Catching Up

Hi everyone, Happy New Year! I know I’m a little late with my New Year wishes. I've had a lazy and laid back holiday. It’s been great. The kids all came home for Christmas. It was great having a little guy here. He got much more excited than the big guys. And I have to say, it warmed my heart to hear him call me Nana. :)

Let me play catch up for a minute. I never showed you our Thanksgiving feast. 

And I want to make sure they’re in my blog before we get too far into the new year!

We had dinner inside again this year because it was too cold and windy.

You can see years past here, here and here.

My sister found these planters that looked like bark. I brought some potted mums which we cut up and put them in oasis. Then we mixed in some other cut flowers and greens from the yard.   

I think they turned out beautiful.

 

The manly men and their manly tools cut some large logs into discs about 3 inches thick. 

They made a great base for the candles and hurricane globes.

Remember the little place card holders I made? Okay, so I had help. 

They went together with the planters so well.

And last was the abundance of desserts! Oh my, it was all so good.

But it’s time to say good by to all those sweets.

New Years Eve was quiet around here. And now that #3 son is back at college and the house is once again quiet I need to start working on a few things.

I won’t call them resolutions. Too much pressure. But definitely I have things I want to accomplish.

Those are just some of the things that come to mind at the moment.

• sew curtains for the kitchen
• post my kitchen reveal (I did not forget)
• paint the upstairs bathroom
• restock my etsy shop
• redo my cane chairs
• paint some furniture
• redo #3’s bedroom
• tend to my garden (have I told you about the stinkhorns I have? ICK!)
• paint the front door and all interior doors
• shop for a new chair for the living room
• lose weight (see above dessert table)

How about you? What’s on your list?

Hope you are having a great start to your new year.

Advent Calendar

Gosh, time is flying by!

How are you? Are you freaking out yet?

Hmmm, maybe it’s just me.

I still haven’t shown you my pictures from Thanksgiving and now I’m rushing to show you this advent calendar I made the other day. I was late getting it out in the mail to a little special someone, so he’ll have to play catch up on a few days.

I saw a bunch of little advent bags on Pinterest. I had planned to order some plain bags but of course time got away from me and so I decided to just make the bags.

Here’s what I did.

I wanted bags about 4x6 so I cut my fabric 5x16. That gave me extra length to make the casing.

Fold the fabric lengthwise and mark the top 2 inches.

Sew each side up to that 2” mark. I ended up just putting some tape on my machine to show me where to stop stitching. It made the process go faster not having to pin them all.

To make the casing you fold in the side seam on the upper 2 inches that were not stitched together.

Then fold down the top 1/4 inch,

Then fold again down to where you stopped stitching the side seam.

It will look like this. The bottom pin is just to show where the side seam stops. Stitch across one end and then the other. I top stitched in a green thread for some contrast.

When you stitch one end it will look like this.

Then turn them right side out.

Now you’re ready to put the numbers on! Print out your numbers on some iron on printer paper and set it to flipped or reverse on your printer. So when you iron them on they will look right. I found these numbers on Pinterest. You can google, printable advent numbers, and a bunch will come up.

The bags go much faster than it seems. You find your own rhythm and what’s easier for you.

You’ll need to cut two lengths of twine and thread in one direction and then in the other direction. Then knot the two ends together on each side. You’ll then be able to pull each knot out and the bag will close. 

I hope that made sense.

Last but not least, I used some Washi tape to cover these little clothespins.

I think they came out pretty darn cute!

And they’re reusable. Just fill them up each year. I put in little toys and candies. 

But you can put in whatever your think your little special someone might like.

OH!

One more thing. Remember this little guy? I made him two years ago out of pumpkins.

Well, he’s making an appearance over at Huffpost Home getting his 15 minutes of fame! There are some other great holiday decorating ideas there too. So hop on over and check it out.

Let me know what you think of my little advent bags. They are super easy to make. And if you don’t want to made an advent calendar they would make cute gift bags in any size and you can decorate them any way you like.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with:
My Repurposed Life
French Country Cottage
Primitive & Proper

Another Giveaway! Ho Ho Ho!

I still haven’t gotten a Christmas tree but we will be getting one this weekend. 

I am ready to get my ornaments out and take some pictures of the lights.

I have put some other decorations out including some more stockings.

I was sent a couple of of these cute stockings from Sailor Bags.

I love the zig zag stitching on them!

They asked if I could incorporate them into my holiday decor and I said sure!

I used the blue one on my front door. What I love about these stockings is that they are made of real sail cloth and that means they can take being outside. I filled a little baggie with some stones to give it some weight since it would be top heavy without it.

