Christmas in July Practical Scrappers Blog Hop!

             Welcome to Practical Scrappers July Blog Hop  

                                                     Christmas in July  

     We are having Christmas in July to give you a little inspiration because we know, that as crafters, those cards and decorations we choose to create don't suddenly appear in December but take time and planning... that and that it is 103 degrees out today so we are trying to "think cool"!
     I chose to make a wall hanging. As its large, I had to improvise on the background papers, using wrapping paper and contact paper. "Jesus" is made from gold ribbon sheets (remains of ribbon when rolls are filled and prior to cutting). The snowflakes and chains are from tree trimming garland.  The rest is scraps from the stash... truly "practical" scrapping.

I hope you've gotten inspired to scrap for the holidays.  Here's the whole blog hop so you don't miss a thing!
Practical Scrappers http://practicalscrappers.blogspot.com
Marcia http://www.onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/
Laura http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/
Suzanna  http://lifestrivialities.typepad.com/
Christine http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com
Alison  http://alisondaydesigns.com/
Ruth  http://paperandmusings.wordpress.com/
Lee-Anne http://lee-annelovethejourney.blogspot.com
Cheryl http://patchesandscraps.blogspot.com      
Kelly Jean www.kelsterjean.com    next stop!
Kristy http:// alwaysaworldaway.blogspot.com
Brenda http://simplybrenhavingfun.blogspot.com/
Majken  http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com/
Lyne HTTP://LYNNSEVERYDAYIDEAS.BLOGSPOT.COM
Jennifer http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com
Wendy C www.stampingrules.com  

Sewing Kits for Operation Christmas Child

Gifts for the older children are difficult to get so we decided to make sewing kits for the older girls. This should not only serve and a useful gift but may lead to skill development that could lead to a trade when they are older.

Here's the containers we started with. The baby food containers (on the left) come in 2 sizes. The round containers were from a body cream, about  1 3/4 inches high with a 4 inch diameter. As we only had one mint container we didn't decorate it today, saving for when we have multiples to work with.

For the round containers cut the fabric a 5 1/4 inch diameter circle. This will be the covering of the pin cushion top.

 The batting - we used 2-3 layers -  cut to 3 3/4.

The top of the container has a wide strip of heavy duty, double stick tape around the edge. Batting and fabric are applied and then another strip of tape.  This will hold the ribbon in place. Ribbon cut 14 inches long will give you plenty length plus a bit extra to work with.

A representation of our kits - 3 sizes (large and medium shown with supplies). We will be sure to add scissors to the box as well, perhaps even some fabric.

For the baby food containers we covered the top with a small piece of contact paper and decorated with stickers.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child, go to samaritanspurse.org