DIY Holiday Money Banks

Mr. Banks doesn't have anything on these fun upcycled 

Holiday Money Banks. I made these for my kiddos 

since they were asking how they could earn money 

for Christmas gifts (and of course they needed 

something cute to put their money in) The best part, 

the banks double as Christmas decor!

I started by cutting out the patterns with felt and

laid the pieces on top of the empty scotch 

containers until I was happy with the 'look'.

Then the FUN part, gluing it all down...

since the hot glue hardens quickly, I found that

running a strip of glue along one side of the felt

and then rolling the container on top, to start,

worked best. Next I ran a strip along the top

and bottom, a bit in the middle (if you are quick)

and then I rolled the container on top using the 

weight of the container and my hands to flatten out

any bubbles. I left the end flap to glue down last

and then added another small strip, since the felt

didn't reach the entire way around my container.

Next the white trim pieces, first one, then

the other...

and finally the belt and holly. I attached the belt

the same as the larger red felt piece and then picked 

up the unglued end to wrap it in place. 

Next Mrs. Claus, isn't she sweet?

I learned new tricks with each container
 and found that gluing the layers on before attaching 

them to the money banks worked best. For instance,

the felt buttons and pockets on the apron.

and it wouldn't be Christmas without a Grinch in the

house, I know we have a couple here!

I looked up a picture of the Grinch online and then 

free-hand cut out one eyebrow, laid it on top

of another piece of felt and mirrored the image  

and did the same with the eyes and eyeballs.

I was out of black felt but grey worked just fine.

Everything used for these projects I had on hand

so no last minute trips to the store...and if you don't

happen to have any scotch containers, you can 

always use a jar or can as well.

The pom pom was a fun 3-D touch and the black

glitter glue was leftover from Halloween.

My hubby cut slits in the tops of the containers 

with a tin snips and then filed down the sharp 

edges so no tiny fingers would be harmed. 

One of the ends of the scotch containers
opens up, so you could always use that to put
your money in as well, happy felting!