Morgana's Labyrinth: Gifts of the Heart

ALL of these ideas are less expensive and more fun to create than purchasing the items outright. You have the satisfaction of knowing YOU made it and saved money doing so. And many can be created very last minute. For some you need to plan ahead a little. Most of the accessories involved can be found at your local thrift shops, garage sales or even in your own home!

Thank you, Hailey
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This page comes from
my precious one,
Hailey *grin*...being
the little elf that she is.
Thank you, precious! Our families wishes yours the very best of holidays and yearround giving.

last updated
May 5, 1999.

This site is © 1998-99
by MorganaX. Use of content and graphics
are forbidden unless authorized by sending email to Morgana.

SEWN
Cloth Coasters
Simple matter of choosing a design, drawing it on doubled fabric and lining with a thin bit of cotton. Sew the edges all under and trim 1/4 an inch from the edge all the way around. Now add the final touches, like eyes and whiskers for a kitty, stem and seeds for an apple, etc.

Door guards
To keep the cold out. Take a strip of fabric the length of your door, plus 5 inches. Fold the strip and sew the edges so you have a long "snake". Sew the end in a soft curve. You'll hand stitch the "head" after you stuff it. For stuffing you can use literally anything you like and have on hand. When you finish up, sew on eyes, or add button eyes, add character items to give it personality. Like feet, ears, etc. You can make any kind of animal out of these.

Towel Bibs
Take a guest towel (those smaller than normal hand towels) and fold in half. Cut a hole larger than a baby's head and then add ribbing, carefully catching all the terrycloth in your ribbing. You can buy a decorated bib or you can now embroidery the front.

Place Mats & Napkins
You can easily sew up place mats from any kind of material. Same procedure as the coasters. You can then either buy napkins with colors to match your mats or make them out of inexpensive cotton, simply rolling the edge and sewing it down.

Pouches
Kids LOVE little pouches and containers! Take all those scraps of fabric and sew up little sacks for them. A small drawstring bag can hold several hand made beanbags as well! Make the beanbags the same way, from scraps!

Sachets
Use the above idea and make sachets filled with homemade or store bought potpourri! Ladies love them for their lingerie drawers! OR-- use mint, chamomile or some other scented herb for a kitchen sachet!

T-shirt Just For You
Tole paint a picture (have a design ready) on the front of a tee-shirt, or sweat shirt. You could also embroidery on one. Doesn't have to be really fancy. People love gifts from the heart!

Homemade Paper Dolls
Draw a picture of a boy and girl doll (dog and cat works too). Dolls can be wearing a swim suit. For clothes, use fabric you have cut to fit and sewn a slight hem on. With very little fabric you can make an extensive wardrobe for the kids and the pets! You might opt to sewn small patches of Velcro to attach the clothes. Tiny snaps work well too. Or you can simply leave them as a floor toy with nothing attaching them.

Learn How Pillow Pal
Make (or buy) a small, rectangular plain pillow. Stitch in or sew on button eyes, nose and mouth in place. Sew on arms and legs using stuffed socks. Use socks that will accommodate baby size shoes, mittens, etc. You can either sew in snaps and zippers and ties, or you can use items that already have them in place, Such as tennis shoes for the pillow pal, and your child can learn to tie. Or a tiny sweat jacket, and they can learn to zipper. A sleeper will help them with snaps. Ask your child to name his pal and stitch the name in the pillow for him/her. You can make this as elaborate or simple as you wish, and you can change it later on as your child grows and changes.

Puppets
Using those small stretchy gloves (use adult size) sew faces on each finger. Use yarn to make hair. Make them personalized by adding a necktie for dad, beanie for brother, ribbons for sister, rattle for baby, apron for mom. You can think of dozens of ideas to personalize these. Keeps kids busy on car trips!

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