12 weeks of Christmas - Week 11

Because I love all things funky and fun. I decided to make my kids, nieces and nephews some fun and funky gifts this year. All you need is a sewing matching, some scissors, and some empty and clean juice pouches. And you can make some really cool gifts. I have had a lot of fun making these. And it's nice to know we are reusing something that would otherwise take up space in our landfill. I love when I can find a project to upcycle something!!

Wallets -  These are for all the kids. I think we are putting a gift card to an ice cream shop or a couple bucks in each one. I found these over at Mojo But I attached the pockets to one juice pouch first. Then I stitched the outer pouch on three sides. That way there was a pocket for money like in a regular wallet. The velcro I used comes on strips with adhesive on the back.

I wanted something to hold change as well so I used the tutorial I found at Craft Bits to make a little change purse. I made the flap edge rounded, I thought it looked cleaner that way. Again I used velcro dots for the closure.

I also made my daughter a purse. It is a little more technical then the change purse and the wallet. But it was too cute not to pass up making. I found the tutorial for the purse at Mormon Chic

If those aren't enough for you, you could also make a belt, lunch sack, checkbook covers, or a back pack. It's nice that these projects are so simple and you can easily add your own touch to all of the projects. You could add pockets, accessories, make a gift set. etc.

12 weeks of Christmas - Week 10

My daughter is nearly 8 and loves anything "cool". So she saw these and begged me for them. Turns out they are actually pretty popular. And super easy to make! She doesn't know it yet, but she will have a few sets of these in her stocking. :) Fleece Sleeves! They are so cute, comfy, and even a little edgy. You can use plain fabrics and embellish them or you could use busy prints. I found great instructions for these at Riotflower's Realm . I made mine a tad different. I wanted a blanket stitch rather then a folded seam. It didn't make them feel as heavy or bulky at the openings this way.

12 weeks of Christmas - Week 9

Week 9? Already?! Wow! This weeks gift able craft is actually a twofer! I figured I would make sure you had a little time to get this set done. How about a Chef's Hat and an Apron!  I love that both came in a size for kids and adults. The hat was an even more exciting find because it actually comes in 4 sizes, adult, child, toddler, and baby. Plus, you use velcro on the back because they become adjustable. The apron is simple enough, I figured I could come up with a toddler sized one on my own. I am making 2 children's sets, a toddler set, and one adult set. So I can honestly say I am not finished with mine yet. But these have been fun to work on! 

By the way, when you get the hat instructions there are two separate files. One is the cut guide and the other is the step by step instructions. 

I hope this knocks another person or two off of your list!

I am having computer issues at the moment. So I will try to get the pictures up ASAP. But until then here are the ones from the tutorials...

  

Memoboard Tutorial

I was asked to be a guest designer at The Crafting Pot. I put together a tutorial for a memo board. You can use it as a bonus giftable craft if you'd like. I hope you enjoy the tutorial and The Crafting pot. It's a fabulous crafting blog!!

12 weeks of Christmas - Week 8

 This is a gift you can easily do for the whole family. With three little ones in the house buying PJs can get expensive. So why not make your own? I found this great tutorial Instructables for making pajama pants. And making a set is simple, get a plain t-shirt and use part of your fabric scraps to make an appliqué. You could make these out of flannel for a warm and cozy pair of pans. Cotton for those warm nights. Or even fleece for those chilly nights.

So far these are the only completed pair. But I have a stack already cut for all three of the kids.

I hope this is something you can do for your family! Happy sewing!

12 weeks of Christmas - Week 7

This week's project is Chipboard albums. These were made from coasters. There are very simple instructions at Craft With Me... If you don't have chipboard you can cheat and recycle boxes, cereal boxes would work perfect!

For some fun accessories you can make shrinkiy dinks. I stamped mine. But you can also run them through the printer. It would be a cute way to personalize your album.

Also rather then using a key chain like suggested in the link. I used binder clip rings. They make it much easier to assemble and to add more pages later if you choose.

12 weeks of Christmas - Week 6

I found a great tutorial for a soothing eye mask. They are easy to make. Low cost. And adorable! The tutorial calls rice to fill the mask. But I went with flaxseed. I also used a satin fabric to match a set I am working on. If you want to add an even more soothing touch, add some lavendar buds or lavendar essential oil to the rice/flaxseed before filling the mask.

Just a quick tip if you are going to store this in the freezer, be sure to keep it in a zip lock storage bag.