shannon: June 2011 Archives

As part of our international stocking challenge- I chose Nepal!  I know, right? I know what you're thinking... Odd choice...Nepal? Does Nepal even CELEBRATE Christmas??? No, nationally they do not. The reason I chose Nepal is because this 2 years ago I received a gift from a relative doing some world traveling, and she brought me some traditional broadcloth from Nepal- which happens to be printed with our celebrated Christmas colors of red, green and white!

Since this was very special fabric and realized I should use it wisely, I incorporated this Nepali fabric into the heels of our first Christmas stockings as newlyweds!  I wanted them to match, but still be unique to our own personal tastes; and the Nepali broadcloth added that perfect special touch to help our stockings match, but still be different. I, of course, chose owls and I chose this birch tree stripe broadcloth for my husband. He's not a woodsman, but his beard might indicate otherwise! J I interlined each stocking with batting, chose a glitzy Michael Miller green damask print to line each one, and attached deep red velvet cuffs. I roughly stitched our initials in DMC Floss on each stocking and used whatever ribbon I had laying around as the hang tab. 

The Christmas colors of the Nepali broadcloth make it perfect for holiday décor to treasure for years to come. Now I just have to figure out what to make with the remainder! Maybe save it for future children's stockings so they all coordinate together??? This has definitely put me in the Christmas spirit and I cannot wait! I've logged away many craft ideas for ornaments and gifts for this year and I should probably get started on them soon! It's only 6 months away! Of course I will blog about whatever things I'm making so stay tuned!

Hair accessories and DIY are on trend right now, and what a better way to 'up'cycle old items and use those fabric scraps than pretty headbands! Recently added to our inventory, Fabric.com has a variety of craft accessories to make this happen, such as hair accessory notions, glue gun and a variety of appliqués.

For this headband, you will need the foam headband and a scrap piece of very lightweight bunched fabric about 8'' wide and about a yard long (for ease, you can trim excess). Luckily, I had some Little Folks Voile scraps I simply can't part with. Secure one end with a glue gun and baste stitch, and just wrap the fabric around, hot gluing dots intermittently throughout the underside of the band to secure your fabric wrapping. At the end, cut off any excess fabric, fold the rough edge under, and hand stitch. You can use any old pins or brooches lying around to stick through the foamy headband!

Sleek and elegant, this is sure to make heads turns! Using this skinny ¼'' headband, take 1 ½' yard of 3/8'' double sided ribbon, secure the end with hot glue, and wrap around the headband tightly. Fold your rough edge and hot hot glue the other end. I chose this glitzy appliqué, cut come craft felt and hot glued the appliqué to my satin wrapped headband.

I've got about 10 vintage scarves lying around that I rarely wear. I love the way they look, but they don't ever stay in place on my head because they are so silky and lightweight! Using a 2'' wide headband as a base, you can recreate this effortless look and not have to readjust your headscarf. Find the center (or you can make it off-center) of a scarf and hot glue a strip of craft felt. Then hot glue the scarf to the headband by gluing the felt to the underside of the headband. Wrap the scarf around the headband till a little fabric is left draping over the edge. Knot the ends securing the scarf fabric in place and voila! Easy-peasy.

Got to get out the sewing machine for this one! For a 1/2'' wide flat headband- With right sides under, sew on the bias about a ¾'' - 1'' strip leaving one end open, and flip it right-side out. Turn under the excess fabric and hot glue it closed. I used coordinating fabric to make five 2 ½'' circles, folded them twice, and hot glued the corners to my fabric covered headband. In the center of my fabric embellishing, I simply wrapped small strip around to finish off my "frayed" look. Again, these fabrics are from the Little Folks Voile collection-scraps I just can't throw out in case of moments like these!

These are so easy, inexpensive, and so fun to do! The possibilities are endless!