CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS JAR

Giving a gift of homemade cookies or candies? Here’s a quick, no-sew way to make the container into a gift as well. I made a Christmas gift jar, but you can decorate yours for any holiday or theme. -- AP

DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS JAR

Materials:
glass jar
small piece of print fabric
small piece of contrasting felt
2 Velcro dot fasteners
double-stick permanent no-sew fabric adhesive
fabric glue
pinking shears

1. Measure the circumference of the jar. Add 3” to that measurement. Measure the height of the jar. Add 1”. Cut a piece of fabric as wide as the first measurement and as tall as the second measurement. (For the sample, a jar that measures 12” in circumference x 6” tall, I cut a piece of fabric 15” x 7”.)

2. Press under short ends 1/2”. Glue. Press under long ends 1/2”. Glue. Fold fabric, wrong sides together, lengthwise. Press. Glue along two short and one long edge.

3. Using pinking shears, cut a piece of coordinating color felt 1” taller than height of the folded fabric and desired width for front of jar. (Sample is 3-1/4” wide x 4” tall.)

4. Peel off paper backing and apply adhesive to wrong side of printed fabric.

5. Cut out fabric to fit within felt.

6. Peel off second sheet of paper. Position fabric centered on felt. Cover with pressing cloth. Following manufacturer’s directions for temperature and time, iron fabric to secure to felt.

7. Position Velco dots on short ends of wrap to fit around jar. Glue dots to fabric.

8. Fill jar with treats.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOPIARY

Make this easy, no-sew Christmas topiary to coordinate with the country wreath from September 5th for a great holiday gift or to decorate your own home. -- AP

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOPIARY
Materials:
6” Styrofoam cone
1/4 yd. green cotton print fabric
small amount of contrasting fabric
sequin pins
3” clay pot
small amount of floral foam
9” length 1/4” diameter dowel
Spanish moss
eight 1” wooden stars
tacky glue

1. Rip the green fabric into 1” strips. Press. Cut strips into 3” lengths.

2. Pin a strip over top of cone. Pin a second strip in opposite direction over top of cone.

3. Fold strip in half. Pin to bottom of cone with cut edge 1/2” above bottom edge of cone. Continue pinning strips around bottom of cone, overlapping sides slightly.

4. Pin a second row of folded strips above first row, staggering strips so they don’t line up with previous row, and overlapping folded edge of second row 1/2” below cut edge of first row.

5. Continue pinning rows around cone as above. For the last row, glue cut ends of fabric together with tacky glue, then glue to cone instead of using pins.

6. Glue floral foam into clay pot.

7. Glue one end of dowel into bottom center of cone and other end into floral foam.

8. Rip a piece of contrasting fabric 1” x 15”. Make a bow from the strip and pin to top of cone.

9. Glue Spanish moss over floral foam.

10. Rip another piece of contrasting fabric 1” x 13” and glue around lip of pot.

11. Glue wooden stars evenly spaced around fabric covered lip.

Make five or six topiaries, all the same or using different fabrics. Place them on a runner on your dining room table for a centerpiece or line them up on a mantle. Make three with different size cones and clay pots for a grouping on a sideboard or end table. What else could you do with them? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment to enter the drawing for a free e-book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP