Sew or No Sew Stockings

 

 

Christmas is in a few days… HELP!!!!!!  If you are looking for a last minute idea, here you go! These are super fast and super easy. I did 4 of them in an afternoon.

You can sew them or glue them or both. I did both.

What I used to make 4 -

1 1/4 yards of burlap

2 different spools of red, wire ribbon

1 partial spool of shiny, red rickrack

1 spool of gold cording

2 plastic snowflake ornaments

1 tiny bottle of Tulip Puffy Paint

hot glue gun

 

 

 

First I drew out a pattern.  You can trace an existing stocking or free hand it.

Yes, I know this looks NOTHING like the stockings I made… I’ll get to that.

 

 

Place your pattern on the burlap, making sure the burlap is folded so you cut the front and back at the same time.

Yes, still looks different. I’m getting there. LOL

 

 

 

Sew or glue the front to the back.

 

Then hack off the curly toes when you realize that burlap is just too thick to turn right side out with that narrow of a space…. LOL

Now, that being said…. If you want to leave the stockings inside out, it DOES look really cute. The curly toes don’t show up as well as expected but still very cute.

Too bad I didn’t think about that BEFORE I got frustrated and hacked them off…..

Now, turn right side out and press. Use a cool iron if you’ve used hot glue. Or leave it inside out.

 

 

 

 

Turn the top in about 1/2 inch and press. Again, using a cool iron if you’ve used hot glue.

 

 

Now, cut a small piece of the rickrack and pin in place OR hot glue in place.

Then either sew the top under and the rickrack in place or glue the top under.

This one I did with the sewing machine. The other 3 I just glued.  Either way works just as well as the other.

 

 

 

Cut your ribbons to make as big a bow as you like. Cut a smaller piece, about 3 “, to use for the middle. Wrap it around the center of your bow and glue or sew it in place.

 

 

 

Glue or sew your bow in place. Then adjust the ribbons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measure out the rickrack to go around the toes, cut and glue in place.

 

 

 

Now do the same for the heel!

 

 

 

Then write the name with the puffy paint!

It takes about 4 hrs for the paint to dry so I would suggest putting it up somewhere that the cats can’t get to……

 

 

 

This is the first one I did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colin informed me that boys don’t like big, red bows so I went with little gold bows and snowflakes for theirs.

 

 

 

 

I hope you like the tutorial! Please let me know if you have any questions. You can leave a comment or use the Contact Me button at the top to email me!

 

 

 

 

What’s Been Going on Around Here

 

I can’t tell you how many posts I have written and then deleted. There’s so much going on right now. Not only in the larger world but in my little world, too. Now, that being said, the stuff we are dealing with here is no where near as tragic as things that other people are dealing with right now, so I will just be keeping all that to myself. No matter what is going on here, I still have so much more than so many others and I need to count my blessing, starting with the fact that all my children are alive and well, even if one of them is so far away.

So…. Let me share with you some of the things we have been doing lately. Both the Cs have been sick this week so we haven’t done much in the way of school with them.

 

 

Cailey’s Christmas tree art.

 

 

 

 

Colin’s Christmas Tree art!

 

 

 

 

Here is another pair of pj pants that I made for my cousin’s boys.

I can’t show you hers yet… OR the surprises that I put in the box.  (Hee hee hee! Sorry, Amy!)

 

 

 

 

 

This is Cloud hiding in Cailey’s desk last week! LOL

 

 

 

 

 

Here our tree for this year. Cailey and Colin decorated most of it themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

Cailey’s snowflake ornament.

 

 

 

 

Colin’s snowflake. He never did go back and finish it. LOL

 

 

 

 

Colin’s snowman ornament.

 

 

 

 

Cailey’s snowgirl ornament.

 

 

And that’s about it…. LOL

I have SOOOO many projects that I have been meaning to work on but I have been in such a funk that I just haven’t been able to get myself to do them.  I have the fox flannel outfit, burlap stockings, 4 pillows a piece for the Cs….. And the list just keeps going…. YILES!!! Time to pull myself out of the funk and get busy!!!!!! If you could, please keep me and Jacob in your prayers. This will be the first Christmas that he hasn’t been with us. It’s going to be a rough one.

