Let the Christmas crafting begin!

OK, I should have written this post three months ago (maybe I did?), but I'm ready now to start knocking off my Christmas to-do list. More than ready. I have that poundy-in-my-heart desire to spend the next five weeks banging out the crafts. My friend Nissa suggested coffee, candy and illegal substances to power me through, and I told her as long as hot glue guns count as illegal substances I'm all set.

I'm not confident that it's going to be a 100 percent handmade Christmas this year, though, as originally planned. The clock is ticking and my freelance gigs are piling up. Plus, there's at least one cookbook on my wish list and I know J isn't about to write out all 1,080 recipes by hand.

So, drum roll please, here's Christmas Craft No. 1 ...

Felt dot garland!

This was inspired by a Martha Stewart project several years ago where she (or I should say, "her people") made garland out of string and those round stickers you use for garage sales.

This felt version is super easy. Just cut circles of whatever colors you want, then run them through the sewing machine one by one, overlapping just a bit as you feed them through.

I'm actually multitasking here because this is going to be part of a how-to article I'm writing for the newspaper about Christmas tree ornaments.

This concept doesn't have to be limited to Christmastime. Wouldn't it be cute to cut a bunch of red and pink hearts, sew them in a line and hang them from doorways on Valentine's Day? But that's another to-do list for another day ...

Comments

[nis]

Mimi, that is super duper cute. I love it! I also like the trees but since you did not mention pulling out your scroll saw then am I to gather that you purchased those?! (Glue gun is fine, but if it is concealed then make sure you have your permit!)

[Whitney]

Gosh, I love these! The color is just perfect. :-) Where did you find those trees?!?

[Megan]

I meant to say two other things in that post:
-I regretted not cutting the circles with pinking shears or a scallop-edged scissors. Could be super cute.
and
-I wanted people to feel comfortable to make the comment "I like your dot garland, but I LOVE those trees!" Totally forgot.
I love them too. I bought them at an after-Christmas sale last year at the Davenport Hotel's gift shop in Spokane. http://www.thedavenporthotel.com/index.php?act=/shopping/company
I don't know if they'll have anything similar this year, but just to make everyone crazy, I only paid $15 for them!
The Davenport is Spokane's gorgeous historic hotel.

[Cherie]

I love this Megan. I think I'll try it with pinking shear white (for Popcorn) and smooth red (for cranberries.) Thanks for showing us!

[Megan]

What a GREAT idea, Cherie. Please send me photos when you're done. I'd love to post them here.

[o-girl]

Hi...I found you through a link at Ali Edwards' blog. I looooove this garland! Like you wrote, this type of the garland has the potential to fit any occasion. One note about the trees: I've seen similar at Target and other shops like that, if anyone is interested.

[Megan Cooley]

Hi, O-girl. Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the tip on Target. I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled next time I'm there.

[becky olsen]

Darling garland!!!
And those trees are fab ;)
B-

[Megan Cooley]

Thanks, Becky!

[Charissa]

What a neat idea! You could also do the same with green shamrocks for St. Patricks.

[Megan]

Exactly, Charissa! Great idea. And stars on the Fourth of July and leaves in the fall and flowers on May Day.
Oh, dear. I'm going to need more felt.

[mommy to 6 angels]

Came from skip to my lou. Love this idea. I was actually looking at it because I wanted to make one for valentines day. Thanks for the great idea.

[Valentina]

Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!