Christmas – Page 4

12 Days of Meow-y Christmas {Day 5} Kitten Softies

December 5, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

These cute cat softies are ones my mom made in the early 80’s. She is also a crazy cat lady, I think it is hereditary! These cute little kittens can sew up in a snap and look darling tucked in a Christmas tree. Download the pattern HERE. I think I will make some in some updated fabrics! Every tree needs kitties in it!!!

I have a cat themed tree upstairs in the hallway. Don’t worry, there are plenty of cat ornaments on all my other trees!!!

I bought this Mufasa ornament when I was at the Farmers Market in New Jersey!OK, I may have bought 2 Mufasa ornaments 🙂

Just a sampling of some of my favorite cat ornaments I’ve collected 🙂

Filed Under: cat, Christmas, FEATURED, Meowy Christmas

12 Days of Meow-y Christmas {Day 4}

December 4, 2015 by Amanda 1 Comment

For years my mother has purchased little catnip pillows at her veterinarian’s office and sent them to her grand-cats. My cats have actually worn the pillows out because they love them so much. They are super simple just a square stuffed with fiberfill and catnip! They are purrrrfect little stocking stuffers for your furbabies!

This is the old one – not even made with cute fabric!

Let’s make some Christmas ones!

Supplies:

Bright cheery Christmas fabric, mine is from Riley Blake Designs

Fiberfill

Catnip

a word about catnip…..for years I have grown catnip. It grows easy and doesn’t need a lot of care. In fact if you start growing it you might find it growing in other parts of the yard. However, if there are any cats in the neighborhood or if your cats roam outside, they will find the catnip, roll in it, sleep in it, eat it and ruin it! You can purchase dried catnip at pet supply stores. You should definitely give your cat fresh catnip sometime just to see their reaction!

Cut (2) 3.5″ squares for each pillow. Mine were a touch smaller then the ones my mom sent. I think they were cut 4″.

Sew using 1/4″ seams along 3 sides, back stitching to start and stop.

Turn them right side out.

Fill with catnip and fiberfill. I alternated so the catnip wasn’t just at the end. catnip pillow toy 4

Turn the raw edges under 1/4″ and top stitch closed.

It’s best if you sew them when your cat is not sleeping right behind the sewing machine. The smell woke Mufasa and this is what happened!

Mufasa loves his new catnip pillow! catnip pillow toy 12 Don’t touch my pillow!

Filed Under: cat, Christmas, Meowy Christmas

Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Key Fobs

December 3, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I whipped up a few of these Jingle Bell Key Fobs because it’s nice to jingle everywhere you go in December! They make fun gifts and I really do love having one on my key chain. If you would like the tutorial, click HERE.

Filed Under: Christmas, FEATURED, gift, Therm O Web

12 Days of Meow-y Christmas {Day 1}

December 1, 2015 by Amanda 1 Comment

Hi, my name is Amanda and I am a crazy cat lady – there I said it!! There is something about Christmas and cats that it so much fun! Whether the cat is climbing the tree and batting ornaments around the house, clawing at the wrapping paper on the gifts, or drinking the milk for Santa, Christmas and Cats were made to go together! Each day December 1-12 we will have a Christmas Cat themed project for you to make! I say “we” because I have teamed up with some talented ladies for some feline fun! Tina from @emilyannskloset, Melissa from the Polka Dot Chair, Bev from Flamingo Toes, Tasha from a Little Sweetness, Kerri from Sew Dearly Loved, and Lucy from Lucy Blaire Handmade will be joining in the festivities!

Today I am showing you how to make these vintage inspired cat ornaments. I LOVE vintage prints especially if they involve cats. Let’s get started!

Supplies

Sizzix Mitten Die

Small Ric Rac

White fabric

Tinsel

Felt, 2 colors

Heat n Bond EZ Print Transfer Sheets

Spray n Bond

Ribbon

Bakers Twine

Begin by printing the cat images (click here to download) in REVERSE onto the Transfer Sheets.

Roughly cut out the image and place it face down onto white cotton fabric.

Place the pressing sheet over the image and press with a hot, dry iron for 20 seconds. (Read the instructions from the manufacturer just to be safe). Let cool completely and then peel off the backing paper. Cut out with scissors.

Mufasa my Kitty Helper was sleeping on the job!!! For the mittens, die cut the felt using the Sizzix mitten die.

You can die cut up to 4 at a time. You will need (2) mittens and (2) mitten tops per ornament.

Using Spray n Bond, spray the back of the kitty image and position on the top of one of the mittens. Spray the back of the small ric rac also, and position it around the kitty image. Start and stop the Ric Rac at the top of the image. The Spray n Bond keeps all the pieces firmly set so they don’t move during sewing. Sew on top of the ric rac.

