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By Deborah Dove
Hey kids. This holiday season, why not give your friends and family the best present ever—something you made yourself! We have something for everyone on your list.
For Mom—Terrific Trashcan
You’ll need:
1 plastic trash can
Decorative ribbon in solids and patterns (long enough to circle the trash can)
Hot glue
Plastic flowers
Glue ribbon bands around the trash can, alternating patterns and overlapping as you go so that the trashcan is completely covered. Glue plastic flowers to the top of the wastebasket. This also works well for a tissue holder.
For Dad—Bandana Stadium Seat
You will need:
14-in. by 14-in. foam pad (available at craft stores)
2 different colored bandanas in your dad’s favorite team colors (for example, blue and white if you’re dad’s a Cowboy fan, orange and white if he’s a Longhorn fan, etc.)
Place foam pad between bandanas (one on top and one on the bottom). Tie the corners of the two bandanas together.
For Grandma—Jewelry Box
You will need:
Cardboard toothpick box
Felt square
Fabric that looks nice with the felt
Trim (rick rack, ribbon, etc.)
Craft jewel
Clamp clothespins
Glue
Scissors
Carefully unglue box and flatten it. If box has side flaps, trim them off. Glue the inside of the box to a piece of fabric, print side of the fabric out. Trim off the excess fabric around the edges of the box. Glue the outside of the box to a piece of felt. Trim the felt leaving a 1/2-in. edge around the box.
Fold the flattened box back into a box. This will stretch the felt some. Glue the box in place, using clamp clothespins to secure it until the glue is dry. Fold the flap of the box in and glue it in place, securing the fold with clothespins. Trim off excess felt around edges. Decorate the outside of the box with trim and a craft jewel in the center of lid.
For Grandpa—TV Remote Control Holder
You will need:
Small Pringles can
24 craft sticks
Foam letters spelling GRANDPA
Foam scraps
Tacky glue
Rubber band
Spread a thin layer of tacky glue all over the outside of a small Pringles can. Cover the can with craft sticks, lining up the bottom of the sticks with the bottom of the Pringles can. Hold in place with a rubber band while drying. Glue on the foam letters spelling "GRANDPA". Cut two strips of foam 3/4" x 12". Glue one around the bottom of the can and the other around the top of the can.
For Brother—Water Bottle Holder
You will need:
Clear nail polish
4 ft. of cotton or polypropylene belt webbing (available at craft/fabric stores) for the strap
1 rubber O-ring from the hardware store plumbing department. (take a water bottle to the store to test the fit)
2 no-sew dungaree buttons
To prevent fraying, brush clear nail polish (supervise younger kids) onto both ends of the webbing and allow it to dry. Feed 2 to 3 inches of the webbing through the O-ring and secure with a dungaree button. (Push the tack through the webbing, place the button on the point, and press firmly together). Repeat for the other end of the webbing. Be careful not to twist it before you attach the second button. Decorate the strap if you like. Slip the O-ring over the neck of the water bottle.
For Sister—Denim Purse
You will need:
A pair of old jeans
Iron on transfers, appliqués and/or patches
Fabric paint
Cord, ribbon or braided leather
Cut out the back pocket from the pair of jeans, being careful to cut outside the seams so the pocket does not separate from the back layer of the denim. Decorate the pocket by gluing or ironing patches on and/or decorating with fabric paint. Attach cord, ribbon or braided leather with safety pins to make a handle (or sew onto the sides of the pocket)
For Teacher—Painted Glass Vase
You will need:
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes and cotton swabs
White glue
Clear glaze (available at craft stores)
To make the paints stick to the glass, first mix the colors with some glue. Keep the paint thick so it won’t run. Use brushes or cotton swabs to paint a design on the jar. To erase a mistake, use a paper towel to wipe off the paint before it hardens. Let the paint dry, and then seal the finished design with a coat of glaze.
For Fido—Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
1 1/2 c. water
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
3 Tbs. peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1/2 c. cornmeal
1/2 c. oats
Blend wet ingredients together. Whisk dry ingredients together and mix into wet mixture to form a ball of dough. Roll out and shape. Put onto a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased one. Cook 20 minutes at 400º F. Turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool in oven until crisp and hard. Store in airtight container.
For Fluffy—Pom Pom Cat Toy
You will need:
Yarn
Cardboard
Scissors
Cut a piece of cardboard 3 inches wide and at least 4 inches long. Wrap yarn loosely around the width of the cardboard until you’ve got a thick bundle. Leave a long tail (about a yard), and cut the yarn. Cut another piece of yarn about 6 inches long. Remove the bundle of yarn carefully from the cardboard. Lay it on the 6-inch piece of yarn. Tie the piece of yarn around the bundle as tightly as you can. It helps to have one person hold their finger on the first knot while you tie the second, like when you wrap a present. Cut through all the loops of the pom-pom. Trim so it’s an even ball. |
