Merry Christmas Banner

Because Christmas is just a little more special with handmade decorations, I decided to make a merry and bright Christmas banner...out of felt.  Christmas and felt.  There isn't anything much better than that.

This inexpensive handmade Merry Christmas garland can be customized with the colors you select and/or the holiday saying you want to create. 

So, go grab some felt and let's get start.  I opted to go bright and cheery as opposed to traditional.  Make this garland your own and select colors that make you happy.

Using a water soluble pen, trace your letters.  Each letter will be layered so you'll need to cut out 2 of every letter.

Using a running stitch (or a sewing machine, to save yourself time), sew around each letter.  Leave roughly 1/2 an inch unsewn on each side of your letter.

By leaving this section of every letter unsewn, you will be able to string twine or ribbon through it and adjust your letters later, based on where you decide to hang it. 

Finish stringing your letters...

Find a place to display...

And, enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Sweater Star Christmas Tree Topper Tutorial

A little girl had her dreams come true. The wonder of Christmas, in Christmas tree glory, got set up in her own room this year. 

The only thing missing...a star for the top of her tree.

This little Christmas tree is filled with handmade ornaments so it seemed only fitting the tree be topped with something handmade as well.  With a box of Grace's outgrown clothes on hand, I decided to make star for the top of her tree out of an old sweater.

Believe it or not, it was easy to make and required absolutely NO sewing.

To make your own sweater star, find yourself an outgrown sweater, some cardboard and hot glue.

Get started by tracing a star onto sturdy cardboard and then cut it out.

Place the cardboard star onto an old sweater.  Again, I used one of Grace's outgrown sweaters...I think it makes this handmade star even more meaningful. 

Using a water soluble pen, trace around the cardboard star.

Cut your star out, leaving an excess of about 1/4th of an inch around the line you traced.  I cut through the front and back of the sweater at the same time.

Place the cardboard star over one section of sweater you just cut into the star shape.  Wrap the tips of the star over the cardboard and hot glue them all into place.

When the points have been glued into place, apply hot glue down the length of the stars.  Fold the sweater sides over and glue into place.  

To finish, using hot glue, glue the second section of sweater to the front of the star.  *I worked one side at a time, tucking the sweater under to create a faux seam.  Basically, you want the raw edge of the remaining star, folded under and then glued into place, sandwiching it between the bottom layer.

Leave the center bottom of your star unglued.  Through this opening, you will be able to secure place the star on top of your Christmas tree.

Once a sweater...

 Now a Christmas tree topper...with a little more meaning.

Washi Reindeer Art

Washi, it's all the rage.  And apparently, that extends itself to Christmas decorations.  

It all started with a Goodwill purchase.  In the beginning of the year, I came across this ornate frame for $4.99 from Goodwill.

I quickly popped out the painting.  I set it in my donation pile, where each month, I rescued it but never committed to figuring out what to do with it until I came across Stylizimo DIY Antlers.

That painting, which had repeatedly been rescued from the donation pile, finally had a purpose and I couldn't wait to get started. 

I repainted the floral canvas white, using what I had...regular house paint.

Using roughly the same design Stylizimo did, I drew the reindeer shape I wanted in pencil.

Then I firmly pressed the red and white polka dot washi tape into place over the pencil lines I drew.

The finishing touch, I added some glass ornaments. 

And, now I might be saved from blogging eviction since I finally created something using washi tape.  Phew!

Thanks Stylizimo for the inspiration!

Like the barn wood trees?

 You can find them in the While Wearing Heels Etsy Shop.

Birthday Signs

Today is my handsome husband's birthday.

It's become a tradition, every year on his birthday, I make birthday signs using pictures of him from the past year.  I try to come up with a clever or funny caption to go along with the picture.

So, when Riley gets sprayed by a skunk (above), or this crazy man is pulling a tree stump out of a lake, I don't even hesitate, I grab the camera, take a picture and start to brainstorm possible birthday captions. 

About a week before his birthday, I'll go through our pictures from the past year.  I decide what makes the cut.  Then, in word, I create the birthday signs.

The night before his birthday, I hide the signs all over the house, waiting for him to stumble upon them and hopefully smile...

Because nearly every day, this sweet man makes me smile and remember not to take life too seriously.  

Wood Silhouette Ornaments

A few weeks ago, I asked my Facebook followers for ornament inspiration.  In return, I promised a free ornament if inspiration struck.  'A Casarella quickly responded with the suggestion silhouettes. 

And, inspiration struck.

Instead of raiding my felt supply, I raided the woodaholic's collection of wood....those wood coaster he lovingly sliced, specifically.

To make your own silhouette ornaments you'll need, 10 minutes of free time and...

A log slice, some black vinyl (or chalkboard contact paper) and a print out of a good profile picture. 

Cut the profile picture out, taking care to cut with accuracy.  Place the printed cutout profile onto the log slice to determine if you need to size up or down or if you have the perfect size already.  When you get the size you want, trace the profile onto the back side of your vinyl and proceed to cut it out.

Peel the back off your vinyl.

Affix the vinyl silhouette to the center of your log slice.

Add an eyelet or drill a hole through the top of your log slice.

Attach ribbon or twine and hang.

These silhouette ornaments would also make adorable placecard holders.  Attach them to a clipping of rosemary then place them onto a dinner plate.  

These silhouette ornaments would also make great gifts for grandparents, friends and/or family.

Not only are these quick to make, whatever you decide to do with them, they will be a timeless and memorable ornament to treasure.

Thanks 'A Casarella for the inspiration (enjoy your ornaments)! 

Gift Card Holder Tutorial

'Tis the season of giving gift cards. 

Every year, at least someone I am giving gifts to, has requested a gift card.  Sigh.  The impersonal exchange of a plastic gift card....Merry Christmas!

To make your gift cards a little more personal, grab the following supplies:  Fabric (this is a great stash buster), *optional snaps, Velcro or buttons and a rotary cutter or scissors.

Cut your fabric out.  To make a 2 pocket card holder cut both fabrics to the size of 11 1/2" by 5".  To make a 1 pocket card holder, cut both fabrics to the size 9 1/2" by 5".

Layer the 2 fabrics together, right sides facing each other.

Sew the two fabric sections together.  Sew 3 sides closed, leaving one of the shorter sides open.

Turn right side out.

Tuck in the raw edges of the open side.  It's always helpful to press or iron between steps.  Top stitch the open end closed.  *Optional, top stitch across the opposite finished side as well.

If making a 2 pocket card holder, fold your sewn rectangle in half and press.  Open the rectangle back up, fold each end in, to create a pocket on both sides.  Sew down the length of each long sides, sewing the sides of your pockets into place and creating a top stitch finishing touch as you go.

If making a single pocket card holder, fold over only one of the short sides.  Sew down the length of the rectangle, across the top of the non pocketed side and down the other side.

When completed, press or iron to give your card holders a finished look.

*Optional:  add a snap or Velcro to give your card holders a closing option.  Card holders can also be left without adding a closure.

**Creatively embellish your gift card holders.  Cut shapes out of felt or fabric and either glue onto your gift card holder or using fusible interfacing adhere your shape by ironing it into place.

The only thing left to do...buy a gift card.

Tuck it into your gift card holder.

And begin the season of gift card giving.

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