Nov 30, 2010

My First Handmade Christmas Advent

I'm not going to lie, this was a MUCH bigger project than I had anticipated. I started it yesterday, umm, and tomorrow is Day 1. Oh dear. Yes, I should have started like a week ago. At least. Live and learn though, right? :)

Despite the fact that my perfectly cleaned and decorated home is now trashed by my 3 tornadoes, the outcome was completely worth it!

Keep in mind as you read along, that I do not in any way consider myself a sewing person. When I was 12 I sewed my finger. Really. The needle broke in half inside my finger, the ends pointing out both sides. Since that traumatizing day I can count how many times I've touched a sewing machine on one hand.

It all started with these 2 slabs of fabric I have been hanging onto now for 2 years. I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday and the only one I decorate for. I love angels and snowmen. And every year I find more, antiqued-oldish looking ones to add to my collection. But I wanted more. Something the kids can actually touch :)

So my new tradition- a new advent calendar to add to the collection list every year.
So I scoured the internet for ideas. I found one's I loved, one's I hated.. and in the end I came up with my own idea. I wanted crafty, homey, imperfect, and a touch of whimsy.

So I started by cutting the fabric into 7.5x10 inches.
Also cutting lining into 7.5x 9ish :) I wanted it to be layered looking at the opening.
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Lillie was so enthralled with my work ethic she fell asleep. On the cutting board. While I was cutting.
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Then I sewed the lining to the fabric. I made the place for my twine o go through first, then sewed down the sides.
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Turned the bags right side out and put the twine through..

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Next the fun part, I took all my picks for decorations and created several different little "twigs" to adorn the bags.
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I love love LOVE my antiquey snowmen
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And of course everything needs a touch of feather and gliter
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I made several variations of the twiggs.
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Glued the twiggys to the center of the front of the bags with hotglue. Making sure to avoid gluing where the twine comes through.
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Then I pulled the the twine up at the back of the pouches, and put a medium sized Clothespin on it. For hanging :)
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Tied a bow on the front. and hung a tiny clothespin and ornament.
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The final pouch. I left the edges raw on purpose, I want them to fray overtime.
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And my pouches were complete. Now they adorn my white later laced chaotically with lights and twine.
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And tomorrow when I actually finish these- I will add rolled up papers with the numbers and activities on each day.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very pretty, Hollie. It turned out great. I think I will keep Lillie to adorn my cutting board. Mom

SouthfieldFam said...

CUTE! I love the way it turned out! The little snowmen are SO cute!

BriANDaleen said...

Adorable...seriously I wish I had just an ounce of your creativity!