, let's always challenge ourselves to treat people the way they deserve to be treated and that even includes believing in ourselves.  :-)

PS... If you would like to see more of the angel appliqued quilt blocks I have completed click on this link.  =) 

PPS...This time I used Heat n Bond Lite to make these angels instead of the Lite Steam-A-Seam2 like I have used in the past to applique with.  I love that the Heat n Bond was one layer of paper, no more fooling around with which side of the paper to trace on, there was only one side.  Made it a nice no brainer.  I need that sometimes, you know?  =)




Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

Quilts / Quilt Tops & More Still Being Collected / Needed For Super Storm Sandy

Remember the huge storm we had the end of October that ripped up the east coast, Storm Sandy and devastated huge parts of New York?  I know some of us may have let it slip our minds with all things like the holidays we are preparing for, the tragedy in Connecticut but those families are also still in need.  The Hoppin Bobbin, the only quilt shop my boys will ever ask to go in to with me has been collecting finished quilts and quilt tops for the families of New York since it happened.  I just found out they are still collecting them and also looking for the every day things you need to stay warm when out in the cold.  Imagine what you send your children bundled up in to play in the snow or what you walk from your front door to your car in the ice and that is what they would need as well.  So ANY help would be greatly appreciated!  All of the info of what is needed and where to send the quilts to can be found right on the website above for the Hoppin Bobbin!  :-)

PS...Oh by the way, if you noticed in the pictures, there is a really cute Pomeranian getting her belly rubbed, that is Tootsie.  She may be a minor reason why they ask to go to that specific shop so much, but hey if it gives me an extra excuse to go in, I am all for it!  They are an awesome group of ladies who will answer any and all of your questions!  :-) <3
PPS...They do actually both enjoy sewing as well!
PPPS...The quilt behind their shoulders was designed and made by Erin Underwood, the pattern can be found here and is called, Cathedral Windows by Machine!  :-)

My Favorite Decorations Are the Snowmen Hand prints!

As these precious blue hand print & hand painted snowmen ornaments of my son's go up on the tree, I quickly sneak a kiss just before handing them off to the boys so they can place them as they wish amongst the other memories on the Christmas tree.  Last year I was looking originally for an ornament large enough for their larger hands, then I came across these gold bells and decided they would be perfect for them to recreate the hand snowmen.  So here I took this photograph of to show how much they have changed over the last few years.  I hope this inspires you to make them for your family, I made the blue ornaments for the Grandparents as well as gifts, they loved them!  :-)

Pillowcases for the Children of Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut

With the tragedy in the Connecticut school that struck the hearts of so many across the world just a few days ago, leaves most of us with questions that may not ever be answered.  But if one of the questions you have is what can you do to help make a difference in the children who did physically survive this ordeal there is something that may seem simple but it could still be so touching to know they are being thought of as well.  And you can do this easily with your own children, it is making pillowcases!  :-)

I saw on Facebook last night that Becky, of Quilter's Corner  in New Milford, CT is trying to collect 600 new home-made pillow cases for the children who still attend Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut by the return of Christmas break.  Okay, I hear it already, but I don't know if I can make a pillow case... Well, Canton Village Quilt Works located in Canton, CT was nice enough to share a FREE 20 minute Pillow Case pattern with all of us (I love LQS helping each other)!  Still thinking you aren't sure if you can do this or not?  Well, here are pictures of my boys when my oldest was just 9 and my youngest when he was only 7 making their 1st pillow cases!  If they can so it, so can you!  :-)  They are now 11 & 8 and will surely be helping me make more for this cause.  All of the information of where to ship your finished pillowcases can be found on the Quilter's Corner Facebook page, just let them know that Smilie Mommy (Tiffiny's- me - Facebook page) sent you their way if you are able to help, even if it is just one or two, they add up and will make a difference to a precious child and hopefully bring a smile to their face!

Carefully rolling his pillow case :-)

Big T taking his time learning how to sew :)

LiL T watching his big brother sew :-)

You may also enjoy the blog post I wrote called the Challenge of Change in early November and the blog post from last week about believing in yourself, friends have told me it was pretty uplifting for them.  :-)

LiLT was wearing his as a cape! :-)

Using an iron for the 1st time!

LiL T proudly standing in front of Big T for the big reveal!

Believe in Yourself Even When You Think No One Else Does!

The most important times in our lives to be strong, and stand up for what is right is when you may be the only one aware of it.  Trust your instincts, don't doubt what you are capable of and don't let anyone take away your goals and abilities, they are yours and yours only.  

Accomplish them, you can do anything you set your mind on and you can even be a kind person along the way.  Don't let others negativity become a toxin it is contagious just like love, laughter and happiness that is just as easily spread.  Enjoy life, we only get one.  Xox. :-)

This will make sense as you read the next section below...I promise!  :-)

This all just came to me a few minutes ago.  Earlier I was sitting around sortof feeling glum today.  I try so hard to focus on the positive, that sometimes when the negative things build up it comes all at once and becomes like a heavy weight that I am stuck under for a little bit.  Then I had a call from a special friend I have known since childhood.  Helping me realize we all go through stuff, we all have our own baggage.  But how we all carry it (our stuff) is what in the end defines if we lived a happy fulfilling, epic life or not.  I am choosing to live my life to the best of my abilities, being the best mom to my boys, which means to just not talk the talk, but walk the walk.  So glad I was put on this Earth not to be perfect, this road is definitely not bump free, especially the paths I choose (just like the quilt patterns...lol), but I will find my way and be dancing and smiling as I get there!  :-)

PS...you may also enjoy this blog post I wrote about a month ago called the "Challenge of Change".  It isn't an automatic thing, it is a daily choice we make, I am proof of that.