Sweets for the tree

I had hoped to get this ornament made last year for the Christmas tree at my favorite local coffee shop and bakery but I ran out of time.  So this year it was given a higher priority on my to-do list to make sure I got it done.  The design came from Embroidery Library and was a delight to stitch out, as most of their designs are.  It is designed to be used as a towel topper but I think it makes a perfect tree ornament.  I also embroidered the shop name and date on the back.

I’ve been overly busy this week.  In addition to trying to keep up with my to-do list and blog posts,  I have also been getting ready for a craft show I am doing on Saturday.  I have spent the week cleaning, pressing and otherwise freshening up pieces, working on a few new ones, finishing up some UFOs, making new price tags, and gathering supplies and materials for my display.  This is the first year of a small show with about 20 vendors hosted by a local church.  Please stop by if you are in the area.

Holiday Market

Saturday, December 4^th

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Calvary Presbyterian Church

6120 N. Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303

Watch for my next tutorial and giveaway coming on Sunday.  Hope everyone has a happy weekend.

Silver Spider Ornament and Giveaway

Today marks the begining of a month of tutorials and giveaways and I am sharing one of my very favorite ornaments that I have made over the years.  I first learned about this spider ornament when my mom made some for our church bazaar when I was in elementary school.  I have made these spiders as little gifts over the years.  The story behind them is charming.

You can find the tutorial on making these little creatures in my Tutorial section (see link on the right side of the page).  They make a lovely little hostess gift for holiday parties and take very little time to complete.

I will be sending this spider to some lucky reader later this week.  Simply leave me a comment on this post and I will randomly pick a winner on Wednesday morning from all comments.  Comments must be received by no later than 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning.  Comments are moderated, so don't be alarmed if your comment doesn't immediately appear, as I have to review it first.

Be sure to check back next Sunday for the next ornament and giveaway, but don't stay away all week; there will be lots of other posts and projects later this week.  And check out all of the project ideas over at Today's Creative Blog on Get Your Craft On!

Update on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:13AM by Julie Bowersett

Congratulations to Kristen (who will be making some of these ornaments with her 8 year old).  I drew her name this morning as the winner of the spider ornament.  Thanks to everyone who visited and left a comment.

Sweet Treats

OK, so the Christmas holidays are behind us, but since I just got my decorations put away today I feel entitled to share this picture with you.  These are some bag toppers I made this year for the kids in my son’s preschool class.  They are super easy and fast to make, and you can fill the little bags with lots of different goodies.  The design comes from Reen at Embroidery Garden and she also has designs for lots of other holidays and events, too.  So, I am a little late for Christmas but I am just in time for Valentine’s Day!

These were stitched on stiffened felt and cut to size after they were finished.  I was able to put three in my larger hoop and sew them all at once.  The toppers were then stapled onto 3” x 4” craft bags with a ziplock closure and filled with treats.  So fast, fun and yummy.