On Friday, I climbed into our attic and pulled out the massive amount of Christmas decorations that were in there. Y’all, we have WAY too much. So, I started sorting into different piles – Keep, Give Away, Trash. When I pulled out our live Christmas Tree stand, I was sort of ashamed of myself. I didn’t […]
I feel like the more effort I put into a holiday, the more fun and personal it becomes. And this year, I seem to be much more determined to make a creative effort for the holidays.
For starters, I’m very excited about my tree skirt this year. For less than $10, and absolutely zero sewing required, my new Christmas tree looks cozy and soft. This little project is truly a lazy girl’s dream come true at the intersection of cheap and easy.
I found the fabric at a discount store in Stone Mountain, GA called Fabric World. It’s basically a giant warehouse full of remnants, ribbon, and designer bolts piled on top of each other and sold at a fraction of their original cost. I’d never been before, but after striking out at the local craft store near my house, I was hoping I’d find a way to save a few pennies and buy some faux fur instead of buying the real deal sheepskins at Ikea for $29 a pop (I have one that I use in my office, and I love how soft it is, but I needed at least two more for wrapping around the base of my tree).
I wasn’t in the store but two minutes before I found not one, but two tables full of samples. Jackpot!
Some of the samples were several yards long, but most were just partial pieces (and the sign indicated that it was a buy-the-whole-piece situation, so there were no cuts allowed). It took a while to dig through, but the whole table was labeled $8.99 per yard, so it was well worth it to spend some time and select the softest, cream-colored, and most realistic-looking faux sheepskin fabric I could find. My jeans were pretty much covered in bits of faux fur by the end!
I spent an obsessive amount of time comparing and petting each piece. None of the remnants I found matched, and there was really only one that I thought was spot-on as far as a good fake, but it wasn’t going to be enough by itself. Since I knew I could layer the less realistic ones to wrap around the back of my tree, I took home my favorite and another two remnants that were less than half a yard each.
Here’s how the back of the tree looked with the two less-realistic pieces layered:
And here’s how the front looked with the large faux piece and the real one on top:
By now, you’ve probably noticed that I’m calling this a “no-sew sheepskin skirt” when I didn’t really make anything here; it’s just piles of fabric. There was no cutting or templating involved, but that’s kind of the awesome part about using fur (or even a faux fur blanket) instead of a sewn piece. Since I folded any of the visible corners underneath that would point to an obvious fake, and sheepskins would naturally be an asymmetrical shape, no one’s the wiser (except all of you internet folks who now know this is complete BS). And since I didn’t cut the original pieces, I can reuse them later to make pillows, a new faux rug, etc.
Out of curiosity, I checked out the price tag for a similar tree skirt at my closest Homegoods while I was out shopping for ornaments and gifts. Their version: $49.99.
My version: less than $10!
What do you think of my new “tree skirt”? I’m still in the midst of getting the tree fully decorated and the mantel finished, so check back in soon (or subscribe, I suppose) for those updates!
The post My No-Sew Faux Sheepskin Tree Skirt appeared first on The Ugly Duckling House.
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Today is the day that I get to share with you my WOMEN’s Gift Guide! Wahoo! Shake what the good Lord gave ya! I’m shakin’ Jeremy right now
Since it is Cyber Monday, today is the perfect opportunity to buy the stuff that you still need to complete your gift list for Christmas! These probably aren’t the best prices (I created this list before all the Black Friday/Cyber Monday discounts came out) but you can shop around today and know that there won’t be a better time to buy between today and when the hoofs stamp on the rooftops than RIGHT NOW. I still have to buy for my mom and sisters and so I know that my wallet is gonna feel the burn today and I’ll be oh-so-jolly to cross their names off the list 
FOR THE COOK:
This six in one dish is like a husband that also is a masseuse and also a manicurist and also a cook and also a hair dresser and also a mechanic and also a….you get the point.
IT PEELS, SLICES AND CORES. Also it is under $20. Nuff said.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I think this pizza cutter that is shaped like a saw needs to be in our kitchen (aka food workshop) right now.
KitchenAid Mixer in the best, most happiest, most heavenly color ever. I would polish it so well, I could apply my eyeliner with the bowl.
The vintage inspired aprons always get me. always. This one is less than $11 – now if only I knew how to cook
FOR THE COFFEE LOVER:
Kate Spade travel mug will soon be known as the Katie Spade mug 
This little white Keurig is so adorable I would put it on my night stand. You think I am joking. Trust me. I never joke about bedside mocha lattes.
Variety pack of K-cups for the people that need ALL the options.
This coffee sign is so cute and I think it would be darling at your drink station! Also it is really really inexpensive so it’s perfect for pairing in a gift basket!
Seriously. Don’t even get me started. Now if only my kids could read the shirt.
FOR THE BEAUTY ENTHUSIAST:
I read way too many beauty blogs (I’m hoping all that gorgeousness rubs off via osmosis) and this eye cream, although pricey, comes highly recommended.
A curling wand has been on my wish list for a while now. I honestly don’t know which one to get but this one has 4100 reviews and 4.5 stars so it must be ok
Maracuja-mamba-jamba oil. I have no idea. But I hear that it is a miracle oil. I’ll take two. Also I want this Dead Sea Mud Mask.
I hear that contouring and highlighting is so much easier with the right brushes. Well, come to mama cheekbones.
FOR THE DECORATOR:
This spiky pendant is just plain funky town fun. I love how playful it is for a kiddo’s room!
I have followed Lauren’s blog since the beginning and I LOVE her style. I need her book like yesterday.
We have owned two of these little vacuums and I still think it’s the perfect price for a versatile cheerio-picker-upper.
My mom would probably go nuts over this lamp. She likes all things shiny. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree on that one.
Heck yeah a shower curtain made the list. It’s about time! This one comes in tons of different colors and is really affordable.
Metal clocks are on everyone’s lists. Also it will be a very large present wrapped under the tree and let’s face it, when it comes to christmas, size matters.
FOR THE RANDOMS:
I’m always on the lookout for games that are fun and this one I do not own. That’s pretty amazing. It would fit perfectly in my stocking
When something like muffin top cupcake baking cups make you laugh out loud and spew leftover Thanksgiving gravy all over your laptop….you put it on the list.
Apparently this book is the best book ever. It’s mostly pictures so I believe that statement. I mean….ya know…second to THE BIBLE.
Warm? Check. Cute? Check. Long enough to cover my crack if I bend over to pick up a kid? CHECK! (check it out here.)
I’ve been eyeing this lens for interior room shots. Also because I saw this wide angle shot of a kid sitting at a window seat and I’m all like “why don’t I have a wide angle lens?! And why don’t I have a window seat?!” #firstworldproblems
I’m officially on the bright obnoxious shoe train. These ones come in a variety of colors and of course the ones I like best don’t come in my size. That’s okay. Any color would look great on my feet as I pretend to exercise
