DIY Christmas Stockings

Now that we are all fully stuffed from Thanksgiving, it's time to get into the Christmas spirit! What better way than making your own stockings to hang by the fireplace.....or if you don't have a fireplace, like me, than to hang over your front window!!! 
I found Sew Scrumptious Fabrics tutorial through pinterest (where else right?!) and it turned out great! I didn't have any ribbon though so the way I made my hanging loop is different but obviously both ways work ;) Head over to Sew Scrumptious to get your FREE pattern for the stockings and the step by step tutorial!  

Gather up your supplies....you only need 2 fat quarters in the colors you want but I have a few to make, so I went with these 1 yard packs. Classic colors of course :)  

I didn't have any tape nearby, so I just cut mine out and lined up on the fabric while I pinned it in place, matching up the edges. Just do what works for you! 

You'll have 2 main color (red), 2 lining (blue), and 2 cuffs (white) 

I like things neat :) 

Time to start sewing :) Now, while the directions in the tutorial are clear and easy to follow, I still managed to goof...when sewing  the second set together, I made sure the foots of the main piece and lining were facing the same way...but they were also facing the same way as the first set I made. Not a big deal, since the seams are pushed inside the stocking when you are done, but it's still nice to do things the correct way :) 

This is what you want....

Not this!

Once you have the 2 sets sewn together the right way, lay them on top of each other, right sides together and sew together...making sure to leave a space open to pull the main fabric through. 

This was a little tight, so I'd leave a wider space

Once you have everything sewn together, pulled through, and then top stitch the opening close you want to shove the lining into the main piece of fabric. 

And then you have a pretty stocking that needs a way to be hung by the fireplace window! 

So as I said, I didn't have ribbon, but I did have some green tulle! 

Cut a piece off....however long you want the stocking to hang down, it's really up to you I just estimated. Once you cut it to the length you want, fold it over so it's a skinny thicker piece.

Mid point pic..keep going until you reach the end :) Again, however thick you want it to be

Now, just sew a quick straight stitch down the side to keep it in place. I still had red thread in my machine and was to lazy to hunt down green so we had a nice pop of color :P

I'm sure I'm not the only one that had it move a little and not line up nicely on the ends so trim a little off each end so it looks nice. 

Boom...beautiful! 

Take your beautiful finished stocking and line up your tulle where ever you want it to hang from..I'm pretty sure a side edge (I chose left) is the most popular choice but no judgement if you like it to hang from the back! 

Feel free to pin if you want so it stays while you move it to the machine. 

Add another quick straight stick and BAM done! 

Show off your finished stockings on our Facebook Page! If you love the stocking but don't know how to sew, or just don't have the time to fit it in this holiday season, check out my Etsy shop...I'll have the stockings listed soon! 

Featured Shop: Mizziexoxo Boutique

Today is Small Business Saturday, so what better day to check out Mizziexoxo Boutique to get your geeky accessories?!?! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft?

I started working with polymer clay and resin over a year ago, I was inspired by all the cute polymer clay and resin charms I would see online. As for crochet, I have been doing that for a few years now. I was introduced to the world of crochet from my fathers wife. 

• How did you get started on Etsy?

I came across Etsy one day when I was browsing oinline and I had never heard of it before. I started to look into it and decided it would be a greay way to share my craft with others. 

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

At this moment I'd have to say my favorite item in my shop is Panda Bear Rings. Those rings are my favorite simply because I just love pandas and the rings are adorable! 

• What do you do in your downtime?

I enjoy reading, watching my favorite shows American Horror Story and The Walking Dead, play Nintendo 3DS, I love to work out and in the summer time I like to go swimming.

• What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?

I have 22 piercings

• Tell us a little about yourself. 

Well I'm 25 years old, live in Ontario, Canada. I love animals, cooking and crafting of course :) 

She has more than just adorable panda bear rings in her shop! Check out these other cute things and keep in mind you can use coupon code HOLIDAY2014 for 15% off until December 31, 2014. If you hurry though, and stock up on Cyber Monday you can get 30% off using coupon code CYBERMONDAY2014 !!!!

Kawaii Unicorn Necklace

Blue Glitter Earrings

Resin Heart Necklace

Crochet Owl Phone Case

Featured Shop: Christina's Baby Gifts

It can be hard to find unique handmade gifts for children and baby's but Christina's Baby Gifts make it easy to find the perfect gift that is also extra special! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft?

Mostly my first born son but I also come from a family of crafters and grew up doing craft fairs with my parents. 

• How did you get started on Etsy?

I started on Etsy after a family friend told me about it. At first I just used it to buy supplies but after doing craft fairs for a couple years and watching my little business grow, I decided to open a shop. 

