Monday, January 07, 2008

Kleenex Keepers

Last week on New Year's Day - I treated myself to a trip to Goodwill! I had in mind that I was looking for some new fabric and, while I haven't had much success finding good fabric yardage at a thrift store - I love to look through the sheets, tablecloths, curtains and pillowcases for options! I was NOT disappointed!

I came home with an old curtain, XL twin sheet and two pillowcases and have been doing lots of sewing since! I'll be showing you some more things I've made tomorrow - but here is one project that is SO easy and turns out really cute. It is also super quick!

I found this tutorial browsing Sew Mama Sew for little travel size Kleenex keepers for our purse! I did change one thing from the tutorial, which was sewing the six inch sides right sides together and pressing before continuing. I didn't like the idea of raw edges on the finished product.
I have made a bunch of these and put together these little "Day at the Hospital Survival Kits" to give to the nurses when our baby is born. It includes a homemade Kleenex Keeper, granola bar, pen, paper, mints, and I'm going to include a note with two quarters taped on for the drink or snack machine. All of this is in a little reusable Ziploc container - I got these free recently.

Yes, this is thinking WAY ahead - but wouldn't these make great stocking stuffers?!

24 comments:

Leanne said...

Those gifts would be nice also for someone who has a family member in the hospital for an extended stay!
You could also use that as a "ministry"... Make several and give them to an ICU unit or NICU unit to distribute to family and loved ones while they wait in the dreaded ICU lounges.... instead of quarters, you could put tea packets or hot chocolate...
Just some thoughts, from a former nurse! Just having the kleenex is nice! Hospital kleenex is the WORST!

Angela - Life w/ Two Busy Boys said...

This was one of the things I gave away quite a bit of this year for Christmas. I love them!

Christi said...

Very cute idea!

*carrie* said...

Monica,

Love this idea! First, Rebecca bakes brownies for her nurses, and then you make these little kits-wow!

Since I was in the hospital so long, Mom had the idea to buy snacks and drinks and we set up a little buffet. It was a hit!

Wendi said...

Those are so cute! Cute give away for the nurses. My step mother-in-law is a labor and delivery nurse and I know she enjoys it when she receives a little TLC!

Love the idea of using these as stocking stuffers. BTW...It is never too early to start planning for the next Christmas!

Katy said...

Sooo cute! I am just starting to sew...do you think this would be a good beginner project for me? I love the little kits you made for the nurses as well. You are always thinking ;) !

Anonymous said...

So cute -- and a great idea for your labor/delivery nurses! :)
Love you, Mom

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet idea!! Makes me wish I would have thought about such a nice thing to do when I had Luke. How are you doing. I so need to call you. I am very behind on my phone calls. (hanging my head in shame)

Anonymous said...

Monica, those are adorable..just as you are...such a sweet lady!

Amy said...

These are great! My mother-in-law made these for us and I keep them in a little plastic container that is our family's sniffle kit. It has cough drops, the Kleenex, chapstick, and Vicks Vapor Rub.

I love the fabrics you chose and you are so sweet to think of your nurses. That is great!

Tracy said...

What blessed nurses you'll have!

Tamara said...

What a wonderful idea! You are, as always, an inspiration with your thoughtful ideas for reaching out to those around you.

I also like to look for fabric at garage sales, and quite often those who are holding garage sales will tell me to take the fabric for free! Can't beat that!

My Blessings From Above said...

These are just darling. I think I'll have to give them a try!

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful and thoughtful gift! It would be so nice to have on hand for a sick friend or neighbor. As always, thank you for your great ideas!

Blessings,
Tracy

Paula said...

I'm sure the nurses will appreciate having such a thoughtful patient! :)

Monica Wilkinson said...

Carrie - great idea to do refreshments! I made notecards when Emily was born and took fresh local peaches when Rachel was born, so was trying to come up with something different this time around!

Katy - this would be a great beginning project, I think! They were really simple to make and even if you tried one or two for practice first on scrap fabric, they don't use a lot of fabric up, so that would be great too!

Thanks for lots of other great ideas to use these for like a friend or neighbor who is sick or in a care package to someone!

Anonymous said...

Monica,
That is a way sweet idea. I am sure the nurses will love it and your thoughtfulness! I had thought that I would bring a basket brimming with fresh fruit and homemade goodies for my nurses. I will have a scheduled c-section unfortunately so I can plan for this.
When are you due again?
Elise

Christine said...

What a great idea, Monica. You always put so much gracefulness in everything. Bless you!

Anonymous said...

Monica:

What a darling idea....You are so thoughtful to think of doing something for your nurses!
I hope you are feeling good and doing well.
Love you, Grandma

Anonymous said...

What a cute idea!!!

The Stitching Surgeon said...

How thoughtful! I love the idea (and may borrow it someday if I ever have L&D nurses taking care of me). Your nurses are going to LOVE you!

Gena said...

What a sweet and thoughtful idea. The nurses will love you!

I'm glad you're already thinking about Christmas. I seem to be as well. It's never too early to start crafting!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Elise: I'm due Feb. 19th - but have never made it past week 36 which is in two weeks! So, we'll see when our little one chooses to arrive...

GranthamLynn said...

Oh what a cute idea! I made the kleenex holders last year for Valentines from another tutorial. But I love your idea for the nurses. We are expecting our 2nd grandchild in May. It is our daughters first so that is extra exciting. I love your idea and may I copy? What a sweet cute idea for the hospital people! And I love the other comment over there about giving to families of people in the hospital. So sweet. I am going back now to read the rest of your blog and find that purse your talking about! Have a Blessed Day!