This Valentine’s Day wreath couldn’t be sweeter…or easier to make!

See what I mean about the grosgrain curlicues? Too cute, right?

Before you can get started on your wreath, you need to “bake” your ribbon to curl it. You can get the full how-to here. After you’ve baked a few batches, you’ll be ready to follow the super simple how-to below for making the wreath…one that I know you’re going to want to leave up all year long!

Enjoy,

Nikki, In Stitches

Materials:

• Foam wreath form
• 1/3 of a yard of coordinating fabric for wrapping your wreath form (I found mine in my stash!)
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• 6 spools of 3/8″ ribbon, each containing 10 yards (I used 4 red with white polka dots, and 2 solid white.)

Directions:

1. Cut strips of fabric about 2″ wide, and use them to cover your entire foam wreath. Use straight pins to hold each strip in place. (Just use two at the start to anchor your strip of fabric down, wrap, and then put two more at the end. Repeat with each strip until the entire form is covered.)
2. Gather your curlicues that you’ve already baked and cut into about 4″ lengths.
3. Pin the first one to the foam wreath by placing pin right in the center of the curlicue.
4. Pin the next one in place in the same manner, placing it close enough to the first so that they start to force each other to fold in half.
5. Repeat.
6. Repeat A LOT of times!
7. Repeat until your entire wreath form is covered!
   

Pssst! Ready for another cutie patootie project? Like I said, in my last post, we’re going old school with this curly ribbon…check out my “too stinkin’ cute” curlicue ponytail holders on All Things For Mom here!

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This very basic trick of “baking” grosgrain ribbon to curl it has been around forever, and I just love it! I love how simple it is, how fun it is, and how adorably cute it is! Below you’ll find my recipe for “baking” your ribbon. In my next post, you’ll find two great projects that use it!

Stay tuned!

Nikki, In Stitches

“Baking” Your Ribbon

Ingredients:

• Wooden dowels (These can be found at your local craft store, but they are 1 yard long. Cut them in half so they easily fit in your oven! You can use whatever is in stock…from 1/4″ up to 1/2″.)
• Bowl of water
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Clothes pins
• Spray starch
• Aluminum foil
• Cookie sheet (Use an old one…you’re probably not going to want to eat off of it after this!)

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Soak ribbon and clothes pins in a bowl of water until they are completely saturated. (I leave the ribbon uncut. Just unravel the whole spool and toss it in the bowl!)
3. Use a clothes pin to attach your ribbon to one end of a wooden dowel. Wrap ribbon around the dowel like a spiral from one end all the way to the other. Cut ribbon with scissors and secure the end in place, again using a clothes pin.
4. Give your dowel a really good spray of starch.
5. Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Place dowels on sheet and bake for 20 minutes. (I bake a “batch” of dowels at a time…usually 10 dowels on a cookie sheet!)
6. Let dowels cool and with a simple twist, remove ribbon from them. (You’ll be left with one very long curlicue!)
7. Cut long curlicue into short ones, each measuring about 4″.

Don’t forget to check back soon to see what I’m going to make with these adorable curlicues!

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All of you know I dabble in a little bit of every crafty medium, so when Cousin Corporation asked me to create a how-to using their beads, findings, etc., I couldn’t wait to put my “knitty” spin on a basic jewelry making technique!

You can get my full how-to for these super cute stitch markers on the Cousin Corporation blog.

For all my knitting fans, I know you will enjoy making these yourself. And, with beautiful stitch markers like these, maybe it will give you motivation to finish a few of your “Works In Progress” like I know we all have!

And my jewelry fans…well…just take a look around Cousin’s new site…you are going to love the eye candy there! And it’s packed with tutorials, DIY’s, all kinds of fun!

Stop by…tell them I sent you!

Enjoy,

Nikki, In Stitches

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One onesie and your choice of 2 newborn “mini” headbands packaged together at one low price!

The perfect gift for the newest bundle of joy in your life!

Onesie sizes range from 0 – 3 months, to 6 – 12 months, but supplies are limited. When these are gone, they won’t be restocked!

Head over to the Nikki, In Stitches Etsy shop now!

Happy Shopping!

Nikki, In Stitches

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Each time I update these candy jars for the current holiday, the project takes less and less time, and costs less money!

