Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Make Your Own Christmas Countdown Chain - An Easy-to-Sew Advent Calendar Project

Looking for a simple DIY advent calendar for your Christmas holidays? Remember those Christmas countdown chains from when you were a kid? Those where you tore off a link each day until Christmas? Well, here's an idea for a fabric sewing project version of that chain. Fabric strips, Velcro, and your standard sewing supplies is all it takes for you to be able to use this countdown-to-Christmas fabric chain garland. A great sewing project for beginners, too!

Christmas countdown chain advent calendar project
For this project you will need:
Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, and link to the video tutorial to make a Christmas countdown chain. 

Looking for more fun Christmas projects?

Check out some of my other patterns and tutorials!


Or just hang out with us as we make the countdown chain:

Monday, November 29, 2021

Make an Appliquéd Red Cardinal Potholder - A Holiday Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project

Today we're making another Christmas project to brighten up your holiday kitchen. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted red cardinal potholder. Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute cardinal potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial.

appliqued red cardinal quilted potholder

For this project you will need:
Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.


The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for more potholders, hot pads, and trivets? Check out some of my other project patterns available:

Otherwise, watch as we make the red cardinal potholder:


Sunday, November 28, 2021

Make Your Own Bright Red Cardinal Mug Rug - An Appliquéd and Quilted Sewing Project Tutorial

I'm back today with another mug rug, snack mat, or mini placemat project for the Christmas holiday. Brighten up your holiday or winter coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or snack time with this cute bright red cardinal sewing project. You'll use your own fabric scraps to appliqué the cardinal, make a pocket for a napkin, and even learn how to make the reversible cloth napkin. 

red cardinal appliqued snack mat, mug rug, mini placemat

For this project you will need:

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.


Looking for more snack mat, mug rug, or mini placemat patterns? Check out some other projects: 

Otherwise, check out our cardinal mug rug!

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Make a Christmas Advent Calendar - A Cute Christmas Bunting with Pockets Sewing Project

I'm back today with another Christmas sewing project! Decorate your home for the holidays while you countdown to Christmas Day with your own handmade Christmas advent calendar. It’s a fabric bunting version with pockets for goodies and treats. You can make the garland all one length to fill a large space, or divide it half and use it to decorate a smaller space. Then stuff those generously sized 3 1/2” pockets with all kinds of fun surprises to discover as you work your way towards Christmas Day!

Christmas advent calendar bunting garland with pockets

For this project you will need:

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!
The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable number template to make a hanging bunting Christmas advent calendar.

Looking for other holiday and seasonal buntings? Check out some of my other popular patterns!


Or just join us as we make the advent bunting:

Friday, November 26, 2021

Foster Kitten Friday - The Travel Kit

As I've written before, since we frequently take our trips last minute we keep a container of our must-haves ready to go. Things like medications, toiletries, first aid supplies, fabric freshener and ziplock bags are in there. When things go on sale (powder, deodorant, toothpaste, whatever) I buy several to fill up the bucket. That way when we are ready to hit the road or sail the seas we just go "shopping" in our bucket. As we haven't been traveling since COVID our bucket is full. But this week I got to go shopping in the bucket. 

For a toothbrush.

Part of being a foster parent to a newborn kitten is to be, well, a parent. You feed them, keep them warm, and clean up what comes out of their bums. But baby kittens get something else from the mama cat. Licks from mama's tongue. With my little Hans Solo being all alone without his mama, and with his siblings having not made it, we use something else to mimic the feel of a tongue on his fur.

My ready-to-travel but can't-travel-yet toothbrush from the bucket.

This week has been a week of bonding over that silly toothbrush. And bonding over food. And over helping him pee and poo (and cleaning up afterwards). It has been a week where his eyes are looking clearer and his vision is getting better. I've learned he's a ham, and I have the pictures to prove it.

Chillin' with the tongue toothbrush.
Yum, yum, yum.
Yes, I have a tongue and I will soon know how to use it.
Is this how you play hide and go seek?
Just call me Ol' Blue Eyes.
Better get a good look because they won't always be that color.
Time to eat? Yes, ma'am!
Where are you going foster mama?

It has been a fun week getting to know this little guy. Next week we may have some exciting news for him, and it doesn't include a travel toothbrush.

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