FanningSparks – Page 18 – A DIY and lifestyle blog authored by Peg Frizzell.

Fabric Gift Bag – Fast or Fancy – DIY Tutorial

Everyone knows eliminating single-use items is better for the environment and paper gift wrap is no exception. There’s no shortage of online advice on how to wrap gifts in fabric instead of paper. One option is to wrap gifts in flat, squares of fabric knotting the corners in the style of Japanese furoshiki. Another option is to use gift bags made of fabric. It seems to me, most people would find fabric gift bags more convenient and easier to use so I decided to focus on this option.
Ideally, a fabric gift bag would be fast and easy to make. The simplest design I could find was a basic, rectangular bag with a drawstring closing. To dress up the bag, I chose a festive fabric in a deep blue, snowflake pattern. It turns out, the drawstring gift bag was indeed easy to make and it looks quite nice. But, to my eye, it’s a little lackluster—it’s no match for those gorgeous paper-wrapped presents traditionally pictured under the Christmas tree!
So, I went back to the internet rabbit hole in search of a gift bag that’s made of fabric, easy to make AND beautiful. I searched for hours and came up short. In the end, I decided to design my own—a six-sided, elliptical-shaped bag topped with fabric petals—which I made in a simple, red and white floral print. I’m quite pleased with the results!

I’ve included step-by-step instructions for both fabric gift bags in today’s blog post. First up, is the basic drawstring bag which I’ve dubbed a Fast Fabric Gift Bag. Second is the Fancy Fabric Gift Bag with my one-of-a-kind design.
How To Make a Fast Fabric Gift Bag

Supplies Needed
The following supplies are needed to make ONE drawstring bag measuring 12” x 8 ½”.
. Fabric: ONE fat quarter of cotton fabric. This fabric is typically 42-45” wide so a fat quarter measures 21-22½” wide x 18” long.
. Thread: In a color matching the fabric.
. Cord: TWO 32” pieces.
Tools and Equipment Needed
. Ruler or Measuring Tape
. Scissors
. Straight Pins
. Sewing Machine
. Iron
. Large Safety Pin or Bodkin
Step 1 Cut Fabric   Cut TWO rectangles 13½” x 9” from the fabric.

Step 2 Finish Top Edges Select one of the 9-inch edges as the top for each rectangle. Select an overcast stitch on the sewing machine. Sew across the top edge and down each side for about 3”. Repeat on second rectangle.

Fold back 1” along the top edge and press. Repeat on second rectangle.
TIP: Use a straight strip of light cardboard, such as a manila file folder, with a line drawn 1” from the edge. My template is 11½” long by 1¼” wide and has lines at ¼”, ½”, ¾” and 1” from the top edge. Simply fold the top edge of the fabric over the template and down to the 1” line. Press fabric directly over the template.

With top edge folded over, stitch close to the overcast edge to form a casing for the drawstring. Repeat on second rectangle.
Step 3 Sew Side Seams Lay one rectangle on work surface with right side facing up. Lay second rectangle on top, with right side facing down, aligning all edges. Pin. Stitch along both sides and bottom.

Turn right side out. Smooth the seam and push out the corners. Press.
Step 4 Insert Drawstring Use TWO pieces of cord about 32” long. Attach the large safety pin (or bodkin) to one end of one piece of cord. Insert the safety pin into the opening on the left side of the bag, gently pull all the way around the casing and pull out the same opening. Tie the ends of the cord together with a small knot. Repeat on the right side with the other piece of cord.

Step 5 Complete Your Fast Fabric Gift Bag is ready to use. Simply pull the two cords in opposite directions to tighten the drawstring.

How to Make a Fancy Fabric Gift Bag

Supplies Needed
The following supplies are needed to make ONE fancy drawstring bag measuring about 8½” high (to top of casing) x 9” wide x 5” deep.
. Template: Download Fancy Fabric Gift Bag – Complimentary Download to print the template.
. Paper: A few sheets of white paper for printing template.
. Fabric: Approximately TWO ½ yards of cotton fabric—ONE for main body and ONE for lining.
. Thin Cardboard: SIX 7¼” x 3½” pieces of thin cardboard such as manila file folders or cereal boxes.
. Foam Core Board: 9” x 5”
. Thread: In a color(s) matching the fabric.
. Fabric Glue
. Ribbon – 5/8” wide TWO pieces 54” long
. Adhesive Tape: Short pieces to temporarily reinforce ends of ribbon.
. Decorative Beads (Optional): Beads, with holes big enough to accommodate ribbon, to decorate ends of ribbon. I used inexpensive, small plastic beads—2 round beads and 1 disc-shaped bead—on each ribbon end.
Equipment and Tools Needed
. Computer and Printer: To print templates.
. Scissors: For paper and for fabric.
. Ruler
. Straight Pins
. Clips (Optional)
. Fabric Pen: I recommend the Pilot FriXion marker because markings can be removed with the heat of an iron.
. Sewing Machine
. Iron
. Large Safety Pin or Bodkin
Step 1 Prepare Templates Download the Fancy Fabric Gift Bag – Complimentary Download and print the templates. Take care to ensure the scale is accurate on your printed version. See specifics in the download document.
Step 2 Cut Fabric   Use the Petal Section template to cut SIX petals from the decorative outside fabric and SIX petals from the lining fabric. Use the Ellipse template to cut ONE ellipse from the decorative fabric and ONE ellipse from the lining fabric. Cut TWO strips of fabric measuring 1½” x 13” from the lining fabric for the casing.

Step 3 Cut Supports Use the Petal Support template to cut SIX petal supports from thin cardboard. Use the Ellipse template to cut ONE ellipse from foam core board.
Step 4 Sew Outside Petals Together Prepare to sew the fabric petals into a long, flat row. Lay one of the decorative fabric petals on the work surface with right side up. Position a second one, with right side facing down, on top and align the edges. Clip or pin along one long side. Use the template and the fabric pen to mark the stop point (shown as x on the template). Select the setting to stitch and overcast woven fabric on the sewing machine. Stitch from the bottom edge up to the top edge taking care to stop precisely at the stop point and lock in the final stitch. Repeat with two more pairs of petals.

