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Essential Oil Bath Bombs – Giveaway 4/36

Posted by Carolyn on May 10, 2016 1 Comment

I’m not a huge bath person.  Wait, I should take that back.  I love taking baths in a big, deep tub where I can just float around and relax.  Unfortunately we have a super tiny (well, probably normal sized) tub, and I don’t find that very relaxing.  I decided to try making some bath bombs to up the relaxation game in my bathroom.

These are so great.  The moment you drop them in the water, they just go berserk, fizzing all over the place.  My girls love them in their baths, and I love how they are both moisturizing because of the oils, and add a calming scent to the whole bathroom.

I found quite a few different recipes around the internets, and settled on a combination of a few.  Most recipes have the same basic ingredients, just different ratios or other things thrown in for fun.

Here’s what I came up with:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup carrier oil (almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup citric acid
  • 10-12 drops of essential oil (I love to add relaxing oils to the bath, so I used about 10 drops of Release this time.  I think you could do pretty much anything and it would be great.)

Mix all ingredients together in a glass bowl.  You can use a spoon, but you might as well just use your hands and get the benefit of the oils while you mix it all up.  It should feel like wet sand, and hold together if you squeeze it in your hand.  You can add more baking soda if it’s too wet, or more oil if it’s too dry.

There are silicone molds you can use, but I don’t have one, and didn’t want to spend the money on one, so I just used my mini-muffin tin.  I just pressed the mixture into the cups.  The more firmly you press the mixture in, the better it will solidify.

Let it dry for at least 24 hours, pop them out, and store in an airtight container, glass is always best.

Please let me know if you have any questions!  I’d be happy to suggest some other oils, or help you get started with essential oils if you don’t know where to begin!

Head over to my Instagram account for a giveaway of some of this sugar scrub!  This part three of my 36 Things for 36 Years project.  I’m giving away 36 things this year, and this week will be a whole week of oily giveaways! Details on how to enter here!

Also, make sure you enter my other Essential Oil Giveaways this week!  Essential Oil Sugar Scrub can be found here!

 

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Posted in: 36 Things For 36 Years, created., DIY, gave thanks., giveaway | Tagged: 36 Things for 36 Years, DIY, essential oils, giveaway, young living

Essential Oil Sugar Scrub – Giveaway 3/36

Posted by Carolyn on May 9, 2016 4 Comments

Couldn’t we all use a luxurious, exfoliating, moisturizing addition to our shower routine?  This essential oil sugar scrub is seriously the best stuff ever.  I’ve made it before with just sugar and oil, but adding the essential oils this time really takes it from wow to WOWZERS THIS IS AMAZING.

This couldn’t be easier to make.  It is just a few ingredients, and comes together in less than five minutes, no joke.  And, get this, everything you need is probably in your kitchen right now.  Which makes it easy, cheap, and edible.  No harsh chemicals or things you can’t pronounce.  Just good, clean, delicious smelling fun!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (you could use white sugar if you wanted)
  • 1/2 cup carrier oil – I like a mix of 1/4 cup sweet almond oil and 1/4 cup coconut oil; this makes it smooth and creamy.
  • 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil (see below for some combinations and ideas!)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  I find that using a mixer helps ensure that all the oils and sugar get fully incorporated – this is especially helpful if you’re using coconut oil that is solid.

Pour into an jar and screw on a lid.  Use a good scoop in the shower to exfoliate your skin and lock in moisture.  Tip:  do this near the beginning of the shower because the oils can make the shower floor slippery.  I find that if I do it in the beginning, by the end of the shower all the oils have rinsed away with my soap and shampoo, and the next person who gets in won’t slip and slide all around.

Essential oil ideas:

  • Energizing Citrus Fresh, Sacred Mountain, Frankincense.
  • Calming Lavender, Release, Gratitude, Stress Away.
  • Fresh Purification, Lemon, Grapefruit, Lemongrass.

Please let me know if you have any questions!  I’d be happy to suggest some other oils, or help you get started with essential oils if you don’t know where to begin!

