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 festive butterfly hair bow with Bowdabra

Cinco de Mayo is coming up and if you are thinking about having a fiesta you will love this festive butterfly hair bow.  Create this beautiful hair bow in minutes with some velvet or velour ribbon, or printed felt in your favorite bright color.
The festive butterfly hair is fun for Cinco de Mayo parties, however, it is perfect any time of the year!
So let’s get started…

Festive butterfly hair bow

Materials:
Bowdabra mini Bowmaker
Bowdabra bow wire
2 ½” wide velvet, velour ribbon, or optionally printed felt works great
White pipe cleaner
Butterfly pattern
Scissors
Disappearing marker
5/8” yellow grosgrain ribbon (For smaller butterfly 3/8" or 1/4" ribbon)
Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
Two red rhinestones (or small beads if using the bow wire for antennas)
If using the Bow wire for antennas use a small paintbrush to twist the wire for the curl.
Alligator hair clip

Instructions:

1. First, download the butterfly pattern. Trace each piece on to the velour ribbon and cut out. For smaller butterfly shrink the patter to 3/4 size.

2. Next, Cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 18” long. Fold it in half and insert into the Mini Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires at the other side, which will be your slipknot.

3. Now, insert the bottom downward facing wing piece into the Mini Bowdabra pinching in a mountain fold. Then, insert the top wing piece pinching in the same way you did the bottom wings.

4. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

Create the butterfly

5. Insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the butterfly is still in the Bowdabra. Take it out of the Bowdabra and separate the ends.  Turn it to the back and tie a knot and clip off the excess wire.  Adjust your butterfly’s wings.

6. Take a 6” piece of pipe cleaner and fold it in half. Use the hot glue gun to glue it to the center back of the butterfly. To make the antennas with the Bowdabra bow wire, trim the bow wire ends to 2 1/2" long.  Add a tiny bit of glue to each end and thread a small bead through.  Clip the excess.  Then, using the end of a paintbrush twist the wire around into a springy curl.  Adjust the antennae on each side.

Finishing the hair clip

7. Attach an alligator clip, which is covered with ribbon to the back with some hot glue. (You can buy them already covered at the craft store)

8. Finally, cut a piece of 5/8” grosgrain ribbon and glue to the center back over the open alligator clip. Then continue to bring it to the front and glue it to where you started on the back. This way the alligator clip is extra secure.

9. Curl the pipe cleaner antenna and glue a rhinestone on the ends. Or optionally for the Bow wire antenna follow the instructions in step number 6.

We hope you enjoyed this festive butterfly hair bow tutorial.  We love comments and suggestions!

How to easily make an adorable turkey hair bow

Wouldn’t this adorable turkey hair bow look so cute on your favorite little girl?  Actually it will look just as adorable on adults as well as kids.  Autumn is in full swing and we are all getting ready for the upcoming holidays.  And this Thanksgiving you will be the hit of the day when you wear your turkey hair bow!  This hair turkey hair bow makes a great gift and is a great moneymaker at those autumn craft shows. Check out Bowdabra blog for more free craft tutorials.  You can easily purchase any Bowdabra supplies at your local craft store, Walmart and online.

Materials:

·      Mini Bowdabra bow maker

·      Hair bow tool and ruler

·      Bowdabra bow wire

·      22 inches 1 ½” wide orange grosgrain ribbon

·      Several colors 3/8” wide grosgrain ribbon (red, yellow, rust)

·      Small dowel pieces

·      Wooden clothespins (optional)

·      Lighter

·      Scissors

·      Ruler

·      Alligator clip, covered with ribbon

·      Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

·      Felt turkey shape (available in craft stores

Instructions:

1.     Make the korker ribbon. Wind the 3/8” grosgrain ribbon around a dowel and hold at the ends with wooden clothespins. (You can alternately tie the ribbon at the ends) Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Heat in the oven at 275 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing.

2.     First place the ruler on the mini Bowdabra.  Next, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 18” long, fold in half and then insert into the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other side.

 Make the bow

3.     Now, cut a piece of 1 ½” wide grosgrain ribbon 22” inches long and use a lighter to run lightly across the ends to stop it from fraying. (You can alternately use nail polish or a commercial fray stop glue)  Now, fold the ribbon in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra.

4.     First, bring the right end over the Bowdabra and under the ribbon and insert the end into the Bowdabra.

5.     Next, take the opposite end and bring it over the first ribbon, then under and insert the end into the Bowdabra.  It will look like an X.

6.     Now press the first loop down into the Bowdabra and follow with the second loop.  When you do this you have made your boutique style bow.  Next you will add the korker ribbon pieces.

7.     For the korker pieces, cut them to about 4” long and insert each korker piece into the Bowdabra one at a time. 

Finishing your bow

8.     Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.  To finish, insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra.  Finally, remove the bow, separate the wires, turn to the back and tie a knot.  Repeat with a second knot.

9.     For the purpose of making the turkey hair bow, you need to remove the body from the turkey felt piece, since the feathers are represented by the korker and bow.

10. Now turn the bow to the front and use the hot glue gun to attach the turkey.  Make sure before you glue that the korker pieces are all evenly spaced.

Add the clip 

11. Attach an alligator clip to the back with some more hot glue.  In order to make sure the clip stays in place use the excess wire to tie in the center as well.  Clip all the wires short. 

The Bowdabra bow maker makes it easy to make the bow and you can find all the supplies at your local craft store, Walmart or online.

Make a quick and easy fun autumn chip clip

If your like me your always looking for a chip clip.  So nothing works better than a chip clip that is right where you need it when you need it.  This quick and easy to make autumn chip clip is magnetic so it’s right there on the fridge.  No more stale chips because you cannot find that chip clip in the kitchen drawer. 

There are so many adorable felt motifs in all sorts of autumn designs.  I found some turkeys (perfect for Thanksgiving) and some scarecrows and even pumpkins.  The sky is the limit.  You can use regular clothespins or like me use the pre-painted fall colored ones.

Materials:

Fall felt motif stickers

Felt scrap

Clothespins in fall colors

Magnetic strips (available in rolls)

Scissors

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Instructions:

1.     Trace around the motif on a scrap piece of felt. Then stick the autumn felt motif on the scrap felt. 

2.     Use the hot glue gun to attach the felt motif to the clothespin.

3.     Next cut a piece of magnet to fit along the backside of the clothespin. Then glue to the clothespin.

4.     Put the autumn chip clip on your fridge and it will be there right when you need it.  Decorate for the season with something pretty and useful

!