Hi friends! It's Mandi again.

Have you been noticing all of the gorgeous wreaths floating about in blogland these days?

And it's not just wreaths either, kids. Danielle Thompson created these really fun plush pumpkins that together with this wreath inspired me to create my own hybrid plush wreath. And I did it all with mostly reused and repurposed items.

S u p p l i e s :

- 1 knit sweater or Tshirt (I used a waffle knit striped T.)

- 1 wreath form (You can find junky old wreaths at the thrift store and strip them for your purposes.)

- A bunch of batting (I gutted an old ugly pillow I had.)

- Fabric flowers, buttons, or anything pretty you have laying around the house

T o o l s :

- Pinking sheers

- Thread

- Needle

- Sewing machine (not necessary, but convenient)

Time: approximately two hours.

Difficulty: easy (If you can do a basic stitch, you can do this!)

S t e p 1 :

Cut the arms and side off of the shirt so that you have two even strips of fabric. One from the front, and one from the back of the shirt. The width of your strips will depend on how fat you want your wreath to be in the end.

S t e p 2 :

Stitch your fabric together at the ends so that it is one long strip. I found that one shirt was long enough to wrap an entire wreath after the length was doubled by stitching the two lengths together. The nice thing about knit fabric is that it will stretch. This helps limit the lumpiness of the wreath in the end.

S t e p 3 :

Surround a small portion of your foam wreath form with batting. Then, begin stitching the fabric closed around the batting and the foam. This is a long and tedious process, but it's worth the effort!

As you continue along the wreath, add more stuffing to the areas that have been stitched. The more stuffing you add, the less lumpy your wreath will be.

S t e p 4 :

When you come to the end of the wreath, close the ends the same way you closed the entire length of the fabric. But be sure to leave an opening long enough to add the last bit of stuffing to even out the wreath. Then, when you're done stuffing it, stitch the opening completely closed.

If your hands are anything like mine, your fingers will be a bit soar by this point! But you still have work to do. Your wreath is probably very lumpy. But it's okay, because the next few minutes or so will be spent massaging the lumps out of the wreath. It helps to have knit fabric that will move about with your fingers so you can maneuver the batting more easily.

S t e p 5 :

Now delve into your collection of pretty things and stitch or glue them onto your finished plush wreath. I actually didn't stitch or glue my items. I used straight pins, so that I can easily remove them and repurpose everything after the season is over.

S t e p 6 :

Use leftover fabric or a piece of ribbon to hang your wreath. You can use any method to attach it to the back of your wreath: stitching, staples, pins… whatever holds it in place. Unless you're hanging the wreath on a glass door, nobody will see the back. Once it's hung, massage the last few lumps from the wreath, and step back to enjoy what you've created!

This is the first time I've ever made a plush wreath, and there are a few things I will do differently next time.

Next time I will cut the knit fabric a bit smaller than it needs to be. When it stretches out, I think it will help smooth out the lumps. The second thing I will do differently is before wrapping the batting and fabric around the wreath, I will sew a loose stitch along the length of the fabric. Then, after the wreath is wrapped, I will pull the threads of the loose stitch to gather the center of the wreath. I think this will accomplish a more even gathering of the stripes at the center, and a more tailored look to the entire wreath.

This wreath was definitely a learning experience for me, and I hope you've been inspired by the process! If you've made any holiday wreaths recently, be sure to link them up in the comments section so that all of us can see!

Feeling Festive

I'm about to head out to meet the RVA girls for an evening of crafting and story telling but first wanted to share what I made yesterday in the dark of the stormy afternoon.

The wreath was inspired by a few I've seen on flickr this year and was an inexpensive way to add some festivity for the upcoming holidays. It was going to be a substitute for the Halloween wreath I had last year but feels a little more like Christmas now with the blue ribbon. I think I might make one for each room. All you need is a straw or foam wreath and various shades of felt that you cut into scallops. I just stitched them onto each other on the back side. Add a pretty ribbon and you're done!

Have a warm, toasty weekend!

xoxo,
Rachel

December One

The December Kit is available in the RVKC etsy shop. Its a fun one! You can get yours here.


