Inexpensively Create Homemade Crafts for Family and Friends

There are many reasons why people choose to make homemade gifts. The thrill of creating beautiful objects for just the right person and the reality of saving money in today's economy, are just two reasons. Recycling common objects and amassing a supply of ordinary craft supplies will provide you with the basic necessities for creating an abundance of homemade gifts.

Deciding on what gifts to make and for who, can largely depend on the celebration and how many gifts you will need. Quick and simple homemade gifts can provide the biggest bang for your crafting buck, while crafting several of the same gift, at the same time, can save you hours of your precious time.

The following are simple, quick and easy homemade gift ideas that will keep more money in your pocket while still exhibiting a thoughtful gesture of giving.

Travel Tissue Cover

Cut a 6-inch wide by 7-inch long strip of felt. Fold the short ends to the center of the long strip, butting them against each other, but not overlapping. These ends will be the opening for your tissue package. Pin the side edges of the folded strip together. Sew the pinned edges using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Insert a package of travel tissues. That's it. Except for adding decorative buttons, charms or appliques, that is all there is to it. One sheet of craft felt is less than a dollar and it will yield two handmade tissue covers.

Bangle Bracelets

Use up all those leftover bits of trim that were just too beautiful to throw away by making homemade bangle bracelets. Cut a 9-inch length of trim. Overlap the ends a 1/4-inch and sew to create a bracelet shape. Pour a small amount of fabric stiffener in a Zip-lock sandwich baggie. Place the bracelet in the bag and knead it until the bracelet is completely saturated. As you remove the bracelet from the bag, squeeze off the excess stiffener. Place the bracelet on a piece of wax paper and form it into a ring. Allow the stiffener to dry. Glue or sew beads on the trim to complete the accessory. Your girlfriends will love it.

Flavored Vinegars

Save those old wine bottles to bottle your own flavored vinegars. Clean the bottles and remove the labels. Choose a combination of whole herbs to flavor your vinegar and poke them in the bottles. Place a funnel in the wine bottle neck and pour in your vinegar. Apple cider vinegar and wine vinegars create wonderful flavors. Completely cover the herbs. Cap the bottles with new corks and allow them to steep for a few weeks before gifting them. Use decorative paper to fashion a label of the bottle's contents. These flavored vinegars are wonderful gifts for housewarmings, weddings or a foodies birthday.

Journals

Journaling has become a very popular past time. Cover a purchased composition notebook for a personalized journal. Choose decorative scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, sheet music or even candy wrappers to cover the outside of the notebook. Open the notebook and place it on your work surface with the back and front covers facing up. Apply spray adhesive to the covers and place your chosen papers on top, completely covering the book. Smooth the papers and close the book before the adhesive dries. This will make the paper shift, allowing you to open and close the book without stressing the paper on the spine. Cut the excess paper from around the edges of the covers. Embellish the front with trinkets, appliques or flowers.

Fleece Boa Scarf
Cut three pieces of fleece 8-inches wide by 60-inches long. That is less than a yard of fleece and if you are using leftovers from other projects, it won't cost you anything. Stack the three pieces together and sew down the center of the length. Cut 1/2-inch wide fringe from the raw long edges to within a 1/2-inch of the sewn center seam. Tug on each fringe strip to slightly stretch the fringe. Let go and it will curl. This is a great project for teenage girls to make, give or receive.