Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sleigh bells ring....Gift Card holder

I was designing my own gift card holder, when I became really strapped for time!  Thank goodness I've collected so many embroidery designs over the year because I found the perfect one in my stash!


Is that not adorable!!  The design is from Embroidery Garden.  I layered gold mesh over white felt and love the end result.  This one is going to a teacher, but I think I'll be making a few more to have on hand.  I'll probably do the same kind of layering fabric trick, but I think I'll stitch the "Believe" in a darker color....

Unfortunately I only bought enough candy canes this year so that each of my children get two, no extras, no temptations!  Now it looks like I'll have to buy some more!


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Ribbons on the tree….

For years I’ve been searching for a tree topper.  The last few I just made a huge bow of gold ribbons and placed it on the top, running the same ribbon down the tree and through the branches.  This year, my mom brought me the Santa that graced the tops of the trees in my childhood.  It was a gift my father gave my mother while they were still dating…more than 40 years ago.
When she pulled it out and gave it to me I felt a rush of happiness….I now get to carry on a little tradition from my childhood with my family.

But it left me with nowhere to secure my ribbon.

Ahhh…a chance to craft.

I found a plastic lid small enough to fit over the tree top, but large enough to accommodate eight strands of ribbon (I used the lid off a can of chips) and cut out the middle. 

From the top of the tree to the bottom, plus about three feet is how  I measured and cut each ribbon—depending on how much ribbon you want to snake through your tree you could go even longer…and if you find it’s too long you can always trim it.  I used 8 strands, tying one end to the lid:


Notice I left a long tail after each knot, this was so I could tie the tails into bows--I added a bit of "filler ribbon" to cover the exposed plastic before I started the bows:



On the top of the tree it went:

I then snaked the ribbon through the branches...in the past I've done the ribbon first, then the ornaments, this year the order got reversed, but it all worked out:

I think Santa is happy with his new home:

Tree complete—CHECK! Onward to other holiday craftiness…or just craftiness in general!


For the Night Owl Crafting Crowd...and anyone else who may be interested!
1. Is all your Christmas shopping done? ALMOST!!!
2. Do you decorate for Christmas and if so when? Right after thanksgiving it starts...and keeps going until the 25th!
3. Do you bake during the Holiday season? Only if I have to!
4. What are your favorite smells of this time of year? Fresh cut pine and cedar
5. What are your favorite things to do during the Holiday Season? Anything with the family!