HOTH Day 10: Fun Christmas Cheer Garland with just Lu

Hello there! I'm Lu, or Lorene (rhymes with chlorine), and I am so thrilled to be joining you all here at Gwenny Penny for Haul Out the Holly -- the most wonderful time of the year! Second (and contingent) to Christmastime, of course... :)

I blog over at just Lu about the things that make up my world, which vary at any given moment between crafting and the seventeen other things I have floating around in my head and my life as a full-time mom to two and wife to the best elementary school teacher ever.

I just finished up a year-long "lifestyle" segment called Housewife MacGyver, during which Gwen was my resourceful guest not just once, but twice! She's got this MacGyver thing all figured out.

Today I'm here to share with you my newest favorite Christmas decor: The Christmas Cheer Garland.

This garland is as inexpensive and easy as you want it to be, and it's sure to bring a smile to everyone who graces your front door this holiday season. Why? Because, as much as I hate to disagree with Buddy the Elf, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is NOT by singing loud for all to hear (especially if you sing like I do), but by spreading treats far and near...

Come on over to get the details on how to assemble your very own Christmas Cheer Garland and start spreading the holiday spirit!

Thanks for having me, Gwen, and happy holidays to all!

This is such a sweet idea! I agree... less singing and more treats, please :) Lorene's Housewife MacGyver series was a huge undertaking this past year, and she did a fantastic job with it. There were so many informative posts on such a wide range of topics. Make sure you check it out. And you have to see the paper quilled Christmas tree earrings that Lorene made for last year's Haul Out the Holly... so cute. Go visit Lorene's blog and leave a comment on her Christmas Cheer Garland tutorial! I'm so glad you could be a part of Haul Out the Holly again this year, Lorene :)

Two weeks down, one to go! See you back here on Monday for the final week of Haul Out the Holly 2011!




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HOTH Day 9: Embellished Jolly Holiday Pillow with Ameroonie Designs

I have been lovingly called the "Pillow Queen", but my real name is Amy and I blog over at Ameroonie Designs.  And while it's true that I do love to make pillows, lots and lots of pillows, I also make other things, like skirts, figurines and well, pretty much anything and everything. 

So, with that introduction, I guess it's not really a surprise that my project for this year's Haul Out the Holly event is indeed another pillow.  :)  This hand quilted, felt embellished little number will Jolly up your holidays in no time.  Head on over to Ameroonie Designs for the whole tutorial.

Thanks Gwen, for inviting me again this year.  It's a real privilege to be here among so many wonderfully talented ladies!

XOXO,
Amy

This pillow is so cute! I absolutely love it! Amy IS the "Pillow Queen", and every single one of her pillows is beautiful (Take a look at this one, this one, and this one, just to show you a few :) She's a really gifted sewist. You might also be interested in some posts she has done on selling what you make... very informative. Check out Amy's project from last year's Haul Out the Holly event... her holiday ruffle pillow. Make sure you visit Amy's blog and leave a comment on her Jolly Holiday Pillow tutorial! Amy, thanks for joining me for Haul Out the Holly again this year!




Click HERE to see more Haul Out the Holly 2011 tutorials!

HOTH Day 8: Adorable Petite Purse Ornament with Michele Made Me

Oh... Isn't it cozy and festive over here? I am most happy to be joining in Gwenny Penny's Haul Out The Holly. Yep, today it's my turn! I am Michele. My neck of the bloggy woods is called Michele Made Me. I frequently go off on crafty adventures of the recycled kind. I like taking old things and making pretty new things out of them. I have a special place in my heart for recyclables like toilet rolls and greeting cards and things. But I have been known to use a sewing machine, a crochet hook and knitting needles as well, though not all at once. Safety first, you know!



Today I'm sharing my Petite Purse Ornament. I have a couple of older children and every year they ask Santa for... well... cold hard cash, to put it bluntly. In past years I've always resorted to the money-filled-card-in an-envelope scenario. This year I wanted to do something a little different. So I designed this little monogrammed purse ornament just big enough to fill with a bundle of cash. The best part is that we'll be able to use it year after year and it will become part of our family's Christmas tradition. Want to see how I made this baby? Come on over to Michele Made Me and I'll show you how I put it together!

Gwen, thank you for inviting me along to haul out a little holly this year. I must say, it has been a joy to share a wee bit of crafty cheer with you and your readers.

This is so adorable! And I love that it can be used year after year. I don't even know where to begin in describing Michele. I think she's brilliant. You can usually find her making things from recycled materials. Visit her tutorials page and you will not believe the beautiful things she creates from... well, trash :) Amazing stuff, I tell you. Make sure you visit her blog and leave a comment on her Petite Purse Ornament tutorial! Michele, I am so glad that you could be a part of Haul Out the Holly... Thank you!




Click HERE to see more Haul Out the Holly 2011 tutorials!