Christmas Countdown 2014 - Clip Kits #19

Here is another idea to package up for your crafty friends or the kids on your list this year.  Clip Kits, each kit makes 3 decorative clips that can be used for all kinds of items.  From the chip bag in the pantry to the To Do list on your desk. 

Clothes pins and die cuts to create unique clips.

 

Each kit makes 3 clips.

Great for using up scraps of paper and extra punches.

 

I made a series of these last year for the teachers and staff at my school.  Check out the post here for more information: Christmas Countdown 5 days left!  I still see them around teachers classrooms holding papers to be graded or notes to send home.  These make great gifts for a large group.  Remember only 19 days left!

 

Danna

Christmas Countdown 2014 - Paper, Glue & Ribbon #20

To decorate for the holidays you don't need any special supplies.  You can create unique décor with paper, glue and ribbon.  Again this year at my school we are having a door decorating contest for Christmas.  Since I do not have many craft supplies at school I challenged myself to dress up my door using what I had on hand.  Yes we have lots of paper and glue in an elementary school.  The ribbon I had in the cabinet.  Here is my door.

I have always wanted to use just red and aqua.

This was the perfect opportunity since we had no green.

 

The letters are cut from discarded book pages and then embellished with polka dots and stripes.  The backing for each letter is card stock wrapped in red paper.  I used the card stock inside so it would have a little more weight and hold the shape better.

 

The book pages added an extra dimension to the letters.

The stripes were cut out of paper with scrapbooking scissors

and glued on.  They are not perfect but that just adds more character.

Okay, the polka dots were just fun!

 

The Christmas balls were cut from book pages and then adorned with colored paper to resemble real decorated Christmas balls.  I left them loose so they would provide some movement to the door.  They are only secured by the ribbon taped to the back.

 

 

The Christmas balls are loose to provide some movement.

The swirls were a little bit challenging but turned out pretty well.

 

The paper garland down each side was the finishing touch.  Overall I really like the way it turned out.  I can't wait to see all the different ideas each class will create.  So grab your paper, glue and ribbon to decorate a door in your home this year.  This would be a great idea for an area that you normally don't decorate.  Remember only 20 days left!

 

Danna

 

Christmas Countdown 2014 - Gift Bags #21

Don't you just love the feel of Christmas?  I love the twinkling lights, handmade decorations and the pretty packages under the tree.  I appreciate a package that has been prepared with extra time and care.  An easy way to give your packages that added personal touch and remind the recipient how much you love them is handmade gift bags.
 

Yes, the tree is made from a book page.

 

Other fun Christmas bags I made.

 

Using plain brown bags you can add paper, die cuts etc. to decorate the bags.  This boosts the bag to a whole new level.  Here are some ideas to decorate your bags.

 

The book page tree was turned green by washing the page with green ink and a baby wipe.  Simply swipe the baby wipe lightly in the ink and apply to the book page in a circular motion.  Let it dry and cut out your shape.

 

I used a chalk ink but any ink will work.

I wanted a light tint on my page.

I used three different colors of ink to give a richer color scheme.

 

The other bags were made using scrapbook paper, cardstock, a die cut, buttons, paper doilies and cupcake liners.

 

The doll die cut was a scrapbook borer cut down.

The red polka dot paper is a cupcake liner.

The center green is a cupcake liner.

 I cut slits around the edge to add some dimension.

 

It doesn't take a lot of supplies to wrap your gifts in something special.  Taking the time to create a unique bag or other wrapping will be appreciated by those you love this holiday season.  Only 21 days left!

 

Danna

 

Christmas Countdown 2014 - Sheet Music Wreath #22

Looking for a new wreath to add to your décor this year?  Why not pull out that old sheet music and turn it into something wonderful.  The added bonus to this wreath is it weighs practically nothing.  So your husband will not complain that he can not find a stud to hang it on.

Made from an old hymnal.

Very lightweight but beautiful.

 

 

To begin you will need a piece of lightweight cardboard. The cardboard can be solid or have an opening it does not matter.

 

I used the end from a large ribbon spool.

 

Take your sheet music or hymnal pages and roll them into a cone shape and tape the end to secure.  Next flatten the cones to create your petals for your wreath.

 

Remove the pages from the hymnal carefully so the edges are straight.

Roll, tape and flatten your pages.

You will need a bunch of these to create your wreath.

 

Once you have a stack of flattened pages begin to glue them to your cardboard in a circular pattern.  The size of your wreath will be determined by the placement of your pages.  If you want your wreath small place them close to the center.  For a larger wreath pull them out toward the edge slightly.  Be sure that your cardboard is large enough and at least the bottom half of the page is glued to the cardboard.  This will prevent the edges from getting bent over time.

 

Secure your pages to the cardboard using any kind of glue.

 

I overlapped my pages slightly to give the wreath a full look with only one layer.  For a really full wreath add another row of pages on top of the first row.

 

To finish the center you can add any kind of embellishment you like.  I wanted mine to have a folded page circle with smaller embellishments in the very center for a little color.

