Embroidered Dala Horse

Another project from a library book called Christmas Crafting in No Time, although this wasn't so quick with all the embroidery it has.  I used a yellow skirt I bought at Salvation Army and felt from my decades old felt stash, of which some may have been my mom's stash.  The traditional Dala Horse has no tail, but since mine had a bump, I added one!  I like Swedish crafts; I should do more and decorate a whole bedroom!

Repurposed Library

Checked out a book from the library called The Repurposed Library and liked this project.  You take a book of at least 300 pages, (although mine was 289), cut it into fourths using a metal ruler and craft knife a few pages at a time, after removing the hard cover.  Then fold one page in half.  The next page is folded in half and in half again.  Alternate these two folds, and, voila, you have a lovely piece to hang on a nail on your wall.  Several grouped together of different sizes would be a nice display.  Just get wider books.  Books are cheap to buy at a thrift store or library sale.

Luggage Tags

These extra-large (3.5" X 6") colorful luggage tags will be easy to spot when at the baggage claim.  The idea/instructions are from Made For Travel by Mary Mulari.  The vinyl for the ID insert is what I took off a binder when I deconstructed it to get the cardboard for the Kindle cover. Such a simple easy project using items you already have.  That is, if you save anything you think MIGHT be useful.  The ties are from twill tape which held a rug rolled up for delivery to me about 20 years ago.

Tuxedo Bag

This bag is made from a man's tuxedo jacket, and, yep, I got the jacket at Salvation Army for $5.  The directions are from Refashioned Bags by Faith Blakeny.  After cutting off the jacket below the sleeves, you quilt it.  The pocket is a sleeve with the buttons still intact.  The front strap uses the other sleeve with buttons.  Two side straps reuse some front buttons for embellishment.  The body of the bag is a bit narrow and long, I think.  It all depends on the size jacket you find, but it could be made wider by cutting right at the arm holes.

I really like the rich feel of the material and lining from this Bill Blass jacket.  The quilting was a little tricky.  I suggest putting pins all over the piece after inserting stuffing. Then before sewing the first diagonal line put in a line of pins, so you don't end up with a wavy line. The construction is very simple once the quilting is done.  As the author states, you can use any jacket, but be sure to get a man's, preferably a TALL man's, so it will be wider. 

Gingerbread Ornaments

Even though the names of these evoke Christmas, surely they can be used year round. I have the brown one sitting on my adding machine for a bit of whimsy. The idea and instructions are in Fa-la-la Felt by Amanda Carestio.  The basic form is a bottle cap. The brown one was made with a water bottle cap which only went about half-way up, so is not quite as solid as the blue one made on a lotion bottle top. Great way to use up small amounts of felt. Baby rick-rack was used and the basic embroidery french knot, as well as the blanket stitch.