Monday, December 12, 2011

MFT Creative Challenge - Mitten Ornament Gift Card Holders and a Tutorial

It's time for the monthly designers creative challenge with My Favorite Things. This month's challenge was to "Wrap It Up" so I created some fun mitten shaped ornaments that are perfectly sized to hold a gift card. I created a pattern for the mitten and uploaded it at the end of my post, and there's a photo tutorial too.

In 2011, MFT is working harder than ever to inspire you, and we have come up with something we think you'll really enjoy. Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a new monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, "It's a Wrap" Be sure to check the MFT Blog for a list of all the designers who have creative gift solutions for you today!

Let's start with a group shot of the three mitten ornaments. I didn't use any stamps on this project but I used plenty of die-namics to adorn the mittens.

I made this first one out of corrugated cardboard. I just love the texture and feel of it.

I decorated the cuffs of each mitten the same way. First I cut a piece of felt using the small scallop border die-namic (I used puff cloud white felt on this mitten), then I layered on a strip of ribbon and rhinestones.

To create the bird accent I cut out the bird from cherry on top felt using the homespun birdhouse die-namics. The leaves were cut out of sour apple felt using the leaves from the upsy daisy die-namics.

And here's the inside, showing the gift card.

Next I made this blue mitten using blue skies felt on the front and blue card stock on the back for a little stability. The pink border on the cuff is cut from strawberry ice cream felt and the patterned paper is My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas.

I created the snowflake embellishment using the let it snowflake die-namics, strawberry ice cream felt and white card stock. I topped it with a corduroy button and some blossom twine.

Here's the inside and a tip: felt is a little more slippery than card stock and the gift card tends to sink down into the bottom of the mitten on this one, so you may want to put a dab of adhesive on your gift card to keep it in place.

Next I made this red mitten from card stock. I ran the front piece through my swiss dots embossing folder to add a little texture before stitching the front and back together. The patterned paper on the cuff is Echo Park Season's Greetings and the hanging loop was created with maraschino red twine.

To create the embellishment I used the fancy flourish die-namic to cut out the green flourish and the flower was done using the upsy daisy die-namics.

Here's the inside.

And now for a photo tutorial:
First you'll want to print the pattern and cut out the two pieces. This is a really primitive, hand-drawn pattern. Nothing fancy here, but if you follow the tutorial it'll all make sense. (I hope this downloads and prints properly.)

Trace around the pattern and cut out the front of your mitten. Note that you'll cut the front piece slightly shorter than the back to reveal the gift card.

Trace around the pattern and cut out the back of your mitten.

Here are the two pieces all cut out, showing the front piece is shorter than the back piece.

And here they are all stitched together. You can also use adhesive around the edges to assemble the mitten.

Next fold your card stock for the cuff and line up the edge of the pattern on the fold of the card stock. Trace around and cut out.

This is what you should end up with.

Then just embellish as desired and attach the cuff to the back of the mitten. I didn't add a closure to the front of mine. If you want to hang it as an ornament, simply punch a hole in along the fold of the cuff and add a twine loop.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

22 comments:

Jackie Pedro said...

Crikees......these are fantabulous! How fun! You are SOOOOOOO clever, Karen! Thanks for the template!!

StampOwl said...

oh what fun Karen, a decoration and gift all in one :)

Jody Morrow said...

Oh my word those are SO cute. I LOVE that you included a template for us, and your instructions were great! Well done! SO cute!

crafternz said...

Love those mittens...they are gorgeous...thanks for sharing.

wendy said...

fun twist on the mittens...love it!

Barbara said...

Oh. My. Word. How stinkin' adorable!!! And how cool to have the template and instructions!! Love that!

Jodi Collins said...

These are SO totally AMAZING in every way! LOVE the colors and Die-Namics you used to decorate each one!!! LOVE that you gave us a pattern and instructions....SO whipping up some of these for this Christmas! You ROCK Saucy!!

Kim said...

Unbelievably clever Karen!!! Great project!

Lisa H. said...

amazing! love that you made 3 and they all look sooo, completely different! love these.

Kary said...

Hi Karen! These mittens are fabulous!! I love, LOVE them!! So wonderfully decorated, and I love that you used so many gorgeous die-namics. Thanks for the tutorial too. Great job!!

CraftyMomOf3 said...

Fabulously festive Karen!! Love these!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Debbie Carriere said...

Eeeek, these are so fantastic and embellished perfectly!!! Great tutorial, too! I will have to give it a try :)

Dana White said...

Oh my BFF these are os sweet- brilliant idea!!

Inge Groot said...

Such cute mittens, love how you've decorated them! Fab tutorial too!

Unknown said...

Wow! Love these, Karen! Especially love the corrugated cardboard! Thanks for sharing your pattern and tutorial!

Megan said...

SO SO SO cute! I just love these little gift card holders. Between you and Lisa we're all set!!

Melody said...

Love, love your project!! Great tutorial. I can't wait to make one!

Trisha said...

At first glance, I never would have suspected that these adorable little mittens were gift card holders. Great job.

Unknown said...

Karen, these are totally ADORABLE! And I LOVE that you made a template for them! SWEET!

g said...

OMGoodness- these are so adorable! thanks for an awesome tutorial & templates!! YAY!! i am totally going to make some of these- i have several cards to package! thanks so so much!! LOVE!

Nancy said...

Wow, what a cute idea! Thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

WOW Karen! What a great post! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas...and the tutorial. Happy Holidays to you and your family!