We got our first snow on Sunday morning. Sebastian and I got bundled up and went out into it for as long as we could stand our wet socks and cold finger tips. He made piles with his tractor and I cut enough from our (insert species) tree to make a wreath for our front porch. I found a tutorial for wreath making that made me feel like I could do it myself. With supplies already handy, I tied it all together and had it hung in under thirty minutes.


We are lucky enough to have a tree in our yard to prune without anyone scolding us. If you are surrounded by palm trees or live in a concrete jungle, you may risk a late night park trip with shears in hand, or ask a local florist for their stock greens. They're usually friendly people, right? (Remind me tell you about my late night, flower-related story sometime.) (And my tales of Valentine's Day deliveries during my college years.)

I'll be back with a few more wreath ideas and pictures of the four wreaths I'm working on for our own home. Its a bad habit. In the meantime, I'll leave you with more Christmas eye candy to get you in the mood. Thank you, Martha Stewart design team.

Holiday Instax Wreath

I brought my Instax Wide with me on our road trip to OKC and Dallas to see the entire side of my family. I'm hoping to be able to take a photo of each of them (as well as Brett's side) and then make a flip book for Ruby and Sebastian since they don't see everyone as often as any of us would like. Expect a little DIY in the future!

These are mostly photos I've taken since we've moved into our new home. I wanted a way to document this first Christmas that captured the random memories such as the sick kid dance party we had in our living room the morning before our road trip and the many things Ruby found her way into while we were unpacking. This green wreath was probably made to be a Christmas card holder but I found it at a thrift store and spray painted it green last year and decided to go with photos instead.

I've been keeping it up on the wall (no, we don't have all wood paneling. ha!) but couldn't get a picture without strange reflections on the photos. It's been fun to add a picture every few days and I'll date the backs and maybe start over for the new year. I love my Instax 210 and will never get over the feeling of instant photos in my hand. Thanks, Joe! (If anyone has this on their Christmas list, you're going to love it!)

We are currently enjoying perfect weather in OKC at my parent's house. Brett and Sebastian are outside playing ball and my mom is soaking in some grandbaby time with Ruby! Can I just say...I'm totally enjoying this little break in mama duty. Couldn't have come at a better time! Check back this evening for our Vintage Here, Vintage There post featuring outerwear!

xoxo,
Rachel

Totally Last Year

I pulled out my Christmas decorations from last year and decided I was even more excited about them this year. Probably because they are already finished! The fabric strip wreath that hung in our bedroom is back in our bedroom against the same mirror that hangs to the side of our bed. (photo from last year)


The soft trees are out and waiting for me to arrange them on our end table that has deemed itself the holiday vignette table. (photo from last year)


I found a vintage ceramic doe that will find it's place among the trees. The branches that were used for Halloween are waiting on warmer weather to be spray-painted white and adorned with something made of pom-poms. Inspiration for the pom-pom garland was gleaned from the lovely Elsie Flannigan's bed garland. LOVE IT!


Christmas decor is on the cheap this year but I'm finding it rather easy to make it work for our taste and style. I couldn't resist the paper chains from yesterday's post and made an ever so humble chain out of white computer paper and staples.


I added it to the door frame outside of Sebastian's room where my first tinsel wreath hangs. It is still waiting for the final touches of something that I can't quite put my finger on. Sometimes I have to start a project and let it wait until an idea jumps out at me. A plastic dinosaur? Felt pine cones? Mini teepees? Nothing at all? You'll just have to wait with me.

P.S. Soft trees are one of the easiest ways to add some Anthro-style whimsy to your mantle or window sill. Check out Stephanie Congdon Barnes' pattern and examples. Then find your way to the soft trees Flickr group for more ideas on customizing your own forest.

Red Velvet Summer Camp (full details)

Hooray! I'm happy to announce my next upcoming online class... Red Velvet Summer Camp! I'll be co-teaching this class with the wonderful Miss Elsie Flannigan along with special guest projects from Leigh-Ann, Holly and Emma!

*Registration will begin Wednesday, May 26th at 12 pm (noon) CST.

What is 'Red Velvet Summer Camp'?

Red Velvet Summer Camp is a 6 week online class encouraging a crafty, handmade lifestyle. This course is filled with projects to keep your summer inspired and fun-filled. We will share 30 Do-It-Yourself projects and have three live chats with students! The cherry-on-top is merit badge project to celebrate the end of Summer Camp! It's sure to be lots of fun. NOTE: This class is appropriate for all ages & family friendly, but projects are primarily set up for an adult skill level. :)

Summer Camp Project List:

10 Button Based Embroidery Patterns, Summer Floral Hair Clip, 'Hello' Woven Floor Mat, Summer Log Art Journal, Leather Feather Earrings, 3 Upcycled Tank Tops, Pup Tent (as seen in promo photos), Doily Plastic Bag Holder, Loom DIY (make your own loom), Swiss Cross Pillow, Ready-To-Use Recipe Box, Beaded Chandelier, Canvas Cloud Bath Mat, Mod Tote Bag, 3 D.I.Y. Bracelets (using three techniques), Pretty Windchime, Beach Blanket, Hanging Lanterns, Rockabilly Head Wrap with Summer Lovin' Embroidery Patterns, Happy Thoughts Wreath, Plush Animal Greeting Card Set, Fresh Fruit Apron Makeover, Simply Charming Necklace and Key Chain, Somebody Loves me Pillow Case Set, Tea Party Decor D.I.Y. (learn to throw the perfect little tea party!), Plush Scout Animal (with patterns), Forest Friends Shadow Box, Photo Fridge Magnets, Mini Party Garland, Scout's Honor Merit Badge Project (make pillows or wearable pieces with downloadable badge designs by Elsie & Rachel!)

Class Details

*Red Velvet Summer Camp is a 6 week online class that begins June 14th.

*Supplies: Class Supplies are posted in advance on the private blog. Most supplies are inexpensive craft store items and items you may already own. We work hard to keep the supply list super affordable with lots of options.

*Class includes Bi-Weekly chats with the teachers (both text and video chats are included).

*Private Blog access will be sent to you within 24 hours of payment. The blog includes supply lists and a fun welcome post for pre-class preparation & a chance to meet fellow students.

*Our class is set up on an open ended time frame so that students can follow at their own pace. There are no deadlines or pressure and the private blog stays posted for one full year after class completion for students to reference!

Registration

*Class Fee $60 USD

*Payments accepted via paypal and the red velvet site (reminder: registration begins next Wednesday at 12PM (noon) CST).

*If you have questions, please e-mail racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com.

Wow... I think that's everything! We're all super excited about this class. I hope you can join us. Happy Saturday.

xoxo,

Rachel

For That Age Old Conundrum

I was driving down Glenstone the other day and passed Anton's Coffee, a perfectly charming coffee shop/diner from long ago, and wondered why I'd never aimed our car in their perfectly charming direction. I was thinking this whilst coming back from a trip to FM Store, a surprisingly large interior with bolts upon bolts of upholstery and designer fabric, gorgeous trims, and quilt backing in all kinds of colors. (I didn't even know that you could get quilt backing in pretty colors unless you used a bed sheet!) I had always thought it was one of those stores with stock from the 80's that they'll never get rid of but keep plugging along because it's what they've always done, and thus had never been in there before! Well, they have some perfectly fantastic Amy Butler fabric for about $4/yd and the place was crawling with interior designers and their clients. Shame on me.

Feeling inspired to try a few more new things in this perfectly charming little city, I decided to make a list of some doorways we've never haunted because as soon as anyone asks 'What should we do?' our imaginations shut down and we only remember places we've already been. All of the above places (minus Thai Peppers but it's been about a year) are places we shall try out before the end of the year or as long as we're feeling adventurous. And then we'll brainstorm a few more.

This to-do list is just a piece of smooth, pre-cut lumber from Lowe's that I sanded down and coated with primer and three coats of chalkboard paint. I was planning on anchoring it to the wall in the kids' room but I like it more as a traveling piece. A large tablet. A throwback to caveman days if you will. It's currently propped up in a safe place so it won't land on anyone's head and the list may or may not be transferred to something if we choose to use our 'tablet' for an art project instead. I like making up my own rules.

What are some places you've always wanted to go that you always forget are there?

