Christmas Stars

Is it too early for a Christmas post?  I didn't think so.  Check out these metal stars I made up last weekend.

These are simply metal stars from Michael's that I covered with scrapbooking paper using mod podge.

But don't bother rushing out to Michael's for the stars.  I haven't been able to find them anymore for the last couple of years.  I just happened to uncover these stashed away in my craft cabinet.  I had six small stars and three large ones.

I decided this last star was a little plain so I found this candle garland at Michael's to spice it up just a little.  I really like that addition.

These stars are available in my etsy shop.

I am sharing this at my favorite parties.

{Handmade Christmas} Stripey Tree Skirt

So, am I the only one that still has their Christmas tree up?  Probably, but I am taking it down today.  It just seems like it takes so much time to put it up that it deserves to be up for more than one month.  I don't turn the lights on after New Year's Day if that makes a difference.    But this year there is an added benefit for it to be up so long.  On New Year's Day I finally finished this tree skirt and I wanted to enjoy it just a little before putting it away.

The pattern is from fourteen may and the fabric is Joy by Kate Spain for Moda.  My favorite part is the ribbon closure.

I didn't really like that section however {the eighth and ninth triangles} and changed it up from the pattern.  The pieces were overlapping completely and not creating an opening so I cut those trianges in half.  I am quite pleased with my modification.

I did not add the pom pom trim and I didn't quilt the skirt.  {But I did want to do the quilting, however, I haven't really figured out my darning foot yet.}  Instead I added decorative stitching along the seams.

I think it looks like snowflakes.  My one regret is that I used five different fabrics.  I don't really like that stripes one, two, four, and five alternate around the skirt.  I didn't realize that was how it would come out.  If I would do it again, I would just use three different fabrics.

All in all, though, I really love my new Christmas tree skirt.  So much that I am sharing it at my favorite parties.

{Handmade Christmas} Felt Ornaments

Every year, I host a cookie exchange.  In addition to exchanging cookies and catching up with friends, we make an ornament.  This year, the conversation was about how many of these parties we had had.  I wasn't quite sure so afterwards, I decided to check out my tree and count all the ornaments that had been made at one of our cookie exchange/ornament making parties.  Here are the ornaments from the previous years:

That makes the 2012 party #9.  Next year will be the 10th annual party.  Maybe I should do something special.  But wait, in 2010 we had to cancel the party due to a huge snowstorm.  {I believe we got something like 20 inches of snow and the Metrodome roof collapsed.}  So does that count?  I say it does and I have the ornament to prove it.  :-)

But before I worry about the 10th annual party, let's check out the ornament we made this year.  Some years it is easier than others for me to pick out an ornament to make.  I have to keep in mind how long it will take to make and how much it will cost {I provide all the supplies for everyone.}  This year, I decided on felt ornaments which were inspired by The D.I.Y. Dreamer.  I always make several samples to help inspire my friends. 
I used cookie cutters as the patterns for the ornaments and that worked out really well.  All the embellishments and the floss I already had on hand.  I had some felt but I did pick up some more colors for the party.  

And of course, I always make an ornament with my friends at the party.

Everybody had a good time, got some yummy cookies, and made another ornament to add to their Christmas tree.  

Merry Christmas everyone!

I am sharing at these parties.

{Handmade Christmas} Pinecone Ornaments

I love making Christmas ornaments and am always looking for new ideas.  I found this one in the December-January 2012 issue of Country Woman.

I'd actually seen these elsewhere but without instructions.  I thought they looked complicated but they really aren't.  And once you get the paper cut, it goes pretty fast.  I just put a Hallmark Channel movie on and away I went.

Here's how I made them:

Materials:

• Paper Trimmer
• 12-inch square scrapbook paper
• Bone folder or sturdy plastic knife
• Styrofoam egg
• 3/4 inch applique pins
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Artifical leaves/flower berry pick
• Thimble (optional)

With paper trimmer, cut scrapbook paper into 1 inch by 2 inch rectangles.  Along one length of each rectangle, fold in opposite corners to form a triangle.  Use the bone folder to make all folds lie flat.

