Today I have another fabulous guest blogger for you, the super lovely and creative Tamar of Tarisota. She has put together the most gorgeous DIY tutorial for you all, that I know you're going to love.
Once you've peeked at the tutorial, you can pop over to Tamar's blog to enter her elf giveaway and while you're there, be sure to check out all the festive recipes that Tamar has been posting each day. There's a new one to download every day during December. So cool.
Here's a peek at the first one from a couple of weeks ago - seriously yummy!
Anyhow, I'll hand you over to the lovely Tamar now, enjoy.
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Hello :) I'm so happy Mel asked me to pop on over a do a little guest blog here at One Crafty Mumma. In keeping with her Handmade Christmas theme she has running at the moment I wanted to share a sweet idea for a DIY project that you can put together fairly quickly and I think it will bring lots of fun to your holiday season.
Introducing - Elf in The House
Background Idea
I'll put this disclaimer out straight away that this is not an "Original" idea. I have read quite a few blogs who have a "naughty" elf who stays with their family through the christmas period. It always seems like so much fun and from what I have read even the older kids like to get involved with the mischief. I also read about Elf on the Shelf - and I thought what a fab idea and went to purchase it for my girls and some of my crafty friends children - $29.95 from Amazon but no idea on the shipping as they wouldn't ship to me.
So sad :( So I thought right make my own however with time being a bit short round here I went with a bought elf and then pulled the other bits together myself.
So let's get started and have you making your own Elf in the House in no time at all. Perfect for you if you still have children at home - and if you don't you may like to make one of these for a friend.
Materials
An Elf
Calico
Red and white twine or ribbon
Two red beads ( optional )
Access to a printer - white A4 paper and an A4 label sheet one 4 x 6 photo paper.
Pinking Shears
Sewing machine
Options for an Elf
The whole elf is obviously the most crtical part of the DIY ;) So when this idea formulated today I headed out to Robina . I was just lucky that in Adairs they had these sweet elf like decos which happened to be 40% off and another 5% off with my linen lovers card.
So I bought a little army and have them sitting round me now.
While I totally adore these ones -they weren't what I had in mind - I wanted a more plush style one which could sit down and hide in places. These ones do however look gorgeous in their calico bags. So of you don't have an Adairs near to you or Robina is your store ( I bought them all -sorry -) then I would suggest searching any of the stores with christmas decorations to see what you can find.
Alternatively you could make one- I can recommend this gnome pattern from Bit of Whimsey Dolls. While I haven't made this particuar one I can recommend her patterns - totally doable! There are some great crochet patterns on etsy too- which I can't recommend as I can't crochet to save my life but a quick search will have you headed in the right direction
ok so once you have your elf sorted ...
Making the Elf Sack
This is a simple sewn sack - real stitchers please look away ....
Measure the length of your Elf add five centimetres and double it - Lie the elf on top of the fabric so you can gauge how wide your sack has to be.
I have used pink thread and cream - I wanted red but I didn't have any. Keep in mind the stitching will be seen.
Trim the seams off using pink shears
Double fold the top and stich
Take a piece of red and white twine and add some beads to the end - tie the ends with knots so they don't fall off.
Fold it in half and zig zag stitch about 5 cm of the twine to the centre back of the bag and your bag is complete!
Packaging your Elf
Time to pop your elf away .
Labelling your Elf
Each elf needs a label attached. I have created one for my elves by taking a photo of the elf and creating the label and printing it onto 4 x 6 photo paper.
and then attaching it to the bag
For our little DIY I have made a generic label for you all to use instead.
Using an image from Iara from Baersgarten who kindly allows me to use her images in my work :) I have used this particular Christmas tag set HEAPS this year.
Download Elf in the house print
Letter from Santa
Inside your parcel needs to be a letter from Santa explaining the house Elf to your child/ or children.
Here it is for you to download.
You will need adobe reader to be able to open this. It is free and available here if you don't already have it.
Print it out and pop it in your parcel
Labelling your Parcel
Part of the fun is receiving the Elf in the mail.
Now I have two lots of parcels- some that are really being sent -so I have to be mindful of the fact we want a true return to sender addy on the back it would be so sad if any elves got lost.
So with that in mind I have made two sets of labels for you. A blank set and a pre filled in one.
Then there are the ones that will just “appear” - Like my girls one. They will wake up one morning and it will be here.
Download Labels for nonsending
Print on to label sticker paper and attach to your parcel.
A Giveaway
I have a little army of elves about to be dispatched to some of my crafty friends children so I hope you will see a blog post or two over the next two weeks with some of them arriving at their destination.
Finally I have one lone Elf left and I would love to give him to a good home. I am currently on holidays but once I return I will pop him in an overnight bag with a personalised label for the child or children of your choice. So you have a few days to enter please leave a comment over on my blog HERE.
I hope you have enjoyed this little DIY and that many Elves appear in houses this year . I wish for you that they are the good ones too not the naughty ones ;)
Love Tamar
