Handmade Christmas Gifts

Today I want to share some of my handmade Christmas gifts that I've made so far.  This is a picture of a set that I made for my Mom.  It's a hanging towel, table runner, and potholders.  (Obviously ;)

 

Here's the group of hanging towels I made.  I'm thinking probably teacher gifts and such.  They're fun, cute and pretty easy to sew up!  Here is the link to the pattern that I used: Hanging Towel Pattern



Some of the towels I used were a little fat.  I'd go with a skinnier variety next time.

 

These table runners were fun to make and turned out great.  I found a great tutorial on how to make them here: Table Runner Tutorial  I hope my Aunts enjoy them. 
 

 





I only made two sets of potholders, because they were kind of a pain in rear.  But they turned out decent.  ;)  And again, here's the tutorial I followed:  Potholders Tutorial

Now, the past couple of nights I have made these cute mandalas.  It's fun to learn new crochet patterns.  And I just thought these were darling.  Check out the website where the pattern is:  Mandala Pattern

Thanks for stopping by!


-Katie

 





The stockings were hung...

Today, the stockings were hung...

 

This was a fun little project for the afternoon.  My house lacks a fireplace for the stockings.  I found a similar idea on pinterest.  And of course, I had more pallets on hand!  And a wonderful husband to take more apart for me.  :) 

 

I started by sanding two boards, then painting them a light tannish color.  (I just use whatever I have on hand.) 

 

 

It turned out cool...kind of antique-like, which was awesome, because I didn't even have to try!  I love it when things just work out like that. 

Next I found some free fonts, also on pinterest.  Click here for fonts.  I printed them out and taped them in place.

 

 

I just traced around the letters, real firm like...firm enough to make a bit of an indentation in the wood.

 

 

So, as it turns out.  This picture is really awful.  I was trying to show the indentations, because they really were spectacular.  Anyway, then I proceeded to paint the letters.  Again, with another color of paint I already had. 

 

 

Not too bad, eh? 

 

 

After letting it dry for a while, I flipped it over and screwed in these brackets to hold the two pieces together. 

 

 

Then I attached 4 knobs to the second piece of pallet wood.  And there we have it, the perfect piece for hanging stockings.  I even got a couple of high fives from my boys for a job well done.  Now that's what I call a great afternoon!

 

I'm thrilled with how it turned out.  Just never mind the paneling that it hangs on.  (As soon as the papers are signed within the next couple of weeks or so, it will be mine to change!)

 

 

Thanks for letting me share another project with you.

 

 

- Katie

 





Making a super cute apron!

Hello again!  Today, I spent my day making an apron for a Christmas gift for my very fashionable cousin.  (I don't think she knows anything about this blog, so I should be safe.)  The picture above is me trying the apron on and my littlest man wanted to get in on the action.  I very nearly decided to keep it for myself, but I've got to keep plucking away at these homemade gifts!  Christmas will be here before I know it! 

 

I did not have an actual pattern to make this apron.  I just used one that I had to copy cat and make the cutouts.

 

 First I started with the neck and waist straps.  I made 3 straps 22 inches long and about 3 inches wide.  Next fold them in half lengthwise with right sides together, pin & sew along the one short edge and the long edge on two of the straps.  The 3rd strap, just sew along the long edge.  Then turn the straps right side out and press flat.

 

 

Then stitch along all the edges.

 



Next on to the main part of the apron.  I just cut it out, pinned the edges to make a nice hem.  I added some red trim, because I know it will look just stunning on her.  :)

 

 

Here I have all the edges sewed up nicely and my machine didn't even give me a hard time!  It is a 1981 Singer, handed down from my Grandma.  It's older than me....barely.  I turned 30 yesterday.  It was a sad, sad day.

 

 

I added a pocket with red trim, sewed the straps on and voila!  An apron!

 

Now, I am a fairly new seamstress, so any comments or suggestions are highly recommended!  And appreciated!  :)

 

Thanks for stoppin' by.

 

- Katie

 



 







Fun Hand Towels!

Does your hand towel seem to disappear or fall to the floor as often as mine?

 

I found this idea on pinterest and printed out the pattern.

Click here for the pattern.

 

Or maybe you just need to spruce up your kitchen with these colorful hand towels. 

 

And gifts?!  What a fantastic idea for gifts!  I'm all about making Christmas gifts this year. 

 

This is just what I started with...I'm thinking a different hand towel for each season or holiday.  How much fun are these?!

 



Thanks for stopping and I apologize for the lack of photos. 

