Felt Christmas Ornaments + My Christmas Tree

For my new Christmas tree theme I found some sweet ornaments at IKEA that are very traditional Scandinavian and very simple.  So I bought some, but thought it would be fun (and economical) to make some of my own!  I was inspired by this post as well.

I used some inexpensive felt sheets from Hobby Lobby and some embroidery thread to add details.  I did a blanket stitch around the edges and very lightly filled them with stuffing.  I've done a blanket stitch before, but needed some refreshing so I used this youtube video, if you're interested. :)

I sort of forgot how small my tree was, so I didn't need to make too many to fill up my empty spaces.  I thought I would make a bunch that were similar, but it was too fun coming up with new shapes and patterns!  My favorite one is the star I made for the top of the tree.  I think its perfect.

And then when I put on my tree skirt it just looked so flat and limp, so my mother-in-law helped me fluff it up with some blankets and pillows.  (sorry about the cords in the back, no excuses today)

And the whole tree shot: (minus the star on top. . . this was taken on Sunday before the star was made, but I like that its taken in natural light, which is a luxury I don't have during the week!)

Have you set up your Christmas tree yet?

DIY Christmas (Stockings and ruffle tree skirt)

My husband has a very strict policy about Christmas music and decor.  Not until after Thanksgiving.  Me?  I say when ever the mood strikes after Halloween.  Like last week, it was so warm I wasn't really feelings the Christmas music until Friday's snow storm.  And then it was Tran Siberian Orchestra on Pandora all day long.

But regardless of your personal feelings as to when the Christmas season begins, the truth is if you're going to DIY Christmas presents or decor you're going to have to start before Thanksgiving.  So the other day I did something I've been threatening to do for three years: Made our Christmas stockings!!  Seriously I bought the fabric soon after we were married (Nov 21) and I always think of it post Thanksgiving.  Not this year.  And do you know how long those three stockings took me?  Maybe an hour each.  Nap time + an hour after bedtime and I was DONE! 

You'll have to excuse the picture quality.  By the time I get home from work, natural light is hard to come by!

My second DIY for Christmas this year was a ruffle tree skirt (tutorial here).  I made one last year for my student's donation to Festival of Trees, but it got donated before I got a post written about it.  My husband did take a picture of it when we went to the festival, but I'm excited to finally be posting details about this project!

Last year's tree skirt went with the "Christmas Orange" themed tree. 

I found a drop cloth that was 6' x 9'.  I cut it in half to so I had two 4 1/2' pieces and then folded them into a triangle to square it up.  And then I folded it in half a few more times and rounded the edge to make a circle.

 After adding just one layer of ruffles it starts looking so pretty!

After all the ruffles are done!  Do I cut that extra fabric at the top?  Add another ruffle?  Not worry about since presents will probably cover it?  (Probably the last one)

I'll probably put up my whole tree this weekend, so pictures coming Tuesday!!

Somethings I did differently than the tutorial:

• I used unbleached muslin for more of a homespun look.  (linen would be so much more expensive!)
• I thought about getting extra muslin for the base, but I'm glad I went with the drop cloth as its a little heavier weight and I feel like it will last longer.  
• I needed 2 1/4 yards of 90" muslin and I cut my strips into 3 1/2" instead of 2" because I didn't want it to take forever and honestly the pictures in the tutorial look like the strips are wider than 2". 
• I wish I hadn't cut the circle in the middle until the end because I didn't end with the perfect amount of space at the end. 
• Its so much easier than it sounds! 

Up next, some DIY Christmas ornaments!

What Christmas projects do you have going on this year?  Share!!

Linking up with: 

Fall Fireplaces

I'm not sure I'll be allowed to keep blogging about interior design if I don't do a post about fall mantlescapes.  My biggest hurdle?  I don't have a fireplace!!  My mother-in-law does a gorgeous mantle for Christmas, so I'll share a picture of that in December. In the mean time I'll just show you some of my favorite fall mantles from blog land and dream about the day I have my very own fireplace. 

Emily used some branches and tree trimmings from her yard!  I love it, and it works perfectly for October and November.

Source: emilyaclark.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

At first glance would you even believe these awesome flowers are made of brown paper bags?  Genius.

Source: homemademodern.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

I love how these pumpkins/gourds have the ombre look going. 

Source: thenester.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

These banners made of burlap add just the perfect rustic touch to this Thanksgiving mantle.

Source: proverbs31girl.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

This fabric scrap garland is darling.  I want to make one for every holiday!  And birthdays!

Source: evamscott05.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

One of my very first fall pins from last year.  It might be a little late in the month for Halloween decor, but the fall leaves in the vases would transition to November nicely. 

Source: sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Did you decorate your mantle this season?  Leave a link in the comments so I can see!!

Guest Posting at Living Savvy!

Good morning!  Today I am posting at Living Savvy about my My Five Fall Favorite Kid Decoration.  I had so much fun helping the kids I nanny make Halloween and fall decorations for their house, go over and check it out!

Easy Valentine's Decor

I've never been that into decorating for holidays.  I decorate for Christmas a little, but that's about it.  My husband says when we get our own house we're going to stock up on Halloween decorations, its his favorite.

Before Olivia was even born my mom bought her some Olivia Valentines.  We're going to use them and give them to her classmates, but we had some extra and I decided to make a little decoration for her room!  Maybe having kids will make me more inclined to decorate.

I picked out my favorite Valentines from the box and arranged them on a spare piece of mat board I had (I have a lot of mat board scraps from teaching interior design)  I used rubber cement because it doesn't make the paper wrinkle like glue would (a glue stick would also work, but they run out/dry out too fast for use in my classroom, so I have a lot of rubber cement on hand!)  It needed something else, so I added the Olivia heart and the smaller heart in the center.  I love it!  And I love that I can just hang it on her closet door knob!  I'd love to see what Valentine's Day Decorations you've got going on!