Lay one of the pairs of stitched petals on the work surface with right sides up. Position a second pair, with right side facing down, on top and align the edges. Sew the side seam in the same way as before. Repeat with the final pair of petals. This will result in a row of six petals stitched together. Press seams.

Step 5 Sew Lining Petals Together Follow the process described in Step 4 to sew the six lining fabric petals together.
Step 6 Attach Lining Lay the decorative fabric petals on the work surface with right side facing up. Position the lining fabric petals on top, with right side facing down, and align the edges and seams. Clip or pin together along the top edges of the petals aka the peaks and valleys of the petals. Use template, aligned with the bottom edges, and fabric pen to re-mark the stop points (shown as x on the template).
Select straight stitch on sewing machine. The photos show an overcast straight stitch but, in hindsight, I recommend using a straight stitch instead. It’s easier to sew the tips of the peaks and the dips of the valleys accurately with a straight stitch. The trick is to sew from the tip of the peak down to the stop point in the valley. Stop precisely at the stop point, lock in the final stitch and cut off. Then repeat for all the peak-to-valley sections.

Turn the assembled piece right side out. Take care to open the seams, push out the peaks and smooth open the valleys. If the peaks or valleys pucker and don’t turn smoothly, it may be necessary to go back and adjust the stitching. Press. The assembled piece should look like this.

Step 7 Attach Casing Overcast all four edges of the two casing strips. Fold back and press under ¼” along all edges. Stitch casing edges in place with a straight stitch.
Lay the assembled piece, with lining facing up, flat on work surface. Use template, fabric pen and ruler to mark stitching lines across the petal sections.

Prepare sewing machine with matching thread—lining fabric will be on top and decorative fabric will be on bottom. There will be two openings left in the casing—one opening will be between the third and fourth stitched petals and the other opening will be at the side seam which remains unstitched at this time.
Place the casings on top of the assembled piece, aligning the long edges with the markings. Pin. Stitch close to edge from center to about 3” from the unfinished side edge. Leaving the end of the casing free at this point will make it easier to sew the side seam later. Attach the second casing in the same way.

Step 8 Attach Lining at Vertical Seams Lay assembled piece on work surface with decorative fabric facing up. Carefully position each petal so the seam in the decorative fabric lines up with the matching seam in the lining. Pin. Prepare sewing machine with matching thread— decorative fabric will be on top and lining fabric will be on bottom.
Stitch with the decorative fabric facing up. Start sewing at the top just below the casing. Take care to sew along the same path as the previously sewn seam.
Step 9 Sew Final Side Seam Prepare to sew the assembled piece into a tube. Fold under and press ¼” along the side edges of the lining fabric. With right sides together, align the two side edges of the decorative fabric only. Take care to pull the lining fabric and casings out of the way. Pin. Use template, aligned with the bottom edges, and fabric pen to re-mark the stop points, if needed. Stitch side seam from stop point down to bottom edge. As noted above, accuracy is important—stop precisely at the stop point, lock in the final stitch and cut off.

Press seam open. Prepare to sew lining fabric in place. Carefully align the previously pressed edges of the lining side edges with the side seam in the decorative fabric. Pin. Prepare sewing machine with matching thread—lining fabric will be on top and decorative fabric will be on bottom. Take care to pull other fabric and casings out of the way. Stitch as close as possible to the folded edge of the lining fabric. Repeat with second lining edge.

Step 10 Finish Casing Prepare to stitch the loose ends of the casings into place. Pull end of casing over the closed side seam and mark ¼” beyond the side seam. Cut at marking. Repeat on other casing. Fold under ⅜” and press. Pin casing into place. Sew final section of casings into place leaving the short, folded ends unsewn.

Step 11 Insert Supports Prepare to insert the thin cardboard petal supports. Slide a support into each petal. They should lay flat and fit snuggly. Trim the support, if needed.   Push the petal supports as far to the top as possible to clear space for the next step.
Step 12 Attach Bottom Prepare to attach the elliptical piece to the bottom by marking center points. Use the template and the fabric pen to mark the four center points on the decorative fabric ellipse. Fold assembled piece at side seams to lay flat. Take care to ensure the ends of the casings are positioned at the folds. Mark the side seams at the bottom edge. Use a ruler to find and mark the center of the front and the back.
At this point, there should be 4 markings along the bottom edge of the assembled piece (2 at the side seams, 1 at center front and 1 at center back). These markings will align with the 4 markings on the fabric ellipse. The long, thin ends of the ellipse will be positioned at the side seams to align with the ends of the casings.
Turn assembled piece inside out so the lining is on the outside. Position on work surface with bottom edges standing up. Insert fabric ellipse on top of the opening with the right side facing down. Align a pair of markings at one side seam—aligning the side seam of the assembled piece with one of the long, thin ends of the fabric ellipse. Ensure the right sides of the fabrics are facing each other and the outside raw edges are even. Pin in place. Align and pin the remaining 3 center point markings.   Work around the entire opening, aligning edges and pinning fabric into place.

Prepare to sew the bottom seam with a straight stitch. Working slowly around the entire opening, carefully feed fabric into the sewing machine while keeping the edges aligned and wrinkle-free. Check for any puckers along the stitched seam. Adjust, if necessary. Select an overcast setting on the sewing machine. Overcast edges to finish the seam.
Turn the assembled piece right side out taking care to gently bend, not fold or crease, the petal supports. Smooth and push out seam with fingers. Slide the petal supports as far down to the bottom edge as possible.
Insert the foam core board ellipse into the bottom of the assembled piece to test fit. Trim support, if needed. Use fabric glue to attach the lining fabric ellipse to the top of the foam core board ellipse. Allow to dry. Trim fabric edges, if needed. Slip finished bottom support into place. The bottom support can be removed later so the gift bag can be stored flat.

Step 13 Insert Ribbon Ties Prepare to insert ribbon ties into the casings. Use TWO pieces of ribbon about 54” long. Attach the large safety pin (or bodkin) to one end of one piece of ribbon. Insert the safety pin into the opening on the left side of the bag, gently pull all the way around the casing and pull out the same opening. Repeat on the right side with the other piece of ribbon. If decorating the ends of the ribbons with beads, wrap a small piece of adhesive tape around the end of the ribbon and roll tightly. This makes it easier to insert the end of the ribbon into the beads. Tie a small knot at the end of each ribbon.

