Classic Felt Christmas Stockings

I love Christmas Stockings. Growing up they were always my 'favorite' Christmas decoration.

I wanted to do a more simplistic stocking design this year, so I did a spin off the popular Elle tote in my shop.

Like I said, simple. But very classic and a little bit modern. {Just my style!}

 I love the two widths of ric rac. I love ric rac. {In case you hadn't noticed.} I wish I could have a wall full of every color of ric rac.

Just one last detail at the heel. Love sticking polka dots in when I get the chance. 

 

If you are interested in ordering, send me a convo through Etsy. I honestly don't know how many orders I will be able to take this season. So if you are serious, the sooner you order...the better!

Happy Tuesday!

Quick and Almost Free Christmas Project

Have you all seen the fabulous FREE subway art and banner downloads over at eighteen25?

photo from eighteen25

Personally, I haven't gotten into the whole subway art craze, but I am loving this. (But you are talking to a girl who doesn't have a lick of vinyl lettering in her home. So...go figure. This is not in retaliation of disliking it, I simply like it in limited quantities.) Oh, eighteen25 also has a quick tutorial for the darling glitter trees.

So what is the 'almost free' mean for this project? Simply that. To print this size at Sam's/Costco is about $6.00. Then depending  if you have an empty frame laying around you can spray or can find for a couple of bucks at Goodwill/DI...this is a seriously affordable project.

Hmmm. After looking at the whole shelf, I think I just want the whole thing in my home. Loving it.

Happy Monday!

LeAnne

Christmas Advent Pattern

Happy Tuesday everyone! Shortly after I finished the Merry Christmas Advent Cards, I also finished the Christmas Advent Calendar Pattern. It has actually been up in the shop since late Friday, but I haven't had time to blog about it until today.

The pattern includes directions and templates to make all advents I made for the shop this year.

Style 1

Love this one! The background fabric is Holiday Damask by Michael Miller. It is getting harder to find because it was part of their Christmas collection from last year. The red polka dot is from Hobby Lobby. (This red polka is on the 'wall' of fabrics at Hobby Lobby instead of out on the floor. If you shop at Hobby Lobby you know what I mean.) :)

Style 2

 The background fabric is the same red polka from Hobby Lobby as shown above. The Santa fabric is a few years old and I have not seen it anywhere. I do have about a yard of it left, so if anyone wants some to make a calendar, let me know!

Little note: I do not include directions on extending the background fabric (red polka) over to the back. I did this a couple of times and it caused too many issues. However, you can still do the bigger title with the fabric only being on the front of the calendar. (As shown in the other two styles.)

  Style 3

I also had this calendar for sale in the shop, but it sold out before I could even blog about it! :( I love this one, it is fun and funky. The advent cards also make it look great.

I got the big polka dot and red polka dot fabric at Hobby Lobby from their Christmas fabrics.  The green snowflake fabric came from JoAnn's from last year. However, I have seen it at a couple of different Joann's this season.

 Well there you have it! I hope that if you are looking for an advent pattern, this is the one for you!

Oh, I should add that I am offering the Christmas Advent Cards and the Christmas Advent Pattern together as a bundle pack just as I did with the Give Thanks Countdown Calendar. 

Or if you are not a sewer and just want a bundle of both sets of Countdown Cards, you can get those too!

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

Tutorial: Ruffled Half/Lap Apron

 Link Update - 9/2012

This tutorial was originally done for a blog that has since gone private. I've gone ahead and posted the tutorial on my blog please go HERE for the full tutorial.

Enjoy!! See you soon.

LeAnne :)

Merry Christmas Advent Cards

This project has been about a year in the making. Last year when I came out with the 'Give Thanks' Countdown Cards, I got oodles of emails asking when I would come up with a Christmas set of countdown cards. I had every intention on doing it last year, but I could never get my ideas such that I was happy with the outcome.

Well, a year later, I am happy to say that I finished the cards and I love the outcome. They are focused on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ. Some of the activities are more 'fun and family' focused, but most are focused around Jesus Christ. There are over 30 activities.  I know families are busy during the Christmas season, so many are ones that can be completed around the dinner table or in a few minutes. Ones that are more time-involved are some of the traditions you may already be doing.

The highlight of the cards to me are the 12 Symbols {Days} of Christmas. Beginning on December 13th, and ending on Christmas Eve, one Christmas symbol will be taught and discussed. (Yes, they are simple descriptions for all ages.) Each symbol also includes a scripture reference from the King James version of the Bible. I know many families have the tradition of doing the 12 Days of Christmas anonymously for a neighbor or friend. So I decided to also include printables and directions for doing the 12 Symbols of Christmas for a friend or neighbor.

I also have the pattern for my Christmas Advent Calendar coming. Hopefully I will get it listed later today! Just a few more pictures and one last edit. I also will be selling a bundle back of the Advent Pattern and Advent Cards, just like I did for the 'Give Thanks' Countdown Calendar.

I love the cards and I hope you do to. I've decided to do an impromptu giveaway for two sets of the cards. (They will be emailed to you and you print them off as 4x6 photos.) It is going to be a quickie giveaway, today only and I will announce the winners sometime tomorrow. The cards are also up and in my shop.

