...the stockings are hung...pillows are fluffed...

...on the paneling with care...

I finally finished my stockings!

Taylor has waited THREE years for his.  Kortlen's is simpler than the rest, but I think I made things easier for future years by making a handful of the trickiest part:  the envelopes for Loving Letters.  They're actually REALLY easy if you make like 7 at one time!  It was trying to figure out the measurements from Tanners that had me stumped...at midnight.

(I LOVE the "Dear Santa" fabric inside the envelopes...sooo sad that I bought the last fat quarter of it at Porter's five years ago!)

Back when I was student teaching (five years ago) I started these...with a plan in mind, that obviously was too much to keep up as more children came along!  I didn't have a pattern to go on, which I regret...because I made four others for my sister-in-law, with a snowman, the star, the tree, and I think an envelope, but I didn't take pictures three years ago, so I don't remember.  If I get around to it, I'm going to re-embroider my name in beige, and Tanner's in the golden/yellow Ryan's is in...

(For my future reference, I used Harrington font for the letters, size 140.  Half a strand of floss *3 threads* and a chain stitch for the names.)

The idea behind the envelope is for the children to write a letter to Santa including the following things:

• Gratitude for the gifts given the previous year
• Asking for one want
• Asking for one need
• Telling one thing they can do for others (family, neighbors, etc.) in the coming year to show Santa (who was so generous to share of his talents) and Christ (who gave His life and love) that they love to serve.

HOPEFULLY Santa will remember to leave a love letter in return to be opened Christmas morning.  

Each are pieced, machine quilted and hand embroidered with fun fabric lining, backing, and binding the stocking which traditionally holds an orange, toothbrush, toothpaste, pair of stockings, and a trinket.  

I am BEYOND excited to put away my Christmas tote of fabric, which has been on my bedroom floor for the last three years.  You don't even KNOW how excited I am to be able to see the floor in that spot!  :)

__________

But before I end this post (somebody stop me!!!) I need to show you another project that was quick and easy (and includes a pattern!  of sorts) from this evening.

This is the first one I made...but my mom liked it, so I sent it home with her...

And this is the one that sits on my couch now...

Here's the 'pattern' for the ornaments.  Double click (to open in it's own window), right click, save as, and print!

I used the iron-on stuff (can you tell it's late?) to attach it to my fabric.  On 'mine', I actually ironed it onto felt, then iron-on'ed the felt to the muslin and then quilted. 

The best part about these projects, is I'm using all my scraps!!!  I didn't have to buy anything for the stockings or pillows, except for the DMC floss for Kortlen's stocking, and a $3.00 bag of fiber-fill for the pillows...actually, mine is stuffed with the remains of a dead-n-gone stuffed cat and left-over batting from the pumpkin Halloween costume circa 2006.  My, aren't I resourceful!  

I just have a crown to make for a wise man from felt...then it's ALL getting put away for a bit of a break! 

Now onto one last birthday preparation!!!