Step 14 Complete Your Fancy Fabric Gift Bag is ready to use. Simply pull the two sets of ribbons in opposite directions to tighten and close.

Tie ribbon into a pretty double bow.

More Info

You can download the project template here: Fancy Fabric Gift Bag – Complimentary Download.
Please pin this image to share or save for future reference.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Eliminating single-use items is better for the environment and paper gift wrap is no exception.
2. Fabric gift bags are convenient and easy to use.
3. Consider making your own fabric gift bags.

Fiber Make Tutorials

Buff-Style Tube Scarf — DIY Tutorial

Making this super simple, Make & Give project was easier than deciding what to call it. Is it a buff, tube scarf, neck gaiter, neck warmer, turtleneck scarf, versa-wrap or multiclava? After a little research, I settled on a “Buff-Style Tube Scarf”. Buff is the name used most frequently but BUFF® is actually the trademarked product name from the Original Buff S.A. Spain company. It’s a very popular product and “Buff” has morphed into common usage much like Kleenex® has for facial tissues and Xerox has for photo copies.
Regardless of its name, the project featured in today’s blog post is simply a tube of stretchy fabric typically worn to protect the neck from cold and wind. When sewn from a pretty fabric, the Buff-Style Tube Scarf can add a little style while keeping the wearer warm.
A quick note about my model: Willow was a digital stamp from Pink Gem Designs and, to my knowledge, this is her first modeling gig! See More Info below.

The fascinating thing about the Buff-Style Tube Scarf is the number of ways in which it can be worn and the myriad of purposes it can serve. The most obvious is as a neck gaiter or neck warmer to help keep the wearer warm in cold temperatures.

After pulling it around the neck, the ends of the Buff-Style Tube Scarf can be positioned in a variety of ways. A face mask is made by pulling one end up over the mouth and nose. A hood is formed by pulling one end up over the head. A balaclava can be fashioned by pulling both openings around the head—one end is pulled up over the head like a hood while the other end is pulled up over the mouth and nose like a face mask.

Alternatively, the Buff-Style Tube Scarf can be worn around the head instead of around the neck. It can be scrunched into a simple headband or sweat band, twisted into a beanie cap, knotted into a doo-rag, or fashioned into a sun guard with one end covering the back of the neck. These techniques can be combined with ball caps, hats, cycling helmets and protective headgear for even more options.

The Buff-Style Tube Scarf can also be used to manage hair as a hairband, hair tie or scrunchie. It can be twisted onto a wrist as a wrist sweat band or pulled over the head to cover the eyes as a sleep mask. It can be soaked in cold water to help keep the wearer cool in hot temperatures. In a pinch, it can even be used as a rag, towel or carrying pouch.
The Buff-Style Tube Scarf may just be handier than a pocket on a shirt! In fact, it may be the ideal gift for someone special this holiday season. It’s a fast, easy project requiring only basic sewing skills. Best of all, it can be personalized by selecting fabric in a style, pattern and color that matches the recipient’s interests and preferences.
Fabric is available from a number of sources but my go-to source is Spoonflower. As noted on their website “The Spoonflower community has grown to over 3.3 million creatives who use the Marketplace of more than one million designs”. I love how Spoonflower enables independent designers and creatives to offer their designs to the world. Check out my previous blog post, DIY Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal Tutorial Part 1, for a closer look at Spoonflower along with tips for choosing the perfect fabric. The below image references a personalized fabric-covered journal but it’s equally relevant to this project.

After finding the ideal fabric, it’s time to begin. Here are the step-by-step instructions to make a personalized Buff-Style Tube Scarf.
Supplies Needed
. Fabric: ONE fat quarter of lightweight knit fabric. I chose “Bright Rainbow Watercolor Scale Pattern 3” by Clarissa Hughes of Raccoon Girl in Performance Piqué from Spoonflower. This fabric has 1-way stretch with moisture wicking and wrinkle-resistance properties. The fabric is 56” wide so a fat quarter measures 28” wide x 18” long.
. Thread: In a color matching the fabric.
Tools Needed
. Ruler or Measuring Tape
. Scissors
. Pins
. Sewing Machine with Stretch Stitch
Instructions
Step 1 Cut Fabric Place fabric on flat surface with stretch running side-to-side. Trim off any selvages and un-printed sections. Measure 20 ½” from one side edge, across the stretch, and cut. Ensure length is 18”.

Step 2 Pin Fabric With right sides together, fold the fabric in half bringing the two 18” edges together. Align side edges and pin. The folded rectangle should measure 18” long x 10 ¼” wide.

Step 3 Sew Side Seam Select setting to stitch and overcast stretch fabric on the sewing machine. Sew the side edges together turning the rectangle into a tube.

Step 4 Finish Edges Select setting to overcast stretch fabric on the sewing machine. Finish the top and bottom edges of the tube with an overcast stitch.

Step 5 Turn Right Side Out Simply turn the tube right side out to finish.

The Buff-Style Tube Scarf is so easy to make, I couldn’t resist making another one in red and green plaid for the upcoming holidays. I chose the same knit fabric from Spoonflower in a design called “Custom Christmas Red and Green Apple Plaid” by Hialeah Florida of Eclectic House.

More Info

Please pin this image to share or save for future reference.

The following unique products are featured in this post:
. Willow Digital Stamp by Janet Roberts of Pink Gem Designs on Etsy
. Bright Rainbow Watercolor Scale Pattern 3 fabric design by Clarissa Hughes of Raccoon Girl on Spoonflower
. Custom Christmas Red and Green Apple Plaid fabric design by Hialeah Florida of Eclectic House on Spoonflower.
Thank you all for your lovely work. And special thanks to Marian for inspiring this project and blog post.
Check out the Spoonflower website for more information about their print-on-demand fabrics. As noted, I’m a big fan—I even have a little FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower which offers a few cut-and-sew pillows. There are 6 designs with coordinating stripes—3 photos of flowers in the Floral World Tour Collection and 3 photos of ferns in the Bring in the Outdoors – Fern Collection.
You can learn more in the FanningSparks blog posts:
. Bring in the Outdoors – Fern Collection
. Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial
. Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection.

Today’s Takeaways

1. A Buff-Style Tube Scarf is a very versatile accessory.
2. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most useful.
3. Consider a Buff-Style Tube Scarf to make and give this holiday season.

