Meanderings along Lizard Creek

 Farmhouse Vintage Ornaments and Tree Skirt with AccuQuilt....

...AccuQuilt released 2 Christmas dies this year--the GO! TreeSkirt Wedge and the GO! Ornaments Medley. Read on to find out how I used them to add some Farmhouse charm to my holiday decor.

I used pages from a vintage book to die cut 6 shapes from each ornament design. Fold each die cut in half vertically. 

Apply a bit of double stick tape to one side of folded ornament. Stack another folded matching ornament on top and repeat until all 6 ornaments are stacked. 

Open stacked ornament and place a length of double stick tape along center crack. Place a folded length of baker's twine on centered tape. Place another small length of double stick tape to one side of ornament body. Fold ornament together along center crack encasing the baker's twine in the center fold to create the hanging loop.

Use a small paint brush to apply a thin layer of glue to edges of one ornament. Swish ornament into a pile of glitter. Make a huge mess--but oh so rewarding to play with glitter!! Repeat until all edges are coated with glitter--and your workspace.

Display your new handmade vintage book paper ornaments and ENJOY!!!!

Next up, the tree skirt. For 8 years, I have used just a length of linen fabric to wrap around the base of our tree. It did the job fine--but when AccuQuilt released the tree skirt die--I thought--hey let's see if it works to make it out of burlap!! 

The shapes die cut beautifully!! Once again though--a giant mess was made in my studio!! Seems to be a theme with these designs. Oh well, sometimes a bit of mess is needed for something beautiful to be made!

I used a narrow zig zag to sew an approximate 1/2" seam. This larger seam allowance than the pattern calls for is because the burlap weave is quite loose and ravels easily. Press seams open. Then secure seam down with the same narrow zig zag. Follow die pacackaging pattern to make the tree skirt top. I chose not to use a backing, so just folded over the inner and outer edge once and secured hems with the same narrow zig zag stitch. Quite an easy sew--just once again--super messy with the burlap. Trim all the excess threads off and tree skirt is finished.

I just love the finished project. The skirt really does lay flat--but I have it gathered quite small at the top because I don't have a large area around the base of the tree as it is next to the basement steps. 

I hope you have enjoyed learning to think outside the die--and use new mediums to make something special!!

Have a Blessed Christmas Season!!!