 

Speaking of busy, don’t forget to check out my friend’s blog, Eileen’s Perpetually Busy! She has a great pattern for crocheted hats up!! And I know it’s great because we have 4 of her hats here.

 

Christmas Tree Tutu Shirt Tutorial

HEY!! I have another tutorial for you! YAY!!!! And I will be adding in a couple of hair clips and another headband!

This was SOOOOOO easy to make! I have been seeing shirts like this allll over Pinterest and thought that I would like to try it myself! But then I had some red tulle and I just couldn’t resist adding it to the bottom! LOL

Here is what I used-

A red shirt

Different types of green ribbon and white lace

3 yards of red tulle

3 yards of white tulle 6″ wide

1 yellow button

I promise that rickrack is a nicer color green… Not sure WHAT happened when I took these pictures! I realllllly need a camera other than my iPhone! LOL

Line up your ribbons and laces in any order that suits you and cut both sides at an angle.

Line up the ribbons and laces in order and pin! Then sew them on! Easy peasy!

Next, sew your button to the top!

Wrestle your tulle away from your cat…… SIGH….

I swear, I could put a wash cloth and the table and they would sleep on it!!!

Now, fold over your tulle in half and then half again. Now it should be 3 yards long but wide enough for a tutu!

Next, run a gathering stitch alllllllll along the top of it!

Then you are going to pin it to the bottom of your shirt.  With right sides together, slip the tutu over the shirt so that the top of the tutu will pin to the bottom of the shirt.

Next, sew it to your shirt! I used a zigzag stitch.

Now, pin the white tulle to the sides of the shirt, just above the tutu. Sew just the sides!

This makes a lovely bow in the back!

ALLLLLL DONE!!!

I wish I knew why the colors were off in the pics.

ANYWAY…. on to the hair clips and headband. This is sooooo easy, though!

I took red fingernail polish and painted over the clips.

Then I used the polish to put decorations on the tree.

All the pieces that I used came from Walmart and were super cheap!!!

Then I hot glued the pieces onto the clips! Viola!

I swear, I had NO CLUE that the colors looked so bad until I started playing with PicMonkey….. Then I went back and added another coat of red. I think the flash brings out the flaws! LOL

MUCH better with a 3rd coat!!!! LOL

With this one, I just took a clear headband and hot glued the snowflakes on.

I told you it was easy! LOL

Now I want to show you some other projects that have been going on around here.

The dress is one I made for my Cousin CJ. My aunt brought the fabric and pattern that she wanted. Then I added the headband. I just wrapped it in black ribbon like I did Cailey’s candy headband and then hot glued the black and white braid.

Here is the pattern that I used. I added the sparkly braid to the top and the black ribbon and bow to the bottom to give it a little extra umph! LOL

McCall’s M6098

And here is the necklace that Deanna made for Cailey to match her candy headband.

I hope you like the tutorials! As always, let me know if you have any questions!!!! And let me know if you decide to make one of these!!!

 

And for some reason the formatting on here is off kilter…. AGAIN!!! I wish I knew WHY it did that. Drives me nuts! I like nice spaces not everything crammed together. BLARGH!!!

 

Holiday Crushed Velvet Top Tutorial

 

 

Here’s a tutorial for a top to match the Pink Fig Designs Market Day Gauchos! Well, at least MY version of the Market Day Gauchos! LOL

I used the same colors of crushed panne (crushed velvet) for the top AND I made a little matching hair bow. For the bow I just tied scraps of the crushed velvet onto a ponytail holder.

 

On to the tutorial!

You will need-

1/2 yard of main fabric

Scraps in the coordinating colors for the sleeve ruffles

A shirt that fits your child well to use as a cutting guide

 

 

 

Yes, yes.. I know… A Justin Bieber shirt but she’s only 8, cut her some slack! LOL

Fold the t-shirt and place it on the folded fabric. Cut around the shirt leaving space on the side for seam allowance.

 

 

 

Here is what it will look like.

 

 

 

 

Place the shirt part that you just cut on the folded fabric and cut around it for the other piece.

 

 

 

Cut one of the necklines a little lower for the front of the top. Make sure not to take any off the shoulders.

