Hobbies and Crafts

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

TizzyLizzy — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:28:23 GMT

Mmmmm, caramels! Would you happen to have her recipe that you could share? Liz

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

Luvd_Lioness — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:30:47 GMT

My sis is infamous in our family and friends for her caramels. She does them from scratch, cuts each individually and wraps them. It's almost a Christmas tradition now for all of us to receive those.

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

jennlynn — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:22:21 GMT

I also like to recieve and give gifts that can be eaten! (as you all know I am pregnant with twins right now so I always have food on the mind!) Anyway bags of popcorn, homemade cookies are sample packs of coffee are wonderful gifts.

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

Momma — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:36:29 GMT

Thank you, I do not sew, and I LOVE the snapdragons idea. We are definitely making these this Christmas. Love it!

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

lamuneca0325 — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:24:40 GMT

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I especially like the idea of potpourrie hot pads and mug rugs! Now I just have to carve out the time to do the work!

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

cheapChic — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:36:02 GMT

Hi there is a we site I just looked at today about.com might help you with ideals personally I do gift baskets grab what you got and arrange it in the basket works for me but about.com might help you?

cynthia

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

TizzyLizzy — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:29:49 GMT

I don't quilt a stitch, but I do collect tea pots and am a huge tea drinker. My good friend (that does quilt) made and sent me two appliqued and quilted coasters - each with a different mini teapot on them. I absolutely love them and use them every day. She simply sent them in an envelope with a birthday card last year and next time I talk to her, I'm going to ask her if she'll make me a few more...I'll gladly pay her, tho I doubt she'll let me. I get more compliments on them - they look great just sitting on my end tables. Please consider these for one of your gifts - you can always send your 'trial' ones here for me to 'test' for you if you need to know if you got them right Liz

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

howdah — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:45:30 GMT

Since you are a quilter, mug rugs. These are just tiny quilts, about 4-5 inches square.

You can also make wine glass coasters that fit on the bottom of the glass. Make 4 circles about 1 inch larger than the stem of the glasses. Add some batting between two of the circles, fold the other two in half and put on top of the top circle with the folded edges together. Bind the edge. The base of the glass slips between the two folds and stays with the glass. Give a set of four or six all different. That way guests can identify their glass if they set it down.

You can find patterns for sewn wallets and pocket Kleenix cases and many other items at this website: http://sewing.about.com/

Sharon

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

momto2 — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:40:57 GMT

I forgot you can also sew slippers, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves easily using cheap fleece.

The weekend after Thanksgiving solid color fleece usually goes on sale at Joann's for $1.99 a yard and for scarves you don't even have to sew it because it doesn't unravel.

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

momto2 — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:37:28 GMT

I am also a quilter.

Here are some ideas:

cloth napkins with 2 layers turned and topstitched like a pillow.

Pillow & pillow cases(you can peice them and use a quilt block)

Tote bags/reusable grocery bags (again using a quilt block or the legs from old jeans)

fabric gift bags with a drawstring

Purses there are tons of patterns out there(I use old jeans and cut the legs off sew the bottom up then take the inseams of the legs as handles less than 20 minutes to make)

Use some strips of fabric and add them to plain towels/washcloths/handtowels/kitchentowels

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

rolo — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:24:09 GMT

My daughter made the cutest gifts a few years ago and they are still being used today. She called them Snap Dragons. (like a dragon fly)

Basically, you use the snap type wood clothes pins, paineted in bright colors anyway you like, glue on googly eyes, add netting wings

You can use these to hold bags shut or add a magnet and use for clips on the fridge door. A simple gift but fun and useful.

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

My Family's Interests — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:12:36 GMT

Since you are a quilter, what about placemats, table runners etc. I am trying to think of little things a lady I know who taught quilting classes. She made lots of stuff that she sold. She was a master quilter! lovely stuff. Pincushions (rooster shaped etc) , tea pot covers, tote bags I remember. Another idea. Scented hot pads. straw pad (or similar), add some spices like cinnamon, a little batting..cover with fabric, glue gun on to the bottom, add some trim. So when you put a hot pot on it, the heat will release the spice smell.

Another easy idea is hot massage bags ? The ones you heat in the microwave and put on your shoulders or knees etc for aches and pains. You make about a 14 - 18" fabric tube, add a couple of cups of dry rice, sew it close. pop in microwave for a minute to heat. I think you can add lavender etc too. Sachets are nice or eye masks.

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

lamuneca0325 — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:28:10 GMT

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I am an intermediate quilter and beginner lockerhooker. I've got tons of scrap fabric but not tons of time. What I'd like is ideas of small (relatively quick and simple) projects of usefull things. I'd love to make full quilts for everyone but again, no time. I've got several unfinished full size projects nagging me now.

Terri

Re: Ideas for USEFULL crafty gifts

Deborahmichelle — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:17:07 GMT

Dear Lamuneca, On top of Pat's request to know what kidn of crafts you do, I'd like to know the kinds of materials you haveon hand for yoru crafts, so you don't have to go out to spend money on your gifts ....