I submitted this idea to HGTV’s Carol Duvall Holiday workshop and was selected to appear as one of the Guest presenters. They are quick and easy to make and look great under the tree, on the mantle or on the table top. Any material can be used, but embossed velvet is especially elegant.
Instructions for embossing your own velvet can be found on the Hot Potatoes website.

Instructions

Supplies:
1/4 Yard Velvet or any other material
3 Yards Ribbon
Thread to coordinate with Velvet
FrayCheck (Optional)
Stuffing

1. Cut two pieces of velvet 6×6 inches.
2. Cut one piece of velvet 6×24 inches.
3. Apply FrayCheck to the edges of the velvet to minimize fraying.
4. Lay one square of fabric on top of the rectangle of fabric, right sides together, lining up the top and left sides of the square.
5. Sew the first side of the square with a 5/8 inch seam allowance. When you get 5/8 of an inch from the corner, stop with the needle in the fabric and line the second side of the square with the edge of the rectangle.
6. Sew the second side of the square, keeping it lined up with the edge of the rectangle. When you get 5/8 of an inch from the corner, stop with the needle in the fabric and line the next side of the square with the edge of the rectangle.
7. Continue sewing in the same manner until all 4 sides are sewn.
8. There will probably be excess fabric on the rectangular piece of fabric. Trim off the excess so that the sides meet.
9. Stitch the two ends of the rectangle together to close up the square.
10. Line the second square with the edge of the rectangle, right sides together, starting at the seam.
11. Sew in the same manor as the top square, leaving the last side open.
12. Turn the package right side out.
13. Stuff the package.
14. Hand stitch the final side of the package closed.
15. Cut a piece of ribbon 23 inches, or enough to wrap around the package plus a small overlap.
16. Stitch the ends together.
17. Repeat with a second piece of ribbon.
18. Slide the two ribbons over the package, one in each direction.
19. Tie a bow in the center of a 25 inch length of ribbon.
20. Stitch the bow to the top of the package.

A little bit of velvet, some rubber stamps and some ribbon combine together to make a fun pillow for the sofa or under the tree.

I submitted this idea to the Carol Duvall Holiday workshop and was selected to appear as one of the Guest presenters. They are quick and easy to make and look great under the tree, on the mantle or on the table top. Any material can be used, but embossed velvet is especially elegant. My segment will appear on the Carol Duvall show on HGTV. Show # CDW-705

To help you experience the the excite of the day, I wrote a little story about our two days on the Carol Duvall set.

November 12, 2004 – 9am ET/PT & December 17, 2004 – 9:30am ET/PT
Check your local listings for exact times in your area.

Basic Instructions for the pillows can be found here.

On Sunday we arrived at the studio at 1:00 so that I could deliver my finished samples to my producer for Monday’s show taping. My producer was very nice and wonderfully enthusiastic about my projects. I then joined Bill outside in the 90+ degree tent to converse with the crafty ladies who were there to view the show. We got to wait until 3 before they were ready for us in the studio. Who knew that LA would have record temperatures as a bunch of crazy woman dressed in Holiday sweaters sat outside waiting for taping. OK. There were a few men, but not many. Sunday Bill was the lone male. Monday he had a couple for company.

Once we got inside, the air conditioning was appreciated by all, but even I was warm, and that is saying something. Bill picked out my outfits for the day. He decided that my “Home Made” jacket was better suited to an audience member. He must have been right, since at one point I think the camera’s gave me a close-up. We’ll have to see if that makes it into any of the clips.

We arrived at the studio on Monday at 9:30 am and I was whisked away to the air-conditioned studio. Bill was left to sit outside in the tent again to converse with the crafty ladies who were there to view the show. This, after doing the same thing the day before. What a trooper.

My day started with my producer and the other “Audience Show and Tell” guest. The Producer showed us to our dressing room, and then to our table where they had set up our projects. This is where we found out that our segment was to be 3 minutes. 1 1/2 minutes for each of us to describe our project. Of course 30 seconds or so is taken up by Carol for intro’s and wrap-ups. So, we each got our 1 minute of fame.

We then went over our wardrobe choices. We were to come dressed in our first choice with alternates in case they didn’t like what we chose or in case we looked like twins. Bill did a good job selecting as they didn’t even want to see my second choice. Then it was off to makeup. Here again, we were told to come in already made up. The makeup artist was happy with my makeup application and only did a few additions – extra blush and some darker eye liner. Then there was a discussion with the production managers. Seems our producer goofed up the order. I was supposed to be second, but she had me first, so all the production crew had to edit their scripts and let Carol know. She is such a pro, that nothing seems to faze her.

It’s 10:30 now, the Production Assistants (Art Crew) put the finishing touches on our displays and we head to the set for a dry run and to meet Carol for a “very little” small talk. She was great to work with. We get one more rehearsal for timing with Carol and they load the audience. The real taping began around noon. Taping went soothly.

Bill tells me the buzz around the studio is that I did a marvelous job and looked wonderful. He was getting the scoop while I was waiting for my Producer to get my Release. Somehow it got misplaced before the show, and everyone was so nice, I didn’t want her getting into trouble for me not signing it. Besides. I don’t think they would air it without the release.

Now it is just a wait and see. I am anxious to see if I look as harried on camera as I felt. Time will tell.