Sorry to disappoint, but this is not a recipe. It’s the next FREE Christmas gift in my How Many Christmas Gifts Can I Make for the Kids Without Spending Any Money? challenge to myself.
This time I cheated. Kind of. My moth-in-law graciously let me go through the piles of clothes she was getting ready to donate to Goodwill and snag a few (dozen) items to use as fabric.
Like this sweater. I felt REALLY bad cutting this, it was a very nice name-brand sweater from an expensive store, but it didn’t fit anyone in our family, so I guess re-purposing it is the next best thing.
Sorry for the hazy pics, we desperately need a new camera!
I have been wanting to make some steamed crab toys for a while. We are originally from Baltimore and steamed crabs are just part of our culture. I thought it would be adorable to make some for our kids.
I drew a template for myself on card stock. (Then I re-drew the claw about 5 more times until I finally got it right.)
I cut out the pieces and used them as a guide to cut fabric from the sleeves of the sweater.
(See I felt so guilty that I could only bring myself to use the sleeves.)
I also used polyfil to stuff the claws
Then I sewed the pieces to the shell and stuffed it with more polyfil. I added black eyes with a fabric marker in keeping with the Maryland colors.
I made two of them (one for each kiddo) and put them in a basket lined with newspaper with a mallet we had lying around.
I was tempted to make more just to fill up the basket, but how many pretend steamed crabs does a kid really need?
I am in love with them.
And even more in love with the fact that they were free.
These crab toys sell for $9 each, so that adds another $18 to my total savings. (They are pretty stinking adorable though, and make me want to do a blue crab version)
That brings my total savings up to $194!
If you get a minute, check out my other no-cost gifts:
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I like the crabs. I may have to make some for the art room.
Thanks Chan, I hope you do make some for the art room. Tampa needs to learn how to steam their crabs!
How much fun would those be to keep at a beach house?? You did a great job! I actually like yours better than the *real* one you pictured. Fun!
That’s pretty clever! And really cute!
When I read Stuffed Crabs my mouth began to water… then I looked closer.. HOW DARLING ARE THESE, love them. Well Done! Jen
These are cute! My friend is from Baltimore and is all about crabs of course. I think I might just have to make her some of these for her new baby.