There are a few really lovely things I adore about the holidays. But I have to say, one of my favorites is decorating the mantle. I love to decorate my fireplace mantle at my little abode in town, and light a crackling lovely fire. Sit around, all cozy, lights twinkling... Stockings, dancing around, waiting to be filled with treats...
When Miss Polly of Counting Your Blessings asked me to submit a Christmas themed idea to her new and exciting PORCH magazine (for bloggers, by bloggers), I immediately thought about easy to make stockings. Little Sugar plum fairy stockings, with candies as sparkly embellishments...
Last year I made a few miniature carboard houses and enjoyed that. However, stockings are such a huge part of my family, and kids (of any age) love making them. So, I thought up an easy plan.
An easy plan with a free and easy template made just for you, by me.
Click here for printable PDF File.
Your PDF file will open up in 10-20 seconds, and look like the image below. You will want to cut out your stocking template and use it to outline the stocking on the fabric. Use it to outline the stocking twice per stocking, for front and back. I will show you my process below...
I added a few of my illustrations that you can cut out and use to decorate your stocking, if you choose not to use candies (or use candies and little paper cut outs too). It is best to print this out on cardstock if you have some on hand.
So, here is what I did to make mine. I started by cutting out my template and tracing the outline on beige felt, with a colored pencil. I used the same template to draw out the front and the back of the stocking, by simply flipping the template.
Then I cut out my stocking out with fabric scissors that have a design on the edge. I cut outside the brown line, as opposed to inside the line. So my stocking wouldn't be too tiny.
If you have pinking shears they work really well. I know this is self explanatory to those of you who sew and craft all the time ;)
I used the sides that didn't have the colored pencil lines as the outside of my stocking.
Now, I used hot glue for this entire project, but you can use white craft glue. Just let it set up over night... I prefer hot glue for quickness. If young kids will be making these, and hot glueing will be going on, an adult must be around doing the glueing for kids. (I know you know this, I am just being cautious ;)
So, after my stocking was all cut out, front and back, I glued the edges together (I will say, feel free to sew, if you would prefer. I use really hot glue, and find it makes felt to felt stick very well)...
Then the fun decorating part began. I went through my stash of gift wrapping & scrapbooking papers, and found just the perfect one I wanted to use for the top edging of the stocking...
I cut out a little piece, and drew out some scallops.
Then I cut them out, and hot glued them right on...
I ran a little band of ribbon at the top of the stocking. And then, saw that I had some jelly beans on hand. So, I set them on the stocking to see if they looked good.
I loved the idea and decided to add some iridescent sparkled to one side of the jelly beans. I used regular white craft glue to adhere the sparkles. Then I glued on the candy with a bead of hot glue...
I like to keep creme savers candy on hand, because it is pretty to play with and pretty to use to add sparkle to for this craft.
I cut out little scrapbook paper circles with my scalloped scissors, to set the candies on, for a little extra decor love... I glued the cutout to the stocking and then the candy to the cutout.
I simply used whatever candy I had on hand. That sparkle sure does add the Sugar Plum Fairy Magic to those candies ;)
And there you have it. A happy little Sugar Plum Fiary stocking, for your mantle or for anywhere you hang them really. I like to hang stockings from the top of my bookcases ;)
You can really do anything with this stocking. Embellish it with tchotchkes you might have sitting around. I thought about running a colorful cord around the edge, if I hadn't used pinking shears... The ideas are endless. I would love to see what you come up with if you make one or two, or many ;)
Oh, also, to make mine hangable, I took a ribbon, folded it in half, and hot glued it to the inside corner, of the heel side of the stocking...
To answer some questions that have arisen, the stocking I made is very sturdy. I find that hot glue on felt sticks incredibly well. But, if you would rather sew yours, feel free to do so. This is a little stocking, and won't hold a ton, so you can't overfill it, even if you wanted too ;)
Here are some filled stocking shots...
Annnnd, the news is, if you'd like to own this stocking, leave a hello in this post. This week's giveaway will be this actual wee stocking used in this lil' tutorial and also, seen in Porch Magazine. I can't wait to receive my copy...
Thanks for being patient with my slowness in blogging hello's and what not. I have been filling those lovely magical holiday card orders and getting those to the post. Whilst attempting to get a shop update in order before Thanksgiving. So, you can imagine, there is craziness behind the scenes! But I love being a busy bee, so it is just wonderful!!
Well, I'd love nothing more than to stay and play all day, but I must be off!! Have a charming lovely day!! Lots of ♥'s, V
ps: The shop is full of all sorts of Holiday Cards and Mini Calendars... And I am shipping every 24 hours so you get them with more than enough time ;)
pss: Two extra tip ideas for making your stocking, from my friend Sarah... First an alternative to hot glue. Can I suggest two things? Use Fabritac instead of the hot glue, because it sticks fabrics together really well. And, wait to cut the scallop-y edges until after you have the stocking glued, so that the scallops line up. Sarah is a maker of amazing fabric creatures and treasures!! I like her tips, so here you have them ;)
