Hey folks! I sewed up a storm for Christmas 2012, and did pretty well for myself, I think. Now that everyone’s received their gifts, I get to do the fun part and say, “HEY! LOOK WHAT I DID!!!!!”
The boys got these simple felt puppets! As far as sewing goes, these are SUCH a rewarding project. They don’t have to look professional at all. They’re made of super inexpensive felt rectangles you can get at Walmart . But, they have SO much personality! And the boys ADORE them! Those kids usually aren’t impressed by anything without wheels, but I catch my three year old pulling these out daily. (And my 15 month old chewing on them daily.)
To make them, I chose a simple puppet outline, and just got inventive with whatever characters I felt I could put together. I stitched it all together with my machine, pretty sloppily, but i think the shabbiness adds to the charm. I’m going to try to add new characters for birthdays, Valentines, and all the gifty holidays as a little bonus this year!
And, my aunt loves hippos, so I made one to send to her, too!
My mom is into fitness, so for her birthday, I appliquéd this cute “sweat towel” for her. She says she’ll never use it. It’s too pretty. But at least it will look adorable draped over her weight bench!
And this patchwork wallet matches it! This was her Christmas present. They fall close to the same day. (Pattern from HERE.)
This year was the year of adorable little purse kleenex holders, too. These whip up SO easily. (Pattern HERE.)
I bundled them with little packets of Emergen-C for teacher gifts. I appliqued one with a mustache on it for a teen’s birthday gift. I gave them as Christmas presents to my four nieces of various ages. I even stashed a couple in my coat pockets for a funeral to hand to pass off to weary friends. They’re the easiest thing to make, but I think they really pack a punch in adorableness.
I really got into appliqué. There’s not a ton of Pete the Cat merchandise out there yet, so I pulled this together for my boy! Note, I did not attempt his shoes, but we got Pete the Cat’s Four Groovy Buttons for Christmas, so I might add those!
I made these wallets without a pattern. They’re awesome.
Stephanie taught me how to make jar candles! That was simple and they turned out adorable!
And finally, I decorated this plain fleece scarf for my sister-in-law’s birthday! Recognize that argyle felt? It was leftover from the picture garland that’s hanging on my walls!
What did you make? Put a link in the comments if you blogged about it!
Not pictured is an awesome handmade, bound journal. I will say that it is Daddo’s favorite gift! Maybe I’ll get one someday as well. (hint)
I’ll see what I can do!
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Love your blog, helps me out for ideas and saving money!!! Great job Bianca!!!!
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Thanks Bianca!!! You have no idea how much it means to me to hear that!
So, yeah, everything is pretty awesome The puppets are absolutely adorable! I am actually really jealous of your craftsmanship… wish I had the motivation!!!
Thanks Grace! For motivation, I had a buddy, and through the month of November and we made weekly crafting dates… Sometimes staying up all night! It was exhausting, but I would TOTALLY do it all over again!