Peppermint Christmas Advent

This advent was made from the Candyland Christmas fabric line by Moda. I love the colors and of course all the little peppermints. I think candycanes or peppermints in the pockets would be adorable.

Tutorial: Lined Christmas Stocking

Tutorial: Lined Christmas Stocking

All the pictured stockings were made using the following method.

Well here it is! The promised tutorial. (I hope to get both a banner and ornament one done too...) This seriously is the easiest lined stocking EVER. I can't remember where I learned how to do it, but it is so snappy and fun and I promise you will be astonished. The finished look is so crisp and clean that it will knock your socks of because of how easy it was. (no pun intended)
So get your materials, turn on some Christmas music and get ready to have a beautiful stocking in less than an hour. Truly! (This stocking will be listed in my shop too...just in case you were wondering. :0) )

For One Stocking You Will Need:

If you are making more than one stocking, you will end up using a little less than 1/3 of a yard for each one. This is because you can place your pattern to maximize the fabric. The same goes for the cuff fabric.

• 1/3 yard for lining fabric
  
• 1/3 yard for outer fabric
• 1/4 yard for cuffs, I used chenille
• embellishments - coordinating fabric, buttons, whatever you want
• coordinating or contrasting thread
• iron
• pinking shears
• fabric scissors
• pins
• tracing paper or parchment paper for pattern

Pattern:

I made my own pattern, but I am not clever enough to put it in this tutorial for you. You can draw your own stocking pattern or if you have a stocking already, you can trace around it. Just remember to add 1/4" seam allowance or your stocking will be skinner than the one you traced.

Dimensions:
The yardage I listed above is based off of these dimensions.

• width at the top of the stocking: 7.5"
• shortest length, from top of stocking to heel: 18"
• longest length, from top of stocking to toe: 20.5"
• width of toe: 6"
  

Cutting The Fabrics:

Place fabrics in the following order:

1. Fold your lining fabric in half, right sides together, selvage to selvage. Place on cutting mat.

2. Fold your outer fabric in half, right sides together, selvage to selvage. Place on TOP of of your lining fabric and line up the folds the best you can.

I didn't use 1/3 yard cuts, I used some pieces left over from other projects, so my fabric layout looks a little different.

3. Place the top of your pattern just below the folds. (You will be cutting the folds open/off.) The toe should be down towards the selvages. Pin in place.

4. Cut through all four layers of fabrics. I use a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler on the straight parts, then hand cut with sharp fabric scissors the rest. Remember to cut off your folds at the top so you can reach inside!

Adding Embellishments:

1. Remove the pattern, being careful not to totally separate all the layers of fabric. If you are not adding embellishments, pin the pieces together and go to the next section. If you are going to add embellishments, keep on reading...

2. Remove the top piece of fabric. This should be a piece of your OUTER fabric. Place it beside the other pieces so you see the right sides of both pieces of your outer fabric.

3. Decide which way you want your toe to face when it is completed. I like my toe pointing to the right, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that you put your front design on the piece of fabric!!!

4. I like my toe pointing to the right. So, I add the embellishments to the piece that has the toe pointing to the right. Easy to remember right? Just put the embellishments on the piece that has the toe facing the direction you want it to. An important thing to consider is also your cuff. My cuffs are about 4" long finished. So I placed my embellishment about 4.5" from the top of my stocking. This way my cute embellishments will not be covered by the cuff at the end. All I did for my embellishments was add a strip of coordinating fabric. I sewed it in place using a zig zag stitch.

Sorry I made this stocking at 11:30 @ night and forgot to take a full length picture of this step.

5. Now place your pieces back together, trying to line up all four layers the best you can.
The layers should be:

• two lining pieces, right sides together
• then two outer pieces on top with their right sides together

You should see the wrong side of your outer fabric on top. Pin all layers together, use the cutting marks to help you line up all the pieces. This is why I had you cut out all four layers together. It makes it easier to line up and sew together because the pieces have all the same cut marks.

Sewing Together:

1. This is going to sound crazy but sew all four layers together, using 1/4" seam allowance. That is right, sew through all FOUR layers. Remember to leave the top open! :) Reach inside and feel around to insure you caught all four layers.

