Happy Holidays from Happy Place Design!!

I just wanted to welcome all of the new readers of my blog and new subscribers! I'm so excited that people are interested in what I'm doing, seriously. That's so exciting to me!!! I just wanted to create a place where I can be myself and document my design process. Every time I post a picture of a completed project, I'm inspired to create something new. There are so many talented people out there that inspire me every day and I love having a place to promote their talents, too.

I searched all around for the best way to wish you happy holidays and then it just came to me. All I needed was the perfect song, so here it goes.

Have a great holiday from Happy Place Design and Wham! :)



Man that song will always be awesome. heh

Love always,
Kelli

Guest Blogger - Crochet Holiday Gift Guide

I guest blogged on QUiD Essential today!

Check it out, officially, here.

I thought it was worth posting again on my blog, so here you go!

Holiday Gift Guide: Everything crochet

Have a Cozy Crocheted Christmas!

Who knew so many fashionable accessory pieces could be made with just a few skeins of yarn and a crochet hook? It’s such an exciting craft once you get over the assumption that all things crocheted are made by cat loving grannies making doilies and pot warmers. But you don’t have to know HOW to crochet to adorn a trendy oversize cowl or flashy necklace. It’s no secret that Etsy is a great place get started when shopping for the perfect crocheted winter accessory for yourself and the ones you love. Don’t be stingy now, your friends and family deserve to be fashionistas, too! Think that maybe someone on your Christmas list deserves a little spice in their wardrobe? Here are the details to get you started!

Enter, the super, oversize cowl: Etsy seller “SprattersandJayne” has several super, oversize cowls in a variety of colors with oversize buttons from $78 to $115.

Enter, the bubble beret: Etsy seller “softspoken” has a clever array of chic bubble berets for $18 that will add sophistication to any outfit!

Enter, the mini beret: Etsy seller “LiDDesignsBoutique” has delicious mini berets for $35

Enter, the chain necklace: Etsy seller “itsalovelycake” combines vintage jewelry chains with colorful crocheted beads for a look that’s feminine and original, and at $20, a total steal!

Enter, the fingerless mitten: Etsy seller “CoquelicotSalon” offers an assortment of fingerless mittens in different color combinations and vintage button detailing from $28 to $34

If you’re in the area, two new boutiques, Collected Thread and DNA Galleries, both offer great crochet accessories at affordable prices, and they’re conveniently next door to each other!

Collected Thread
1705 A NW 16th Street, OKC

DNA Galleries
1705 B NW 16th Street, OKC

Finally, here is my take on the crochet cowl trend worn two ways:

As you can see, they are so snuggly and warm
that they make me want to take a nap inside them.

Make your own Christmas stocking!

My first sewing project on my new sewing machine was this set of Christmas stockings for our home. Here is a step by step to show you how to make some for yourself! They took about a half an hour or less! Let me know what you think!

First, pick out the fabric you want to use. I chose a printed canvas that was on sale at Hancock's in the remnants section. I paid $1.99 a yard! They looked like tiny mustaches so I couldn't resist! I also had some scrap red felt that I wanted to use for the stocking cuff.


I bought a 50 cent stocking at Garden Ridge to use for a pattern, but you could probably just guess the shape you want to use. I tend to grab any scissors in the vicinity to use, which explains the ginghers and craft scissors on my ironing board. Feel free to use just one pair. :) I pressed the canvas before cutting out the pattern. I just placed the Garden Ridge stocking on top of the canvas and cut out the shape. It's okay to fudge a little and not be exact. This is all for you, so no need to stress!


I cut the shape of the cuff following the store-bought stocking and serged the seam. A straight stitch would also suffice, no need to get fancy! I just choose to use my new serger for any possible reason. I can't keep my hands off of it! I also serged the edges of my stocking together and turned it inside out. Then place the felted cuff inside the stocking matching the top edge with the wrong side of the canvas touching the right side of the felt.


I then sewed the two edges together and then turned the felt to the outside. The stocking is almost complete. You could leave this as is, since the felt raw edge looks fine. I chose to turn the raw edge under and stitch the hem. See the next photo. :)






I hope you make your own stockings! Please let me know your thoughts and show me pictures of your handmade holiday decorations!

Love always,
Kelli

Bah Humbug

Should we go the classic or kitchy decorating route this holiday for our home? We can't decide!

This is our first Christmas spent living together and we can't decide how to decorate our home. We're not really the red and green/snowmen/Santa's allover type of decorators, so once again, I don't know where to begin. I seem to figure things out better I've written about them so, of course, this is my starting place.

Here are some "very us" decorations I've found to help shape our Christmas decor style this season:









Good luck to everyone else also looking for the perfect holiday decorating theme this season!

Love always,
Kelli