Christmas Crafting...

I found this fabric early this summer and kind of fell in love.  I used it,..a lot.  First I made a lumbar pillow then had my mother-in-law make a throw for the bed...then I made burlap stockings with ticking for trim.  I made a lamp cover for my bedroom light, and I'm sure I've put it elsewhere in my home.

Well, being the Christmas season I wanted to make some Christmas covers for my pillows (my living room definitely has more of a summer, beachy feel.  Let's admit basically my whole house is going by that theme).  So, what did I do...I found the ticking fabric in RED! 

So, I made some easy pillow covers.  These are great because I can slip them on without having to unstitch anything, they are great!!  I didn't follow any tutorial or pattern, I just kind of figured it out by myself, but this is basically the same as what I did.  Seriously, SOOO easy (one piece of fabric, hems and two stitches and you're done!).  I probably did the two in less than 30 minutes!  

I threw those covers on my pillows and thought they looked good, but not finished, so I tied a red ribbon around them.  There.  Finished.

Now, for my lumbar pillow.  I was going to do grommets (like my original lumbar pillow), but didn't have enough.  So, I did a big stitch along the ends so I can uncover it easily.  Again, done with the sewing, but the pillow just wasn't finished.  I didn't have any more red ribbon...so I used what I loved almost as much as that ticker fabric.  TWINE!  Now, don't buy the expensive craft twine, head over to the hardware section of Walmart & get the twisted jute twine ...190 feet for less than $2.

Anyway, I tied some twine onto that pillow and voila, done.  

Now for the stockings.  I spend an bundle at Target trying to find the right stocking holders.  I don't have a mantle, I have a picture shelf from Ikea.  The downside is it has a lip, so no stocking holders fit.  I was racking my brain trying to figure out what to do when I remembered how the stockings were hung at my house growing up.  Eye hooks.  You can get them at any hardware store for pretty cheap.  Easy to put up & hardly noticeable.

I debated on how to individualize each stocking.  Do I sew a letter on each?  Add a letter hanging?  I decided to add the letter hanging would be easiest.  I bought the letter at Walmart for less that $2 each,  Originally I painted them silver, but it totally clashed!  So, I spray painted them white.  Much better.  I used my favorite twine to hang them originally, but when I had extra ticking fabric.  I totally had to use it.  I made these and absolutely love how they turned out.   I think the stockings are my favorite part! 

Next are presents.  I have always loved the simple brown paper & silver bags to wrap presents.  It's timeless, yet simple.  Once again, my fetish with twine took over and I added it to the presents.  I had this red metal star that had jingle bells on it.  They were coming off and I thought, "What the heck, let's add a little embellishment."  So each present got one [plus it masks the sound if anyone tries to go snooping].  I love how they turned out.  When I ran out of red, I just bought some small ones at JoAnn.  They were on clearance so I bought two packs.

The letters are just white vinyl.  I stole this idea from a friend, you can use vinyl, cardstock, regular paper, whatever to do this.  I cut them out on my Cricut, using the Classic Cricut Font.  Love how they turned out.

Now for a few more decorations. I had just a bit extra of the ticking fabric, so I added some here to pull in the lamp table.  I added the star to give it a little more festivity than just the monkey knots...

My rocking chair looked a little bare.  It needed some red ticking fabric too...

I still think this piece needs a little something, maybe some cute red or tan buttons in the corners or a red ribbon?  Not quite sure yet.

And with the little extra ...

Can't forget the door

And just for fun, the trees I spent HOURS on last year.  

And you have to have a place for all those Christmas books.  I am SO SO pleased with how this bookshelf turned out.  My husband built it the beginning of this year & I absolutely love it.  He is amazing!!!

 And the tree....you can't forget the tree, the child gazing and the train chugging around it.

Merry Christmas!  I hope you enjoy the season with your loved ones!