 

 

 

To cut the sleeves, place the shoulder even with the fold in the fabric and cut around the armhole. Then drop down a bit below the armhole and cut the rest of the sleeve.

At this point I was thinking long sleeves…. LOL I usually just fly by the seat of my pants when I start sewing.

 

 

 

Here is where I decided to cut the black part of the sleeve shorter so that I could add the ruffles. I measured Cailey’s arm from shoulder to wrist and then cut the sleeve at 8″ . Her arm measured 15″ but I knew some of the length of the sleeve would become seam allowance.

 

 

 

Now, to cut the strips for the ruffles! I cut them 3″ in width and 15″ long. I cut 3 for each sleeve.

 

 

 

Here is what they look like!

Now, you are going to pin those tops together! Then run a row of gathering stitches across the top.

 

 

 

Pin the gathered edge to the bottom of the sleeve, right sides together, adjusting the gathers as needed.  Sew together!

 

 

 

Here is what it looks like so far!

 

 

 

Place the back on the front, right sides together, pin and sew the seam!

 

 

 

 

This is that OTHER way to do sleeves… LOL Place the sleeves to the armholes, right sides together and pin like crazy! LOL Then sew the sleeves to the armholes!

 

 

 

Here’s what it looks like so far!

 

 

 

Almost done!!! Pin up the sides of the top and the bottoms of the sleeves. Now, sew the side seams!!!!!

 

Turn right side out and you are ALLLLLLLL done!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you like this! Let me know if the tutorial is easy to follow! If you have ANY questions, don’t hesitate to leave me a message or use the Contact Me button at the top of the blog and shoot me an e-mail!

 

 

 

 

Christmas Homeschooling Activities, Books, Crafts and Printables List

I thought that I would put together a list of  Christmas homeschooling resources. I have seen a lot of great stuff floating around the web lately. A lot of these things can be found on my Pinterest boards.

There’s one resource that I am going to share that is NOT free, BUT it’s only $1/yr so really, it might as well be free…. LOL Anyway, that resource is Christian Homeschooling Hub.  I LOOOOOOVE this site. They have downloads for EVERYTHING!!!!  Their Holiday page is full of downloads!

 

This is a freebie from Ms. Fultz’s Corner.

 

 

 

From No Time For Flashcards.

 

 

 

From Raising Arrows.

 

 

 

From Living Life Intentionally.

 

 

 

 

There are Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah freebies at CurrClick right now!

 

 

 

The Simple Homeschool will be starting their 12 Days of Christmas Freebies soon! Make sure to sign up for the newsletter so you can grab them all!!!!

 

 

 

Amazon has A LOT of free Christmas ebooks right now. Don’t have a Kindle?? Neither do I! I downloaded the free app to my iPhone, desktop AND laptop! LOL

 

 

 

Homeschool Views has a big list of Christmas freebies!

 

 

 

 

 

Free Homeschool Deals has a great list of freebies!

 

 

 

 

 

Free Christmas printables for pre-schoolers over at Confessions of a Homeschooler!

 

 

 

 

From Meet Penny!

 

 

 

 

Homeschool Share has a long list of units, lapbooks and such for Christmas.

 

 

Homeschool Creations also has a nice list of Christmas learning activities.

 

 

Homeschool Helper Online is another great resource.

 

 

Spell Out Loud has a list of Christmas activities, as well.

 

 

This list from Sassy Sites should keep your kids busy for a while!!! LOL

 

 

 

See how Christmas is celebrated in 30 other countries at TheNorthPole.com.

 

 

 

From 1+1+1=1

 

 

 

From 2 Teaching Mommies. Actually, 2 Teaching Mommies has A LOT of Christmas learning packs!!!

 

 

 

I hope you find tons of fun stuff to do this Holiday season!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gingerbread Dress and Christmas Candy Headband Tutorials

I’m going to skip the Blogger Challenge today. I’m sure you won’t mind when you see the 2, yes 2!!! tutorials I have for you today!