You’ve seen these covered in creepy crawly spiders, filled with candy corn…

And you’ve caught a peek of them, decked for the halls, filled with peppermints…

And now, they’re filled with M&M’s (my little ones’ favorite “happy plate” rewards!) and adorably embellished with X’s, O’s, and the cutest little felt hearts.

This time around, the whole project was wrapped up in under five minutes!

XOXO,

Nikki, In Stitches

PS…This is a fun one to make with your kiddos, too…you just might want to buy an extra bag of M&M’s!

Materials:

• Apothecary Jars (Remember, I bought these back in September, using a 40% off coupon, but I double checked today and there were still a few in stock! Really, any style jar will work. There are tons available at your local large chain craft store.)
• A few paper scraps (You only need two strips, each 1 1/4″ wide…check your scrap box!
• A border punch (Mine is just a flower punch I had on hand…Not even made for Valentine’s Day!)
• Ribbon
• Felt Hearts (I grabbed a pack of these for under $4 at the craft store, but you could cut them yourself!)
• Adhesive Runner
• Scissors
• M&M’s!!

Directions:

1. Punch along each long side of your two 1 1/4″ wide strips of paper. Use an adhesive runner to adhere them to the jars.

2. Again, using your adhesive runner, adhere your ribbon over the paper.

3. And one last time, use your adhesive runner to attach your hearts!

Could it be any easier?

Fill with candy and enjoy!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Mwah!

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I just wanted to stop by and say “Happy Holidays!” to all of you!

I am enjoying as much time as I can get with these two, but will be back after the new year with lots of new projects!

I hope you all are enjoying time with your family and friends!

Happy New Year!

Nikki, In Stitches

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Enjoy, again!

Nikki, In Stitches

How-To: Christmas Stars

Originally Posted  January 21st, 2011

Materials:

*6″ square piece of scrap wrapping paper

*Scrap embellishments to decorate the center

*Patience!

Have fun!!

Nikki, In Stitches

*This may look familiar to some of you!  A few months ago, I was a guest blogger on Waiting on Martha (Stewart), and unfortunately, since then, the blog has been taken down.  I have no idea why, and many of you are asking for the origami star directions, so I thought I’d post them here.

These made the perfect decorations for my monogrammed cookie jars!  Take a look here: Etched Glass Cookie Jars!

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Like I said in my last post, it’s crunch time! This project is super easy (you can get it done in under 15 minutes), super inexpensive (most supplies you can find in your stash!), and super cute! Make a couple of these up for those last few people on your list today!

Enjoy,

Nikki, In Stitches

Decoupage Picture Frame

Originally posted June 20th, 2011

A great picture deserves a great frame!  And as you can see, this great frame is super easy to make and super inexpensive.  Just scroll through the pictures for the step-by-step instructions for turning this unfinished (under $3!) frame into the perfect way to feature your favorite photo.

Materials:

Unfinished wooden frame

Paint

Paint brush

Scrapbook Paper

Scissors, Ruler, Pencil

Decoupage medium – follow manufacturer’s instructions

Sandpaper

Chalk or Pastels

PS…There’s still time for more handmade holiday projects! Find even more inspiration in my ebook, Nikki, In Stitches – A Handmade Holiday! Here’s a little peek at what’s inside!

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Christmas is coming…fast.

Faster than I think I’m ready for!

And if you’re like me, you’re starting to realize you have way too many things to do, and not nearly enough time to get them all done.

This is crunch time!

Time to keep things simple. Time to get the most out of every minute.

The kiddos and I sat down earlier this week with a pile of scrap paper and a few yards of ribbon, some glitter paint, and a Martha Stewart Snowflake paper punch. Less than 45 minutes later, we had three projects complete…and that’s what I call getting the most of every minute!

We decorated our ornament tree.

We made garland and draped it around the trees on our front porch.

And we made super cute ornaments, that could also double as the perfect “little something extra” to embellish your gift wrapping…all from that pile of scraps and one punch!

I’m sharing the super simple how-to’s for the ornament tree and garland on All Things For Mom today, here. Stop by and take a peek!

The snowflake ornament how-to is below!

Enjoy,

Nikki, In Stitches

Materials:

*3/8″ wide ribbon

*Scrapbook paper

*Glitter paint and paint brush (optional)

*Snowflake paper punch (The one I used is from Martha Stewart…and is probably on sale in your local large chain craft store right now!)

