Reversible Felt Tic-Tac-Toe and Checkers Board

I'm making each kid a special gift this Christmas. I made Princess a busy book, Blue Knight some baby shoes, and Blue Rock a felt game board. On one large white square, I made a tic-tac-toe board and also made some X and O pieces uses two colors of felt. That way you can choose to be the same or different colors. On another large white piece of felt, I sewed 64 squares to make a checkers or chess board.  I did not make pieces for it, although Blue Rock asked if I would make some checker pieces. I figured we could just use something we already had on hand. If I get some time, I may cut out and make some checker pieces. He thought it was really neat and we've played tic-tac-toe a number of times already. Once both sides were complete, I sewed them back to back to create one reversible game board. It turned out really neat! It was pretty time consuming and took me a number of days to work on it. The tic-tac-toe board didn't take too long, but the checkers board did. I let him pick out the colors for both games. He loved it! This would also make an inexpensive gift if you're on a budget. 

How to Make an Ugly Sweater

I went to my first Christmas Ugly Sweater party this past weekend. I didn't know what I was going to wear and I honestly try to avoid shopping, especially for clothes, with my three kiddos. No problem, I decided to look in my husband's closet, found an old sweater and decided I could put something together and create my own ugly sweater.

I took some felt and cut out an oval-like shape for a reindeer's head. I added some felt eyes, nose, and antlers. I hot glued the pieces of the head together. Then I loosely hand sewed the reindeer's face to the old sweater and that was it! The perfect, cheap, ugly sweater! After the party, I cut the thread, released the reindeer's head and washed the sweater like normal. No permanent damage done. You could do this with anything. I thought about making a snowman sweater after I had made this reindeer sweater. That would be cute and easy as well. 

Easy Hand Sewn Baby Shoes

Recently, I have come to the conclusion that I really like sewing. It seems like this time of year brings out the crafty person in me. I don't get to sew that often but when I have a little time, I try and make something. I'm so glad we live in the day of Pinterest and the Internet. I get so many ideas online. I'm teaching myself to sew and it takes time. The things I make are not perfect, by any means, but I'm learning.

My most recent project is these cute baby shoes for Blue Knight. I made them out of a sheet of felt. I can now officially say I have made some shoes. 

In typical fashion, I didn't measure anything. I just estimated about 3 inches in length for the sole of the shoe. Then I cut some top parts and cut to size after I pinned them. I pined these shoes together and I prefer to not use pins. However, for this project it was necessary. I also hand sewed them but since they are small it didn't take very long. I'm thinking about adding a little elastic to help keep them on his feet better. Hopefully they will keep his toes warm this winter. I think they turned out so cute!

I made the tan shoes while Jackson was napping. I started on the red ones but haven't finished. I hope to finish them tonight. I'm going to add some green to the top. 

Easy No Sew Felt Busy Book

Princess will be two in a few months. She loves books. I bought way too much white felt for my Christmas stocking project so I decided to make her a busy book. This was the first busy book I've made and it was very simple.

I cut out the pages and then a cover for the book. I hot glued the pages together then created each page.

Last year I participated in a few busy bag swaps. I was gifted a few felt bags that have been neglected. I decided to add them to my busy bag. The first three pages are from busy bags that weren't being used. Color matching buttons, build a cupcake, and build a pizza. I then added my own. Match shapes, balloon color matching and dress a person which I'll probably add a few more things to.

As I thought of pages, I cut the items out I needed and hot glued everything down that I wanted to have permanent on the page. I glued a little felt holder for loose pieces. I still have lots of white felt left and will probably make another one for Blue Knight. Princess sat with me and "helped" me make her book. I'm also planning on putting her name on the front of the book. 

Easy Way to Do Christmas Crafts

Last year our homeschool co-op got together and everyone who wanted to participate picked out a Christmas craft that made 12 from Oriental Trading Company. We then added the cost of all of the crafts and divided the amount among everyone. In a week we all had 12 different Christmas crafts to do with our kids.

