Tutorial - How to Make a Wire Wrapped Key

This can be a pendant or brooch

Wrapped Key Tutorial at Emerging Creatively Tutorials Blog

"This tutorial is reminiscent of my wire wrapped key brooch tutorial that you might have created a few months ago.  It’s the same technique, but with a Christmas twist".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Blog Button

Create a theme for your blog or shop

Blog Button Tutorial at Eliza K Prints Blog

"When I first began blogging, I relied on the generosity of other bloggers. Posts about content, tips and practical stuff were a godsend to me. I would type my question into Google and benefit from the how-to posts of all the bloggers before me. Now that I've been blogging for almost a year, I thought I'd start posting tutorials as well. I'm by no means an expert, but I hope you find something useful here!  I decided to create a quick, picture tutorial on an aspect of blogging that everyone can benefit from".... Read more

Blogging Plans For 2013...

2012 will being coming to a close in just a little bit and we will be ringing in 2013!! We all have plans for the New Year and for the months ahead...

It might be a small project like cleaning out a closet or organizing your whole basement. You might want to learn how to sew or make your first quilt. The new year will definitely bring change in so many ways, so let's make it a positive change.

I have a few plans for Sew Many Ways in 2013. I want to start a monthly series for organizing one aspect of our homes each month. I want to start to quilt again, so I'm thinking a Block of The Month Club. If we all sew together, maybe I can finish a quilt with you!! I also have ideas for more Blogging Tips for you.

I have other ideas too, but I want to hear from YOU!! What would you like to see on Sew Many Ways in 2013? Is there anything special you want me to cover on my blog in the sewing, blogging, organizing area or any other area?

I'd love to read your ideas in the comment section.

Thank you to everyone who made 2012 so special for me. I loved all your comments, ideas and emails.  I loved meeting new friends from all over the world and hope 2013 brings more of the same!!

Big Hugs and Thanks,
~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Refashion Socks into Arm Warmers

Make use of  those festive Christmas Socks

Arm Warmer Tutorial at Desperate Houselife Blog

"I haven’t finished shopping for the holiday season yet, but I don’t have that many winter tops that fit yet. And I absolutely hate being cold. I have poor circulation, so my fingers and toes are constantly cold. I was knitting the other day and it was frigid in the house. I was in a T shirt, and was tempted to give up knitting (oh dear!) and just put my arms under the blanket. Instead, I decided to create a super easy pair of arm warmers from a new pair of knee high socks I got at the dollar store. Can’t beat that… no sew arm warmers for $1".... Read more

A Great Big Thank You...YAY!!!

I can't thank all of you enough for checking for me...especially Melissa from the blog "From the Laptop to the Quilt Top". She checked every one of her devices for me (and she has a lot!! LOL) and emailed the results on each one. Thank Melissa!!!

I spent the whole day trying to fix this issue...over 8 hours thinking my blog had disappeared, so I thank all of you for letting me know you could still see it.

Believe it or not...everything just magically came back...like nothing ever happened on all four separate devices in our home. Must have been a blogger issue with just my blog, on my end of it.

Bad time of the month for Blogger to be messing with me...

I've eaten my way through the cookie trays, eaten my weight in chocolate and had enough salted chips to choke a horse. For this to happen "today", was not good. LOL My poor husband was trying to figure it out before I broke into tears...poor thing!! Thanks Harry for trying!!

Thank you again for always being there for me...this is why I love blogging!!

~Karen~

Need Your Help...

Hi everyone...I was wondering if you could help me take a look at my blog.

When I look at my blog from 3 different computer sources in our home...iMac, PC and an iPad, any page that has the paid linking service I use doesn't show up. I can only see them from my iPhone. I contacted the owner of the linking service and he was very helpful, but said he wasn't having any issues with his website. However, he was away from his computer and could only look at my blog from his iPhone.

I did a linking party this morning and I know it's working, because people have linked and I can see it only from my iphone, but no other computer.

I also have used that linking service for most all of my Tab pages at the top of my blog. If I click on one of the tabs (organizing, recipes, crafting etc), none of the linking pictures show up and my side bar completely disappears. The only time my side bar shows up is when I click on the "about me" page, which doesn't have a linking service attached.

Another issue is...if I click on my blog, only today's post shows up, not the other 900 posts I've done over the last 4 years. I know they are there though, because my dashboard is there and I can see them on my phone.

Just wondering what the rest of the world sees on my blog.

