Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion


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Paper, Scissors, Crop

Pins & Needles

Text by Mary Forsell • Styled by Kathy Curotto

Seams Simple
(a) All-white stocking with felt appliqué by Ahna Holder echoes the snowy landscape. (b) Wrap a package seam side up, then decorate the edge with scalloped scrapbook trim. To its right, a gift wears a cuff of stripes angled in the opposite direction. Paper, trim, Doodlebug Design. Ribbon, Midori. Scallop shears for ribbon, Fiskars.

Light As A Feather
(c) A daybed plumped up with a felted wool pillow is a romantic perch for opening presents. To make your own pillow, use wool-blend felt washed in hot water and tumble-dried. Embellish with crisscrossed fabric strips. Daybed, Euro Trash. Vintage-inspired ornaments, Cody Foster & Co. (d) Tamar Mogendorff hand-sews her animals and dolls from vintage fabric. “I like the fact that it’s ripped in some places,” she says. “It makes the swan seem more fragile and alive.” (e) Hole-punched circles march across a gift. Paper, Doodlebug Design. Ribbon, Midori.

Heavenly Fleece
Scrapbooking materials are naturals for decorating presents. (f) Circle trim can be cut and arranged in a tree shape. (g) You’ll find her decorations in Danish castles, but artist Jette Fröelich’s zinc snowberry wreath looks gorgeous in any home. (h) Cody Foster’s vintage-inspired ornaments are sheathed in wire. (i) Frame does double duty as a “buckle” to cinch up a present. Materials, Doodlebug Design. Ribbon, Midori. (j) Japanese artist Sinco teaches you how to make a darling replica of your favorite canine in the book Fleece Dog: A Little Bit of Magic Created with Raw Wool and a Special Needle. You can even incorporate your dog’s shed fur!

(k) By all means, break out the boughs, but keep the setting airy by hanging them with pastel ribbons.

Striking ‘N Sleek
(l) Instead of Grandma’s Christmas china smothered in holly, ivy, and tartans, use a clean-lined, unpatterned tea set, which lends a modern look. (m) You don’t have to spend a lot of money on decorations. Marshmallow mushrooms from an English confectioner add a bit of Brit wit to the teatime setting. Mushrooms, Van Lauren. (n) Jette Fröelich’s zinc bird mobile looks great hanging in a window or on a front door.

Special Delivery
(o) For a unique envelope or money card, punch a few holes and lace them with ribbon. (p) Transform detachable package handles from specialty stores with spray paint and scrapbooking paper and trims. Slip wire through ribbons and attach to gifts for a surprising presentation. (q) Wire flower by Cody Foster multitasks as plate decor, napkin ring, and bouquet addition. (r) Scrapbook paper strips tacked in place with a brad form a simple but striking bow. Materials, Doodlebug Design. Ribbon, Midori.

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