Two by Two......

Two by Two.

It started with this Double Rainbow late Thursday.

Then these two rascals were born on Friday.

Then these two sweethearts were born Saturday,

Then these adorable Twin Sisters were born today!

Not to mention my new Two Block Patchwork of the Crosses Easter kit!

A fun but exhausting few days! Have a great week everyone. It looks like I will definitely have my hands full for a while!
   Don't forget this coming Saturday, March 5th is our next Sew Simple Saturday! I haven't had time for a project but hope to have one ready to link up!

Also our next Patchwork of the Crosses Mystery Blocks AND our New Hexagon kits for March should be available on Friday March 4th!!!!

  Wish me luck! I think I need it this week!

 Thank you for stopping by!
Happy Stitching
xo jan

Little Dresses for Africa 2016 Sew Along!

  In 2013 I heard about a not for profit organization called "Little Dresses for Africa".

Here is a little information about this organization from their website:

About LDfA

Little Dresses for Africa, founded in 2008 by  Rachel O’Neill is a registered  non-profit 501c3 Christian organization. Our mission is to provide relief to vulnerable children throughout the Continent of Africa and beyond.  Volunteers from all over the world join together to make little dresses out of pillow cases or other simple patterns. Some sew. Some donate. Some go to Africa, and some send others. Little Dresses for Africa sends the donated dresses through misions teams, mails them directly to verified communities and takes them personally with their short term teams.   Your donations are distributed through orphanages, churches, and schools.  Together, we can make a difference.

How We Make a Difference-

Because of the widespread AIDS pandemic, and other disease, little girls are often left to be the primary care givers of their young siblings. The road is especially tough for little girls and women. It is our hope that in delivering dresses to these young girls, that a seed will be planted in their hearts, in the name of Jesus, that they are worthy.  We plant the seeds; God sends the harvest.

It’s more than just a dress! 

Although clothing is needed, these  little dresses are so much more.  They go as little Ambassadors into the homes and villages where we are able to teach simple lessons clean water, and sanitation and to promote good  health and family skills knowledge. As relationships are formed we are able to identify other needs that can be met through your generosity.

Who Is Making the Difference?

Simply stated… you are! We believe that most people want to help others less fortunate than themselves. They just need to know how!  Lives are changed here and across the ocean as we join together to help others.  Whether you sew or not, this ministry has something for you!  You can sew independently or form a group to sew.

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After reading more about the organization AND seeing all the beautiful photos of the children , I knew it was something I had to participate in. In 2013 I made my first 10 little pillowcase dresses. Then last year I decided, with 2 weeks to spare, to host a linky party with prizes to encourage people to make a few dresses and link up! This is a photo of the 10 Little Dresses I made last year!.

I am once again hosting a LDFA Linky Party for 2016. Boy shorts and Sanitary pads are also desperately needed. Did you know that the girls cannot attend school during their monthly periods because they do not have sanitary pads!!!  

 Here are patterns for :

1. Pillowcase Dresses from yardage- Please make sure fabric is good quality and not see through. This is the pattern I use. I also pre-washed my fabrics. These dresses have to last and hold up the alot of washing.Please make sure that all inside raw edges are finished. You can also do a French Seam and enclose raw edges.

2.. Pillow case Dresses from Pillow cases.

3.Sanitary Pads

4. Boy Shorts - made from T Shirts ( or any drawstring type of shorts will work) 

      Will you sew along with me? . We will have sponsors, to be announced, with prizes for linking up. But the greatest gift is knowing that YOU made a difference in a child's life! 

 Last year, we just missed having our Dresses taken by a local Missionary group going to Haiti. SO I am moving up the date for the Sew Along this year to May 7th! The first Saturday in May. I hope to send my Dresses/ Sanitary Pads and /or Boy Shorts with a local group this year. That way I can spend more on fabric to make the Dresses. 

I will be posting more information as the time draws closer. But you can start sewing at any time! When I find out definite dates for the Missionary groups I will post that information.  Please help spread the word through your blog, facebook, twitter, instagram and with your sewing friends and groups. 

 I created a Blog Button that you can share on your blog and blog posts. Just copy the code over on the right sidebar under the photo for 2016! 

I am so excited about getting a jump start on this years Dresses. Last year I played around with the Decorative Stitches on my machine with some Aurifil thread on the bias tape. I think it looked really cute! 

Please let me know if you have any questions! I can't wait to see the parade of Little dresses and Shorts on May 7th!! ! So gather your friends and fabrics and have a great time stitching!
  I love the Little Dresses for Africas' motto: "

"We're not just sending dresses, We're sending Hope!

I want to say a special Thank You to Patty at Elm Street Quilts for including our LDFA Sew Along 2016 as part of her HUGS project! If you have a moment, be sure to stop by Elm Street Quilts and read more about HUGS! 

Thank you for stopping by everyone! I hope to see ya'll linking up those adorable dresses, pads and shorts in May! Watch this blog for more information about our sponsors and possible Missionary trips!

