With Christmas right around the corner the first thing that comes to mind is Santa Clause of course. We are all deep into our holiday projects and hopefully loving every minute of it. But this week the focus changed. Who is coming to visit? Why the Tooth Fairy of course! Our granddaughter went to the dentist this week. After her visit she came running in saying that her loose tooth is sure to fall out in the next week so she must have a pillow to put her tooth in. Why a pillow you might ask? Well, she shares a room with her younger sister right now and that little girl is terrified of the Tooth Fairy, Santa, the Easter Bunny and any other character you can imagine. So, we paused and made a little pocket pillow. It was fun and so easy. These little pocket pillows are also just the right size to tuck a gift card in so I will share it this week. Here is Emma's tooth fairy pocket pillow and a couple more we made:
What you need to make a pocket pillow:
one rectangle fabric 4"x8" for pocket
one rectangle fabric 3"x11" (or a 11" piece of ribbon that is 1" wide)for handle loop
two 6" squares fabric for pillow front and back
fiberfill craft stuffing
embroidery design (download the blank heart and star as well as Happy Holidays below. You can add a name using Alphabet Xpress or a font from your machine. An initial from Ann's Alphabets might work well too.
Tear away or cut away stabilizer
embroidery and sewing threads
Here is what you do:
Make the embroidered pocket
1. Fold the 4"x8"rectangle in half so you have a 4'x4' square on top. Center the design template in the square and pin only through the top layer of fabric.
Unfold the fabric.
2. Hoop the stabilizer. Spray a little temporary adhesive on the back edges of the rectangle and center the template and fabric in the hoop. Press in place.
3. Place the hoop on the machine and make sure the needle is centered properly over the template. Remove the template and embroider the design.
4. Remove the rectangle from the hoop and remove the excess stabilizer.
5. Placing right sides together fold the fabric in half again. Using 1/4" seam sew around the rectangle leaving an opening for turning. Clip corners,
turn right side out and press.
6. Lay the front 6"x6" square face up. Center the pocket on the square. Top stitch around three sides leaving the top open. Set aside.
Make the handle if you are not using ribbon.
1. With right sides together fold the fabric so the strip is 1 1/2" X 11". Using 1/2" seam sew down the long side. Turn right side out and press. (you can embellish the strip if you desire now.)
2. Top stitch down both long sides. Set aside.
Make the Pillow
1. Lay the front 6"x6" square with the pocket face up on a flat surface. Measure in 1" on each side and pin the handle or ribbon in place aligning raw edge with top of the square. Be sure it is not twisted.
2. Lay the back 6"x6" square face down on top of the front square and pin. The handle should be inside the pillow at this point. Using 1/2" seam sew around the squares leaving an opening for turning. Clip corners.
3. Turn right side out and make sure your handle is correct and that the pocket is right side up. Press.
4. Stuff the pillow as desired and whip stitch the opening closed.
Decorate the pillow with crystals or buttons or whatever you like and it is ready to go.
Click here to download the Happy Holidays and blank heart and star.
Well, that tooth is still hanging in there so far. The dentist said she could possibly loose all 4 front teeth before Christmas. I wonder if we should hurry and take those Christmas card pictures or wait and see.
Here are some more ideas for gift cards or tooth fairy visits:
Little boxes
And another in-the-hoop gift card holder at the bottom of the page
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving Day.
Take care,
DB
Here is my Wheatless Pumpkin "Bread" Pudding. We had it topped with vanilla ice cream for thanksgiving and it was yummy.
1 box Van's Wheat Free Cinnamon French Toast 96 slices)
3/4 cup half and half
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla
Sweetened whipped cream for garnish
Place the French toast slices on a cookie sheet to thaw slightly while the oven preheats. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Once the oven is heated toast the slices for 5 minutes. Cool slightly.
Butter an 8"x8" casserole. Tear the toast into small pieces and place in casserole. In a medium bowl whisk together the half and half, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Pour over the French toast. Let stand for 20 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Spoon warm pudding into serving dishes and top with sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.