Upscale a Bear

Looking for a cute personalized gift? Personalize a stuffed animal. Young and old, stuffed animals provide a great cuddle buddy and a source of comfort. We give several stuffed animals to seniors at Christmas time.

I Spy Packets

These packets are pretty quick to make and can be inexpensive. No I can't bring myself to using a pencil case, loading it up with the "inners" and then glueing it shut. That's the quickest, but I want sturdy. I do it the old-fashioned way.

Since I'm making these for seniors with dementia and my grandchildren, I like to be over-cautious. Every seam has at least one back-up or additional seam, like top-stitching. The inside seams are serged and then stitched. Told ya, overkill. I don't want these small pieces inside to get out and cause any problems.

Broomstick Lace (M)

Sometimes craft projects are more than just making something. Whether it's a special gift, a challenging project, or a comforting stitch to release some stress, emotions pour into each item.

Hot/cold Rice Packs (E)

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These rice packs are practical, quick, and inexpensive, yet make thoughtful gifts especially for young families (ice packs) or people who experience pain (hot packs). There are many different ways to make these packs. Check out other video tutorials (multiple-section pack) and web sites (single pack option) to find what works the best for you.