This project is so much fun to make and is very easy.  I just drew my design free hand from one of my many 49er shirts. It’s all made from felt squares and hot glue. I used ribbon to string them together. My family has been cheering the 49ers on since the early 70′s so I have lots of ideas for football parties and will try to post as many as possible over the next week. This project is easily adapted to most teams although some of the logos are difficult to draw and cut but you can always use their colors and cut out football shapes to put on them.

Materials:

• felt in your teams colors
• ribbon
• hot glue

Step 1.

Cut out enough pennant pieces to make banner the length you want.  Cut out a black oval shape that will fit inside the pennant piece. Next cut a beige piece that is slightly smaller than the black oval. next cut a red oval that is slightly smaller than the beige oval.

Step 2.

Glue the F on first at the bottom of the oval and then glue the S on top as shown.

Step 3.

First glue the black oval to pennant. Next glue on the beige oval. The red oval with the letters will go on last.

Step 4.

Attach each pennant to a piece of ribbon using hot glue. Leave some extra ribbon at each end to hang.

I saw this Santa in a magazine spread sitting on a chair in someone’s living room. I think theirs was made from paper but I made this one from felt so it will hold up over the years.  Santa is cone shaped and is made from felt and then trimmed with a feather boa. I used hot glue so there is no sewing and is really easy to make.  I added a list that has the names of all my grandchildren on it.  This can sit on a tabletop or be used as a tree topper.

Materials:

• Red, black, and white felt. You will need about a half yard of red but can use felt squares for the black and white.
• stiff iron on Pellon
• white feather boa
• 2 black paper fasteners for eyes
• hot glue

Step 1.

From the red felt cut out the cone shape and the sleeves. (#1)  From the white felt you will cut out the beard/head piece, the moustache, and the larger of the two banner pieces.  (#2, 4, and 7.) From the black felt cut out two mittens and one of the large banner pieces which you will cut slightly larger than the white piece. (# 3 and 7) You will also need to cut out a piece of stiff pellon from the cone piece.

Step 2.

Iron the piece of Pellon to the back of the cone piece. Use hot glue to close the seam in the back as shown.

Step 3.

Glue face on as shown above. Next you will cut a circle and stitch it on the face as shown for the nose. Glue on the moustache and add two black paper fasteners for eyes. I spread some glue on the beard and moustache and covered it with glitter.

Step 4.

Attach arms to sides of cone and then glue the mittens to the underside of sleeves as shown.

Step 5.

Center the face/beard on the front of the cone and attach with hot glue. Cut a piece of the white feather boa that fits around the top above the eyes and secure it with hot glue.

Step 6.

To make the banner cut a piece of fabric paper from the smaller of the two banner pieces and using rubber alphabet stamps spell out Merry Christmas or whatever message you would like.  Cut a piece of black felt that is slightly larger than the bigger of the two banner pieces. Next you will layer the black felt first, then the white felt, and then the fabric paper. Secure each layer with hot glue and then place it near the bottom as shown. Cut another piece of white feather boa that will fit around the bottom. Attach it with hot glue.

Step 7.

Type up the names you want on the list (I used my grandkids names) and then print them up on fabric paper. Cut it out in a strip and then roll the edges as shown. Attach to the mittens.

This little garland is so quick and easy to make and you can spell out any message you like with rubber stamps or alphabet stickers. The tags can be purchased at craft or office supply stores or you can make your  own with a tag kit.

Materials:

• tags or a kit to make tags (Pre made tags can be purchased at office supply stores and you can get the tags or a kit at most craft stores.)
• string or twine
• ribbon
• letter stickers or an alphabet rubber stamp kit

Step 1.

If you are using a tag kit you will cut out a circle using the template and then press it into the metal tag as shown. I could not find an applicator anywhere so I just laid a board on top of mine and gently tapped down with a hammer.  This worked but I would still like to find an applicator.

Step 2.

Punch a hole through the top of each tag. I used an eyelet setter but you can use a hole punch or even an ice pick.

Step 3.

Slip a piece of ribbon or string through each hole and secure with a knot.

Step 4.