Could you click on any of the tabs and let me know what you see and...

are there other posts showing up on the first page of my blog like "Nana's Good Cookie" post or "Find a Friend Friday" and other pages too?

Can't thank you enough,
Karen

Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party...Week 96

Hi everyone!! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and special holiday with your loved ones. Can't believe I've been away from blogging all week, but we've spent a lot of time with our daughters since they've been home from school and it's been great!!

We're also getting Courtney ready for her school trip to Japan. She leaves on January 1st for 17 days. She is so excited. She is a graphic design major and 15 students and 2 professors are making the trip. If anyone has been to Tokyo or Kyoto, any tips will be helpful!!

We had a big snow storm here in Rhode Island and the northeast last night into today, so we're shoveling out this morning...well, not me. I'm in here typing while hubby is using the snow blower. He loves it. Must be a guy thing!!

It's a pretty one though. The kind that sticks to everything.

Enough about me and the snow...let's see how your week was. Let's start the linking party. You know the rules...

Anything Goes!!

If this is your first time here and want to join in, read below for the "How TO's"

WHAT IS A LINKING PARTY...

I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures on my blog. The picture is a link that other bloggers provide to share their projects.

Two things can happen at a linking party...looking and/or linking

• you can be greatly inspired by wonderful projects, ideas or vacation pictures (looking) and/or
• you can share what you've been up to (linking)

If you want to be inspired by all the great ideas...just click on a picture and it will take you to that post from a wonderful blogger who was willing to share her thoughts and ideas.

HOW AND WHAT TO LINK TO THE PARTY...

Sew Darn Crafty is all about YOU!! Show off your projects, share a tutorial, show us your vacation pictures, share a family favorite recipe...share anything. Not only does linking inspire us all, it also brings lots of new people to your blog for a visit. Click here for past parties and lots of inspiration

Easy steps to join in on the fun...

• link up to the specific project post, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not  search through all your entire blog. To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the Title of your post. Copy and paste the address that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
• link as many projects as you'd like...old or new
• anything goes...cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, organizing, remodeling projects, vacations, parties etc...
• visit other links to share some blogging love! You know we all love comments!
• linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
• just click the blue "click here to enter" button which is at the very END...below all the other picture links that everyone has shared. Click and follow the easy steps

If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or add it to your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button

Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week

~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Make a Patchwork Potholder

A quick and easy project

Potholder Tutorial at Dances with Fabric Blog

"As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I participated in a potholder swap hosted by the editors of Sew News and Sew iT All magazines.  
For my partner, I sewed this simple patchwork potholder which I named "No Two Alike" in reference to the embroidered shisha mirror snowflake embellishment.  (Check out this post to learn how to embroider shisha mirrors".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Puff Cushion

Simple design for a comfortable cushion

Cushion Tutorial at Creativity in Me Blog

"It has been a long time since my last tutorial right, and today I'm happy to share with you another quick pick tutorial. Just a quick puff pillow. I spend less than 2 hours working on this and its really a fun sewing... a scrap busting project".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Paint on Glass

Freehand Flower Design

Glass Painting Tutorial at Creative Khadija Blog

"Last week I saw a cookie jar in our kitchen cabinets which is pretty simple & totally plain glass. Why I didn’t notice this before?? well I thought to do something colorful with its simplicity. So here is the look of what I have done with an easy glass paint motive application, Let’s see".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Ruffled Apron Top

Free Pattern included with Tutorial

Apron Top Tutorial at Cass Can Sew Blog

"I'm in love with this little top! So Vintage...... So Summery........ So Ruffley!!! And did I mention So Vintage? Due to popular demand, today I'm going to share with you how to make your own Vintage Ruffled Apron Top.  It's quite a nice and easy little project.  I'm a huge fan of nice & easy! The pattern provided with this tutorial is for size 6 to 12 months.  You could easily adjust it to fit your princess though if they are a little smaller or bigger in size".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Quilt Using Your Serger

A different way to use your serger

Serger Quilting Tutorial at Amity Originals Blog

"Phew!  The holidays certainly took a lot out of me. Keep watch for a post on all the goodies I made for the holidays...then you will be able to see why it took me so long to make a new post!  Sorry for being gone so long but I am back with a good tutorial. I used this technique to make a purse for my mother for the holidays. Her favorite color is deep forest green and she can never find accessories (i.e. purse and/or shoes) that are that color to match all her clothes that are forest green. Here is where I come in!  I made her a hobo style (her favorite) bag out of forest green crushed panne. And for an extra special touch, I quilted the fabric using the chain stitch from my serger".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Glitter Shoes

