On Your Mark: Handmade Bookmarks

It's back to school time—the kiddos will have their reading to do, and even if they don't, the days are only getting shorter! Before long, you may find yourself curled up with a good book or two as well. How will you keep track of what, where and when? With a good bookmark, of course:

Handmade Bookmarks

Materials:
Colored craft felt
Embroidery flosses or No. 5 mercerized cotton threads
Doll needle
Straight pins
Template or old bookmark
Ballpoint pen
Sharp scissors

For each bookmark, cut out a front and a back in felt (either the same or complementary colors) using a template or an old bookmark as a guide. If desired, create embellishments using a smaller template or mini cookie cutter in the shapes of your choice. Secure embellishments with straight pins to the front side of the bookmark, and stitch around the edges, leaving a small border. Once done, match front and back of bookmark together, smooth and secure with straight pins. Again, leaving a small border, stitch along the outside edges, tie off in between the two layers and bury the "tail" in between as well.

Notes: Before joining the front and back together, I took the liberty of free-stitching some fletching along the length of my bookmark. My needlework is by no means perfect, but I enjoy its rustic look, and it's still perfectly functional! My bookmark is about six inches long from tip to tail. I chose to use straight stitch instead of blanket stitch, as this will help the bookmark stay flat and not "puff" around the edges. To judge how much thread you will need to stitch the around bookmark, roughly eyeball a generous 2-2 1/2 times the total perimeter.

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Handmade Gift Roundup: Make Something for Mom!

In addition to serving up some of the brunch ideas here, there's still time to make a handmade gift (or two!) for Mother's Day. Choose something that suits her taste, something she would use and enjoy - she'll appreciate the effort, and you'll have had a little fun in the process!

Handmade Notecards: These come together more quickly than you might think, and the variations are endless. The craft stores have beautiful papers available, so you're sure to find something in exactly Mom's style.

Homemade Body Scrub: Just a few ingredients make for a spa-like indulgence. You can customize the scrub using Mom's favorite herbs and citrus. Don't be afraid to make this in advance - this scrub becomes even more aromatic over time.

Handstitched Coasters: What does Mom do when she needs to put down her drink? She finds a coaster, of course! Use the instructions from the holiday coasters to create these in any theme she would like, and make several so she can use them throughout the house.

Herb and Spice Mixes/Seasoned Salt: If Mom likes to cook and bake, a few of these mixes might be just the gift for her. Tuck them into a basket with some other goodies - and don't forget to include her favorite bottle of wine :-)

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Card Sharp: How to Make Handmade Notecards

I started making handmade notecards many years ago, and still continue to make some from time to time. Although I've tried various designs and embellishments, my favorite is a simple one of plain cardstock overlaid with a patterned paper. They make for a substantial notecard that's easy to make and a pleasure to send. These can easily be packaged as a set for gift-giving as well, and hopefully encourage that old-fashioned pastime of writing to friends and family:

Handmade Notecards

Materials:
Patterned scrapbook or other paper of your choice (8 1/2 x 11 inches, or any size that can be trimmed to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches)
Plain cardstock in coordinating colors (8 1/2 x 11 inches)
Adhesive tabs or double-sided tape
Paper cutter
A2 envelopes (4 3/8 x 5 3/4 inches)

Cut cardstock in half to make two pieces of cardstock that measure 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (you will get two cards for every piece of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock). Once done, trim an 1/8 inch from one shorter (5 1/2 inch) end of each piece—this will ensure the edges don't peep out from under the top layer. Cut the patterned paper to create the same number of 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch pieces as your cardstock. Fold all pieces in half and press down firmly along the crease. Using the adhesive tabs or double-sided tape, place a piece in each corner of the backside of your cardstock, then insert into one of the patterned pieces and press down to secure. Repeat with your remaining pieces until done!

Notes: If your overlay paper is very unusual or handmade, do a dry run of lining them up with the inner cardstock to see which half you prefer to be the "front" of the card. It is only necessary to secure the cardstock on one side—this will also prevent the cards from buckling and make them easier to insert in the envelopes.

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Worth Your Salt: Rosemary-Grapefruit Body Scrub

I love how more people are interested in making bath and beauty products from scratch. It's better for you, it saves resources, and it doesn't even take much time. I have several friends who make lovely concoctions, soothing to both body and soul, and I enjoy using them tremendously. I'm not as skilled as they are, but thankfully there are lots of simple things to try!

