Holiday Stocking Tutorial

These holiday stockings are one of my favorite holiday projects. I've made more than I can count. I've given them as gifts to friends and sold them at our holiday tag sales.

 

And the fun part is that no two are ever exactly alike!

 

Last year we put one on the wreath we donated to our local arts council wreath auction.

 

And Megan has one hanging on the hutch in her dining room.

 

 

Now here's the scoop on how to make one of your own. You can change up the size, the fabric and the embellishments. What a great way to use the little odds and ends you have on hand. Just start with a simple stocking shape. Since I usually make them in batches, I draw a pattern on a piece of poster board. But you can draw right on your fabric. Just double your fabric, wrong sides together.

 

Cut our your stocking and stitch it up, leaving the top open for stuffing.
 

This is what your stocking looks like just after stitching.

 

At this point I like to iron it so the edges are nice and crisp.
 

 

 Then just fold down the top about an inch or so and add a loop for hanging. I like to stitch the loop for security and use a bit of hot glue on the underside of the fold.
 

 

 Next the entire stocking gets stuffed with batting.
 

 

I like an organic feel, so I cover the top with moss. A little hot glue holds it all together.

 

 

Now you get to decorate your stocking with whatever you like. I usually start with a wide piece of ribbon or burlap.

 

 

Then add branches, greenery and berries, whatever you have on hand. And don't limit yourself to a holiday mix. I especially like ferns and a mix of greens. Just hot glue it all in place leaving space for another layer of ribbon.
 

 

Now your glue is completely hidden and everything is secure.

 

Just tie it up nice and pretty!
 

 

 

Then for a finishing touch, add a little more moss and embellishments like bells, ornaments, pinecones, etc...
 

 

And there you have it...

 

 

a cute little stocking!

 

 

Actually, I think they are fun when they are kind of big. These stockings were about 24 inches from top to toe. But like I said, you can make any size you like.

 

 

And I've used all sorts of fabrics, including vintage ticking, dropcloth scraps and burlap.

And for a snowy look, give your stocking a light spritz with spray adhesive and dust with snow.

If you've been here before, you know I rarely make just one of something. So every holiday season there is a day or two when I wake up and just make stockings all day long. It's commonly known around here as the stocking frenzy!

I'm linking to...

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Shanty 2 Chic

Craftberry Bush

 

 

Be Inspired Features and Link Party #49

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!
 

I always find the first two weeks of December to be crazy - there's just so much to do right from the start. But I feel like I'm catching my breath this week and really enjoying the magic of the season! So how about you, are you feeling relaxed or still a little bit frazzled?

 

I know one thing for sure, you definitely had some awesome projects to share. Here are just a few that caught my eye...

 

Sue from Uniquely Yours Or Mine! shared this beautiful dresser she painted for her daughter's room. I love the way the gold pulls just pop against the white!

 

 

And Holly from Holly Do gave her son's room a new look with this cool license plate dresser!

 

 

I love everything this about this sideboard turned TV cabinet from Deb at Lake Girl Paints that includes an awesome family stamp!

 

  

This vintage radio cabinet comes from Kathy at Petticoat Junktion. The soft shades of yellow are just aged to perfection!

 

 

I love the addition of the vintage papers on the shelves of this sweet red table from Suyari at Vintage Breeze!

 

 

Fiona from Lilyfield Life shared a stunning pair of Windsor Carver chairs!

 

  

And how cool is this vintage suitcase table from Erica at Tattered Elegance!

 

There are so many beautiful mantels out there, but this one from Athena at Minerva's Garden is pretty and unique. I love the mix of architectural salvage and the greenery from Athena's culinary bay tree. Oh, I bet that smells delicious!

 

And clementines took center stage on this pretty and rustic tablescape at The Cape On The Corner. Love the pretty dishes and it's a look that would look great all winter long. Just imagine dinner here on a cold snowy night! ... And this made me smile because Megan has clementines on her dining room table too!

 

 

 Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back! If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!
 

 

Now on to this week's party...

 

* Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!

* Grab a party button and add it to your post or link back in some way. You must have a visible link back to be considered for a feature!
 

* And be sure to follow along with us!

We'll be back next week with features and a brand new party.
Now let's share some inspiration!

 

 

 

Ornament Wreaths

I am the resident wreath-maker at Elizabeth & Co. I just love making them, bows too. I especially love ornament wreaths. Last year Megan and I had a craft day and we each made one of our own.

 

 

You can check out our tutorial here.

 

 

Then in early January, my ornament wreath came crashing down! Ouch! I had used a very small nail in my vintage door and the weight of the wreath pulled the nail right out.

 

 

So yesterday I broke out some more ornaments and made a few repairs. All better! And that nail has been replaced by a hefty screw!

 

 

My blog friend Amanda over at Mommy is Coocoo shares my love of ornament wreaths.

 

 

We featured her Valentine's Day ornament wreath last February. I'm still swooning over that one!

 

 

And Amanda has a wonderful holiday tradition going - an ornament wreath giveaway. How exciting is that! Head on over to Mommy is Coocoo and this lovely wreath could be hanging in your home by Christmas! A winner will be selected on December 8th!

 

 

 

So how is your holiday decorating coming along? I'm hoping to put the finishing touches on my house today. I better get busy!

 

 

Be Inspired Features and Link Party #48

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!
 

December has finally arrived and the holiday season has officially begun.  But doesn't it seem like it really started weeks ago? December just might be my favorite month of the year, but sometimes it feels like you need to have all the decorating done, the presents wrapped and the cookies baked by December 1st or else you are already way behind. That's a lot of pressure. I hope you are taking your time and enjoying every moment!

 

I know that I enjoyed all the fabulous links you shared last week. Here are just a few that caught my eye...

 

 

Can you believe that this chair was once covered with green eagles? Doreen from Hymns and Verses studied slipcover tutorials and worked some serious sewing magic on this beauty!

 

 

Then Susan over at Uniquely Yours or Mine! worked some magic of her own on this gorgeous tufted chair, complete with 35 covered buttons!

 

 

Last week I featured a lovely French Provincial dresser in blue from Sue at Uniquely Chic. This week Sue shared the matching highboy, but this one got a completely different look. And thanks to a missing pull, she had the opportunity to make it even more special!

 

  

Lily Field Furniture always has beautiful furniture pieces to share, like this amazing soft grey highboy!

 

 

Or maybe this antique glass cabinet is you favorite. I love the contrast of the beautiful paper backing!

 

 

So what do you do when the table of your dreams costs well over your budget? Well you build your own of course! And that's just what happened over at  Carissa Miss.

 

From bright shiny gold to soothing blue, this yard sale find chandelier from Restoration Redoux is simply stunning!

 

Nancy at The Headmistress took a collection of treasures that all had special meaning and created this lovely one-of-a-kind wreath!

 

 Then Aimee from Twigg Studios shared  her beautiful snowy pinecone wreath, along with tips on how to get closed pinecones to open. You know how much I love pinecones!

 

 And how pretty is this rustic nature inspired tablescape from Creative Country Mom's!

 

 Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back! If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!
 

 

Now on to this week's party...

* Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!

* Grab a party button and add it to your post or link back in some way. You must have a visible link back to be considered for a feature!

* And be sure to follow along with us!

We'll be back next week with features and a brand new party.
Now let's share some inspiration!