Happy Stitching!
Thank you for stopping by!
xo Jan

Sew Simple Saturday February Winners!

Hi everyone! We have been having some snowy and icy weather today and lots of computer problems to boot! Thank you to everyone for linking up their projects, tips and tutorials! I really enjoyed reading everyone's link up! And thank you for the kind comments on my sweet Hand Warmers!

      So without further ado, before I loose internet service again,  I quickly picked 3 winners out of my hubby's hat so here we go:

The winner of the Aurifil 4 Large spools of 50 wt is:
Pat at Life in the Scrapatch!
http://scrapatches.blogspot.com/2016/02/snowmen-in-cabin-window-quilt-n-done.html

The winner of the Fat Quarter SHop gift Certificate is :
Wendy of Wehago Designs
http://wehagodesigns.blogspot.com.au/

The winner of the Featherweight Quilt Company Hexagon kit is:
Danette of Danette 001
http://nettiesews.blogspot.com/2016/02/covered-tin-and-quilt-top.html


A special THANK YOU to our fabulous sponsors at Aurifil and the Fat Quarter SHop! 

Thank you everyone for linking up! Our next Sew Simple Saturday will be on Saturday March 5th!
Happy Stitching ya'll!
xoxoxoxoxoxo Jan

Hugs and Kisses Valentine Hand Warmers!

Welcome!! I have a fun and easy Valentine Project that I would like to share with you!

  X's and O's Hand Warmers!

Aren't these just too cute? I made these for my handsome farmer, hubby dude for Valentine's Day! Now he can carry a warm hug and kiss around with him in this cold and windy weather!  This is such a fun and easy project. I want to make several more pairs before Valentines Day!

Here's what you need to make your own pair of Hand Warmer's:

4 pieces of Muslin 3" x 4"
4 pieces Outer Fabric 3 1/2" x 3"
2 pieces Outer Fabric 3 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Matching Aurifil Thread - I used both 50 wt and 12 wt.
1/4 cup white rice
A small funnel
Hand Sewing Needle
X and O Applique - 2" -  (These are iron on's from Joann's Fabric or you can make your own )
Sewing Machine


Sew two pieces of the Muslin together leaving an opening large enough for your funnel tip and for turning. Trim corners and turn right sides out. Press well.

Using your funnel, fill with about half of the rice.

Whip stitch or ladder stitch the opening closed.

Now let's make the cover!

Center your Applique piece onto one of the  3 1/2" x 4 1/2" outer pieces of fabric: I ironed mine on and then sewed around the edges on the machine: (I just love the pillow ticking fabric with the Chevron letters)

Next hem ONE end of TWO of the 3 1/2" x 3" pieces of fabric;
Lay these RIGHT SIDES together on the appliqued piece overlapping the hemmed ends in the middle back and sew all the way around, backtacking at the opening:

Trim corners, turn right sides out and press. Pop your hand warmer into the microwave for 20 seconds then insert your warm Rice filled Hand Warmer into the cover! ! Repeat all steps for the second Hand Warmer and Cover!

These are sew much fun to make. The covers can be removed and laundered!  And you can make several covers for each set of hand warmers!! I want to make the hubby another set of covers with flannel and another set for St Patrick's Day with a Four Leaf Clover on the front ! Who couldn't use some Good Luck in their pocket??  You can also adjust the sizes for children or adults.

I hope that you enjoyed this fun and easy tutorial! I would love to see photos if you make some! Be sure and share on my facebook page.
xo Jan

In Our Garden Block of the Month Blog Hop!

 Happy February everyone! Today starts the In OUR Garden Block of the Month Blog hop! I've have been anxiously anticipating our first month of free blocks! Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy is our host and she has started off this free block of month blog hop with a hopping good time!

Eeeeeek!!! Aren't her blocks just too stinkin' cute?? I love these.

  You can hop over to Amy's blog for the Patterns that will be FREE during the month of February!
Be sure to sew along with us as we make this Incredibly cute Garden themed quilt. We would also love to invite you to join in with our facebook group here!

You can read Amy's post and enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway here!

These are just so adorable! I can't wait to get started sewing along!
Here is a list of all the Blogger and months coming up!

February

Amy – Sew Incredibly Crazy

March

Carol – Just Let Me Quilt

April

Doris – Quilting Queen Online

May

Carla – Creatin’ in the Sticks

June

Sue – Super Mom No Cape

July

Joan – Moosestash Quilting

August

Kris – Kris Loves Fabric

September

Pat – Life in the Scrapatch

October

Vicki – More Stars in Comanche

November

Lana – It Seams to be Sew

December

Jan - Sew and Sow Farm

January

Amy – Sew Incredibly Crazy– Final Blocks and wrap up


And remember this coming Saturday, February 6th is our next Sew Simple Saturday! 

Do you have a tip, technique or tutorial that you would like to share? If so, then drop by Saturday and link up for your chance to win one of the great prizes being offered by our sponsors! 

Happy Stitching everyone! 

xo jan