*Needle and thread

Directions:

1. Cut ribbon into 6″ lengths. Fold over approximately 1 1/2″ and use needle and thread to tack into place, creating a loop to hang your ornament.

2. Punch 5 snowflakes for each ornament. (We painted a few pieces of paper with glitter paint first. It’s fun for the kiddos to just glob the paint on, and the brush strokes will dry clear! Just make sure your paper is completely dry before you punch your snowflakes!)

3. Use the needle and thread to attach your snowflakes to the ribbon!

PS…There’s still time for more handmade holiday projects! Find even more inspiration in my ebook, Nikki, In Stitches – A Handmade Holiday! Here’s a little peek at what’s inside!

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Can you handle the cuteness?

I can’t!

Every time I scroll through the pictures, I fall more and more in love with them!

These holiday printables are from Anders Ruff’s Nostalgic North Pole collection. And if you can manage to look away from their amazing work for a minute, you’ll spy a few Nikki, In Stitches – A Handmade Holiday projects in the mix!

Did you spot them all?

When Anders Ruff asked me to contribute a few pieces to their photo shoot, I couldn’t say “YES!” fast enough! If you look through the pictures again, you’ll see my table runner, a few paper punched ornaments, and even my fabric covered wreath in the background of one shot. All of these projects are super simple, and are just a few examples of the holiday how-to’s provided in Nikki, In Stitches – A Handmade Holiday.

Thanks so much to the girls behind Anders Ruff. I’m still smiling from ear to ear, and so, so flattered to have worked with them. You can find this collection (and all of their amazing collections) in the Anders Ruff Etsy shop, but be sure you take a peek at their website, too. (And by “peek” I mean, make a pot of coffee and clear your schedule for the day….you’re gonna’ be there awhile!).

Enjoy,

Nikki, In Stitches

PS…Because I know you will all want more info on the goodies shown above, here are all the credits! Stop by and take a peek at these vendors…their work is fabulous!

Credits:
- Complete Event Styling by Anders Ruff (www.andersruff.com)
- Printable decor, hot cocoa bar, gift tags, advent calendar mittens from Anders Ruff (www.andersruff.etsy.com)
- Photography by Becca Bond Photography (www.beccabondphotography.com)
- Luxury Mountain Home Rentals in Asheville, NC – Luxury Mountain Rentals available from Yonder (www.yondernc.com)

Clothing and Decor Sources:
- Custom Aprons and Christmas Pajamas – Made by Morgan (www.madebymorganwiebke.etsy.com)
- Custom “Letter to Santa” and “North Pole” Pillows by MonMell Designs (with Anders Ruff Graphics)
(www.etsy.com/shop/monmelldesigns)
- Felt Stockings by Rik Rak (www.rikrak.etsy.com)
- Handmade Ornaments, Runner and Wreath by Nikki in Stitches (DIY Tutorial Book available at her website) (www.nikkiinstitches.com)
- Red Wooden Cake Stands by A Fabulous Fete (and some DIY) (www.aFabulousFete.etsy.com)
- Paper Baking Cups, Paper Fans, Tissue Poms, Nut Cups, Paper Straws, Favor Boxes, Glass Milk bottles from My Little Love (www.mylittlelove.bigcartel.com)

Dessert Sources:
- Mexican Hot Chocolate sandwich cookies by Red Bird Bakery (www.redbirdbaking.etsy.com)
- Fondant Cupcake and Cookie Toppers by Two Sugar Babies (www.twosugarbabies.com)
- Santa Stamp and Santa Cookie Pops by Sweet Sugar Belle (www.sweetsugarbelle.com)
- Glittery Candy Cane, North Pole and Hanging Mitten Cookies by Allyson Jane (www.allysonjane.com)
- Square Pattern, Red/white Santa Stamp, Candy Cane, Mini Gingerberad Men and Reindeer Sugar Cookies by The Cookie Jar (www.batches.etsy.com)
- Gingerbread Man Cookie pops by Oh! So Yummy Cookies and Confections (www.ohsoyummycookies.com)
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels by Pretzels Pleaze (www.pretzelspleaze.com)

Crafty Materials/Printing:
Labels by Onlinelabels.com (www.onlinelabels.com)
Adhesive by Gluedots (www.gluedots.com)
Poster Printing by Sign Guy (www.702signguy.com)

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