In Everything Give Thanks

I decided this year I wanted to find a fun way to teach my son about gratitude. I remembered seeing a countdown calendar with activity cards a few years ago and thought that would be perfect. And then I saw this pattern with patchwork pockets and I fell in love. Patchwork has my heart, it's my favorite.

I had to enlarge the pockets a bit to get the cards to fit and I also made the rows have 5 pockets each (that was a boo boo on my part, but I went with it). Of course I changed the embroidery to reflect the holiday and I also added a rod pocket on the back for hanging. The muslin I used ended up having a more open weave so I backed it with interfacing to help stabilize it better. 

Now that I've made one I think I got all the kinks worked out. I plan on making a Christmas version for both my son and my niece, so you will be seeing more of this cute pattern.

Pattern: Quilted Advent Calendar by Sew Sweet Violet
Activity Cards:  Thanksgiving Countdown Cards by Everyday Celebrations
Fabric:

• Cream cherries: Unknown designer (found in my local quilt shop's scrap bin)
• Taupe pumpkins: Home for the Harvest by Heather Mulder Peterson for Henry Glass
• All others: Welcome Fall by Deb Strain for Moda
• Background: muslin found at Hobby Lobby
• Stabilizer: Shape-Flex SF101 by Pellon
• Backing + binding: Postcards from the Lodge by Pela Studios for Windham Fabrics

Embroidery Floss: DMC 498, 729, 367, 920, and 898
1/2" wide cotton twill tape found here (color: natural)
Stamp set and fabric ink: found at Hobby Lobby (use a coupon!)

Fall Wreath 2012: Work In Progress

I wanted to show you this year's version of my fall wreath. You all remember last year's version, right?

2011 wreath Tutorial found here

Here is this year's version...

Fall Wreath 2012

It's a work in progress, as you can see there's no banner and it's looking rather bare. I was going to make the banner the same way I did it last year but my printer conked out on me. So now I have to think of another way.

I'm also hoping to make two banners and change them out. One will say 'Happy Harvest' and the other 'Give Thanks'. Once it's finished I will show you the finished product. :)

Fall Wreath Tutorial

I love the fall, don't you? The cooler weather, the smells of pumpkin spice and of course, the colors! Today I made a wreath because I love the colors of fall so much. So let's dive into my first ever tutorial!

Supplies:
1 - 18 inch grapevine wreath
About 4 bunches of flowers, berries or whatever you desire on your wreath
Some scrapbook paper
Stamps and ink pad (if you choose to create the banner this way)
Twine, ribbon or something to string the banner
Wire cutters
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler

I have two of everything because Michael's was having an awesome sale (2 for $5 wreaths and 40% off fall florals!) that I couldn't pass up

Ok, got everything you need? Good. First thing you want to do is to lay down some sort of covering on whatever surface you're working on. Grapevine wreath are kinda messy, and it's just easier clean up.

Next, you need to turn those bunches into singles. If your bunch has a plastic handle (see below) just snip the individual stems at the base, as close to the handle as possible.

If your bunches are held together by florist tape (like below), use your scissors to carefully score the stems and separate the flowers.

When all your bunches are separated you should have a nice size pile of fall pretties. Here is where the fun part starts. :) Start arranging your flowers in a design that you like, bend the stems to get the flowers to lay flat while you are working on your design.

This is the design that I came up with.


Ok, now you need to flip your wreath over to the back side very carefully. Find all the stems from the flowers and twist them into the wreath so that the flower doesn't fall out and it blends in to the wreath. You may have to flip your wreath over a few times and test all the flowers to see which ones you've missed.


On to the banner, you can do this one of 3 ways:
1. You print your letters onto scrapbook paper
2. You hand write your letters onto the paper
3. You stamp your letters onto the paper
I did it the first way, but it's probably much easier the other ways. Anyways, if printing select your font and size, then print onto a sheet of 8.5"x11" scrapbook paper in a coordinating color - the simpler the paper the better. Mine is mossy green with raised polka dots.


Next, cut out the letters into 1" wide by 3" long rectangles leaving more room at the top. Snip little triangles into the bottom of each letter. They don't have to be perfect, the imperfections give the wreath more character.

Next, measure 1/2 of an inch from the top of each letter and use your ruler to get a crisp fold.

I didn't take a photo of this part (so sorry!) but it's pretty self explanatory. Take your ribbon/twine/string and put inside the fold of the letter. Use hot glue to close it shut. You can have your letters close or far apart, it's really up to you.

Next, find where you want to tie the ends of the banner and make a simple knot. Hot glue that knot and then wrap the string around and knot again, hot glue that second knot. Do the same for the other side. Measure the ends of your string to the bottom of your end letters and cut.


And voila, it's done! Now go hang it on a door or in your house.


Isn't it so pretty and welcoming? :) I love walking up to my front door now!


Remember I said I bought two of everything? I made a second wreath, slightly different than the first. The possibilities are endless!


Hope you enjoyed my first tutorial. Now go out and make one yourself. Happy Fall! :)

Linking up here:
Craftaholics Anonymous
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating