project: lumberjack christmas gift topper (plus bonus stars!)

Lumberjacks and Christmas go together like an axe and a pine tree, so it makes sense that there would be a song called Lumberjack Christmas. And even though there's a fair amount of drinking in this song, and I'm a teetotaler...I still really like this song, and find my toes tapping along every time it plays!

Thinking lumberjacks and buffalo plaid, I wove up a little envelope gift topper that is perfect for adding a gift card, some cash, or just a sweet little note to a package...or to give on its own!

And if you prefer a classic like O Holy Night to inspire the top of your gifts, be sure to scroll down for a bonus project!



Here's what you need:

Wool Blend Felt (I used BenzieBazaar felt - see note below)
Small Gift Card Envelope (I used a #1 Coin Envelope)
Embroidery Floss
Craft Glue
Needle
Scissors
Hole Punch

A Note on Wool Blend Felt: This December, all of my felt projects are using felt provided by BenzieBazaar. I am seriously smitten with this felt! It's almost, almost as lovely as 100% wool, but at a fraction of the cost. By purchasing the Glitter and Glass collection, plus a small piece of Purple and Seaside, you'll have all that you need to make all of the small felt projects this month (at least six ornaments and two three gift toppers!).



Cut strips of felt that are about 1/2 inch wide. You need some that are as long as your envelope, and some that are as wide as the envelope. I used 3 long and 4 short.



Weave the strips of felt together into a rectangle, then prepare to work carefully!



Using black embroidery floss, stitch around the outside edge with running stitch, then stitch along a few of the strips in the middle area too. I tried a few patterns of stitching to give it a plaid look, but you could keep all of your stitches even. (I'm still not sure how I feel about mine...)



Apply glue to the back of the woven felt, then attach it to the front of the envelope.



Fold the envelope flap down in the middle, and glue it. Having it doubled will give added strength so you can hang this on a ribbon on the package. After the glue is dry, punch a hole in the center of the flap.



Add a gift card or note...



...then tie it onto a package! It works especially well on this wood print wrapping paper, right? (I picked it up at Target last fall as I planned ahead!)




And how about a bonus gift topper? The other day a number of people mentioned that O Holy Night was their favorite Christmas song, and so I wanted to find a project to go with that classic. The words "the stars were brightly shining" kept running through my head, so that's what we have!

You will need:

Wool Felt
18 Gauge Wire
Craft Glue
Scissors
Wire Cutters



Cut a piece of wire about six inches long, and bend it with a loop in the middle. You can curve the ends like I did, or shape them with zig zags or other shapes.

Cut four stars from felt. (I just doodled a quick star on a scrap of paper for a template.)



Apply glue to the backs of two stars, place the wire ends in the glue, then add a bit more glue to cover the wire.



Attach the other stars on top, making sure to match them up as best as you can.



Once they're dry, you can add them to a package for a little extra special decoration and reminder of a holy night when Christ was born!