Using the basting spray, spray the wrong side of one of the mittens and stick the 2 mittens together. Choose a decorative stitch and sew around the mitten. Start and stop at the top.

Spray the (2) white mitten tops with basting spray and position them on opposite sides of the mitten. Top stitch around the mitten top in white thread. Cut a piece of narrow tinsel by the yard and zig zag it along the mitten cuff.

Thread a piece of baking twine on a needle and add a loop at the top of the mitten. Hot glue a little bow at the top of the ric rac.

Hang on your vintage tree!!! These are so fun and easy to make! They would be purrrrfect tied on top of a gift, tied on a plate of cookies, or simply tucked into a Christmas card 🙂

Filed Under: Christmas, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Meowy Christmas, sizzix, Therm O Web

Winterberry Quilt

November 30, 2015 by Amanda 2 Comments

I visited my friend Tina in New Jersey this summer! We sewed for 5 straight days and this is one of the quilts we put together.

I just got it back from the quilter; just in time for December! The fabrics are called Winterberry by Moda. We choose this pattern called Modern Greek Cross. It is such a FUN pattern!

I’m used to sewing with Mufasa so I was so happy to have Roo’s company while we sewed.

The blocks are so much fun to put together!

All good kitty quilters must approve the quilt layout before sewing it together!

We sewed this together in August and December seemed so far away. How time files! The quilting turned out darling – she used an allover holly design. I love it!

Mufasa totally approves! I think it’s so cute that Roo helped make the quilt that Mufasa is sitting on! They are best friends and don’t even know it!

Filed Under: Christmas, FEATURED, quilt

Little Joys Quilt Tutorial

November 30, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I wrote this pattern a few years ago for Penny Rose Fabrics. I updated it and have the full tutorial available here! I have always loved the Penny Rose “Little Joys” Christmas fabrics! These sweet vintage prints make me think of a simpler time. I love collecting vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations; this quilt is sure to fit into the mix!

This quilt measures 42″ square and is a perfect size to hang on a wall, put at the end of a bed, or center on a table. The quilt is made up of 6″ solid blocks with bell applique and 6″ nine-patch blocks that form a chain.

I used this Bell from Sizzix. It is such a versatile die!

Mufasa was all over this project because it involved the Sizzix Fabi – his FAVORITE toy!

Fabric Requirements:

9 fat quarters (green, red, and pink) – this is a scrappy little quilt so there are different amounts of each color – the colors don’t form a pattern in this version, but if you would like a pattern it would be easy to do!

1 1/2 yards solid white fabric

Heat n Bond Lite for appliqué

1/2 yard binding

1 1/4 yard backing (the fabric needs to measure at least 43″ wide or you may need to piece it)

Cutting Instructions

Fat Quarters:

Cut (2) 2 1/2″ x WOFQ strips from each fat quarter. You will have a few extra.

Use remaining fabric for bell appliqué and letters

Solid White:

Cut (6) 2 1/2″ x WOF strips, cut them in half to give you (12) 2 1/2″ x 21″ strips.

Cut (5) 6 1/2″ x WOF strips, subcut into (22) 6 1/2″ squares and (1) 6 1/2″ x 18 1/2″ rectangle

2 1/2″ strips are cut from each of the 9 fat quarters.

6 white 2 1/2″ x WOF strips are cut and then cut in half to equal the width of the fat quarter strips.

Sew white, dark, white strip sets together, making 3 strip set units. Press toward the dark.

Sew 6 strip units of the dark, white, dark pattern (above). Press toward the dark.

Sub cute each strip set in 2 1/2″ increments. You should have 8 per strip set.

Lay out blocks making a checkerboard pattern. Sew together, matching seams. Press seams in one direction. Continue this process making 24 total checkerboard blocks.

Cut the remaining fat quarters into 5″ squares and fuse Heat n Bond Lite to the wrong sides of the fabric (above). Using the Sizzix Bell die, die cut 22 bell shapes. Peel off backing paper and heat set to the centers of the 6 1/2″ white squares. Sew around each bell with a straight stitch.

For the Little Joys word block I cut the letters by hand. Download the Little Joys pattern HERE. I printed the letters on Heat n Bond EZ print sheets.

You can also trace onto iron-on transfer paper. The letters are in reverse. Iron the heat n bond to the wrong side of the letter fabric. Cut out by hand around each letter. Peel off the backing and position on the white rectangle. Heat set in place. Sew around each letter.

Now you’re ready to lay out the whole quilt! Use the above photo as your guide. Again, my colors are random but you can make a color pattern!

Sew each block together creating rows, pressing toward the applique blocks. Then sew the rows together, pinning at intersections so seams match up. Press all seams in one direction.

