How to make a Pretty Bow Barrette
Girls all over the world wear hair barrettes of some kind. But here is a pretty bow that is easy to make and right off a Christmas tree – the perfect addition to your Operation Christmas Child shoe box.Supplies: Bows used for Christmas or any holiday decorations made of fabric, lace or velvet, hair clips or pins, hot glue gun and glue sticks, wire cutter, scissors, sandwich bags or appropriate size plastic bag
Where to find: Craft and fabric stores, dollar stores, discount stores, holiday clearance sales at stores that sell holiday decorations (example: Easter, Christmas)
To make:
1) Remove bows from cardboard backing or package
2) Tighten (twist) the wire tie holding the bow together
3) Clip off excess ties with wire cutter
4) Hot glue bow onto hair clip barrette from craft/fabric store
5) Let hot glue cool and then bend or reposition bow to look pretty
6) Place in appropriate size plastic bag
How to make a Headband with a Bow
Another pretty hair decoration for the little girl who receives your Operation Christmas Child shoebox is this headband with a pretty bow. Simple, colorful, easy and inexpensive!
Supplies: multi pack of plastic headbands (4-7 for a dollar at dollar stores), small bows (Christmas decoration), hot glue gun, glue sticks, sandwich bag
Where to find: dollar stores, craft/fabric stores, discount stores
To make:
1) Position bow on headband
2) Hot glue bow in place
3) When glue is cool, place in plastic bag to protect bow
How to make Ponytail Scrunchies
Of all the hair accessories this is one of the easiest and prettiest. If you can cut a straight line and sew a straight line, you can make beautiful inexpensive ponytail scrunchies. Grab your bag of sewing scraps or remnants and have fun creating something beautiful for your Operation Christmas Child shoe box.Supplies: Any fabric that scrunches up easy (cotton blends, lace, knit or jersey, satin, etc.), sewing machine, thread, scissors, ¼ inch elastic, ruler or tape measure, large safety pin, sandwich size plastic bag
Where to find: Fabric stores, discount stores, fabric department of your favorite store, garage and yard sales
To make:
1) Cut a piece of material 5 x 18 inches – the length of the material is variable and may use as little as 12 inches of material but more is better to make a fuller scrunchi
2) With right sides together sew a ½ inch seam down the length of the 18 inch side of the fabric
3) Turn inside out
4) Cut an 8 inch piece of ¼ inch elastic
5) Pin a large safety pin to one side of the piece of elastic
6) Begin threading the pinned elastic through the fabric tube till the end of the piece of elastic is at the beginning of the tube
7) Fold over the raw edge of the tube about ½ and stitch the end of the elastic into the fold
8) Finish pulling the pin with the attached elastic through the tube
9) Remove the safety pin, fold over the raw edge of the tube, insert the end of the elastic into the fold, and stitch in place
10) Place one end of the tube into the other end with raw edges folded over
11) Stitch through all layers of fabric and elastic
12) Hint: when lining up the ends of the tube to stitch though them, it is best to start with matching the seams from #2 above
13) Clip the thread and you are done!
14) Place in a plastic bag to keep it clean and fresh
How to make a Toothbrush Gift Bag
Every child needs a toothbrush. But to make it more fun, include in the party gift bag the age-appropriate toothbrush, a new clean plastic glass and a few colorful plastic straws. This makes a toothbrush into a fun gift for the child receiving your Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift. Supplies: Multiple packs of toothbrushes (more cost effective), cellophane party gift bags, colorful plastic straws, plastic glass or cup
Optional: tooth paste, dental floss, etc.
Where to find: Party supply stores, dollar stores, party section of your favorite store, drug and discount stores, holiday clearance sales of party bags (example, Valentine’s Day, Easter)
Hint: some dentists or dental clinics will donate toothbrushes and toothpaste
To make:
1) Place plastic cup/glass in bottom of the bag
2) Add toothbrush, 3 straws, and any optional item you desire
3) Close bag with a tie
How to make a Child Washing Mitt
Make washing up fun with this inexpensive washing mitt instead of a more costly washcloth. Include in your Operation Christmas Child shoe box this simple washing mitt and a bar of mild soap in a zip lock bag. Why a zip lock bag – to keep the scent of soap from penetrating to other items in the shoe box, like the candy. Have you ever eaten candy that smelled like soap? Yuck!Kids clubs and organizations, like the Girls Scouts, make this washing mitt toward earning one of their badges.
Supplies: Soft absorbent material of terry, stretch terry or soft flannel (think – fun patterns, lots of color and soft texture), sewing machine, thread, scissor, ruler or tape measure, decorative ribbon or rick-rack, mild bar of soap, zip lock bag (sandwich bag size)
Where to find: Fabric stores, discount stores, fabric sales at your favorite store
Hint: watch for the red tag sale on clearance material at Jo-Ann Fabric/Craft store; holiday clearance sales at Wal-Mart; bars of soap on sale at drug stores
To make:
1) Cut a piece of material 8 ½ x11 inches (or any size to fit your hand)
2) On one of the 11 inch side turn under rare edge of the fabric about ½ inch and stitch down creating the bottom hem of the washing mitt
3) Optional: sew a piece of ribbon or rick-rack or other decorative trim on the right side of material just above the hem, see below for more ideas
4) Fold in half with right sides together to make 5 ½ x 8 ½ size
5) Stitch ½ inch seam from the fold on the 5 ½ inch side across and then down the 8 ½ inch side
6) Turn inside out and clip thread ends
7) Finished size 5 x 8 inches with opening at the bottom of the mitt to insert your hand for washing
8) Fold washing mitt in half with bar of soap and place in zip lock bag.
Optional decorative ideas:
1) Create an animal face or smiley face on one side of the mitt with iron-on materials
2) Sew or iron-on fun appliqué to one side of mitt before you sew the mitt together
3) Sew fringe or sturdy lace to bottom of mitt
