Easy Gifts on a Budget

We're on the economy plan for the holidays over here--knowing that many of you are, too, I'm going to try to put up a few posts about gifts that are easy and inexpensive to make, or that children can participate in making and giving. Today I've got some mama-made crafts: in the last 24 hours I stitched up these cute little items, one for a birthday gift and the others for Clara's school auction. I didn't have to buy a single thing to make them! Each can be made with 1/2 yard or less of fabric. This is the free Lazy Days Skirt pattern from the amazing Oliver+S. It is super easy and looks so polished at the end, thanks to using the selvages so you have a finished inside seam and because of the fantastic ribboned-hem method. This skirt will be a stand-alone gift thanks to the budget plan, but wouldn't it be an irresistibly adorable present packaged with a jump rope?!These nifty aprons are designed to allow young children to put them on and take them off independently. They are a Montessori by Hand pattern (now Sew Liberated). I included a recipe card with a recipe for scented play-doh (see below). If it were a gift, I'd help Clara make a batch of play-doh to give with the apron, and maybe package it with some plastic cookie cutters for the dough or a little rolling pin. Or you could have your child make a batch of these easy and delicious treats to accompany the apron gift. So get crafting!

SCENTED PLAY-DOH
For children old enough to know not to eat it. ☺

1 C flour
1 TBS vegetable oil
1 pack unsweetened Kool-Aid in desired color/scent
¼ C salt
2 TBS cream of tartar
1 C water

Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool-Aid in a medium pot. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3-5 min. When mixture forms a ball in the pot, remove, cool slightly, and knead until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a ziplock bag.