I stitched up this little starfish out of some blue ticking then added a real one along with it.

I didn't have a tree trimming yet, so I went out back and picked some magnolia branches and some pine. I then added just a few things from around the house like a piece of driftwood, a shell, some feathers and a few pine cones. I used some rope to hang it from my door knocker and frayed the end.

I like that it fits between my front door and the storm door.

The red one I hung on the french door to the pool.

I used the same greens from the yard.

I had another star out of the ticking but then I added a metal snowflake and some ribbon.

I also had this cute bird in a nest.

I think they came out pretty cute. What do you think?

Would you like a chance to win a couple of these cute stocking for yourself?

Sailor Bags is offering to send someone their own set. 

You can decorate them to suit your own style or use them just as is and let Santa fill them up!

Just leave me a comment down below.

If you want a second chance then you can like Sailor Bags on Facebook. 

Then leave me a another message telling me you did. 

They happen to be running a lot of specials right now on facebook and on their site.

 Like free embroidery thru the 13th. They also have great totes, duffels, backpacks and more.

Oh and one more thing, please make sure I can access your profile or leave me your email.

You have until Monday Dec. 12.

That is it!

GOOD LUCK!!


Linking up with:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interiors: SNS 111 Stockings

Christmas Stocking

Have you entered my FOLK magazine and mini stocking giveaway?
Well you should. You only have until tomorrow.

So hurry!

I thought I’d show you the big stocking that I got out of that green sweater.

Ever have one of those days when you have something all figured out in your head, yet it still does not turn out like you thought? No matter how many times you go over it?

Here is how it started.

I cut it all apart.

Removed the seams so that I had a nice flat piece to work with. Save the seams you can use them later.

I printed out a pattern I found online and pinned it all and then cut it out.

 

Here is where I made a bit of a left turn and the craziness began.

I sewed the neck ribbing on to the toe of the stocking. Attached the cuffs to the top. 

Used the sweater seam for the hanging loop.

See how they are sitting? I should have just layered them like that, ribbing inside. 

But NO, when I went to the machine I lost my mind and did the opposite.

I took one look at my creation screamed a few colorful words. 

So, out came the seam ripper and I started again. 

The cuff was still not right either. 

I have a seam on the outside but you know what? It’s okay by me.

So I will not try to explain the sewing procedure, you are on your own.

As a matter of fact I should have just left an outside seam for the whole thing because of the weight of the wool. Which is what I did for the mini ones. It cuts nicely and doesn’t unravel.

And yes, I’m sure you noticed that every picture is a different shade of green.

The light has been so bad in the house and this time of year it’s even worse.

I only get morning light and I am so not a morning person.

But in the end I’m happy with my soft fuzzy stocking. I love the color. The last couple of shots are most accurate since they’re in the living room where I have sky lights. I need to change my overhead light in that sewing room. Much too shadowy.

Okay, that’s it. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

And don’t forget about the giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. CONGRATS ALLISON!

Linking up with:
Funky Junk Interiors: SNS 111 Stockings

FOLK Magazine Giveaway and more

CONGRATS TO ALLISON FOR WINNING!

Were you wondering if I had forgotten?

I almost did.

It’s been a busy week. I planned on doing this yesterday but then Henry got sick.

We had to take him to the vet for a bunch of tests. 

I was getting worried. He was lethargic and trembling.

Turns out he has pancreatitis. 

He’s doing much better now and is starting to eat again.

I am so relieved.

So I wanted to do a quick little giveaway.

I just so happened to get two of the Nov/Dec issue of FOLK so I thought I’d pass one along to one of you. They are a new magazine and this is just their 2nd issue.

Donna from Funky Junk Interiors is a contributor for FOLK. 

She shows you how she made that cool twiggy garland.

This is from FOLK’s website.

(felted snowball garland. I’m getting addicted to the felted wool!)

It’s a beautiful magazine .

They focus on handmade and made in America items as well.

So I thought I’d add a little something handmade too.

I’ve been sewing with those wool felted sweaters and whipped up with these mini stockings.

They are the perfect little size to tuck a gift card in. 

You could add them to a package or hang them on your tree.

I don’t have a tree up yet. Shocking I know. It still feels early to me.

So I stuck them on a wreath for a picture. 

I think they'd be a great addition for a wreath that you’re putting together.

So what do you think?

Would you like a chance to see what FOLK is all about?

Just leave me a comment below and let me know how far along you are with your holiday decorating.

Are you just beginning? 

Already finished? 

Or do you wait until the last minute?

I will randomly pick a winner on Monday night.

Please make sure there is an email for me to contact you. 

Feel free to spread the word :)

That's it, easy peasy.

Good Luck!