Letter Sweater Pillow {Breaking In My New Sewing Machine}

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have heard that I was blessed with a new sewing machine for Christmas.

Last weekend, I finally carved out some time to break it out of the box & try it out! 

This was my first project. 

Since I'm such a beginner at sewing I didn't attempt to do up a tutorial, but just wanted to share it with you. 

I used a thrifted sweater to sew the pillow cover & then used my cricut to cut out a template for the "P". I traced the "P" onto some grey felt, cut it out & sewed it on. 

It was pretty easy & didn't take me all that long.

My son, Parker was really excited to have a new little cushion on his reading chair. His reaction was priceless. Who knew a 9 year old would get so excited over a pillow? He must be a chip of the old block, as they say. :)

Here's to many more successful sewing projects!

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Felt Pinwheel Headbands

A while ago I shared with you how to make felt pinwheels to use as a gift wrap idea & today I'm sharing another idea of how to use the same kind of felt pinwheels.

This is a fast & simple little project. It's a really nice way to make a matching hair accessory for your little girl's favourite outfit.

Here's what you'll need to make one:

• Felt in whatever colour you like
• A large button
• Headband
• Scissors 
• Thread
• Hot glue gun

Using this template, cut out a square from your felt. Then cut the slits as shown.

Source

Line up the edges (where the dots on the template are) to make the pinwheel & stitch the edges, adding the button to the top centre. 

Hot glue to the side of the headband.

Give it to your favourite little girl to model & enjoy!

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Pretty Ribbon Christmas Card Display

  I'm happy to report that I'm pretty much finished my Christmas preparations.

Shopping?

Check.

Wrapping?

Check.

Baking & Food Gifts?

Check, Check, Check, and Check.

Christmas crafts?

Lots of checks there. And more I would like to add! :)

Decorating?

As of today - check!

I have at last put up my ribbon Christmas card display - the last of my decorating this year.

It's quite easily made with two widths of ribbon (non-wired), some pretty paper clips, & a smaller width of ribbon to attach the paper clips.

Start by cutting your ribbons to the length of your door (or wherever you plan to hang your display). Notch the ends.

Layer the ribbons & pin at alternating lengths, allowing space for both portrait (10") or landscape (7") oriented cards.

Tie small lengths of the narrowest ribbon to your paper clips & stitch to ribbon.

Tack to the top of your door(s) & display your Christmas cards!

Now that my Christmas prep is pretty much done, I can enjoy Christmas break with my family & if I choose to do more crafting or baking, it's just gravy, so to speak. 

I hope you're getting your to do list done & have some time to enjoy the season too.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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Enjoy your day!

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More Sheet Music Decorations

After last week's sheet music tree ornaments were made & adorning our Christmas tree, I decided I needed some smaller ones to add along with the larger tree fillers. These simple, small decorations are just the ticket!

Here's how to make them:

Cut a sheet of music in half. One sheet will make 2 ornaments.

Roll from either side, making a little scroll. Use some hot glue to secure.

Cut a length of ribbon & hot glue to the bottom of the scroll. 

(Just under the loop in the photo below.)

Tie ribbon into a bow.

Glitter the edges, using whatever colour you like. I used silver on some & blue on some.

Wait for the glitter to dry & hang them on your Christmas tree from the ribbon loops.

Another easy Christmas decoration!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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Enjoy your day!

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Christmas Banner Tutorial

This past weekend, one of my projects was to make a couple of banners for a friend of mine. Similar to last year's Christmas banner, but with the words "Joy To The World" on in.

I selected some different papers but in the same colour scheme, found some gold ribbon, eyelets, & glitter. Then I went to work.

Here's how I did it:

Using your Cricut, cut out rectangles.

I used the George & Basic Shapes cartridge & used size 5 1/2".

Cut backgrounds out of cream cardstock.

I used the Birthday Bash cartridge & used size 5 1/2" for these as well.

Adhere the cream backgrounds to the pattered rectangles.

Cut out your letters with your Cricut. 

I used the Winter Wonderland cartridge & used size 3".

I also cut out a cute bird & some flourishes to help with the word spacing.

The bird is from the Winter Wonderland cartridge in size 3".

The Flourishes are from the Cindy Loo cartridge in size 2 1/2".

Then add eyelets to the top corners of each rectangle.

I used my Big Bite Crop-a-Dile for this.

Then add glitter along the edges of the cream cardstock. Use a toothpick to correct any mistakes. Trust me, it works like a charm!

I use Stickles glitter glue.

Wait for the glitter to dry & then thread ribbon through holes.

Hang it wherever you wish...

 ... and enjoy it for the entire Christmas season!

I really love the glittery shimmer of all the gold on this banner - not usually my style, but beautiful! 

I hope I've inspired you to try making a banner of your own to help you celebrate the Christmas season.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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Sheet Music Tree Filler Ornaments

I found this neat sheet music tree ornament idea at a home decor store done slightly different & thought I could easily tweak it a bit to fit into my Christmas decor. Happily, I was right! It was really easy to make these cute tree fillers! 

For those of you who don't know what I mean by "tree fillers", here's my definition: Christmas decorations that don't hang on the branches but sit on the branches. I use twiggy things & sprigs of silver leaves, & now these little goodies on my Christmas tree.

Here's the how to:

Start with:

• Sheet Music
• Birds (or other decoration) on a wire stick
• Decorating twigs (I used glittery blue & silver ones)
• Hot glue gun
• Tape
• Wire cutters or pliers with wire cutters

Roll the sheet music & tape.

Take the wired birds & bend the wire into a "J" shape to start if off before you wrap it around the sheet music. If you don't, you'll crush the music.

Now wrap the wire around the rolled sheet music.

Cut some twigs off of the bunches you have, using wire cutters or pliers, arrange & glue the around the bird.

They were so fast to make too. I made 6 & it took me maybe half an hour - I'm happy about that!

What do you think? I'm slowly, but surely giving my Christmas tree decor a little makeover. And I'm doing it DIY style too! Next week, I'll have another sheet music ornament to show you as well as a tree topper. (Can you see a theme developing here? I can, and I love it!)

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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Enjoy your day!

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Christmas Crafts & Recipes Of The Past...

Now that American Thanksgiving is over, I know a lot of you are looking for Christmas ideas & recipes to get started on. I know I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for new ideas! 

Since many of you have followed along since last December (Thank you!), today I'm doing a run-down of my favourite crafts, recipes, & projects from last Christmas.

Let's start with some fun crafts...

Christmas Banner

I still need to make one of these babies for myself! I made a few last year & sold them all. Must. Keep. One. :)

Spool Christmas Trees

These little trees were so fun to discover as I pulled them out again this year. They're a fun part of our decor.

Spool Tree Ornaments

Possibly my favourite Christmas craft ever! I have these arranged on a wreath this year with some twinkle lights.

Let Heaven & nature sing...

Light Bulb Snowmen (with photo tutorial!)

Our kids get such a kick out of these snowmen every year. 

They love that they have one that is personalized & belongs to each one of us.

Glittered Pinecones

These sparkly cones are filling a metal lantern in my front entryway this year.

Now on to recipes...

Classic Sugar Cookies (No rolling or cutting needed!)

Merry Berry Cheese Bars (Cranberry Cheesecake Bars)

Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge (Fast!)

Almost Instant Buckeyes (Another fast one!)

Egg Nog Tarts

Cards, tags, & gift card holders...

Gift Tags

Use your Cricut or Silhouette to cut out some cute shapes, attach string & create your own gift tags!

Gift Card Holders

Make your own simple gift card holder for those hard to buy for people.

Christmas Cards

Create a few custom made Christmas cards for your friends & family with these ideas.

Those are just my favourites! I hope you found some inspiration here.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!