Tag Archives: Christmas Crafts

Festive Holiday Frame

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Capture your Christmas memories with a photo of your family on Christmas day and display in this Festive Holiday Frame. 

 Materials

  • Cardstock or construction paper: red, white
  • Cardboard or chipboard, 8-1/2” square, 3”x8-1/2” strip
  • Christmas day family photo

Tools

  • Craft glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

Size

8-1/2″ square

Frame

1. Measure and cut 8-1/2” white paper square. Cut out 3” square in center of frame (for photo opening).

2. Print and cut out patterns.

3. Measure and cut four 2-1/4” red paper squares. Fold squares diagonally in half. Cut star design from squares, placing line on fold, and cutting on dashed lines. Open up design and adhere on corners of white square, leaving 1/4” border on edges.

4. Measure and cut four 2”x3-1/4” red paper rectangles. Adhere rectangles between corner square designs.

5. Measure and cut 3”x9” white paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four large heart shapes from folded strip, placing line on fold, and cutting on dashed lines. Open up designs and adhere on centers of red paper rectangles. See photo.

6. Measure and cut 2-1/2”x7” red paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four medium heart shapes from folded strip, following directions above. Adhere medium heart shapes on center of white heart shapes. See photo

7. Measure and cut 2”x4” white paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four small heart shapes from folded strip, following directions above. Adhere small heart shapes on center of medium heart shapes. See photo.

8. Tape photo inside opening on back of white paper square. Adhere white paper square to 8½” cardboard square.

9. To make easel for frame, cut 3”x8-1/2” cardboard strip. Bend strip 2” from end. Adhere 2” end, aligning top edges, to center back of frame.

Tip

Be sure to date your frame. Continue this as a Christmas tradition each year as you’ll love these precious mementos in year to come.

by Mary Ayres

Christmas Friend Coasters

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

These adorable Christmas Friend Coasters are sure to spark some holiday spirit. Or, create them as a great last-minute gift idea.

Materials

  • Round cork coasters, 3-3/4”
  • Craft foam: white, black, red
  • Wooden shapes, assorted sizes: circles, teardrops, hearts, triangles
  • White felt, scraps
  • Ribbon, 6” lengths
  • Wiggle eyes, two

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Lamp Black, Snow White, Flesh Tone, Baby Pink, Primary Yellow, Jack-O’-Lantern Orange
  • Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrushes, black marker, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out patterns. Cut coaster from craft foam as follows: snowman and polar bear white, Santa red, penguin black.

STEP 2

On covered work surface, paint wooden shapes as follows: polar bear: two circles (ears) white, one circle (muzzle) black, two circles (inner ears) pink; Santa: one circle (face) tan, two teardrops (mustache) white, one circle (nose) pink; penguin: one heart (eyes) white, one triangle (beak) yellow; snowman: teardrop (nose) orange. Let dry.

STEP 3

Adhere cork coaster onto center of craft foam coaster. Using photo as guide, adhere wooden items on coasters.

STEP 4

For Santa, cut beard and freehand cut hair from white felt scrap; adhere onto face. For snowman and Santa, cut mittens from white craft foam. For penguin and polar bear, cut mittens from black craft foam. Adhere mittens on sides of body.

STEP 5

Use black marker to add details and eyes on faces and draw three buttons down center of coasters. Measure and cut 6” ribbon length for each coaster (except Santa). Tie ribbon bow; adhere below head.

Tip

For ease in painting wooden shapes, tape onto newspaper.

by Melony Bradley

 

Vegetable-Stamped Reindeer Towel & Mitts

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Finally, it’s okay to play with your food! You don’t just have to eat your vegetables — use them to stamp cool designs! This set makes the perfect gift for the cook in the family!  

Materials

  • Kitchen towel set: dish towel, oven mitt, pot holder
  • Vegetables, one each: celery stalk; large potato; baby carrots, three
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Milk Chocolate, Mistletoe, True Red, Cool White, Lamp Black
  • Red/white checked ribbon, 3⁄4” wide, 13” lengths, three
  • Gold jingle bells, 5⁄8”, three

Tools

  • Sewing needle and white sewing thread
  • Sponge or paintbrush

Basic Supplies

scissors, toothpick, paper towels, knife, paper plate (palette), newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

How to Stamp with Vegetables

1. Use knife to cut vegetables as desired. Dab cut ends on paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Use sponge or paintbrush to dab cut vegetable ends with paint.

3. Press painted side of vegetable onto fabric, applying even pressure. Lift vegetable straight up.

4. Reapply paint as needed. Let dry.

Reindeer Design

1. Cut: potato in half (head); celery stalk into 1-1⁄4” and 3” pieces (antlers); one carrot in half widthwise (nose); one carrot in half lengthwise (ears). Adults, help kids when using knife.