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

I have to many favorite items to pick just one but the ones that I like making the most are my recycled crayons. I think mainly because my boys can help me with them and I love the looks on their faces as I take them out of the molds. 

• What do you do in your downtime?

I don't have down time. My full time job is a stay at home mom to my 3 boys (5,3, and 1) so I do my crafting/business stuff during the 1 to 3 hours I get at nap time during every day, but when I am with my boys we enjoy feeding the ducks, going for walks, and just playing outside. We also spend a lot of time at the town library during the winter. 

• Tell us a little about yourself. 

I was a preschool teacher until I had my first son (We decided I wasn't going to go back to work). Then one day after a feeding I had the idea to start making baby gifts, so when I started back in summer 2009 I was making baby items like diaper cakes and other small items. Then I learned to sew and started making baby blankets. As my first son grew, so did my business and now I make more items for young children than babies. My sons have inspired many of my items and are still my inspiration behind everything I do.

Check out these other adorable gift ideas! 

frog & turtle crayon roll

I spy bag

Butterfly Crayon Bag

Race car Chalkboard placemat

Featured Shop: Shawls and Wraps

The weather is quickly getting colder in the awesome state of Michigan, and I'm sure many others. Shawls and Wraps has the perfect gifts to keep your loved ones warm this year! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft? 

My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a little girl. I use to sit on the floor in front of her and hold the yarn as she wound it into big colorful ball. She would tell me stories, and we would laugh and have the best time! Now, I find it soothing and it gives my hands something to do: I am one of those people who like to be busy all the time. 

• How did you get started on Etsy?

I began making Shawls several years ago and I love making them. My shawls are made to be worn and enjoyed every day, not just on special occasions. I would gift them to friends and family, and even donate some at the Holiday Season to Nursing Homes to patients who had no family or gifts to celebrate the season with. I began accumulating them, and looked for an outlet by which to sell them. I had heard about Etsy, checked it out, and created my shop: ShawlsAndWraps. I've been loving it ever since! 

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

Oh my...I love all the items I have made, so choosing one is difficult. If I had to choose one I would say it is this lovely light blue with white and variegated trim shawl that is just so elegant and pretty. 

• What do you do in your downtime?

Downtime? What is that? <chuckle> I help my husband run his business, and I work as the administrative assistant to the board of directors of a major Non-Profit organization. Again I ask, what is downtime? :) 

• What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?

I absolutely love to travel! Mention a road trip and I can be packed in less than 10 minutes! 

• Tell us a little about yourself?

Me? I am 61 years young and planning on retiring in 2015. I love to read, I love to crochet, I love to teach others whatever I know, and I am a firm believer in Never Give Up What Is In Your Heart! 

While you admire these other beautiful shawls, keep in mind that her Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale has already started!! 20% off all shawls and wraps PLUS free shipping!! Place your order soon so you get it in time for the holidays! 

Black Grey Red Wrap Shawl 

Beige Wrap Shawl 

Cuddle Set of Three Shawls

Amethyst and Blue Ladies Shawl

Featured Shop: M.Greenhalgh Designs

M. Greenhalgh Designs takes the time to add those special details in her work that make a gift special! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft?

I am inspired by everything!! My mom and grandma were and are very hands on and I grew up making a lot of the things I wanted! Everyone in my life is very supportive of anything I want to do and I love that my crazy ideas never seem to crazy to them! 

• How did you get started on Etsy?

My love of making anything and everything made me want to open a shop! A girl can only keep so many pretty things! I tend to go all in on my projects and I don't have a personal need for 100 necklaces, for example!

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

My current favorite item is my newest item which is the rose flower box. It came out nicely after spending a lot of time on it and I'm really happy with how it turned out! 

• What do you do in your downtime?

I work full-time and craft on the side to wind down! It's a nice release after regular day to day and housework! 

• What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?

A fun/interesting fact about myself is that I am a compulsive list maker! I put everything on my lists just because I like crossing things off when I finish them! I also have a huge array of funny faces and have funny face contests with my nieces and nephews regularly! 

• Tell us a little about yourself. 

I am extremely girly but I live with boys and work full-time at a major hardware store. I think that is the reason everything I make is generally feminine and also why I can't plaster the home decor pieces all over my house! Lol. I am interested in almost everything!  If I like something I will probably try to find a way to figure out how to make it my own! I also love gardening, but I am terrible at it! 

She might be bad at gardening, but she's amazing at her craft! Check out the detail in some of her other work. 

Smoky gem necklace

Dazzling amber charm necklace

Starfish necklace

Calypso charm necklace

Featured Shop: Wrapped By Me

Wrapped By Me  has the most adorable bracelets to help you finish up your holiday shopping!! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft?

