Farmhouse Doll Bed - Plans

Handmade Christmas Gift Idea #8

When I found the plans to make this little doll bed - my Christmas list of 

things to make just got longer!   This is the cutest doll bed- by far- I have ever seen!

and the hand made mini quilt.   I love it 

Do you have a little girl who needs a bed for her Christmas doll? 

Well here are the free plans - make it yourself for pennies!

The plans are here

Personalized Pillow Painting Kits

Handmade Christmas Idea #7

For just a few dollars you can make an art kit. 

Think about the person you want to make the kit for.   Do they have a favorite animal,

cartoon character?  What are their hobbies?   Then search online for a picture or if you're very 

creative sketch your own design with a pencil onto fabric.   I used white Denim fabric but you can use

any light color fabric you have.   Then use a permanent marker to go over the pencil lines.  

My inspiration for this idea came from here

And I thought - very clever, I can make my own for much less money.

This is the kit that I made for my grandson.   You will need to include

tempra paints or permanent markers, draw the design onto fabric and include one more

piece of fabric for the back of the pillow.  You will also need to include instructions on how

to finish the project, or offer to sew it for them when they are finished creating with paint or markers. 

This is how I made my snake pillow

First, mix tempra paint with water (not to much) and mix well

The above photo shows what the paint will do if you have too much water

The photo below shows what the paint will do with the proper water to paint ratio

After you have finished painting, cover the pattern with a thin cotton cloth

and iron on high heat to set the color.   When you are sure it is completely dry -

then wash in the washer with a junk towel in cold water

And dry in the dryer on high heat.

After you take it out of the dryer,  

Iron and then sew the front and the back together

leaving a small opening.  Stuff with poly filling

hand stitch opening closed and enjoy

If you make the snake I recommend making two - My older boys who 

are 11-years-old use them for pillow fights.  Make great weapons!

Eric, my grandson loves Lion King so he chose Simba

I googled coloring pages and found a drawing of Simba drawing here

(You will find many free downloads there)

Eric spent the morning painting and coloring.  

Come back tomorrow to see how we turn Simba into a PillowPet! 

Have Fun!

How To Make A Handmade Heating Pad

Handmade Christmas Gift Idea #6

Many years ago I was given one of my favorite Christmas Gifts. 

A dear neighbor and friend made a heating pad for me.   At first I wondered 

what it was.   She attached a small card which explained how to heat it up.
The first time I used it on my sore back I was in love.
You heat it in the microwave, on high for 2 to 3 minutes

When you take it out, it will be hot.  Hot and moist!
It's the moisture that really makes the difference

They are simple, inexpensive to make and easy to use.

What you'll need: 

Scrap Fabric, sewing machine, rice.

With a rotary cutter or scissors - measure and cut out two rectangular pieces

( Two recommended sizes are  7"x10"  or my favorite  6"x14") 

I prefer the narrow and longer size because it's easier to wrap around my neck

and fits perfectly across my lower back

Pin right sides together and sew, leaving a small opening at the top

trim off each of the four corners, being careful not to cut the seam

Then turn right side out.

Take several pieces of paper and roll them into a funnel. 

Insert the paper funnel into the opening of the bag

Fill with rice

I like to fill mine only about 1/2 full.  Don't fill it more than 3/4 full

or it will not be moldable or as easy to use

Sew the opening closed either by hand, or with a sewing machine. 

You're done!  I made four heating pads with covers in 30 minutes!

I figure they cost about $1.50 each!   

* Option - to make a cover, cut two more pieces- 2 inches larger in with and height - than the actual bag.   Sew 3 sides together and hem the opening.   Now you have a washable cover.   

* I found several references on the internet, recommending using beans instead of rice for the filling.  I tried both.   The beans when heated give off a strong bean smell,  The rice doesn't.  I prefer the rice. 

An added bonus to this gift, is the receiver with think about the giver, each time they use it.

I know I think about my friend and her kindness each time I use mine!

A Gnome Village

Christmas Idea #5

Build a gnome house out of wood

Buy some little wood people 

Wrap em in Wool and then in some yarn

 

Dress em in Felt

And make a gnome family

Make sure you buy extra - wooden dolls, felt, wool and yarn

Cause the kiddos will spend all Christmas day making a family all their own 

Wooden House via Flickr

Gnome people - Where to buy- here, how to wrap - here  and how to make clothes- here

Wooden dolls - Where to buy - here,  Ideas on how to paint - here

A Handmade Doll

Handmade Christmas Idea # 4

A handmade doll, stuffed with lambswool and finished with Mohair is so soft 

and loveable - softer than you can imagine. 

My sister made these sweet dolls.   After watching the tutorials linked on this blog 

which you can find here and here

she has fallen in love with the art of doll making

They are very very soft.  Much different than a store bought doll. 

A doll made by grandma or mom or even an aunt would be a cherished gift. 

After making some dolls we have learned the best places to purchase quality products 

and a few other tricks to doll making.

If you have additional questions leave me a comment or click on my photo on the 

sidebar where you will find my email - and I will respond!

Happy Doll Making!

diy Pretend Make Up and Play Purse

Handmade Christmas Gift Idea  #3

A handmade Christmas gift is so much fun to give.   Making something

that a child really uses is very rewarding. 

How about a diy play purse with pretend makeup tucked inside.

Guaranteed to encourage creative play!

This makeup is not real.   But it looks real!  

Little girls will love it.   

Emily at Not So Idle Hands is very clever to have thought this up. 

I love it!   And it costs $1.00 for each makeup pack if you recycle and visit the dollar store.

The Pretend Makeup How-To is Here

Now for the Play Purse to carry the Pretend Make-up

Being Brook provides the Play Purse How-To  Here

Girls Tutu Pattern

Handmade Christmas Gift Idea #2

Little girls LOVE to sing and dance.   A fun activity to do with your little one - 

Put on some music and dance together!

A new pink fluffy tutu would be a sweet handmade christmas present for a young girl 

Being Brook has a simple tutorial to teach you how.   I didn't realize how simple they are to make!

No sewing required. 

Visit Being Brook here

Felted Soap - Handmade

Handmade Christmas Gift Idea  #1

via etsy

Just in time for Christmas, I'm going to feature - each day - Handmade Gift Ideas

There is a button on my side bar that you can click to find them easily, for future reference.

If there's someone you really care about, nothing say's you love them more than to give a handmade gift.

Gift Idea - Felted Soap 

I'm seeing it everywhere

Anthropologie

These handmade soaps are wrapped in softly spun, naturally anti-fungal wool to create

an exfoliating, fragrantly lathering, long-lasting bathtime soap.   Similar to wrapping your soap in a washcloth and is naturally exfoliating. When the soap dissolves, reuse the pouf by making a small slit and slipping your own bar inside. 

This is a PERFECT handmade gift for children to make - with your help

It only takes about 15 minutes to complete each bar. 

What you'll need:  

A bar of soap, carded wool, a towel and a dish of hot water

Here is the How-To:

There are many places on the internet that sell wool roving - dyed in bright colors are my favorite

Each bar will be unique.   This site has a more complete tutorial and also sells the wool Here