2. Stamp head and ears Milk Chocolate.

3. Stamp antlers above head Mistletoe.

4. Stamp nose below head True Red.

5. Use end of uncut carrot to stamp eyes Lamp Black. Let dry.

6. Use toothpick to dot highlights in eyes and nose Cool White; let dry.

7. Tie ribbon length into bow. Use needle and thread to sew jingle bell to center of bow; secure with knot. Sew bow below reindeer; knot thread ends.

Tips

  • Wipe vegetables clean with a paper towel instead of washing with water. The less moisture in the stamp, the easier it is to absorb the paint.
  • Check out a dollar or discount store for inexpensive kitchen towel sets.
  • For younger kids, use heavy-duty tacky or fabric glue instead of needle and thread to secure bell to bow.

by Mary Ayres

Die-Cut Ticking Fabric Ornaments

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Simple supplies such as red and green ticking fabric purchased at most fabric supply shops lend a charming, rustic feel to handmade ornaments such as these charming stuffed bird ornaments that were cut from a Sizzix BigShot die-cut machine and this beautiful bird die from Brenda Pinnick from Sizzix.

Simply die cut two layers of ticking fabric using the BigShot machine and ticking fabric for each bird ornament.

Fuse red wool felt to webbing and free hand heart shapes with scissors.  Iron in place on front shape.

Use two strands of embroidery floss and cross-stitch edges in place.

For the wing shape, cut a 3” teardrop shape and use it to trace two shapes from natural burlap. Cut the shapes out with scissors.

Use alphabet stamps for a short and sweet sentiment like “joy, “peace” or “noel” and stamp on fused burlap. Cut out sentiment and fuse to one of the burlap wing shapes using an iron and pressing surface. I used tiny alphabet stamps for my sentiments but you can use whatever holiday-themed words you might have on hand.

Sew the muslin in place with black thread and a straight stitch. Place the wrong sides of the wings together and sew 1/4” from ends, leaving a tiny opening for stuffing. Stuff wings with Polyfil Fiberfill Stuffing by Fairfield and sew opening closed.

Repeat this process for the bird. Be careful not to overstuff the bird or it will be difficult to machine sew closed.

Finally adhere the wing to the bird using a fabric glue such as Fabri-Tac by Beacon Adhesives. Embellish bird as desired. I adhered a tiny pebble bead for the eye and added some felt die-cut flowers.

 

The possibilities are endless. These birds look sweet hanging from a mantle or even as a special package tag.

Melony Bradley (www.mel-designs.typepad.com)

Winter Wishes

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Adorable, easy-to-paint wooden snowmen can be displayed or reused throughout the winter season.

Materials

  • Midwest Products Co., Inc. Basswood: 3/16”x3/8”x24”, 1/8”x3”x24”
  • Glossy royal blue gift bag
  • White cardstock
  • Papers: black-and-white gingham, blue-and-white snowflake print
  • Small black brads, 18
  • Black alphabet stickers
  • Black-and-white gingham ribbon

Tools

  • Drill with bits: 1/16”, 3/16”
  • Midwest Products Co., Inc. Easy Cutter Tool
  • Acrylic paints: white, black, orange
  • Black dye ink pad
  • Adhesives: paper glue, glue gun and glue sticks, Plaid Paper Mod Podge

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, black fine-tip marker, fine-grit sandpaper, foam brush, round paintbrush

Directions

Prepare Wood

1. Cut three 4-1/2” lengths from wide basswood strip. Cut one 6” length from same piece for tag. Cut two corners from 6” piece to create tag shape; set aside.

2. Cut three 4” lengths from narrow basswood strip. Cut three corners from remainder of same piece for snowman noses.

3. Sand all pieces. Using round brush, paint 4-1/2” pieces white, 4” pieces black, and noses orange. Let dry.

4. Cut three 3”x2-1/2” gingham paper pieces. Adhere pieces to top half of each white snowman for hats. Adhere black wooden hat bands across snowmen as shown; let dry.

5. Using drill and 1/16” bit, drill four holes for mouth and two holes for eyes in each snowman. Insert brads; bend ends at back to secure. Adhere nose to face. Draw eyebrows with marker.

6. Cut three 2-1/2”x1-1/2” white cardstock strips; ink edges and adhere to hats.

7. Ink bottom edges of snowmen.

Card

1. Make 5”x6-1/2” white side-fold card. Cut 5”x6-1/2” snowflake paper panel; adhere to card.

2. Adhere snowman to center of card using glue gun.

3. Cut three 5” ribbon lengths; adhere two lengths to top and bottom of card. Knot remaining length in center; adhere beneath snowman’s chin.