2. After sewing, iron the stocking well, especially the seams.

3. Pink the edges around the toe and heel, or snip with sharp scissors. (Be careful not to cut through your stitching!

Turning...this is where it gets cool :)

1. Reach between the LINING layers, and you should see the RIGHT sides of the LINING fabric.

2. Grab the toe of the stocking from the inside and turn it so the right side of the lining now shows.

3. When you look inside you should see the RIGHT sides of your OUTER fabric.

4. Do the same thing again. Reach inside grab the toe and your OUTER fabric will now show!

5. Now press your stocking and reach inside and poke around with your fingers or a wooden spoon to get the seams to lay appropriately.

Isn't that cool?!?

Hanging Loop

1. I've used ribbon and fabric for my loops. For this one I made one from fabric.

2. Cut out a 6.5" x 3" rectangle from the fabric of your choice. (I used my outer fabric.)

3. Using an iron, fold it in half and press.

4. Open it and fold each side in towards the middle and press.

5. Fold in half again using the middle fold as a guide and press.

6. Sew up the open side using 1/8" seam allowance. Fold in half and press.

Cuff:

1. I made my cuff 15.25" x 4.75". Essentially, double the original width of the stocking, 7.5" in my case, and add about 1/8" so the cuff doesn't look 'tapered'.

2. Fold the cuff in half so the short edges match. Sew using 1/4" seam allowance. On one of the long edges, fold under 1/2" of the raw edge to the back. Sew in place using 1/4" seam allowance.

3. If you want to embroider a name you can do that now. You also can embroider a name when you are all done. It is just a bit more cumbersome. Remember, you will loose 1/4" from off the top edge when you sew it to the stocking.

Sewing The Cuff and Loop:

1. Take your loop and place it so that the loop is in the inside of the stocking. The raw edges will be coming our of the top of the stocking. Pin. Leave a bit of the edges hanging over the edge of the stocking. This way you can be sure to catch it when you sew. I placed my loop in the top left hand corner just beside the side seam. (This is for a stocking with the toe to the RIGHT. You would want to put the loop in the RIGHT hand corner if you have a toe facing LEFT.)

3. Turn the cuff right side out. Place the cuff INSIDE the stocking with the right side facing the lining. Line up the seam of the cuff with the side seam of the stocking. (I lined mine up on the same side as my hanging loop.)



4. Pin the cuff in place, lining up the raw edges of the cuff with the raw edges of the stocking. (You will have to pull/stretch the fabrics a bit to get them to line up.) This is because the cuff is slightly larger than the opening of the stocking. This is on purpose so the stocking cuff doesn't appear 'tappered'.

5. Sew in place using 1/4" seam allowance. I usually back stitch a couple of times when I go across the hanging loop. Cut off the hanging loop raw edges that are sticking out. Pink edges to prevent fraying from raw edges, or if you have one serge the edges.

6. Turn cuff so that the right side is now facing. You can play around with the cuff till you have the right amount showing. If you want to keep the cuff in better place, you can top stitch across the top of the stocking.

Tada!!!!

A truly BEAUTIFUL stocking that is, may I add, fully LINED!!!! Truly such a fun trick and makes this project EASY PEASY. Now you can proudly display your stockings and people will marvel and say, they are LINED and how did you do that?

After the turning steps, I am almost positive you went back and turned it wrong sides out and repeated it just because it was so cool! Or at least I did. :0)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this week! I will be enjoying a blogging break after today for Thanksgiving. Then next week is the last week before my first ever craft show....wish me luck!!!! So if you don't hear from me...that is why. :)

Be safe and take time to remember all the amazing blessings we all have.

Welcome to Our First Pattern

The first quiet book pattern/kit is here! Well the testers are hard at work, thanks gals, but if all goes well they will be ready to ship by this coming Wednesday! You can check out the listing here.

This really is a great stocking stuffer and doesn't take too long to make. I made mine from design time to finish in about 5 hours. Minus the design time and "I think I am going to change that" moments, 3 hours tops. :) I hope to have more patterns/kits after the holidays, so keep on the look out. I am crossing my fingers that a Nativity Pattern will be ready soon. It is a pretty intense book to make a pattern for, so we will see. :)

If you are local and interested, let me know...free shipping!

Get your votes in for the tutorial you would like to see next!!!!

Also, I am working on some last minute Christmas Gift items! Tote bags, crayon rolls, all those cute lil' things. Check back after Thanksgiving to see the new items. :)

Happy Friday!!!!

Craft Show, Coops, and Google...Things I Love

So I just decided to do my first "craft show". It is in three weeks and I just decided to do it today. (That is where the 'Am I crazy?' question comes into play.) It is through my work so it is pretty low key and low cost, so I think it will give me a glimpse into the world of craft shows.

You know what this means...pedal to the medal to get ready.

Oh. A few asked 'What is a fabric coop?' It is a dangerous place. No not really, only if you don't have self control when it comes to fabric. Basically the manger of the coop has a customer account directly with the fabric manufacturers. (Moda, Michael Miller, Free Spirit, the good stuff.) Basically what happens is that a buy is announced and people speak up as to what fabrics they want. (You can request a fabric be part of a buy.) Then if you are interested in a fabric, you say how many yards you will buy from that bolt. (There are about 15 yards on most bolts.) There are no minimums per person or any rules that you have to particpate so often. You spend how often you want and how much you want. The reason why I love them is that you get the top quality fabrics that go anywhere from 7.50/yd- 10.oo/yd retail price and you only pay between 5.50/yd - 6.50/yd. Still pricey but it is a lot less than paying the retail price. Oh and I should mention it is run via Yahoo Groups. I found out about it because another crafty blog I read had mentioned a fabric coop. I guessed essentially what it was, but I wanted more info. So I googled Fabric Coops and learned that most are through Yahoo Groups. I found one that suited me and I love it. So there you go! Fabric Coops 101. (There of course are more deails, but that is the basic info. If you are interested in learning more, let me know and I will email you the details. They aren't for everyone but they have worked for me.)

Oh I should mention that I am starting a little newsletter for the shop. You know announce sales, new items, giveaways...blah blah blah. If you want to be included, there is a little link up on top of the side bar. Just enter your info and I will send out occasional emails. (And don't worry, I won't spam.) I figured out how to do that through Google docs today. I heart Google.

Well have a fantastic Monday everyone! I am off.

Later gators!

Itty Bitty Results

So. First - it is Saturday AM so I am late in posting the results...sorry.

Second. I thought more peoples from AA read this...I guess not! ;) So since there were only two entries and I see both of you on a regular basis AND I adore both Megan and Abby....you are both getting one!!! Wahooo!!!! Lucky you huh?!?!

I am almost done with the directions and will have the kits to you hopefully by Wednesday.

Oh. And I got a big box in the mail this week. :) It was like Christmas. (A few of these fabrics are also from a previous box, but together they looked oh so pretty.) I heart my fabric co-op.

There is some Michael Miller, Timeless Treasures, and of course my favorite lots of Moda. Sigh.

Jolly Old St Nicholas....and a itty bitty giveaway

...lean your ear this way...tell about the new quiet book LeAnne made today! So ya...that last part didn't actually fit in with the rest of the song, but I get credit for trying; right?

So one last Christmas Quiet Book. This is the first of my "mini" books I hope to make. I also will be making a pattern/kit so you can make your own! I hope I can get it done in the next few days so I could sell some this season.

Well...without any further adieu here are the pics. Enjoy!











And for the real juice a little giveaway for you!!! If you live near me (i.e. - the same CITY and you KNOW me personally) and would like to test my pattern for me, leave a comment. I will draw one lucky name and I will bring you all the supplies/directions to make one yourself. The only requirement is that you finish it in a week and you MUST give feedback! (And in case you are wondering, it took me 6 hours to design AND make this entire book. Minus my design time, changes, blah blah blah; it probably would only take 3 hours AT THE MOST to make.) I hope to have the pattern ready by next Wednesday. (Sorry I don't mean to be all exclusive, but I have a short time frame to work with so that is why I am limiting to who can enter.) I will draw a winner FRIDAY night!

