Gingerbread House Ornaments: Embroidery + Felt

Here are a few ornaments I made recently. I love embroidering on felt and it was great fun to work on all the little details of each house. The pattern is by Gingermelon , and I tweaked it a bit to size them up. The original pattern is adorable, but TINY. Like possibly too tedious even for me. Cute, but tedious.

 I used wool blend felt which is easy to cut and comes in all sorts of colors. That makes ordering felt a dilemma of 'should I choose the concord grape or wisteria or lilac or ????' All of the above should be considered a suitable answer.

 I had fun adding candy details to this one, and a little glass beaded door knob. On each of the ornaments, I added glitter to the snowy roof. I love how it looks, but unfortunately it doesn't show up in the pictures very well.

 And what could be more festive than a wreath and candy canes? This one has tiny red seed beads decorating the wreath. I had fun making these and am happy to report that I have already sold 2 out of 3, so I suppose there will be more in my future!

Gingermelon Angel Ornament

 This project was part Etsy research, part sewing one of those projects I've wanted to do forever. I spotted this pattern from a shop called Gingermelon last year and loved it! I collected angel ornaments as a kid so I have a soft spot for them. I made one up to see how it worked out, and possibly put them in the shop. This one gave me an idea of what tweaks I want to make before they are 'shop worthy'. In the meantime, I haven't decided whether I will keep this one or give it to my daughter. Or make a bunch more so we can all have one! :)

Did you spot the rick rack yet? Oh, yeah. I haven't used it in a while and it was about time! I also added a little holly leaf to the song book just for fun!

Closet Flashback: Christmas Necklace

Meg made me this necklace for Christmas a couple of years ago and I used to wear it to work a lot to remind me that there was life (and creativity) outside of my stuffy corporate job. When I moved, it was knocked into the depths of my jewelry box and I only recently found it again. I paired it with a long lost cowl neck top and some red lipstick! Yay to finding old treasures :)  

Gingermelon Doll

I found a really cute pattern from Gingermelon and knew I had to make it for my daughter. I ordered a stash of wool felt from Etsy and went to work. While this wasn't the quickest project ever, it wasn't difficult either. And I got to amuse myself by doing teeny tiny stitching which I really enjoy doing. I was also able to use some really cute and tiny vintage shell flower buttons. I am so happy with how it turned out, I want to make myself one! Let's make bets on whether I can successfully work rickrack into the mix next time....

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Play Set

Twice a year one of my favorite blogs, No Big Dill, hosts a series called Once Upon a Thread. She sews projects that are literature-related in some way or another. Last year, there was a guest post where the woman made a set of felt food from the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I loved the idea and I got the wild idea to make two sets, one for us and one for James' teacher. Guess who's set is sitting unfinished on my sewing table? That's right. Ours! I got a little crazy and decided to make a caterpillar book bag, complete with a zipper mouth so the Hungry Caterpillar could devour his food. It ended up being a lot more work that I had anticipated, mainly because I kept saying 'oh, I could just do this....' For the food, I just sketched the shapes onto scratch paper to make the patterns. The food is hand-stitched with embroidery thread. The bag applique is wool felt, and the bag itself is made of navy blue baby wale corduroy. The bag is lined with a heavy striped cotton, to give it a little body and to make it look nice inside. (yes, that means I had to make an opening for the zipper...a pain!) The cherries in the pie are red pompoms. As I was frantically finishing this the night before my son's last day of school before break, I kept wishing I could keep it. The teacher did seem to really like it though, so that made it a little better. Now maybe I'll get ours done by Easter? Next Christmas?! :)

Ruffled Cuff

First of all, Nikia, if you are reading this.....STOP! :)










OK, now that we have that out of the way....I made this cuff for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I have been wanting to make this pattern for quite some time. Now I must make one for myself. While it isn't the quickest pattern in the world, it wasn't that difficult to do...just tedious. (Wait! Does that even make sense?) The beads are actually a dark purple, but it doesn't really show up in the picture.The buttons are from my stash o' vintage buttons.

Gifts Kids Can Make: Candy Cane Reindeer

I think we've all received at least one of these things during elementary school years. I actually forgot all about them til recently when I was looking for activities to do with the kids, in lieu of advent calendar treats. All you need is a candy cane, a bit of ribbon or string, a bell, a small red pompom and some googly eyes. We attached ours using a low-temp glue gun. Yes, I let my kids use a low temp glue gun. The glue is hot but not scorching, and they do fine with it. (I also think in this application, low temp is better because it won't melt the plastic wrapper.)

Half Apron

Rachel made this awesome apron for me for Christmas! The pattern is Amy Butler, and the fabric is AWESOME!! The turquoise trim makes it even that much more fantastic. (Can you tell I really like it?) I have gotten to the point where I have relegated some of my 'old' aprons to the garage, because my apron collection is pretty, uh, robust.

Ruffled Clutch

Here are two clutches I made for my sister-in-law and Mom. I saw something similar in a Macy's ad, and decided to use it as a springboard to make my own. After looking again at the store bought one, I think it looks pretty cheesy, not to mention that it costs $58! The black one is made from scraps I had from a previous project: my sister-in-law had a floor length gown that we turned into a knee-length dress. That left a lot of material to play with. The green one is made from a tablecloth I found on clearance a while back. The embroidered part was a border around the tablecloth. Both close via magnetic snap, and the brooches are actually from Michaels. I am planning on posting the measurements/instructions for it, as I am working on a third one right now.

Apron (Yes, Another One!)

