Merry Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Hoping for an amazing 2017!

Monogram Pocket Nightgown

Monograms seem to be everywhere right now. A hot trend that can be found on almost anything you want to personalize. Last Christmas I decided to make some Monogram Pajamas as gifts. My mom has an embroidery machine, so I love to use it to make gifts when I go to see her.  Don't have an embroidery machine?  You could also cut your letters out of iron on material. Or even applique your own fabric letters!  

I had found a couple of nightgowns that I decided to personalize with monograms. Instead of embroidering straight onto the pajamas, I decided to put the initials onto a coordinating piece of fabric and create that into a little pocket. 

Embroider your monogram towards the bottom of a piece of scrap fabric. Fold your fabric down on top of your monogram, right sides together. Sew up the two sides of your pocket. Now turn it right sides out. There should be an opening on the bottom of your pocket square. Tuck the edges in. It will be closed when you sew the pocket to your pjs.

Place your pocket square where you would like on the garment. I did one as a chest pocket and one as a hip pocket on another nightgown. 

Pin in place and sew around the two sides and the bottom of the pocket. You now have your own personalized monogram PJs. Great to make for yourself or as a gift. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Love Bug Living!

Wishing your family peace, love, and joy in the new year!

Dollar Store Sock Snowman

I wanted to share a cute and easy craft project that you can do with the kids!  These adorable sock snowmen are easy to make, inexpensive and great little guys to use as decorations around the house!  I love Christmas, but there is always so much going on and things to do.  Crafts have to be quick and easy or they just don't get finished.  That's why these sock snowmen are the perfect holiday craft!

I found all of the supplies I needed to make the sock snowmen at the dollar store.  I used men's white crew socks for the body, kid socks for the hat, and twine to close up my sock.  One bag of rice should make about two snowmen, depending on how big your socks are.  I attempted to use the funnel to help pour in my rice, but it kept getting stuck.  It was just easier to pour the rice into the sock without it.

Begin by cutting your sock in half around the heel of your sock.  I was able to make two snowmen out of one sock.  It you are using the toe, just pour your rice in, tapping as you go to help settle the rice.  If you are using the top portion, turn your sock inside out.  Tie one end closed with your twine and then turn the sock right side out again.  Fill with rice and then tie the top closed with twine.

Decide how big you want to make your snowman's head.  Tie another piece of twine around his neck to give him his head and body.  You can trim your twine or tie it into a little bow.  Now it's time to take your little kid socks.  You could trim the end off, but I just started rolling it up at the cuff until I got the size I wanted for my little guy's hat!

After sliding his hat on, it's time to give him a face, maybe some buttons or add a scarf.  I used Sharpie markers to decorate and add the final touches.  Want to add a scarf?  Cut a small strip of fleece and tie it on!  My girls loved to make their own little snowman family.  We have them in all sizes to make each one a little different.

Merry Christmas 2014!

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season

and a Fabulous New Year!

All the Best from the Hufford Family!

Dollar Store Gold & Silver Nutcrackers

Want a quick and easy way to class up your holiday decor this year?  Add a beautiful silver or gold accent without the golden price.  These nutcrackers were just a dollar apiece plus paint cost.

I found these small wooden nutcrackers at the Dollar Tree.  The fur beards and hair weren't working for me, but they easily peeled off.  Make sure to remove any stickers or loose pieces that won't paint well.

I used metallic gold and metallic silver spray paint to cover all sides of my nutcrackers.  Allow to dry.  Add a second coat if necessary.  These would also look great in white or any solid color to match your holiday decor.  Want a little sparkle?  Use glitter paint!

Your nutcrackers are ready to create a festive look in your house.  The perfect little accent to add a touch of class to any nook in your home.  Small ornament painted nutcrackers would be the perfect gift topper as well.

Happy Decorating!

Shared at:  Tatertots & Jello

Cherry Ball Jell-O Shots

We are halfway through December, which means we are deep into party season.  Lots of gatherings, potlucks, and company parties.  It also means that Christmas is getting close.  I love Christmas and all the activities it brings, but it can also be a bit stressful trying to fit it all in, buying the right gifts, and trying to make everyone happy.  

Maybe instead of bringing a casserole to your next party, the guests would appreciate these Cherry Ball Jell-O shots instead!  They really are quite easy to make and a fun treat to serve.

Cherry Ball Jell-O Shots

by Love Bug Living

1 cup Fireball whisky

1 cup boiling water

1 3 oz pkg cherry jello

Mix your cherry jello with your boiling water.  Stir for 2 minutes, until dissolved.  Add your Fireball and mix.  Pour into individual cups and refrigerate until firm.  

Printable Recipe

I attended a Cookies and Cocktail party last night.  I made both these Cherry Ball Jell-O shots and my Champagne Jell-O shots.  For cookies, I made a milk chocolate version of the Toffee Cookies and Peanut butter chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies.  Yum!  Have a great time at your parties!

Shared at:  Tatertots & Jello

Handmade Christmas Gift List

If you haven't started already, now is the time to start making your Christmas gifts.  I've started my planning, but really need to get going on the completion part of it!  Christmas time really flies by for crafters!  Shopping takes some time, but shopping for supplies and actually creating a gift from the heart is even more time consuming.  However, some of us are just gluttons for punishment.  Kidding, kind of!  I love making gifts, I just usually bite off more than I can chew and end up procrastinating and stressing to get it all done at the last minute.  If you love making gifts but don't have much time to make them, I have some ideas for you.  There is something for everyone, and they can be made pretty quickly.  Happy crafting!

For The Kids

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Blanket

Romantic Tutu Skirt

Tic Tac Toe Game

For Him

Giant Jenga Game

Monogram Drink Glasses

For the New Homeowner

Stamped Key Ornament

For The Teacher or Neighbor

Felt Coffee Wrap

For Her

Gold Painted Spoons

Fierce Strip Quilt

Photo Bookmark

For Your Love

Hometown Heart Map Canvas

Initial Canvas

Carved Heart Quilt

Shared at:  Tatertots & Jello

Hers Embroidered Towels

Today I wanted to share these embroidered bath towels that I made for some friends as a wedding gift. I don't have an embroidery machine, but my Mom does. I love to embroider everything and have even started a Pinterest board to save all the things I want to make. My Mom lives two hours away, so I usually show up with a project ready to go. I love that you can take an ordinary item, and make it customized for that special person. Don't have an embroidery machine?  Ask around to see if you have a friend that will let you use theirs. Otherwise you could do it by hand. 

These embroidered bath towels are a great gift for a wedding or house warming. Everyone needs towels, and white matches everything. If they are registered, you can check their list and find towels to match their color scheme. 

The hardest part of machine embroidery is making sure you get the set up just right.  After that, the machine does all the hard work.  Choose the person's name, a descriptive word like Fierce or Love or His & Hers.  There's the perfect word for everyone.  Make your gift towels today

Shared at:  Tatertots & Jello