They Are Here...Character Stockings

So awhile ago I did a poll about what type of Christmas Stocking everyone likes. Most people either liked a simple stocking with a nice Christmas Fabric or a stocking with a Christmas Character.

So I present the first "character" stocking...featuring our good ole' friend Rudolph.








The body of the stocking is dark green felt and Rudolph is appliqued on using fusible webbing and a machine blanket stitch. I really love how this turned out!

What other characters do you like on stockings?

Silent Night Nativity Quiet Book

Here it is! I finally finished this book. :) As always, it was fun to design and make. Each page features different nativity characters. The last page features a baby Jesus that can be removed from his manger.








On to the next one. I hope to have one more Christmas Quiet Book done this week. It will be very simple and I hope to get a pattern ready for next Christmas.

Happy Saturday! See ya later gators!

Homemade Chocolate Sauce

So I am shutting down my old blog this weekend. :( There were some great posts on that little thing, but I thought I would share some of the recipes I posted there. Make sure you use the Thanksgiving Dressing one this year...it is to die for!

Originally Written: Thursday, November 8, 2007

Here is a great recipe, super easy and super good. (We made it to top off brownies and ice cream.)

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa
pinch of salt
1 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine in a medium sauce pan, heat till boiling. This makes a great deal, so you can half it and it makes plenty. I also keep extras in a small Ziploc container in the fridge. Then just heat it up when you need some.

Thanksgiving Dressing

Originally Written: Saturday, November 17, 2007

recipe from: my amazing Grandma "MaWa" who was an AMAZING cook

I remember making this with my MaWa every Thanksgiving growing up. I would stand on the wooden stool in our kitchen and stir as she carefully added each ingredient. When I have this on Thanksgiving, I remember how much I love her and how much she loved each of us kids. She lived with us till she passed away, she was the best MaWa in the world.

2 packages of Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing (the blue bagged kind)
2 pounds of sausage (either sage or mild)
5 cups of chicken broth (a little less or a little more)
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup butter (you can half it...but I figure it is Thanksgiving!!!)
1 can sliced and drained water chestnuts (optional)

In a medium skillet, crumble sausage and brown on stove top. Drain excess fat. In medium saucepan, melt butter. While sausage is browning and butter is melting, chop celery. Set aside. Put stuffing in a large bowl. (I always use a big stainless bowl.) Add the chopped celery and water chestnuts. Add butter and broth. (When I add the broth I put in about four cups and see how moist it is. Then I keep on adding till it is the right moistness.) Mix well. Add sausage and mix till well combined. Put in a large 11 x 15 casserole dish. (Or a 9 x 13 and 8x8) Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Let the savory smell fill your house! I promise you will not be disappointed.

Cinnamon Rolls & Swirl Bread

Originally Written: Thursday, December 13, 2007

Cinnamon Rolls and Cinnamon Swirl Bread

4 tablespoons yeast
5 cups warm water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2/3 cup dry powdered milk
14 cups of flour (approximately)
1 cup oil
4 eggs
*Yield* Makes five dozen + of cinnamon rolls or 5 - 6 loaves of bread dependent on the size of loaf pans you use. I've halved it before, and it has turned out fine.

Prepare yeast with 5 cups of warm water, let sit for 10 minutes till bubbly. Meanwhile, mix 5 cups of flour, salt, sugar, and dry powdered milk in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add yeast mixture, oil, and eggs. Mix well with stand or electric mixer. (I only have a regular electric mixer, sigh, and it handles mixing this much flour pretty well.) Begin to add the remainder of the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well with a wooden spoon if you aren't using a stand mixer. (If you are using a Bosch or Kitchen Aid, mix for about 6 minutes on level one.) If mixing by hand, once I add about 10 cups I turn the dough on to a floured surface and knead in the remaining flour. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, I set a timer. (Kneading dough is a great stress reliever, I love it!)

For Cinnamon Rolls:
Divide the dough into 5 portions. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread with about a tablespoon of softened butter. Top with 1/2 cup brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up from the long end and seal dough with fingers. Slice into 12 equal pieces. Place in greased 11x14 pan, cover, and rise for about an hour. (When I make these to give away, I buy the disposable aluminum pans from the dollar store.) Bake for 15 - 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting:
1 cube butter
8 oz of cream cheese
8 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
milk, 1 tablespoon at a time

Whip butter and cream cheese. Gradually add sugar and milk intermittently until desired consistency. Add vanilla and salt. Whip until fluffy. Frost while rolls are still warm.

