Pledging Beanies, Year 2

Wow, I can't believe it's already been a year since I did my "pledging beanies" campaign. Last year, I decided to make a personal goal to pledge 10 beanies for an organization called HeadHuggers.   HeadHuggers is an organization run by a very nice lady, Sue Thompson, who collects handmade beanies, and distributes them to chemo patients, burn victims, or really whoever needs them.  Last year, as I made the pledge, a few of my friends joined in and also volunteered to make beanies with me.  My campaign goes on for a full 2 months starting December 1st all the way through to January 31st.  I generally package up my hats and send them off in February.

So, in a few days, I plan to start making hats.  This year, I pledge to make 12+ beanies.  If you'd like to join in, all you need to do is make hats, and send them to headhuggers. You can post pictures of the hats you plan to send on the Rad Linc Crafts facebook page.   I plan to post updates on the hats that we make, so I can't wait to see pictures.  The beanies can be crocheted, knitted, loom knitted, or sewn.

On another notes, I think, since this is our second annual campaign for beanies, I want a new name for my pledging beanies campaign.  Any thoughts on a good name?

A special thanks to those who have pledged in the past, or who have pledged this year, to make a beanies.  :)

For more information about HeadHuggers, visit the HeadHuggers page:  http://www.headhuggers.org/

Stocking Gift Card Holder

I've kinda thought that gift cards are a bit impersonal when it comes to gift giving. However, it's very convenient, and generally well accepted, so it works. This gift card holder gives a bit of personality to the gift card you give. This holder would also work well for a small gift.

1.  First create a template of the size of stocking you will be using.

2.  Fold a bit of fabric, right side together

3.  Trace your template onto the folded fabric and pin fabric together.

4.  Cut the folded fabric.

5.  You should now have two pieces of stocking shaped fabrics with right sides facing together, and pinned. Fold down (into the wrong side) the top of each fabric by about half an inch and pin (see image).

6.  For each fabric, sew down the folded top.

7.  If you've unpinned the fabrics, pin them back right side together.

8.  Sew around the stocking.

9.  Turn the stocking right side out.

10.  Put your gift card or small gift in, and give it away. :)

Quilted Christmas Card

For me, this is the time of year when I finally decide on what I actually want to do for Christmas cards.    Here is an easy homemade card to sew up.

What you need:

- felt

- ribbon

- fabric

- tape (I used painters tape, but masking tape would work well too.  Not sure about scotch tape.)

- card stock

How to:

1. Cut a felt triangle, it doesn't have to be perfect, but make sure it fits the envelop you want to use, if you plan to place it in an envelop.

2. Cut a fabric triangle about a half inch larger (all around) than the felt.  Place felt on top of the wrong side of the fabric.

3.  Starting with the corners, fold fabric over the felt.  Tape down the corners with a small bit of tape.  Try not to tape on to the other side of the felt.  Fold in the edges.

4. Cut some card stock roughly larger than the size of the triangle.  You can cut it the size of the felt, but I found that it was difficult to sew it in place.

5.  Sew the card stock onto the back of the fabric/felt triangle.  On the very top corner, stick a ribbon loop in before sewing.

6.  Trim the card stock to the size of the triangle.

7.  Glue a piece of ribbon around the card to cover the sew line. 

8.  That's it.  You can write your message on the card stock and send it away.  

Happy Holiday Crafting!