Patchwork Table Runner

This is another one of the gifts I made this Christmas (how many am I at now?). This table runner was for my aunt and uncle who often give me gifts from Pier 1, so I was aiming for an "Ethnic" feel similar to what is sold there.

I cut 108 squares of various leftover fabrics (test me, I can tell you what project each of them came from), 5 cm x 5 cm (plus 1 cm seam allowance all around). I assembled strips of 6 squares, then sewed all the strips together.

The biggest problem I had was with the different levels of stretch each square had, since I used a variety of leftover fabrics including stretch velvet; I couldn't make my squares match up between strips.

Nonetheless, I made my entire table runner. Then I bag lined it with black cotton (another leftover). To make the patchwork hold nicely with the lining, I sewed a straight line of gold thread down each strip.

Finally, I hand sewed trim all around. The trim in question was tablet woven by yours truly usung 14 cards and a small tablet weaving loom. In fact, my loom only makes trim 150 cm long, so I needed 2 lengths to do the whole edge of the table runner.

I gave my gift to my aunt and uncle on New Year's Eve (they have their annual New Year's Eve bash on December 31st) and I do believe it was appreciated.

Tin can Tea light holder

In my quest to make only hand made gifts this Christmas, recycled when possible, I found a great tutorial on how to turn a tin can into a tea light holder (here). Here is the one I just made tonight.

Ok, so be brutally honest: is this acceptable gift material? It is meant to be for my aunt, but I'm not sure if it is good enough (I am always very critical of any of my projects, especially when it is to give away). I feel it did not come out as nicely as the one pictures in the tutorial.

Leave me a comment, I want to hear what you have to say.

Upcycled Soda Can Brooches

A while back, I found a "How to Turn a Soda Can into a Spring Flower Brooch" tutorial on CraftStylish (love that site). Here is my own version that I made from some Arizona Green Tea cans.

Aluminium Can Flower Brooch

Other than the obvious drink can, I used scrapbooking flowers (made of thick paper, 100 for 1$) as template, a pen, an exacto knife, a pair of dollar store scissors, some very thin, colored jewelry wire, assorted glass beads, pin backs, hot glue gun and glue sticks.

I made 12 in total last Yule/Christmas which I gave as presents to family and friends. I used them instead of plastic ribbon bows on presents. Bows get thrown away, but these you get to keep and wear.

That's one way of getting a green Christmas!