Christmas Stockings DIY

Yes I am somehwat backlogged on blogging. Yes I have not had a lot of time to blog but I also find myself uninspired to write and blog (and crop photos, etc.). I just can't get myself to type, I am in some sort of rut! And I just keep misplacing my camera. I did however in my few days off go through and clean up/organize my sewing and craft things.
This vacation for MLK has given me some time to blog. The cold weather is also keeping my in doors.

I had green velvet in my fabric stash. I had no idea what to do with it. No idea. The only thing that came to mind was Christmas stockings. The dark green velvet just seemed so classic and traditional Christmas decor. I needed a pattern. I got one of my stockings I had on hand and traced it. 

I added seam allowance.

Cut my pattern and also began cutting the velvet.

I am missing the remaining photos, but I can explain. I used green polyester for the backing. I sewed together and hemmed the top. I then sewed on a couple layers of various laces and used green tape for the hangs. Done!

Unfortunately, this photo is not the best because I was in a hurry and packing up Christmas decor and had already bunched up. But this was a quick shot of them.

I know there are 3, no I am not expecting, I just had enough for 3 so I went for it. Maybe it is wishful thinking. LOL. Not bad for quickly throwing it together! :)

More blogs coming. I am just slow.

Cheers,
Lauren

Peacock Feather Tree Topper

So I have been a royal slacker when it comes to blog posts. And some of my finished stuff does not have end pictures as it has not been sunny at all so that doesn't make for good pictures. So I am a little behind. That and this past weekend since it was not sunny out, I took on a big project- blog post to come.

I put up my tree and I thought it needed some bling. And I wanted a topper for it. I had a huge amount of peacock feathers. One day. months back, I came up with an idea on what I wanted to do.

Here is what I basically did
- took small and large peacock feather based on their eye size
- cut down and even out
- cut circle of card board and use as a base
- hot glue large ones first around circle
- next hot glue small ones
- glue the center and iridescent beads in the center to cover everything up
- I attached wire to the back so I could twist it on a branch.

Done! It made one heck of a mess!!! Feather pieces everywhere.

Here are a few more closeups, with and without flash.

I just loved staring at it. Too pretty. I just love peacocks.

Cheers,
Lauren

Beaded Ornaments- great bead destash!

Well Merry Christmas everyone! Here is one of my big de-stashing of my beads project that I made for my Christmas tree. It was super easy and I used a TON of beads! That made both me and my boyfriend happy. LOL. Really this project is simply clear glass ornaments in 2 sizes, a hot glue gun, and beads, beads, beads!!

here are my pearls and silver variations

The blue ones are gorgeous!

These were a bit hit and miss. The pink/purple with the sisha mirrors reminds me of a microbe, but that is the scientist  in me. The all pink came out nice. The gold got messed up so it's a bit "ombre".

Can't win them all! But I now have some lovely new gems for my tree. they look wonderful!!

From our blog to yours! Merry Christmas!

Cheers,

Lauren

Circle Bead Christmas Tree- Iron Craft Open

Here is what I wanted to do for the last iron craft challenge but I didn't know how to finish it. So I had made the peacock feather ornament. It dawned on me on how to finish it and since this iron craft challenge is open (or past) I decided this could qualify for the holidays and also UFO b/c it was totally unfinished until this past week.

First I had all of these circle metal beads that a long, long time ago I had purchased for a bellydance costume. I had a huge stash of them. I never used them b/c in order for these medallions to look nice on a bra of a costume they would need to bend- easier said than done. Instead they languished in my bead stash until I could figure out what to do with them. One night they were all on the floor and it hit me, I could turn it into a tree and use it for Christmas decor. So I pulled out my jump rings and started to connect them. One by one.

I used up my jump ring stash significantly. Which was great! Once I got the hang of this, connecting them together was easy. Now I was done with my tree but upon hanging the sides curled. Which I dont have a picture of, I had lost my camera and was only using my cell phone. This is where I got stumped. But then it hit me, I would put it on canvas and hang it up that way.

I found a canvas that was 60% off at Michaels that day plus an additional 25% off. Wahoo.

