American Girl Doll Summer Wardrobe Giveaway

You've been waiting for it and the time has arrived for our third American Girl Doll Handcrafted Wardrobe Giveaway. This time the contributors have outdone themselves and created an incredible summer wardrobe. You are going to love it!! This fabulous giveaway is brought to you by the following co-hosts, sponsors, & contributors~

1. Diana of Diana Rambles - Diana aka FreeStyleMama, the coordinator of this giveaway, is a self-described creative crafty mama of 3 who blogs about food, crafts, family & fun. She also is a blog designer & seamstress.
2. Amy of SewsNBows - Amy is a fabric hoarder and sewing pattern collector who enjoys sewing children's clothing and accessories. Her beautiful creations are showcased on her blog.
3. Millie & Kristina of 2 Crochet Hooks - Millie and Kristina, a Mother and Daughter team of Fiber Crafters, Entrepreneurs and Environmentally Concerned Parents. Blogging about Crochet, Crafts, Recycling, and Fun!
4. Stephanie of The Tip Toe Fairy - Stephanie is a stay-at-home mommy to 3.  She blogs about crafting, cupcakes, book reviews, and more.
5. KC of The Real Thing with the Coake Family - KC is a stay at home mom of two cuties who are 11 and 7. She blogs at The Real Thing with the Coake Family which is about living the creative life with her family, while keeping it real along the way.
6. Debbie of Heartbeats~ Soul Stains - Debbie is a wife, mother of 7 and a nurse that has survived many obstacles. She share stories about her life living in controlled chaos.
7. Janell of Saving you Dinero - Janell is a stay-at-home mom and blogger at Saving You Dinero, a blog dedicated to "saving you time and money, from kitchen to store and so much more." Janell enjoys baking, shopping online, and saving money by scouring the internet for the best deals and coupon codes.
8. Lynn of Turnips 2 Tangerines - Turnips 2 Tangerines is Lynn's Little Kitchen in the Big Woods of Northern WI is where she shares with you, her family tested and approved recipes, kitchen tips and many adventures traveling throughout Wisconsin.
9. Emily of Naptime Creations - Emily is an adventure loving mom who lives in Hong Kong with her husband and two boys. When she's not with her family or friends you can find her sewing, cooking, taking photos and blogging.
10. Jenny of Learning and Growing the Piwi Way - Jenny is a proud wife and mama who enjoys blogging about teaching her kids, the books she reads and food. With another job relocation always just over the horizon most of the projects she writes about are an attempt to distract her from packing.
11. Laura of Laura Kelly's INKlings - Laura Kelly is a licensed artist and creative project designer in addition to being the resident dyesigner for the Rit Studio and an inaugural member of The Sharpie Squad.  She blogs her journey with hopes of inspiring and stimulating creativity in others.
12. Stephanie of A Geek in Glasses - Stephanie loves all things Vintage and crafty and her house shows it. She just got AG Doll Molly McIntire for Christmas because she wants to have a Victory Garden and loves all things 1940's!!!
13. Lisa of Crazy Adventures in Parenting - Lisa Douglas is an Army wife raising seven kids sharing humorous parental war-stories, yummy homemade family-friendly recipes, craft tutorials, hilarious family videos, and much more at CrazyAdventuresinParenting.com. Lisa's on a journey to savor every "small" moment, finding the humor in the joy in everything (even diapers and laundry).
14. Char of Doll Diaries - Char is the founder and blogger at Doll Diaries where girls of all ages are inspired to create, play and share doll related activities. She is excited for the second summer of Camp Doll Diaries - a free, online summer camp with new themed activities for girls of all ages each day.
15. Ayelet of The Graceful Rose - Ayelet is the owner of The Graceful Rose shop, is a wife and mama to two adorable girls. Her blog is a bit about her daily life, with tips and tricks that she's learned along the way.
16. Anna of Doll It Up - Anna shares projects and inspiration to sew, craft and create for dolls. From easy to advanced projects come and create, repurpose and PLAY!
17. Rachel & Donna of Once Upon a Sewing Machine - The sewing machine has always been a place for us to come together as mother and daughter team. It is a place where we can brainstorm, laugh, cry, catch up after being apart and share new projects.
18. Michelle of Crafty Little Me - Michelle is wife and mother to two cats and one playful pup. Her site is a way for her to document and share her passion for big projects, events, etc., and more importantly, planning and organizing these things and seeing everything come together in the end.

Sonnet of SohoSonnet Creative Living   Becky of Plushie Patterns
Allison of Dream a Little Bigger   Lizzy of The Muddle-Headed Momma
Lindsay of My Creative Days   Harriet of Posh on a Budget
 Lisa of Chronically Content   Carmody of Paper & Fox

FreeStyleMama - Hawaiian Collection & Embroidered Tote Bag
Naptime Creations - Mushroom Outfit   Doll Diaries - T-shirt & Pajamas
Laura Kelly's INKlings - Patriotic Outfit   SewsNBows - Pet Set & Outfit
Darlin Girl Creations - Snoopy Outfit   Tickie's Treasures - Vintage Outfit
123 Mulberry Street - Outfit & Hat   A Bee Line - Beez Shoes
Jazzy Doll Duds - Romper Outfit   Karen Mom of 3 - Floral Outfit
  Gina's Craft Corner - 4 Bags   Aunt Sissy Originals - Patriotic Outfit
Once Upon a Sewing Machine - 2 Outfits   2 Crochet Hooks - Bedding Set
  GiGi's Doll Creations - Patriotic Outfit   Jessie's Girl Clothing - Polo Outfit 
Pickled Okra - Reversible Outfit   Meatloaf and Melodrama - Flower Outfit
Doll It Up - Tutu Set   The Graceful Rose - 2 Dresses
Cats Meow - Floral Dress   The Real Thing with the Coake Family - Dress Form
The Tip Toe Fairy - Skirt Set   Camelot's Treasures - Shorts Outfit

Enter the giveaway using the Giveaway Tools entry form below.

18+ yrs, US & Canada Only. Official Rules at bottom of the entry form.
Bonus entries unlocked after required entry.
The more entries, the better chance you have of winning.

Entry-Form

This giveaway was coordinated by Diana of Diana Rambles.

Summer Olympics Giveaway

Ok, I know ALL of you have been watching the Olympics.  Every four years, I can't help but get excited to see all the awesome athletes show off their talent and heart to win the gold.  Every four years, I end up watching a new sport, and/or learning about an event that I didn't realize was a part of the Olympics. However, my favorite has been and will always be Gymnastics.  The grace and strength that a gymnast has just amazes me!  

So when I saw that Stacy and Stella posted on their Facebook page that THEY were looking for pattern testers for a leotard, I jumped on it!  Here's Bridget modeling our version of the leotard in red and silver (go Team USA!):

Ouch, can you do that?

She "stuck" her landing!

After submitting my feedback, I decided that this leotard was too cute to just keep to myself.  One lucky Camelot's Treasures' fan will get a chance to win this fantastic leotard, so their doll can join in the Olympic spirit!

All YOU have to do is comment on this blog - that's it!  Comment on the Olympics or whatever, just be sure to leave your email address (or your parent's) so you can be contacted if you are the lucky winner.  If you would like an extra entry, share it on Facebook or Twitter - but be sure to tag us, so we see it! The winner will be announced on Sunday, August 12th, when the closing Olympics Ceremony will be.  Easy peasy :)

Of course, not everyone entered will be able to get this leotard for FREE, however there will be more listed in the shop soon.  Or, if you're a fellow seamstress, then check out Stacy and Stella's Etsy shop for this or several other fabulous patterns!

Mother's Day Giveaway with Homefront Team

Because there is NO such thing as TOO many giveaways, I have joined another one!  This time it's with Etsy Homefront Team for Mother's Day.  23 fellow homefronter's (a group of military spouses and loved ones) got together and donated $400 worth of awesome prizes to be awarded to ONE luck winner!

Anyone can participate (er, well except for me, which saddens me to no end!) and it's super easy to enter.  All you have to do is follow the Homefront Team blog and like them on Facebook (which I linked those for you here so you have NO excuses!); then you are entered!  Awesome right?!

Camelot's Treasures donated a lovely rose fabric basket, perfect to hold anything your heart desires.  What I like to use them for?  Holding fat quarters, CDs (what few I may still have), or the T-man's Super Hero Squad guys (Iron Man is partial to roses, while Thor prefers puppies I am told...).

