Two old friends had babies recently, and I wanted to send the families handmade owl heating pads to welcome their new arrivals. (Making handmade baby gifts was one of my 2012 goals that stuck.) They’re adorable, unique, and great for warming up the crib and the car seat when it’s chilly out.
When I was at the fabric store bolstering my stash of fun prints, the pinks and reds for Valentine’s crafting caught my eye. I thought briefly about making Valentine’s rice owls for my kids, but that would be too time-consuming. (These owls are definitely worth making, but they still take an hour each.)
But sweet and simple hearts would be easy, cute, and fun.
When I pulled out my supplies to get to work, Sarah’s crafty radar immediately went up. She wanted to help, and volunteered the use of her sewing machine. (Our good sewing machine is actually Sarah’s: my mom gave it to her for her birthday, because my mom believes in quality equipment. I should tell you about my mom’s philosophy sometime.)
My daughter loves these adorable little owl warmers, and she sleeps with hers every night, but we’ve never talked about how I made them. She asked me:
“Mom, did you come up with that idea yourself?”
“No, honey. I saw it on Pinterest a long time ago.”
She sighed. “I don’t look for my ideas on the internet, Mom. I come up with all my ideas myself. People should spend less time on the internet and come up with more of their own ideas.”
(Hmm. She might be on to something. And yes, this is the kid who wants her own Etsy shop.)
“Did you come up with the idea for the hearts yourself?”
“Yes, babe, I did.”
“That’s good. I’m proud of you, Mom.”
(Sigh. Did I tell you she’s eight?)
“Mom, I have an idea for a new craft right now. Wanna see?”
And then she asked if she could use all my felt and the grown-up scissors. I said yes–because if a kid is bursting to try an idea, you’ve gotta let them. (I also might have been heavily influenced by my current read.)
Sarah whipped up these little felt hand warmers in ten minutes flat. She calls them “pocket warmers,” which I love. She wants to make a pig and a cheeseburger, a lamb and a tomato, but we were limited by our felt supply. She’ll make more after we replenish our felt stores at JoAnn!
When we were done with our crafting, this is what we had:
Rice-filled owl heating pads
Get the pattern here. I also did a tutorial over on Life as Mom.
We bundled up the owl heating pads with diapers for baby and chocolate for mama before we sent them off to the new babies.
Heart-shaped hand-warmers for Valentine’s Day
These are so simple.
- Draft a pattern (or freestyle it–these don’t have to be perfect) and cut two hearts. (Mine are 5 inches across)
- Place right sides together and sew shut, leaving a 2-inch gap.
- Turn inside out and fill about half-full with rice.
- Hand-stitch opening shut.
Winter pocket warmers
- Sarah says cut any shapes you want out of felt. Hers are 2-3 inches across. You need matching pairs.
- Decorate the felt using scraps or ribbons, if desired.
- Sew together with right sides facing out, leaving an opening to fill with rice.
- Fill with rice and sew them up.
- Sarah says you can sew these by hand, but it will take a little longer.
These little pocket warmers are now in a basket by the back door, ready to pop into the microwave (ours take about 20 seconds each) and then into pockets on our way out into the cold.
Are you into any craftiness lately? And I’m dying to hear what you think about Sarah’s thoughts on Pinterest!
31 comments
I definitely look forward to seeing Sarah’s Etsy shop some day.
What kind of fabric is best for the heating pads
Okay, those pocket warmers are adorable. You daughter is a genius. 🙂
Oh my goodness, those pocket warmers are fantastic – I would totally buy them from Sarah’s future Etsy shop (especially during this Midwestern winter!). And the diapers+owl warmers+ chocolate suggestion = best baby gift ever – I would have LOVED to receive a gift like that after having any of my babies.
Awesome, Sarah. You are smart and creative.
I think your daughter is onto something with the whole Pinterest train of thought:) That would also dovetail nicely into a discussion about people’s gifts and talents and how some people need a little creative spark from others, to get their own ideas going. Just like that- you have a whole lesson on personality types and how we are all suited to help each other out.
Love the pocket warmers! Might make these with my kids today.
I like the way you’re thinking. 🙂
Thanks for these great ideas! Definitely bookmarking this post!
“Pocket warmers” – what a great idea and clever name! My kids would adore those. Sounds like you’ve got a very impressive girl there. I’m sure her Etsy site would do quite well.
Those are adorable! I’m so not crafty but I’m feeling inspired by your daughter 🙂
Your daughter’s very wise. And I would so use those hand warmers! It’s supposed to be -25C here tonight; can I sew that fast? (Can I sew???) 🙂
BRRRRRR. I’m freezing here and it’s only 17! (Fahrenheit, obviously. 🙂 )
Well done, Sarah. Very cute. 🙂 I will have to show these to Hope. She would love this idea. 🙂
I think I missed what book it is you’re currently reading that might have influenced you in giving your prized felt up! I’d love to know! =)
Whoops! It’s The Medici Effect. One of his points is that we come up with great ideas by executing on tons of ideas, good and bad, and not just following through on the handful of good ones.
My girls have heart-shaped hand warmer that I made them for Valentine’s Day last year. They keep them in their coat pockets and they love them! 🙂
Good job Sarah!
I had those owls on my Christmas to make list but they never got done. I’m hoping for Valentine’s day.
Those are so cute! I’m with Sarah and her philosophy of Pinterest. I came up with a really fun idea at a baby shower and the guests I didn’t know just assumed it was from Pinterest. One even said to me, “That’s so cute. What would we do without Pinterest.” I walked away before I replied, “The same thing you see here.”
Gah!!
Your Love Birds are darling! – Suzanne
The owls and the hand warmers are both darling.I was curious as to how long they will stay warm?
It varies wildly (are they tucked down in the sheets or in your freezing living room?) but generally in the 20-40 minute range.
Love love the owl things and your daughter is so right, don’t copy, craft your own ideas.
There are many different wine gift basketss to seleft from, that I am sure you cann find one that meets their
liking. Choose a simple layout usin colors to harminize
with the pictures you have. There are many creative methods to make your own gift baskes
for Valentines’ dday with little skill, so have fun by it and
luxuriate in yourself.