About General How Tos Make Tutorials

Make & Give 2022 Roundup

It’s time for the annual FanningSparks Make & Give Roundup. This blog post showcases 12 making projects—featuring a variety of materials and techniques—which I’ve shared on the blog this past year. Some of the posts provide detailed step-by-step instructions while others include an overview of the project. All of these items are one-of-a-kind—perhaps one or two would be ideal for someone special on your holiday gift list!
Scroll down for explanations, photos and relevant links for each numbered Make & Give suggestion.

1. Leather Flower Frame
Anyone who appreciates the beauty of a flower bloom (and who doesn’t?) is likely to appreciate this unique way to showcase a single, cut flower. It’s a flower frame—the merger of a bud vase and a picture frame. Made of leather, this simple leatherworking project involves basic leatherworking skills including template building, accurate cutting, precise stitching and edge finishing. Minimal leather supplies and leatherworking tools are needed.

2. Charming Leather Heart Bag Charm – DIY Tutorial
Leather bag charms have been in vogue for a while. Two years ago, one online resource confidently claimed that bag charms were the new trend and it was no longer acceptable to have a bag without a charm. Well… acceptable or not, adding a charm to a bag can boost its personality—especially if the bag charm is a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift. When attached to the recipient’s favorite bag, this bag charm will serve as a daily reminder of your kind wishes.
This circular bag accessory, featuring a pretty red heart, is made of black leather. The step-by-step instructions provided in the DIY tutorial make this project achievable for a beginner leatherworker.

3. Miniature Garden in a Closed Terrarium – DIY Tutorial
This project, a miniature garden in a closed terrarium, would be ideal for someone who likes to garden or tend houseplants. All the best gardening activities are involved—planning the design, choosing the plants, preparing the soil, planting and tending the garden—just on a much smaller scale. It could be presented as a kit for the recipient to assemble or as a finished terrarium for the recipient to enjoy. Step-by-step instructions to make a closed terrarium are included in the blog post.

4. Beaded Amethyst Cabochon Pendant
A cabochon is a stone, gem or other object (such as glass) with a flat back and smooth dome surface. Surrounding a cabochon with an intricate pattern of tiny seed beads can transform it into an attractive, stylish pendant. A bead-embroidered semi-precious stone pendant may be the perfect gift for someone special.
Check out the blog post for an overview of materials and supplies needed. It doesn’t include step-by-step instructions but it does explain the process and suggests an excellent online resource. Basic sewing skills and some familiarity with beading will make this project easy to complete.

5. Ceramic Floral Wreath
The next three Make & Give suggestions hail from the pottery studio. Anyone who works with clay will know the gifting possibilities are endless—mugs, bowls, vases, plates, jugs, jars, trays and so on can be created with a little clay and some knowhow.
I’ve made quite a few decorative ceramic objects which can be tailored to suit a recipient’s preferences. The below ceramic floral wreath is a case in point. This wreath is based on 10-inch circle but it could be made in any shape or size. It showcases 3 rose-like blooms but there could be more or less flowers in any form. The green leaves and yellow flowers could be made in any color.
The blog post provides an overview of the creation process as well as a template for the roses. Basic hand-building with clay skills, as well as access to a kiln, are required for this project.

6. Ceramic Knotted Bird Ornaments
This next clay project is very simple. I made a small flock of these ornament-like, ceramic birds for my flower gardens but they could also be displayed on a Christmas tree. I shared a template along with an explanation of how the birds are made in the blog post.

Just last week (see Handmade Ornaments for the Holidays), I used this same template to make a paper ornament. Here’s how the knotted birds look in pretty cardstock paper.

7. Ceramic Decorative Tiles
This next suggestion, a collection of 12 ceramic tiles, would be quite an ambitious undertaking for this holiday season. But tackling one or two tiles would be quite achievable. These tiles can easily be tailored in a style, pattern and color to suit the recipient. They can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes—mine are about 7” wide x 6” high. Check out the blog posts, Talk About Tiles! and Still Talking About Tiles! for lots of inspiration.
Basic hand-building with clay skills, as well as access to a kiln, are required for this project. An overview of the process along with some tips and tricks are included in the blog post.

8. Make Your Own Tiny Door – DIY Tutorial
This would be a great gift for a proud homeowner—a custom, tiny replica of the recipient’s front door! Detailed step-by-step instructions, in a two-part tutorial, explain how to take a photo of the recipient’s front door, create a 1:12 scale template, and then make the actual miniature door. It’s surprisingly easy—all you need are basic computer software skills, beginner woodworking skills and general crafting knowhow.

9. Traveler’s Infinity Scarf with Secret Zipped Pocket – DIY Tutorial
This ingenious fashion accessory is perfect for the traveler on your holiday gift list. It’s an infinity scarf with a secret zipped pocket—perfect for keeping travel documents close at hand while hiding them out of sight. But these nifty scarves aren’t limited to a passport and vaccination card, they can also stash a smart phone, lipstick, car key or cash! With the detailed step-by-step instructions in the blog post and beginner sewing skills, it’s easy to add a secret zipped pocket to a rectangular scarf and convert it into an infinity scarf.

10. Dried Lavender Wooden Display Block
A scan through the latest home decorating trends confirms dried flowers and grasses made a comeback. The trend is attributed, in large part, to an increased focus on sustainability. Dried flowers also have the advantage of needing no water so they can be displayed in a variety of innovative ways. To that end, I made a small wooden display block to showcase some dried lavender blooms. It could be modified to hold any type of dried flowers or grasses. It may just be the simplest handmade gift I’ve ever shared.

11. Barn Quilt Block
Barn quilts were all the rage about 20 years ago. While the format has evolved, interest in their beautiful patterns and joyful colors remains strong. Nowadays, barn quilts are more likely to be mounted on porches, garages, sheds and fences than barns. Barn quilts can be made in a wide variety of patterns and colors so they’re easy to tailor to the recipient’s interests and preferences.
The blog post provides an overview of the materials and supplies needed as well as the process involved. Basic crafting skills as well as a good dose of patience are needed for this project.

