Christmas Tree Skirt

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

I have had the same tired tree skirt since 2005...not to mention, the poor thing isn't the prettiest. It's a fluffy white, glittery piece of fabric that is supposed to look like snow.
This year will be the first Christmas we spend in our new home and I would like to make my own NEW Christmas Tree skirt this year :)
Here are some simple DIYs that I found! 

Red and White Fleece Tree Skirt - This cute tree skirt is made with red and white fleece. The skirt is red while it is embellished with snowflakes and snowmen! So many details make this a beautiful tree skirt to add to your decor. Give your gifts a cozy place to rest until Christmas.

Fuzzy Fleece Tree Skirt
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Fuzzy Fleece Tree Skirt

You'll Need:
  • 2 yards red fleece
  • 2 yards white fleece
  • String
  • Tape measure
  • Chalk
  • Fabric scissors
  • Straight pins
  • Pinking shears
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread: red, white
  • 2 squares red craft felt
  • 3 squares green craft felt
  • 4 squares white craft felt (if desired, buy extra squares for snowflakes)
  • Craft glue
  • 12 black buttons, 1/2 inch each
  • Black fabric marker
  • Hot glue gun, glue sticks!!
To Make Fuzzy Fleece Tree Skirt:
  1. With fleece folded in half as it came off the bolt, fold it in half again, matching cut ends. Take bottom corner at fold of short edge, and bring it to long edge of fold.
    Fuzzy Fleece Tree Skirt
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.

    Fold bottom corner to long edge.
  2. Tie 50-inch length of string to piece of chalk, hold down string at point of fleece, and pull taut. Swing chalk in arc around bottom edge to mark off curve. Cut on curve to create circular skirt.
    Fuzzy Fleece Tree Skirt
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Use chalk to mark off curve.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with white fleece. Pin red and white circles together.

  4. Cut 1-inch-wide strips 5 inches long through both layers of fleece. Knot matching red and white strips together.
    Fuzzy Fleece Tree Skirt
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Knot red and white strips together.
  5. Use sewing machine to stitch 2 straight lines 1/2 inch apart from edge to center of skirt. (Use red thread in top of machine and white in bobbin.) Cut between stitched lines toward center to create skirt opening. Make 7-inch circle in middle of skirt with chalk. (You can use string as you did in step 2 to make a small circle.)

  6. Sew around circle, and cut out inner circle with pinking shears.

  7. Copy and cut out patterns. Download tree skirt patterns here. Cut out snowmen and holly designs from felt. Glue snowmen to red side of fleece and holly berries and leaves to white side of fleece with craft glue. Hot glue black buttons on snowmen. Use fabric marker to draw snowman eyes. (Note: Spot wash only with mild soap and water.)






Easy Tree Skirt Variation
 
Adirondack Tree Skirt
 
Felt Flakes
 
Ring Around the Evergreen
 
Tree Skirt

Materials
72" square of red felt
Chalk marking pencil
1 yd of string
Scissors
Pin
Tracing paper
1⁄4 yd of white felt
White yarn
Fabric glue
White pompoms in various sizes
Directions
1. Fold red felt in quarters. Tie string to pencil; pin other end of string to folded corner of felt. Keeping string taut, move pencil to mark quarter-circle along edge of felt.
2. Cut along marked line through all 4 layers.
3. At folded corner, cut out a 1"-deep quarter-circle (makes a 4" center opening). Open out felt. Cut from outer edge to inner circle to form tree skirt.
4. Glue white yarn in a vine design about 2" from the edge of the tree skirt.
5. Draw leaf shapes onto tracing paper; cut out. Cut about 16 white felt leaves. Glue onto skirt near yarn.
6. For berries, glue pompoms in various sizes in clusters around the skirt.


Read more:
Christmas Crafts at WomansDay.com - Easy Christmas Tree Skirt Ideas - Woman's Day

Christmas Eve Surprise Box

Tuesday, November 27, 2012



I found a wonderful idea for an "open early" Christmas gift on
The Imagination Tree blog.
click here to see full post.

The box is to be opened on Christmas Eve at sunset by everyone in the family.