Earlier this year, my friend Erin sent me an awesome apron she found on a trip to Seattle. I'd show you the link but I cannot for the life of me remember the store she got it at. Anyway, I decided to make a pattern from the apron and make one for her. Of course, I kept modifying it and decided that is simply must be reversible! Then I decided to add piping, and....surprise, surprise!...I even threw some rick rack in there. I changed the top section to add a little more coverage. I lined it with fabric from a plain white top sheet, and the waistband is interfaced so that the shape stays as it should. I must say that the construction on this baby is pretty sweet. It should hopefully last for a long time.

Necklaces

There are certain isles in the craft store that I try to avoid. Really, I should avoid the place altogether but that wouldn't be any fun. The bead isle is one isle I just can't get near. I used to do a lot of bead work, but have since moved on to activities which require less intense concentration. (I have three small kids after all) However, I decided to do a few simple projects for Christmas presents. These two necklaces I made for Mom. These are made with wire (eye pins?), as opposed to strung beads. I have never worked with wire, thus the lack of technical terminology.

This necklace is made from beads salvaged from a broken necklace and the chain pieces came from another necklace. The flower was from SnapCrafty.

Button Monogram Pillow

After seeing a similar idea on Etsy, I made this button monogram pillow for Mom. I chose a font I liked and printed the 'C' out in the appropriate size. I traced the letter onto linen and sewed on vintage buttons to fill the space.

Let The Christmas Present Posting Begin!

i

Here is a shirt I made for the basset hound my brother and sister-in-law just adopted. Her name is Olivia, Olive for short. I made this shirt using freezer paper applique. I sketched out my idea and traced it onto the paper. I am very happy with how it turned out for two reasons. One, the first time I tried to do letters with freezer paper, it bombed. Second, I felt as though I was using some of my actual art training to create the design. Weee!! I even busted out my Prisma markers and sketch pad, and it felt good to be back to drawing if only for a little bit. While I will admit that I always let out an internal chuckle when I see people dressing their dogs, I really had fun with this one! (P.S. Notice the collar?!)

Spiked Dog Collar?!

I never thought I'd be able to say that I made a spiked dog collar. However, when our brother and his wife got a new dog, I knew I had to make something for Olive. (Cute name, huh?) When I saw this trim at the fabric store I knew I had to use it. I guess technically its not spikes, more like pyramids? Anyway, the trim is studded pleather and surprisingly easy to work with. I used my zipper foot and a heavy duty needle to sew it to the webbing. After spending way too much brain power staring at the buckle I think I got it installed correctly. Hopefully it fits right and Olive likes it. Or rather, hopefully N & N like it, because I am pretty sure Olive could care less. :)

Child's Artwork Pendant: Round Two

Here is the second attempt at making pendants. This time, I tried adding small beads for something extra. Also, I had my son draw on a colored scrapbook paper. I realized that one benefit to using the 'real' stuff (Diamond Glaze) is that it probably stays clear despite being thick. The pendant on the left has an extra layer of glaze and its started to get a yellow cast to it.

Turtles!

As part of Rachel's Christmas present countdown, I decided would make her a set of turtle pincushions. (Tutorial found here) I am very happy with how they turned out. However, I will not be making them again. There are just a wee bit tedious. However, if you really like the person you are making them for...totally justified. :) Without further ado, the pictures:

This is the larger of the turtles. This turtle serves as both a pin cushion, and a sewing kit. The bottom part of the shell opens to reveal a pocket for scissors, a needle book and a thread holder. The flipper is magnetic to catch pins.

This smaller turtle is simply a pin cushion. While the body of the larger turtle is made from cotton (with seams inside), this one is made from felt, sewn with a whip stitch.

Countdown

For Rachel's Christmas gift this year, I am making her an epic Christmas present countdown. Most of the gifts are handmade, and I'd love to tell you what's in them....but I won't! Not until after Christmas, that is. Each gift is wrapped in the funny pages, and I used plain ol' Elmers glue and glitter to add a number to each gift.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

More Christmas Presents: A (Not-So) Riveting Tale of Planning Way Ahead

Long ago, in a land far away (California to be exact) I was a teenage girl who couldn't get enough of sewing. I would spend hours in my room churning out all sorts of sewing projects. Back then, my siblings (won't mention any names..........) used to tease me mercilessly about sewing. They thought I was such a dork for my sewing habit. My, how things have changed. (Again, won't mention any names...;) So back then I would practice on anything I could get my hands on. I sewed a lot of doll clothes because they didn't use much fabric and I figured I could save them for 'someday.' Also, I think I was trying to fill some sort of American Girl Doll sized hole in my heart. Well, the doll of my dreams still hasn't shown up on my doorstep, so I went to the craft store and bought a cheaper knock-off for Katie for Christmas. I have resurected the doll clothes of my youth, and plan to add outfits between now and Christmas. The lavender skirt is one I made recently. The lace part is the edging from a set of linens. The doll dresses of yore are made from various vintage fabrics I happily inherited from a really sweet old lady from our church, Daisey Harrel. Like the vintage labels? I used to cut them out of vintage clothes and sew them into my stuff because I liked the way they looked. I would have never guessed way back them that someday I would be wrapping up those dresses and giving them to a sweet little blond daughter for Christmas. I hope she likes them.

Christmas Is Only 182 Days Away

This year, we aspire to make all our Christmas gifts, or at least most of them. To that end, we would like to complete at least one Christmas gift each month from now until December. Stay tuned for our creations, and join in the fun! Email us pictures and we'll put them up on the blog.

Sewing in Bulk

For Christmas, I made 9 pairs of these jammies in 3 different sizes. I have made this pattern so many times that I could make it in my sleep.