A cute Christmas Gift

For the last couple of years, the McClunes have done 'Make or bake' Christmas gifts. It makes for some really fun times as we all see what others have made for each other. There have been some incredibly creative gifts and talented people!!!

We each get given a name of someone and we just create for that one person. This year, Matt got his cousin (second cousin) Aaliyah who is just 2.5 years old. Because we'd left it so late, and she lives in Aussie, I decided to make something myself.

I created this:

What is it you ask? Well, it used to be an old hard back book, but I made this cute little family of owls with their very own home.

Let's see how I created it....

The first thing I did was take the book out it's hard cover. This is actually really easy as it's usually not attached all the way down the spine. But be careful as you may be over enthusiastic with your cutting and go right through the cover.

Next adhere some fabric to the front and back of the book. 

This book was already painted, but you don't need to do that! I didn't cover the whole book as it would be difficult to do and keep without lines appearing in the fabric. I also think it looks nice to see the cover.

Because the pieces of fabric weren't cut perfectly, I decided to add some ribbon along the edges to create a straight edge and also add a bit of texture to the book.

From there it's simply a matter of adding a zip. Yes, ok, that's the tricky part. And basically, you sew the zip into some pieces of fabric as if you were sewing it into a piece of clothing, but it's just being attached to random fabric.

Once you've done that you can glue it into the book.

Ensure that the start and finish of the zip is at the bottom/top middle of the spine of the book, so when laying flat it opens all the way.

To make the inside pretty, you just need to add some material over the inside spine of the book, then some paper/cardstock/fabric over all the inside edges of your fabric.

Then just add something inside to finish off the gift.

To keep within the 'make' part of the present, I decided to make some cute little felt owls. they are all hand cut, hand stitched and are the perfect way to fill the insides of this altered book.

To finish off the present I add Aaliyah's name to the outside spine with a little bit of bling. What girl doesn't like some sparkle?

It was so much fun to make and didn't take that long either. The book was done in maybe an hour? I think next time I could do it much quicker as I now know how to do the zip part. After all I'm NOT a sewer!

I think the cost was perhaps around $15 total including the book (second hand shop), fabric (Spotlight), and zip (Spotlight). The other items were all found around home. Of course it can be cheaper than this, but I happened to pick a relatively expensive fabric. Oh dear! Grin.

An easy and cost effective gift. 

 

Comments

[Vicki Parker]

Am sure any little girl would just love that gift. Love the idea of a make it or bake it for Christmas gifts too. :)

[Judy]

One very cool idea! Certainly opens itself up to many possibilities. Love the use of fabric. The zip could be a challenge!!

[Karen]

You are very clever - I love this idea. I am going to try and make one for my niece for her birthday in January - I am not much of sewer so hopefully if you can do it I can.

[mandyb]

i love it,.so cute!!!