Christmas Angels

Merry Christmas! Every year I help my son make his own gifts to give to his Grandparents and Aunts. I prefer to give handmade gifts myself (made by me or from local crafters), and enjoy teaching my kids to do the same.

On Christmas Eve, I spent the morning making "Kitchen Angels" for gifts with my 6yo. I picked one up at America's Largest Christmas Bazaar down in Portland a few weeks ago. I found matching sets of dishtowel, washcloth, and pot holders at the $Tree. Wash cloths and potholders were in 2-packs, so each angel took just $2 worth of towels and a little ribbon from my huge ribbon stash.
How-To Make a Kitchen Angel:

Materials: 1 Dishtowel, 1 Washcloth, 1 Potholder, 4 feet of 1/4" Ribbon in a coordinating color.

1. Cut 16" off length of Ribbon, set aside.
   
2. Wings - Pleat Potholder with front folding back at the top and bottom. Tie a tight knot around the center with longer length of Ribbon.
3. Arms - Fold Washcloth in 1/2, roll tightly with edges on the inside. Tie a tight knot around the center with ribbon, next to wings.
4. Head/Dress - Lay Dishtowel out flat, printed side down. Tightly pleat center section, fold at center, adjusting bottom edges to same length. Tie a tight knot about 2 inches down from center, around the pleated and folded Dishtowel, forming the head and neck. Tie remaining Ribbon in a bow with long tails.
5. Fold ends of Washcloth around to meet in front. Tie Shorter Ribbon about 3/4" up from edge to form hands. Tie in a bow.
6. Trim ends of Ribbons on each bow to the same length.
7. Attach a Poem to the skirt of your Angel, and it is ready to gift.

Here is the poem I used, and a couple more I found online to print out and attach to your finished angel:

I am your Kitchen Angel
I'll watch over all you do,
Baking all those goodies,
And snitching one or two!

And if you ever tire of me,
Or some help is what your wish is,
Just untie my little ribbons,
And I'll help you with the dishes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An angel in the Kitchen
Watching the stew
Blesses your cooking
And all that you do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also, a tutorial with great pictures on how to fold the Body and Wings (although I prefer the rolled arms myself), as well as yet another possible poem you could use.

I hope everyone is having a Very Merry Christmas! Enjoy!