 

 

So, the first tutorial will be for the dress and then I will do the headband! That headband is so easy I am almost embarrassed about working up a tutorial for it…. LOL

 

Here is what I used:

1 shirt that fits your child well

1 yard of gingerbread men

3/4 yard of brown and white polka dots

1/4 yard of red for the sash

2 small pieces of 3/4″ elastic

2 ft of red and white polka dot ribbon

1 ft of red rickrack

3 small red buttons

1 cheap plastic head band

1 cheap plastic candy ornament

1 package of white bias tape (you can use ribbon or whatever)

hot glue gun

 

 

Gingerbread Dress

 

 

Fold over the fabric you want to use for the bodice of the dress. Place the folded shirt on top. Cut around the shirt leaving excess all around for your seam allowance.

 

 

You will cut one back and one front. This is what they should look like.

Cailey is photo bombing! LOL

 

 

 

Now, take a straight edge and cut the front bodice piece right down the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bodice is fully lined so now you need to cut the lining using the bodice pieces you already have as a guide.

For the front bodice pieces it’s easier to just place them wrong sides together to cut.

The back bodice piece can be placed on the fold.

 

 

 

Now, we are going to cut the fabric for the bottom tier. Just cut 2 even lengths of the same fabric you are using for the bodice.  You can make it as wide as you want depending on the height of your child and how long you would like the dress to be.

I made my cuts where the white lines are.

 

 

 

Now cut the top tier in your other fabric, making it the same width as the bottom tier.

You will only need one piece for this tier.

 

 

 

On to the sleeves! Now, I wanted short sleeves because it just is NOT that cold here in the DEEP South! LOL The length of the sleeve is all up to your preference, and any length will work just fine with the ruffle on the end.

Using one of your bodice pieces as a guide, place your folded fabric under the guide and cut, leaving about 1/2 below the arm place on the bodice, and cut straight across.

 

 

 

Now you are going to cut the piece that makes up part of the ruffle on the sleeve.  Cut 2 pieces that are 4 ” wide and the same length as your sleeve is round.

In other words ________________ this way needs to be the same as the sleeve is when it is unfolded.

And 4″ this way   .

.

.

Make sense??? If not, just take a little peek at the picture at the top of the page and see how the sleeve is set up.

I am having a bad case of fibro fog today. BLECK!!!

 

 

 

Here are all the pieces that we have cut plus the red ribbon.

 

 

Pin your back bodice pieces with right sides together.

Sew up everything but the bottom. You can sew the shoulders if you want to. I didn’t with this one.

 

 

 

Now, turn right side out and press!

 

 

 

Pin your front bodice pieces with right sides together. Sew everything together except the bottom.

Do the same to the other 2 front bodice pieces.

 

 

 

Turn right side out and press. Do the same to the other bodice piece!

 

 

 

While your iron is still hot, go ahead and fold in half the long pieces for the sleeve edges and press.

 

 

 

Now, sew your front bodice pieces to your back bodice pieces at the tops and the sides.

Turn right side out and PRESS!!

 

 

 

Time to sew up the sleeve!

 

 

 

Take your ribbon and pin it to the edges of the fabric strips that you cut for the sleeve embellishment.

 

 

 

Turn the sleeve inside out and fold up the end 1 1/2″ and press. Turn the sleeve right side out and pin the ribbon and gingerbread strip inside of the edge of the sleeve. Sew in place.

 

 

 

Now you are going to sew the elastic casing in the end of the sleeve, leaving about 1″ for the elastic. Make sure to leave an opening to insert the elastic!

 

 

 

Turn your bodice inside out and slide the sleeve into the armhole, pin and stitch in place!

 

 

 

Turn everything right side out and press!

 

 

 

Pin both ends of your elastic and either hold tightly to one end or pin it to you.

Insert the elastic into the casing.

 

 

 

Zigzag stitch the ends of the elastic.

 

 

 

Stitch the opening closed!

 

 

 

Remove the cat from your work space! SIGH…….

 

 

 

Time for the buttonholes! BLECK!! I can’t stand my buttonholer. It only works right about 10% of the time…. :/ It did just ONE of the buttonholes on this piece. The other 2 I had to do myself. NOT fun but it can be done, just use the smallest zigzag stitch setting you can and a clear sewing foot helps tremendously!

Anyway, take your ruler (if you can find it, I had to use something else….) and mark out where you want your buttonholes to be.

Use your (hopefully) proper working buttonholer.