Head over to my Instagram account for a giveaway of some of this sugar scrub!  This part three of my 36 Things for 36 Years project.  I’m giving away 36 things this year, and this week will be a whole week of oily giveaways! Details on how to enter here!

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Posted in: 36 Things For 36 Years, CHOOSE, created., DIY, gave thanks., giveaway | Tagged: 36 Things for 36 Years, essential oils, giveaway, young living

Matchy Matchy Heart Dresses

Posted by Carolyn on February 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

I still have so much fabric left over from the weekly photos I took of the girls during their first year.  Alma and Harriet are outgrowing the dresses I made them last Winter.  Valentine’s Day is coming up.  So… I made some new dresses for the girls.

I have to admit that I never thought I would be the kind of mom who would dress her daughters in matching dresses.  Turns out I am that kind of mom.  I am totally that kind of mom.  I’ve done it more than I expected, and I love it every single time.  So be it.  Can you blame me?

I mean, seriously.  They are just the two cutest sisters that ever were.  Especially when they make the same absurd random expression.  Don’t even ask, I have no idea.

Gotta love ’em!

This pattern is my take on Shwin and Shwin’s amazing dress pattern.

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Posted in: CaroMade, created., sewing, sewing, sewing for my daughters | Tagged: creating, hearts, love, sewing, sewing for my daughters, valentines day

Goodness Gnomes, Inspiring Advent – GIVEAWAY!

Posted by Carolyn on November 20, 2015 6 Comments
Goodness Gnomes, Inspiring Advent - GIVEAWAY!

This is an easy tutorial.  All you have to do is set up some traditions for your family.  When I started thinking about doing these Five Days of Christmas Giveaways, I knew I wanted to include something about Advent traditions.  I’ve written before about how I’d love to help make Christmas more about giving than getting for our family, and last year I tried out the whole Goodness Gnomes tradition.

The main idea (inspired by ImaginationTree and her Kindness Elves) is to have some little visitors during the Advent season who inspire the kids to do acts of kindness and generosity.  Advent is a season of preparation – we are preparing for Christmas, for Jesus’ birth, for promises.  Advent is special.

Our church always hands out a calendar that is titled, “Slow Down. Quiet.  It’s Advent.”  It has ideas of ways to think about the season, and to prepare for Christmas.  This always inspires me, as a busy mom, to take time to stop for a moment.

Here’s the thing – I will absolutely not be trying to do one of these activities every single day.  I’m not going to be one of those moms who makes Advent an adventure.  Advent will be quiet, slow, generous, and magical in our house.  If there’s one thing I try to do every single day during Advent it will be to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and think about what we are preparing for.  If we get to some of the fun things, that will be great.  But that’s not the point.  The point is to slow down, be quiet, act generously, and prepare.

I have come up with some lists that will help you do just this:  Slow down, be quiet, act generously.

andthenthey goodness gnomes giveaway 2First is a list for ways that kids can act generously during Advent (or really, at any time).  These things are ideas for young children.  I’ve seen a lot of lists out there that cater to older kids’ abilities, so I wanted to create something that would be helpful for families with young children, like mine.

  • Donate some old toys
  • Ask someone to tell you the Christmas story
  • Pick a child to sponsor for Christmas, and go shopping for them
  • Make cards for your teachers
  • Take coffee to the bell ringer outside the grocery story
  • Decorate your family’s Christmas cards or envelopes
  • Help your parents empty the dishwasher
  • Clean your room
  • Help the Earth by picking up trash
  • Help the Earth by having a Pioneer Night – use as little electricity as possible and talk about natural resources
  • Make presents for your grandparents
  • Write Thank You notes to St. Nicholas (he always brings us new Christmas books)
  • Surprise Daddy at work
  • Make a treat for your sister
  • Leave treats on a neighbor’s front porch
  • Make cards for the mailman, and other helpers
  • Ask someone to play with you
  • Give someone a compliment
  • Call your cousins
  • Make a bracelet or necklace for someone
  • Give food to someone who needs it
  • Pray for friends and family
  • Learn a new Christmas song and sing it for someoneandthenthey goodness gnomes giveaway 1

The next list are some ways that you can do to be more engaged with the Advent season.  Take a moment to slow down, think, be quiet.