I'll get the hang of it one of these days!  :)

 

-Katie

Welcome Sign...Made from a wood pallet!

I've been wanting to make something from pallet wood for a while now.  Finally found something I really liked.  So, for starters, I very nicely asked my husband to drive out to my brother's ranch and load up some old pallets.  He was thrilled.  ;)

 

This was MY project.  However, taking these babies apart without ruining them was much more difficult than I had imagined.  So, once again, my hubby had to help me.  Ok now it's MY project.  Oh wait, not quite yet.  He cut them in half for me, too.

 

First I sanded each board real well.  Then put a stain on them.  It turned out darker than I thought, but still looked good.

 

 

 

Next I used liquid nails to attach them to a thin piece of plywood, which I had to cut all by myself, because Man #1 was at work and I wasn't waiting. 

Then I printed out the lettering I wanted and transferred it to the sign and painted it. 

 

 

Now I had to find some boards in good shape for the frame.  Cut them to the right length, sanded and painted them black.  Using liquid nails, I attached them to the plywood.  And added some brackets to the frame to keep it all together.

 

I let the liquid nails sit over night to make sure it got good and sturdy.  This is how I hung it....So far so good.  This thing is pretty darn heavy!

 

 

My plan was to hang this sign on the outside of my house next to one of the doors.  Well, it ended up way too big.  So, it's on the wall in the house.  First thing you see when you walk in.  I'm real happy with how it turned out.  And I have a new found respect for carpenters. 

 

 

So, I did a little better with the pictures this time! 

 

Guess I will just have to make another one the right size for outside.

 

 

- Katie



DIY Bathroom Curtains

DIY Bathroom Curtains

 

I'm ecstatic about these curtains.  I have been looking and looking and looking for curtains for my main bathroom for a year now.  Finally I had one of those lightbulb moments....I know!  I'll make some curtains.  Duh!  I ordered 2 yards of fabric that I found on ebay and within 1 1/2 hours I had my curtains! 

 

They were so easy.  I measured out what I needed, hemmed all sides, then made a wide casing on top for the rod to slide through.  I made two tiebacks with what I had left of the fabric.  Just cut them out, hemmed them and made button holes on each end.  Button holes are not my favorite thing.  I'm just hoping nobody takes too close of a look! 

 

I'm so thrilled with how they turned out.  It's amazing what curtains will do for a room.  It feels so much warmer now.  Next up will be curtains for the boys' bedrooms.  Just need to do some more fabric shopping!  Oh darn!  :)

 

 

Katie



Iron on Wall Art!

My family and I have been in our home for a year now.  The boys' walls still had some bare spots.  I found this super cute idea on pinterest to be able to iron fabric onto the wall! 

 

Sorry, since I'm new to this blogging world, I didn't get pictures of the entire process.  More like just the finished product.  Will have to work on that. 

 

My oldest son loves animals to no end....and I mean to NO end.  The youngest is currently into race cars.  

 

I found a cool font and printed out the letters. 

 

Next I made squares of fabric and squares of Heat 'n' Bond large enough for the letters.  (Heat 'n' Bond for light fabrics.)

 

Then iron the squares of Heat 'n' Bond onto the back of the fabric according to the directions on the Heat 'n' Bond label. 

 

Next I traced the letters backwards on the paper.  (I swear this was the hardest part of the project, to make my brain work backwards!) 

 

Anyway, then cut them out, remove the paper backing and iron on the wall! 

 

Now, supposedly you are able to remove the decals without harming the wall.  I have not removed any of them, so if you're concerned at all, better test it! 

 

Here is the first one and it turned out great!  I added a couple of fun animals.  When Landon got home from school I got a big hug and he said, "You're the best mom I've ever had!"  :)

 

 

Casey's turned out cute, too.  But now he wants an animal one.  Tomorrow it will be a superhero one, then back to race cars.....He's 4.

 

 

So, that's it!  And I totally plan to make more of all kinds for our home.  It's easy and looks great!

 

Let me know what you think or if you have questions! 

 

- Katie

 

 

 



I'm a new bloggin' momma!

Ok, the title may be confusing.  I'm a new blogger...not a new momma.  I am a happily married almost 30 year old mother of two charming young men.  Just recently the crafty, creative side of me has been trying to bust loose.  I hope to share my projects with anyone interested.  And appreciate any feedback.  Sewing, crocheting and some pallet projects will be posted in the near future.  And I must add that Pinterest may have had something to do with it.  ;)  Thanks for stopping by!

This is me.