 

In the very center of the folded page circle I added

fabric yo yo's and small musical ornaments. 

To create the folded circle take rectangular pieces of music and accordion fold them.  Then glue several sections together to create the circle. 

I used small binder clips to secure the sections until the glue dried.

The finished circle waiting for the glue to adhere.

 

Glue your center embellishments, add a ribbon hanger and your wreath is complete.  The finished wreath turned out to be even more beautiful than I imagined.  Remember Only 22 days left!

 

Danna

Christmas Countdown 2014 - Book Page Table Runner #23

If you are looking for a simple inexpensive table runner to use on your holiday table this project is for you.  Not only is the price right (practically free using existing supplies) you don't even have to worry about Uncle Bob spilling gravy and ruining your new table runner.  What could possibly provide all of this you ask - A Book Page Table Runner.

Yes it is made from book pages.

Simple, elegant and worry free!

If you did the project from day #26 you already have a discarded book.  If not grab that chapter book  you finished ages ago and have stacked in the give away pile.  Remove several pages very carefully.  The straighter the edges the less trimming you will have to do.

Place your pages back to back and tape together using tape.  You can make the runner any size you wish.  If you find it is a little too short add a few more pages.

Here is the discarded library book I used.  It had been well loved.

I used masking tape because that is what I had on hand. 

Clear tape will work just as well.





Once your pages are taped together turn your runner over and cut the outside edges with decorative scissors.  Or you could tear the edges for a more primitive look. 

Make sure the pages fit snugly together.

I used a curvy pair of scissors for a softer feel.

 

At this point you can leave your runner as is or if you want to add a little more pizazz you can decorate the front of the pages.  I used paper doilies and stamped a festive bird in the center.  Using a glue stick I attached the doilies to the runner.

 



Paper doilies are a great addition to this runner.

The stamp looks a little washed out which I think is a nice effect.

Glue the doilies over some of the seams to give the runner a more fluid feel.

 

That's it -- your table runner is done!  If you have neat guests your can reuse your runner if not, no worries just toss it in the trash after the festivities are done.  Simple to make and easy to clean up, now that is my kind of decorating.  Only 23 days left!

 

Danna

Christmas Countdown 2014 - Paper Pieced Table Runner #24

As you have figured out by now I enjoy the challenge of using up all my scraps when I am quilting.  This summer a friend gave me a large bag of her Christmas fabric scraps for me to use.  I was like a kid in a candy store.

Here is about a fourth of the scraps from the bag.

 

I used a large portion of the scraps to make Christmas table runners.  I used the larger pieces to make simple block patterns, coin and wide strip patterns.  When I was winding down my other patterns I was left with a large stack of strips in various sizes.  Oh, what could I do with these?  I settled on a paper pieced block.  I have done some paper piecing in the past and it is fairly easy.  The one thing I tend to forget is to make my stitch length really tight when stitching to the paper.  This allows for easy removal of the paper.

I cut squares of copy paper 4 1/4 square.  This size allowed me to get 4 squares per sheet of paper.  Below are the steps with pictures of how to build each square.

Step 1:

 Lay your first fabric strip diagonally across the center of the paper square.  You may want to pin this in place.

Step 2:
Take your next fabric strip and lay it on top of the first one.  Then stitch them together using 1/4 inch seam allowance. You will stitch through both fabric strips and the paper.

 Step 3:
Once these are sewn fold the second strip back against the paper and finger press.  You can take it to the iron but a finger press works just fine.

Step 4:
Now you are ready to add the next strip of fabric.  Follow the same steps as above to stitch this strip to the first two.

Step 5:
Continue to add strips until you reach the edge of the paper.  Be sure to  cover the corner completely with the last fabric strip.  Don't worry about the fabric coming over the edge of the paper you will trip it later to square it up.

Step 6:
When you have completed the first side turn your block around and follow the same steps to add strips to the other side.  Start from the center just like you did above.

Step 7:
When all of your strips are sewn press your block with the iron.  Press from the paper side.

Step 8:
Trim the extra fabric from your blocks to square them up.

 

This is a completed block, all trimmed.  

Step 9:
Remove the paper from the back of the block and press once more.

Now your block in complete are ready to be sewn into your quilt.






Here are some of my completed blocks. 

 

Here is the finished table runner.  I set mine with a light colored sashing so the Christmas colors would stand out better.  Be alternating the direction of the diagonals it created a running zigzag design.  Next I added an outer border and it was ready to be quilted.

 

I did simple straight line quilting 1/4 inch from each seam inside the striped blocks.  Around each sashing I quilted stitch in the ditch.

 

 

 This small pile is all that was left from the original pile of scraps.  Not bad for using up those small strips and pieces.  But of course these did not go in the trash.  I put them in a bag to be used for animal beds for the local animal shelter. 

 

I hope you seek out ways to use up every last bit of fabric.  If not find a friend to pass them on to and see what ideas they create.  Only 24 days until Christmas!

 

Danna