After you get your buttonholes in place, close up the front of the bodice and mark through the buttonholes for proper button placement.

Sew on your buttons.

 

 

 

Pin the rickrack around the collar and sew in place. To save time you don’t have to switch out your bobbin, just switch out your top thread to match the rickrack.

 

 

 

Here is where we are now! Almost done……

You can set aside the bodice for now!

 

 

Now, grab the 2 pieces that you cut for the bottom tier and sew them together on one side.

Next you need to run a line or two of gathering stitches at the top.

The way I do that is, I set all my stitch settings to the largest possible settings. This can sometimes gather the fabric for me. It didn’t this time, though…. LOL

Now, gather it up and pin it to the bottom of the fabric you will be using for the top tier. Pin it with right sides together and gathers to bottom, adjusting the gathers as needed.

Sew in place!

 

 

 

Now, run a line of gathering stitches in the top tier!

Next, pin the gathered edge to the bottom of the bodice, right sides together.

Sew in place.

Next, turn inside out and sew up the skirt’s side seam!

Almost done!

 

 

Fold up the bottom of the skirt 1/2″ and press, then fold up again 3/4″ , press and pin. Now sew your hem!

Turn right side out and press!

 

 

 

Time to cut the sash!

I cut from selvage to selvage for my length and 6″ for my width.

Fold in half, press and pin.

Now you are going to sew the raw edges together and make a long tube.

 

 

 

Turn the tube right side out and press!

Turn the ends in by 1/2″ and press.

 

NOW YOU ARE DONE!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headband Tutorial

 

 

 

 

This is what I used. A $1 headband and $1 ornaments. Oh, and 1/2 a package of bias tape. But you can use ribbon if you have it in a matching color….. LOL

 

 

Put a glob of hot glue on the inside of the headband.

 

 

 

Now, stick the end of the bias tape/ribbon/whatever into the glue.

Just start wrapping the bias tape/ribbon/whatever all the way around the headband.

Oh, yeah…. this is just sooooo hard…. LOL

 

 

 

When you get to the end of the headband, put another glob of hot glue on the plastic of the head band. Then cut off the bias tape/ribbon/whatever and add another glob hot glue and smoosh the end of the bias tape/ribbon/whatever into it.

 

 

Now put a ton of hot glue wherever you want to place your ornament and smoosh the ornament on.

 

 

Viola!

 

 

 

 

Deanna is making Cailey a matching necklace with the other ornament.

 

 

 

 

 

As always, let me know what you think of the tutorial. Was it easy to follow??? And if you make this dress PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know!!!! LOL

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow! We will just be here at home. My Dad and Stepmother won’t be able to make it down to celebrate with us.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Sewing and Crafting Ideas, Tutorials and Recipes

Once again I am posting under the influence… LOL Apparently pain meds are good for my creativity because I sketched at least 50 new sewing ideas last night! LOL  If I was a decent sketcher I would show them to you but I am HORRIBLE!

I was thinking that I would share some of the sewing ideas that I have Pinned for the holidays. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

 

 

Here is a DARLING cat costume tutorial from Crafts N Things for Children.

 

 

Fairy wings tutorial from DIY Network. I can’t decide if I want to make Cailey’s wings or just buy a cheap pair at the Dollar Tree! LOL

 

 

Look at these cupcakes!!! OMGosh! SOOOOO cute!! I am definitely going to have to make these!!!  They are from Sweet Simple Stuff.

 

 

 

OOOH!!! Top 20 Handmade Gifts! AWESOME from Craft-O-Maniac!!! I love getting and giving handmade. You know that it’s something special, made with love and care just for you!

 

 

How to make new ornaments look vintage from Finding Home.

 

 

I LOVE this idea!!!! Christmas coal from Rice Crispy treats!!! COOL!!!! This comes from Big Red Kitchen.

 

 

TOOOO CUTE!!! Googly eye headbands from The Crafty Blog Stalker! I am sooo making these!!

 

 

Mummy cookies from Betty Crocker! I am adding them to my Halloween baking list! LOL

 

 

Halloween witchy broom from Imperfectly Beautiful!

 

 

101 Crafty Christmas Projects from Susan Tuttle Photography.

 

 

This is so cute! And it looks fairly easy, too!! A Christmas candy cane wreath from Watch Me Daddy.