  • Go on a Christmas light walk
  • Watch this video
  • Drink a cup of tea with no distractions
  • Have a dessert date night in with your spouse
  • Sit quietly for ten minutes
  • Do a sun salutation, or other yoga
  • Buy the coffee for the person or car behind you in line
  • Play a board game with your spouse
  • Dance with you kids
  • Dance with your spouse
  • Turn your phone off for a certain time each day
  • Read the Christmas stories in the Gospels
  • Write down your favorite Christmas memories from childhood
  • Send a handwritten card to someone
  • Take a bath
  • Light candles
  • Listen to this
  • Watch your favorite Christmas movie (I suggest White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life)
  • Say thank you
  • Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and just be for a moment

Anyone can use these lists, so where’s the giveaway?  I’m giving away the two little guys in the photos above (I cheated and bought them at Target, so if you like them, but don’t win, you might be able to find them in the store).

To enter to win the Goodness Gnomes, do the following:

  1. Answer this question in the comment section of my blog: Do you have any ideas to add to either list?  What is it?  I want to see what other people think!
  2. Follow me on Instagram (carolynfwilliams), then comment on this blog post telling me you’re following me on Instagram.
  3. Comment again telling me you’re following Megan’s shop on Instagram (alwayscreateco).
  4. Comment again telling me you’re following Katrina on Instagram (katrinalhenry).
  5. Subscribe to Megan’s channel on YouTube.

All giveaways will close on Sunday at 9pm Pacific Time.  Winners will be announced on Monday morning, the 23rd.

That’s five ways to enter this giveaway!  Good luck, and I can’t wait to hear your ideas for making Advent quiet, slow, and generous!

Here are the other giveaways-

Monday, Quilted Christmas Table Runner
Tuesday, Drawstring Gift Bag
Wednesday, Wood Burned Ornament by Katrina Henry
Thursday, Christmas Countdown Chalkboard by Megan Lenhardt

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Posted in: CaroMade, created., DIY, gave thanks., giveaway, holidays, parented. | Tagged: Advent, Christmas, giveaway, goodness gnomes

Christmas Countdown Chalkboard – GIVEAWAY and DIY video by Megan Lenhardt

Posted by Carolyn on November 19, 2015 7 Comments
Christmas Countdown Chalkboard - GIVEAWAY and DIY video by Megan Lenhardt

Happy Thursday!  Today is something a little different.  You all know of my love for Megan Lenhardt.  She’s a fantastic singer, but that’s not all!  She’s also a creative artist with her own shop – Always Create Co.!  If you think these chalkboards are cute, you should seriously go check out her shop.  It is full of amazing hand lettered signs and other decor.  Her birthday signs are incredible.

andthenthey alwayscreateco chalkboard signShe graciously agreed to do one of the tutorials for my 5 Days of Christmas Giveaways here on And Then They.  She is sharing how to make your own Christmas countdown on her YouTube channel.  And she’s giving away one of these awesome boards!  Aren’t they perfect?

So, go watch her video HERE, subscribe to her channel, then come back here to enter to win this Christmas Countdown Chalkboard!

There are SIX ways to enter this giveaway!

To enter to win the Chalkboard, do any or all of the following:

  1. Answer this question in the comment section of my blog: What’s your absolute favorite thing to do at Christmastime?
  2. Follow me on Instagram (carolynfwilliams), then comment on this blog post telling me you’re following me on Instagram.
  3. Comment again telling me you’re following Megan’s shop on Instagram (alwayscreateco).
  4. Comment again telling me you’re following Katrina on Instagram (katrinalhenry).
  5. Subscribe to Megan’s channel on YouTube.
  6. Comment on Megan’s video on YouTube.

