When we heard about these adorable projects that Ella Friend Noel Culbertson and her darling girls whipped up last week, we had to have Noel share her tips with our readers. Noel graciously wrote the following tutorial:

My girls love giving gifts to everyone they can think of, and even more they love making Christmas crafts for them. But the holiday season is a flurry of activity, and Christmas is just a few days away so what we all really need are some super speedy, yet thoughtful, crafty gift ideas. With only a few supplies, most of which you probably have on hand, you and yours will be whipping up sweet gifts and warm memories in no time at all.

Handmade Notepad


My Supplies: cardstock (Stampin Up), patterned paper (October Afternoon), binding (Bind it All), adhesive (Tombo Monoadhesive)



Supplies:
Plain printer paper cut width wise into three strips, 8.5 x 3.5" each. (I just grabbed a stack and cut it up, until I had my desired size stack.)
Chipboard or cardboard for the two covers 8.5 x 3.5 (I used the backing from a patterned paper stack.)
Patterned paper and various supplies for decorating the cover
Wire, ribbon or key rings for binding



Decorate one of the chipboard covers, keeping bulky decorations away from the top 1/3 of the cover. This makes punching holes for the binding much easier. Punch holes for the binding in all layers. I used a Bind it All, but a cropadile or hole punch would work well also. Just make sure your holes line up on all layers. Add wire, ribbon, key rings, etc for your binding... and wallah! You're finished. For thoughtful variations, the interior paper can be changed to fit the recipient. Try construction paper for the little ones, watercolor or sketch paper for the artist you love, even lined for the aspiring author or graph paper for the mathematician in your midst.

Sweet Treat Goody Bags


My Supplies: cardstock, bag and die cut (Stampin Up), pipecleaner, wiggly eye and pom poms (Creatology)



Supplies:
Clear cellophane or zipper bag
Kraft or brown cardstock
Red pom poms
Wiggly eyes
Brown pipe cleaners



Cut kraft colored cardstock with a die cut machine, and fold in half. (Alternatively, cut a square of cardstock long enough to cover the top of your bag, and fold in half diagonally to make a triangle.) Add the wiggly eyes and pom pom nose with tacky glue. Punch two small holes along the folded edge for the antlers. Feed the pipe cleaners through the holes, and twist on smaller pieces to make antlers. Attach topper to your treat filled bag with double stick tape or even staples... and presto! A double homemade treat filled gift.

Ribbon Bookmark


My Supplies: lace (Jo-Ann Fabrics), clear ribbon (Maya Road), metal ribbon clasps and bead (Blue Moon)



Supplies:
Ribbon, cut to about 9 inches long, or to the length plus 3 inches, of the recipient's favorite book
Metal ribbon clasps (found in the bead section of most craft stores)
Jump rings (the little round things that attach beads to jewelry, mine came with the ribbon clasps)
Bead(s)
Pliers



With pliers tighten a ribbon clasp to each end of the ribbon. I used two pieces of ribbon layered together. I used beading pliers with a soft surface, but household pliers will work. Just cover the ridges on the pliers with a small piece of duct tape. Add a jump ring and a bead... and Sim Sala Bim! (Yep, I'm running out of magic words here.) You've got a beautiful keepsake for the readers in your life.