2008 Homemade With Love - Instructions

As promised, here are the instructions for all my Homemade With Love projects. Most have pictures, but for some odd reason, I can't find the pictures to the fabric Coffee Cup Sleeve -- I'll try to update that later.

Also, I'll be posting a link for the poncho tutorial later on.

Enjoy!

Christmas Gift Idea #1: Hand Decorated Platter

Skill Level: Basic
Cost Breakdown: $4.99 for platter I got at Target (I already had the Sharpie Markers)
Total Cost: $4.99
Materials: One oven proof platter, mug, bowl, etc. in white (porcelain is fine, but NOT plastic); various colored Sharpie markers (which ARE non-toxic)

Instructions: Wash and dry a white plate that can be purchased at any dollar store, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. I went on line and found a dish I really liked and free-handed it onto my plain white plate with a black Sharpie, then I colored it with the colored Sharpie pens. Once done, baked it for 20 minutes on 350 degrees to set the color. You can decorate any white platter, mug, bowl, serving bowls -- anything that is white. This is also a great idea for children to make a fabulous, one of a kind creation for their grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, teachers, etc.



Christmas Gift Idea #2: No-sew Girls Fleece Poncho

Skill Level: Basic
Cost Breakdown: $7.99 for 1 yard of fleece, $2.24 for a bag of Pony Beads
Total Cost: $10.23
Materials: 1 yard of Polar Fleece (as wide as possible), 1 fringe cut slotted ruler, a rotary cutter, rotary cutting mat

Instructions: Cut out a square from the fleece (48” square will fit an older girl, 36" square will fit a smaller girl). I failed to get the widest width, so I was stuck with a little poncho, but it is still ever so cute, dontcha think? Once you have your square shape, cut a 4" square out of each corner, leaving a “cross” shaped piece. Using the fringe slotted ruler, cut out 1/4" fringe that is 4" in length with a rotary cutter and a rotary cutting mat. Fold in a diagonal to create a triangle. Along the fold use a small salad-sized plate to cut out a hole for the head… don’t cut it too big, because polar fleece gives. I chose to thread a pony bead on every other fringe, and used a bamboo skewer to push the fabric through the bead. Tie the bead off with a knot. Leave the rest of the fringe as is ... "knot-less."

The poncho is now complete. If you have stronger crafting skills, you can attempt a blanket stitch around the neck hole. Also, I cut out a couple of the flowers from the remaining fabric, and with needle and thread, stitched it in the middle and added a pony bead.

A complete tutorial with pictures and diagrams will be posted by Tuesday evening, Oct. 28, 2008.

Blanket Stitch Tutorial: You Tube or Primrose Design


Christmas Gift Idea #3: Sassy t-shirt

Skill Level: None needed
Cost Breakdown: $4.00 per shirt (Wal Mart clearance - short sleeve, but great for layering), $2.99 for iron-on "bling" (JoAnne’s)
Total Cost: $6.99
Materials: 1 t-shirt, decorative iron on transfer, hot iron, ironing board

Instructions: Pre-wash and dry shirt. Lightly press wrinkles out of shirt. Following instructions on package, iron transfer onto shirt. Voila… DONE!

You can find some way cool and more elaborate transfers with rhinestones HERE (a little more expensive, though).


Christmas Gift Idea #4: Grace Violet Chic Stationary Set

Skill Level: Basic
Cost Breakdown: $0.50 for composition book (Target), $2,00 for legal pad, 1.99 for mini-legal pad, 3-4 pieces of scrapbook paper (already had), Mod Podge (already had), $2.99 for one pack of embellishments (stickers) that I used on three composition books, Jumbo paper clips (already had), E5000 glue (already had)
Total Cost: $5.49
Materials: 1 composition book, 1 legal pad, 1 mini-legal pad, Mod Podge, sponge applicator, various patterns of scrapbook paper, paper cutter, embellishments

Instructions: Click HERE for detailed tutorial for the composition books by Grace Violet. I did not put the loop closure on the comp book, and I also chose not to cover the entire outer paper with a top coat of mod podge, as I didn't care for the way it looked.

For legal pads, cut paper out to fit pad exactly. Apply mod podge onto cardboard and top tab. Gently press paper on to the top tab first, then wrap around to the back cardboard cover. Trim any random edges.

