As I edge closer to 40, I’m becoming more comfortable with the reality that I have done a terrible job at carrying on the tradition of handiwork (needlework, quilting, applique, etc.) passed down through generations of women in my family. Whether it’s my personality, my lifestyle, or my attention span, I just don’t see myself dedicating the time and loving care necessary for those types of projects. I don’t see myself taking the sewing machine out of storage (and let’s be honest – out of the box). I don’t see myself looking at a quilt and thinking, “I would really like to try that someday.” My thought when spotting one of the many beautiful, cozy quilts from my mom around our house is, “man, do I want to take a nap.” I do, however, love the creative process and truly value the homemade over the store-bought.

One of the best parts of this blogging adventure has been the brainstorming my mom and I do to convert the handiwork of the past into projects suitable for me (and hopefully others with a similar personality, lifestyle and/or attention span). This idea stemmed from one of those conversations, and is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to add some homemade touches to your holiday décor. Start with an applique pattern and substitute: a scissors for the needle; strips of paper for the scraps of fabric; and minutes for the hours, and there you have it!

We chose these applique patterns from Thimblecreek Quilts, Buttermilk Basin and Lily Anna Stiches, but there are many designs and companies from which to chose.
Once again, the craft papers from Michael’s make an appearance in a Darling Fig DIY post. I can’t recall the price of that pack of papers (purchased initially for the Lake Life project/post) but it definitely has been worth it.
Follow the pattern as if the paper were the fabric. No special tools needed, as you’ll see from the “Good Cook” scissors I grabbed for the project (probably not advisable, but I never seem to be able to find regular scissors when I need them, or, conversely, kitchen shears when I need them). Overlay the paper as shown on the pattern, and glue to a piece of paper (or several) that you have chosen to serve as the backdrop to the design.
If the frames are larger than the applique pattern, fill the space with a simple patchwork design of additional strips of paper, contrasting from that which you choose for the backdrop of the design.

Reality Check. Okay, okay, I’m guessing I’m violating some blogging and/or DIY rules by posting a Halloween project on the 24^th of October. But here’s the deal. This is a great idea for ANY holiday, and these were completed and photographed with some great outdoor accessories – who knows if I can pull of the project again for, say, Christmas, and the snow will not be nearly as interesting a backdrop as the fall foliage.