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. My old Halloween yarn wreath has finally made it's debut, as well as some white pumpkins and a few wooden acorns from Hobby Lobby. I've added the fawn and birds for a woodsy feel and have some garland ideas that I'll be sharing elsewhere later this month. Have you decorated for Halloween or Autumn in general?

PDF now available on Class Blogs

Those with previous access to the first and second online art journal classes can download the .pdf files from the blogs to save to their computers and have on hand FOR-EVER.
How I'd love to spend the rest of the day:

* Making Elsie's felt leaf and ghost garlands.
* Finishing black branch display with little felt crows.
* Finish up my black and white yarn wreath.
* Stain two shelves and microwave cart for kitchen.
* Research pear recipes so we can use up the stash from our tree.
* Sketch out a Halloween costume for Sebastian.
* Making felt beards for Brett and myself for our Halloween costumes.

I always want to make stuff when it finally starts to look like Fall. What are you itching to make?

Dreaming of a White Christmas?

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When I was young my family would go to a tree farm near our Northern CA home and cut our own so Christmas time always smelled like pine trees but these days we have an artificial white tree that is full of bright vintage ornaments. Last year I pruned the large pine tree in our front yard to make a wreath for our porch so we still got a little whiff whenever we'd come home. This is how our tree looked last year.

If you're a tree putter upper, do you have an artificial one or go au natural? See you tomorrow with more!

xoxo,
Rachel

A Few of Their (My) Favorite Things

The kids got a lot of great stuff this past Christmas. They are NOT hurting for new toys and clothes thanks to their generous grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, second cousins, etc. I've even set a few specific gifts aside for two months from now when new toys become familiar to make sure they all get some play time. Christmas Part Two if you will.

One of the things Sebastian's pre-school teachers told us we needed to work on at home was playing games together so that he could learn how to be a good sport after losing a game. I remember throwing a high caliber fit or two after my brother beat me in any game, be it Candy Land or racing down the street to the next light pole, so I wasn't surprised that this was tough for him.

So, board games were high on the list this Christmas and he ended up receiving Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, a Dr. Suess activity game, and an Eric Carle game from three different parties involved. I'm rarely the one to play board games with Sebastian because Brett is much more enthusiastic with it and I assume the role of entertaining Ruby so she doesn't 'join in' but I temporarily put my apathy on hold when I saw this one. I mean, look at those kids playing together so nicely...and friendly squirrels! Best $2 I've spent lately.

This vintage puzzle map is another fun one. It was in great shape and I'm hoping it survives Ruby's chewing habit.

I've showed Sebastian all of the places that we've lived and recently traveled. He knows where Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas are and never hesitates to remind me that driving from one to another takes a REALLY LONG TIME.

I showed him where Seattle was and told him he was born there where the fish are.

Then I reminded him where I grew up and where his Big Papi and Grandma Mary used to live in California right near the top of the movie camera.

Another fun gift was this wooden clock puzzle and vintage aqua play phone. I remember this puzzle from my own childhood and loving that there were illustrations under each piece. Ruby, raised on iPhones, still somehow knew what this rotary phone did and likes to hold it up to her ear and walk around with it.

That is, of course, when she's not spinning records on her new record player. I found this one at our local Goodwill and it was in it's original box but had been re-wrapped. It had all it's records so I was hoping it still worked and it does! Now Ruby shakes her booty to Jack and Jill and Hickory, Dickory, Dock.

Sebastian has also been enjoying his new transformers, his first remote control truck, and a pair of wooden stilts that his great-grandpa made for him. He got a new bike from my parents but on our last trip out there the vintage school chairs left no room for such a bike in the trunk. Priorities, ya'll. Really it's just a good excuse to visit again soon, right Mom? ;)

We've finally packed all of our Christmas decor (except for the wreath on the front door that I keep forgetting) and I've been rearranging the living room to see how I like it best. There are still boxes piled in corners and my studio is ridiculous but we're making progress! Today's list includes laundry, organizing our bedroom, and a workout that I've been putting off.

What does your weekend look like? Any home projects? Don't forget to share any of your restyled projects in our Project ReStyle Flickr group. Yours could be featured on our blogs this Wednesday!

xoxo,
Rachel