I wanted to do the same thing again this year but am no longer in a co-op. So I asked some of my friends on FB if they would like to do this with me. So of course chose two crafts and paid for two sets so both of our children could participate. Each set of 12 crafts cost less than $8.  So for around $0.60 a craft, this is truly the easiest and cheapest way to add a little Christmas fun!

To spread my crafting fun, I added the crafts to our Christmas book bags. Depending on which bag they open will determine if we get to do a craft that day along with reading our Christmas book of the day. So fun! You could also do this and add stocking stuffers as well. I may try that next year and do a mix of stocking stuffers and Christmas crafts. 

Here are the crafts we are doing this year.

Gingerbread House Craft Kit

3D Hot Cocoa Ornament Craft Kit

"Legend of the Gingerbread Man"

3D Peanuts Snoopy Christmas Craft

2015 Happy Holidays Picture Frame Magnet Craft Kit

Handprint Reindeer Craft Kit

Gingerbread Memory Box Craft Kit

Bright Gingerbread House Magnet Craft Kit

Christmas Tree Magnet Craft Kit

Layered Tree Ornament Craft Kit

Silly Reindeer Mask Craft Kit

Christmas Book Countdown Make-Over

I LOVE Christmas. I love it even more now that I have children to do fun things with. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is reading a Christmas book every day as we count down to Christmas.  My book bag countdown to Christmas has gotten a make-over this year! I made these easy and super cute bags and added a few additional things. In addition to adding a book in each bag, I also added either a craft or Christmas movie. I did a very easy and affordable Christmas craft exchange with some friends so the craft part was very easy! We will also stream a few Christmas movies here and check out a couple from the library. In fact, you could do this Christmas tradition very cheaply, almost free by checking out all your Christmas books and movies from your library. Just remember the due dates and check out more as needed.   

Books added in back, movies in the middle, and crafts in front

You can see the fabric bags folded up with rope on top ready to stuff

Don't they look gorgeous under my Christmas tree?!

More Posts You May Like!

How to Make Easy Elf Christmas Stockings

How to Make Christmas Book Bags

Christmas Traditions in 2014

Christmas Countdown in 2013

How to Sew Christmas Book Bags

I've been busy getting ready for Christmas. One of our traditions is reading a Christmas book every day of December leading up to Christmas. In the past, I wrapped 24 books and on Christmas morning we read the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible. A friend suggested that I make book bags and so this year I did! I decided to keep it pretty simple and honestly, getting the books ready after the bags were made saved so much time over wrapping them. Not only that but I can use these bags year after year and safe lots of time and money on wrapping paper.

I had bought some Christmas fabric last year after Christmas on sale. My grandmother gave me some Christmas fabric years ago and I was able to use some of that as well. I made 3 bags per yard of fabric. Then I used rope to tie the bags. You could also use ribbon and even sew the ribbon on the back of the bags to keep it together. I think they turned out super cute! 

It took me a few weeks to pull this off. I'd sew a bag or two each day. They didn't take very long to sew but we are a busy family and there is always lots of needs that need to be met! 

Because I'm lazy don't have much time, I didn't pre-measure or iron the fabric. I figured they would get wrinkly again once the kids messed with them so why bother. I cut along the natural fold lines of the fabric and went from there!

We added some fun activities in addition to the books this year. Click here to see what we added. I hope your family has fun as you prepare for Christmas!

These bags would also make pretty gift bags.

How to sew a Christmas book bag

What you need

1/3 yard of fabric per bag. 8 yards if you want to make 24 bags.
rope or ribbon to tie the bag together once the books are inside
sewing thread (I used white on all of the bags to keep it very simple!)

Directions:

Cut the fabric to the size bag you want.

Turn inside out and keep the bottom connected so you don't have to sew that.

Sew the sides of the bag and turn it right side out.

Hem the top of the bag leaving it open.

Add books and whatever else you want.

Tie bag with rope or ribbon.