Decorative Packaging

Snowmen Slippers

Now you can be dressed from head to toe for the holidays.  You can give the old pair of slippers a make over since you will probably get a new pair for Christmas. This pattern can easily be modified for any time of year you would wear slippers.  You could use a white print or plain fabric and make felt hearts for Valentines Day.  You could use fall colors and put a turkey or a cornucopia on the top for Thanksgiving. Snowmen will work from autumn through to spring when its time to break out the flip flops!  Be creative and Have fun!

House slippers

¼ yard red plaid flannel

2 (71/2) pieces 3/8”-wide hunter green decorative braid

Shank buttons: 2 (7/16) round red, 4 (1/8) round black (or 6/0 black beads)

Pink ink pad

Felt: black, 4”x3” pieces each plush antique white

Hunter green ribbon

Fabric adhesive

6-strand embroidery floss: black, red

Sewing thread” red, hunter green

Sewing and embroidery needles

Cut fabric: cut two slipper tops from red plaid flannel.  Cut two hat brims and face backings and two tops of hat from black felt. Cut two faces from antique white felt. Cut scarf  from green ribbon left slipper,  cut one  for right slipper.  Cut two patches from green felt.

Using needle and thread sew a gathering stitch along toe of each flannel piece as indicated by dash lines on pattern. 

Fold under edges of one piece of flannel to wrong side all the way around approximately 1/2” from edge to fit over actual slipper; hold felt in place along seam with pins.

Center one piece of braid along top opening edge, pinning in place. Tuck ends of braid under flannel so that braid ends are between flannel and actual slipper; pin

On outside of slipper, stitch flannel to slipper top along seam using tiny whip-stitches with needle and matching thread; stitch braid to slipper using small whip-stitches and stitching through all thicknesses of fabric.

Repeat steps 3-5 for second slipper.

Felt Snowmen

Using generous amounts of adhesive, glue fact to fit onto hat brim, Glue top of hat to overlap behind brim; glue patch to top of hat long brim.

Stitch red button to center of face for nose; stitch black buttons in place for eyes.  Using 3 strands black floss, add straight-stitch eyebrows and back stitch mouth.  Stitch patch onto hat using 3 strands red floss.

Rub your fingertip onto ink-pad and apply blush to snowman’s cheeks.

Glue snowman to flannel slipper top below braid; glue ribbon for scarf 3/4 of the way across, leaving enough to fold over for the tail, glue tail down.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

Red and Gold are the colors of love!

This stunning gift basket will make some body’s day!

The shimmering gold color of the basket is continued into the basket with metallic decorative shreds, a card and candies. When the deep romantic red color is added by inserting ribbon bows, flowers and more candy, this simple gift of a card, candy and a flowers is transformed into a royal delight.

Sometimes less is more, keeping the color theme to just red and gold is very pleasing to the eye.

This would be a perfect Valentine gift, or for any occasion, even when it’s “just because”.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.

Add a little Valentine flair to an intimate lunch for two! 

2 white place mats

Various shades of pink satin ribbon

Pink ruffled ribbon

Fabric spray paint

Hot glue 

Curling ribbon

Clothes pins

Valentine or love note 

Wash and dry white place-mat to remove sizing.

     Protect work area with plastic tablecloth and lay place-mat on protected surface.

     Start spray of Fabric Spray Paint colors on a paper towel to get a feel for spray pump. Spray each of the colors in a random pattern on place-mat. (Tip: Pressing pump halfway will produce a splatter effect.) Let dry 4 hours.

     Cut ribbon and use Fabric Fusion™ or hot glue to glue strips crisscrossing across place-mat, gluing only at the edge of place-mat. Refer to photo. Hold in place with clothespins until dry.

     Turn place-mat over and glue ruffled ribbon trim around the edges of the place-mat. Refer to photo. Hold in place with clothespins until dry.

