Comfort & Joy 2022 Gift Idea

Give some comfort & joy!  Little handmade gifts given in a handcrafted gift box can make an impact.  Here's a little idea for the makers out there. 

Using Eileen Hull's Gift Box scoreboard die from Sizzix will create the nicest square box to hold many small gifts.  Here is the box made with festive holiday papers. It will hold a pair of handmade flannel hand warmers. The box also has its own little handle on top for opening. It is fashioned from the label shape that is part of the die.

Select papers for covering the mat board. 

Adhere the decorative papers, using double-sided adhesive, to the mat board.

Die-cut the pieces for the gift box from the covered mat boards. Construct the box.

MATERIALS

 

Gift Box die

Small Tag die

Mat Board

Decorative Papers, 2 sheets

Double-sided adhesive

Flannel fabric

Muslin fabric

Seeing machine

Thread, to match

White rice

Raffia

Seam binding

Distress stain

Paper brads

• Cover 2 sheets of mat board with the decorative papers on each side of the board using double-sided adhesive

• Die cut  2 panels for making the gift box

• Cut out label from from the same die

• Construct the gift box 

• Fold over the front flap to tuck under to the inside top of box,

• Glue the scallop folded flap to the front edge of box at opening flap. 

• Create a handle from the label piece, by scoring a fold line.

• Pierce holes for paper brads in the folded over ends of the label.

• Using a small curved bottle or tube to add a curve to the middle section of the mat board label. 

• Center the handle onto the top of the gift box and pierce holes through the holes on the label handle, through the top of the gift box. 

• Add the handle by applying a small amount of glue near the holes and then affixing the handle in place with the paper brads. 

• Spray a length of seam binding with desired color of distress stain. Scrunch the binding leave to dry. 

• Create a small bow; glue into the edge of the top handle.

INFORMATION TO MAKE HAND WARMERS  

• Cut four pieces flannel to measure 4” x 4” squares.

• Cut four pieces of muslin to measure  3 3/4” x 3 3/4” squares.

• Stitch around the muslin squares with a scant 1/4” seam. Leave a space open on one side about 1 1/2” in length.  Leave as is or turn the square inside out.

• Fill the muslin, stitched squares with white rice.  Do Not over fill.

• Hand stitch the opening closed.  

• Stitch around the flannel squares the same as the muslin squares, but leave one side completely open.

• Insert the rice filled squares into the flannel

NOTE: These instructions are given as a guide. Nothing is "written in stone"! There is information to be found online for many ideas to make hand warmers.

VERY IMPORTANT  

• Hand warmers will be briefly heated in the microwave before using.  
• Do not use sparkly or shimmery fabrics or thread. 
• Be sure that your chosen fabric and thread are made from 100% COTTON, and no way metallic in nature. 
• Synthetic fibers can catch fire with repeated heating in the microwave.

To use the hand warmers:  Heat them in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.  Depending on the wattage of the microwave will determine the time. (Example- for a 950 watt microwave, heat the hand warmers for 30 seconds at full power.)