This is a picture of the finished bear my daughter made from a Build A Bear kit at her birthday party. We purchased the kits from Joann’s. The kits come complete, including the stuffing, needle and thread, so there is no need to purchase anything extra.

Here’s a closer view of the stitching:

As you can see, the holes are not spaced real closely which has the advantage of not as much stitching for the children, but the disadvantage of visually obvious stitches. Make sure to snug the stitches up so there is as little slack as possible, without puckering the fabric. If the gaps really bother you, you can stitch with smaller stitches using a regular needle and thread, or even a sewing machine. But, I would remind you that if this project is for the kids, a little ‘imperfection’ is okay. The important thing is that they are making a bear themselves and can be proud of their accomplishment!

These Build A Bear kits do take some time and patience, as well as a little skill. Have enough clear space to work in, a big table or something similar. Be sure to explain the basic instructions (I would recommend going over the instructions ahead of time, rather than at the party for the first time!) The kits will get spread out, so watch out to help prevent all those little pieces from getting lost or mixed up with others.

Get each child off to a good start, with an explanation, a small demonstration and correct length of knotted thread. Expect to have to help along the way as well, and to be handy for questions, tying knots, tightening stitches, undoing mistakes, etc.

I would not recommend this kit for children under 5 or 6 unless they have an adult all to themselves to help quite a bit, as they probably will not have the patience or coordination to finish on their own. By age 8 or 9, most children will need fairly minimal help, depending on whether they have had any sewing experience before. One adult per 2 children (or 3 if they are older) is a good ratio. Much more and you may become a little frazzled.

If you choose this as a party craft, you will not need to plan much else for additional activities. You may not have the time (or inclination) to iron on the clothing designs, and that’s okay. That’s something that can get sent home in the kit afterwards. However, do try to finish the bear itself so that the children can hug them and take them home ready to play with.

And, as with any craft with children, don’t forget to take a deep breath every so often when those messes and mistakes happen, or someone is on the verge of tears because “it isn’t turning out right”. If you can stay calm and cheerful, it will turn out all right in the end.

Supplies
- giftwrap paper – leftover scraps are fine, you just need 2 useable pieces about 9 x 11 1/2″ or a little bigger
- 8.5 x 11 blank office or printer type paper – 2 to 5 sheets (or substitute any other size, or scrap paper)
- yarn or string

Equipment
- scissors
- ruler
- pencil
- glue stick
- large eye hand needle
- awl (optional)

1. Cut 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper in half to make 8.5 x 5.5 sheets. Fold these in half (called “folio”) and then nested together into a “signature”.

2. Cut out two pieces of giftwrap paper, about 1/2 inch bigger all the way around than the signature paper. This will be about 9 or 9.5″ x 6″.

3. Glue wrong sides of giftwrap paper together, using glue stick. Glue all the way to the edges. It’s helpful to have scrap paper underneath so you don’t get glue on anything you don’t want to. Fold cover in half.

4. Nest the folded paper signature into the giftwrap cover.

5. Place face down on a folded up towel. Using an awl or thick needle, make 3 holes, one in the middle, and two about a three-quarters to an inch or so in from edges (make sure you catch the inner papers, as well).

6. Thread a 22 – 24″ length of yarn onto the needle. You will sew the book using a 3-hole pamphlet binding.

7. Beginning from the outside, thread the yarn into the middle hole and draw through until about a 6 inch tail remains.

8. Next, go through the top hole to the outside.

9. Then down into the bottom hole to the inside.

10. Finally, back through the middle hole again to the outside.

11. Tighten up the stitches until they are nice and snug.

12. Tie a knot or bow with the tails, over top of the long outside stitch of yarn.

And there you have it.

Inside of the book

While making the Build-A-Bear kits with the kids last weekend, we decided it would have made a more tight, secure seam to have the pre-punched holes a little closer together (although that would have meant more stitching for the kids, and honestly, they were reaching their limits by the time they were done). But that is what brought about my friend mentioning a Zutter. Which, she said, is what a friend of hers had, and she thought it could punch through almost anything, so why not furry teddy-bear fabric, too??!

Being the information hound that I am, I began the internet search for a Zutter.

It turns out that Zutter Innovative Products is the company name, and Bind-It-All is the name of the gadget that can punch and bind. Apparently it is used to make Owire bound journals and other projects. The product information says it’s a dual action machine that can punch and bind chipboard, acrylic, clipboard wood, canvas artboard and more.

Now, I don’t know if a Zutter Bind-It-All would be any good at pre-punching teddy-bear fabric, but at least now I know what it is!

