Monday, December 14, 2009

DIY Christmas Decor


Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles ~ Anonymous

For the past couple weeks we've been busy with a few, but very time consuming DIY projects.

Griswald Christmas. During the holiday season Hubby loves to watch Christmas Vacation. I can't tell you how many times we've seen it. Yet, no matter how many times he watches it, he laughs as if it's the first time. Well, it must be where he gets his inspiration because like Clark Griswald, Hubby likes to light up the night with outdoor Christmas lights. Whew...try saying that three times. So here's a tailored version of a Griswald Christmas.







Hubby is very meticulous about hanging lights...yes, he measures and marks the space between the light strands to make sure it's even. He had plans of wrapping all the posts like the three on the deck. Unfortunately, Longaberger bought all the red lights within a 30 mile radius of Dresden. So, we'll just have to wait till next year.

Stockings. Browsing through the Ballard's catalog, I was inspired when I saw the most colorful and whimsical stockings. I had to have them! But, at $35 a pop, I don't think so! Undettered, I scoured the internet until I found a crafty blogger named Jenny Garland. On her website, Jenny has an awesome tutorial, complete with pattern, for sewing up one of these darlings for yourself.






No problem! I thought. I'll just whip up five of these in no time.

Did I mention that I'm a beginner seamstress? No kidding here, it took me an hour to figure out how to thread the bobbin and load it into the bobbin compartment.

Well, a week and five stockings later...here's what I got.


Pretty good, huh? Yeah, I'm proud of myself.

I estimate this project took me about $20 in materials and 20 hours of time. I tweaked Jenny's pattern to my preference and used the cheapest fabric I could find at HobLob. I love pleats and wanted lots of them, so I set my pleats 1.25" apart. Honestly the hardest part of this project was attaching the pom-pom fringe and pleated cuff to the stocking.

So what do you think? Do I have future as a professional seamstress?

Thanks for dropping by. Please check out the following links for more creative inspiration!

Sincerely, Lisa


DIY Day @ ASPTL
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Home for the Holidays at Southern Hospitality
Christmas Tour of Homes at The Nester
A Christmas Tree Party at Thrify Decor Chick
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous (Creative Home Expressions)
Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

28 comments:

  1. Your house is looking too cute!! Way to go on the stockings...we need to live closer so we can have sewing parties. I would have loved to make these stockings with you...no fair!!

    XOXO-

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  2. Your hubby did a great job hanging your lights. Your house looks adorable! I think Clark would be proud...

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  3. Good job for both of you. I made our stockings years ago and we continue to hang them up every year. I love the double pouch on your house. Is your hubby an engineer?...lol I ask because he's so meticulous. Looking good..Lisa...love to see your stuff.

    tootles,
    bunny

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  4. Well, I have to agree with your husband. Christmas Vacation is one of the funniest movies and I laugh every year when I watch it again! Love your stockings! You did so good! I'm not the best sewer in the world, but I'd love to give these a try. I think if I start in January I should be done by next Christmas!

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  5. Your stocking look great! It would have taken me much longer!! Merry Christmas.

    Chelsea

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  6. Those stockings are a pretty darn good knock off. You should be proud of yourself. I love when you can make something yourself. Nice job!

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  7. Lisa, Your stockings look FABULOUS! :) I'm so glad you liked the pattern. I would never guess you were a novice seamstress. Have a great Christmas!

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  8. Lisa,
    Your home is beautiful! The stockings.. extra cute! For a a beginner yours look as good as the original! Dee Dee

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  9. I would never know that you are a novice. They turned out great! Love, love the dots! Your exterior lights look festive too!

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  10. At first i didnt notice the leopard print on the stockings when deciding to do my stockings so i left that part out! lol. My sister who is a pro at noticing details noticed though! We decided to use scrab fabric from some of the other projects we have had in the past. ours are very pieced together. Your stockings look great! good job!

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  11. I love the lights on your house! And great job on the stockings. Found you at the Nester's Home Tour. If you want to see my tour you can see it here: http://beautyinallthings.wordpress.com/tag/christmas-2009/

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  12. I LOVE the stockings. They turned out fabulous. I'm a new sewer too. I tried to do a stocking from an old sweater this year. Umm...it's not too bad!

    Love yours! I now have a goal!

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  13. You should be proud...those look GREAT!!!

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  14. Those are great! I love when you can knock off overpriced items and they come out even better than the originals!

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  15. perfect! even better than the original

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  16. Thumbs up to hubby on the lights! I love the stockings, just too cute!
    Those store bought ones can be so boring sometimes.
    Merry Christmas
    Dena

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  17. pk @ Room Remix
    I love the way you did your lights and the tree on the porch! And the stockings? FAB U LOUS! :-) Great job.

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  18. Wow! I am totally impressed with your stocking making talent.

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  19. Lisa, I'm totally impressed! Did you see that I have the Ballards stockings & got them for $5?? You did a great job! Merry Christmas & thanks for joining the party.

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  20. My stockings are Ballard too but I paid $12.99 for them and thought THAT was a steal! Great job!

    Thanks for stopping by on the home tour Lisa- I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas! :D

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  21. Wow! They look fabulous, dah-ling!
    You really did a good job.

    Rhonda

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  22. I just recorded that movie last night and it's one of my favorites to watch during Christmas. The old couple cracks me up!

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  23. Your house looks beautiful. I love all the lights. Those stockings are so cute. You did a great job. I love them.

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  24. Ohhhh, lights! Pretty!! While my words mock those of small children, it appears that Handy Andy pulled off another year of wonder for his home. And your stockings are beautiful! I know there are cons for being a "stay at home" but the bonds you are making with your children and the course of self-awareness through your creativity will pay dividends in this life. Keep up the good work!!

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  25. I want some of those stockings! Great job! Lucky you that your hubby likes to put up lights. I'm still trying to convince mine that it's a fun thing to do! Christmas blessings to you and yours!

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