Christmas Wreath and Tree shirt

I skipped out on my Relief Society Christmas dinner so I could finish these two projects last night. The wreath I decided to do while at Erin's house last week and bought most of the supplies then. I used kidney beans and hot glued them to the wreath form. If I ever do one again, I'll try to find a bigger bean. It took me about 3 hours to glue them all on the wreath, but I had a book on cd to listen to so I was ok. The spray painting was quick and easy. I don't really like the bow... I wasn't thinking and bought glitter ribbon so now I have glitter everywhere, and I'd rather have something more full and bow-y, but I couldn't find what I wanted in the store and will have to do some research on how to make one. But it'll do for now.


I saw the idea for the ribbon tree shirt and this blog. I really couldn't find the kind of ribbon I had in mind for it at Joann's. They didn't seem to have a large selection of Christmas ribbon so I just had to make due with what I could find. I think I've seen Christmas ribbon at Michael's but I didn't want to make another trip out there. It was a really easy project. I ironed on interfacing on the back side of the front of the shirt and pined down the ribbons really well. I'm not very good at sewing on knit but it worked out well. I couldn't get Eva to sit still to get a good picture. I'm making another one for Grace so once that's done hopefully I can get the two girls together with their matching shirts!

**Update**

I found a tutorial for a quick bow online and used a twist tie to attach it to the front of the wreath hanger. I still don't love it, but it's much better. I think I need to trim the ends... maybe take out that back bow all together?

Grace's Dress

This is the dress that I made for Grace. I used this tutorial here. My version isn't nearly so well done. There are quite a few mistakes and many things I will do differently if I ever make another one. Mainly the pleats. I've never really done pleats before and I had a really hard time trying to get them to look how I thought they should. I finally just gave up and sewed it as is. I think though, I understand how to do them now. Next time I'll also sew the skirt higher on the shirt since the weight of the skirt is stretching the shirt out and I don't really like how that looks. I'll also make the sash wider. Grace really likes it though and wears it often and I feel confident that I could make a better one next time.

* I forgot I already wrote about this dress.

Pleated dress for Grace

I finished the dress for grace today that I have been working on. Not working on really. What I mean is that the material has been sitting on my desk for the past three weeks and I finally did something about it today. I don't have pictures yet but as soon as I do i'lladd them to this post as well as the link where I got the idea. Anyway, I think the dress turned out ok. Actually for a first time making clothes it's pretty good I think. Some things I learned are that I'm not very good at squaring up fabric. Also I really have no idea how to make pleats. And I'm not at all good at sewing with knits. Once it all came together though it turned out cute. At least while grace is wearing it because then she is always moving so you can't see any of the mistakes. I think she likes it but I don't think it will be a favorite. And that's ok. I really would like to get better at making clothes for my girls. Not all there clothes, just some select pieces. I'm not really interested in making clothes for Sam, poor boy. But there are some really cute patter out there for girls. I just wish I had someone close by to help me through the hard parts. I could really have used some help with those pleats today. They look nothing like the tutorial.

1st Christmas Sampler

I bought the cross stitch book Donna Kooler's 555 Christmas Cross-Stitch Designs in 2006. I think I first saw it in my local library. Anyway, I had the idea of stitching some of the small designs on dish towels to give as gifts that year, but I think I only finished 2 of them. My biggest hang-up was that I couldn't find towels that I liked, and I didn't know how to do a french knot. Anyway, there are 4 or 5 samplers in the book and I thought I'd do three of them for family presents. Yeah, way unrealistic. I started the one above and it took me a year to finish it. I had planned on giving it to my brother Spencer and his wife Anna but after it was done and framed I realized I had invested so much of my time and money ($200 for framing!) I just had to keep it. Very selfish I know. I did stitch them a snowman Merry Christmas banner thing that turned out cute. I wish I had a picture of it. Anyway, I really enjoy getting this out every year and hanging it at Christmas time. Though I left out all the french knots!

I'm currently working on another sampler from the same book. Not even 1/4 of the way into it so it probably wont be ready any time soon.

Cross Stitch

This is one of first projects that I ever actually finished. I'm pretty good at getting started on projects. Actually, what I'm good at is buying the materials for a project that then sits on my desk for weeks and months. When I do get started, I'm good for a few days, but if it takes longer then that, chances are it could be a looooong time before the project is finished. I bought this kit of three bird scenes I think the first year we moved to Pullman. I think I finished the cardinal first, and then the project sat for months. I'm pretty sure it took me at least a year, maybe even two to finish this. I framed it myself because we didn't have the funds to get it professionally done. Hopefully the matte they're stuck too wont discolor the material. I really like this piece. It hangs in my living room and I still enjoy looking at it every day.