Here is the last garland involved with the Thanksgiving decor I mentioned in the Beaded Macrame Garland post. This is a pretty easy project that is great for beginners to learn how to sew straight using a sewing machine.

Materials:
Cardstock
Book Pages (optional)
Circle Cutter or Punch
Tear-Away Stabilizer
Sewing Machine/Thread

Directions:
Cut your cardstock and book pages into circles. Cut your stabilizer into strips about the same width of your circles. 
Stack 2 circles on top of one of your stabilizer strips, then center your pile under the presser foot of your machine. Do a basting stitch (straight stitch at the longest length) through the circles, then continue for about 1/2" - 1" on the stabilizer. Next, place 2 more circles under the presser foot. Continue on in this manner, replacing the strips as needed, until you reach the length you would like or run out of circles.
Once you are all done sewing, tie the loose ends and tear the stabilizer away. Fold the circles along the sewn line to create a more 3 dimensional look.

I'm really not sure why I didn't post this garland sooner. I made it to go with the Thanksgiving Banner I did as part of a guest post for Chaos with a Curve last November. I used fall colors, but you could easily do this with spring colors and use this simple garland as part of an Easter display. 

Materials:
Yarn (I used Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool)
Large Beads (I used an assortment of wooden beads I found at JoAnn's)
Scissors

Normally, I would give you written instructions to go with the photos, but this is a pretty straight forward process, so I will let the photos speak for themselves. However, if you need more explaining, check out these Square Knot pics.

Last week, I posted a lovely little A-Frame Play Tent that was decorated with a fabric fan garland. I found the tutorial for this adorable string of fans at Blooms and Bugs. I really loved the outcome, however there are a few things that I would probably do different if I were to make it again. I think it looks better when hung vertically (pictured below) as opposed to horizontally (shown in the tutorial). If you want a horizontal garland, here are a few suggestions:

• When I made my fans, I used scraps of fabric and cut them into squares ranging from 4" - 9". The top tends to flop if you cut the squares more than about 5" - 6". 4" seems to be pretty perfect, though.
  
• Thicker, sturdier fabrics work better because they don't flop as much.
• If you have kids around, keep the garland out of reach. (My toddler broke mine pretty quick...)

Hey there! Do you remember the String Art Star Ornament I posted a while ago? I enjoyed making that so much, that I thought I would do another little craft involving string art. Mine is a Christmas decoration, but you could always spell something else out or use a different color string to make it more of a year round thing.

Materials:
Block of wood at least 1/2" thick
Printer/printer paper
Tissue Paper
Masking Tape
Wire Nails (#18 x 5/8")
Needle Nose Pliers
Thick thread
Mechanical Pencil top (or yarn needle with a dull end) (optional)
Super Glue

Directions:
1. Measure out your block of wood. Using Word or a similar program, type your word, keeping it within your measurements, then print. Trace your word onto the tissue paper and make dots where you want to put your nails. Line up and tape the tissue on the wood and, using the pliers to hold the nails in place, begin to hammer in the nails.
2. Unscrew the top of a mechanical pencil off and thread it onto the red string. Use this to help guide the thread around the nails. Start a square knot, but wait to tighten it until it is around one of the nails and leave a long tail.
3. Once you have made your way all around, use the original tail to tie another knot. Before cutting the string, put a spot of super glue on the knot and let it dry, then clip the tails.

I don't know about you, but I am LOVING all of the yarn bombing popping up all over the internet. You can imagine my delight when I walked into my favorite yarn shop, Blazing Needles, and found that they had brought the fun trend indoors and incorporated it into their holiday decor. The wonderfully smart thing here is that a pallet of red and white was used without anything that completely screamed Christmas, so this decor works throughout the whole of winter! I hope the beautiful creations (by the one and only amazing Carol) inspire you to bring the bombing inside and perhaps to your holiday table.

Here are a few more images of the lovely shop.

Today is a great day. I get to show off the AMAZING ornaments that everyone made for the Crafty Christmas Swap. Everyone went over the top and did such a phenomenal job making beautiful decorations! I couldn't wait to get my tree up so I could show mine off properly. To give you the break down of the event, in October, 13 people (14, including myself) signed up to exchange hand crafted Christmas ornaments, which were then broken down into 3 groups. During November, they dreamt up and constructed lovely items to send to the other members of their group.

Cherie Davidson, Megan Blethen, Sara Silva, Kaelie Nielsen and Julia Parkinson.

Ashley Campbell, Diana De Zapet, Ricky Parkinson, Kimberly Kikkert and Lesley Peterkin

Katharina Eckert, Chiara Goccione, Kristy Parkinson and Kristin Baird

Are you LOVING all the string art going around on Pinterest?! There are some seriously creative uses for this technique. Any who, I thought I would bring you a quick tutorial for a Christmas ornament featuring #StringArt that I made for those in my Crafty Christmas Ornament Swap group. (On Thursday, I will share with you the AMAZING ornaments that everyone else made.)

