For the last 3 years it has been my tradition to wrap Christmas presents in newspaper. Why do I do this? I think it looks nice. It is cheap and I save myself a ton of money on fancy wrapping paper. Newspaper is easily recycled: reduce, reuse, recycle. So because my presents can be kind of plain I have to dress them up somehow. I usually add fancy ribbons and twine and nice tags. Here is a sample of some of my tags from this year.
I also experimented with fabric tags. I basically took a small rectangular piece of fabric and stamped on it. It looks pretty nice and was nice and cheap, just how I like it.
I am sure that there are some people out there that do not like homemade gifts. I am not one of them. I love the thought and effort that goes into making something special for someone. There is so much thought that goes into what a person might or might not like. I have been seeing these homemade gifts in a jar going around Pinterest for a while and of course I wanted in on the homemade goodness. I made three jars: oatmeal raising cookies, peppermint hot cocoa and apple butter. I’ll also be making another one that is going to be my favorite taco seasoning.
The recipe cards that I am going to put in the box with the presents. I used those cute $1 bin recipe cards from Michael’s and just printed each recipe on them.
Did I already mention how much I love Christmas time because of the crafting that gets done? Oh, I think I did. Well let me tell you again. I LOVE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS! My most recently finished project is a desk calendar I will be giving away as a gift. I made this gorgeous little mini album desk calendar to be displayed on a desk at work. I absolutely love how this came out and I am a little sad to see it go but hopefully it will be put to good use. Maybe I’ll have to make one for myself.
I went to a couple of holiday parties over the weekend. One was very formal and probably the only formal event I attend all year. I always wish there were more opportunities to dress up but there just aren’t. So I figure why not go all out on the one night a year where it’s okay.
I designed and made this dress in about 4 hours. No patterns just doing it the old fashioned way. Best part about it? It cost me less than $20 to make. I am hoping that I get to make a trip out to Ikea next week and also check out the LA fashion district. I am so jealous of anyone that can shop their for fabrics whenever they want. I definitely need to check this place out.
Burlap is such a great textile for decorating. It gives just the right look for a vintage neurtrel feel. I saw some burlap stockings online one day and just knew I had to have some. Seeing as how I don’t have any stockings currently or even a tree skirt for that matter it was definitely time for some much needed Christmas crafting cheer. I whipped up two burlap stockings in less than 30 mins for under $5.
First thing is first. We’re going to need a few things.
Sheet of Newspaper/tissue paper or anything you can use as a pattern
Burlap fabric – I would suggest about 1/2 a yard. I found mine at Walmart for $2.49/yard
Trim or ribbon for stocking cuff
Decorative elements (I used a metal letter covered in jingle bells that I picked up at Michaels for $1.99)
A sewing machine or needle and thread
Now that we have all the supplies we need lets make a pattern for thestocking. Get out your newspaper and a sharpie and start drawing. Keep in mind that you will need about a half an inch on each side for the seam. I wanted my stockings to be a little bit thicker so I made my pattern pretty wide and chunky. After you have a pattern you like, cut it out and pin it to your burlap fabric. You want to cut two of these, one for the front of the stocking and one for the back.
Next you’re going to want to ruffle your ribbon. My ribbon had wire in it which I like because it makes it a lot easier to mold the way I want it. The easiest way I have found to ruffle fabric is to run it through a sewing machine. Use the longest straight stitch available on your machine and set it to the tightest tension. Depending on the type of fabric you use it should ruffle automatically. If it doesn’t. Simply pull your strings gently until you get a nice ruffle. If you are using a needle and thread just run a really long (basting) stitch across the top and pull the strings. This should make the fabric ruffle fairly easy. I usually leave about half an inch at the top to get a nice ruffle at the top as well.
Alright, we have the stocking cuff done. Now to assemble the stocking. This part is easy, just sew your two pieces of burlap together and turn them inside out. Be careful not to use to small of a seam. Burlap has a tendency to unravel even if you put fray check on it. Be careful when turning your stocking inside out as this can cause a tear.
All that is left now is to attach your stocking band. You’re going to sew the wrong side of the band to the right side of the fabric. It should be easy enough to just follow the basting stitch you did earlier to ruffle the fabric.
All I did to attach my decorative letters was push the ribbon through one of the holes in the burlap and used a very small stitch to secure it to the front of the stocking. Ta da! Brand new, cheap, DIY stockings to decorate your fireplace with.