    Gather several colors of pink curling ribbon, tie a bow around the stem of the water glasses leaving the tails long, and then curl the ends.

     Tuck a Valentine or “love note” behind the crisscrossed ribbon

    Add some flowers or candles to the center and enjoy your dinner!

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

This wreath pattern can be created in many different types of materials.

I have seen it finished using foam, card stock, felt, even mini quilted pillows. It can be used as a wreath to hang inside the windows with decorative ribbon.  It can be used as a centerpiece ring to surround flowers and candles on the table.  You can place it on a piece of white construction paper, write a message in the center, laminate it and use it for a child’s place mat.  I used a ring of masking tape to keep the hearts from sliding until finished. A few things will stay the same no matter how you create it.  The hearts will all be uniform in size.  The same color heart will be at 12, 3, 6, and 9  as on a clock. The edges will be attached.  I used a dinner plate as my form and keep it round.  I glued tiny white bows on the 4 red hearts.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

Valentine’s Day “Red” Carnations

Cut the ends off of three white carnations;

Add warm water to a vase and place in a few drops of red food coloring.

Place the carnations in the vase.

Watch patiently as the red coloring seeps into the carnation.

Tie a beautiful Valentine ribbon bow around the vase and it becomes a wonderful centerpiece.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

In a previous post I mentioned the idea of re-decorating our Christmas evergreen wreath (if its still beautifully green or artificial) for Valentines Day.  Since I posted that, I have seen several mini pine trees decorated for Valentines Day! I was so excited that I had to take pictures of them.  Doesn’t it seem like a lot of work to re-arrange the whole house to put up a Christmas tree, only to tear it down in a week or two. The tree transforms feeling in the room instantly.   This seems like a time saver and a way to enjoy the festive holiday feel to our homes for a little longer.  The red checked wired ribbon is used as a tree topper and a tiny bow is attached to each limb with a wire tie slipped through the back of the bow.  The ornaments on the tree are little plastic hearts hung, one to a branch in various sizes with a gold thread.  The other ornaments on this tree are mini kitchen gadgets all accented with the red checked tiny ribbon used as a hanger.  The photo below shows red, pink and white card stock heart valentines with a hole punched in the top and tied on with a red ribbon. You can also use some silk roses randomly to fill in.  The lights are all clear.  This tree stays up all year and the decorations change with the seasons.  If you don’t want to leave your huge tree up that long due to limited space, you can also do this with the mini trees and scale every thing down. Have fun decorating!

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

These darling little pillows are an ideal project for those with little experience in sewing. No difficult patterns or instructions, just an easy and fulfilling craft to keep or give as a gift—perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day or any heart-worthy occasion.

What you’ll need:

• ¼ yard of fabric of your choice
• needle
• thread in a coordinating color to your fabric
• cotton batting
• straight pins
• lace (optional)
• ribbon (optional)

How to make it:

1. Lay your fabric down flat on your work surface.
2. Fold over one time, then fold over one more time in the same direction so that the fabric is now doubled up.
3. Using a pair of scissors or pinking shears, starting from one side of the fabric cut out half of a heart shape so that when you open your fabric you should have two equally sized hearts.
4. Lay your two hearts so that the right sides are facing each other, wrong side of the fabric should be facing out. Use straight pins to secure the two pieces of fabric together, lining the pins around the edge of the fabric, about three-quarter inch in from the edge. This will secure your fabric but not be in the way of where you need to sew.
5. Begin at the bottom of the heart and stitch evenly around the edge, about one-quarter inch in from the edge. Stitch all the way around the heart until you have almost completely closed it. Leave approximately one-and-a-half to two inches open but do not cut or tie off thread. You will need it to finish off the heart after it is stuffed.
6. Remove all the straight pins that were securing your fabric.
7. Very carefully, turn your stitched heart “outside in” through the opening. Now your fabric should be right side out and should resemble an almost completed heart.
8. Using your fingers inside the heart, gently make sure that all the fabric is pushed out where it should be.
9. Secure your needle out of the way be poking it through the outer edge of the heart, away from the opening.
10. Using small pieces of cotton batting, gently stuff your heart pillow until all areas are full and pillow is firm to the touch.
11. To stitch the opening, fold the two seams of the opening of the fabric in to match the rest of the heart. Stitch the opening closed.
12. As a finishing touch, use a long piece of colorful ribbon and tie into a bow. Hand stitch on to the front of the heart and trim the bow ends to desired length.