*** ENTER by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd 9pm Pacific Time – All five winners (one for each day this week) will be announced on Andthenthey.com on Monday, the 23rd ***

Here are the other giveaways-

Monday, Quilted Christmas Table Runner
Tuesday, Drawstring Gift Bag
Wednesday, Wood Burned Ornament by Katrina Henry

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Posted in: art, created., DIY, gave thanks., giveaway, holidays | Tagged: Christmas, create, creating, decorating, holiday, megan lenhardt

Wood Burned Ornaments – GIVEAWAY and Tips by Katrina Henry

Posted by Carolyn on November 18, 2015 20 Comments
Wood Burned Ornaments - GIVEAWAY and Tips by Katrina Henry

andthenthey wood burned 04Already to the third day of the 5 Days of Christmas!   If you haven’t already entered for the first two giveaways, make sure you go check those out (here and here). The giveaways don’t close until this Sunday night, so you still have plenty of time!

For today, I asked my best friend, Katrina, to contribute her talents.  She’s always been an artist and an inspiration, but lately she’s been hitting it out of the park with her daily sketches on Instagram.  Guys, she’s amazing.  Go check her out and like her photos and follow her. 

Also, you should encourage her to start selling her art.  Don’t you think she’d be really successful?  Seriously.

So, now that you’ve gone to her Instagram and are completely impressed, read her tips for using a wood burning tool, and enter to win one of her ornaments!

andthenthey wood burned 08I’ve been making my own Christmas gifts for friends and family members for as long as I can remember. So when Carolyn asked me to participate in her week of Christmas DIY Projects and Giveaways, I was super excited! No hesitation.

Last year, I made monogrammed ornaments by painting initials on sliced wood circles from branches in my back yard. This time around, I tried my hand at wood burning on wood circles using Carolyn’s cool wood burning tool.

andthenthey wood burned 07I have to admit that it took me a few tries to get the hang of it and feel comfortable. I assumed I would like the fine point tip, since I prefer drawing with a fine tip pen. But it took much more effort than I expected to make a smooth line and I ended up making mistakes as I was going back over the lines to add detail.

Here’s what worked for me:

  • Test out the different tips on a piece of scrap wood (in the same type of wood, if possible) to determine which works best for the project. I preferred the slanted tip.
  • ​Draw the design in pencil on the wood circle.andthenthey wood burned 02
  • Use my non dominant hand to turn the wood so that I didn’t have to draw with the wood burning tool as much. I still drew with the tool, but felt like I had better control when I also used my left hand to guide the wood circle.
  • Pay attention to the angle of the tool. It was very easy for me to touch the side of the hot tip unintentionally. You can see in the photo with the “Joy” and “H” ornaments that I made some dark burns outside of my intended design. Not the end of the world, but definitely not the look I was going for. 😉andthenthey wood burned 01
  • Trace over the outline first with the wood burning tool, then go back over to fill in, add detail and shading.andthenthey wood burned 03
  • Keep the design simple and don’t sweat the imperfections. That’s part of what makes it look authentic and unique.
  • Attach a screw eye to the top (I used a 3/4″) or drill a hole straight through the ornament. I used baker’s twine, but you can use any ribbon, string or twine to hang your ornament.

andthenthey wood burned 06I hope those pointers help if you decide to give wood burning a try. Or you could win an ornament of your choice by following us on Instagram and commenting on this post. If you win, you can choose from the designs featured, or request a custom word or initial that is meaningful to you. I’m excited to play around more, now that I have the hang of using a wood burning tool! 🙂

Giveaway time!  We’re giving away a wood burned ornament.  Five ways to enter to win this fun, handmade Christmas decoration.

To enter to win the Gift Bag, do any or all of the following:

  1. Answer this question in the comment section of my blog: When do you usually start getting ready for Christmas?  How do you prepare?
  2. Follow me on Instagram (carolynfwilliams), then comment on this blog post telling me you’re following me on Instagram.
  3. Comment again telling me you’re following Megan’s shop on Instagram (alwayscreateco).
  4. Comment again telling me you’re following Katrina on Instagram (katrinalhenry).
  5. Subscribe to Megan’s channel on YouTube.

