Back in 10th grade, during a beginning sewing class, our teacher had us make a little felt mouse with a flapping mouth to keep track of and store our sewing needles. I have kept that silly mouse with it’s ribbon tail and lopsided eyes for nearly 10 years and only recently have come to realize how handy it has been. No one likes to lose a small, sharp, pointy object (just waiting to be stepped on by a bare foot).

In my craft-blog stalking, I ran across this adorable felt needle book–the adult version of my mouse–and decided to make my own version for Mother’s Day gifts (luckily both my mom and mother-in-law are both sewers).

What I did: cut out 2 long rectangles of felt (one 1/2 inch smaller on each side), embellish (with felt and buttons, but whatever you have on hand works), sew together, add closure, and you’re done! Make one for yourself or for the sewers in your life!

Last year for Christmas I got a Cricut cutting machine, that sadly I haven’t really had the time to use. So, a few days ago I pulled it out and thought I would try my hand at making some Mother’s day cards. Instead of making traditional sized cards which are about 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 , I opted to make mini-cards using white 3×5 index cards.

What I used:

• Cricut cutting machine (George & Basic Shapes cartridge)
• Cricut paper trimmer with scoring blade
• glue stick
• brads
• scrapbook paper
• 3×5 index cards

How To:

• fold 3×5 index card in half using a scoring blade/tool (very important so you will have a nice crisp fold!)
• cut out 1″ letters using the Cricut (of course you could also use di-cuts, or stickers etc.)
• cut 3 flowers out in different sizes so you can layer them (I made the middle flower a different color.)
• glue on letters, and any decorative background paper you want, and then attach the flowers using a decorative brad.

Simple as Pie.

My Inspiration:

Way back in Junior High, I used to take colored index cards and make mini-cards to pass to my friends during class. I would just fold them in half, draw a picture on the front, write a message on the inside, and I always wrote “Made 4 you, by Me” on the back. Just a few months ago, one of my friends said to me “Remember those cards you used to make?” ha ha. YUP! These are just my grown up version!

Posted By Anne