But I would like to cover it first, so I used a scrap piece of green velvet that was in my stash. It made the silver circles pop. First I cut a piece that was large enough to cover the canvas and then some. I added 2 pieces of fusible fleece and then a piece of interface to stiffen it up.

Ironing left marks so I went with it and gave the velvet an all around texture with iron marks

Now I am ready to attach my circles to the velvet. It was nice and thick so it could hold the weight of the metal. I laid out my tree, and tacked it down with silver thread. It was thicker thread, which I ran out of but then I used some white iridescent embroidery floss to finish up.

This actually didn't take long. I started at the bottom, went around the perimeter, then tacked inside the tree. I had put it on my ironing board and balanced with my leg that was crossed over each other while I sat. So I access on the top and bottom and could quickly sew up and down. After beading many dance costumes this was easy. Call it my stupid super human power.

Done! Now to attach to the canvas. I centered it and applied a layer of tacky glue and let the fabric/canvas dry over night. To help with the gluing, I actually turned everthing over so the tree was on the table and the canvas was on top, I placed books to help it get a solid hold. Sorry for no pics, I thought I took a picture of this!! But allowing it to dry upside down (face first) ensured that I didn't get a sagging or droopy canvas. Next I used my staple gun and finished the sides up.

Done! Tada!

Here is a close up to see the tacks I did.

I am super happy with the outcome and now those metal medallions have been used. Love my new Christmas decor! :)

Only 1 more Iron Craft left for the rest of the year! I am excited!

Cheers,
Lauren

Peacock Feather Ornament: Iron Craft Holidays

I love peacock and their feathers. Just love them. The iron craft challenge was making something for the holidays. I actually had another project up and going but I don't know how to finish it. That will come later, got to think. Instead after putting up my Christmas tree I decided I wanted to make more ornaments, it is starting to become tradition. I have a huge stash of peacock feathers I decided to turn it into an ornament. :)

First I trimmed some off the bottom of the feather. Then I grabbed a clear ornament I got at Joann fabric. The hardest part of this project was simply getting the feather in the tiny hole. Easiest thing was to twist it with my finger. Then add the top back to the ornament. I had the stem go through the hole. Trim a little off the top. And it was perfect.

Hardest thing next was getting a decent photo without the glare. We actually had some sunshine in the apartment.

Soooo lovely. Yay!! I actually got inspired after this to make more ornaments. This time with beads. They are almost done too! Need some good after shots. I used up so much beads my stash has dramatically shrunk. Exciting!

Cheers,
Lauren

Snowmen ornaments part 2- buttons and pearls

I had these beads that came from a few necklaces. Really they are buttons. They are very big and kind of tacky for a lot of projects. They have been sitting in my box for a while. Then it hit me. 

I sorted them via color and type. I didn't use the gold ones. I'll save those for later!

I used all of these silver/clear buttons. They have 2 holes right on the bottom.

And using these pearl beads I thought would make for a cool snowman.

Place the bead into the center. Nice. 

Putting them together they look like snowmen! Yay!

Now to glue onto the grosgrain ribbon.

I glued in between each bead because of the size and weight they bent when they were hanging. 

Now for scarves. I had this beautiful ribbon. 

Here is the end product on a tree.

I think they are lovely as is and I don't want to add anything else. I still can't believe Christmas is over. I have a few more posts of Christmas projects. :)

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Rhinestone Snowmen

I had these large rhinestones that I didn't know what to use them for. I don't need another bellydance costume. Then I thought I would make snowmen out of them. And then turn them into ornaments. 

First add glue. Yay for hot glue!

In the first one I made I glued it to some satin. I only did this once b/c then I had to cut it away. That was not something I wanted to repeat. 

I used grosgrain ribbon to adhere the 3 rhinestones. Hot glue!

I drew a face and some buttons with paint pens. And then tried to make scarves for them. 

I also tried a braid. Which I had to burn the ends to keep them from fraying. Yeah fun!

Here is what I have done so far. I would like to give them hats. I need to find some black foam sheets or something. But with the bad weather out, I don't want to leave the apartment yet. Will wait. Stay tuned you may see these pop up later! :)

xoxoxo,

Lauren