Baste, Quilt, Bind!

Mufasa also loves the sewing machine! No animals were harmed in the quilting of this project!

Make sure your cat approves 🙂

I free motion quilted this with loop de loos and retro style stars. I love how it turned out! Add the binding and you’re finished!

Filed Under: Christmas, Penny Rose Fabrics, quilt, Therm O Web, Uncategorized, vintage

Fun with Richie our Elf on the Shelf Christmas 2014

December 24, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Life was too hectic to write about our sweet Elf Richie everyday. I thought you might like to see some highlights of his antics this year. We will miss you so much, Richie! We hate to say goodbye to you tonight. Until next year….

Richie arrived at our home in a sealed Santa’s Workshop Lego set. We were all so surprised and we didn’t know he was inside for quite a while!

All the children had so much fun putting the Lego set together. We used the tongs to put Richie on the little tree so he could watch.

We found Richie and his reindeer in a roll of TP

Richie is somewhat of a cardshark, sporting a full house in this game of Tripoley.

Richie gathered all the stuffed cats in the house an placed them on the stairs. He was found reading my “Think Like A Cat” book.

Sugar Angles

Hanging in the bathroom

This one was a little questionable 🙂

Bows all over the kitchen and stuck to any solid surface!

Hot Hot cocoa date with Anna

A little mischief with Snowflake Sally’s non-magical girl elf

Helping out with St. Nicholas Day

Chillin’ in the freezer with some North Pole Fat Boys!

Setting the table and serving everyone gingerbread men for breakfast.

Peppermint cotton candy for breakfast

We are saying our goodbye’s to Richie today. I love the photos. I can’t believe we have to wait an entire year to see him again…..pass the Kleenex!!

Filed Under: Christmas, Elf on the Shelf

The Harper Stocking Tutorial

December 16, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

When I was little, my mom made everyone in our family “quilted” stockings with appliqué motifs on them. To me, all stockings must be quilted 🙂 I made my husband and children these quilted stockings many years ago.

The fabrics are a little dated but we still love them! Here are a few more peeks at stockings I have made over the years with this same pattern.

There are so many wonderful fabrics out there to make stockings with. I love this line from Blend called Treelicious. I’ve made a few other projects with it, here and here. Below is the pattern and instructions for making this “Harper” stocking which I made my friend’s baby’s first Christmas. You can change the fabric piecing to be more intricate or you can use a plain piece of fabric and quilt it. It’s fun to customize each stocking to your children’s personalities.

Supplies:

fat quarters of 3 fabrics for stocking and stocking tab

1/2 yard for the stocking lining

piece of lace

1/4 yard faux fur, fleece, or I used a type of cloud fleece with a diamond pattern…anything soft and white

Heat n Bond EZ print appliqué sheets or heat n bond appliqué transfer paper

quilt batting

Stocking Pattern, Click HERE

Note – the length of the cutting measurements are approximates, you just need enough to fit the stocking pattern on

Begin by cutting the pink trees 9″ x 12″

Gray deer 5″ x 12″

Pink 8″ x 20″

Piece together using 1/4″ seams, press

Try to place the pieces like this – it’s just rough background to quilt then cut the stocking from.

Using Spray n Bond spray basting (or pins) baste the fabric on a scrap of cotton batting – I love projects like this that use batting scraps!

Quilt as desired – I sewed loop de loos.

Print the pattern out (here). It’s in 4 pieces. Assemble them together like this. I added some dotted lines to help with matching up each piece. Don’t laugh at how rough my pattern is, it’s the middle of December and who has time for perfection!! Cut out the pattern.

Next, pin the stocking pattern to the quilted piece and cut out. If you want the stocking a little larger, cut out 1/4″ away from the pattern and the finished stocking will be the size of the pattern. Just make sure to cut the same for the lining.

You can add some lace embellishment if you want. Choose a font you like and print it in reverse on the EZ print sheets, or print in reverse and draw onto the Heat n Bond appliqué paper. Press the letters to the wrong side of the white fabric. Cut out each letter. Peel off the backing and press into place. It’s always a trick to get the letters to fit – I like to make them as big as I possibly can. Top stitch in gray thread.

Here is a close up of the letters. You can see my white fabric has a little silver detail in it!

Now do the same process with the back of the stocking. Only remember the stocking will be opposite.

Instead of cutting the stocking out again and trying to match it, I pinned the appliquéd part to the newly quilted piece, matching the seams along the sides. Sew using 1/4″ seams all the way around the stocking leaving the top open. Cut around the seam.

For the lining of the stocking, cut the same pattern out of a coordinating cotton (2). Sew right sides together all the way around the stocking.