My mother actually inspired me to start making jewelry. She was a big crafter before she passed away and I keep with the tradition in her honor. She would have loved to see me selling my creations on Etsy. 

• How did you get started on Etsy?

I got started on Etsy from my boyfriend actually. I usually make all my gifts for people and he said "baby you should do what you love, and get paid for it." haha

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

My favorite item in my shop has to be my navy blue gold chain bracelet. I love it because it looks so elegant on it's own. Every time I wear it, it catches peoples eye! 

• What do you do in your downtime?

In my downtime I make bracelets, spray paint some art pieces. I absolutely love to read and I hang out with my family. 

• What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?

A fun fact? I have 4 jobs that I absolutely love! I work for a medical supply company, my coworkers are awesome. My second job, I put up and take down bounce houses for birthdays, churches or school events. Third job of course is Etsy and the last job, I'm a secret shopper for boutiques! 

• Tell us a little about yourself. 

I've been making jewelry since I was 8 years old and haven't stopped yet. I'm 23 and currently a student at USC majoring in Biology. I graduate this December and plan on going on a 2 month backpacking trip in Europe with my boyfriend, then doing Americorp in California once we get back! I currently live in Columbia, SC but my family lives in Myrtle Beach so every time I go home it's like a mini vacation! 

Check out these other awesome bracelets, they make the perfect gift or stocking stuffer!! Now is the perfect time to stock up, since the chain bracelets are 40% off, and for everything else you can use coupon code: HAPPYSHOPPING for 20% off. Hurry before her sale ends!! 

Breast Cancer Awareness

Wrap Bracelet 

Dream Catcher Bracelet/Anklet

Gold Chain Bracelet With Burnt Orange Suede Cord Woven Chevron Style

Featured Shop: Old Soul Artisan

Shopping for someone that LOVES candles? Old Soul Artisan has the best selection to help you get gifts for everyone! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft?

I was inspired to make candles about 5 or 6 years ago so that I could gift them. For several years I made candles only around Christmas time. Eventually my interest and knowledge of candle making grew and making them only once a year was not enough! 

• How did you get started on Etsy?

I opened my Etsy store in September, 2014. I had been selling candles to my friends and family and decided to expand my business online. Etsy seemed like the most logical choice sine it's customers enjoy handmade items as much as I do. 

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

My favorite item in my shop is my Lemon Zest for Life Candle. The candle smells good enough to eat (but please don't eat my candles!) and it puts me in a good mood every time I smell it. 

• What do you do in your downtime?

In my downtime I enjoy reading and spending time getting better at other crafts, such as knitting. 

• What's a fun fact you want to share about yourself?

In May, 2014 I received my M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. 

• Tell us a little about yourself. 

I live in Trenton, New Jersey with my husband and two rescued animals; a once-stray cat named Gizmo and a once-shelter pitbull named Kiko. While my craft is candle making and I personally make each and every one, Old Soul Artisan is a collective of several crafty women that make several types of items. We also make handcrafted dream catchers, grapevine wreaths, and now custom wood burned signs. We have a great time together and encourage more creative ventures between artisans! 

Check out these other awesome candles she's made!!

Pink Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Hand Poured Natural Soy Candle

Sweet Orange Chili Soy Candle

Cranberry Marmalade Soy Candle

Spiced Apple Cider Soy Candle

Featured Shop: The Beaded Diamond

The Beaded Diamond  has the perfect unique gift that you've been searching for! 

• What/Who inspired you to start your craft?

I was inspired when I made some dream catchers for friends and was invited to have them sold at the California State Fair. That is when I realized that I could turn a hobby into a business.  

• How did you get started on Etsy?

I was introduced to Etsy by my sister. I have a niece who started out selling adorable hair bows for infants and has been quite successful on Etsy. I had been selling on Ebay so when I found out about Etsy, the cost of doing business dramatically improved. 

• What's your favorite item in your shop and why?

I love to sell hand beaded earrings in my shop. They have been quite successful so far. Many people enjoy wearing or giving unique jewelry and earrings never go out of style. 

• What do you do in your downtime?

In my downtime I look for new patterns and/or ideas for any new projects. 

• What's a fun fact you want to share about you?

A fun fact about me would probably be that I enjoy children and showing them how to do crafts. I am a big kid at heart and I love teaching the little ones. They just get so excited when they make something from lots of different pieces. 

• Tell us a little about yourself. 

I have two wonderful daughters and 3 beautiful grandchildren. They are my everything. 

Check out these other awesome gift ideas! 

Ankle Bracelets With Lobster Claw Clasps

Beaded Hoop Earrings In Black

Beaded Netted Necklace and Pierced Dangle Earring Set

Tribal Design Beaded Cuff Bracelet