12. Chickadee Gourd Nest Box
Nest boxes are typically customized to meet the nesting needs of specific birds. This gourd nest box targets chickadees—those delightful, little black-capped songbirds.
The blog post provides an overview of the materials and supplies needed as well as the process involved. Two gourds yielding at least an 8-inch deep cavity are needed. Basic crafting skills make this project achievable.

This completes the Make & Give 2022 Roundup of FanningSparks’ projects. You may also want to consider some ideas from previous years. Check out the following blog posts for a variety of make-and-give ideas for holiday gift-giving.
. Make & Give 2021 Roundup
. Make & Give 2020 Roundup
. Make and Give 2019 DIY Tutorial Roundup

More Info

For your convenience, here’s a summary of the 2022 Make & Give suggestions mentioned in this blog post:
1. Leather Flower Frame
2. Charming Leather Heart Bag Charm – DIY Tutorial
3. Miniature Garden in a Closed Terrarium – DIY Tutorial
4. Beaded Amethyst Cabochon Pendant
5. Ceramic Floral Wreath
6. Ceramic Knotted Bird Ornaments
7. Ceramic Decorative Tiles
8. Make Your Own Tiny Door – DIY Tutorial
9. Traveler’s Infinity Scarf with Secret Zipped Pocket – DIY Tutorial
10. Dried Lavender Wooden Display Block
11. Barn Quilt Block
12. Chickadee Gourd Nest Box
Make & Give suggestions from previous years can be found here:
. Make & Give 2021 Roundup
. Make & Give 2020 Roundup
. Make and Give 2019 DIY Tutorial Roundup

Today’s Takeaways

1. There are many options for handmade gifts.
2. Making a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special signals care and affection.
3. Consider making and giving gifts this holiday season.

Decorate Holidays How Tos Make Other Media

Handmade Ornaments for the Holidays

There’s a treasure trove of inspiration in my studio! Handmade creations are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Favorites are on display. Project materials and works in process cover every surface. It can get a little chaotic but I wouldn’t have it any other way! This week, with the holiday season just around the corner, I pulled out my favorite Christmas ornaments to spark some creative ideas.

These ornaments are all handmade. They have been collected from a number of different sources including craft fairs, holiday markets and artist studios. Since they’re made by artisans, the materials and techniques vary greatly. For instance, there is a miniature nativity scene made with polymer clay figures built inside a nutshell. I found this delightful treasure at a street fair in Porto, Portugal.

A second miniature nativity scene, this one with crocheted figures, was found at the same Portuguese street fair. This one has an artist signature—it’s a little difficult to read but it looks like “Açucena + Basery”. It’s very nicely done!

This festive reindeer, complete with beaded halter and shiny red, Rudolph-nose, is made of molded leather. It was found at a local Christmas market. Unfortunately, I don’t know the artist.

Accomplished woodcarver Carolyn Hall Anderson likes to carve charming Santa faces into vintage wooden spools. I had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn during the Thursday evening wood carving get-togethers (see previous blog post Carving in Brasstown) at the John C Campbell Folk School.

There are a few ornaments in the collection that I made myself. Regular readers might recognize a few of these ornaments from previous blog posts. For instance, the modest wooden ornaments, shown below, were included in the blog post Diamonds and Beads Wooden Wreath. It doesn’t get much simpler than wooden beads and diamond shapes!

On the other hand, a series of complex twists and turns give the below snowflake its charm. It is made of repurposed leather—an unusual choice of material. Detailed step-by-step instructions, along with a complimentary download project template can be found in the blog post Red Leather Snowflake Ornament – DIY Tutorial.

Clay is a more common medium for figures and ornaments. Earlier this year, I made knotted ceramic birds to sprinkle around my flower gardens. I shared the steps to make this simple ornament in the blog post I Spy Something White. Here’s the complimentary download for the Knotted Ceramic Bird template. The knotted ceramic birds look great in my garden but they could just as easily be displayed on the Christmas tree.

To jumpstart my creative play, I decided to make a few simple paper ornaments. I started by making a couple of knotted birds in pretty cardstock instead of clay. Here’s how they turned out.

And here’s the snowflake in the same pretty cardstock.

This led me to experiment with some new designs. I usually make a mockup from scrap paper to finetune the size, shape and assembly process for a new project. This design is an old classic—a half dozen circle shapes are glued together into a sphere with accordion folds.

Choosing the ideal materials can require some trial and error. I chose to use the same pretty printed glitter cardstock as I’d used for the ornaments pictured above. I cut twelve 4” circles. The cardstock is only printed on one side so I glued the circles back-to-back. To begin the assembly, I stacked all six circles and stitched them together along the center. I found the Ritza Tiger thread I use for sewing leather worked best. This resulted in 12 half-circle flaps.

To form the sphere, the flaps are glued together along about one-third of the edge—alternating between the right and the left. The sequence is a) glue flap 1 right to flap 2 right b) glue flap 2 left to flap 3 left c) glue flap 3 right to flap 4 right and so on.

It quickly became apparent the double layered cardstock was too stiff—the flaps did not have enough flexibility to fan out into a full sphere. To fix this problem, I made a new set of circles. First, I copied two of the colored patterns onto regular printer paper. Then I cut four circles from cardstock and four circles from the printer paper. I glued the printer paper circles to the back of the cardstock circles. These circles were slightly smaller than the originals, 3.5” instead of 4″, and much more flexible. A small template from scrap paper made it easier to apply the glue accurately.

The second attempt was more successful. Here’s the finished accordion-folded paper sphere ornament.

To display my little trio of paper ornaments, I hung them from ribbons on an empty picture frame.

Here’s the final outcome—not bad for a few craft supplies and an afternoon of creative play!

More Info

The following FanningSparks blog posts are mentioned in this blog post:
. Carving in Brasstown
. Diamonds and Beads Wooden Wreath
. Red Leather Snowflake Ornament – DIY Tutorial which includes complimentary download project template
. I Spy Something White which includes a complimentary download for the Knotted Ceramic Bird template.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Be on the lookout for handmade ornaments when traveling away from home.
2. Consider supporting local artists and craftspeople.
3. Make time and space for creative play.

Decorate Interiors Southeast Travel USA

10 Ideas from the 2022 Idea House

A visit to the annual Southern Living Idea House is the perfect excuse for a road trip! This year’s show home, located in Oriental on the North Carolina coast, is the fifth one I’ve visited. Dubbed “The Great Escape”, Southern Living magazine describes the 2022 Idea House as “a gathering place that inspires relaxation and invites togetherness… a winsome and unfussy retreat”.