Tutorial includes what not to do as well as how to make these sparkly shoes

Glitter Shoes Tutorial at Impatiently Crafty Blog

"I have a holiday party this weekend for work and I have this fabulous electric blue dress and sparkly cardigan that were screaming for glitter shoes! I refused to spend an exorbitant amount of money on heals that are way to high for my 36 year old feet! So I searched online and found some great inspiration for DIY glitter shoes".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Wash a Handmade Rag Doll

A tutorial for making a Rag Doll is available on yesterday's post

Washing Rag Doll Tutorial at Cheer Your Child's Day Blog

"Here we will discuss how to wash the dolls from cloth like rag doll or wardolf doll,  especially handmade dolls that require special treatment. Not to wash your mouth moveable puppet! Because moveable mouth puppet require somewhat different treatment to prevent damage.  We need to know is the type of fabric doll, cotton cloth washing easy but sometimes it is often shrinkage, for washing synthetic fabrics will be easier because it probably will not shrink, fabric felt sometimes change shape after washing".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Pillowcase

These make a good first project for a beginner sewer

Pillowcase Tutorial at A Spoonful of Sugar Blog

"One of the many things we love about Christmas is having family from interstate come to stay with us. We love to create a welcoming guest room. This year we freshened up the guest bed with some pretty new pillowcases. They are so easy to run up and were a great way to use some of the pretty florals and polka dot fabrics from the Vintage Modern range we had in our stash.  The Pillowcase is white with a contrasting double thickness cuff on the front, and an internal flap to hide the pillow from view. You can mix and match your favourite prints to make a colourful range of bed linen. It is a nice way to jazz up your bedroom".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Rag Doll

Make this sweet little doll for your little girl

Rag Doll Tutorial at Cheer Your Child's Day Blog*

"Have a daughter? ... Definitely love dolls! mommy let's try to make their own cloth doll, so that your daughter more cheerful :). Below I made a tutorial on Tabloid Genie request to be photographed in an interview Monday June 25, 2012. But in this blog I who took the picture, the picture becomes blurry and not as professionally done ... I really regret it".... Read more

*See tomorrows post for how to wash your handmade doll

Tutorial - How to Make a Tinsel Ornament

Craft done as a tribute to Sandy Hook Elementary

Tinsel Ornament Tutorial at Little Miss Celebration Blog

"When I learned on Wednesday that many members of the blogging community were planning a Cookies and Craft tribute to Sandy Hook elementary today, I knew, without hesitation, that I needed to participate. Dorothy at Crazy for Crust suggested that the craft be something parents and children could do together. With another project planned for today, a brutal work project this week and little time to prepare, I searched for my inspiration and suddenly, it came to me".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Christmas Cracker Wrapping

HaPpY ChRisTmAs!

Cracker Tutorial at Razzle Dazzle Quilter Blog

"Yesterday at our Sweet Pea Gathering Rochelle showed us how to re cycle tin cans to make Christmas Crackers.  Here’s what you need to make a cracker".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Pom Pom with a Fork

To make a larger pom poms, use a bigger fork

Pom Pom Tutorial at A Week From Thursday Blog

"I’ve been creating pom poms for the past two weeks to use on various Christmas themed projects. I make them using a really simple technique with yarn and a fork. The tutorial below shows you how it’s done. Also, I created an instructable on this and it made it on the instructable homepage, which was quite the moment of d.i.y. glory" Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Yule Candle Holder

Transfer a holiday image to a jar

Yule Candle Tutorial at Treegold & Beegold Blog

"I made up this easy and very inexpensive Yule Log Candle Holder using an easy transfer technique that I think gives a nice rustic look".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Pom Poms

Use a roll of tape to make a template

Pom PomTutorial at Art Angel Blog

"Pom poms are an easy and fun make for the festive season, and a great way to use up odd remnants of wool. They make fab tree decorations, a quirky addition to your gift wrap, or you could even do lots and make a pom pom garland".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Thread and Button Garland

Save those empty spools and open your button box for this pretty garland

Garland Tutorial at Crafty Staci Blog

"I’ve mentioned here before, my husband is in law enforcement.  The first Christmas after he became a police officer, I bought a little police car ornament.  I’ve bought nearly every police-themed ornament I’ve seen since, so we have quite a collection.  We also have a nutcracker police force.  Our Christmas village is full of cops.  I love all of it, but a couple of years ago I started to realize I didn’t have much to represent my own interests among all our holiday décor.  That was the year I bought my sewing nutcracker. I’ve been saving my empty thread spools this year, which are now part of the perfect garland to hang over the window in my sewing room and compliment this stitching soldier".... Read more

Delicious Cookie Recipe..."Nana's Good Cookie"

Hi everyone!! If you're looking for a last minute cookie recipe to bake for the holidays (or any time of year, actually), this is our family favorite.