(bows not included)

So check out the blog post here (just in case you didn't ALREADY click on the previous log) http://homefrontartistryteam.blogspot.com/2011/04/mothers-day-giveaway.html and get entering!  And be sure to search "homefront team" on your next venture on Etsy for some super awesome handmade items by military families all over the world!

Meet Your Egg Hiders - Kristin and Kim

This easter egg hunt has really given me a chance to learn a little more about some of my fellow Etsy Maine Teamers.  I'm amazed by the stories they have to share, and by their talents more and more each day.  Today is no different with the two featured Easter Egg hunt participants here.

First up is Kristin from Burnt Meadow Beads

 

Bluette Fairy Flower Pin



 When describing having a look around Burnt Meadow Beads the first word that comes to mind is: FRESH.  From the soft colors, to the floral-inspired jewelry, the feeling of spring fills my senses.  I just want to lay out in the grass, soaking in sun rays, and just...be.  I love when things give me that sense, and I know you will too once you take a look around her shop. 

 

What is your fondest memory of Easter?

My best memory of Easter is going on Easter Egg hunts with my sister Elizabeth and searching high and low for eggs that were really hidden well! Sometimes they were planted in bird houses, under our porch, in a pocket of a dress hanging on the clothesline and one time even in the mailbox. I think my parents loved watching us run around trying to frantically gather the most eggs.

 

Tweet Tweet Earrings


Do you and/or your family have special Easter? A Spring tradition in my family is starting our indoor gardens. My father and I are both avid gardeners and enjoy swapping seeds, starting them indoors. My favorite is our deep discussions about "this years tomato season" or "how to get bigger pumpkins this year" often times over coffee when there is still inches of snow left to melt!


How do you celebrate Easter?

Now that I have a home of my own I enjoy doing a Easter basket for my husband Josh who loves chocolate! We have a yellow lab named Sam and I always get him something special too :D

Next up is Kim from Winter Solstice Dreams

 

Tooth Fairy Pillow Blue Puppy

 Sometimes your battery needs to be recharged; a long day can be from chasing after a toddler all day or dealing with toddler-esque co-worker.  No matter what it comes from, or even if it's just because, finding some soothing scented items to help bring rest and relaxation is only a click away at Winter Solstice Dreams.  You can find eye pillows, draft blockers, sachets, bookmarks, etc all featuring scents straight from the natural surroundings of Maine.

Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Kim and I am mother to an adorable toddler named Veronica and wife to a very funny, High School chemistry teacher named Walter, I myself am a former English teacher who left the field to stay home with Veronica once she was born. Winter Solstice Dreams was born in the fall of 2009 when I decided to get back into creativity and crafting. I have always crafted in some way shape or form (even when I worked in Radio ) and decided to do what I love. I have been working with herbs and essential oils for over 15 years and wanted to share that love and knowledge with others; sachets and eye pillows were born.



Patchouli and Lavender Pudgy Sachet

We live in rural, Western Maine on 4 acres of land. We continually strive to find ways to create, reuse, and become more and more self-reliant wherever and whenever we can. I absolutely love Maine and everything about Maine. I am a transplant but can't imagine living anywhere else in the world. Am very proud of this great state that I now call HOME.

What is your best memory from Easter?
When I was 6, I received my first REALLY big Easter basket, filled with peeps and other yummy treats. I remember waking up to it in my bedroom and being so happily surprised.
Do you and/or your family have special Easter?
We don't as of yet but plan on doing something really fun this year as little Veronica is just about two and would love an Easter egg hunt!
Do you actually eat the eggs you dye for Easter?

Yes, of course!

What do you get for Easter?

A card and some peeps but this year is going to be MUCH different!!! :)

How does the Easter Bunny bring all the baskets to everyone?

 OH I think he is really a good friend to Santa Claus. Santa gives him a list of names and addresses. It's a way to keep tabs on the good boys and girls. ;)

Have you found all the eggs and submitted your answer, yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Check out the blog for details if you need a reminder! And search "easteregghunt" on Etsy for an easy way of finding the eggs! Good Luck!

