Christmas Gift DIY 2014

As is generally the case, I did a few DIY projects for Christmas this year.  Not as many as some years, but the impromptu trip to Stephenville got my crafting schedule all mixed up and the first few days of my break were spent doing nothing but-----into the week hours of the night, actually.  Here are few of the projects that I completed.

Inspired by a "pin" that Valine sent me, I made my own mantel decoration based on my very most favorite word, JOY.  Here's the pin:

(source:  Tatertots and Jello)

And here's my process.  I searched high and low for wooden letters, little deer and white trees, and pretty much came up empty at first.  I finally found the letters at Michael's (they were out the first time I stopped)  I painted the front with Mod Podge and coated them with glitter a couple of times.

 Since I was unable to find the little deer, I purchased a tiny Nativity set at Michael's instead, along with a small wreath.  I stopped in at Dollar Tree and found a set of small white trees.

I also found a package of plastic deer that were too large for the wreath, but perfect for my mantel display.  I really love how it all turned out and will probably keep it up for a while as my "winter display".  (that frame thing is a vintage ceramics mold that I purchased at Canton a while back)

I especially love how it looks with the candles lit.

For my co-workers, I gathered some cute disposable dishes---plates, napkins, cups and cutlery--and gathered them into a quick and easy gift.  I used cookie tray bags from Big Lots for the wrapping and downloaded a cute tag, here.

For Archer, I made a soft book, using a panel of pre-printed fabric, so it was easy and cute.

For Callie and Jordan, my big project was making a set of stockings.  They have stockings at my house---Callie's from when she was a child.  But, Luke didn't have one yet and since this was the first year for them to host Christmas morning at their house, they wanted a complete set.  I used this pin as inspiration:

(source:  Hobbycraft.co.UK)

Truthfully, I might have just ordered the ones for Callie and Jordan if I could have found them, but the link that went with the pin was dead, so I created my own version----and was quite pleased with the result.  I used ordinary muslin for the base and a red fake-suede for the cuff.  

The patterns were cut from Silhouette files (I actually learned how to use my machine finally and cut out paper patterns to trace onto the fabric).  

I added a little cardinal on each one as my own personal touch. :-)

I finished them Christmas Eve----just in time for Santa to come!  

And I think they look really great on their mantel!

Funny thing---when we went out to Ron's sister's house last weekend for the "Perkins Christmas", she had the actual stockings hanging for each of her grandkids!!!  And the nice thing about that is, that after seeing them closeup, I like my version better!

The last major project I undertook as a Busy Book for Luke.  I had been pinning ideas for a while and narrowed down my selections to what I could reasonably complete in time for Christmas.  Well, I use the word "reasonably" loosely since I definitely burned some midnight oil with this.  But it was so worth it!  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures once it was completed late Christmas Eve night, but here are a few pictures of the almost completed version.  (All of the pages were sewn into a cover with room to add more pages)

The House Page----the windows/door open to reveal clear plastic slots where photos of family can be added.

The Ocean Page----the fish slide back and forth on the ribbons

The Penguin Page----Penguin goes in and out of the igloo and the seal velcros to the ice

The Mailbox page----Each letter was embroidered with family names and stamps and can be placed in and out of the mailbox.  This page was especially interactive since I sewed it in upside down---he has to turn the book over to use it!  ;-)

The Ribbon page---(My personal favorite) pull the ribbons back and forth through the holes

I Spy Page---Look through the beads and buttons to find particular items, letters, etc.

The last project was actually the first one I completed.  I had never made a quilt for Luke, so it was time that he had one made by his "Lovey".  Since they love music and have a record player in his room, it only seemed fitting to make his quilt with that theme.  

Once again, I don't have any photos of the finished product, but here it is without the binding.

Santa's Workshop

December Details 2014 – Day 20 – SANTA’S WORKSHOP

If you are like me,  the last few weeks have been pretty busy as you prepare for the upcoming holiday.  Throughout the year, I purchase small gifts as I run across them, but the main “crunch” arrives the day after Thanksgiving, the time that I really get serious about getting things done.  I always try to include some hand-made gifts on my list, so there are always several projects to tackle in the days leading up to Christmas.  Last year’s SANTA’S WORKSHOP included a doll “closet” that Ron made for me to filled with clothes for Adellelyn.  I also converted one of Michael’s favorite drawings into a pillow, which was a hit with him. 

What is in SANTA’S WORKSHOP at your house?  Do you have some DIY projects left to complete or did you let Santa’s elves do your handiwork?

The Stockings Were Hung

December Details 2014 - Day 19 - THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG

As each of my daughters were born, my mother made them a cross-stitch stocking.  And I needlepointed my own stocking years ago.  As husbands were added, so were stockings (this time not hand-made by me) and I also added one for Dan and for Tyler.  Each year, the STOCKINGS ARE HUNG on small hooks by the fireplace and sometime in the night, Santa fills each one with small goodies.  Last year, Adelellyn and Michael brought their stockings with them, but with a brand new grand baby nearby (and another on the way), it's time to bring out the sewing supplies and design something new for little Luke.