The inviting house is situated in the midst of the Harbor Village neighborhood in the River Dunes community. It has spectacular views of Grace Harbor and the community marina to the front and, rather surprisingly, a community chapel to the right.

I’d like to share a mini-tour of the Idea House in today’s blog post—I can’t include everything I saw but I will call out some of the decorating ideas the house inspired. I’m not in the market for a new house or a major renovation, so I focused on details and little things that I knew I could apply in my own home. Here are my top 10 ideas from the 2022 Southern Living Idea House.
Idea 1 – Mount House Number on Step Riser It’s a little thing, but the house number mounted at eye-level on the fourth step riser, is a clever detail that’s both practical and easy to implement.

One look into the great room signals this house is packed with personality!

The most striking element in the great room is, undoubtedly, the spectacular shellwork around the two built-ins. A closer look reveals an impressive, artful arrangement of shells, sea urchins, butterflies and other natural elements. Each shell is meticulously placed to form an elaborate pattern. The shellwork was created by Dawn Nakamura Interiors. Here’s a closer look.

Idea 2 – Add Interest with Shellwork The shellwork around the bookcases is stunning but I’m a little too practical for such an elaborate installation. Luckily, there were many other examples of shellwork sprinkled throughout the house including a shell-covered picture frame, a framed piece of shell artwork, a shellwork bathroom mirror and a shell-covered trinket box.

Conveniently located between the great room and the kitchen is the dining room. Or perhaps I should say the indoor dining room since there are is also an outdoor dining area on the large side porch. An abundance of sprightly, floral fabric softens this space—it covers the floor-to-ceiling drapes and the upholstered dining chairs.

Idea 3 – Cover Lampshades With Fabric   Interestingly, the same fabric covers the lampshades. This is an intriguing alternative to plain, white lampshades.

While the floral fabric is lovely, the most remarkable element in the dining room is the trellis work. Custom trellis panels add texture and depth to the walls and even the ceiling. A simple, square pattern is visible on the walls in the above photo.
Idea 4 – Use Trellis Panels for Interest and Privacy There’s also a beautiful decorative panel on the side porch. It provides a sense of separation and adds privacy to the outdoor dining area.

The kitchen features an open layout with a large center island. Several traditional design elements are beautifully merged into this contemporary kitchen.

Idea 5 – Add Scalloped Edging Pretty, scalloped edging trims the island and the upper shelf. This charming, old-timey trim is echoed in the wicker coffee tray. It makes a repeat performance in other areas of the house such as the mirror frame in the primary bath and the vanity in the guest room bath.

Idea 6 – Embellish with Lavish Fabric Trims   I noticed the hem of the café curtains in the laundry room (pictured below bottom right) is trimmed with a pretty braid. There are lavish applications of fabric trim throughout the house—nearly every window treatment, including roman shades, floor-to-ceiling drapes and café curtains, is embellished with tassels, ruffles, pompoms or braided edging.

There is one bedroom, referred to as the guest room, tucked away on the main floor. It is a soothing riot of color and pattern. A generously-sized window seat, arguably its most notable feature, beckons from the far side of the room. The room is decorated with a bold blue and white check. Fabric in the same pattern is used on the upholstered bed and several accent pillows. Fabric in coordinating florals, stripes, geometrics and solid colors is used throughout the room.

Idea 7 – Make Occasional Furniture Count   A vintage side table with the most gorgeous turned wood trim caught my eye in the guest room (pictured below top right). Side tables are an example of occasional furniture—a broad category of small, non-essential furniture pieces. Other examples of occasional furniture include accent chairs, drinks tables, footstools and bedside tables. The Idea House has a number of striking occasional furniture pieces. A dainty drink table, in the second bedroom, serves a practical function without taking up all the space in front of the sofa. A trio of hexagon-shaped coffee tables offers the ultimate flexibility in the great room. A trio of upholstered rattan stools, also from the guest room, is a nice alternative to the more predictable end-of-bed bench.

The second bedroom, on the second floor, takes decorating boldness up another level. This room, featuring two twin beds, is papered in a joyous, vibrant pattern called Bamboo Garden. The wallpaper is beautifully complemented by the deep green furniture, multi-colored striped rug and lively abstract art.

The opposite wall features a small seating area complete with, to quote Southern Living, “a pillow-happy sofa”.

Idea 8 – Add a Needlepoint Accent Pillow I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of accent pillows covered in needlepoint. There can’t be many decorating details more reminiscent of granny’s house than needlepoint. Needlepoint is a type of embroidery where fine yarn is stitched through a stiff, open-weave canvas. See the butterfly pillow (pictured below) for a close look at needlepoint stitching . Needlepoint is available in a limitless variety of colors and patterns, especially if you stitch one yourself. Here are a few examples from the Idea House.

The Love is the Only Way to Fly pillow (pictured above) was spotted in the primary bedroom. Located at the front of the house, the primary bedroom features huge windows with splendid views and double doors leading to an upper porch. It’s a spacious room decorated in calm, soothing colors and textures.
The subtle wall treatment is interesting. Horizontal stripes have been painted on the walls using two colors of paint—Barely Pear and Carambola from Sherwin-Williams—one in semi-gloss sheen and the other with an eggshell finish.

Idea 9 – Customize with Decorative Painting The walls of the primary bedroom (closeup pictured below on right) are not the only surface in the Idea House enhanced with decorative painting. I spotted several other outstanding examples of this creative touch including the floral vanities in the primary bathroom and the bold red striped walls topped with stenciled florals in the carriage house bedroom.

But the most striking example of decorative painting is found in the main foyer. The floors and stair risers were hand stenciled by Mauck Made Art to perfectly complement the flamboyant wallpaper.

Decorative painting, especially with stencils, may bring to mind the late 1970’s but the Idea House proves it’s a modern way to add a personal touch. A balanced mix of contemporary and traditional is a recurring theme in the Idea House. “Cleverly current and thoughtfully tied to tradition” is how Southern Living puts it.
Idea 10 – Blend in Vintage Accessories Another way in which the Idea House communicates a traditional vibe is through vintage accessories. A ceramic strawberry cookie jar and vintage daisy-patterned glassware adorn a kitchen shelf. A hand-embroidered hand towel hangs on a towel ring. Vintage hankies serve as cocktail napkins. Vintage, fish-themed plates surround the mirror in the primary bedroom vanity.

