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!

Candy Lei

These leis are great as gifts for graduations, weddings, birthdays, or really whatever occasion.  What is nice about this kind of lei is that you can put anything you want in them, as long as their small and lightweight.

What you need:

- cellophane
- items to put in the lei (I've put in candy, little bubble bottles, small matchbox cars, and for adults: small bottles of liquor).
- curling ribbon
- (optional) ribbon for aesthetics -- perhaps school colors if this lei is for a graduation

Here's what you do:

1. Cut cellophane to about 6 inches x 6 feet (this size can vary depending on the item you're putting in the lei, and the length of lei you want to have.)  A good test is to roll the cellophane around the fattest item, and make sure it holds in place and doesn't slip out.

If you don't want to cut a really long piece of cellophane, you can use 2 pieces of cellophane with the ends overlapping.  If you do it this way tho, it's a bit trickier to roll, and you need to make sure the overlapping pieces are between items (this is where you would tie the ribbon).

2.  With your cellophane laid out, arrange the items you want to use along the center of the cellophane.  You can add a ribbon (optional ribbon) along the length of the cellophane to add to the aesthetics.  Lay out the items with a few inches in between.  If you're using relatively heavy items, you may want to distribute the weight more throughout the lei.

3.  Carefully roll the cellophane and items so you have a tube of items.

4.  Cut several pieces of curling ribbon and use a piece to tie around the cellophane tubes between the items. I like to start in the center and work my way out.  Use a double knot to ensure that the ribbon stays in place.  Once all of the ribbons are tied on and your items are secure, you can curl the ribbons.

5.  You're almost done.  The last thing you need to do is tie the ends together.  Hold both ends together where the ribbons are tied on, and tie on one more ribbon to hold them together.  Again, use a double knot here to make sure it stays in place.  Curl the ribbon for looks.

You're done.  Your recipient will love the lei and it's contents. :)

Here is one made with small liquor bottles for my cousin's birthday

Happy Lei Making!