Sewing Stockings and Reminiscing

I've been sewing stockings today, for a custom order and it had me thinking about several things.

For one, I'm a self-taught seamstress. Sometimes that can be a frustrating thing. A couple of weeks ago, I was working on an set of stockings and as Angea would say "I nearly lost my Jesus." It was a disaster and I cut up / scrapped three of them today, because I totally made a mess of them. It was one of those orders that I should have said "No" to from the very beginning, as it was something more complicated than I usually take on...

I really don't know how to use patterns, so I just create my own templates to use. Sometimes getting everything sewn in the correct order - wrong sides together, sew,  right sides together, sew, flip, sew, yada, yada.... gets confusing. Thankfully, today I was able to peacefully sew all of the stockings without any complications! 

While Grandmama was an excellent seamstress and made all my dresses up till 8th grade, she didn't teach me to sew. I watched her quilt and occasionally helped a little bit. As an adult, I wished I would have learned so much from her. You know, there are so many skills that I wish would have been passed down from the older generations. Maybe they thought we weren't interested or would never use the skills. I'm sure she's looking down and surprised to see me sewing and making a living with fabric... I also wish I would have learned more in the kitchen and garden from my grandparents.

 The first thing I ever remember sewing was a giant stocking for Jeff. It was our first Christmas together and I decided to make a huge stocking and fill it with things for him. I was staying at Grandmama's house that night (she had a stroke and couldn't stay alone, so I stayed with her a lot) and decided to use her machine to sew the stocking. I think my mom helped me some, but I really just made Grandmama nervous with my sewing. The stroke affected her speech, so she couldn't properly communicate and teach me at that point.  It all worked out in the end and if I look in the storage building, I can probably still find the stocking.  After she passed away the next spring, her old Sew Gem sewing machine became mine. I don't use it much anymore, as I have two other machines, although its a treasure I'll never part with. 

The stockings were hung on the mantle with care... this is a snapshot of our shared booth at Uniques and Antiques. Angea makes the French Country style stockings, while I created all of the burlap stockings. You can also find my burlap stockings in my online shop, with worldwide shipping. 

Our stockings are all handmade, right here in East Texas!

What's the one thing you wish your grandparents would have taught you? 

Santa Claus in Watching You!

Santa Claus is watching you! Are you on his naughty or nice list???

I am loving these flannel shirts with Santa Claus on the back of them! There's just something extra comfy about flannels and add a vintage Santa... well what's more Christmasy than that? 

Santa is also ready to decorate your Yeti style stainless steel tumblers for the holidays! Add a fun wrap so you don't loose your drink or tumbler at the Christmas parties. My cup goes everywhere with me - I forgot it one day and felt so lost without it! 

The elves at GypsyFarmGirl have been busy cutting out rusty tin signs as well! After several request for tin Christmas signs, I have created several stockings and Christmas trees. 

 Some have Merry Christmas painted on them, while others are awaiting personalization. I can add a name or sentiment to the stockings for you. These would look good on a door with your families last name or hanging from a mantle with individual names. (Please send a custom request if you need a larger quantity .)

 These signs could be added in a wreath or if you are like me and have a narrow space between your storm / screen door and interior door, they can substitute for a wreath. We only have a couple inches between the two doors and have to get creative for door decor.

 Dear Santa, Give me the junk.

I promise I've been good girl this year and would love a truck load of fun junk to work on and repurpose next year!

This shirt is SUPER comfy, broke in, soft, and distressed... like I really want to keep it! It goes great with skinny jeans and boots.

 These Santa flannels are all in my shop now. If you see another flannel you prefer, please message me and I can add a Santa to a different size, just for you.

Remember when we were kids and we were always told mom had eyes in the back of her head and could see everything? Well, now you can have Santa's eyes keeping watch for you! 

P.S. The first Santa flannels sold out quickly, so grab them up while you can! They are available in my etsy shop for worldwide shipping or some will be stocked at our Uniques and Antiques booth in Mineola by the weekend. 

The stockings were hung...

The stockings were hung by the CAMPER with care! 

Sadly, we don't have a chimney or fireplace at home to hang the stockings by. Sure wish I had a mantle to decorate though. Anywho, lots of stockings have been shipping or delivered and the pic above and below were both from a custom order going to one location. Red burlap sash for the boys, lace for the girls! 

So, for all of you who ordered stockings, I would love to see where you hang them! Please share a picture of your mantle, wall, etc where you decorate! 

Please tag me on Instagram or Twitter @gypsyfarmgirl #gypsyfarmgirl or you can post on my Facebook page! 

P.S. This set of stockings is still available and I can customize if you would like. Also have a couple more of the hemmed stockings with optional sashes and I can make more.  

A Rustic Christmas - Gift and Decor Ideas!

Have yourself a Merry Little Rustic Christmas! Several new items just hit my etsy shop this week, including new Christmas decor and many giftable items! 

 The heart with wings pillows and the "What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you Fly? e.h." pillows have been restocked, along with a couple new cross pillows.

 There are burlap stockings that are customizable, with either a  red burlap, lace, plaid or camouflage ribbon sash

 I had one customer tell me she was going to tie duck calls or shotgun shells in with the sash and another was on the search for wooden initials to personalize the stockings.

I found a couple more rope wreaths that I had not listed in my shop, so they are now available as well!

 I love this Sleigh Centerpiece, filled with red poinsettias, berries, holly, pinecones and Christmas greenery, along with gold ornaments and ribbon. While I love to mix it up and do other colors for Christmas, you just can't go wrong with the traditional red and gold!

 A close up of some of the pillows - all very shabby chic, French country style, perfect for gift giving!

 For that coworker, friend, hair dresser, mail lady, holiday hostess or  person who you don't know exactly what to get - How about a twinkling wine bottle lamp light? Each wine bottle has been transformed into a lamp with 20 twinkling lights and an original lamp shade. These would look great sitting on a cabinet, along with a collection of your favorite wine bottles and add a soft glow to the room.

 For the Dreamer! Vintage lace and doily dream catcher with white feathers.

 I have several styles of rustic gift sacks to wrap the perfect gift in! A hand cut and inked gift tag, bow and tissue paper comes with each sack, all you need is something to go inside them! They will ship free with as additional item from my shop!

You can add a card or small item inside the pocket as well!

Don't forget to look around while you shop! There are several styles of birdcage centerpieces, more stockings and lots of different pillows. 

 There is the Camper / Glamper pillows and totes in many colors.

 The tote bags also make great gift sacks as well. I would love to spend the holidays with my camper, parked by a huge Christmas tree and exploring somewhere new!

More centerpieces and the pillow covers, for sprucing up your home, before the Christmas guest arrive! Pillow covers will fit an 18 x 18 in pillow form. 

Thank you all for shopping small business and hand made this holiday season! We are always thankful for everyone who chooses one of a kind, hand made gifts or allows us to help decorate your home and special events!