On narrow end of of Styrofoam egg, pin the short points of four triangles to the center (seam side facing inward), forming a square.  Pin each remaining long point of the four triangles smoothly against the egg.  Stagger remaining rows.  Put triangles side by side with long points slightly overlapping.  Pin only the long points to the egg.  Leave short points anging free.  Short points of the triangles should align with the joining seams of the previous row.  Continue pinning rows until about 1-inch square of egg shows at the top.

 Fold over ribbon to form a hanging loop.  Pin ribbon ends to center of open area on top of egg.  Secure with hot glue.  Using a needle nose plier/wire cutter, make a hole in egg to insert your pick (shorten the pick to a half inch or so.)  With glue gun, add your pick to the hole you just created.  Hang on your Christmas tree!

 I made six of these cute pinecone ornaments - one for myself and the others as gifts for family and a friend.  {I had already mailed the one to my friend which is why there are only five in the photographs.}  Of course, deciding which one I wanted to keep for myself was hard, but this one is going on my tree.

There are so many fun papers to pick from.  I even got a little fancy and made one with stripes.  It was a little tricking getting the folding just right and the pinning straight.  {Never mind figuring out how to cut the paper the right way!}  I think it turned out pretty great even with that added degree of difficulty.

 I can't wait to give these as gifts!

I'll be sharing this tutorial at these parties.

Christmas Mantel

So, I finally got around to decorating my house for Christmas today.  I think I've become the Queen of Procrastination since Thanksgiving.  If it wasn't for the Cookie Exchange party I hosted this afternoon, who knows when I would have gotten it done this year.

The basis for my mantel is pretty much the same every year but this year I tweaked it just a little and I am pleased as punch with how it looks.  So pleased that I decided to share it with you.

The focal point is my ornament wreath which I made several years ago.

I found a box of glass ornaments in my closet while I was getting my decorations out.  I'm not sure why I had them - one ornament was missing.  I bet that ornament is somewhere in a craft project.  I figured I could find a place for them somewhere and sure enough I did.  I placed one in each candleholder.  I think it is super festive and love this addition.

Somehow this year it seems like I have more Christmas balls than in past years {not counting those new ones I found in the closet.}  How does that happen?  Did they multiply this summer?  So I needed something else to display them in and came across this vase in the cupboard.  {I think it's for an orchid or some other flower with a bulb.  Whatever it is, I never use it.}  Looks pretty nice I think.

I declare it officially the holiday season now that I have done my decorating.  Thanks for checking out my mantel.

{Handmade Christmas} Ornament Wreath

I was in Macy's the other day and they were playing Christmas music.  I LOVE Christmas music but I think it shouldn't be played until the day after Thanksgiving.  {Okay, maybe Thanksgiving night is fine.}

Now, if you are like me and love making things for Christmas - decorations, cookies, presents, etc. - it is best to get started early.  And that is what I did last weekend.  Using ornaments I purchased on sale after Christmas a couple of years ago, I made this beautiful and easy ornament wreath.

Here's how you can make one too:

Materials
floral foam wreath form
roll of wide ribbon
strong craft wire
hot glue gun and lots of glue sticks
ornaments in various sizes

Instructions
Cover wreath form with ribbon.  Every few wraps secure ribbon in place with hot glue.  Wrap wire around wreath and twist into a loop for hanging.

Hot glue the largest ornaments around the outside edge of wreath.  Be sure to work on a flat surface in order to keep the ornaments flat so the wreath will sit flush against the wall when hung.

Hot glue the medium sized ornaments onto the top of wreath.

Lastly, fill in the wreath with the smallest ornaments.

Hang your ornament wreath and enjoy!

My wreath is available for sale in my Etsy shop along with other Christmas items.  Be sure to check them out.

I am sharing this tutorial at these great parties.