*** ENTER by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd 9pm Pacific Time – All five winners (one for each day this week) will be announced on Andthenthey.com on Monday, the 23rd ***

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Posted in: CaroMade, created., decorating, DIY, giveaway, gratitude, holidays | Tagged: Christmas, create, creating, DIY, DIY gifts, giveaway, holiday, holidays, katrina, tutorial, wood burning

Drawstring Gift Bag – GIVEAWAY and TUTORIAL

Posted by Carolyn on November 17, 2015 6 Comments
Drawstring Gift Bag - GIVEAWAY and TUTORIAL

andthenthey gift bag tutorial 01I love wrapping gifts, but I’m so, so bad at it.  The ends are always crumpled and there’s way more tape than there should be.  I also hate all the trash that we throw away on Christmas morning.  But, I love how reusable gift wrapping is getting more popular!

I thought I’d make a few gift bags for our family, and show you my process.

But first, a story.  I have no idea if my parents know this, but my brother and I were expert gift-peekers.  We would shake our presents, lift up the paper, do whatever we could to figure them out.  There was one year that I remember, in particular.  We would take a knife to slice the tape, carefully unwrap the gift, wrap it back up, then put a new piece of tape exactly over the sliced tape.  I think we knew everything we were getting before Christmas was here.  That was the year we got new ski pants.  I know, it’s odd.  Why did we want to ruin the surprise?  Now, I would never do that.  Why am I telling you this story?  Well, because if you have someone like me in your house, these gift bags won’t do much good.  You must make these bags with a healthy dose of trust, because they are easy to open, peek in, or completely unwrap.  That’s the disclaimer for this tutorial.

Well… let’s get started, shall we?

For these gift bags, you don’t need a specific cut of fabric.  You can really use any dimension, but in this tutorial I used a fat quarter.  I like the size bag a fat quarter makes.andthenthey gift bag tutorial 02 Start by ironing down about a half inch on the top of the bag.  You should note, at this point, that I don’t use actual measurements to make this bag.  It’s all estimated and eyeballed.  This is partly because the amount of material you use will determine how you construct your gift bag.  Also, it doesn’t have to be perfect since it will be all scrunched up in the end.  andthenthey gift bag tutorial 03 Fold down again, this time a few inches.  You can see this in the below photo.  If you look to the left of my hand, you’ll see the first fold, then how I folded again on top.  Does that make sense?  I hope so.

Also, in the below photo, you can see two blue marks on the right side of the fabric.  These are the guidelines for where I’ll put the buttonhole.  The reason I’m doing buttonholes is because it finishes the edges of the holes where we’ll put the ribbon.  It adds to the finished look.andthenthey gift bag tutorial 04 Unfold the fabric, and put your buttonholes in.  (My sewing machine manual had instructions on making a buttonhole, and I’m not sure if the directions would be similar for different machines, so if you don’t know how to make a buttonhole, you should search for your specific machine.)  You want to make sure you just put the holes in the top layer of fabric, so be very sure that you unfold your fabric before you start sewing the holes.andthenthey gift bag tutorial 05Refold your fabric and sew along the bottom edge, all along the top.  Now, you’re going to finish the channel for the ribbon.  Start above the buttonhole, and sew all the way across the top to make the channel.  For me, I had a narrow ribbon, so I sewed my second line a couple inches above the bottom line.   andthenthey gift bag tutorial 06For these gift bags, I love making it as finished looking as possible, so I like to do a French seam on the inside.  French seams are really fun, and I actually use them a lot when I make clothes, too.

