staying warm

"Baby it's cold outside!"  We found a fun way to stay warm today.  My girls and I made these lovely "winter warm-ups". Just pop one in the microwave and it will chase away the cold (aches & pains too!)

A friend gave me one of those microwavable heating things (do they have a name?) 5 years ago while I was pregnant.  You see, I was x-country skiing with her when I was 7 months pregnant and she accidentally fell on me as we were getting off the chair.  Baby was fine but I tore the cartilage around my tailbone which was rather painful (especially when you are pregnant and cannot take any anti-inflammatory drugs!)  My friend is a Massage Therapist and she knew this would help tremendously.  My "heater thing" became everyone's best friend... until last week when it tore apart making a HUGE mess. We cried for days over the loss!!

Being  crafty gals, we decided to make some - one for everyone in the family! Before Christmas, I found some wool sweaters at the Goodwill.  These sweaters had been cast off due to laundry mishaps - obviously washed in hot water or put in the dryer.  We put them to good use!  Our two sweaters have so far yielded:

• 2 Christmas stockings
• 1 headband
• 2 draftstoppers
• 5 "winter-warm ups"
• 1 doll blankie

To make your very own "winter warm-up" , simply sew up a shape with and fill with rice (or buckwheat).  We added some lavender to make them smell good.  For the larger shapes, we put them in the microwave for 2 minutes total.  For the smallest size 30 seconds is perfect!

This is a fun project.  It was my 4-year old's first attempt at sewing and she did great!  Hers is the little green one on top with the pink flower (I added the flower for her!)

If you are going to try this, be sure to use items that are 100% pure wool.  Wash  in very HOT water.  Your garment should shrink a lot and the weave will become so tight (this process is called "felting") that when you cut into it you won't have to worry about the stitches unravelling. 

Have fun!

Comments

[Michelle M White]

Another cute and crafty idea! I can't wait to clean up all my messes so I can play!!

[Susan]

Those microwavable heating things are called magic bags. Yours are very cute.

[Diane McVey]

What a great use of sweaters from Goodwill! You are so smart! I love this idea, and thanks so much for sharing. Your girls have a fabulous, talented Mom to create with...what a joy for them!!! Have a great week :)

[Lyndsay Neumann]

Cute! Lily is BIG into sewing and knitting right now. I think she'd love this little gift idea!