Christmas is only weeks away and I am completely caught off guard! Didn't we just throw a Halloween party? Okay, Christmas...decorations, gifts, family, parades, church, feasts, friends, and Santa Claus. I'm getting there.
Being in a financial jam (like the rest of the nation) is not making it easy to even think about gifts. Usually I make most of my gifts hand-made. And this year is
no exception. So, to help myself and possibly you get into the gift giving spirit, here are some hand-made and frankly cheap how-to's.
Patchwork Scarves!They aren't too thin, but they aren't too thick either. They're mostly just to fashionably wear out and not so much to keep you warm
1. Cut a bunch of fabric scra
ps and sew them together in a long strip about 60 inches long.
2. Back that with corduroy of the same length and sew them together with right sides facing
3. Leave a 3 inch opening on one of the short ends for turning.
4. After turning them inside out, top stitch all along the edges.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix-N-Jar!These make the best gifts around the holiday season, especially if you put them in a jar with a handle. The layers of ingredients look so pretty and the mug can be used all year round to drink out of! Decorate the outside with pretty ribbons and a bow and you have a great gift idea!
Estimated Time: 20 mins.
WHAT YOU NEED
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
HOW TO DO IT
COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.
RECIPE TO ATTACH:
PREHEAT oven to 375F. Beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix and 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional); mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.
Felt Sleeping Mask!
Things you need:
- Two pieces of felt
- An elastic band (found in sewing stores) or a satin ribbon for tying the mask around your head
- A small bit of polyfill (found in sewing stores)
- Sewing needle and thread
- Scissors
- a few straight pins
1. Begin with t
he pattern at http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/support-files/mask.pdf . A new window will open and Adobe Reader will open so you can print the mask pattern. Once you have it, cut it out. Pin this pattern on the two pieces of felt stacked together. Use some pins to secure the pattern. Then carefully cut the two felt pieces out around the paper pattern.
2. Unpin the paper from the two felt pieces. Lie the two sleep mask felt pieces on top of one another (right sides facing out) and pin them together again.
3. Cut the elastic band to a length that fits snugly around an adult's head, or use black satin ribbon, that be tied around the head. Place the end of the band in between the two felt pieces near each end of the mask. Sew this together in place with the needle and thread.
4. Now begin sewing, a basic stitch, all around the edges of the mask. It is OK if the stitches show. If you use a contrasting color thread this will actually look nice. A sewing machine can also be used. Stop sewing by the bottom of the mask between the eyes, and leave an opening.
5. Now add a small amount of fiberfill to the opening. Push the fiberfill back into the mask and spread it with your fingers.
6. Once the fiberfill is added, sew up the opening. The sleep mask is now ready to wear.
GREAT RESOURCES!Here are some DIY and hand-made craft sites that give you loads of ideas and instructions! Check them out!
http://www.ilovetocreate.com
http://www.ilovetocraft.com/
http://www.craftster.org/
http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com