Variations Shown

For our red heart we used pinking shears and stitched around the outer edge with the RIGHT sides of the fabric facing outward. This was done purposely to give a decorative edge to the heart. There was no need to turn the fabric “right side out,” simply stuff and close it up.

For our pink heart, follow the instructions outlined above, however, to add lace, line the edge of the lace sandwiched between your to pieces of fabric. Stitch through the fabric and the lace following this pattern all the way around the heart. Before you begin, you can picture what this will look like by holding the lace and the fabric between your fingers and then folding one piece of the fabric back to view your lace. Be sure you have the seam of the lace lined up with the seams of the fabric.

Tips:

Choose fabrics that are vibrant. Lace goes wonderfully with plaids and floral while a solid fabric will look great with a striped or polka-dot bow.

Using a pattern. A pattern is not needed for these, however if you are more comfortable using a pattern, simply cut a heart from paper first to trace onto your fabric.

Add a lovely scent. To make this a scented sachet you can add some scented potpourri in the middle of all the stuffing, or for a temporary scent, spritz with perfume.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

 Romantic dinner Table for Two

As you plan to prepare a wonderful dinner for your Valentine, think ahead about the table decorations too.  Here is a suggestion for decorating on a budget.  You probably already have most of these items in your home. A little bit of decorating and a few candles create a romantic flair to your evening.

1. Decide on a tablecloth first. You don’t need to buy a heart-covered tablecloth. A simple lace one will do, or try a plain pink or flowered tablecloth.
2. Step 2 Purchase a dozen pink or red roses and display them in a crystal vase in the center of the table. Arrange some strings of decorative imitation pearls in swirls around the vase. Place two tall pink candles on either side of the flowers. Set one foil-wrapped heart candy on each plate and tie the napkins with red ribbon.
3. Step 3 Sew Valentine-colored cloth into hearts of different shapes. Stuff the hearts with batting and arrange them in a bowl or basket in the center of the table. Place napkins in simple napkin rings and place a real or silk rose through the holder as well. Set a small Cupid figurine near each plate. Scatter Hershey’s kisses around the table.

1. Step 4 Make several Valentine cards and stand them up in the center of the table. You could also use Valentines created by your children or Valentines that have been given to you. Sprinkle Valentine confetti (shiny little different-colored hearts or Cupids) around and among the cards. Place one small rosebud in a tiny vase or one votive candle in a pink or red votive holder next to each plate.
2. Step 5 Use your imagination to design your own table. Swaths of lace, tulle, pieces of ribbons, conversation heart candies, paper hearts, lace doilies and any other romantic or frilly objects you happen to have can be added to your table to create a Valentine effect.

Valentines Day Bookmarks

Some room mothers put candy and pencils and various other little goodies in treat bags for the school Valentines Day party for each student. These would be a great addition to those bags.  This could also be a quick craft to do in the party. There is usually time for a few games and refreshment time so just omit a game and try this.

Cut a 5″x2″ strip from red construction paper.

Cut white or pink heart shapes about 1/2″ to just under 2″ wide.

Paste or double stick tape the hearts onto the bookmark.

Bookmark Tassel

Use clear contact paper, or laminating paper, photo laminating paper to cover both sides to prolong the life of your bookmark.

Punch a hole in the center of the bookmark, about 1/2″ from the top and put red ribbon or red tassel through the hole and tie.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.