Here’s how to do it.  Fold your bag in half, wrong sides together.  (the photo below is crooked, with the top of the bag on the left side of the photo.)  You can see below how I sewed around the bottom and the side opposite the fold.  I did about a 1/4 inch seam, but trimmed it to about 1/8 inch.andthenthey gift bag tutorial 07 Here you can see the trimmed seams.  I also trimmed the corners, so when it’s turned inside out in the next step they weren’t too bulky.andthenthey gift bag tutorial 08Turn your bag inside out, and sew around the seams you just sewed, again with a 1/4 inch seam.  You’ll want to make sure the first seam is nestled inside this seam.   andthenthey gift bag tutorial 09 Look how pretty and professional!  No frayed edges!  No sloppy lines!  I love it!andthenthey gift bag tutorial 10 Now, all you have to do is string your ribbon.  Cut your ribbon so it’s about 4 times as long as your bag is wide.  I’ve ready about fancy ribbon threading tools, but I’ve always done just fine with the safety pin method.  Attach a safety pin to one end, stick it in one of the holes, and work your way around until the pin comes out the other hole, pulling the ribbon with it.andthenthey gift bag tutorial 11Magic! andthenthey gift bag tutorial 12Now all you have to do is make a bunch of these!  They are quick and easy, so get sewing and you’ll have a stash in no time!  They are so fun and cheerful!  Make them for hostess gifts (stick a bottle of wine in one as a bonus), birthday presents, or any other occasion.

andthenthey gift bag tutorial 13Want to win this bag?  Here’s how:

Giveaway time!  I’m giving away this festive gift bag.  Five ways to enter to win this fun, handmade (read: not perfect) Christmas decoration.  You’ll be getting to know the other two sponsors, Megan and Katrina, this week, so you can start following them today!

To enter to win the Gift Bag, do the following:

  1. Answer this question in the comment section of my blog: Were you on the naughty list or the nice list when you were a kid?  Did you ever peek at your presents?  Do you think my parents knew I was such a stealthy sneak?
  2. Follow me on Instagram (carolynfwilliams), then comment on this blog post telling me you’re following me on Instagram.
  3. Comment again telling me you’re following Megan’s shop on Instagram (alwayscreateco).
  4. Comment again telling me you’re following Katrina on Instagram (katrinalhenry).
  5. Subscribe to Megan’s channel on YouTube.

*** ENTER by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd 9pm Pacific Time – All five winners (one for each day this week) will be announced on Andthenthey.com on Monday, the 23rd ***

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Posted in: CaroMade, created., decorating, DIY, holidays, sewing, sewing | Tagged: Christmas, create, creating, DIY, DIY gifts, gift bag, giveaway, holidays, sewing, tutorial

Quilted Christmas Table Runner – GIVEAWAY

Posted by Carolyn on November 16, 2015 16 Comments
Quilted Christmas Table Runner - GIVEAWAY

As part of the 5 Days of Christmas Giveaways, I knew I wanted to make a table runner.  I love quilting and sewing and Christmas and tables, so it was an obvious choice.andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 01This project is perfect for someone who’s new to sewing.  If you’ve been wanting to make a quilt, this is a great place to start.  It has all the elements of quilt-making, but on a much smaller scale.  That means that you can learn the methods without the overwhelming amount of fabric or work.  It’s also very forgiving – the way I did the crooked strips mean that you don’t have to worry about having things line up, or even about sewing a straight line.

Materials needed:

  • 4 fat quarters
  • 1/2 yard fabric for binding
  • 1/2 yard fabric for backing
  • Batting – I bought a crib size and cut it to fit the runners
  • Thread
  • Rotary cutter – scissors would work, but the rotary makes it much easier
  • Ironandthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 13Disclaimer:  This is my first sewing tutorial, so I’m sorry if something’s unclear.  Please let me know if you have questions, or if something needs to be clarified! andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 02 I started with four fat quarters and cut them into strips.  I didn’t measure anything because I was going for the uneven, crooked stripey look.  I did some wide strips, and some narrow strips, but most were in between.  I probably should have ironed my material, but this wasn’t about perfection, so I didn’t.andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 03Above, you can see the first two strips ready to be sewn.  If you were doing a quilt where you wanted straight lines, and lined up angles, you would just put the two pieces together (right sides facing), and sew along one edge.  To get the crooked look, I just placed my strips together (right sides facing), but didn’t line up the edges. andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 04When you sew the strips together, follow one edge.  I like to use a 1/4 inch seam, so I just line the edge of the fabric up with the edge of the sewing machine foot, and that’s a little over 1/4 inch. andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 05 After you sew a new strip on, go ahead and trim off the extra seam allowances, making both pieces of fabric have about a 1/4 inch seam.  You can see in the photo above how the red fabric won’t be trimmed much, but the green fabric will have quite a bit trimmed off, especially near the top.  andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 06 Above, you can see one of the strips that I made really crooked.  Can you see how that top fabric is placed at quite an angle from the one I sewed it to?  That meant that I trimmed of quite a bit of the bottom fabric, but it created a really crooked line.  Just keep adding strips until you run out, and it should be fairly large.