 

 

Fall pumpkin and pumpkin pie Rice Crispy treats from Grin and Bake It! I think I will make these for the church fall party!

Here are a couple of pictures of what I made last year.

 

I used Tootsie Rolls for the pumpkin stems and then just added icing for leaves.

The other cupcakes have M&Ms around the candy pumpkins.

 

These are candy acorns using Nutter Butter Minis and Hershey’s Kisses. SOOOOOO good!!! You stick them together with chocolate icing.

 

 

101 Handmade Halloween Ideas put together by Everything Etsy! I love that blog.

 

25 Fabulous Christmas Crafts from The Daily Buzz!

 

 

This site shows you how to make these 3 Christmas trees starting with cardboard!! Thank you, SISTERKINS!!!!

 

 

40 Easy Halloween Recipes put together by The Miracle Momma!

 

 

400 (yes 400!!!) Christmas crafts for kids put together by Sassy Sites!

 

 

 

Finally! Something for Thanksgiving! I am LOVING this cornucopia from The Craft Patch!!!

 

 

This is so pretty and so simple! I am definitely making some for the new house! We won’t have a mantel for Christmas this year so this would be perfect for Christmas cards!! This gorgeous idea comes from Pens and Needles.

 

 

I <3 Everything Etsy!!!!

 

Again from Everything Etsy!

 

 

101 Fall Activities for Kids from Growing a Jeweled Rose.

 

 

Here is a large list of Thanksgiving recipes for kids from Kid Activities.

 

 

And that is it for today, folks!!

Pray that my tooth hurries up and gets better so I can finish up Snoopy and get started on Tinkerbell!!! LOL AND get more work down towards moving…. YILES!!!!

OH!! And don’t forget about the Halloween skirt tutorials I have under the Tutorials button at the top of the page!

 

 

 

 

Christmas in July! A Book Cover Tutorial

I am very proud to be a part of Stringtown Home‘s Christmas in July! YAY!!!!! For my part I am going to show you how to make a cute book cover for a gift. They are very easy to make and you can customize them for your friends and relatives by the different fabrics and embellishments you use.

What you will need -

1/2 yard of main fabric (will make both covers)

1/2 yard of contrast fabric (will make both covers)

Any embellishments that you might want to add

Hot glue gun to add embellishments

Step 1 -

Take out a large book and use it as a guideline when cutting. When you cut leave about 3/4″ at the top and bottom for seam allowance. The measurements are about 23″ by 11″.

Step 2 -

Make sure that your fabric will cover it just right, with the sides going over the cover of the book.

Step 3 -

Use the part you just cut as a pattern to cut your contrast fabric.

Step 4 -

Remove the cat from the fabric and dust off the cat fur…. SIGH…..

Step 5 -

Pin your main fabric to your contrast fabric, right sides together. Then sew the seam on 3 sides, leaving one end open.

LOL! You can see my messy pin cushion! I always end up with tangled threads in it!

Step 6 -

Turn right side out and press.

Step 7 -

Fold in the ends that you left open about a 1/4″ and press.

Step 8 -

Top stitch along the top of the entire cover.

Step 9 -

Cut 2 pieces of your contrast fabric 10″ long by 6″ wide.

Step 10-

Fold over the side edges 1″ and press. Fold down the middle and press. Top stitch down both sides.

Step 11-

Place your handles where you want them and pin, making sure NOT to pin the flap that is tucked inside the book.

Step 12-

Stitch your handle end on with it facing down toward where the spine of the book would be. Do that to all 4 ends.

Step 13 -

Fold the handle end over the part you just stitched and top-stitch it into place. Do that to all 4 ends.

Step 14-

Fold over the ends of the book cover and press. Pin in place and stitch just down the sides.

Press.

ALL DONE!!!!

Hmmm… Looks like my handles are a little off.. I’ll have to fix that….

The small book covers are even easier. Follow the same steps but omit the handles.

So, what do you think?? Would they make good presents?

As always, let me know if the tutorial was easy to follow or not. And I am always happy to answer any questions!

Thanks!

And thank you to Heather!! This was so much FUN!! This was my first ever guest slot!