Christmas around the corner...

Hi everyone, Christmas is around the corner ~~ Any idea what gifts to give to all your loved ones this season? Shopping for your love ones who has pretty much everything they need can be quite a challenge, especially when trying to stay within your holiday budget. Here are some creative and interesting do-it-yourself gifts you could consider making...

Holiday Cards with Fold-In Shapes

1. To make the snowflake and snowman pop-up on your card, trace template onto folded card stock, centering the image over the fold. Cut along shape with a utility knife, leaving it attached at the tabs. For the gift card, cut two parallel horizontal lines equidistant from the center fold on card stock.


2. For all cards, push the shape forward from behind while slightly closing card to crease the shape down the middle. For gift card, attach ribbon. Glue all cards into a larger prefolded backing.


Read more at Wholeliving.com: Glittered Holiday Cards With Fold-In Shapes - Martha Stewart Crafts















Here are some other card designs which I find interesting...





















Tote Bags with Iron-On Silhouettes


1. Scan copyright-free clip art from books or download it online or from a CD. Buy iron-on transfer paper for your tote; choose paper for light cotton fabrics and for dark cotton fabrics, depending on your project.

2. Print the images on transfer paper, following the manufacturer's instructions, and cut them out. Cut around the images cleanly (use a craft knife, for precision); avoid making jagged edges.

3. Arrange the images on the bag, face up, for a preview (keep in mind this is a mirror image of the final design). When you're ready to iron, place the images face down. Press on top of images, starting at the edges of each one and using even pressure so that the image doesn't slide; do not move the iron back and forth, or image will blur or pucker.

4. When iron-ons have cooled, remove the backing paper. Replace the bag's handles with equal lengths of colorful twill tape or cover them with ribbon, if desired.



Source: Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts