Christmas Cards!

I know it's after Christmas, but I didn't want those who were receiving cards to not be surprised!

First thing is first, I made a trip to Michaels to pick out paper. I LOVE fancy paper. It's really the only way to make a card. This year I know I wanted purple for my cards. It reminds me of royalty. :)

Other supplies I used included a purple felt pen, my paper cutter, toole, and a snowflake hole punch. The paper cutter is totally my favorite new crafting tool. I have no idea how I lived without one before. Scissors can kiss it. ;)

I measured out the paper to the dimensions I wanted and made the cuts. I used the toole as a decorative embellishment.

I wanted to give my cards a little something extra, so I sealed envelopes with handmade stickers. I also used the stickers on the back of each card as my "logo". Who needs Hallmark?

Handmade stickers are super easy to make, I just used my (glitter) gel pens on clear labels.

My "logo" on the back of a card.

The finished product! I'm so proud of my finished cards!!!

Fabric Christmas Wreath

This is a tutorial for a Christmas Wreath I made. I'm obsessed with fabric ruffles right now; I think this came out really well.
For this project you will need:

1 wire hanger
2 yards of fabric (whatever you want to make your wreath out of. This fabric should be double sided because both sides will be seen).
Fabric scissors
Needle
Thread (to match your fabric)
1 inch - 2 inch spool of ribbon (to coordinate with your fabric)

1. Cut out lots and lots of fabric circles. I did about 200. They are about 3 inches in diameter (across). You can make yours bigger or smaller, it's a preference thing. Also, no need to worry about making perfectly circular circles. Ovals and slightly misshapen circles are fine, they will actually add to the dimension of your wreath.

2. Bend the wire hanger, like this:
You want to make it as circular as possible.


3. I snapped off the hook part of the hanger. You can leave yours on and hang your wreath by it. I prefer a fabric "hook". I'll show you in step 9 how I covered up the part of the hanger that jettisons out.

4. Start sewing together your ruffles. Fold your circles in halves and thread thru the center of the circle, like this:

5. Now continue to add on circles, always threading from the center of the circle. Some you'll add as halves, and others you can fold into quarters. I add about 6 circles to get a nice fluffy ruffle.

Adding a half piece.

Adding a quarter piece.

6. Do NOT tie off your thread. Keep your needle and thread attached to your ruffle, as seen below.

7. Now circle the thread around the hanger. You are sewing your ruffle to the hanger. You should loop the thread around the hanger a few times to make sure it is secure.

8. Keep the ruffle nice and tightly close to the wire. Once it's attached, tie off your thread. First ruffle is complete. Now you keep repeating this process all the way around the hanger.

9. Remember in step 3 I said I would show you how I covered up the part of the hanger that sticks out? (below)

I put a bow over it!

10. I added gold ribbon ties sporadically. Here is the finished product!