Last-Minute Gifts: Tasty Treats in a Jar

Much like the fabled fruitcake of earlier generations, everyone has likely given (or received) the classic "brownie mix in a jar" or 'cookie mix in a jar" as a holiday gift. Which is great--who doesn't love dessert, especially one with the ingredients measured out and almost ready to go? 

But the possibilities for gifts in a jar go so far beyond that! Our favorite resource for ideas is DodoBurd's 44 Creative DIY Christmas Gifts in a Jar. Like the title says, the blog post features 44 ideas to give in a jar, some quick and easy, and some requiring a bit more work. 

Some that we liked:
Pottery Barn Mason Jar Knockoff
Christmas in a Jar 
Gift Card Snow Globe (check this one out--so neat!)
Detox Bath in a Jar
Salted Caramel Sauce in a Jar

And of course, what jar gift couldn't be improved with a little fabric? We made three sample jars to share with you: hot cocoa in a jar, red velvet cupcake in a jar, and salted caramel sauce in a jar (that one was a no-brainer--of course we had to try it! And YUM!!)

We topped each jar with a pinking shears-cut circle and coordinating ribbon. We used a blue and silver snowflake print and red and green check print from Christmas Basics, and a red/white/gold holly print from the Season's Greetings collection  Simply trace around the appropriate sized plate or bowl and cut out! Easy! 
Here's a tip for deciding circle size: For taller jars, find a circle approximately double the diameter of the jar lid. For shorter jars, like the salted caramel jar, find a circle approximately 2" larger in diameter than the jar lid.

Enjoy!

Need other last-minute gift ideas?
See our drawstring gift card bag tutorial here.
See our fabric ornament tutorial here.

Last-Minute Gifts: The Ornament

Your neighbor or coworker brought you an unexpected plate of cookies or scented candle--a delightful surprise, but...you don't have anything for her! You have three basic options:
a) Say thank you and enjoy it--not all gifts have to be reciprocal
b) Run out to the store or start baking so you can return the favor
c) Whip up a few of these cute ornaments--they're simple to make and you won't be caught empty-handed again!

Our ornament uses a metallic snowflake print and a red/white/gold holly print from the Season's Greetings collection, plus a green and a black print from the Marblehead collection. And...drop them all you want! They're beautiful but they won't break!

You'll Need:
6" square fabric piece (for ornament background)
6" square piece (for ornament backing)
2" x 6" fabric piece for each strip (3 total)
2" x 3" black/gray fabric piece for ornament cap
10" of coordinating ribbon
5-3/4" square piece of fusible fleece
Fusible web

Download the pdf of template pieces here.

Step 1: Trace the template pieces onto the paper side of fusible web. You'll need one full ornament shape, stripes #2, 3, and 4, and the rectangular ornament cap. (Note: Ornament pieces #1 and 5 are included as well, in case you'd like your ornament to be made up of five different fabrics rather than having the background fabric show. If you choose to use all 5 stripes, fuse the full ornament shape onto muslin to serve as a base.) 
Step 2: Cut out each shape 1/4" past the drawn lines and fuse to the wrong side of the appropriate fabric. 

Step 3: Cut out each shape on the drawn lines. Position the three stripes on the full ornament, layering stripe #3 first and then stripes #2 and 4 on top. Fuse into place.

Step 4: Layer the backing piece right side down and position the fusible fleece on top, fusible side down. Using a pressing cloth, fuse the fleece to the backing fabric. Position the ornament front on top of the fleece and fuse in place, using a pressing cloth. 

Step 5: Cut out all layers, following the ornament shape. Here's what the back will look like:

Step 6: Embellish with decorative stitching if you like. We used metallic thread and a star stitch to add detail to the green stripes. 

Step 7: Zig zag or buttonhole stitch around the outer edge of the ornament (except for the ornament top--this will be covered by the fabric cap.

Step 8: Fold the fabric cap piece in half and finger press so you can see the fold line. Position under the ornament as shown so the fold line is even with the top of the ornament. Find the center of the ribbon and lay on top of the ornament. Fold the cap down and fuse to secure. Flip over and fuse the cap on the back side as well. 

Step 9: Tie a knot in the ribbon for hanging.

Here's your finished ornament!

Just for fun, we made a second ornament using jewel-tone colored Marbleheads with the snowflake print. Love the depth the Marblehead prints give these ornaments! 

Need other last-minute gift ideas?
See our drawstring gift card bag tutorial here.

Last-Minute Gifts: The Gift Card Solution

The gift card...most people either love it or hate it. Regardless of your feelings on it, there's no denying that the gift card is an incredibly popular choice around the holidays. 

But how to make it feel a little less impersonal? 
Simple. Stuff it in a fabric gift bag. Wrapping and a personal touch, all in one easy solution.

Here's a quick tutorial to make an incredibly simple one, shown here in this fun tree print from the Season's Greetings collection.

You'll need:
6" x 12" fabric rectangle
1 yard narrow red ribbon
Small safety pin
(yep, that's it!)

Step 1: In each of the four corners, fold the long edge in slightly wrong sides together (1/4" at corner, tapering as you get farther away from the corner) and press. Stitch from short end edge until stitching reaches the tapered edge.

Step 2: Fold one short edge over 1/4"wrong sides together and then 3/4" again. Stitch near the bottom edge to create the casing on each side. Repeat on opposite end.

Step 3: Fold the rectangle in half, wrong sides together, matching the folded casing edges at top. Pin in place and sew down both edges of the bag using a 3/8" seam allowance, stopping at the casing seam on each side so the top 3/4" is not stitched. (This is where you ribbon will feed through.)

Step 4: Turn bag right side out. Cut ribbon into two 18" lengths. Starting and ending on one side, attach a safety pin to the ribbon end and feed through the casing until it returns to starting point. Knot the two ribbon ends. Repeat on the opposite side. Trim drawstring ends if needed.

Step 5: Stuff with a gift card, candy, or some other small treasure!