This year I am determined to have each and every single Christmas present purchased and wrapped before December even gets here. I want to enjoy the holiday season this year and I don't want to spend time standing in long lines at department stores. I actually did a little Black Friday shopping and then I spent Saturday evening taking care of the rest of my Christmas list. I can't tell you how good it feels to check every one off of the list, now if I can just get everything wrapped in the next week. Each year Christmas gets a little more fun with BK. She will really understand it this year and we're even pulling out the Elf for the first time, ever. I can't wait to see the look on her … [Read more...]
Ruffled Tree Skirt
One of my more lofty goals for this holiday season was to make a ruffled tree skirt. I saw them on Pinterest and fell in love but time was my main issue. Well, my sweet mother and grandmother came over yesterday and we set out to make the tree skirt. I've seen the "no sew" version and to be honest, it looked much harder to me. I thought I could just use the serger to put a rolled hem on the edges and then change the settings to ruffle the other side of the strips of fabric. It actually worked perfect using the serger. Let's start at the beginning: (This is the quick version of how I cut the canvas for the base of the tree skirt, this tutorial has more detailed .) Fold a 4 1/2' by 4 … [Read more...]
Christmas Ornament Wreath
I am determined to get some holiday crafts finished in time to enjoy them at Christmas this year. I always have big ideas and end up spending the time leading up to the holidays running around and searching for presents or getting caught up in the general hustle and bustle that the holidays bring. Last year I was literally monogramming Christmas gifts at 2:30 in the morning on December 23. Not this year, friends. All of that to say that while I was working last night I was doing a little multi-tasking to create a Christmas ornament wreath. I've seen them pinned everywhere and a friend of mine recently made one. I asked her about it and she said, "it was so easy I just covered a straw … [Read more...]