Everyone loves counting down to the holidays…add candy to the mix and you’ve got a fun Advent calendar from Sherri Osborn for the whole family to enjoy.
If you’re looking for something a little different to do with your paper beads then take a look at this paper bead star. This project is simple to adapt in a wide variety of ways.
Just because you’ve got to bake cookies for the whole family doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous! Phyllis Dobbs has created this adorable holiday apron, and she’s got the free pattern just for you.
Sometimes those plain ornaments just need a little dressing up. Tammy Powley will show you how to use seed beads to create this unique ornament drapery.
Welcome to my turn in a Holiday Blog hop. I’m delighted to be part of this blog hop put together by talented artists. We are taking turns sharing a fun holiday project or craft and hope that you are inspired to make some using our free patterns and instructions. And leave a comment on each of the artists blog and you may win a random drawing for a prize by each artist.
I love to entertain over the holidays and often need more festive dishes or bowls. I painted this terra cotta flower pot to give an extra bowl to hold holiday treats (or even a plant). Since stripes and dots are very popular design elements and which I also happen to love, I used these to decorate it. It’s easy to do and you can make one and use it that night.
1. Use a terra cotta flowerpot the size of your choice - you can make it as big or small as you like. Wash the flower pot and go over it with alcohol to disinfect it.
2. With a pencil, draw the lines for the stripes around the rim. I made the stripes on mine about an inch wide. Also, draw 1/2 inch circles randomly on the bottom of the pot.
3. Paint the red dots and the red stripes, alternating the stripes. Paint the background of the bottom pot white and the remaining stripes. It will take 2-3 coats of paint. Let it dry between coats. Paint the inside of the pot your choice of white or red.
4. When the paint has dried, add small white dots in a line on the red stripes.
5. After all has dried, use a clear satin acrylic to seal the paint.
6. Fill with your choice of snacks, chips, ornaments or whatever you desire.
Please leave a comment to be entered into a random drawing for a prize. Also please visit the other artist that are participating in this blog hop and leave comments for a chance at more prizes.
As part of this blog hop, we are supposed to answer these questions to give some information about ourselves. Mine are below.
5 things we might not know about you that you’d like to share.
1. I love to listen to music when I work and have music of every genre except rap. The type of music I play depends on what I’m working on.
2. I planted lettuce for the first time this fall and was delighted that it turned out so tasty. The only place I had to plant it was in the flowerbed by the mailbox, but the bright greens looked very pretty and my husband backed down from being horrified by veggies growing front and center of our yard.
3. I’m a color junkie and often buy stupid stuff just because I like the color, however anything with great color is not stupid! Like a purple cooler to carry to the beach when we have several in basic red and white.
4. I enjoy social gatherings with my girlfriends such as bunko, girl’s poker, pokeno and book club. And, I don’t have time to read the books so I go to listen, socialize and drink wine.
5. I feel guilty because I don’t get around to exercising as frequently as I want - almost non-existent at this point as I’m working hard on close deadlines.
5 things going on in my creative world.
1. In October, I signed with a fabulous agent, Jewel Branding & Licensing and am very excited about this partnership.
2. I’m working on several new art collections and am looking forward to seeing new products created with my art at the January markets.
3. I’m putting together a quilt e-book.
4. I’ve been creating Christmas crafts to share with my blog readers.
5 things that really inspire me.
1. Color, lots of it.
2. Humor
3. Nature, especially the greens
4. Flowers, even though this is technically part of nature.
5. People - family, friends, and other artists. I’m also really inspired by the paintings of Matisse - love all his work.
Be sure to leave a comment and be included in a drawing for a prize.
Cooking and entertaining goes with the holidays, so I designed and sewed this Christmas apron for a festive addition to kitchen chores.
The first step was to hit my fabric stash to find red and green fabrics. I found the perfect combination of red, green and red and white stripe fabrics. I created a simple pattern that can be made in less than 2 hours. Click for the free pattern and instructions that you can download.
I would love to see pictures of aprons you make using this pattern. Enjoy and have a fun Christmas as you whiz through the kitchen wearing your new apron!
I’m inviting you to join our Blog Hop with the Artists. Each artist will post a Christmas project, craft, idea or fun project. Play, post and win - a prize will be given by each artist from the comments made on her blog!
How it works -
1. Between now and November 22, visit each artist blog below on the date listed to Play, Post and Win. Each artist will have some fun projects, free patterns or crafts or How-to’s for Christmas.
2. Just post a comment on each of our blogs when you visit, and you will be entered for a random drawing of a prize by each artist from the comments made on her blog.
So you can see, its fun and easy and you may win! Regardless, you will be a winner from the free projects offered by each artists.
This is my first blog hop and I’m excited to be a part it with such talented artists. Each artist licenses her art for products such as gift items, fabrics, table ware, stationery and much more. Check out their blogs for a chance to win and learn more about each very creative woman.
Today starts with Terri Conrad, so please visit her blog and be sure to leave a comment.
I’m excited to show you a new addition to my studio - a ribbon organizer. Clip it Up was a new exhibiting company at the Houston Quilt Market and Festival last month. They had a supper display in their booth of wonderful organizers for ribbons, scrapbook supplies and just about anything you have in your stash!
