From Holey Tights to Knee Socks {Tutorial}

How many pairs of tights have you thrown out because your daughter (or you) snagged a big hole in them? With three girls in this house, plus myself, we've had way too many to count. Today as I was looking through my youngest girl's drawer searching for tights, I found a pair of white cable knit tights in pefect condition, except for the big hole under the left knee. Then, I found a few pairs that are too small for her now, and it hit me that these would make great knee socks! They're thick and still look nice so, why not? Here's how I did it:

I laid the pair of tights on the table and tried to even the legs up so they could be cut the same length.
Next, I just took the scissors and cut right underneath the hole. You can use the cut side as a guide for the other leg or just eyeball it.
Now just fold cut edge down 1/4 - 1/2 inch and fold over again the same length. Iron the fold so it will stay put.
Finally, sew around the bottom edge of the folded end. *Remember not to pull fabric through while it's being sewn or you will stretch out the knit and the socks will fall down. Just let the machine pull the fabric through on it's own.* Cut off hanging threads. You're done.
New knee socks in about 5 minutes!

{Pardon the sucker stick in the mouth.}

 

I'm linking up with a few of these parties!

Pottery Barn-Inspired Reindeer Stockings {DIY}

A few years ago, I decided I was going to make stockings for our family instead of using the mismatched ones we had acquired over the years. So, my sister told me to check out the Pottery Barn Kids Reindeer Stockings {2009 - no longer available}. I did and I loved the idea. That's when I decided I would make my own version. I love ours and the fact that they reflect a little tiny bit of personality. The only pic I could find of the original PBK stockings is below.

To make them, just draw out a pattern of a stocking either using one you have or just eye-balling it. Then, cut out and sew them together. It's pretty basic. Unfortunately, I made these before I started this blog so I have no pictures of the how-to. Just trust me that making a basic stocking is simple. Here is one tutorial I found. I used red felt and white fuzzy material. The reindeer are made out of tan felt. Next, just draw the body of a reindeer - it doesn't have to be perfect or even whole because you'll be 'dressing it up'. I just drew mine from looking at the picture of the PBK ones. Finally, dress them up according to your personalities. It's very simple and fun.
Here's how ours turned out.

I'm linking up with some of these parties!

Wishlist Ornament {DIY}

Christmas is a time where tradition comes alive. Memories are made, family recipes are shared and many cultures celebrate Christmas in their own, special ways. When I was in elementary school, I remember learning about how Christmas was celebrated in different countries and it was so interesting to me. I tell my girls about Christmases over my lifetime that are very special to me - like the Christmas I got a Popeye gumball machine. I just LOVED that thing. I also remember making ornaments in my classes at school or church and it was always fun for me. So, when I saw these clear Christmas ornaments at Hobby Lobby {50% off}, I knew it was time to make ornaments with my girls. I wanted to help them make something useful that would leave us with fun memories for years to come. So, I gathered my supplies and we made Christmas wishlist ornaments.

First, I cut small pieces of paper to write our lists on. Then, the girls wrote in their own handwriting their lists. {I helped the youngest.} Be sure to write the year and child's name on the top of the list so you can remember for years to come!
Next, I shredded a small rectangle of scrapbook paper in the color of their choice to make filler for our ornaments.
Finally, we took the tops off, added our filler and strategically placed our lists in the middle. Just add ribbon of your choice to the top hook and you're done!
I'm linking up with some of these parties.
If you didn't see my post yesterday about making money while shopping online....GO HERE!

Make Money Just Doing What You Already Do

{Updated October 21, 2013}

Everyone is looking for some easy money especially during the holiday season. Well, I'm here to tell you just how easy it is. Do you shop online? If you don't, you should. It's so much fun and involves little to no stress. No lines to stand in, no grouchy sales people...just you and your computer {and your stretchy pants}. I love the hassle-free online shopping because I can do it any time of day - from my computer, from my iphone, etc. It's simply wonderful! AND now it's even better because most of the stores I shop from are included in Ebates. If you haven't heard of Ebates yet, it's very easy to sign up {takes about 10 seconds}. My husband and I are both signed up and have been members since 2008. We've received several checks over the last four years! Once you sign up, every time you want to shop online, just go to Ebates.com first, find your store in their list of stores and click on it. A lot of times, they have coupons available and EVERY time you get cash back through ebates just for shopping. Right now is the best time to get cash back because Ebates offers DOUBLE cash back on lots of stores during the holidays. Here are a few of the great deals!

Amazon - 4% cash back

Walmart - 4%

Home Depot - 5%

Lowes - 6%

Kohls - 6%

Lands End - 6%

J Crew - 6%

Macy's - 6%

Horchow - 6%

Sears - 7%

JCPenney - 8%

Sephora - 8%

Old Navy - 10%

Lancome - 14%

And MANY MANY MORE!!
 

Another great perk to Ebates {until 12/31/13} is that you get $50 cash back for every 2 people that sign up and make a purchase for Ebates through you!! That adds up to a lot of CASH!
 

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? Start getting paid to shop your favorite stores online!

