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!