The Idea House has more rooms and features than I could possibly cover in one blog post. So, I’ll wrap up with a peek into one of my favorite spaces—the art studio! The studio, located in a separate building in the back yard, is accessible via a covered walkway. It is a spacious room featuring a stunning projected glass window with a built-in window seat. It is a dream studio but could, alternatively, serve as an office or bedroom.

More Info

The 2022 Southern Living Idea House is located in Oriental on the North Carolina coast. The Southern Living website provides all the details about the 2022 Idea House including a video tour, info about the interior designer Charlotte Harris Lucas, and a list of sources. The Idea House is open through December 18, 2022. Tickets are available on the River Dunes website.
You may also be interested in the FanningSparks blog post, Ideas from the Idea House, which includes a look inside the 2019 Southern Living Idea House on Amelia Island, Florida.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider visiting the Southern Living Idea House or a similar show house near you.
2. “Cleverly current and thoughtfully tied to tradition” is an interesting decorating style.
3. Consider adding hand-crafted artwork, such as shellwork, decorative painting or needlepoint, to your home décor.

Nature Northeast Travel USA Wildlife

Eyes Like a Hawk

Hawks, like eagles, falcons and other raptors, have incredible eyesight. These spectacular birds are able to locate and hunt quarry with precise accuracy from an astonishing distance. Author Lee William Harris, puts it into human terms “it is believed that a raptor could read the headlines of a newspaper the full length of a football field away”—that’s 360 feet or about the height of a 36-story building!
A recent road trip through the New England States led us to the Green Mountain Falconry School where we were able to experience these birds of prey up close. I never imagined it was possible for someone with absolutely no knowledge of falconry to actually handle and fly a hawk! But that’s what we did!
The Green Mountain Falconry School is located near the scenic village of Manchester, Vermont. We arrived at beautiful, historic Boorn Brook Farm, home of the Falconry School, on a gorgeous autumn morning.

Rob Waite, the owner/operator of the Green Mountain Falconry School, greeted us with a smile and immediately put us at ease. Rob is a master falconer with over 40 years of experience spanning the United Kingdom and the USA. In the world of falconry, being a “master falconer” represents the highest level of falconry permit and professional expertise.

The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) defines falconry as “the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor.” “All diurnal (active in daytime) birds of prey are termed “hawks” in the language of falconry—whether they are falcons, hawks, or eagles—and all hunt naturally in their wild state. The skill of the falconer is to harness this natural hunting ability by training a hawk to hunt in partnership.” elaborates the Encyclopedia Britannica.
The appeal for us was not to hunt, instead it was to learn about this unusual sport and see these magnificent birds. The learning began the minute we stepped inside the cozy cabin which houses the Falconry School. We looked around with interest at the various unfamiliar items on display. A rack of leather hawking gloves dominated the far wall. As it turns out, we would each select one of these gloves to fit our non-dominant hands. Falconers hold their birds on their non-dominant, fisted hand so they can use their dominant hands to manipulate the falconry equipment.

Small, beautifully-tooled leather devices, called hoods, were also displayed on the walls. Although he rarely uses a hood, Rob explained they are designed to fit over the head of the bird to cut off light and avoid problems with fright, much like horses wear blinders to block out distractions.

I admit I’d spent enough time watching falconry videos on YouTube to recognize the importance of the weighing scales…

…and this tracking chart.

The chart lists each bird by name along with its flying weight and current day’s weight. As explained in the book, The Harris Hawk: Management, Training and Hunting, “The fine balancing act of feeding a hawk the correct volume of food to attain and maintain a stable flying weight is the most important aspect of hawk ownership. Correct weight control can make the difference between life and death.”
As we headed outdoors to the mews (hawk houses), we discussed various birds of prey, such as falcons, eagles, owls and hawks, and which are used in falconry. Rob explained he prefers Harris’s Hawks.

The Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) was discovered by John James Audubon, the famous American naturalist and artist. He named the bird after Colonel Edward Harris, a friend and financial supporter, who was with him when he first saw it. While the correct name is Harris’s Hawk, I’ve noticed many sources simply call it a Harris Hawk.
Harris Hawks are found in their natural state from the Southwestern United States south to Chile, central Argentina and Brazil. Rob explained his Harris Hawks are acquired from specialized breeders in Arizona. Harris Hawks are considered “permanent residents” as they do not migrate. Given these birds are naturally from hotter climates than that of Vermont, Rob keeps them in a heated barn during the extended cold of the winter.
Harris Hawks are considered a medium-large hawk ranging in length from 46 to 59 cm (18 to 23 in) with a wingspan of about 103 to 120 cm (41 to 47 in).

Falconry is an ancient method of hunting used by early man to secure food. Some experts refer to falconry as the oldest sport in the world. It is believed to have originated in China around 2000 BC. Evidence, in the form of stone carvings and cave drawings, show it flourished in the Middle East from as early as 1700 BC. The sport was introduced to western Europe and the British Isles, when Europeans visiting the Middle East returned home with falcons and falconers. It flourished among the privileged classes in the Middle Ages.
Interestingly, the sport has a briefer history and a slightly different focus in North America. NAFA reports “By the 1930’s we find a growing interest in the sport, especially among young men associated with eastern universities. Significantly … falconry here found an appeal not so much within the North American hunting fraternity as among those with an interest in nature and natural history. It is noteworthy too, that stemming from a natural history rather than hunting background, most North American “falconry” of that era consisted far more of possession than of actual hunting.”
NAFA’s report goes on to explain how North American falconers “played the major role in the most significant endangered species recovery of the 20th Century, the return of the Peregrine falcon in North America.” North American falconers are also credited with other major advances in falconry including “The development of captive breeding techniques … as a source of birds for use in the sport as well as a technique valuable in raptor conservation efforts” and the “introduction of the Red-tailed Hawk and Harris’ Hawk into international falconry.”
According to Wikipedia, “Since about 1980, Harris’s hawks have been increasingly used in falconry and are now the most popular hawks in the West (outside of Asia) for that purpose, as they are one of the easiest to train and the most social. … The Harris’s hawk is notable for its behavior of hunting cooperatively in packs consisting of tolerant groups, while other raptors often hunt alone. Harris hawks’ social nature has been attributed to their intelligence, which makes them easy to train and have made them a popular bird for use in falconry.”
As Rob explained to us, it’s important to keep in mind these birds are not domesticated pets. Unlike dogs, they are driven purely by the need for food, not by any desire to perform or please.
In this next photo, Rob is holding Elmer. Elmer’s bio on the Falconry School’s website reads “Male Harris Hawk (D.O.B. 1996) Independent and reliable (as hawks go). His ability to focus on the job makes him a staff favorite!”.

