Sweet Pea and I made these little ornaments as teacher gifts for her teachers at school. They turned out pretty cute! We used a tutorial written by Amy Friend, which was posted on the Sizzix blog, if you'd like access to it. It uses the apple core quilt block, but you sew two cores together to form the apple core. Cute, huh?! I love the rick rack for the apple skin! Sweet Pea helped me cut it all out, lay the centers and the seeds on, and fuse them down. I did the sewing. You can see on the one on the left, I used a blanket stitch to do the applique, and the one on the right I used a straight stitch. Both look good, I think. I must have needed to stuff mine a little more, though. They look a little wrinkly, compared to Amy's (which are pure perfection, as usual!). Amy made them as pincushions, I think, but I thought they'd make cute ornaments. We'll combine this with a little gift certificate to Barnes and Noble for her teachers. Should make a nice gift. :-)
The leaves are wool and hand stitched. I used a variegated green perle cotton I had laying around, because it ws the only green we had. This was a pretty simple and fun project. Thanks for the great tutorial, Amy!
I have been kind of a bad girl. Amy does so many cool things with her Sizzix cutter that she's been making me want one...even though I already have an Accuquilt Go Baby and a Sillhouette. (If you want to see examples of all her projects, check out her bio and gallery here.) This apple project is a good example of her cute projects from die cutting. I finally caved and bought a Big Kick at Michael's when they were 50% off or something. I figured Sweet Pea would really have a lot of fun die cutting some things (even with paper) and making stuff. She's been into rubber stamps and card making lately, so I've been pulling out all my old stuff lately. There are so many neat things you can do with these die cutters that I just couldn't stand it any more. I'm so bad! On the upside, Sizzix had a giveaway recently on their blog. I left a comment and won this really cool die! How fun is that?! It makes pop-up cards. I think we'll have some fun with this! Thank you so much, Sizzix! I was flabbergasted when I won such a cool prize!
I'll be back with more Christmas gift ideas tomorrow, I hope!
What are you doing for teacher gifts or other small gifts you need to make?
We are in our last week of classes, so it's busy, busy! But it's all good! Hope you are all doing well!
Unti next time,
Those are so cute! I am making little wallets with a Starbuck's GC inside. Should be easy enough.
Posted by: Jana | December 04, 2012 at 01:29 PM
I'm not making teacher gifts...all my kids are way past that age. But these apple core ornaments are adorable and would be so cute as hostess gifts, or for Bee friends, etc. I love them.
Posted by: carolld | December 04, 2012 at 01:42 PM
OMG - that apple core is the cutest! What a great teacher (or hostess or anyone)gift!
Posted by: jenclair | December 04, 2012 at 02:28 PM
Sorry to drag you over to the die cutting dark side ;)
Posted by: Amy | December 04, 2012 at 02:34 PM
So cute and adorable! Perfect for teacher's gifts. Sweet Pea is as talented as her mother but how could she not be! You remind me of the times I spent crafting with Amber :)
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | December 04, 2012 at 03:21 PM
So cute! I'll have to post my little give project as well. I think you'd be proud of me. It involves a needle & thread. :)
Posted by: Melissa | December 04, 2012 at 06:10 PM
Really, really cute girl - and congrats on your win!
Posted by: Allie | December 04, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Ohmygosh -- where were you when my kids were in school??? Those are TOOO cute -- what a fun teacher gift!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | December 05, 2012 at 09:35 AM
My kids are both in high school, so they're past that age, thank goodness! :) Adorable ornaments, though! And I have the Accuquilt Go cutter and the apple core die. Hope to one day use it! I mostly use it to cut squares :)
Posted by: Ivy | December 05, 2012 at 11:07 AM
How cute are those! Sweet Pea's teachers must always be amazed at what she brings them - it's so special to get something homemade these days. Congratulations on winning the die!
Posted by: Deb | December 05, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Oh my goodness, these gifts are so adorable! I bet the teachers will be thrilled to receive these. How thoughtful!
Posted by: terriaw | December 05, 2012 at 02:38 PM
Well wouldn't you know it! I just bought that apple die. I love it!
Posted by: Cindy | December 06, 2012 at 10:57 PM