The box can contain anything for a fun-filled "family night."
Some ideas for the box:
Christmas movies
Arthur Christmas National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation  (20th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition) (Widescreen)
New Pajamas for the family
Merona® Men's 2Pk Sleep Set - Assorted Nick & Nora® Women's Fluid Knit Love Letters Pajama Set - Black/White/Multi
Star Wars Boys' 2-Piece Long-Sleeve Pajama Set - Gray/Red Hello Kitty Girls 2-Piece Short-Sleeve Pajama Set
House Slippers
Isotoner Men's Fleece Clog Slipper - Charcoal Women's Cordette Scuff Slipper
Kid's Angry Bird Slipper - Red Girl's Cassia Bunny Slipper - White
Christmas Books
Twas the Night Before Christmas (Paperback)   The Polar Express (null) (Mixed media product)
Snacks
Pop Secret Movie Theatre Buttered Popcorn 6pk Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix 1oz. 10ct.
Kraft Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows - 16 oz.
(Everything pictured is available at Target) 


Thanksgiving - The Children's Table

Friday, November 2, 2012

I remember as a child, almost the entire family would meet at my grandmother's house for the Thanksgiving. The table was filled with delicious food; turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy. And as soon as our plates were full, us children were then escorted out of the dining room into the isolated kitchen nook to the "children's" table. We were also forced to drink milk with our food (yuck), despite my lactose intolerance :/
THE CHILDREN'S TABLE
Even into my teen years and early twenties, I still sat at the children's table. It wasn't until I had my son that I was finally allowed to eat at the "adult" table. I had experienced and witnessed the isolation and utter boredom at the Children's table and have decided that there will be no more of it! If the kids have to eat at their own table-we as adults must then make it fun for them (with the option of water or tea as an alternative to milk).
Crayons, coloring books and a paper covered table is a MUST!
If you would like the cover page above, just leave a message and your email address on this Facebook page and they will send the link!
FREE printable coloring pages may be found here .
Kids Thanksgiving Table

You could even put out a small bucket of legos!


This is also their Thanksgiving -so make it fancy for them too!
 It will make them feel equally important :)


Thanksgiving - Thankful

Thursday, November 1, 2012

I get so excited for the 'most wonderful time of the year' that I go straight from Halloween to Christmas, completely skipping Thanksgiving all together.
 
I was reminded today of what Thanksgiving is all about; being thankful for what I have.
 I am thankful for the people that are in my life. Thankful for the love I have from and for everyone around me. Thankful for my family's health. Thankful for my husband and my son and how I am blessed to have them in my life.
 
Even though my family has suffered a great tragedy in the past, I believe these events led me to the wonderful life I have today. As they say, "God works in mysterious ways." But I admit, I sometimes dwell on what I have lost and forget what I have right in front of me; Life, Love and Happiness.
 
I thought I would share the story behind my thankfulness that is both beautiful and inspiring. It made me forget all the "troubles" I thought I had in my life. It made me truly grateful for what really matters...the love of God and my loving family.
 
 
 
Meet Tripp
 
 
Tripp was born on May 14, 2009. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin or mucous membranes causes blisters. They told us he would not live to be a year old. Every day he amazes us by his strength. He is a fighter and with all he has been through, he has never given up. He is the strongest person I know. Tripp wakes up each morning with a smile on his face. Every day spent with him is a blessing. God has a special plan for him. I'm just blessed to be able to witness that plan.
 
 


Tripp is on constant pain medicine, but on most occasions (when he is not down from an infection or acutely sick), he is a very playful, happy boy who LOVES to play the drums.
 
He is VERY smart and despite not being able to speak/see, he has definitely been given a gift of hearing and an ear for music. He can play his drums perfectly to the rhythm of any tune:)
I am one PROUD Momma.


 
On January 14, 2012, Tripp received his wings and went to be with Jesus.
My baby took his last breath, in the rocking chair, in my arms.
Our hearts are broken.
I truly appreciate your prayers and support through this unbearable time.
Mommy misses you, my little angel.
And you are always, ALWAYS in my heart.
 
You can meet Tripp and his mommy HERE.