Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The holidays are fast-approaching and there are many gift ideas out there, but affordable, hand-crafted items with lace and burlap are all the rage this season. If you're looking for ideas, look no further.
CMI staff photo: Traci Tuttle
On Thursday and Friday, Curry County Extension Agent Glenda Belcher, showed attendants how to make Christmas ornaments, gifts, wood crafts, sewing and scrapbooking projects, using mostly lace, burlap, doilies and jute.
Glenda Belcher, Curry County Home economist, hosted the 30th annual "Home for Christmas" event on Thursday and Friday at the north annex of the the Clovis-Carver Public Library. The event featured do-it-yourself Christmas ornaments, gift ideas, wood crafts, sewing and scrapbooking projects, using mostly lace, burlap, doilies and jute.
"These are inexpensive, everyday items that can be purchased locally and turned into crafts," said Belcher. "They look dynamic and are a great price."
Belcher said enjoys cooking, quilting and crafting and that's why she loves hosting this event.
"I love coming to this event, its always so informative," said Mary Frances Smith of Portales. "I learn new tricks to use each year for Christmas."
Attendees sat through a crafting presentation on several projects with varying levels of difficulty, and also received a booklet with step-by-step instructions on how to make them at home.
Belcher gave instructions on how to craft fun items such as "Santa's Magic Key" (a key to leave for Santa because not all children have a fireplace) and a snowman made from doughnuts.
For those who enjoy 'green' projects, Belcher made scarves of old T-shirts, gift packages using tin cans and gift holders from paper sacks.
The instruction booklet also included party snack and drink recipes. Attendants were able to sample them at the event and taste her featured drink, hazelnut iced coffee.
"I come every year and bring friends with me. It's a great time for fellowship, and it's always exciting to see what the theme is, and the things Glenda comes up with," said Andee Starbuck of Clovis, a kindergarten teacher at Grady schools. "I also love that she always fixes some sort of drink, whether it's cold or a spiced hot drink. She also gives away prizes which are the hand-crafted items she makes."
Featured projects at Home for Christmas:
Burlap stocking
Burlap stocking
Supplies:
With wrong sides together cut two stocking shapes of both outside fabric and cuff/lining fabric. Make sure the toe faces both directions for each fabric. Pair up one outside fabric with one lining, right sides together, with toes pointing the same direction. Sew together with one half inch seam along the top of the two pieces then press seam allowances open.
Match front and back pieced-unit's right sides together with outside fabrics matched up and lining fabrics lined up. Center seams should match up as well. Sew a quarter-inch allowance seam around outside, and three-eighths inch allowance seam around the drop cloth.
Turn stocking right side out, and topstitch opening closed. Carefully tuck the lining inside the stocking. Fold cuff down and shape stocking. Add decorative trim.
Christmas block letters
Christmas block letters
Supplies:
Cut enough 2"x4" blocks (various heights) for each letter that will be used and the the 2"x4" base. Paint blocks and base, sand and stain. Let dry completely. Cut scrapbook paper one half inch smaller than the blocks for each block. Ink around edges of paper. Cut letters using the Cricut, or print on paper, use stamps or rub-on letters. Modge Podge scrapbook paper to the blocks and the letters. Let dry completely.
To create wording on base, use your computer. Height should be about one and quarter inch tall. Print out and Modge Podge to the base. Add any embellishments desired.
Gift journal with bookmark
Gift journal
Supplies:
Cut paper to fit front and back of notebook. Cut another accent paper two inches wide for front and back. Ink around edges of each paper. Apply rubber cement to the back of each paper and adhere to notebook. Sew ribbon around ponytail holder. Sew the button on the other end. Close over notebook.
