To decorate our tree, Smootch and I decided that we needed to use something colourful, something shiny, and something we already have in abundance. We had to look no farther than the mess I refer to as my sewing room.
Using odds and ends of fabric scraps and bits of stray and broken notions zambonied from the sewing room floor, along with a bit of thread and craft wire, Smootch and I put together these little ornaments:
This project is excellent for little ones just learning to use a needle, and a nice way to use the fabric bits too small even for patchwork.
To make your own, cut a variety of fabric scraps into 1/2" squares.
Load up a needle with thread. We used a thick top stitching thread. For Smootch I knotted together both ends of the thread to avoid frustrating her by accidently pulling the needle off the thread.
Begin by piercing the middle of the fabric squares with the needle and pulling down to the end knot to make a fabric stack on the thread.Smootch worked on her stacks slowly over several days. I kept her supplies avaliable whenever she wanted and I found that she would go find her supplies and a comfy corner of the house and work whenever she was feeling a need for quiet and calm.
When your stack is big enough (and only you can decide) you can leave it to dangle free or tie it up into a wreath by tying the knotted end to the top of your stack.
Crafting wire comes in a variety of gauzes (sizes). I used a thicker gauge for the tree hook and a thinner gauge for the attaching the notions. It's also handy to have a few tools on hand for cutting and bending the wire. If you do not have any wire at home, try using thread, pipecleaners or twist ties to hang from the tree.
To make hooks to hang on the tree, simply bend some craft wire into the appropriate shape, with a little loop on the end to hook the thread with. (No, Smootch did not do the bending on the pic below, I did. Yes, my wire bending skills leave something to be desired. Yes, I should probably just stick to sewing.)
For shiny, dangly, jingly items, I used metal notions that were damaged, had lost a partner, or recycled reconned clothing.
To attach the shinies, lace them onto a length of craft wire. Bend the end of the wire into a hook shape to attach to the thread. (See pic below where The Man smoothed out my hook for me?)
When you believe you have enough shiny, you are done. Have fun crafting with the wee ones :)
I may be crafty but I am disorganized. That's why I am just now getting around to figuring out what the kids need for this winter. The weather is cold enough that a pair of warm mittens would be very welcome. However, 'round here we only seem to have super thin store boughten cheapo ones. Mismatched no less (see: disorganzied confession). So, the other day when we were heading outside right away but couldn't find anything decent to cover Smootch's wee hands, I quickly grabbed my stripey fleece stash and sewing stuff and made a quick pair. 
Add a seam allowance to your tracing, making the wrist area wider (the hand would like to be able to get into the mitten).
Cut out the pattern along the seam allowance.
Place your mitten pattern on your double folded fleece and cut out mitten shape. Then flip over the pattern and cut out another mitten shape.
Place coordinating mitten shapes right sides together and sew around the edge, leaving the wrist area open. Trim seam allowances. Repeat for other mitten.
Measure the wrist to determine how long the elastic should be cut to create a cuff. The elastic should be snug, but not stretched. Add an extra 1/2" to overlap when sewing cuff elastic into loop. Cut a second piece of elastic the same length.
Overlap ends of elastic and sew together (um, looking at the picture it looks like I actually sewed it while Smootch was wearing it. I didn't. Just so's you know.) Repeat for other elastic.
With mitten wrong side out, use a zig zag stitch to sew the elastic to the mitten to form a wrist cuff. Repeat for other mitten.
Go outside and play.
I have received a few requests to explain how to a simple tiered twirl skirt. The 
To make a three tiered skirt with an elastic band waist (1” elastic), begin with a hip measurement and the desired length. Your fabric choice is up to you, keeping in mind that lighter fabrics are much easier to gather. If your materials are of different weights, use the heaviest ones on top. You can go with one type of fabric for all or mix it up with different patterns.
To make the waistband casing, fold the top of the first tier in about 1 3/8” (finish the raw edge with a zig zag stitch, serger, or a double fold). Sew close to the finished edge (about 1 ¼” from folded edge) almost all the way around – leave enough space to insert an elastic, cut to a comfortable length. Sew edges of elastic together to make a loop. Finish sewing casing closed.