The dry winter air can be unforgiving on your skin, and sometimes it needs a little boost. Both exfoliating and moisturizing, a body scrub is easy to make from ingredients you probably have already:

Rosemary-Grapefruit Body Scrub

Ingredients:
2 cups kosher salt
1 1/2 cups grapeseed oil
1/4 cup dried rosemary
zest of one pink grapefruit

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Store in airtight containers (you will have enough for yourself and a friend). Keep by the tub or in the shower. After washing, scoop some out with your fingertips and massage gently into your skin, then rinse off completely with hot water. Use once or twice a week to provide a barrier between your skin and the elements. Do be very careful—this stuff is slippery! Whatever oil is left on the surface of your skin after using will be absorbed, leaving your skin supple and smooth without the need for additional moisturizers.

>o<

10 Little Buttons: How to Make a Country Heart Garland

I had ten little buttons—RED buttons, the only ten of their kind in a multi-pack of assorted buttons. They were petite, pretty, and instead of saving them in a jar like some crazy button-hoarder, I wanted to use them! Being red, a Christmas craft was the obvious answer, but then again...

It was a simple idea, very "country" in style, and easy to execute. And there's no reason it can't adorn a Christmas tree when the time comes. But for now, it will be festive in February for Valentine's Day:

Country Heart Garland

Materials:
Tan craft felt
Dark brown embroidery floss or No. 5 mercerized cotton thread
Small red buttons
Waxed twine
Heart-shaped template or cookie cutter, 1-2 inches in diameter
Doll needle
Straight pins
Sharp scissors

Trace and cut two heart shapes for each finished heart you would like on your garland. Center and sew a button on the front side of half the heart shapes, then pin the fronts to their backs and blanket stitch around the edges of each pair. Once all the hearts are done, thread the waxed twine through the topmost stitch on the back of each heart (you may need to use the needle to help you). Slide the hearts along the twine until you have the spacing/length you would like, then cut the twine. The garland is now ready to hang!

>o<

Some Like It Hot: How to Make Hand-Stitched Holiday Coasters

As the days close in and the air gets colder, we all start reaching for our biggest mug and fill it with a hot beverage to keep us feeling toasty and warm. And what could be better than a cute, festive coaster upon which to place it? These are easy, sweet, and another homemade item perfect for holiday giving. Package a set of coasters along with a loved one's favorite coffee or tea. Include a jar of homemade hot cocoa mix for an even more personal touch!

Hand-Stitched Holiday Coasters

Materials:
Colored craft felt
Solid or patterned fabrics (remnants/fat quarters)
Embroidery flosses or No. 5 mercerized cotton threads
Doll needles
Straight pins
Templates or cookie cutters in desired shapes
Ballpoint pen
Sharp scissors (regular and pinked)

For each coaster, cut out two circles about 4 inches in diameter - one in felt for the back, and one for the front in either felt or fabric  (I traced around the bottom of a yogurt container for the coasters pictured above). Create an embellishment using a small template or mini cookie cutter in the shape of your choice. Center the embellishment on the front circle, secure with a straight pin, and stitch around the edge leaving a small border. Once done, match the front and back of coaster together, smooth and secure with straight pins. Again, leaving a small border, stitch along the outside edge, tie off in between the two layers and bury the "tail" in between them as well. Create a set of coasters with either all the same embellishment, or mix and match for variety.

Notes: This is a great way to use odds and ends of felt and fabric you may already have on hand. When working with fabric pieces, the embellishments can be cut with straight scissors, but any fabric fronts should be cut with pinking shears to help keep them from fraying. Instead of an embellishment, the fronts can be embroidered with a festive design or the recipient's initial.

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Perennial Harvest: Felt and Fabric Decorations for Fall

Despite the fact that, technically, I don't know how to sew, I'm fascinated by the colors and patterns of thread and fabric. Just looking at them is a pleasure in itself. However, with a little hand stitching, these lovely fall colors make for a more permanent collection of decorative gourds (and maybe a critter or two):

The usual suspects.

Felt and Fabric Decorations

Materials:
Colored craft felt
Solid or patterned fabrics (remnants/fat quarters)
Embroidery flosses or No. 5 mercerized cotton threads
Doll needles
Straight pins
Poly-fil/stuffing
Templates or cookie cutters in desired shapes
Ballpoint pen
Sharp scissors (regular or pinked)
Embellishments (buttons, beads, etc.)

Trace template on backside of fabric; turn template over and trace again on a coordinating piece of felt. Cut out and match insides together, smoothing and securing with straight pins. Leaving a small border, stitch along the outside edge, leaving an opening at a larger end. Remove pins and stuff gently until pleasantly plump, but not so full that you can't close the opening. Finish stitching to close and tie off thread (hide the "tail" between the two layers, if possible).

Notes: Doll needles work well here, as the point is much sharper and the needle much longer than a regular embroidery needle. When using floss, I use all six strands together so the stitching stands out nicely. For the owl above, appliques and embellishments were added to the front side prior to attaching it to the back. Colors and fabrics can be chosen according to the season, making it easy to be creative any time of year!

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