 
     
			
December 14, 2016
Christmas, Decor, DIY Home, Gifts, Hanukkah, Holidays, Organization 
 
  
Why should your kids have all of the holiday crafting fun? We’ve found crafts that are as much fun for the giver to make as for the giftee to receive. Don’t be surprised if you start to feel especially generous this season!
For the Co-worker with a Cubicle in Need of Cheer
1. DIY Face Planters
These adorable planters from Oh Happy Day are made with the classic craft staple, sculpey. Give the friend who sings to her plants a face to focus on.
For the Friend Who Likes to Keep her Kitchen Ship-Shape
2. DIY Finger Knit Rope Trivet
These nautical trivets couldn’t be simpler to make – your kids can even help! All you need is rope, a pair of scissors, and your fingers. Follow the instructions from Flax and Twine to make your own in half an hour.
For the Friend Who Likes to Wear Her Art on her Sleeve
3. DIY Abstract Embroidered Sweater
Let this sweater reflect your friend’s personality by including all of her favorite colors. Sugar and Cloth shows you how easy it is to create a masterpiece.
For the Sibling Who Refuses to Accept Winter
4. 30 Minute Terrarium
No matter how cold and snowy it is outside, keep a piece of summer alive with this glass terrarium. Instructions from The Lovely Drawer include a how-to for the clever stand made from Vinyl paper and a jar lid.
For the Friend Who Makes Even the Routine Glamorous
5. Gemstone Soap DIY
This is definitely a gift you won’t want to stop making. Let out your inner scientist as you experiment with color combinations to create just the right jewel. A Beautiful Mess shows you how.
For the Stylish Upcycler
6. DIY Leather Box Handles Using Thrifted Belts
Give new life to the forgotten belts in the back of your closet by turning them into modern handles. These multipurpose boxes from Idle Hands Awake are as pretty as they are functional.
For the Foodie Who Likes to Keep It Simple
7. DIY No-Sew Waist Apron
Don’t let your lack of sewing skills stop you from making the perfect apron. The instructions from Almost Makes Perfect are so easy you can make one for all of your favorite chefs (while still letting them think they’re #1).
For the Neat Freak Who Prefers Her Paperclips in Gold
8. DIY Gold Bar Acrylic Tray
Though they’re probably missing from your supply box right now, acrylic sheets might become your new favorite material after making this tray from Lovely Indeed. It’s sure to add some serious polish to whatever surface it sits on.
For the Friend Who Likes Traditional with a Twist
9. DIY Fall Flowers Cross Stitch Napkins
Kittenhood makes a classic embroidery pattern feel fresh by using unexpected colors. Follow their example with a fall floral, or put your own spin on another traditional design. If you’re new to cross stitching, this article from DMC outlines basic techniques and helpful hints.
For the Hostess Who’s a Kid at Heart
10. DIY Animal Dishes
We can’t get over how cute these dishes are! Though the instructions are in Dutch, you can still use Show Home‘s whimsical image as an inspirational jumping off point.
 
  
I think pretty much any craft project can get a holiday makeover. I recently went through my books and selected a bunch of ideas to give little updates to, and the Tooty Fruity Wagon was the first one that I was excited to make!
Plus, my friends over at the Etsy blog were also excited and asked me to write up a post for them. So head over there for the full how-to with photos! And don’t forget to print out the template for the wheels. You can get that right here.
December 12, 2016
Christmas, Holidays, Upcycled, Yarn & Fabric 
 
  
I’m a big fan of the holiday decorations that can be stored, damage-free, from year to year. This one is super simple to make, plus it can take a licking and keep on keeping on from year to year.
I made these with upcycled sweaters, but you can use green felt or even tissue paper.
Here’s what you need:

2. Hot glue sweater to the cone, folding the ends in the back to create a seam.

This craft was originally published on Ebay.com.
 
  
Are you in the market for a NEW menorah craft this year?
I’m crazy in love with the one I made for FamilyFun Magazine this year, using colored sand from Sandtastik. Check out the simple how-to over on Parents.com! And those candles? They are just silver paper straws with a piece of yellow grosgrain ribbon shoved in there. Easy and safe for kids to “light” themselves!
December 8, 2016
Christmas, Holidays, Upcycled, Yarn & Fabric 
 
  
For years, this pom-pom stocking from Anthropologie kept showing up in my Pinterest feed. Every time I would click to pin it, I’d get that little message: “looks like you’ve already saved this!” (Happens to me more often than I’d like to admit!)
Finally, I decided I wanted to try to DIY it myself with an upcycled sweater instead of felt. I hit up the local Goodwill in Brooklyn and found the perfect knit sweater to try it out on. Here’s the best part…no knitting, no sewing machine…you literally do not need any artisanal skills whatsoever. I shared the full DIY over on Ebay…go check it out!