Felt...

I have been coming across so many great felt projects online. I just wanted to share a few of them with you. Also,  since we have felt on sale all week ,I thought it might entice you to buy some. Wink, wink!

This site called Craftsy has lots of great felt ideas. Form cute felt houses to tree garland, and lots in-between. 

Family Circle has an easy stocking template. Something like this would be great to update the mantle, but also an easy craft for all the kids to make at your next holiday party. You could Pre-cut out the stocking and they can decorate it. Now that is a party favor I would like to go home with. mI love the untraditional color selection. I am so into turquoise, greens, and reds right now.



Of course we can't forget Martha. When in need of a craft she is always there to lend a helping hand. I have to say sometimes they get a bit complicated for me, but here are a few that are darling and may not take up your entire day.

      

     

      

      

The felt bag is one that I am really drawn to. I use recyclable totes all the time. Again this would make a great gift. If you had extra time maybe adding the recipients initials would be a nice touch.

Here is the video for the tree wine covers. These really make an ordinary hostess gift much more personal.

Of course, since I have little ones, I love the monster mittens and the Tooth Bear. They are so cute & would make you the hit among all the moms! I think my five year old may have to get the tooth bear this year. So vintage looking!

All the above crafts can be found at Marthastewart.com. They all have directions and pictures to help you make some great felt crafts this winter.

I don't want to leave out Hanukkah, so here are a few crafts that are fun.

 



The 8 nights of Hanukkah Countdown Calendar is from Land of Nod. I love this idea. Kids love anything that counts down and contains some sort of goodie! Again, while this one is great, it would be a nice tradition to make one with your kids.

I love every year when we pull the holiday boxes out, which we have lots, since we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, and my kids, my husband, and myself, gravitate to items that have special meaning to each of us.  It may be the menorah I painted when my husband and I were dating, or the box that my mom put my most special gift in each year, or the ornaments that they made in school when they were little. Whatever it is we always enjoy a few moments talking about those special people or those special times.  They always want to hear the stories behind these personal treasures. I love that. That is really what the holidays are about. Spending time together, cherishing each other, and remember family who can't be with you anymore.

Hopefully one of these crafts will help you make a special memory with your family this year.

What I've learned

Yesterday at 12:30pm the store mannequins were naked! What I've learned since I entered the retail world is that on October 31st, anytime after 12pm, Christmas is coming, and it's coming NOW! This is always a bit sad to me, but it is the way it is. I was at Home Depot last week and Halloween was long gone. Reindeer's were lite up and Santa was ready for the roof.  My 5 year old was so confused. She said, "Isn't Thanksgiving soon? Why is the store decorated for Christmas?" As a parent I hate that we rush through the year. I want to enjoy each season and holiday, but as a worker in the retail world you're always months ahead. We buy Christmas fabrics 6 months in advance, if not more. We're talking about Spring before we even see Winter. It's just the way it is. So yesterday when I saw the mannequins in booty shorts and bras I knew it was time for some holiday sparkle. So no surprise that this morning I was greeted with sparkle galore!

                                       

                          

                                                     

I love the little metallic dress. The mix of gun metal, gold, and black. Very chic! The nod to the 40's is also very classic and fun. The coat and the off the shoulder knit shirt is great for a night out, if only we would get some cooler weather. After being in NY I was all set to keep my winter gear out, but instead I put them back in the drawer. We're so lucky to have such amazing weather, but I am ready to snuggle up in a faux fur vest or jacket.

Sew and Tell - Holiday Projects

Love this idea for any holiday, not only Halloween. Thanks!

Riley Blake Verona Apron - these pre-printed Apron Panels make for aquick and easy afternoon sewing project!

Fresh from the design studio of Emily Taylor are these fun and pretty, cut-and-sew aprons from her latest Romeo & Juliette inspired collection for the Riley Blake fabric company, suitably named 'Verona.' With everything you need economically placed and printed on just one yard of basic cotton, this is a project that's quick, easy, and inexpensive:
Not only is the print lovely, but the pattern and design of how it all goes together is pretty brilliant also. Emily has designed these aprons in a way that makes them easy to customize and augment with your taste and crafting skills. You can choose one pocket or two; you can line the apron or not; you may customize the straps, and apply the coordinated ric-rac, too, if you like:
Seeing the simplicity of the layout will surely temp you to give it a try; for even the instructions are written on the cloth itself!

For a detailed tutorial, to meet the designer Emily Taylor, and for customization ideas and variations, I recommend watching this video.
You can shop these apron panels and the coordinating ric-rac here.

The holidays are coming...

Yesterday as I was walking from my main office to the internet office, as I must do 20 times per day, and I realized our ML elves have been very busy. As the holidays approach, they have been putting up new sample projects to get our customers inspired. I just wanted to share some of these projects with you . They range from super simple (I'm talking a great skein of yarn, some big needles and some cellophane) to ones that the more experienced sewers out there might like.

If you're looking for an easy gift idea, here are a few that I really love....



We have many beautiful skeins of yarn that (with 1 skein) you can make a beautiful scarf. The directions are included. Just add a large pair of needles (check the pattern to see what size is called for) and a pretty basket and your set. Great and super easy gift for the holidays.

We carry so many great books as well. If they love to knit, add a knitting one:  

If they like to crafts, try a fun felt book:



And I could go on and on.  What about filling a basket with fabric? Here are just a few of our pre-cut cotton bundles that make great gifts for your friends who like to quilt:



Lastly here is one of our cute sewing baskets. Have fun filling it with various items from our notion department.



Okay now for those of you who want to make something for those special someone in your life here are a few options...

I will start with the easy ones and work my way my up to the more advanced sewer...



We have so many fun polar fleece panels, from kids characters to sporting teams. These can simply be cut and used as blankets, especially for the kids, or you can finish the edges off.



Want your own grown up throw? Try lining this amazing, super soft faux fur.  I'm sure your honey would love to snuggle up under one of these.



Love to quilt? Look at this amazing flip flop quilt....Who wouldn't love to get that!

I also really like this cute holiday flannel blanket:



Two other great holiday gifts, very pretty & completely usable are table runners and pot holders. While they may sound old fashion with all the amazing choices in fabrics at the store they won't be dated. You can make them as cool as your imagination lets you. Here are a few holiday ones our busy elfs just finished...



Thanksgiving table runner



Pot holders and an adorable place mat

Okay just when I thought your tour was done I saw a few more goodies...



Love these Ugg-like baby booties. If you have any extra yarn around these would make up so quick and what a perfect gift for anyone with a little one.



If you crochet here are 2 great little purses that all your friends would love to get.

Okay so that is it from the Apparel store. I will be checking out the Home Decor store in the coming days. I hope our elves are hard at  work over there as well!