Meet Your Egg-Hiders - Mollie and Joe

Etsy Maine Team has several shop owners that are family with other shop owners.  Of course, you know that Mallory and I both have shops.  Today's featured shop owners are a married couple, with shops of their very own!
First up is Mollie from Rough Magic Creations (always ladies first :D)



Amber Glass and Copper Earrings

 I love taking a minute and reading profiles of the etsy shop owners, and I'll admit I'm a bit dissappointed when there is really nothing to read.  However Rough Magic Creations offers some insight on the story behind the name and pieces.  Of course, seeing all the beautiful pieces of jewelry and other hand created treasures can also lend insight to the beauty within the artisan herself.

What enticed you to join in on this Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt?

Being a scavenger at heart, I couldn't resist this Easter Egg Hunt. I've always enjoyed including found objects in my creations, and the state of Maine is a treasure trove of Nature's gifts - pine cones, birch bark, seashells, beach stones - all of which manage to turn up here and there throughout my shop.

What is your fondest memory of Easter?
My best memories of Easter are from my childhood - white patent leather mary janes with a matching wee purse, white socks trimmed in pink, a dotted swiss dress, a straw bonnet covered with tiny velvet verbena blossoms. And of course that pretty Easter basket of white straw lined with bright green faux grass. I can still taste those yummy marshmallow eggs!

Next up is Joe from Prosperos Bookshelf



The Magic Curtain

 One of the most treasured gifts given to me was an old copy of plays written by Henrik Ibsen (my favorite playwright).  The book was old and tattered, the cover barely hanging on by a string, the pages yellowed from age; yet it held a magic for me.  Prosperos Bookshelf holds a similar magic, although the books are in much better condition than my beloved Ibsen.  And super cool additive, I've learned that Joe is descended from a voyager on the ship that inspired Shakespeare's play "The Tempest"!

Tell us a little about yourself:
As a teacher of American and Asian dramatic literature, I accumulated 2,000+ books and countless theatrical artifacts over the years. Now that I'm no longer teaching, I opened my shop as a way of finding good homes for all the books, puppets, masks, and playbills languishing on my shelves. Now postcards, photos and other vintage items from Maine have found their way into my shop, and I always enjoy sending them to new homes too.

What is your fondest Easter memory?
My best Easter memory is the morning my brother, my sister and I awoke before dawn and, with other spiffed up members of our Sunday School, piled into our minister's big 12-cylinder touring car (Packard?) for the ride to a park on Portland's then ritzy Eastern Promenade. There we held a service, while watching the sunrise over Casco Bay.

Have you found all the eggs and submitted your answer, yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Check out the blog for details if you need a reminder! And search "easteregghunt" on Etsy for an easy way of finding the eggs! Good Luck!

Meet Your Egg Hiders - Hooper and Valerie

Want to get to know the "egg hiders" a little better?  I did!  This great group of etsians volunteered to join me in my madness, and I wanted to share some information about them and their shops on my blog.  For the next few days, during the contest, I will feature one or two of them, so we can all get acquainted with this fine crafters and their shops!

First up is Hooper from Slidviscous Jewelry.

 

Warning Signs Sterling Silver Earrings



Whenever I see metal, shaped into cool designs, I find myself wishing that I could do that too - I mean REALLY?!  Superman abilities or not, bending metal is super awesome!  And that's what you can find in Slidviscous Jewelry.  Sterling Silver, Gold, and natural gems are used in creating the lovely jewelry finds in the shop. 

What is a fond memory of yours from Easter?

My parents always used to go crazy with the Easter Egg hunt. We used to live in rural Maine with a big yard and a lot of woods, which means a lot of good places to hide eggs, but I think that my parents took it a little too far. All the easy to find eggs, those hiding in the grass or in branches, were the first to go. Next, the harder to check places were scoured; under the deck, in the wood pile, or hiding behind rocks. Try as we might, my sister and I could never find them all, and we would always find eggs throughout the year, down in an old stump or squirrel hole, sitting there like tiny pastel time capsules. 

Next is Valerie from Knit By Valerie.