For paper clips (not pictured for some odd reason, but cute as anything), apply clear glass marbles to paper with mod podge and allow to fully dry (over night). Cut out with x-acto blade. Seal the back paper and allow to fully dry. Adhere marble to tip of a jumbo paper clip with E5000 glue and allow to fully dry.

Christmas Gift Idea #5: Gourmet Salt Grinder

Skill Level: None needed
Cost Breakdown: $5.99 for salt grinder from Target, $1.00 for basket (from Target Dollar Days aisle)
Materials: 1 Salt Grinder, 1 small basket, various herbs and spices from your pantry, 1 cloth napkin or a kitchen towel or a scrap of fabric.

Instructions: Remove Salt Grinder from packaging. Open and dump salt into a bowl. Add various herbs and seasonings from your pantry to make a gourmet mix. I used dried Italian seasonings, dried parsley, garlic flakes, and onion flakes. Dump 1 tablespoon of each seasoning listed above into the bowl and gently mix with a spoon. Return salt mixture to the salt grinder, reseal, and wipe down the outside of the grinder. You will not use all the salt. Add a nice napkin or kitchen towel, the salt grinder and a jar of your favorite homemade specialty (mine is homemade BBQ sauce that I canned).


Christmas Gift Idea #6: Cute 2-year Planner

Skill Level: None needed
Cost Breakdown: $1.28 for Clear Calendar Book Cover, $1.05 for 2 Year Planner Calendar, various scrap book papers and ribbons or trim (already had)
Total Cost: $2.33 (there was also some shipping and handling I didn't include in this price)
Materials: 1 clear calendar book cover, 1 2-year planner insert, scrapbook paper, paper cutter, embellishments

Instructions: Cut scrapbook paper to the size of the clear calendar book cover and decorate as desired with gems, ribbons, paper, rubber stamps, buttons, brads, or whatever your mind fancies. Tuck into pockets and add the planner.

You could also personalize these covers by printing out a digital scrapbook page with pictures of your children and give it to relatives (I'm sure your neighbors won't appreciate that too much -- unless, of course, you use pictures of THEIR kids!).

Calendar pocket and insert vendor: American Kelco


Christmas Gift Idea #7: Adorable Hair Accessories

Skill Level: Advanced skills
Cost Breakdown: $3.59 for a pack of 3 padded headbands, $3.99 for a pack of 12 Amy Butler Fabric Brads, $2 for a pack of 8 slip-proof hair clips
Total Cost: $9.58 total project cost, $1.19 fore each headband, $0.75 for each hair clip
Materials: 1 padded headband, hair clips, scrapbooking brads, fabric, sewing machine, needle and thread, E5000 glue

For the hair clips, I followed the Grace Violet Hair Clip tutorial which can be found HERE.

For the headband, measure a little longer than the length of the headband, and just a little wider than the widest part. For this headband, I made a tube by cutting a strip of fabric, folded it in half (inside out), sewed along the long edge, sewed one end closed, turned it inside out, and slipped it onto the headband. I cut off the excess length of the strip and hand stitch the other open end closed. Then, I cut out a flower in the shape of a cross from a single strip of fabric, and stitched around the flower with a 1/4" hem allowance. I fringed the edges of the flower. Then I cut out a circle, folded the edges into the middle, hand stitched a long stitch around the circle and pulled the stitch to gather it and make it a little pouch. I attached a bead to the pouch, the pouch to the flower, and the flower to the headband with needle and thread. So cute!

Christmas Gift Idea #8: Skip To My Lou Travel Tissue Holder

Skill Level: Basic sewing skills needed
Cost Breakdown: $10 for various lengths of fabric
Total Cost: $1 each (I made 10)
Materials: 2 pieces of coordinating fabrics (one for the inside, one for the outside), sewing machine with matching thread

Click HERE for a detailed tutorial at Skip To My Lou (with step by step pictures!).

Added notes: I had to purchase the tissues first, and I re-measured because my packs were slightly larger than Skip To My Lou’s (9 and 1/2" long by 6 and 1/2" wide). Also, these holders are for the flat Puffs Travel Packs – not the Kleenex or CVS brands (as the size is totally different).

