DIY Christmas Dog Collar Slide

Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas?  Today I've got a cute little puppy project for you to try.  To make your own, you will need:

• Scissors
• Green felt (dark green and kelly green)
• Green embroidery floss
• Red embroidery floss
• Red plastic round beads
• Elastic

First, cut your felt into four rectangles.  The size will depend on the size of your puppy :)

Then, cut one lighter green rectangle into a holly leaf.  This is much easier than you think!  Just cut out a quarter circle from the corners on one end.  Then, cut out half circles along the sides.  Finally, end with a curved V

Place this holly leaf over a darker green rectangle and use it as a guide so that the two are nearly identical in shape.

Then, use your embroidery floss (I separated out two strands) and do a running back stitch down the center of the felt leaves, joining the two colors together.

Continue with the same stitch around the outside of the leaf.

Repeat the process with the remaining two felt rectangles.

Next, take three of your red plastic beads and, using the red embroidery floss, stitch them onto the overlapping leaves.  This will not only add your red holly berries, but it will also join the two leaves securely together.

Finally, take your elastic and cut a piece that fits snugly around the collar.

Stitch it to itself so that it forms a loop.

Then, simply stitch it to the holly leaves.  (This part doesn't have to be pretty since no one will ever see it)

Stretch the elastic over the collar clasp and you're done!

I think Inga looks pretty cute in this :)  If I can just keep her from trying to eat it....