CHALLENGE #1:
1. To attempt to make my first ever ICE CREAM CAKE for my daughter’s birthday party this upcoming weekend. (She has requested a rainbow-type sherbet and cookies-and-cream ice cream to be in the cake. We’ll see…)
2. AND, to conduct a CRAFT PARTY! So far on the schedule: BUILD-A-BEAR KITS! (also a first for us).

A week from now, I should have the results up. Wish me luck!

We’ll see whether I meet this challenge or whether I go to Plan B (make an easier cake) or Plan C (go buy one at the store!) And whether we manage to build a bear…or not…

Let me know if you have met a similar challenge and how it went!

Supplies:
- paper bags – lunch size or a bit bigger – I used 4 inexpensive lunch bags
- ribbon or yarn – I used 3 colors of 1/4″ Offray polyester ribbon
- paper or cardstock – I used a selection of single-colored and decorative cardstock

Tools:
- hole punch
- scissors
- glue

Step 1: Assemble supplies and find a spot to work.

Step 2: Fold 4 paper bags in half, after figuring out which sides you want on the inside and which on the outside.

Step 3: Punch holes through each bag about 1/4″ from the edge, and spaced evenly (measure it or ‘eyeball’ it, if you like). I’ve done 4, but I think 5 might look nicer. Make sure to line up each subsequent bag with the first bag’s holes. When done, assemble the bags, being sure to match holes, in the order you’ve decided. I suggest alternating open and closed ends, and making sure you have a nice ‘cover’.

Step 4: Cut lengths of ribbon about 5-7″ long, at least 3 lengths of ribbon per hole. One by one, thread them through the holes and tie them in square knots. Alternately, instead of ribbon, you can use lengths of yarn tied into bows.

Ribbon tying completed.

Step 5: Fill the book. Cut paper or cardstock to fit pages and glue in. Decorate pages, add embellishments, stickers, photos, pictures, writings, memorabilia, whatever you like. Use the 4 pockets for extra memories, pictures, poetry, funny stories, etc.

Ready to add photos and pictures.

The kids and I made a little gingerbread house again this year. We used the following Gingerbread Recipe with a few alterations: I increased the margarine to about 1/3 cup, reduced the molasses to about 1/4 cup, and the flour to about 2 3/4 – 3 cups – just until it felt nice to roll out. I made pattern forms out of cereal box cardboard, and my 7 year old did most of the rolling and cutting out of the dough. We also made some gingerbread men and other shapes.

When making the patterns, don’t forget to make the roof pieces at least 1/2″ or more longer, and a bit wider than the adjoining pieces, to account for the thickness of the dough. (In other words, dough is thicker than cereal box cardboard! So take that into account when measuring and cutting pattern pieces.) Here’s a picture of our pattern pieces. We made two of each, cutting a door into one end piece (saving that piece for the door), and a window into one side piece. I also cut a couple small pieces to use as shutters (although they did slide a bit when we put them on, as you can see from the picture.)

After baking and cooling the pieces to room temperature, you can either start assembly right away, or set them aside for later. We didn’t get around to putting ours together right away, so the pieces just sat in a pile on the counter for a few days until we got around to it, none the worse for waiting (this gingerbread can be left uncovered, and has a very long shelf life.)

To stick the pieces together, I made a basic frosting. Beat together a couple tablespoons of margarine with a cup or so of icing sugar, add a couple tablespoons of milk, and then gradually add enough icing sugar and continue to beat to make a thick frosting that will make a fairly stiff peak and will not run. I put the frosting in a decorating bag with a basic tip and we went to work. I squeezed frosting along both surfaces we wanted to stick together, and along the bottom of the piece, as well, to attach to the base (an aluminum foil covered baking sheet). We had to hold the pieces steady for a couple minutes after sticking together until the frosting set up a little. Just build slow and careful – don’t rush.

(Last year was our first attempt at a gingerbread house, and I ended up using toothpicks like nails to hold some of the pieces together because the frosting just wasn’t doing the trick by itself. The gingerbread pieces were pretty fresh and soft, so I was able to insert the toothpicks without too much trouble. You wouldn’t be able to do this after the gingerbread has hardened.)

