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Monday, November 29, 2010

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- MORE CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO CRAFT

Today, more quick-to-make Christmas gift ideas for those of you first starting to think about your crafting projects for the holidays.

*Make drawstring bags from holiday fabric for odd-shaped gifts. Decorate with appliqués or fabric paint. The bags can be used afterwards for travel bags, laundry bags, organizers, or pajama bags, depending on the size.

*Or just make a variety of different size drawstring bags as a gift for a student or someone who travels frequently. Choose a print fabric which reflects the personality of the recipient, perhaps a dinosaur print for a nephew who is studying paleontology, a sports print for your brother-in-law who coaches Little League, or a romantic floral for your cousin who loves Victoriana.

*Giving candy, nuts, gourmet coffee or jam as a gift? Glue a length of gathered fabric or lace around the top edge of a basket and place the items in it.

*For quick and easy ornaments that children can make and give as gifts, cut out basic Christmas shapes from felt, using cookie cutters for patterns. Have the children decorate the shapes with scraps of rickrack, lace, sequins, buttons, yarn, and glitter. Attach a piece of yarn for hanging.

*For the quilter on your gift list, make a pin cushion from a mini-quilt square. Fill with kitty litter, sand, or sawdust. Place in a lace-edged basket with a selection of “fat quarter,” quilting thread, and assorted notions.

*Purchase solid colored stockinet stitch knit caps and duplicate stitch a small design to the front band. Repeat the design at the ends of a matching scarf and the tops of matching mittens or gloves.

*Giving homemade jam as a gift? Cut circles of Christmas print fabric. Trim edges with lace, and tie around the tops of jars with silver or gold ribbon. Add small jingle bells to the ends of the ribbon.

*Sewing a holiday outfit for a special child? Use the fabric scraps to make a matching outfit for the child’s favorite doll or stuffed animal.
 



What kinds of handmade or homemade presents do you give as gifts? Let's hear from you. Post a comment to be entered in this week's drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I'm always looking for homemade gifts that are quick and easy too. Love the idea for duplicate stitching designs on pre-made hats and scarves!