This is my mom's recipe and her recipe card was titled "Good Cookie", so that's what we call them...Good Cookies.

In honor of my mom, I want to share her recipe for Good Cookies. We miss her every day, but especially during the holidays.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS POST!! »

Tutorial - How to Make Christmas Candy Bag

Make as a quick Christmas party favour

Christmas Bag Tutorial at What's Mummy Up To Blog

"We've been helping to arrange a regular BBQ dinner at our church as a social activity for those with young families, and last weekend was the last one for the year.  Even though it's still only November, hubby and I decided that perhaps we should make this one feel a bit Chrismassy.  My hubby came home one day and suggested that "we" go to Spotlight and get some "red material" so that "we" could make some Santa Sack lolly bags for the kids.  After I had a little chuckle, I responded that "I" would be happy to go and get the fabric and "I" would be happy to make the bags.  Still, it was his idea, and he organized the rest of the evening, so I s'pose he can have some credit too!  Love you babe!!  Anyway, I went and bought red felt by the metre (instead of the small craft felt squares).  I was surprised at how cost effective this was.  I also bought some ribbon, and some gold-coloured fine cord".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Salt Dough Gift Toppers

Use a variety of cookie cutters to experiment

Gift Topper Tutorial at Miss P Blog

"I'll let you in on a little secret. These were meant to go on our tree. But I liked them so much atop brown parcel paper and tied with bright red ribbon, that they're going to decorate our Christmas gifts this year instead! (Although I might still whip up a few for the tree as they're super quick to do) I had originally planned to paint and glaze them too. But the natural texture and colour was telling me to leave them be. "We're perfectly fine as we are thankyou". That's what they told me after 2 snowballs and a mini bottle of Rose wine gifted to me by one of my Avon customers...What? It was my birthday at the weekend. I'm allowed! Yep, 38 years and still not feeling remotely "grown up".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Popsicle Stick Ornament

Make them in color or leave them plain for a rustic look

Popsicle Stick Ornament Tutorial at Ohoh Blog

"A very simple idea to make Christmas decoration with popsticks! I love the seemed vintage look!  It can even be done with your kids (to keep them busy during holidays".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Quilted Cup Jacket

Make a paper pattern from your glass

Cup Jacket Tutorial at Make it Up Blog

"There are some wonderful seasonal fabrics out there and these jackets take very little yardage - I managed to get 6 jackets sewn together out of 4 contrasting FQs, some wadding and a handful of buttons so it's all quite economical. I bought this fabric from the wonderful Ray Stitch in Angel, a great fabric shopping experience - take a friend and enjoy their wonderful food and coffee served as the fabric is cut and wrapped (beautifully) for you.  I bought the glasses from my local Wilko at £1.75 each but it could be worth scouring the charity shops for similar kinds".... Read more

Find a Friend Friday...Linky Party

Hi everyone!! It's been a very busy few weeks here at our house, so I've been a little behind in my posts. Christmas preparations are in full swing, our 2 daughters are home from college and we have lots of cookie baking to do today!!

Thought I would do a post for Find a Friend Friday! This a great linking party to add your blog and for others to browse through the list to maybe "Find a New Blogging Friend"!!!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS POST!! »

Tutorial - How to Make a K-Cup Snowman Ornament

Add glitter glue on the top of the hat for snow

K-Cup Ornament Tutorial at Make it Easy Crafts Blog

"Wondering what to do with all those used K-cups?  Do you have a scout troop or Sunday school group that needs an inexpensive recycling project?  You have come to the right place.  This project is quick, easy, and cute, and best of all recycled" Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Card and Charm

Video tutorial on making a card and charm gift

Card Tutorial at Makocci Blog

"This tutorial is not as usual. Today I am going to surprise you with a wonderful project of two different artists. Me and MandarinDucky aka Aniko decided to give you some more love this Christmas and show you two ideas instead of one. Today we are going to make Christmas cards and here is a Christmas card Aniko created for me and sent it to me from England to Germany! I did the same and now she owns my Christmas card".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Ribbon Bow Ornament

