Family Christmas Stockings

Growing up my family all had specialized Christmas stockings. They were little felt people to look like each of us. Mine had long yellow yarn hair in two pigtails. "I" was holding a candy cane and wearing a beautiful Christmas dress. I was heart broken to learn mine was thrown away along with 2 other siblings after a few large moves (house to house). I'm sad to know my original childhood stocking is gone.

I wanted to make some stockings for my own small family to have over the years. I made 2 of the stockings above for my husband and I (Daddy and Mommy).


Then I made 3 stockings (below) for my 2 year old son, baby due in March, and an extra (ya never know. . .) since I was making so many.
I chose to back the stockings for the parents and children in different fabric. I used warm and natural batting between muslin and the outside Christmas cotton print. My husband was with me at the store and he chose the soft white fabric for the tops.

December Advent Calendar

I have been reading homemade by jill and following along with the advent sew along. My ornaments are all cut out, just need some stitching (yes, I know it's December 4th today).

It was super easy and didn't take much time at all. I know this calendar will get much use over the years.

Where's Waldo Costume

My husband and I were "Where's Waldo and Wenda" for Halloween a few years ago. This year we recycled his costume and used it again!! My pregnant belly couldn't fit into mine.

How I made Waldo:

Shirt: I looked everywhere to find a red and white striped long sleeve shirt with one inch stripes. No luck. I finally decided to make my own. I bought two red long sleeve shirts at Goodwill. I then bought some knit white fabric and sewed my own stripes on the (inside out to hide the writing) red shirts. Make sure to use a small zig-zag stitch to allow your fabric to stretch when putting it on. Otherwise it will be a tight fit!

Glasses: Dollar store. I took out the glass that came with a pair of cheap reading glasses.

Pants: Nice Goodwill find if I don't say so myself.

Hat: Not the best hat in the world, but it did the job. White knit fabric with a red stripe sewn on the edge. There is also a red pom-pom on the top (can't tell in picture). I spent so much time on the shirt I didn't have much gusto left for the hat.

Cane: Not pictured and none was used. Thrift store or PVC pipe??

Shoes: Waldo's shoes are really brown, but my husband wore black.

Toddler Dog Costume

Little Puppy Dog.

A few years ago my sister made this costume for her son. She use the Butterick 6695 pattern. It's been a hit in our family! A total of 3 nephews and my son have worn this costume over the years! My sister did an excellent job of sewing it together.

Here's a "quick" view of the tail from the back.

I sure love his puppy dog face paint to complete the costume!

Yes, you've found Waldo (puppy's dad)! More on that later. . .

Happy Birthday Banner

This Banner can be used for years and years! Male or Female. It's an extra way to make your loved ones feel recognized and acknowledged on their special day.

To begin cut 16 triangles out of your choice of fabric. 5-6" wide by 8" long. I used different patterns with no rhyme or reason. Fabric can be totally random or there can be a pattern. You can also keep them all the same color if you wanted - anything goes. Just make sure you have 18.

Then, cut 18 triangles the same size for the backing. I used orange. 36 triangles total!

NOTE: I apologizing for not having pictures for this section. Each purchase of wonder under comes with directions. Refer to them as well.

Trace your letters onto wonder under. You can use stencils or make your own font/letters on paper. Making sure your letters are backwards (mirror image) when you are looking at the iron on side. The sticky side you peal off should be the correct way to read the letter. Cut the letters out loosely (they do not need to be perfect at this point).

Peal off the sticky side of the wonder under and place on the fabric you will use for the letters. Iron in place for about 6-10 seconds. Once they are fused, cut along the letter lines exactly.

Now you are ready to put the letters onto your patterned triangles. Peal off the wonder under, place the letter on triangle and press/iron into place.

Sew around each letter. Make the stitch length very narrow with a zigzag stitch. Don't forget the inside of your letters ;) You can also hand stitch a wide baste for a different look.

Once your letters are ironed on your fabric and the stitching is complete, match each letter with a colored back. Stitch the two triangles together with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Once the stitching is complete cut the seam allowance with pinking shears. This will give your edges a simple finished look.

Take each completed letter triangle and arrange them in order of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" leaving a plain colored triangle at the beginning, end, and in between the two words.

Pin the letters inside the bias tape and sew in place.

I did not make my own bias tape for this project, but you sure can! It might be fun to add another fun fabric to the mix. For time's sake I purchased 2 pre-made 3 yard bias tape packages from Jo Ann Fabric. One package is enough to go across the letters, but you want to make sure you have extra for the ties at the end. Make sure it is extra wide! This will allow you to utilize the 3 folds already ironed in

Sew closed the extra bias tape ends and stitch along bottom for closure.

Banner folded in half

Make sure to leave room on each side for hanging the banner up! Enjoy! I hope this adds to many Happy Birthday's to come.

Idea from my lovely sisters. We started making these at a recent "Sister's Get Together".

Happy Halloween from The Flintstones!

The Flintstones. Yabadabadoo!

Yes, I know that Bam Bam is really Barney and Betty Rubble's child, but since we have a son and not a daughter . . . you understand.

For Wilma's earrings and necklace I used Styrofoam craft balls. I put string though all the balls for the necklace and hoked my small hoop earrings to the other balls.

Fred Flintstone - Halloween Costume

60" Wide felt. Simple rectangle with arms and head cut outs. Cut jagged edges at the arms and bottom.

Cut a large tie out of blue fabric.

To make the animal print, I cut out black triangle-ish shapes.

Pin them in place and either glue, machine or hand stitch them on. My project tonight is to finish basting them on by hand. I'm afraid the glue won't last too long with a small child tugging on them all night.

Bam Bam Flintstone - Halloween costume

Bam Bam Flintstones Costume! This year the whole family is going as the Flintstones.

Simple elastic waistband skirt with cut hem.

Measure the correct amount of fabric to go around his chest from the waist. connected in the same spot front and back of waist band. No need to hem or finish the ends :)

I won't be making that hat because it won't stay on my boys head (love to take things off!). I have yet to decide what the club will be made of. My husband thinks paper mache - not sure I have the time. He might have to use a wooden kitchen spoon!