Key Fobs for Teacher Gifts (and Giveaway!)

My latest project for the holidays is a whole bunch of fabric key fobs, some of which will become gifts for my kids’ teachers.  I found a list of great ideas for teacher gifts including these lovely key fobs.  Now, I believe in giving credit where credit is due, but the link to the tutorial no longer works.  Somewhere between when I originally read the post and a week later when I sat down to make some of these, Buttercuppity’s blog became invitation only.  I was able to access a cached copy and get the details.  Here is a synopsis along with several changes I made along the way:

• Cut double-sided Peltex (#72) 10” x 1.25”.
• Cut fabric A (background) 10” x 2.75”.
• Cut heavy weight fusible interfacing 10” x 7/8”.
• Cut fabric B (foreground) 10” x 2”.

Center Peltex on the wrong side of fabric A, wrap fabric edges over Peltex and fuse both sides.  Center interfacing on the wrong side of fabric B and fuse.  Fold fabric edges over interfacing and press to crease.  Stack fabric B on top of fabric A with the raw fabric edges facing (sandwiched between layers) and stitch down both sides (you can use fusible tape or Wonder tape to hold the pieces together while stitching).  Fold the resulting strip in half, matching raw edges.  Attach the hardware to the top.  Make sure to cover the hardware with a soft cloth when using pliers to crimp the top closed so as not to mar the metal.  Hardware can be purchased from Country Brook Design (you want the 1.25” key fob hardware).

Since I am really in the spirit of giving this year I will give one of these beauties to someone who leaves me a comment on this post.   You can choose the color and, as a bonus, I will throw in three sets of hardware so you can make your own!  I’ll pick a winner next Monday morning.

Sharing today over at Get Your Craft On (Today's Creative Blog).  Love all of the projects linked up there.  Check them out.

Sweetgum Ball Topiary Ornament and Giveaway

I love topiaries.  There is something about their classic style and elegant design that really appeals to me.  Several years ago I created this little ornament in honor of the topiary, and today I am sharing the instructions in a tutorial so you can make your own.  I am also going to give away this ornament to someone who leaves me a comment on this post.  I will randomly pick a winner on Wednesday morning from all comments.  Comments must be received by no later than 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning.  Comments are moderated, so don't be alarmed if your comment doesn't immediately appear, as I have to review it first.  Good luck!

I will be sharing this post on Today's Creative Blog under their Get Your Craft On feature.  There are so many great projects on this site to get your inspirational juices flowing.  Go check them out.

Next Sunday is the last in the series of ornament giveaways but I've got several other goodies planned for later this week.  Check back often.

Update on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 9:55PM by Julie Bowersett

Thanks to Rebecca for commenting.  I'll be sending her this ornament to use on her own tree!

Yoyo Ornament and Giveaway

This little ornament is simple to make and would be a nice gift for a friend who sews or does other needlework.  My mom made one of these ornaments for me a number of years ago, and I think of her every time I clip it to my Christmas tree.

I’ve written a tutorial with pictures, though it really only entails gluing a thimble on top of two yoyos and embellishing as desired.  The yoyos are glued to a mini clothespin that you can use to clip to a package or onto a tree.

If you would like a chance to win this ornament in my weekly giveaway leave a comment on this post and I will randomly select a winner next Wednesday morning.  Comments must be received by no later than 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning.  Comments are moderated, so don't be alarmed if your comment doesn't immediately appear, as I have to review it first.

Silver Spider Ornament and Giveaway

Today marks the begining of a month of tutorials and giveaways and I am sharing one of my very favorite ornaments that I have made over the years.  I first learned about this spider ornament when my mom made some for our church bazaar when I was in elementary school.  I have made these spiders as little gifts over the years.  The story behind them is charming.

You can find the tutorial on making these little creatures in my Tutorial section (see link on the right side of the page).  They make a lovely little hostess gift for holiday parties and take very little time to complete.

I will be sending this spider to some lucky reader later this week.  Simply leave me a comment on this post and I will randomly pick a winner on Wednesday morning from all comments.  Comments must be received by no later than 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning.  Comments are moderated, so don't be alarmed if your comment doesn't immediately appear, as I have to review it first.

Be sure to check back next Sunday for the next ornament and giveaway, but don't stay away all week; there will be lots of other posts and projects later this week.  And check out all of the project ideas over at Today's Creative Blog on Get Your Craft On!

Update on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:13AM by Julie Bowersett

Congratulations to Kristen (who will be making some of these ornaments with her 8 year old).  I drew her name this morning as the winner of the spider ornament.  Thanks to everyone who visited and left a comment.

A Month of Tutorials and Giveaways

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  With presents to buy, gifts to wrap, food to prepare, decorations to hang, songs to sing, friends and relatives to visit, and traditions to share, the next few weeks will be some of the busiest of the entire year.

In the Christian calendar, the period leading up to Christmas is known as Advent, a time of preparation for “an arrival that has been awaited”.  The season begins on the 4^th Sunday before Christmas (this year, November  28^th) and lasts for four consecutive Sundays.  To celebrate and prepare for the Christmas holiday, each Sunday of Advent I will be posting a tutorial for a simple Christmas tree ornament, some of my favorites from years past.  And, since this is the season of giving, I will be giving away the ornament each week as well.  Simply leave a comment on the Sunday post or tutorial and I will randomly pick a winner on the following Tuesday. 

I also have some special Bags of the Week to share with you, in keeping with the Christmas spirit, and another tutorial for a Santa-inspired tote bag.  I will be posting lots of gift ideas as I make my list and check it twice, as well as another giveaway or two.  I am going to be a busy little elf in the month of December and I am planning to share it all with you.  Check back often.  Or even better, subscribe to my RSS feed which will send you an email each time I post something new.  Click on the link on the right side of this page to subscribe.