So you’ve seen the kids’ candy colored Christmas tree, it’s time for the quick tutorial on how to make a scalloped felt tree skirt!  I chose felt because it’s a cozy fabric used so often during this season.  I used small pieces of 9”x 12” felt found at Michaels stores in bold teal and crisp white for contrast.

Here’s the quick step-by-step on how to make a felt scalloped tree skirt!

What you’ll need:  small sheets of felt (I used the inexpensive 9” x 12” ones from Michaels) in varying colors, 34 of first color, 25 of second color; scissors, thread, small bowl for measuring your first scallop template, sewing machine, 54” piece of cotton fabric (not shown).

Fold the felt in quarters and use a small bowl (no more than 4 ½ inches in diameter) to form the shape.   Allow extra room above the midway point for layering scallops on the skirt.  Hello favorite crème brûlée ramekin – you are perfect for this project!

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I’m a huge fan of the herringbone pattern that originated with the classic weave especially on floors, walls, and in fabric patterns too (did you know it’s named after the skeleton of a herring?)  I love the modern spin with a vertical stripe running through the short diagonal stripes and colorized in two or more offset shades. 

The other day I was in one of my creative moods so I painted a modern herringbone pattern with some fabric paint and stencil tape on a flour sack then stitched it up into a fall accent pillow. 

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We’ve finally turned our attention back to the hallway bathroom remodel that we started last spring with the vanity upgrade.  We’ve lived without a sink and just a plywood top in here for 9 months while I went on the hunt for the right countertop and as a result the bathroom remodel came to a halt.    

The main reason for the delay came down to choosing the right countertops and I needed two, one for the sink vanity (seen with plywood above) and another for the cabinet on the opposite wall.  I had my heart set on solid surface marble or Caesarstone for a long time but all the estimates were extremely pricey ($1,400 and up!)

It came down to the decision to save up a lot of cash for marble or Caesarstone or just get ‘er done with wood countertops topped with a vessel sink for this hall guest bathroom .  We chose wood, but I wanted a more polished edge beyond the the standard square edge that comes with slab wood countertops. 

I did some research and learned that I could get a fancy ogee edge with a great power tool – a plunge router coupled with a specialty bit, so I ordered this router and this ogee bit online from True Value. 

It arrived a week later (free shipping!) and I picked it up at my local True Value hardware store for this project. 

Matt picked up two wood countertops at IKEA over the weekend and we got to work! 

The bit has a self guiding part (a mini wheel attachment) that slides along the edge of the wood while the sharp edge of the bit cuts the detail on the wood.  As long as you follow the instructions provided for the tool, it’s easy to give your wood countertop a carved edge with this power tool + bit combo.

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There’s something I’m very guilt ridden about and need to get off my chest.  Last year I failed to adequately prepare my elementary school children with the proper equipment for the intense and aggressive Pursuit of Sugar otherwise known as traditional Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night.  

Last year, we were invited to an event where a large group of kids excitedly gathered up together to go running door to door for two hours to collect candy from willing neighbors.   As mine ran out the door I handed them a paper bag but by the end of their intense Pursuit of Sugar, the paper bags were ripped and torn proving them an inadequate vessel for the weight of candy collected inside the weakening paper of the bag I had provided.  

And the guilt has haunted me ever since.  Get it?  Haunted?  :)

I kid because really they don’t care, they just want that candy.  But I made up for last year’s paper bags with a simple sew project:  Halloween trick or treat bags made from ½ yard of spider web fabric with purple ties for my wizard/witch and black ties for my little ninja.

Each one took about 15 minutes to make and cost me only a few bucks.   For each trick-or-treat bag you’ll need 1 yard of cotton belting and a 18” x 27” piece of fabric.  Here are the simple steps to stitch up something similar.  

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