Friday, November 29, 2013

Have a Vegan DIY Holiday with Vegan Food Gifts!





If presents are something on your to-do list this holiday season, why not skip the mall this year and do some vegan gift giving DIY style?  After all, there really is no better way to spread the vegan love than with a chocolate chip cookie, or a basket of freshly baked muffins.


The project I am sharing below is for a non-edible gift.  But check in throughout the month as I post other edible gift ideas.  You can also check out previous posts for Saltine Butter ToffeeTwigs and BerriesHearty Pasta with Chick'n Soup MixJalapeno JamStrawberry Pineapple Orange Cake Mix, or Home Made Spicy Dill Pickles.

To inspire you further, I am giving away a copy of the book to one reader, anywhere in the world, so just follow the prompts in the widget below!

These simple placemats are meant to be used as lap mats as part of the Movie Night Gift Basket, on page 116, but I think they make a snazzy gift all on their own, or as a wonderful addition to any gift basket. Or even just to jazz up your own tabletop.  And, I think they got a little passed over in the book, with not much attention paid to them, so I wanted to share this project here.  Especially since giving vegan food gifts are great, but once tey are eaten...they are gone.  At least these little guys will remain on tabletops for years to come.

Reversible Placemats from Vegan Food Gifts (page 117)

A couple of notes:
This is a great way to use up scrap fabric.
You can totally add fringe, rick-rack, dingle balls, ribbons, buttons, appliqués, ruffles, simple piping, or any kind of accoutrements to these adorable placemats.
I make them by hand (because I am too lazy to go out to the shed and unpack my sewing machine) but feel free to use a machine, or any kind of stitch to finish your edges. When doing it by hand, if I am not adding a ruffle or fringe, I like to use a blanket stitch for its decorative value, as well as its ability to create a finished edge.

To make one placemat you will need:
fabric
felt interfacing
scissors
pins
embroidery thread or yarn
needle with a large eye
measuring tape
iron
optional notions for decorating

1. Press fabric to eliminate wrinkles and creases and measure two rectangles of fabric to 13 1/2 x 19
1/5-inches. Measure one rectangle of felt interfacing to 12 1/2 x 18 1/2-inches.

2. Fold over a 1/4-inch seam allowance and press in place on all 4 sides of both fabric rectangles.



3. Sandwich the felt interfacing in between the 2 fabric panels, making sure there is a 1/4-inch seam allowance on all 4 sides.


4. Pin in place.

5. Finish using a simple blanket stitch.


6. Press flat with an iron to complete.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

24 comments:

panda with cookie said...

DIY for life.

Josiane said...

For the past couple of years, cookies have been my favorite DIY gift to make. I haven't received a hand made present in so long though (besides drawings from my niece and nephews!), that the only thing that comes to mind are the clothes my grandmother used to sew for me when I was a kid. I sincerely loved it, and I miss those fantastic (and truly made to fit!) additions to my wardrobe. However, any handmade gift, no matter how simple, would be much appreciated. A homemade batch of vegan and gluten-free cookies (that I wouldn't have had to bake) would send me over the moon!

n_selah_d said...

I knit so my fave diy is generally that I used to needle felt but my favorite was with silks and I've not found a vegan equal

Carrie said...

I love making baked goods for people at the holidays ... or any day!

Dani said...

I love to bring baked goods whenever I'm invited somewhere. It is always better received at birthday parties or whenever if you bring cookie monster cupcakes, snowman cupcakes,... instead of a random gift :)
I also love handmade gifts, but somehow, I don't get them that often. Except for the homemade jam from my sister I get and love in the summer :)

Greetz from Luxembourg,
Danielle

Anonymous said...

I bake as part of my co-workers gifts every year. Would be great to have some new healthy ideas!

sara said...

I love to bake but I need some tips on packaging, making it look nice enough to give as a gift :)

Jeni said...

I love making baked goods for people.

Rachel Hallows said...

Before she died, my grandmother used to send big containers of fudge with our Xmas presents, so I love sending homemade fudge back to my family.

Jessica Eagle said...

Thanks for the wonderful giveaway :)

I really making baked goods for people :)

Unknown said...

I love adding little diy items to my presents, like bookmarks (only if i know the person likes reading though) and cookies!

Unknown said...

I love getting knitted scarves! Makes the cold weather just a little more bearable :-)

Scrambled Dregs said...

I love handmade gifts. And I love to give them. Bags, pictures, photographs, burlap crafts, aprons. Love them all.

Anonymous said...

I love any homemade gifts! Especially ones that include chocolate :-)

Courtney

jo90 said...

I like to make bags as gifts. I also make cookies to cheer people up!

jacqui said...

I like to make gift baskets - some with food already made, some mixes to make, pamper-type, movie night, etc.
Unfortunately, I'm the only plant based eater among my friends.
Your book would be great at gifts an omni could enjoy!

T.M. said...

I like to knit socks for people!

Unknown said...

Home baked ginger, cranberry and Mexican wedding cookies in a beautifully decorated box is what I want to give, because I would love if any one would give this to me ...

Unknown said...

Have just discovered your blog and love it as my sister has recently turned vegan (I am vegetarian and have been for 14 years) and I'm looking for ideas for Christmas. I love to bake so this year I'm making vegan mince pies and gingerbread biscuits to share with my family. I love the idea of making ornaments as well as every year we can use them again.

fancysimple said...

its perfect for my table, thanks for sharing this.

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All recipes written by me, Joni Marie Newman, unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to refer to or link back to any of my recipes, but please ask for permission, and remember to give credit when reprinting recipes in their entirety. I do provide links to affiliate programs (such as Amazon) in which I receive a small commission for items purchased. I do not provide paid reviews. All reviews done on products or books are of my own unsolicited opinion. On occasion I may receive a book or product to review. I will note when this is the case, but rest assured, it will not affect the authenticity of my review. Thanks!--Joni