Joy to the World: Chevron Bunting {DIY}

In case you haven't noticed a trend here at my house, I have a thing for Chevron print. I've made two grey chevron skirts, chevron pillows, used chevron fabric around the bottom of my tree for a tree skirt and now I have a chevron bunting over my mantel. I think the chevron adds a vintage look to the Christmas decor and I am just loving it. I'm fully aware that it's a fad and in a couple of years I may not like it so much anymore, but right now, I adore it so bear with me.
To make the bunting:

Make a pattern for the size flags {triangles} you want. Lay them on your chosen fabric. If you're using stripes like this, you can try to center them or you can just be haphazard. I chose the latter because I wanted to conserve fabric. {I think it turned out nice!} Pin your pattern to the fabric and cut.

Pick out your ribbon, twine, jute, or whatever you want to use to hang your flags up. Measure it according to your measurements for where you are going to hang it. Be sure to add extra if you want your bunting to droop and if you want your ribbon to hang down on the sides. Then, find the center and pin your flags on, spacing them evenly.

Once pinned, I took the top edge and folded it over the back just enough to cover the ribbon. Then, I ironed it down to make it easier to sew. I tried to sew just under the ribbon, but sewed on the bottom edge of ribbon {sewing through all three layers} to hold it in place. I don't want my flags to slide.

Last, I took a big, black Sharpie and drew each letter on each flag. I used my pattern cutting board as a guide to know where to write each letter so they would all be the same size. I did mine two inches high.
Finally, just hang them up!

I am thrilled with how mine turned out! Hubs even commented on how much he likes them and he normally doesn't get all excited about buntings. :)

Stay tuned for more Christmas posts like this. And in case you missed them, check out my easy DIY Chevron Throw Pillows and my Anthro-inspired Snow Globe Mason Jars.

I'm linking this up with some of these parties.

Chevron Throw Pillows {How-To}

I've already begun decorating for Christmas around here and as I looked around my living room after the tree was up, it looked rather unbalanced. Our tree is in front of a window and directly beside our fireplace. I love how the tree looks next to a decorated mantel, but that left the rest of the room kind of plain. So, I decided it was high time to make some new pillows for the couch to match the tree skirt and try to pull the look together. If you have been wanting new throw pillows, this is a very simple and quick DIY project that anyone can do. If you can sew a straight line, you can make a pillow.

Lay your fabric right sides together. Then, place your pillow on top to measure sides (if you don't already know the measurements). I left about 1/2 inch all around to get an accurate fit for my pillow.

Try to line up your sides as close as possible. It should be pretty close.

Pin three sides of the pillow and about 2 inches in from each corner on the unpinned side. Sew with a 5/8 inch seam allowance. Be sure not to sew the opening where you will put the pillow form in.

Turn pillowcase right side out, pushing corners all the way out. Insert pillow form or polyfill and pin the opening closed. You will sew close to the edge to make the least visible as possible.

Voila! You're done. Super easy and a fun addition to my Christmas decor.

I made two of these chevron pillows and I love them! They are Merry & Bright! You can find out how to make the Monogram Pillow using this method here.

 

I'm linking up with some of these parties!

Snowglobe Mason Jars

I don't know about you, but I am loving some of the new trends in Christmas decorating this year. In fact, I'm not sure they're really 'new', but vintage. I am drawn to the vintage Christmas stuff and wish I had some of my mamaw's old handmade Christmas ornaments from way back when to display. I really love red and white all year round, but especially right now with the red/white chevron fabric. I've made several things with that and plan to show you soon. Today I wanted to show you something I've fallen in love with. Anthropologie sells them here, but whoa, Nellie! I'm not paying that price for something I can do on my own. And you can make them, too!

Gather your jars - any size, any shape. I'm going to keep adding to my collection for more variety!

Gather your Christmas trees, snow flakes and whatever else you want to use for your snow globes. {Hobby Lobby has lots of small stuff. I bought my bag of trees there for $1, snow flakes $2}

Fill your jars with the desired amount of snow.

Add your trinkets. Put the lid on.

{If you want to make one with lid on bottom, hot glue item to lid, pour desired amount of snow in jar, screw lid on and turn upside down so snow falls down on item.}

I love my little nutcracker men!

I decided to put my prized Fontanini nativity piece in a glass domed cake stand. I just love it!

I wrapped a couple of the lids in ribbon with hot glue and it added a nice touch. I set my new collection out on the piano and hope to add more as I get a bigger variety of jars.

More ideas:

*A fun idea would be to do a whole nativity scene with these. Hobby Lobby sells miniature nativity pieces in a set in their mini Christmas tree ornament aisle for $4.*

*Make buntings or little signs using these pencils to place in your snowglobes for a very personalized look.

 

Enjoy! And stay tuned for more Christmas decoration ideas!

 

I'm linking up with some of these parties.

UPDATE:
I recommend these products for this project: 

Ball® Regular Mouth Pint Jars with Lids and Bands- Set of 12 (by Jarden Home Brands)
Department 56 Accessories for Department 56 Village Collections Bag-O-Frosted Topiaries Tree
3.5 oz Bag of White Christmas Decoration Snow Flakes