I don’t have a photo of this, but after I sewed all the strips together, I ironed the quilt top.  I pressed all the seam allowances in one direction and got rid of all the creases.  I also cut the whole thing in half, to make two long, narrow table runners.  I think this would look great if you kept it wide, too!  Totally your choice!

andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 07 Now, on to the quilting!  I cut out some fabric for the backing.  It wasn’t long enough, so I had to sew two pieces together.  Lay your backing fabric (design side down) on a large work area.  For big quilts, I do this on the floor, but for this project, my dining room table worked just fine.  Smooth it out and place your quilt batting on top.  Then, put your quilt top on top, sandwiching the batting between the backing and top.  Smooth it all out, check to make sure it’s all lined up, and stick some pins in it.  Next, roll it up from both sides, to the middle.  It’s helpful to clamp these rolls, just to keep everything snug in place.  I found that it wasn’t as necessary for this project, since it’s so small, but you might still find it helpful.andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 08The purpose of quilting is to hold the three layers all together.  I have yet to get too fancy with my quilting.  I usually just do straight or wavy lines, and I like how that turns out.  For this quilt, I didn’t really want to see the lines, so I used a technique called stitch in the ditch.  Basically, this means that you will sew right over the seams.  The quilting lines are almost hidden in the seams.  I used red thread, so it stands out more than if I had really been trying to match, and hide the quilting lines. andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 09Keep quilting until it’s all sewn together!  To bind it, use this tutorial. I started writing a tutorial for binding, but realized that this one is way, way better.  It’s what I used to learn, and I look back at it every time I make a quilt.  The only thing I do differently is how I finish it.  I usually attach it first to the back of the quilt, then use my machine on the front with it folded over.  This means that the front of the binding has a line of sewing on it, but I like that look – especially on this quilt with the red stitching on the white binding.  It’s also much more secure, and since most of my quilts have been for kids and babies, that’s important.  My quilts get washed a lot and need to hold up.  andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 11 Please let me know if you have any questions!  I’m happy to help!  Let me know if you end up making one of these – I’d love to see it!andthenthey Quilted Christmas Table Runner 10Giveaway time!  I’m giving away one of the table runners I’ve made here (the backing fabric is different than the one pictured, so that will be a fun surprise!).  Five ways to enter to win this fun, handmade (read: not perfect) Christmas decoration.  You’ll be getting to know the other two sponsors, Megan and Katrina, this week, so you can start following them today!

To enter to win the Table Runner, do the following:

  1. Answer this question in the comment section of my blog: What is your favorite Christmas decoration?  Does it have a story?  Is it an heirloom or something you bought more recently?
  2. Follow me on Instagram (carolynfwilliams), then comment on this blog post telling me you’re following me on Instagram.
  3. Comment again telling me you’re following Megan’s shop on Instagram (alwayscreateco).
  4. Comment again telling me you’re following Katrina on Instagram (katrinalhenry).
  5. Subscribe to Megan’s channel on YouTube.