Christmas Gift Idea #9: Fabric Coffee Cup Sleeve

Skill Level: Basic sewing skills needed
Cost Breakdown: $5 for fabrics
Total Cost: $5.00
Materials: 1 piece of fleece, 1 coordinating fabric for outside, 1 coordinating fabric for pocket, sewing machine with matching thread, pins

Using an old cardboard sleeve, trace around and cut out one piece of fleece and one piece of fabric. Place both fabrics wrong side out (right sides facing each other). Sew a 1/4" seam along the top of the sleeve.

Starting at the top of the fabric, measure down 3-1/2" down, and mark a line along the bottom every inch or so. Use these lines as a guide and sew the bottom seam together. Trim the top and bottom seams closely. Turn inside out, and place the sleeve on the sewing machine so that the top fabric (not the fleece) is facing up, and stitch along the top, about 3/16" from the edge, then press the sleeve

Note: If you have advanced sewing skills, now would be the time to add a pocket to the outside of your sleeve, if you so desire (good for people who have punch cards for coffee clubs, gift cards, or to hold their coffee allowance).

Both ends of the fabric should be open. Stitch together. Fold the fabric so that both of the sides are together, fleece side out. Make sure both the top and bottom seams line up on both sides. Pin the fabric together, and sew the edge (ends) together with a 1/4" seam allowance. You do not want the top-to-bottom height to be more than 4-1/2". Turn inside out.

Now, you have a completed sleeve. Isn't it the cutest thing? And it would make an excellent stocking stuffer, dontcha think?

Christmas Gift Idea #10: Peanut Butter Nut Clusters

Skill Level: None needed
Cost Breakdown: $5 for chips, $3 for a can of nuts
Total Cost: $8.00 (made 2 dozen half-dollar sized mounds, or a lot more smaller mounds)
Materials: 10 ounces peanut butter chips, 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 can Spanish peanuts or cocktail peanuts (no skins)

Melt both chocolates together and stir until smooth and well blended. Add the can of nuts and toss together until well coated. Place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and begin placing mounds of the chocolate covered peanuts down. Allow to cool and set. Place in a cellophane bag, a cute box, a jar, a tin, or anything else decorative.

Melting tip: Begin by placing both chips in a microwave-safe bowl (I used my large 8-cup Pampered Chef glass mixing/measuring bowl). Place in the microwave and set the timer for 2 minutes on 50% POWER. Stir after two minutes, and if necessary, continue to heat in 30 second increments. Stir until completely smooth, melted, and incorporated.

Christmas Gift Idea #11: Tulip Appreciation Gift

Skill Level: None needed
Cost Breakdown: $3.49 for bulbs
Total Cost: $3.49
Materials: 1 package bulbs, a 10-ounce clear plastic punch cup (I had this in my pantry already), cellophane wrap, ribbon

Place as many bulbs as will fit in the plastic punch cup. Wrap with cellophane, tie off with a pretty ribbon and give to a teacher as a Thank You gift over the Thanksgiving holiday so they can plant them in their garden. Don’t forget to include a little card with a cute saying like: "Thank you for planting seeds of wisdom in my child’s heart and mind" or "Thank you for encouraging my child to bloom."

Christmas Gift Idea #12: Photo Vase

Skill Level: Basic
Cost Breakdown: $3.99 for glass vase (A.C. Moore), $4.00 for a can of Polyurethane Coating
Total Cost: $7.99
Materials: One square glass vase, one photo of your pet, child or loved one, one container of Mod Podge (already had but runs about $2-4 depending on size), one small can of Poly, sponge brushes (already had), fine-grit sand paper (already had)

Instructions: Wash and dry the glass vase. Cut the picture to fit on one side (I cut it about 1/8" smaller than the vase). Apply Mod Podge onto the vase and glue picture on. Allow to dry completely. Once dry, apply a thin layer of Poly, brushing in one direction only. Allow to dry. Sand lightly with the finest grit sandpaper you can find, and apply a second coat. Allow to dry completely. Include instructions to hand wash and dry rapidly as it is only water resistant, not water proof. You may choose to use a waterproof Poly to seal it thoroughly.