Materials:
Tissue Paper
Sewing Gauge (or ruler)
Wire Nails (#18 x 5/8")
Wooden Star ornament (I got mine at Michael's)
Thick red thread
Mechanical Pencil top (or yarn needle with a dull end) (optional)
Super Glue
Gold Pen (the border)

Directions:
1. Trace the star on a piece of tissue paper, then, using a sewing gauge, draw another star 1/4" inside the first one. Mark where you want to put your nails. Line up the tissue on the flat side of your ornament and begin to hammer in the nails, taking care not to go through to the back.
2. Unscrew the top of a mechanical pencil off and thread it onto the red string. Use this to help guide the thread around the nails. Start a square knot, but wait to tighten it until it is around one of the nails and leave a long tail.
3. Once you have made your way all around, use the original tail to tie another knot. Before cutting the string, put a spot of super glue on the knot and let it dry, then clip the tails.

By the way, I also made the ornament below. I found the tutorial over at Notable Nest.

Last week, I posted about Blazing Needles and the incredible donation they made to fill stockings that I had created. These stockings are being donated to Helping Kids With Cancer in an effort to bring some Christmas cheer to children fighting cancer and their families. I also made and filled another stocking to be donated (I just can't help myself!). Best part is that I am providing you with quick tutorial of how I made this lovely item. There are two parts to it, the stocking itself, which I will show today, and a mini quiet book closet with Velcro dress up clothes, which I will show on Thursday.

Stocking Materials:
12" of a sturdy fabric or 24" of a lighter fabric (44"wide)
9" of fabric (for the flap and the loop to hang it) (44" wide)
5 rectangles of fabric measuring 14" x 6" (for the ruffles)
Sewing Machine/Pins/Thread/Scissors
Iron/Ironing Board
Stocking Pattern

Directions:
1. Pre-wash all fabric. Print the pattern, making sure that the box labeled "fit to page" is NOT checked. Piece together and tape the main stocking before cutting out.
2. Fold your main fabric in half and cut 2 stocking patterns, repeat if you are using a lighter weight fabric. Fold your flap fabric in half and cut 4 flaps (the last page of the pattern).
3. Pin 2 of your flaps right sides together. Sew along the rounded edge using a 1/2" seam allowance. Unfold and iron the seam to one side. Sew along the seam, attaching it to the side you just ironed it to. (This causes the fabric to fold to one side making a cleaner finish). Repeat this step, but iron the seam to the other side and sew it to the other side. Make a few clips along the seam so that it lays flat when you fold it right side out. (You should have a visible seam on only one side of each flap which will be the wrong side).
4. Lay down one of your stockings with the wrong side up. Place one of the flaps with the right side down on top. Line up the top edges and pin. Sew together using a straight stitch, then zig zag along the edge. Repeat the same process with the remaining stocking and flap.
5. Open up the flap and iron the seam toward the stocking. Top stitch along the top of the stocking, being careful to catch the seam as you sew.
6. Cut a 2 1/2" x 4" rectangle of fabric for your loop. Fold the rectangle so that the 4" sides meet and sew along this same edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn the loop right side out and iron. Fold in the loop in half so the short ends meet. with the flap unfolded, place and pin the loop on the wrong side of the back stocking about 1 1/2" from the top and 1" from the side. Sew with a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch. (Please refer to the Origami Stocking for further pictorial representation)

1. To do the ruffles, fold each of your 5 rectangles in half, wrong sides together, and iron. Next, do a "dry fitting" as in place the rectangles about where you would like them to go on the stocking. This is especially necessary if you are using directional fabric or putting tulle on one side. Mark the side of the ruffle that will be angling up toward the flap with a pin.
2. Using a basting stitch, sew about 1/4" from the top of each rectangle, rounding off the corner that will be angling up toward the flap at about 1" - 2" from the end. The rounding off doesn't have to be exact as you will be bunching it anyway, but if you are really nervous about it, use a cup or a bowl to draw a round line on the ruffle before you begin sewing. 
3. Pull one of the strings on each ruffle to bunch it and tie off the ends when it is bunched enough, then cut off the excess fabric from the rounded corner.
4. Do another "dry fitting" by placing all of your ruffles on the front stocking, then pin the bottom most ruffle in place and sew using a zig zag stitch to prevent unraveling. Repeat until all of the ruffles are attached; placing the topmost ruffle right under the flap.
5. If you are planning on adding the mini quiet book, then place the hook end of a large eye and hook under the bottom most ruffle and mark with a fabric pen, then hand sew to the front.
6. Pin the front and back stockings right sides together, tucking the ruffles a bit as you go. Starting about 1/2" from the top of the stocking and with the flap unfolded, sew the stocking together using a 1/2" seam allowance. End about 1/2" from the top on the opposite side. Cut off any excess fabric from the ruffles and make small clips about 1/2" apart in the seam allowance at the rounded portions of the stocking, taking care not to cut through the seam.
7. Turn the stocking right side out and sew along the flap sides with a 1/2" seam allowance. Fold the flap down and you have a lovely ruffled stocking!

