Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Magic of Christmas Never Ends and it's Greatest Gifts Are Family and Friends



Thank you, everyone, for your support throughout the year. Your lovely comments have meant so much to me. I wish you and your family joy and happiness this Christmas!

Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Cute as a Button!

If you are looking for something fun and playful to wear at your next holiday gathering, have I got the perfect project for you. I found a fabulous tutorial on Jo in TAS for a scrumptious button necklace. This is a quick and easy project to make so I hope that you give it a try.

I wanted something delicious and candy-like and decided on this colorful assortment of buttons. It reminds me of the candy necklaces that I wore as a child, minus all the stickiness, of course.


This green and brown combination is a little more sophisticated and I love how it turned out.


I am not an avid jewelry maker so I do not have necklace clasps at my disposal. Since I do have jewelry pliers and wire, I opted for an Egyptian Clasp closure instead.

I love buttons so this was the perfect project for me.


Mele Kalikimaka! May the closeness of family and friends renew your spirits this holiday season.

Aloha!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Flakey Goodness

Felt snowflakes on my Christmas tree...


...with sweet sugar cookie centers. Yummy!


Wouldn't they be cute tucked into the branches of a white Christmas tree? Maybe one day.


Season's Sweet Things to you, my friends.

Aloha,

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Surf Kitty, U.S.A.

I couldn't make it to Waimea Bay this past week to catch the 40-50 foot momboosa waves so I thought I'd hang ten at home.



Just ridin' them waves...shootin' the curl...havin' a good old time. I'm so stoked.


Mele Kalikimaka!

Aloha,
Mousie

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Faux Boxwood Mini Wreath

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

I haven't had the time to make new tutorials lately so I thought I'd take you along for the ride as I create one of my own Christmas decorations. This little wreath can be hung on a wall or on the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the beautiful and delicate boxwood wreaths that you often see in country decorating.


To make the wreath base, you will need two 6-inch green felt circles with a 3-inch circle removed from it's center. You will also need a 5-1/4-inch circle of cardboard with a 3-3/4-inch circle removed from it's center.


Join both felt pieces together along the center circle using 6 strands of embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.


Add the cardboard circle between both pieces of felt, creating a "donut sandwich" with the cardboard acting as the filling. It is vital that you add the cardboard before you begin sewing the outside perimeter.


Begin blanket stitching the outside perimeter of the base. Lightly stuff with fiberfill as you go along. The stuffing should be placed only on one side of the cardboard. This will keep the back flat and the front slightly domed in shape.


Continue sewing until you have gone completely around the perimeter.


To make the leaves, begin with a 2-3/8-inch circle of green fabric.


Fold in half, wrong sides facing each other.


Folded both ends toward the center.


With needle and matching thread, take a running stitch close to the raw edge.


Gather, and tie off with a secure knot before cutting thread.


Make lot's of them.


To begin assembly, hot glue leaves onto the front (domed side) of the base. Stagger leaves for a more natural and eye pleasing look.


Continue gluing leaves around the base until it is completely covered.


Add decorations if you'd like or leave it plain. I decided to use mini red pony beads. Add a ribbon for hanging and it is ready to enjoy.


This wreath would look wonderful in an assortment of green fabrics. This is the perfect excuse to dig into your scrap bin and use up all of those tiny scrap pieces that you've been stashing away.

The holiday's are upon us and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the madness, especially when there is so much to do. Don't forget to take the time to sit back and enjoy the season!

Aloha!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Hexagon Flower Ornaments

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

I am in love with these rainbow hexagon blooms. They're so yummy and petite and measure just under 2-1/2 inches.


To create these ornaments, I hand stitched hexagons together to form two 6-petal flowers.


With wrong sides facing each other, the hexagons were joined together using a ladder stitch.


I lightly stuffed the flowers with polyfill before closing the final seam.


A button was sewn to both sides of the flower center. To give it a slightly tufted look, the thread was pulled tight as the buttons were being sewn on.


They look so cute tucked between the branches of the Christmas tree.


Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!

Aloha!