We signed up for the introductory lesson followed by a hawk walk. During the introductory lesson, Rob taught us how to handle and fly a trained hawk. It quickly became apparent why falconers wear leather gloves—those talons are frightening!
Shown below is my husband David holding Elmer. Most of the equipment used in falconry, called “furniture”, is visible in these photos. In the bottom right photo, leather strips, called “jesses” are visible between the fingers of his glove. A jesse is attached to each of the hawk’s legs and held securely in the falconer’s gloved hand. Once released, a trained hawk flies free. The hawk returns for the food, small pieces of meat, offered by the falconer.
Small bells are attached to the hawk’s legs to help the falconer track the bird’s location. A tiny radio transmitter, trailing a short antenna, is attached in case the hawk wanders away. Trained hawks do occasionally wander away and, as Rob explained, they can be extremely difficult to retrieve.
Mike Syring, of Mike’s Falconry Supplies, challenges would-be falconers with this question “After investing all this time and effort, do you really understand that, at any moment of free flight, your bird can choose to simply fly away and never return?” in his article Do You Really Want to Become a Falconer?

Holding a Harris Hawk on your outstretched hand allows you to admire these magnificent birds up close. As explained by the Harris Hawk book, their beak has a “powerful hooked upper mandible. … This pointed hook is designed to pierce the flesh of captured quarry, which it does as easily as a hot knife through butter.”

Their eyes are intense and, as mentioned at the top of this blog post, provide the hawk with incredibly accurate eyesight.

“The legs or tarsus are extremely powerful and covered with varying scaled patterns which act as protection … The birds have large, powerful feet, with four toes on each. The middle and back toes are the most powerful, designed for seizing and holding down captured prey.”

This is a close look at the Harris Hawk’s beautiful tail feathers. “The vital flight feathers, the primaries, secondaries and tail feathers, … allow the hawk to perform with skill and agility.” Raptors moult annually meaning they drop old feathers to make way for new ones. Falconers collect dropped feathers, especially primary and tail feathers, in case a broken or damaged feather needs to be repaired. This ancient art of mending feathers by grafting a new feather onto an existing feather is called “imping”.

With Rob’s gentle coaching we soon felt comfortable holding a hawk and letting it land on our gloved fist. Things got a little trickier when we had to “cast off” the hawk. The idea is to simultaneously let go of the jesses and release the hawk into the wind with a forward sweep of the arm. Here’s Rob demonstrating the technique.

We spent some time practicing in the yard, releasing the hawks and watching them fly to a perch. Then letting them land on our outstretched fists when they returned.

After about an hour, we were ready for the hawk walk part of the program. Rob returned Elmer to his cage and prepared Bailey, a 6-year-old female, and (if I remember correctly) Mycroft, a 25-year-old male, to walk with us. We followed a lovely wooded trail past sun-lit fields…

… and a charming pond.

As we strolled along, the hawks flew from tree to tree keeping just below the canopy of the hardwoods. They perched in the overhead branches alert for any sign of food.

Occasionally, Rob would whistle for the hawks to catch up or we would raise our arms to have them land on our gloved fists for a meaty tidbit.

After we returned to the main yard, Rob demonstrated the use of a lure. He chuckled at the hawks’ antics as they vied for the best position. The hawks, it turns out, are familiar enough with the routine to know how to get the most food. Here’s Bailey at full attention. Rather intimidating, isn’t she?

Rob threw out the lure and, in a flash, the hawk had attacked and caught her prey…

…huddling over it to deter any interference.

While researching this blog post, I learned a fascinating fact—trained Harris Hawks are also used to control problems with pigeons, gulls, starlings and other problem species at airports, resorts, landfill sites and industrial sites. In London, England, they are used to remove unwanted pigeons from Trafalgar Square and, most famously, the tennis courts at Wimbledon. In fact, a well-known Harris Hawk named Rufus, was dubbed the “official bird scarer of the Wimbledon championships”. A fantastic YouTube video titled Rufus – The Real Hawk-Eye showcases this Harris Hawk. As described “Presented by Stella Artois and the Perfectionists at Wimbledon, Rufus the Hawk takes us through a day in the life of the fiercest member of the tennis tournament’s security team”. Rufus even has his own Wikipedia entry and Twitter account. (see More Info below).
These striking birds really are astonishing!

More Info

The Green Mountain Falconry School is located in Manchester, Vermont. Owned and operated by master falconer Rob Waite, this small, intimate school specializes in one-on-one, introductory encounters with their amazing hawks. Rob’s knowledge and expertise, as well as his patient and charming manner, made this an extraordinary experience. Thank you, Rob, for a unique and memorable day!
For more information about falconry and Harris Hawks, check out the following resources referenced in the writing of this blog post:
.The book, The Harris Hawk: Management, Training and Hunting, by Lee William Harris was published in 2001. It is available here on Archives.org.
. The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) protects and serves falconry in North America. The NAFA website offers a wealth of information.
. The falconry entries in the Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia reference sites.
. Mike’s Falconry Supplies website provides valuable insight into the process, challenges and rewards of becoming a falconer.
This is the link to the YouTube video about Rufus – The Real Hawk-Eye as well as his Wikipedia entry and Twitter account.

Today’s Takeaways

1. In the ancient sport of falconry, a falconer harnesses a falcon’s natural hunting ability by training it to hunt in partnership.
2. Every physical characteristic of the magnificent Harris’s Hawk is fine-tuned for locating and hunting quarry.
3. Consider visiting a falconry school to learn about this unusual sport and see these astonishing birds.

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