I loved all of the organizers, but especially fell in love with the Ribbon Organizer. I chose the one that is 36″ long. It has 40 clips to hang remnants below the organizer and has storage on each end to hold scissors. It also comes with a tape measure decal that applies to the organizer for easy hands free measuring.
I hung the ribbon organizer over this table in my sewing area, behind my sewing machine, so that the ribbons and trims will be in easy view and reach. I have boxes of ribbons, but only put my favorite ones in the organizer. I didn’t fill it up so that I will have space for new ribbons that I have my eyes on for immediate purchase. You may also notice my Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine. I have it close as well for cutting fabric dies for applique as well as paper cuts. I love color so I have color coded boxes to hold supplies. (I can’t remember numbers, but I can definitely associate colors with the contents of each box.) And I also keep my button stash close at hand in a huge jar that is not nearly big enough.
I love attending Quilt Market and look forward to the Spring Market. There are always fabulous finds at each show and I am treasuring my ribbon organizer.
Enjoy and display your stash!
Phyllis
PS, I just found out this news after emailing ClipItUp to let them know that I loved the ribbon organizer and blogged about it. It will be on sale the weekend after Thanksgiving Nov 27-30 for almost half price!
For 40 years, Sesame Street has been part of our lives and has encouraged us to accept all holiday traditions. Barbara Crews will show you how to create this wreath dedicated to some of our favorite Muppets.
For Thanksgiving crafts like place mats and name cards, you’ll need some festive art. How about a lesson from Helen South on drawing this cutie penguin.
Save cash for presents when you reuse gift bags or buy those inexpensive plain bags. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how to dress them up for the re-gifting process with a touch of delightful embroidery.
If you’ve got an ornament exchange to attend this year, a traditional Swedish ornament will really stand out in the crowd. Cheryl Fall will show you how to hand stitch this original piece.
Add a contemporary look to your holiday while saving some cash on Christmas Cards. This wax resist technique from Marion Boddy-Evans is just what you need.
This dimensional ornament has an intricate look, but is actually simple in design. Kate Pullen will show you how to cut and stamp this delightful addition to your decor.
Decking the Halls has never been so fun, and this one is perfect for helpful kids to take part in. Use up those scraps of fabric with this decorative craft from the Sadie and Lance blog.
Stuffed animals add a bit of fun and tenderness to any slew of presents. Stuff a stocking with a smile when you sew this little hippo from Lesley Shepherd.
Top off your candy jar with a snowman face as sweet as the treats inside. Sherri Osborn will show you how to paint and assemble this wintry decoration that is appropriate to show off all season long.
Embroider a plain gift bag to make it unique and tell someone they are special - all you need is some Pearl Cotton and assorted buttons.
This is so quick and easy to make, you can make several. Starting with a plain white gift bag, I used Pearl Cotton #3 from The DMC Corporation for the embroidery. Draw 2 top lines 1 1/4″ apart and stitch the lines with a back stitch using 1 strand of green Pearl Cotton. Stitch the inside lines with a running stitch and then stitch assorted sizes of red buttons between the embroidered lines.
Stitch a large lazy daisy flower with 2 strands of red Pearl Cotton. Use a second needle and red sewing thread to anchor the loops at the outside edge with a small stitch over the Pearl Cotton. Sew a large green button at the flower center to finish the bag.
You can add your own personal touches as you make your bags. I would love to see what you make.
Have fun and happy stitching.
Phyllis
Copyright - this design if for your personal use and may not be used commercially without written permission.
Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.
Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free ‘Pear Trio’ needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.
Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborne has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.
Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying ‘awwwww’. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.
Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.
Sometimes you just can’t commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you’re ready for pie…and when you’re overstuffed.
Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.
This Halloween mask is so quick and easy to make. Make one for a Halloween party or just to wear when opening the door for trick-or-treating. Make masks for the kids and let them help or make their own..
I bought a pack of 3 plain white masks (very cheap - $2) at a craft store this week. I used green spray paint to cover the mask, then used a black Sharpie to draw the features. This is where you or the kids can get really creative in painting the mask since Sharpies and spray paint come in lots of colors. After everything dried, I cut the black hair from stiff felt and glued it to the back. I cut the lips out of bright pink felt, and cut 2 tabs on the top edges. I glued the tabs behind the mask so that the lips would dangle down. After punching holes in the side edges, I tried some of my regular earrings but decided they weren’t chunky enough. I made some with large beads. If you don’t want dangling earrings, you can use large O rings to make hoop earrings.
Let your imagination be your guide to making your mask. Go through your stash (or junk drawer) and find fun things to decorate your mask. You can make it as fun, spooky or scary as you like and you can be sure it will be an original one-of-a-kind.
WELCOME! I invite you to visit with me in my studio. I create illustrations and designs for art licensing. I also design fabrics, quilts, needlework and textile products. I will share my latest news on illustration and designing as well as interesting tidbits on artist friends, books, traveling and anything else I run across. I would LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU and appreciate your visits.