I added red ribbons and candy canes  to mine but you can tie almost anything on it. Go to your local craft store for some inspiration!

This Christmas banner comes pre cut and strung so you just cover it with scrapbook paper to match your decor. You can add embellishments if you want a little more glitz.

Materials:

• Pre cut cardboard letters (these can be purchased at most craft stores)
• coordinating scrapbook papers
• glue

Step 1.

Brush glue on each letter and then position scrapbook paper on top and press down.  Let it dry well.

Step 2.

After they are completely dry carefully cut away the paper. A very small pair of scissors will work best.

These little ornaments are really fun to make and would be a great project to do with your kids. I purchased the wood pieces in the floral department of Hobby Lobby but I think you can also get them at Wal mart or Michaels. I made one for each of my family members to take home.

Materials:

• 1 bag of wood pieces
  
• scrapbook paper
• ribbon
• thin twine or cord
• glitter

Step 1.

Cut out tree shape from scrapbook paper. Cut another piece for the back of each tree.

Step 2.

Apply glue to tree and start putting wood pieces on until tree is covered.

Step 3.

Thin out some glue by adding a little bit of water and then paint it on the wood pieces. I left a few dry here and there so that I could apply some green glitter after the translucent glitter dried.  To do this just take a fine brush and cover the ones that were left dry with glue and then shake some glitter on them. The glitter will only stick to the wet spots .

Step 4.

Cut a piece of ribbon that is long enough to wrap around the tree and glue it at the back as shown.  I printed up the names of all my family members on fabric paper and glued it on top of the ribbon. You could also use plain paper if you don’t have fabric paper.

Step 5.

Glue a bow made from twine and glue it on the front of the tree. Make a loop of twine and glue it to the back. Cover the back with a piece of contrasting paper. I wrote the date on the back of mine.

This fabric garland is made with coordinating fabrics and cotton quilt batting. I did a running stitch by hand around each pumpkin and then tied them together with embroidery thread.  This is a really easy project even if you don’t know how to sew and will last for many years.

Materials:

• small pieces of coordinating fabrics
• cotton quilt batting
• embroidery thread

Step 1.

Cut out pumpkin shapes from each of the fabrics you have chosen.

Step 2.

Cut out pumpkins from the cotton batting that are slightly larger than the fabric pumpkins as shown.

Step 3.

Take two strands of embroidery floss and sew around the edges of the pumpkins using a running stitch as shown.

Step 4.

Lay out the pumpkins in the order you want them.

Step 5.

Run the needle through the edges of pumpkins as shown and then tie bows to hold them together.

These characters are made from cardboard and are very easy to make and only require basic painting and drawing skills. You can use them to pose for pictures but also as a ball or bean bag toss game for prizes.

Materials:

• cardboard
• paint
• rope to tie them all together

Step 1.

Tape pieces of cardboard together and then draw a design. I use pencil so I can erase until I get it right. Even if you have limited skills you can draw a ghost but it’s easy to copy a picture or character once you get started.

Step 2.

Start painting in your design one color at a time. Craft paints dry very quickly so you can finish your characters quickly.

   
Step 3.

Repeat this process for the witch. I also punched two holes at the top of her cape and put a ribbon through it and tied a bow.

Step 4.

I added arms to the ghost by taping them on.

Step 5.

Cut a hole through each figure as shown.

Step 6.

Tie the sections together using twine as shown. Punch additional holes in the outside edges and use them to tie the figures up to a fence or tree to stabilize.

This project is easy to make and so much fun.  I just found out about shrinky dink sheets for the printer and am so glad I did! I am going to have SO much fun with this stuff and so will you!

Materials

• shrinky dink sheets for the printer ( I ordered mine from www.shrinkydinks.com. They were sent out quickly and arrived in just a few days. The cost is about 9 dollars for 6 sheets.)
• bracelet and o-rings ( I bought mine at Hobby Lobby)
• clear spray enamel top coat

Step 1.

Select the photos you want to use and then you will need to lighten them 50% until they have a washed out look.  Amazingly the color will return when you bake them!  I printed mine up in wallet size. Make sure you refer to the instructions that come with your Shrinky dink sheets for inserting the paper the correct way.