*** ENTER by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd 9pm Pacific Time – All five winners (one for each day this week) will be announced on Andthenthey.com on Monday, the 23rd ***

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Posted in: CaroMade, created., decorating, DIY, giveaway, holidays, sewing, sewing | Tagged: Christmas, create, creating, DIY, giveaway, holidays, sewing

Five Days of Christmas – DIY Projects and Giveaways

Posted by Carolyn on November 13, 2015 1 Comment
Five Days of Christmas - DIY Projects and Giveaways

I am so excited to tell you all about this!  Next week, I will be hosting five different giveaways here on the blog.  I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by many, many talented people.  I am working with two of my friends to offer some fun ideas for holiday crafts and decor.  We will teach you how to make things, and we’ll even be giving some things away.

There will be many more details each day next week, but if you want to get ready for the entries, go ahead and follow all of us!andthenthey Christmas DIY and GiveawaysNext week, if you want to enter the giveaways, you’ll have (at least) five ways to do it.

  1. First, you’ll comment on the blog post about the giveaway.  I’ll be asking a fun question that will inspire creativity, or boost your holiday spirit.
  2. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram (carolynfwilliams) then comment on the blog post telling me you’re following me on Instagram.
  3. Comment again telling me you’re following Megan’s shop on Instagram (alwayscreateco).
  4. Comment again telling me you’re following Katrina on Instagram (katrinalhenry).
  5. Subscribe to Megan’s channel on YouTube (which you should totally do anyway because she’s hilarious and talented and has an adorable family).  You’ll also get a bonus entry for her giveaway by commenting on her vlog!

That’s at least five entries for each giveaway!

EDIT:  Here are the giveaways-

Monday, Quilted Christmas Table Runner

Tuesday, Drawstring Gift Bag

Wednesday, Wood Burned Ornament by Katrina Henry

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Posted in: CaroMade, created., decorating, DIY, gave thanks., giveaway, sewing, sewing | Tagged: Christmas, diy crafts, giveaway, katrina henry, megan lenhardt

Autumn Decor, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 25, 2015 1 Comment

Today was the day.  While the kids were at school, I came home to clean the living room and decorate for Autumn.  How pleasant this task was without little feet underfoot.  Plus, I get the added bonus of surprising them with all the new Autumn decor when they come home!andthenthey autumn decor1This year the mantel is a little more Halloween-y than in the past.  I put our vintage Halloween postcards right in the center, and added some more spooky things.  I love this sphere my grandpa made out of obsidian that looks like a magical eyeball crystal ball or something.  It’s even spookier with my ghostly reflection in this photo… andthenthey autumn decor2 andthenthey autumn decor3I can’t remember if I ever shared a photo of the fireplace all painted.  I ended up painting the inside a charcoal color, and the outside just a plain white, whatever we had in the shed.  I love how it brightens up the room. andthenthey autumn decor4This next decoration cracks me up.  I think my mother-in-law gave this to the girls last Autumn, but I couldn’t find the dowel for hanging it.  It probably became a sword or a wand and had to be taken away.  Anyway, the girls have been playing with this branch and I thought it would a perfectly spooky flagpole.  I doubt it will last long, but it’s funny for now.  Just watch out as you walk into our garage… andthenthey autumn decor5  Here’s our front porch decorations.  The broom is actually my mother-in-law’s; she won it in a raffle and I picked it up for her.  I’m sure she’ll agree that it looks really good on our porch, right?!?  We’ve been collecting the mini pumpkins each time we go out to the farm.   andthenthey autumn decor9andthenthey autumn decor6I’ve also meant to post about our new bench!  Jesse built it and I stained it!  Isn’t it amazing?  We used reclaimed lumber from my dad’s old deck.  I love the nicks and dings and nail holes. andthenthey autumn decor7 I’m so proud of Jesse, following in his woodworking grandfather’s footsteps.  We bought a Kreg Jig for this project and it made the whole thing so easy and perfect.  Now Jesse is inspired and motivated to make all sorts of things.  I love that this is a new hobby for him because he’s really good at it, and I get awesome things out of it!  andthenthey autumn decor8And of course, I needed to get the fairies some new Autumn decor.

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Posted in: created., decorating, DIY, holidays | Tagged: autumn, autumn mantel, creating, decor, decorating, DIY, mantel
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If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

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