Christmas Projects--New Pattern for September

I know, I know... it's WAY too early to be thinking about Christmas!

It's not even officially fall yet!

But, I did want to give you lots of time to get these projects done before the crazy holiday season descends on us.

So here's my latest Christmas pattern called "A Primitive Christmas" (it's a two for one kinda deal)!

 Included in the pattern is a 9" x 12" (inside frame measurements) primitive stitchery.

It includes fun little motifs like an angel, stocking, house with Christmas lights, tree, manger, candy-canes, snowman, mittens, bells, holly, Santa, and a skate.

I've kept the embroidery simple, outlining the shapes and filling in with random cross-stitches.

 Then, there's also a pattern for this 13" diameter wool penny rug, included.

You can see it uses the same simple motifs but this time they're appliquéd in wool onto the pennies.

(It's really not this bright.)

You can find this pattern on the New Patterns page of my website.

While you're there, make sure to check out my other new offerings!

That's it for now!

Merry Christmas from Canada!

Hi and welcome!

Hope you're all enjoying these last days of the year.

I thought I'd share a few photos from my home with you.

I'm addicted to Pinterest!

It was there that I got this idea of turning a tomato cage upside down and wrapping it in lights, creating a "tree" for my front porch.

 

And also, stuffing a bunch of lights into a burlap sack--so simple.

As you enter, you'll be greeted by Eggplant, a Lakeview Primitives doll pattern, holding a Christmas Blessings cross-stitch pillow (pattern by La-D-Da).

Look straight ahead and this is what you'll see. 

 I stuck a few white poinsettias into this vintage carpenter's box and stuck a little snowman and a few greens into an old sifter.

Look up and this is what you'll see.
It's not exactly a Christmas quilt but it does have stars.
(You can find it in my At Home with Country Quilts book.)

 I put the tree in the center of the window.  I love all the lights!
My Ikea stars stay up all year.

My "Home for Christmas" tree-skirt lies underneath the tree.

 This is my favourite cupboard.  I hung a few ornies on the knobs and put a Christmas pillow on the chair.

 What's Christmas without a few sheep?

 My favourite home-made Santa--a Pineberry Lane pattern--sits on top of an old Bible and quilts stuffed into what used to be a wood-box.

 Here's my fireplace topped with my Santa collection.  A little creche sits on the floor beside it.

 A handmade rug from Primitive Gatherings sits on the coffee-table.  On top of it is a pantry cake (also handmade) surrounded by greens.  Beside it is a little quilted sachet stuffed with greens from last year's Christmas tree.

 This poinsettia is already looking kinda straggly but I still love how it looks in an old sieve filled with pinecones.  It's sitting on top of one of my penny rugs, on top of a big old tin.

 I tucked this little Belsnickle into another rusty, old sieve and put a few greens and pinecones around him.
These old sacks are my kitchen "curtains".
I love how my Merry Christmas penny garland contrasts with them.

Of course, you need some primitive gingerbread boys in a wooden bowl.  These are from a new pattern of mine, now available at www.patternmart.com.  Just in case you've forgotten where to find me!

I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with joy and dreams come true!

What Shall I Make Today? Little Light Ornies!

Wanting to make some last-minute decorations?

Here's a super quick and easy idea.

(I don't know if this is original or if I saw a version someplace--can't remember things like I used to!)

You'll need a battery-operated tea-light, an old jar lid, a rusty star, and some rusty wire.

Punch two holes in opposite sides of the lid.

I found the easiest way to do this was to tighten the lid in a vise and hammer a nail into it.

You'll also need to hammer a nail into the star to make a hole.

I found the white tea-lights at Michael's.

Since I prefer the grungy look, I painted the top and sides with black acrylic paint.

Before it dries, sprinkle with a mixture of ground instant coffee and cinnamon.

When dry, paint it with modge-podge (but not the bulb!)

Cut a length of rusty wire and insert one end into the hole in the lid.

Wrap the end around itself.

Thread the star onto the wire and bend the wire to hold it in place at the top.

Insert the other end of the wire into the other hole and wrap that end around itself.

Tear a little strip of homespun and tie it around the wire at the bottom.

Place the tea-light in the center of the lid.

Fill the area around it with bits of moss, berries, whatever you like.

That's it! 

Won't these look pretty nestled among my Santas on the mantle?

Or as little center-pieces on my Christmas table?

You could also give them away as party favours,

thread a tag with a guest's name on it onto the wire for a place setting,

or hang them on your tree.

Have fun!

What Shall I Make Today? A Burlap Wreath!

I love burlap wreaths but the patterns all seemed too complicated for me. So here's a simpler version. All you need is a prim star about 5" big, a roll of burlap (I got mine at Michael's) and a wire hoop (mine's an old garden one, minus the legs).

Start by opening the hoop and threading the center of the burlap onto one end of the hoop, from the back.

Leave a couple of inches and reinsert the hoop into the burlap.

Leave a couple of inches and push the hoop through to the top of the burlap.

Leave another couple of inches and reinsert the hoop into the burlap from the top.

You get the idea.

After you've woven the burlap roll onto the hoop, reclasp the ends with the star in between, to keep it in place.

Slip stitch the ends of the burlap together with some matching thread.

Tie a few bits of fabric or twine around the hoop every so often, to keep the burlap evenly distributed.

If you like, you can add a homespun bow at the top or just leave it as is.

And there you have it!

Enjoy!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I've been gearing up for next week's Vintage Market in nearby Maple Ridge, BC. I hope lots of you can make it out--it's going to be amazing!

In addition to lots of vintage items, I'm filling my booth with Christmas hand-mades.

Here's my Vintage Santa ornie.

For those of you who can't make it, I've downloaded a sampling of my handmade wares into my General Store.  If you click on the logo on the right, the link will take you to Christmas 2012.  And if you want to order anything, just let me know!