For Cinnamon Swirl Bread: (using 8' x 3 3/4 x 2 3/8 sized loaf pans)
Divide the dough into 6 portions. Roll out into rectangle. Spread with about a tablespoon of softened butter. Top with 1/4 cup white sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up from the short end and seal dough with fingers. Place in greased loaf pans and let rise for about an hour. (till doubled) Bake for 25 - 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

More yummy treats to follow!

Kitchen Clutter

Originally Written: Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I'm such a can't-cook-in-a-dirty-kitchen kind of a person. The one thing in my kitchen that is not organized are my recipes. Previously, they were almost in every possible format. By every format I mean cookbooks, index file boxes, folders/binders, scraps of paper, stickies on the fridge, etc. This was driving me absolutely batty so I widdled my collection down to a folder, cookbooks, and my lovely index file box; complements of Melinda!

Due to my tiny kitchen, the only place for my recipe stash is above the fridge. Not the most convenient spot. This is even more frustrating when I need to dig out the same recipes week after week that I cannot seem to memorize.

What was the solution to my method of "organization"? I saw this a few months ago and knew it was the solution to my problem. Basically, put the recipes you consistently use on a sheet of cardstock and attach it to the side of your fridge. (Only include the ingredients and basic instructions, since you make them often you should remember the process.) It really is quite an easy solution; one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments.

I made this one same day I saw it and it is my lifesaver. And I might actually start to remember some of the most common recipies I use. How do you organize your recpies?

Homemade Granola

Originally written: Saturday, April 5, 2008

About Time for a Recipe!

This recipe is made weekly in our home. I was first introduced to this amazing recipe by my friend Melanie when we went home to Arizona for Christmas. She brought it over one night as our Christmas present instead of "pure sugar". We had it the next morning and was declared as a "hit"!

I double this and it makes 10 cups (I think) and it last us, 2 adults, about a week; longer if we are lucky. I store it in a Ziploc. I haven't found a container yet that I like. (Ya I know, talk about picky.) The grand thing about this is a good portion can come from your FOOD STORAGE!!!

Chewy Homemade Granola
3 cups oats
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (we always do sliced almonds, but whatever you fancy)
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes*
1/2 cup wheat germ or oat bran (I buy mine at a bulk foods hole-in-the-wall place)
1/2 cup brown sugar (less if you want to cut sugar)
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup honey

Combine all ingredients, except oil and honey, in a large bowl and mix well. Combine oil and honey in a Pyrex and mix as well as you can. Then coat oat mixture. It will not really clump a lot at this stage.

Lightly, more in the corners, spray a large cookie sheet with sides. (Mine is 14x10) Then bake the granola at 325 for 8 - 12 minutes. Then remove from the oven, stir granola and return to the oven for another 8 - 12 minutes. (It clumps better when I stir frequently while baking.) My oven is possessed, so I only bake mine for about 8 minutes and it results in very chewy and soft granola. Of course, if you like yours crunchy and more nutty, bake it for longer.

Let cool and I like to add about 1/2 cup of Crasins.

For a lower calorie version you can subsitute all the oil for applesauce. It will not clump as well, but otherwise the taste is the same.

*Make sure the coconut you buy is not the kind covered in sugar.

The Stockings Were Hung....

Well at least this one is hanging out and waiting for someone to take it home!

This is the stocking that was inspired by Ballard Designs. Very festive, very fun. Hopefully I will get a tutorial together of how to do an EASY lined stocking. It is so easy you will not be able to contain your excitement. Trust me.

It is election night! Wahooo!!!! Staying up late watching the results and SEWING. Have a good one!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....For a Christmas Advent Calendar

That song has been stuck in my head all day. Mainly because I was listening to it while finishing this....

It is done!!! Wahoo!!! On to the next project! First though I am going to go and get my "extra" hour of sleep.

See ya later gators!