How to make a super easy dollar Christmas stocking extra special

 

I always fill stockings for my adult children. The problem is that when they go back to their homes, they take the Christmas stocking with them. So, the following year, I must come up with another generic stocking to fill.  Since, the cost of the contents is usually pricey, the stocking must be reasonable, but attractive.  I got this simple felt stocking for a dollar, but I wasn’t happy with the way they looked.  So, I created a felt mosaic buffalo plaid embellishment.  It is so easy that you could even do this with young children.

 

Materials:

 

Inexpensive felt stockings

Red felt

Burgundy felt

Black felt

Fabric glue

Cardboard to insert into the stocking while you add your felt squares.

 

Instructions:

Gather your supplies.

 

First, cut a piece of cardboard the width of the stocking and insert it into it.  This will help with stability while you add the your felt squares to your Chiristmas stocking.

  

Now, cut ½” x ½” squares from the red, burgundy and black felt.  Next plan out how the squares will be positioned on your stocking.

 

Now begin to glue each square on the stocking working horizonally.

  

 

Row 1:  black, burgundy, black, continue this pattern to the end

 

Row 1: burgundy, red, burgundy, continue this pattern to the end.

 

Repeat row 1 and 1 till you have made your felt mosaic buffalo plaid as wide as you want on your stocking. Optionally add some extra trim to the top of the stocking.

 

Let dry completely.  You will have a faux felt mosaic buffalo plaid Christmas stocking.

Don't stop here though.  You could also glue different ribbons on the cuff of the stocking for a very attractive look.  Add trims, cabochons, beads, or bells for a myriad of variations.  

How to make a sweet little reindeer candy holder party favor

 

Kids with a little help from mom or Dad can make these little reindeer candy holder party favors quickly and easily.  With just a few supplies (some of them recycled) they are created quickly.  Make one or a few for gifts.

 
Materials:

 

• Mini clothespins (2) 2”
• Paper cardboard tube from an aluminum foil or paper towel roll cut to 2 ½” long
• A thin strip of cork
• Mini cork
• Colored paper clip
• Sheer white fabric bag (sold in multiples at craft stores)
• Brown and black paint
• Small paintbrush
• Glue gun and glue sticks 
• Small wiggle eyes
• One small red pom-pm
• Candy for filling
• Scissors, wire cutters, Needle nosed pliers
• X-acto for cutting paper towel roll
• Small ribbon bow

 

Instructions:

 

First, cut your paper towel roll to the correct length. and take apart the mini clothespins.

 

Next, take apart the mini clothespins, and glue them onto the prepared paper towel roll piece so that it stands up. 

 

Working with the small cork (head.), cut a piece of thin cork in an ear shape and glue it to the back of the cork  (The thicker end) Now, glue the cork on the top of the paper roll with the shorter end facing out. 

 

Cut the paper clip in half and twist each piece into a pleasing antler shape. Use a nail or pin to make a pilot hole in the top of the head and attach each antler with a little glue.

 

Paint the entire reindeer with brown paint.  Paint the tips of each leg black for hoofs.  Let dry.

 

Fill the sheer fabric bag with candy or small treats and insert it into the reindeer's body.  Let the tied end show so it resembles a white tail.

 

To finish, glue on two eyes, a red pompom for a nose, and add a small bow under the chin.  Your reindeer candy holder party favor is ready to bring smiles and sweetness to your guests.

 

How to easily change your style and paint on unusual surfaces

So, with the coronavirus keeping many of us indoors what have you all been doing to keep creative and busy?  If you have some paint stashed away it might the right time to think about painting on unusual surfaces.

Unusual surfaces to paint

Rocks are a great surface to paint on.  You might have some rocks right outside your door that would work perfectly. You can also buy a bag of smooth landscape rocks for a very reasonable price at a home improvement store.  Kids can get in on the action as well.  You can be as simple or as intricate as you see fit.  And the fun part is putting rocks in public places with positive messages for people to find.

Corks are another surface that you may have laying around.  You can recycle them into another great unusual surface to paint.  Again you can get detailed or simply decorative. Painted corks make great keyrings and ornaments.  It's never too early to think about Christmas!

When you think of unusual surfaces to paint on do you ever think why not a brick?  Bricks, when they painted, may great door stops and bookends.  Especially if you paint them to resemble a book!

Fabric is readily available.  Simply look in your closets and you will find unusual surfaces galore!  personalize them with some acrylic paints with fabric medium added.  Don't forget to heat set.

While there are many choices of painting surfaces none are more striking than painting on glass.  You can paint on wine glasses, plates, vases and more.  You will need to use paint that is specified for glass and heat set in an oven.  

This was sure fun, finding unusual surfaces to paint on.  Once you start looking though, you tend to find more.  So, this will be a recurring post for another day with more unusual surfaces to paint!  

Be sure and click on some of the images for full tutorials of a similar project!

See you soon!