**********GIVEAWAY CLOSED***********

Remember, I am a simple gal when it comes to giveaway entries. Just leave your name and why you love Christmas. (And a way to get in touch with you if your email is not linked to your blogger account.)

Here we go!

My name is LeAnne!
I love Christmas because of all the traditions, magic, and love that comes with it. I love focusing the season on the Savior and remembering all that He has done for me.

Happy Friday,

LeAnne

Tutorial: Just Growing Quilt

Remember that lovely looking quilt from a few posts back? Well, I am finally getting around to sharing some pictures of the whole quilt.

I absolutely adore this quilt. There is just something about a cozy new quilt that I just love. This is probably my favorite project that I've ever done. Seriously. Call me crazy but my favorite part of quilting is hand sewing the binding. I know...crazy. But there is something I just love about sitting there and hand-sewing on binding.

What is the pattern you ask? Well, it is your lucky day because you can get the full tutorial over at the Moda Bake Shop! I hope you all enjoy the tutorial and please email me if you make it. I think it is a great beginning quilt and it can really be done rather quickly so it makes a great gift. I had the quilt professionally quilted and I love the results.

Oh and Ruby loves hanging out with the quilt, they look so good together.

Ohhh goodie. I love looking at these pictures. They just make me happy.

Happy Late Thursday to you!

I am back tomorrow with a huge new project I just finished...that didn't involve sewing. Puzzled? Check back tomorrow!

The Christmas 'to make' list - Decorations

How many of you have a growing project list for Christmas?  {raises hand}

I found two Christmas decoration projects that are are at the top of my list to make this year. To be honest, my list is much longer, but I this short list is much more realistic in what I can accomplish.

1. Christmas Lanterns. Aren't these beautiful? I think it would look lovely on a table or in an entry way. You wouldn't even have to light the candles. However,  I have an issue with the directions. They don't tell you where they purchased the LANTERN! I love the lantern they used and would love to get one. (I wouldn't mind getting a lantern in a smaller size though, watch the video and you will see it is rather large.)

2.  Patchwork Pillows. I love when my Ballard Designs catalog arrives in the mail. I saw these great pillows the other day but about dropped dead when I saw the price... $75.00!  But wait for it. That is cost per pillow!  (Of course, this is Ballard Designs, but still.) I could make dozens of my own pillows for that price. I will definitely attempt to make a knock-off version.










That is truly my 'short' list of Christmas projects. Even still, with it being only the beginning of November, my list is sure to grow. Anyone else find any Christmas decorations to DIY?

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

Tutorial: Gathering and Ruffling the QUICK Way!

We all know gathering and making ruffles are a basic sewing skill. However, sometimes making them can be a tad time consuming. We also all know that you see ruffles everywhere right now. So with that being said, I am sharing my 'little secret' to quick gathering and making ruffles. (It probably isn't that much of a secret, but it sounds much more intriguing when I put it that way.)

I am a proud owner of a ruffler foot for my sewing machine. I love it, it is handy, and is perfect when I am doing loads of ruffling. However. My one miff with the ruffler foot is that it's not at all conducive for a 'quick' project. Meaning, I wish I could have a dedicated sewing machine for just my ruffler so I didn't have to take it on and off, adjust the settings, etc. All of you who have a ruffler are nodding in agreement.

So. When I need to gather or make a ruffle in a flash this is what I do. Oh..and say bye bye to double rows of long stitching and pulling thread.


1. Set your stitch length to the longest length on your machine. (Same as regular gathering.)

2. Increase the tension. This is where it becomes a little 'dependent on your machine'. You may want to play for a few quick minutes to play around with the tension to see the outcome.

This is how it works on my machine:
increase my tension to + 1 = a light gather

increase my tension to + 2 = a good ruffle, the fabric comes out to be just about half it's original length
increase my tension to + 2.5 = a fuller ruffle, the fabric comes out to be a little less than half it's original length
increase my tension to + 3 = very full ruffle

You can see the gather/ruffle getting tighter and fuller as I increased the tension.

I should also add that this way of ruffling is VERY forgiving. You can always pull the strings to make the ruffle fuller.  You also can push the ruffle around to redistribute the placement or to reduce the fullness. (Just make sure you leave nice long thread tails on both ends!)

3. Once you've increased the tension and set the stitch length the longest it will go, the fun begins! First, pull your machine threads so you have a nice long tail.

4. Start ruffling your fabric using 1/4" seam allowance.  (If I need to fold under the edges of my fabric later, I start ruffling about 1/2" in from the short edge.)  IMPORTANT: Hold on to those long thread tails for the first few stitches so they don't get pulled into the bobbin causing a royal mess! (I always hold the thread tails when I begin sewing anyways but it is especially helpful in this situation.)

Start sewing and watch as the gathers appear!!! WOW!!! (Do not backstitch.)

5. Stop gathering about 1/2" from the edge of the fabric again. Do not backstitch. Remove the fabric from the machine and again leave a long tail of thread. 

6. Depending on your project you may want to secure the ruffles at this point. Do that by setting your machine for regular sewing. Then just sew on top of the stitching line for the ruffles. Or you can simply tie off the long thread tails at either end of your gather or ruffles. Once you do this, you will not be able to adjust the ruffles.

 Result: Quick and easy ruffles! Ta-da!

 The end. Like the pictured project?  Don't worry, it is coming. :)

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne ;)