Lets get real, the holiday season is upon us and Christmas isn't really that far away. If you have high hopes for a handmade Christmas, now is the time to get started on those one of a kind gifts. The great news is that there are a LOT of gift ideas out there that really don't take much time. Today, I am going to highlight some from this very website to get you jump-started.

This first group is for all of the knitters out there.
1. T-Shirt Yarn Star Bracelet - The great thing about this gift is that you don't even have to make a trip to the craft store, just make your own tarn from your closet!
2. Fancy Spats - Liana - Use some left over yarn from your stash for this adorable fashion statement.
3. Baby Bear Hat - Made with chunky yarn and few embellishments, this darling hat is incredibly quick and easy to make.
4. Tractor Hat - This is a great hat for the boys in your life. Plus, it is a great base for an earflap hat, just swap out the chart.

Now to some lovely crochet projects.
1. Fancy Spats - Cathedral - These little shoe collars are the perfect gift for that person with a unique style.
2. T-Shirt Yarn Cluster Bracelet - If you are low on cash, then this is the item to give to your friends. Not only is it adorable, but you can make it from t-shirts in your closet.
3. Ruffle Wreath - Perhaps you would like to add to your decor stash or maybe you just aren't sure what to buy for someone on your list. This gorgeous wreath is easy to make and fairly inexpensive too. (You can make the flowers from old sweaters!)
4. Broomstick Lace Headband - Really, does it get any easier?! Make these as stocking stuffers and use up some of your left over yarn or even make some tarn to create this headband with.

Ok Sewers, here are some ideas for you. 
1. Poinsettia Stocking - So, the stocking itself is pretty cool, but you could use the same technique for a pillow, which would also be adorable.
2. DIY Library Bag - This bag is so easy and doesn't take much material. It would make a great gift for friends and family. You could make it on a smaller scale and fill it with homemade soaps and scrubs.
3. Custom Stuffie - Here is an outline for how to make your own custom little stuffed animal for the little cutie in your life.
4. Men's Dress Shirt to Baby Dress - This would be awesome out of a great red or green plaid shirt!

Here are some random crafts that don't necessarily fall under a specific category.
1. Pallet Growth Chart - This would be a great gift for someone with growing children or grand children
2. DIY Bath Crayons - Can we say stocking stuffers?
3. Olliblocks - So fun, so quick, so easy.
4. Nativity Puppets - Switch up the telling of Jesus' birth with some simple felt puppets

If you are not so much into making things, but want the look of handmade, check out my Etsy Shop.

Last Saturday, I guest posted on Chaos with a Curve, where I did a tutorial for a Thanksgiving banner that included printables. To display this banner, I decorated my sister-in-law's mantle. You may remember the Gold-Dipped Pumpkins from last week that were on this mantle, well here is another piece of that puzzle. Today, I bring you Paper Bag Poppies. These little beauties became the anchor for the decor along with a frame I found at a thrift store and some left over fabric. Hope you enjoy this tutorial!

Materials:
Paper Lunch Bags
Poppy Template
Acrylic Paint/Paint Brush (Optional)
Gold Marker (Optional)
Stapler/Staples
Glue Gun/Glue Sticks

Directions:
1. Lay out the bag with the folded flap up.
2. Fold the flap down
3. Trace the template onto the bag as shown
4. Cut out 7 petals for each flower, find the center of the straight edge, then make a 1" cut

Painting:
1. Water down your paint (equal parts water and paint), then dampen one of the petals with a brush and water, then brush the watered down paint onto the petal. Repeat with remaining petals.
2. Once the petals have all dried, use the gold marker to create an outline along the edges of each petal.
3. The petals tend to curl from the paint. Use the marker to straighten them out or, if you want them to curl a bit in the other direction, use the blade of open scissors to curl the edges as you would for curling ribbon.

Finishing:
1. Overlap and staple each petal at the 1" cut.
2. On the backside of one petal, place some glue along the stapled edge, then overlap another petal and attach the two. Continue gluing and placing the remaining petals in the same fashion.
3. Cut a 6" square of paper and scribble on one side with the gold marker. Crumple the paper, then unfold and crumple again, this time tucking the edges under and toward the middle. Glue to the center of the flower.

By the way, here is the completed mantle (the Be Thankful banner is over at Chaos with a Curve):