Prepare the fur cuff. Cut the fur 18.5″ x 11″

Fold it in half fat ways, right sides together and sew about 1/2″seam along the side:

Turn the cuff right side out like this:

For the stocking holder, cut a strip of fabric 10″ x 3″. Folding in half lengthwise with right sides together, sew 1/4″ seam and turn right side out. Press the seam in the center like this:

This is how it will look from the outside:

Place the stocking lining inside the stocking, just how you want it to look, with the right side of the lining facing out.

Baste the stocking holder by bringing both raw edge ends together and pin it inside the stocking centering on the seam. Sew about 1/8″ to keep it in place.

Next, place the cuff inside the stocking & lining, aligning all raw edges:

Pin all the way around matching the seam in the cuff with the side seam in the stocking. Sew 1/4″ to 1/2″ seam all the way around using a walking foot – it gets pretty thick by the seams but it will work. Turn the cuff right side out and it’s done! Kind of magical!!

Filed Under: appliqué, Blend Fabrics, Christmas, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, patterns, sewing, Therm O Web, tutorial

Jar Lid Applique Christmas Ornaments

December 6, 2014 by Amanda 1 Comment

I love Christmas ornaments and every year I try and come up with a new ornament to make. These are my favorite so far!! These make great little gifts and they can be personalized! Using the Therm o Web Iron-On Transfer sheets you can print any word you want and iron it onto the ornaments.

On this one I added some clear glitter to the jar lid by painting it with Mod Podge and dusting it with glitter. I LOVE clear glitter! I could clear glitter my entire home! It gives such a warm yet sparkly feel!

Supplies:

Wide mouth mason jar lids

5″ square background fabric

5″ square Therm o Web HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece

Small pieces of green fabrics and brown fabrics

spool of ribbon

button

Heat n Bond® EZ print Transfer Sheets

Heat n Bond® EZ Pressing paper

Tree Pattern, click HERE

Words, click HERE

Piece of Christmas card stock cut into a circle the exact size of the jar lid

Begin by cutting a 5″ square of background fabric and fusible fleece. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the background fabric. This gives the fabric a little stability and softness.

Print out the tree patterns and roughly cut them out and iron them to the wrong side of the tree and trunk fabrics. Cut on the pattern line, peel off backing paper.

Center the tree on the background fabric and press into place.

Top stitch around the tree and trunk three times in black thread. I like the stitching to look “sketchy” but it’s hard to not sew along the same line each time – you need to purposefully not follow the pattern.

Print out the words in REVERSE on the EZ Print Transfer Sheets for light fabric. Cut around the words and heat set in place. Let cool then peel off the paper.

Punch 2 holes in the mason jar ring – I used a crop-a-dile.

Thread the ribbon through and knot it in a loop. Cut a second piece of ribbon and tie a bow. Center the design and push through the mason jar ring. Trim off excess and hot blue into place. Hot clue excess fabric down and glue all the way around the inside as pictured below:

Place the card stock circle in the back to cover the mess!

Hot glue the bow to cover the holes. Finished! Now go make one for all your friends!!!
I sewed a button to the top of this tree. You could easily sew buttons to each tree or add other embellishments. I love being able to add a word to a fabric craft! I’m off to make more – think cats, owls, gingerbread men, and birds!

Filed Under: appliqué, Christmas, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, sewing, Therm O Web, tutorial

Christmas Jingle Bell Key Chain Tutorial

December 4, 2014 by Amanda 2 Comments

December is well underway and there is so much to be done! Is anyone else going crazy!!! I love these fabric key chains – they make it super easy to find your keys in your purse and you can slide your keys on your wrist. I wanted something festive for the holidays so I made candy cane stripe ones and added a jingle bell. I love the fact that I jingle where ever I go!! These make great gifts and you can whip up a bunch in an afternoon.

Supplies:

10″ red cotton webbing 1.25″ wide, I bought mine here

10″ x 2″ strip of striped fabric

Spray n Bond

Key fob hardware, I bought mine here

Jingle Bell

strip of card stock 1″ wide

Begin by cutting the fabric 2″ x 10″. Center the 1″ strip of card stock in the center of the wrong side of the fabric. Use the card stock as your guide to press the sides in evenly. Remove the card stock.

In my previous keychain tutorial I suggested using fusible hem tape to fuse the fabric to the webbing. While this works great, I choose to use Basting Spray – it’s faster and goes farther. A few tips about the basting spray: put down a disposable protective surface because there will be some overspray. I made quite a few so I used some old wrapping paper which could be rolled and discarded to give me a clean surface. If you are doing a lot I would wear gloves because you may get it on your hands.

Open the folds and spray a line down the center of the fabric. Pat the folds in and smooth to hold in place. Spray the folds again with the basting spray and center on the 10″ strip of webbing.