Bare Foot Christmas Stocking

Put a new twist on the Christmas stockings of years gone by. This is a fun arts and crafts project for the whole family, you can even paint the toenails to bring an interesting new look to your fireplace mantel.

What you will need:

Scissors
4 pieces of gold felt, each 21 by 20 inches
Red felt and red embroidery floss
Green felt and green embroidery floss
Purple felt and purple embroidery floss
Long sewing pins
Large-eye sewing needle
Gold embroidery floss
Pony beads
Clear tape
9 inches of red twist cord
Fabric glue of glue gun with glue sticks

To make a pattern for this creative stocking, trace an outline of the largest foot in your family, then increase the dimensions by 2 inches the whole way around. Place the pattern on which ever color felt you choose for each person, trace two of them for each stocking. Cut out the traced patterns on each piece of felt, and then cut out five circles from each remaining color for the toe nails. Place the cut out feet on top of each other and pin the toe nails in place, then up each side. Leave about 1/2 inch of fabric outside of pins. Using the embroidery floss, stitch very deliberately with a whip stitch (over and around the edges, as to gather them together)all edges together, leaving the top open.

Turn the stocking inside-out and push out each toe using your finger tip. Fold down the top to make a cuff. Using the glue (whatever form) glue on the five circle at the toe nails. Use remaining items to decorate the stocking. Now you have a piece of art that you have crafted and will be the talk of the holiday season.