Christmas Crafternoon: Christmas Cookie Countdown

One of the things I love about holidays is making crafts with my kids.  One year I brought home a bunch of fun stuff to use on our Christmas Crafternoons. We were in need of a simple new Christmas count down so we made one out of paper.  I'm sharing the details so you can make one too!

Anthropologie Inspired Yarn Wrapped Monogram Ornaments

I often browse the Anthropologie ads and think about how I could try to recreate some of their beautiful clothes and cute stuff.  A few years ago there were some totally adorable ornaments on the back cover and I just had to make them. So I thought I'd show you how to make some too.

The Gingerbread Man Puppet & Softie PDF pattern

Hello sewing friends! Today is a pretty exciting day for me. I am officially releasing a new pattern for sale. It's a PDF pattern to make a Gingerbread Man Puppet or Softie toy. Take a look and tell me what you think. 

You can use this pattern to make a cute softie toy or put a puppet pocket on it to make playing with him a little more fun. Leave him unstuffed (pictured below on the right) to make him easier to move or stuff him fat (pictured left) so he's nice and snuggly.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PATTERN

A few years ago I made a bunch of these little Gingerbread men to give with a Gingerbread Man book to all the families on our Christmas list. They turned out so cute I thought it would be fun to share how to make one with you all.   It makes the perfect, simple handmade family gift.

This PDF Pattern is written for the beginner sewist and includes 10 pages of detailed photos, instructions, and printable pattern sheets to make it easy for you to make this cute little guy. That means YOU can make this! I sewed him up out of polar fleece but any medium weight knit fabric will do. 

Here's a little peek at the back. He turns into a puppet with a simple pocket which makes it easy for little hands to slip in and run around the house with while the Gingerbread man escapes from everyone who is trying to eat him. "Run, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man"

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PATTERN

This is an exciting day for you too because for the next couple of days this pattern is available in my Etsy shop at half price. If you hurry you can snag one.  And don't worry these are quick to sew and there is plenty of time to make one before Christmas. :)  If you make one I'd love to see it. Share it on Instagram with #gingerbreadmanpuppetpattern and tag me @bluesusanmakes.

Happy Sewing!

Thanksgiving Decor Ideas

I pulled out the Thanksgiving decorations! I'm always such a decorating procrastinator.   I discovered a garland I made last year that I wanted to show you.  After all you can't have a holiday without a little crafty garland hanging somewhere, right?

Happy Pie Day!

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is Pie Day! The day we make all the pies. Do you call it this too? We are traveling today and sadly not making pies but I like to look at the pictures of pies we've made previous years.  This Lemon Merengue Pie is THE BEST. I'm sharing my grandma's recipe in my newsletter on Monday so if you aren't a subscriber, now's your chance to sign up. 

Craft Fair Display: 9 Tips to Set up a Beautiful Booth

It's Craft fair season and I always get the itch to sew up a bunch of things to sell around this time of year. There is nothing like the thrill of seeing someone browse and buy your handmade items. I usually team up with another maker and share a booth and we ALWAYS get compliments on our setup and display. So today I'm going to give you some tips and ideas to help you make your booth look inviting and let your products shine. 

How to Make a Reusable Gift Bag

Hello Sewing friends! It's no secret that I love making bags and today I'm going to share with you how to make an easy reusable gift bag. The Holidays are upon us and sometimes I don't have time to make something special for everyone but I still like to give a gift with a touch of handmade.  Stuff these easy to sew bags with a package of baked goods, candy bars, lotion, a cozy scarf, or some fun socks and you'll have the perfect gift for a best friend, neighbor, or teacher. (Mine are holding a package of store bought cookies). Come learn how to make them! 

How to Sew a Wristlet Key Fob

It is craft fair season and even though I don't get to sell at a craft fair this year I want to show you how I make one of my very favorite things to sell... Keychains! I guess Wristlet Key Fob is a more accurate name but whatever you call them, they are everyone's favorite gift! Teachers, girlfriends, moms, and sisters all love them. Snap them to your ring of keys and they are so much easier to find.  They are easy and fast to make and a great thing to make to sell at a craft fair. 

Tom - the Hero from Beast Quest

Hello Sewing friends! Anyone else have a "Halloween hangover"? Too much junk food for me. I'm showing off my son's finished costume today. Introducing Tom, the hero from Beast Quest. 

3 Free Little Boy Tie patterns - Sew a Tie for Halloween

Halloween is on Sunday this year! 

Which means I'll be adding some Halloween fabric to our Sunday attire.  I'm sewing up fun Halloween neckties this week for my boys to wear with some left over Halloween Bats fabric. And for the girls, stitch up a cute Tie scrunchie to top off a pony tail with this Tie Scrunchie tutorial.