Instructions for several variations are given

Ornament Tutorial at Paper N Pearlz Blog

"As promised, here is how to make these bow-shaped ornaments, using paper ribbons. The procedure is quite easy. Practically, I tried out a few ways of making it easier and I finally figured out the easiest way to make them! The ornament takes about 15-20 minutes to make".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Christmas Candy Arrangement

Sweet treat for gift giving

Candy Tutorial at Edible Crafts Blog

"To make this holiday gift you will need: a clear vase, a Santa Claus figure, various types of candy (3 Twix candy bars, starlight mints, and other candies), 5 red glitter silk leaf sprigs, red and gold curling ribbon, red Christmas garland, a piece of wide red satin ribbon, floral foam, 16-gauge stem wire or wooden skewers, green floral tape, and tools (scissors, wire cutters, and a low temperature glue gun".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Yo-Yo Ornament

A cute handmade ornament for your tree

Yo-Yo Tutorial at The Chilly Dog Blog

"I hate to throw things away. Sometimes it's a bit of a problem and others it turns into creation. When I first made the Reversible Christmas Tree Skirt from my last post, I was left with two perfectly round scraps of fabric begging to be turned into some sort of creation.  It turns out that two round scraps of holiday fabric, a couple butotns and some ribbon are all you need to make a yo-yo ornament for the Christmas tree. This project is easy enough for the kids to practice basic skills with a needle and thread".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Christmas Cake Frill

Adapt frill to suit any party theme

Cake Frill Tutorial at A Spoonful of Sugar Blog

"My grandmother was a wonderful baker and would often bring cakes to family celebrations - birthday cakes, Christmas cakes, and other special occasion cakes. She usually dressed her cakes with a paper and ribbon cake frill, which were quite popular in the 1970's. They were used to wrap around the outside of the cake as a decoration and to cover the sides. Nan's Christmas cakes always featured a festive frill and a sprig of holly".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Burlap Wreath

This crafter spent under $5 for the entire project

Burlap Wreath Tutorial at SecondHand Couture Blog

"I've been drooling over the wreaths that I've seen on different blogs and on Pinterest. However, being the ridiculously frugal individual I am, I've hesitated to buy or make one. My sister found me a wreath at Salvation Army for $.44, so I decided the time had finally come to join the wreath club! I went to Joanns and bought half a year of burlap fabric for around $2 and some red flowers for $2 also. I found an old door hanger around our house to use to hang it on the door.  I started off by cutting long strips of burlap and wrapping them around the wreath. I hotglued them at the beginning and end of each strip to keep them in place. This part was ridiculously messy! But that's what vacuum cleaners are for, right?  When the wreath was fully covered, I made a few burlap "flowers" out of the extra fabric. Basically, I just wrapped a long strip of burlap up, cut it to add some definition, and hotglued it".... Read more

Tool Time Tuesday...Painting Mirrors

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today's Tool Time is about painting...paint primer to be exact. The picture below is the "after" of an area in our home that has been on the "to do" list for 19 years. 

Ok, saying 19 years out loud seems crazy, but we all know how things can get pushed aside for other projects. When you move into a new place, you have so many projects to do to make someone else's house your home. Painting rooms, new flooring, drapery and we even had new additions so my parents could move in with us.

This whole wall is a wall of mirrors and would be a daunting task of removing it and re-sheet rocking.

Well, I finally addressed this problem without much effort or money at all. 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS POST!! »

Tutorial - How to Make a Wreath Pendant

This is a really fast project you can make before Christmas

Wreath Pendant Tutorial at Jewels of Sayuri Blog

"Throughout 2012 I have been seeing Wreaths everywhere - on blogs, on pinterest, on craft forums. I have seen wreaths with twigs, paper, fabric, yarn and even brooches. So I thought that it will only be a fitting tribute to this year - a great way to end this year and welcome the new one with wreath jewelry. The only wreath that I am really familiar with, is a traditional green & red wreath with leaves, twigs and berries and that's what I intend to reinvent as a pendant. Here's is my take on the famous Christmas Wreaths".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make CD Gift Bags