After assembling the house, reinforce any areas if needed, fill any chinks, and add doors, shutters or chimneys. Finally, add the finishing decorative touches with icing and candy. We decorated ours with swirls and drips (”icicles”) of icing, and Skittles candies, but you can be as elaborate or as simple as you like.
A couple of days later, we broke it apart and ate it, piece by piece, over the next few days. Yum!

picture frame
picture
photograph
painting
poster
card
bookmark
story/poem
book/journal
song (with or without cd/tape)
drama
chore, errand, massage or something else you can do for the other person
calendar
stationary & envelopes
wall hanging
lap or baby blanket
quilt
pillow
pillowcase
handkerchief
embroidery
scarf
hat or touque
mittens
socks
shawl/poncho
skirt
t-shirt
pajamas
slippers
bib
belt
baby towel
teddy bear or other stuffed animal
doll
blocks
dress-up clothes
silk scarf
scarf holder
hatband
guitar strap
knife sheath
cell phone holder
apron
placemat
cloth napkins
tablecloth
dishcloth
handtowel
dishtowel
hot pad
bag/tote
purse/satchel
hot/cold comfort pack (filled with rice, beans, flaxseed, or feed corn…)
felt stocking (to hang by the fire)
glasses case
water bottle holder
remote holder
CD/DVD case
scented sachet
pin cushion
draft stopper
book cover
barrette
bow clip
scrunchie
hair holder/tie
pin
necklace
bracelet
earrings
keychain
basket
bowl
box
mug
plate
book ends
pencil holder
coin jar or can
handprints
Christmas decorations
ornaments
piggy bank
candle
candle dish
soap
soap dish
bath bag or bath salts
lotion
bath oil
bath bomb
loose change tray
magnets
game
wind chime
lawn ornament
stepping stones/tiles
food or drink mix
cookies
candies
gingerbread house
plant
plant pot or dish
terrarium
bouquet
vase
wreath
dog collar
horse halter
dog or cat bed
catnip mouse
chew toy
bird feeder
bird house
craft kit (put it together yourself: eg. yarn, needles and pattern)

and I’m sure there are plenty more, but that’s just what I’ve brainstormed up so far…

As far as being able to make all of these for $5 or less, I haven’t done exhaustive research on every suggestion or every variable. In some cases, keeping it under $5 will depend on watching for sales, choosing less expensive materials or less elaborate designs, finding things second-hand, or having at least some of the tools or supplies on-hand or around the house already (eg. paints, knitting needles, garden…). The time required varies greatly, from only a few minutes, to several days, as do the skill levels necessary. Sometimes, due to time or skill level constraints, it makes much more sense to buy ready-made items, and at times this is also the less expensive route, as well.

To get more ideas and a better estimate of costs, you can browse a local craft store, or online at sites such as Joann.com (crafts and fabrics), HancockFabrics.com (mostly fabrics, some crafts) or DickBlick.com (art materials), to name just a few. Or do a search on what you’re looking for – there is a TON of craft, DIY and blog sites out there with everything from ideas to supplies, many with free instructions and patterns. Some sites are more general, and some are specific, specializing in knitting and crochet, or paper-crafting, and so on.

I have dabbled in many handicrafts and hobbies myself, including sewing, embroidery, braiding, leatherwork, card-making, bookmaking, stamping, knitting, crochet, macrame, rug-hooking, weaving, spinning, quilting, applique, beading, cooking, baking and food preservation, papier mache, pottery, drawing, painting, fabric dyeing, gardening, photography, flower arranging and preservation, even a little carpentry (and probably some others I can’t think of at the moment). I don’t consider myself particularly skilled or ‘expert’ in anything, but it’s surprising what you find you can do when you set your hand to it, especially if you start out with a relatively easy project.

Crafts can be very inexpensive as far as materials, especially if you start from scratch and stick with the more classic types of crafts (vs. designer or in vogue). For example, a ball of yarn starts at $1.59 at joann.com, and there over a hundred kinds listed for under $5. If you sign up for their monthly flyer, which comes with coupons, you can regularly get things for up to 40% off or more. The Hancock Fabrics store that used to be near me had a treasure trove of a remnant pile (pieces of fabric <1yd) which they sold for about $1/yd. Even regularly priced, there are many fabrics for around $5/yd or less, and a fat quarter (18″ x 24″) is usually $1.50 or less. Embroidery floss is $0.33/skein. Papier mache is virtually free, if you use old cardboard and newspapers otherwise bound for recycling, and a bit of homemade flour paste. If you are able to gather flowers, foliage, twigs or tree trimmings from your yard or around your home, wreaths and arrangements become far more affordable, as well. Paper crafts are generally fairly inexpensive, and often you have something laying around the house that you can use to make them with. Food based gifts are also often easily put together with what you already have in your kitchen, whether fresh-baked cookies, or one of those mixes-in-a-jar. A little creativity, ingenuity, materials, and of course, time, and you can put together a number of different gifts which can be both useful and delightful to the recipient, as well as rewarding and inexpensive for you to make.