Ok, time to pull out all of the stops! As we embark on the week of Christmas itself, I bring you my last edition of Holiday Hints for Handmade Gifts: Last Minute Ideas! Though I had several more categories planned, I decided to regroup and handpick a few projects that take little time and materials.
For starters, there’s my Caterpillar Eyeglass Case Tutorial, made from felted wool sweaters and appliqu茅d with a little leaf and critter. This can be made very girlie, as shown, or done without the embellishment and in more subdued colors.
My Cutie Pie Tutorial is a favorite. A handful of felt balls + 2 circles of felt = a cute little catch-all bowl that makes a quick gift.
Check out my Felted Brooch Tutorial and video for an easy-peasy felt scrap project. Decorate the top of a gift by looping some ribbon through the pin on the back and tying it to the package.
The pdf pattern for the Zippered Birdie Pouch shows you 2 ways to make these sweet tweets. 1) as a stuffed birdie, or 2) as a zippered pouch. The pattern is available in my etsy shop.
If you’ve got a copy of Sewing Green, flip to pg 48 for the Recycled Sweater Slippers. This style is where it all began for me about 20 years ago when I first started felting/cutting/sewing thrift store sweaters into slippers. I think every member of my family got a pair that year!
On pg 20 of Sewing Green you’ll find the Penny-rug Trivet and Coasters. These give a fresh modern look to the traditional technique of appliqu茅d scrap wool. Great for use when entertaining or as a thoughtful gift.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Holiday Hints for Handmade Gifts feature! If you’ve missed any over the past month you can find them linked below.
Holiday Hints Recap:
Scarves
Hats
Aprons
Dec贸r
Home
Felted Bags
More Bags
I always enjoy looking at your blog, but sometimes feel so inadequately gifted in the skills department. However, this post made me really inspired to try some last-minute gifts! Thanks for doing your lovely blog!
I bought the bird pouch tutorial last year and have YET to make it. I know, what is wrong with me. But, yea, we have a snow day here in MoCo, so I now have my project lined up 馃檪
Thanks so much for the great ideas!
Lynsey x
Betz, I just want to say thank you! For my son’s teacher and educational assistants, I made four of your pincushion cupcakes to give as Christmas gifts. I placed them in a decorated bake shop cake box and they were a big hit! I received four big thank you’s when I picked him up from school. 馃檪
So many thanks for all that you share with us! I will certainly be making more of your creative projects for gifts this coming year!
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and very happy New Year!
I’ve really enjoyed seeing your projects gathered like this for each of your handmade hints’ posts! You are one ultra-uber-super-hypercreative lady!!!!
OK, seriously…that caterpillar has to be the cutest thing ever. All of your projects are adorable, and each has a distinctly “Betz” look that is just awesome.
Happy Holidays!
Lisa
Thank you for sharing. I am going to make a version of the little felt trivet for a dear friend.
Hi Betz –
Just had to let you know that I spotted your Kleenex box from last year with the dove on it in a grocery store in Westerville, Ohio. The chain store, Meijers, is out of Michigan. Merry Christmas!
~Mary
Thanks mkayteem! I love Meijers, how cool! 馃檪
Oh! so many lovely things to make.
I don’t have any last minutes left, but will save these for next year and get cracking earlier.
I’m going to be making a few last minute hats based on the simple one in Warm Fuzzies 馃檪 Happy Holidays and thanks for all the inspiration this year!
Thank you so much for so many great ideas! For now, all my presents are bought and made. But for next year I will have to try and do it 馃檪
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
I love felt! It’s so easy to work with and things look just fabulous when made with it. Thank you for bringing us beautiful things to see!
I made about a million pairs of slippers this year for gifts: http://organizedeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/12/blitz-it-friday-36-gift-making-blitz.html
if you want a quick look. Thanks!
Adorable last minute gift ideas. Thans for sharing. Merry Christmas!
I made some of the felted skippers for a male relative in the family as a holiday gift. He likes the “tar heels” of the University of North Carolina, so the slippers were made with the school colors and instead of the suede bottoms, I used fabric puff paint and wrote “tar heel” on the bottom. He loved them! Thanks again for the pattern!
Cristina
I’m crazy in love with the felted flowers! Thanks so much – I even posted about them on my blog today…I’m seriously trying to think of a way to not work today just so I can stay home and make more! xo, Nan
the link for how to make felt balls (at Martha Stewart?) failed! Any other suggestions for where to look?
I loved the idea of the slippers made from found wool sweaters. My husband was just commenting that he didn’t have any slippers. I am inspired.
I loved the idea of the slippers made from found wool sweaters. My husband was just commenting that he didn’t have any slippers. I am inspired.
love all your ideas betz. wanted to buy your pdf for the bird pouch, but store says it’s sold out. how does a pdf sell out??? please restock. thanks!
Hi Janet d,
I did relist it but need to update that link I guess! Please visit my shop again,
Thanks,
Betz