Day 2 - Christmas Blog Hop!

Welcome to my Blog and Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies Annual 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

I'm honored to be a part of her Christmas Tradition and share a few things with you.

Just in case you missed the 1st Day, you'll want to go to Lecia's Blog HERE. Of course, the best place to start is always at the beginning so make sure you follow along with Wendy HERE.

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TUTORIAL

I've been busy 'crafting' for some time now and am ready to put it all away until next year but first, I'd like to share a NEW Elf with you! I made this one just for the Blog Hop!

 

Ernie the Elfin Make-Do

Supplies needed:

muslin

acrylic paints

large wooden plug

seasonal cotton fabrics

Christmas sock

spindle/spool

2x4 block and piece of dowel

The scan to my computer no longer works so you have to make your own pattern. Look at the photo. Make sure the curve of his cheek is coming out diagonal from the point of his hat. (This is a sheet of cardstock folded in half).

Draw the pattern onto muslin or your choice of fabric.

Sew along the pencil lines leaving the bottom open. 

Stuff the ears first and then go and stitch them up on the machine or by hand. Finish stuffing.

Paint him with a fleshtone acrylic paint. Center the nose with a pencil mark, a little lower than I'm showing here. Brush on some cheeks. Don't be stingy as I love me some cheeks!

Paint your wooden plug the same color flesh and glue to the center place you marked for the nose. Now mark the eyes and mouth. Follow along on the next few posts.

 

Isn't he adorable?!

Now we need to assemble him!

I used a 2x4 block of wood. I painted it with black and then red over that. (Forgot to sand it but I'll get to it.)

I like to take the skinny spools and set them with a small piece of dowel into the block. Otherwise, they don't stand very well by themselves.

Slip the little guy over the spool and sew up the hole underneath.

Take a Christmas sock and cut it in half. Tie up the end with some twine.

Place it over his cone-shaped head.

Trim him up with a collar around his neck (about 18" x 4", gathered).

Glue it to the bottom of his face where you sewed the hole. Gather around his neck. Add some faux fur to his hat and a little embellishment to the top.

I also added a grosgrain bow at his neck. In all different designs, of course! That's what makes him so whimsical and charming! Add a tag....I haven't done that yet either! If you'd like to have a paper pattern of Ernie, just email me at Vicweave@aol.com and I'll send it to you. You can follow along here on this tutorial for instructions.

Enjoy!

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Here's my recipe for my famous "Date Nut Balls'! Mama used to make these for us sometimes but I make them every year. Our oldest daughter makes them now, too! They are soooooo good!

They don't turn out yellow. Just bad lighting!

 

Ingredients 

Yield 50-60 small balls

Recipe can be doubled easily!

       1 egg, well-beaten

        ¹⁄₂ cup butter

       1 cup sugar

      8 ounces pitted dates, chopped

     1 cup pecans, finely chopped

       2 ¹⁄₂ cups Rice Krispies

    1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Directions

 

     In a heavy sauce pan over low heat cook butter, sugar, dates and egg until gooey and thickened. Take off the heat. Add pecans and vanilla. Now add Rice Krispies and mix well. Cool until slightly warm. Form into small balls and roll into powdered sugar. Now, STEP AWAY from the treats, if you can!!!

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We love Christmas! My husband has to be the 'original' Santa Claus! We don't put any gifts under the tree, except the ones from siblings, until Christmas Eve night when all are sleeping! Yes, it's more work for us but SO much fun for the family! And I NEVER know what I'm getting for Christmas......NEVER!!

Thank you Wendy for letting me be a part of your Annual Christmas Blog Hop! I hope you all have enjoyed what I've shared!

Blessings to you and yours this Holiday Season!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky