Christmas Tree Skirt

This Christmas Tree Skirt was quite a project...I have wanted to make it for several years but finally found the fabrics that were just right! Renee's House of Quilting in nearby Williamsburg, MI was where most of the fabric came from...a few pieces were from the Quilted Heart in Manistee, MI which is no longer in operation :(

The cutting & fusing took some time but to machine applique took me awhile but I am so happy with the end result!

The tabs on the edge are from wool felt and then I sewed alternating colors of buttons on each (pale pink, pale green, and an off white).

Snowflake Christmas Stocking

Our family members all had stockings but our newest little blessing did not...so off to the internet to find just the right pattern.
I ended up purchasing New Noel published by Leisure Arts...it is a pattern book by Linda Lum DeBono and was well worth the price.

The stocking went together well...time consuming to applique the snowflakes (a lot of sharp turns)...but the end result pleased me!

I am sure that Maggie will enjoy her stocking that will hold a lot of treasures! And did you check out the snowflake stocking holder...pretty sweet find, I would say!

All eight stockings hung by the chimney with care!
I made all of them and love unpacking the stockings each Christmas!

A touch of Christmas continues...

Note the smudges on either side of the floral display...they are not really visible in person but the handy dandy camera reminded me that last year, about this time, we were going to paint our bedroom...then along came a precious little granddaughter and the plan was scrapped (actually forgotten about). The smudges are where the hubby sanded down some rough spots.

Perhaps we will decide on a color sometime soon and paint the room a fresh new color!

The flowers are silk ranucula's in a deep pink and lime green, accented with some funky lime green swirlies (that you probably can't see), along with ivy and ferns. The ribbon matches the deep pink flowers and is sparkly!

Primitive Deer

As I have mentioned in prior posts, our home is situated in a wooded area and we are blessed to view nature at its best!

The first winter we lived here was an awesome experience...30-35 deer would frequent our yard looking for a handout. What pleasure they brought us!

I enjoy creating in the kitchen and in the sewing/crafting room and am always on the lookout for interesting patterns and or ideas to accent our home!

I stumbled upon the "primitive deer" pattern on the internet (Kentucky Primitives) and had to have it!!!!

The deer are quick and easy to make and are just perfectly behaved little creatures!

I used osnaburg fabric and then according to directions made a concoction consisting of coffee and cinnamon...spread it on the deer and baked for a few minutes.

As you can see the little tails are twine and attached using a safety pin...the legs are just branches you collect from your backyard. The little antlers take a little time to locate...but just be patient and you will find just the ones! I added a little greenery and some berries for neck decor'.

Festive Holly Towel

Christmas is approaching and the totes are being unpacked...slowly but surely! And perhaps the Christmas tree will go up this weekend????

I purchased several of the plaid towels and then decided they would make perfect gifts, if appliqued with a festive holly sprig...a pattern you ask???? Cookie cutters to the rescue! I just traced the holly leaf cutter on fusible web and then ironed on to the towels (washed/dried the towels first). I traced a coin for the berries and fused them in place. I used DMC floss (three strands) to blanket stitch around the edges of applique pieces.

The towels needed a little touch more of something...jumbo rick rack came to mind as did little seed beads. I stitched the rick rack on the towel and then stitched on the seed beads in groups of three randomly.

Makes for a cute little hostess gift!

Thanksgiving Favors

It is always a pleasure to make a little something for everyone to take home after a special holiday meal, and Thanksgiving was no exception!

I snapped many photo's but didn't have the best lighting and it is difficult to see that the little plastic tubes are partially lined with a festive scrapbooking paper and then filled with fall candy!

I saw this idea some time ago on a blog and filed it away in my head...waiting for just the right time. Ben found me some fluorescent tubing and cut it to size and then found some electrical "tops" that sealed off the tubes.

I found some ribbon to match the paper and then decided to gather a few acorns from the yard to add a little festive touch. Turkey stickers were placed atop the cap and to round out the idea I used my new paper punch for placecards.

Give Thanks!

The Good Lord continues to bless our family in so many ways and as we gather for Thanksgiving, we pause to give thanks!

We give thanks to Him for providing us with so much and we pray that we share our bounty with others not just on this Day of Thanks but everyday~

God, family, and friends are reasons to give thanks; along with good health, happiness, food, jobs...and the list goes on...

Thank you to everyone that makes my life complete and Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!