Be Mine Hat and Fingerless Gloves

 If you need some beautiful handknitted hats, scarves, and gloves, Knit By Valerie is a good place to look!  The vibrant colors and fun, detailed patterns leave me in awe - I wish I had half the patience of her to knit up such lovely items!  And on top of that, she donates 10% of her proceeds to several charitable organizations that help animals!

How do you celebrate Easter?

my workweek is saturday through tuesday (overnights, too), so i rarely get to celebrate easter anymore. however, as a house rabbit advocate, i encourage people to give stuffed and chocolate rabbits rather than the real thing. while i love rabbits, they are a lot of work to keep properly and a lot of "easter bunnies" end up at the shelter soon after the holiday is over. i know from experience--i volunteered in the rabbit room at my local shelter for 3 years. 

Have you found all the eggs and submitted your answer, yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Check out the blog for details if you need a reminder!  And search "easteregghunt" on Etsy for an easy way of finding the eggs!  Good Luck!

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt Contest

Call me what you will (obsessed, pathetic, crazed...), but there are 2 things that I am completely enthralled with. Holidays and FREE things. And when these 2 things are combined, the amount of enthusiastic bliss that emanates through me is well, mind blowing. Oh yes.

Enter: the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt.

Remember last month, when I held my St. Patrick's Day "Follow the Rainbow" contest? I had so much fun with that, I knew I wanted to do it again but on a bigger scale. So I proposed this idea to my fellow Etsy Maine Teamers, and recieved a great response. 14 people (of course not including Mallory and myself) volunteered to join in on the festivities, donating 12 special handmade items to be included in a prize basket for one special winner. And let me tell you how amazed I am by the creative spirit from these awesome etsians; I wish I could just wrap these

all up and keep them for myself.

Your mission, should you choose to select it is to FIND all of the hidden eggs in these participating shops:

Burnt Meadow Beads

Camelot's Treasures

Eden Body

Emily's Original Beads

Handprinted

Knit By Valerie

Louisiana1966

Maddie's Devilish Sweets

Makings of Shanna Tice

Mallory Alisabeth

Mbrace Studios

Moon Dog Farm

Prosperos Bookshelf

Rough Magic Creations

Slid Viscous Jewelry

Winter Solstice Dreams

Unscramble all of the letters to make a phrase that will answer this question:

What is Maine's unofficial state motto?

(we'll even give you a hint, there are 4 words)

THEN either send me a convo via Etsy (you know go here and click on contact) OR you can send an email directly to me at guinivere17@gmail.com WITH your answer. If you are CORRECT, you will be entered into the drawing to WIN this fabulous prize basket!

Ok, so you want the details right? You want to get into this fabulous contest, so you too can check out the wonderful talents of these shops? Here they are:

1) The hunt begins on Sunday, April 3rd, at 12:00 am (EST) and ends on Saturday, April 9th, 11:59 pm (EST).

2) All participants that have a correct answer will be entered into the drawing on Sunday, April 10th, with a chance to win the prize basket.

3) Any answers that are left on this blog, will be deleted and automatically be disqualified from winning the basket whether the answer is wrong or right. (PLEASE keep your answer to yourself for all fairness sake!)

4) Prize basket will be mailed USPS priority mail the day after confirmation of mailing address from winner, in time to arrive before the Easter Bunny!

Want another way to enter the drawing? Share this contest on your Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, or any other networking site, then comment the link on this blog for another chance to win!

So, what are you waiting for? HOP to it!

EtsyMom Holly Day Blog Hop

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!

www.crazyadorable.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-giveaway-with-ornament.html
http://signature-sterling.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-with-etsymom-street.html
http://tctliebel.typepad.com/life_as_we_live_it/2010/12/its-a-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-sweet-salt-dough.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsy-mom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://camelotstreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-holiday-inspiration.html
http://annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com/2010/12/piggy-peeps-baby-shoes-pattern-holly.html
http://mylavenderave.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-days-blog-hop-delicious-fudge.html
http://babyjives.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-silhouette-ornament.html
www.babyswank.blogspot.com/
http://babysindulgencebyjocelyn.blogspot.com/2010/12/rocky-road-fudge.html
http://handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-from-etsymom-team.html
http://katekatenyc.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop.html
http://caramagic.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop-pleated.html
http://onlyterrastreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/tutorial-make-your-own-chinese-takeout.html
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-do-some-holly-day-hopping.html
http://quirefly.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-fun-cranberry-pudding-with.html
http://cinnamonspicecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/come-blog-hop-with-etsymom-team.html
http://handprintlady.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-tutorial-gift-from.html

Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog.
2. Leave a comment on this post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on this post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join our email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of this blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.

Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.

To let us know you've done these things, please come back to this blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did, i.e. one comment for posting on your blog, another comment for posting on facebook, and another comment for joining our email newsletter. If you post it all in one comment, it will count as one entry.On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including

a pair of Turquoise Earrings from http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/

a greeting card from http://www.homemadebyamanda.etsy.com/

a lampwork bead bracelet by http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/

sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/signaturesterling

a cream colored cotton scarf given by http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/

a raincloud ornament from http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives

a matching splat mat and baby bib from http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/

two pair of earrings from http://quirefly.etsy.com/
a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage

a lovely sustainable stocking from http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/

a set of holly jolly gift tags from http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/

a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from http://heatheregley.etsy.com/

a $15 gift certificate from http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/

A gift certificate from http://babyswank.etsy,com/

American Girl-Sized Stocking Tutorial

This year, I wanted to add some more festive fun for the "girls" (aka our American Girl Dolls), so I decided to make each girl a fun stocking. Mallory and I took the girls "shopping" in my fabric and craft stash, and each girl came up with a distinctly different design for their stockings a good mirror of their personalities. And Theron didn't want Tyler (his Bitty Baby Twin Boy) left out of the fun, so we made a special stocking for him too.

After all the stockings were made, the girls were so excited that they thought all girls and their owners should make these special stockings. I mean who DOESN'T want special treats from Santa on Christmas morning?! So along with the motivation of this Etsy Mom Holly Blog, I am posting this tutorial on how to make your very own American Girl-sized stocking!

Materials needed:
* scraps of fabric about 8" x 8" (fat quarters would be awesome for this project!) - whatever fabric you love, your imagination is the limit
* thread
* stocking pattern (you can find the one I made here Stocking Pattern)
* needle
* pencil or thin utensil, for turning
* 3" ribbon (3/8" is perfect)
* embellishments, if you like (these can include sequins, embroidery floss, buttons, etc)

You can stitch this stocking up in 5 to 10 minutes on a sewing machine, or hand sew it in 10 to 20 minutes. This tutorial shows the machine sewing way.
Step One:
Cut out your fabric using the pattern - you will need to cut two pieces for the outside of the stocking and two pieces for the inside/lining of your stocking. Also if you want to add the fun toe and heel design, then go ahead and do this now too.

Step Two:
Sew one front to one linig piece at the top. Repeat for the other two pieces.

Step Two and a half:
If you are going to embellish your stocking, do so now (it'll make it a lot easier); if you're not, then just skip this step. As you can see, I added a toy and heel to this one, and I attached them with a decorative stitch, the blanket stitch; you can use any stitch that you would like. Also, this is the time that I added the fun butterfly sequin's on Lanie's stocking - I just sewed through them a few times to make sure that they were on there tight!

Step Three:
Finger press the seams open on each piece, then pin them together right sides touching. Then sew all the way around both pieces, leaving a 1" to 1 1/2" opening at the bottom of the lining pieces - this is for turning your stocking right side out. Clip curves and trim seams if necessary.

Step Four:
Turn your stocking right-side out, using our pencil carefully to help push out the toe and heel. Iron the stocking flat to be sure you have the shape of it fully turned. Slip stitch the lining closed at the opening.

Step Five:
Push the lining into the stocking, carefully guiding the toe and heel into the correct spots. Keep shaping until the top of the stocking is even - where the seams is at the very top.

Step Six:
Fold down the lining on to the outside to make a cuff. You can fold it over however much you like. Then postion your ribbon inside the cuff, about a 1/4" down from the top on the back seam, and sew it in a loop.

And now you have your very own stocking! If you want to share the pictures of the stocking you made, feel free to post them on Camelot's Treasures Facebook page - I would love to see what you and your doll come up with!

Now, please take the opportunity to visit the next blog in our hop: http://homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-holiday-inspiration.html

Shop Etsymom First on Etsy.com