DIY advent calendar with tins & handmade ornaments

I know, I’m late. An advent calendar on December 9? This project took way longer than I anticipated. Just drawing my designs by hand and editing them on the computer took weeks. I probably should start Christmas crafts in June next year. But I’m glad I stuck with it. My husband […]

2021-02-24T16:10:08-08:00December 10, 2020|

DIY string-art Christmas tree with lights + free pattern

I finally made my first string art project! It was super fun and easy. Wait, nailing 101 nails perfectly straight — all at a precise height — is fun and easy? Yep! I’ll show you my trick to save you lots of time and save your fingers from getting smashed by […]

2021-01-31T01:52:48-08:00December 10, 2020|

DIY easy ribbon wreath

I originally made this as a Christmas wreath, but now that I see it again, it works just as well as a Valentine’s Day wreath. It’s the easiest project I’ve done so far.

Admittedly, it looks candy caney. But that’s the beauty of this project: You can choose any ribbons you want. […]

2021-03-05T02:22:02-08:00February 10, 2014|

DIY chicken wire jingle bell ornament

When I blogged about my wire mesh jewelry holders with beads, I mentioned that I planned to make a Christmas ornament out of wire. Here it is. But instead of ¼-inch hardware cloth, I went with chicken wire. Apparently, it’s called poultry netting these days, but my family raised chickens […]

2021-01-31T02:12:14-08:00December 7, 2011|

DIY recycled Christmas card advent calendar

Remember when I told you three years ago that I was going to make an advent calendar the same way I made my hanging postcard collage? Well, I finally did it! Apologies for posting so late in the season. You probably already made or bought an advent calendar this year. […]

2021-01-31T02:12:29-08:00November 30, 2011|

DIY sheet music Christmas tree ornaments

Homemade ornaments are so much more fun, rewarding, and cheaper than buying them. Especially when they’re made of paper — in this case, sheet music. That’s why I included so many paper ornaments in my handmade holiday gift list. For this project, I made stars, but you […]

2021-01-31T05:55:05-08:00December 8, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 7: media, service, cards & wrapping

This is the final part of my list of 137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas, and we’re down to these categories: media, service, cards, and wrapping. Media, as in photos, books, music, or other means of communication. Service, as in giving experiences or assistance. I included cards and wrapping because oftentimes […]

2021-03-09T03:01:46-08:00September 8, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 6: for children

You thought I forgot about the kiddos, didn’t you? Well today’s inexpensive, handmade Christmas gift ideas are all about the young and the young-at-heart. The list includes everything from handmade play dough to cardboard games to an indoor fort-building kit. My personal favorite is the coloring/activity book using free printables. All […]

2021-02-21T06:41:22-08:00September 6, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 5: themed gift sets

Personally selected gift sets are a great way to give a meaningful present without spending hours crafting. And they’re especially handy when the container is part of the gift. You’ll probably find ample baskets to choose from at your local thrift store. The traditional gift basket is a solid choice, but […]

2021-02-21T07:03:37-08:00September 3, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 4: jewelry & accessories

Part 4 of this seven-part list of inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas comprises jewelry and personal accessories. Tote bags, belts, scarves, wallets, bracelets, headbands … all the things we like to carry on us or with us. Few, if any, of these DIY projects require any special talent or skill. And […]

2021-01-06T06:21:45-08:00September 1, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 3: from the kitchen

Anyone who knows me, knows cooking is not my specialty. That’s why I’m not one of those bloggers who takes a picture of whatever masterpiece she made for dinner and shares the recipe. I can, however, bake quite well. Maybe it’s because I’m good at following the directions in a recipe. […]

2021-01-06T06:21:56-08:00August 30, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 2: Christmas-themed

Handmade Christmas-themed gifts often double as decorations, so you might want to give these gifts early so they can be properly enjoyed during the holiday season. Or maybe the gift is making some of these together with family or friends. Either way, these crafts get in you in the holiday spirit, […]

2021-01-06T06:22:04-08:00August 27, 2010|

137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas. Part 1: home & garden

Why Christmas when we’re in the throes of summer? I know. I worked six years in retail. In my experience, nothing incited more groans than Christmas being stocked on the shelves in August. However, I think this a worthy exception. After all, if you’re going to have a handmade Christmas, you […]

2021-06-03T01:07:30-07:00August 25, 2010|

Angel Christmas ornament with pants

Don’t you just love Christmas lights? As an apartment dweller, decking the yard with lights isn’t an option, so instead my living room is almost as bright as day in the evening with all the strings of lights. They’re the next best thing to sitting beside a flickering fireplace. Check out […]

2021-02-23T06:25:23-08:00December 24, 2009|

Reusable wrapped gift canisters

Here’s a last-minute idea for us last-minute gift wrappers. I felt guilty about discarding those round, sturdy cardboard canisters that hold nuts, cocoa, and other foods. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think they can be recycled (aluminum + cardboard?). But they definitely can be reused! Here, I covered […]

2020-11-29T07:37:21-08:00December 23, 2009|

DIY giant craft-stick snowflakes

I could hardly wait to show you this Popsicle stick craft! These snowflakes are fun, easy, and so inexpensive to make. The smallest snowflake is 12 inches across; the largest is 24 inches. I had some rhinestones left over from my Christmas tree advent calendar, so I glued some at the […]

2021-01-31T06:03:00-08:00December 8, 2009|

DIY craft-stick Christmas tree advent calendar with “origami” boxes

I was given a box of 1,000 craft sticks, and I had no idea what to do with them. I wasn’t about to start building 1980s Popsicle stick jewelry boxes. I eventually came up with some Christmas ideas. This is my first craft stick project. Click here for my giant […]

2021-01-31T06:04:19-08:00December 1, 2009|

Framing heirloom doilies for Christmas

I told you I have a lot of tatted doilies from my great-grandmother. I decided to frame a few more for Christmas. I bought these 12-inch square collage frames at Michael’s. I replaced the mats with $1/yard fabric from Walmart. I love how the doilies look […]

2021-01-31T06:13:17-08:00December 24, 2008|
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