Christmas Projects!

Warning: This may be a long post. I just wanted to share some of the fun Christmas activities that have been keeping me busy the past few days. I LOVE doing little domestic projects, but usually don't have too much time for them, so it's a treat to have a couple of weeks off just to do fun things. I am usually last minute shopping and stressing over getting things done the week before Christmas, but somehow I am miraculously all caught up and have been filling my days with fun, non-stressful activities.

First, I decided to try to make a stocking based on these:
http://www.dana-made-it.com/2009/12/sweater-stockings.html

I started with an old sweater that had shrunken a little too short (even pre-pregnancy!), and cut out a stocking shape using another stocking as a guide.

Then I just sewed right sides together and turned it inside-out (or is it right-side-in?) for the basic stocking

.

 For the embellishments, I added ruffles using just some strips of white fabric I already had.

 To make the ruffles, baste with your machine using the longest stitch possible and then pull the thread gently from one end until you achieve your desired ruffly-ness.

 I just sewed the ruffles on in two rows, starting with the bottom first, and ended up with this.

 Almost there, but not quite perfect...

Finally, I created a little rosette using a strip of the sweater I had left over. Again, just baste with your sewing machine and then pull until the fabric kind of circles in on itself.

 I just hand sewed the rosette on with a few stitches in the middle and added some jingle bells!

 To make a hanger, I used a strip of fabric from one of the sleeves and sewed it to the inside of the stocking.

 All done! The plan was to make a few of these to sell over at honeydew.com, but that didn't happen, so this one will be for the baby girl next Christmas!

My next project was to make a little treat for the neighbors in our cove. I have never done this before, but I thought it would be a good thing to do with my extra time. I made this caramel corn for our families for Thanksgiving, and everyone loved it so I decided to make it for our neighbors, too. Here is the recipe for those of you that are interested: 
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Caramel-Popcorn/Detail.aspx

Last time, I made it with plain microwave popcorn, but this time I went with the good old-fashioned stove-top kind. I guess I was feeling ambitious. It was actually really easy, though. 1/3 cup of kernels made about 10 cups popped!

 This is what the caramel looks like while it cooks...

 ...and when it starts boiling.

 

Then I just poured it over the popcorn and cooked for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

 And here it is all packaged up for the neighbors!

Lastly, my niece Chloe (with the help of her momma!) asked for some baby doll diapers for Christmas. I found these tutorials online, http://www.prudentbaby.com/2009/11/diy-doll-diapers.html and http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/09/19/, so made them myself! I basically just followed the pattern and cut out the diaper templates in three cute fabrics.

 Then I cute some coordinating felt and sewed right sides together. Make sure you leave a little space to turn your diapers inside-out (right-side-in?...I still don't know...) once you finish sewing.

 Lastly, I just pinned on small pieces of velcro and sewed them on. I used a zig-zag stitch just to ensure they were sturdy enough for two-year-old use!

 Cute diapers!

 Baby doll model.

 All wrapped up for Christmas! Hope she likes them- and good thing she can't read this blog!

What fun things are you doing to get ready for Christmas? Let me know!

Proverbs 31: Reasons for this blog...

    So I finally decided to start a blog. I have been thinking about it for a while now, and I am obsessed with keeping up with other blogs on my Google Reader, so I thought I should give it a shot. This will be a place for me to share about everything that is going on in our lives, and sort-of a journal for me to have somewhere to put my thoughts as I strive to become a "Proverbs 31 woman."

    The name for this blog comes from Proverbs 31(duh), specifically verses 10-31, in which the ideal woman, wife, mother (at least in my opinion), is described. I have always really loved this chapter of the Bible as I have become a wife and, more recently, a future momma. These verses describe a woman who is godly, of outstanding character, a loving wife, and a nurturing mother. A lot of the time, though, a housewife is thought of someone who is mild-mannered and soft-spoken, and possibly somewhat of a "push-over." This is not the Proverbs 31 woman! While she is humble and caring, she is also intelligent, hardworking, tough, and a clever entrepreneur. God calls us as women to care for our families and our homes and to be servants to our husbands and others, but He does not call us to be cowards or to live fruitless lives. I think this is the reason I am so drawn to the Proverbs 31 woman, and want to strive to be like her. Everyone who knows me knows that I am, for the most part, soft-spoken and unassuming, but I want to be more. I want to be a humble servant, but I also want to be a bold follower of Christ and a strong example for my family.

   All of this is just to give you an idea of where I am coming from for this blog. I plan to write about all things going on in our lives-love, marriage, pregnancy, new baby, home, projects-everything! Also, I am possibly, hopefully, definitely? planning an starting some new "adventures" that will be documented here.

   Thank you so much for reading, and check back often for updates!