Step 2.

Cut out your pictures and punch a hole in the top of each one with a standard paper punch. I cut mine out wallet size but should have made them a little smaller than that. I ended up trimming mine after baking which is not a good idea because they can crack and break. You can cut any shape you want!

Step 3.

Line a cookie sheet with a piece of brown paper from a grocery bag or something like that. Place the photos face upon the paper and put in a preheated (275 degree) oven for 3 – 5 minutes. The photos will start to curl up so you need to watch them because they can stick to themselves. If this happens pull it apart right away and then let it continue baking. (Obviously be careful so you don’t burn yourself) After they shrink and flatten out let them bake for 30 more seconds. The second photo shows what they should look like when they are finished.

Step 4.

Remove from oven and place a piece of paper over the photos. Press down (lightly) to make sure they are completely flattened.

Step 5.

Spray with a clear acrylic spray to topcoat and protect the photos from scratches.  A piece of double stick tape on the back of each photo will keep them from moving around when you spray them.

Step 5.

Open the o ring and stick it through the hole you punched in the photos.  Slide tho o ring and photo onto the bracelet and squeeze the o ring closed.

This fleece scarf is very easy to make and would be a great gift. You can make a fleece scarf from a small remnant because fleece is 60 inches wide. I got all the fleece for this scarf from a remnant bin. The vintage postcards are made using fabric paper.

Materials:

• 10 – 12 inches of white fleece
• small piece of pink or red fleece
• 1 sheet of fabric paper

Step 1.

Cut out six hearts for each end and six more to sew on scarf.

Step 2.

I have a cd of vintage post cards that I purchased online but I have also seen vintage postcards that you can print for free online. I printed these out on fabric paper in wallet size using the photo problem that came with my computer.

Step 3.

Pin three hearts across both ends of scarf. Turn it over and pin backs on all the hearts. Stitch around edges making sure to stitch through the front and back of the hearts.

Step 4.

Pin hearts onto scarf as shown. Slip the post cards that you printed on fabric paper inside some of the hearts and stitch around all edges.

When my kids were small the loss of a tooth was a huge big deal but a couple of times I actually forgot  to take care of tooth fairy business. The same thing happened to my daughter so I came up with this idea to prevent tooth fairy disasters. There is a glow stick to guide the tooth fairy to the right room and a pocket to place tooth in. There are also beaded bracelets to help you remember your duties and one for the child to wear that proclaims, “I lost a tooth.”   The pouch is designed to hang on door knob or bed post and is really easy to make.

Material:

• small piece of fabric (I found my fabric at Wal Mart)
• ribbon
• glow stick
• alphabet beads
• solid color beads
• stretchy beading cord and needle

Step 1

Cut three pieces of fabric measuring 4  1/2″,   6  1/2″,  and  9   1/2″ X 7″.  Also cut out an extra 9  1/2″ piece for the back.

Step 2.

Fold over a quarter inch at the top of both of the smaller pieces and press. Stitch a piece of contrasting ribbon across the top of both pieces.

Step 3.

Place the medium size piece on top of the large piece. Place the small piece on top of the medium piece as shown. Pin in place with all pieces even at the bottom. Stitch around sides and bottom.

Step 4.

Stitch around sides and bottom and then turn to the right side through the opening at the top. Press.

Step 5.

Turn under a half inch at top and press. Cut a piece of ribbon to hang pouch and stick each end of ribbon in corners as shown. Stitch across the top.

Step 6.

Using alphabet beads and solid color beads make a reminder bracelet for mom or dad that says, “tooth fairy time” and a bracelet for child that says, “I lost a tooth!” I used the stretchy beading cord and a beading needle. I doubled my cord for added strength.

Step 6.

Use the pockets to store the glow stick and bracelets until the big night. Then place the tooth in one of the pockets and hang on the door or bed post. Wear your reminder bracelet until you have completed your tooth fairy assistant duties. The glow stick is an additional reminder! The tooth fairy can place the money in the pocket when the tooth is collected so that your child will know right where to look in the morning.