Do you have your STOCKINGS HUNG?  Does Santa fill them each year?  Do you have stockings for your pets? You can see above, that toys for the dogs were just laid on the hearth since they don't have their own stockings.  ;-)

Ready?

Ready?  Good question, and the answer to it for me, is "not quite!" Ron and I leave in the morning to visit his oldest son to celebrate Christmas with his kids and grand kids.  I'm looking forward to meeting those I haven't met yet (Terry and his wife, Jaylynn), but am a bit overwhelmed with all that needs to be done before we leave town.  In fact, so overwhelmed that I took off a half-day to try to get this house whipped back into shape.  So far, I've gotten Dan's room, the sewing room and Jana's room ready----but, alas, the living room and kitchen may take the rest of the day.  (time for a lunch break)

Over the last few days, I've wrapped more Christmas gifts that I thought was humanly possible.  Right now they are all stacked up under and around the tree, and even on the table and couch nearby, but many of them will be traveling down to Kerrville with us.   (the empty tubes on the floor are to keep Emmi away from the gifts--she is terrified of those rolls!!)





I have made a few gifts--some of which I can't post on here so as not to spoil any surprises.  One of my favorites is the Tinkerbell costume that I made for Ron's granddaughter, A.   She is a HUGE fan of fairies and Tinkerbell in particular, so I think she'll enjoy this.  Since we got her a new baby doll, too, it was only fair that she have a costume of her own to wear.  I found those great wings at Wal Mart and I'm still working on some for the doll.









Yesterday, after adding the last coat of chalkboard paint to the leftover piece of MDF I've had sitting around my house, I sketched out a holiday greeting.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out and can't wait to see it hung outside my door!  (of course, there is the small matter of talking Ron into drilling into the bricks tonight to install the hangers)



And as a last minute project last night, after picking up Emmi and Tink from the groomer, I decided that they, too, needed some Christmas finery.  Any attempts to get them both in the same photo were unsuccessful, but I think they look quite festive, despite the blurriness of the iPhone photo.





So, the season is upon us and though frantic and overwhelming at times, I feel so very blessed to be getting to spend it with both my own family and with new "family".  I absolutely cannot WAIT to see Jana and Rob, as well as David and his girls, and look forward to a few lazy days with them after some of the chaos has subsided.   So, I'd better get back to cleaning--my goal is to have that part completed by the time Ron gets off work.  It's going to be really cold here tonight, and I'd love to be packing our bags and then relaxing in front of the fireplace rather than scurrying around!

Pinterest Inspiration

I have done very little in the way of decorating for the holidays this year.  I DO, however, have my Christmas tree up and decorated and the stockings are hung by the fireplace, just under the vintage nativity scene that once belonged to my parents.   This weekend, inspired by my buddy, Danette (who was inspired by Pinterest, I made a couple of door hangers.  Danette was inspired by all of the burlap door decorations seen around Pinterest these days:

Source: Uploaded by user via Rose on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kimberly on Pinterest

to make some of her own for her double-front doors.  Unfortunately, her first attempt was using red burlap (thinking it would save her some time). However, painting white on top of red burlap turns pink--not the look she was looking for.  (and it was MUCH pinker in real life)



Her second attempt, using natural colored burlap turned out great.  She used tape to mask off areas and then did the painting.  Not only did the colors turn out bright and pretty, but it made the burlap stiffer so that it lay flat once stuffed and hung.  I helped her paint the lettering and it was ready to greet us at our office party Thursday evening.  Her loss of time, was my gain, because she gave me one of her failed attempts to re-hab.



I embroidered the word "Joy" on a scrap of burlap and sewed it in place, covering up the pink faux-pas.  After covering the top pink area with a white scallop, all I had to do was stuff it with plastic bags and sew it closed!   Mine is not as stiff, and I need to trim edges a bit more, but it looks pretty great for a 30 minute project!


My next project was a quick one.  I was inspired by this Pin:

Source: sandandsisal.com via Linda on Pinterest

to create this:



I hot-glued the wooden letters to the strip of oilcloth, but unfortunately, the glue didn't hold very long at first.  I walked into the kitchen to find this:



Not exactly a Christmas greeting, but probably an appropriate exclamation after falling apart.  
Oy--- a Yiddish exclamation of chagrin, dismay, exasperation or pain
I used lots more glue the next time and all is well.

A Bit of Christmas Crafting

Christmas crafting has been at a minimum around here this year, but I did manage to pull together a gift for the other residents at Dan's group home. When he was here a couple of months ago, I bought him one of the popular insulated cups with a straw that had a Halloween theme. He has loved that cup so much that he brought it with him to Atlanta over Thanksgiving. So, he and I decided that would make a great gift for his friends.
Those cups aren't particularly cheap, but I found the best prices on Amazon for these cups:

(Amazon.com)
I used my Cricut to add the guys' names to the cups. They turned out really great and I think the guys will like them.