Sizes for CD with and without a case are given

CD Gift Bag Tutorial at The Crafty Mummy Blog

"This time of the year seems to involve lots of gifts. There are teacher gifts as school finishes for the year, the usual string of birthday parties and Christmas looming in the next few weeks. So these gift bags were a timely project. My friend Angela from Belle Images needed a little something for photo discs for some special clients. A CD gift bag is much cuter than just the clear case for a disc. Now you can make some as well"...Read More

Tutorial - How to Make Cross Stitch Gift Tags

Fringe the edge for a cute finish

Gift Tag Tutorial at Blue Giraffe Crafts Blog

"We are spending this Christmas with the Boyfriend's relatives (we go to one family one year and the other the next) so I've made some special gift tags to go on my family's presents.  I designed the motifs myself and you can print a copy to use yourself here and there is a tutorial below on how to make the tags"... Read more

Sew Darn Crafty Linking Party...Week 95

Hi everyone!! I missed last week's Sew Darn Crafty Party, because we had a real party here at the house and I completely forgot to do a post.

I hope you can join this party and add as many links as you'd like to make up for missing last week. I know there is a lot of inspiration out there, so let's start sharing...

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS POST!! »

Tutorial - How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments

You and your children can paint them after they bake
 
Ornaments Tutorial at Mia Moon Love Blog

"I adore these! They are soo adorable and fun, it's called salt dough. Have you heard of it before? Apparently a lot of people have....but this is my first time & definately not the last.  It's so super simple and not very messy at all, here is the recipe".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Plank Christmas Tree

This tree can hang on a wall, or be free standing

Tree Tutorial at Organized Living Solutions Blog

"Since living in Africa, I had to say good-bye to beautiful green fir or spruce christmas trees.  I don't really like artificial trees, so every year it is again a challenge to find something that could work.  We had the fruit stands of the aloe cactus as a christmas tree, we had a tree bent out of wire, we had a cardboard tree and the shape of a tree put on the wall with tape.  So this year we will have a wooden tree.  The idea for that comes from Wood and Wool.  I love the stuff Ingrid makes, but she sits in the Netherlands and I don't think a tree would make it over here in time.  So I improvised and scraped together every old plank I could find in the cellar".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make an Origami Wreath

Video Tutorial - You will want to watch in full screen mode to read the instruction notes.

Wreath Tutorial at Origami Maniacs Blog

Tutorial Exchange - How to Make a Ribbon Wall Hanging

You could make larger leaves and end up with a wreath

Ribbon HangingTutorial at Pieced Brain Blog

"Christmas ribbons are so beautiful! I love their designs, their shimmer... Abakan, a fabric and crafts company based in the UK, sent me a roll of gorgeous Christmas ribbon this week, and I went right to work as I already had a design in mind.  Borrowing from ribbonwork concepts, I had imagined a circle of leaves made of wire ribbon. Abakan's ribbon was perfect for this project, as it had a green center, with extra wide gold borders, and it was very pliable, making it easier to shape the leaves (the ribbon I used is called Green Gold".... Read more

Christmas Home Tour 2012...

Christmas is the most special time of year and I love decorating for the season. I start decorating the Friday after Thanksgiving and go straight for 2 weeks. We have a huge party for all the ladies in our neighborhood, friends and family!! It's the most fun and festive time to see everyone each year.

Decorating for Christmas is like a hobby for me. I start thinking about next year's Christmas on december 26th. Where do I start?...the after Christmas sales this year. I always buy things on clearance...never full price. I bring the decorations home, organize them and find a place for them, so I know where they are next year. I change things up, move things to different rooms, so it feels like I have new things each year.

Let's start this year's tour from the front door  and end at the back door...

Last year I had the Snowman wreath on the front door, but this year I just have a wreath and some decorations off to the side.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS POST!! »

Tutorial - How to Make a Gift Bag

Give your gifts a homemade touch

Bag Tutorial at Corners of My Life Blog

"Last Christmas my homemade ornament/gift/favor was a quilt bag.
The pattern is called a liberated checkerboard block".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Advent Calendar Coins

The treat each day is to do something special together

Advent Calendar CoinsTutorial at Make Life Lovely Blog

"I am so excited to share these Wood Advent Calendar Activity Coins with you today!!  I made a beautiful Felt Advent Calendar that I shared with you yesterday, but I needed the activities to put inside.  I didn't want to just write the activities on a piece of folded up paper- that's no fun! I wanted something more concrete and sturdy.  Like wood.  I used little round wood discs that I bought at Michaels, and used a transfer method that I'll teach you to transfer the activities that I printed onto the discs".... Read more