4. Apply stickers to white cardstock to spell “Winter Wishes.”

Tag

1. Trace basswood tag onto back of snowflake paper; cut out paper tag and adhere to wood tag using Mod Podge and foam brush. Let dry. Ink tag edges.

2. Using drill and 3/16” bit, drill hole in top of tag.

3. Adhere snowman to center of tag using glue gun.

4. Cut two 5” ribbon lengths. Thread one length through hole in tag; knot ends together. Knot remaining length in center; adhere beneath snowman’s chin.

5. Apply stickers to white cardstock to spell “to” and “from.”

Gift Bag

1. Cut 4”x5” snowflake paper panel; ink edges and adhere to gift bag.

2. Adhere snowman to center of snowflake paper using glue gun.

3. Cut 6” ribbon length. Knot center and adhere beneath snowman’s chin.

4. Apply stickers to white cardstock to spell “For You.”

Tip

Adhere a magnet to the back of the snowman before adhering to surface with double-sided tape. Recipient can add it to the fridge for a fun winter decoration.

by Melony Bradley for Midwest Products (www.midwestproducts.com)

Ho, Ho, Homemade Santa

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Creating handmade holiday home décor doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

It’s Jill Cornell here today with a quick and easy idea to make a whimsical Santa to add to your holiday décor. All you need to get started is a foam cone shape, pipe cleaner, hot glue gun, cotton balls, cardstock, paint, pom-pom trim, and your favorite patterned paper collection and embellishments. (I’m using the Welcome Christmas Collection by Pebbles Inc. for my Santa.)

Cut the cardstock to a half-circle and wrap around the cone. Hot glue is a great adhesive for this type of project. Do the same with a piece of patterned paper for Santa’s hat. Santa’s face was easily added by painting a flesh-colored spot on the cone, adding punched black circles for eyes, a brad for the nose, and a border sticker for the mouth. Santa’s beard of cotton balls was simply hot glued to the cone. Add some alphabet stickers to make your Santa extra “merry. “

Adhere a border sticker for the hat and pom-pom trim. A pre-made felt embellishment and flag help dress up Santa. Finally, add some cotton balls to the top of Santa’s hat.

My Santa is currently sitting on my fireplace mantel among a collection of Santas – all handmade by me over the years. I even have papier-mâché and wooden versions that I made in elementary school. And this would make a great project for older children supervised with the hot glue.

Jill Cornell from Blessed Scrapper (www.jillcornell.blogspot.com)

Holiday Glasses

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Painted holiday ribbon and pine bough mugs will create a festive atmosphere for your next holiday party.

Materials

  • Glass mug, 5” tall
  • Plaid FolkArt Enamel Paints: Engine Red, Coffee Bean, Fresh Foliage, Green Forest, Metallic Pure Gold
  • Plaid FolkArt Clear Medium

Tools

  • Plaid FolkArt One Stroke Mini Brush Set

Basic Supplies

tape, oven, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Clean mug. Print and cut out pattern; tape to inside of mug.

STEP 2

Paint ribbon Fresh Foliage and stripes Engine Red. Mix equal parts Green Forest and Clear Medium; shade ribbon. Paint stripes and dots Pure Gold. Paint stem Coffee Bean and needles Fresh Foliage. When dry, add Green Forest needles.

STEP 3

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake mug.

by Holli Long for Plaid Enterprises, Inc. (www.plaidonline.com)

Christmas Star Ornament

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Give paper scraps star quality when you bring them together in this charming ornament.

Materials

  • Bazzill Basics Paper Papaya Puree Medium Cardstock
  • Karen Foster Design Christmas Collection Papers: Ornaments, Christmas Bells, Home for the Holidays Collage, Poinsettias
  • Metallic gold floss

Tools

  • Computer and printer
  • Scoring tool
  • Small star punch
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Pine Needles Ink Pad
  • Ranger Stickles Gold Glitter Glue
  • Therm O Web Adhesives: Zots Singles Small, 3D Foam Squares, SuperStik Glue Stick

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, white printer paper

Directions

Size

7-3/4”

Ornament

1. Print pattern front and pattern back onto orange cardstock. Print second front pattern onto printer paper. Cut out patterns; set aside back pattern.

2. Using straight edge, scoring tool, and pattern as guide, score orange cardstock front piece along dashed lines. Gently fold “mountain” peaks on star points to center; folds will come toward you. Gently fold “valley” peaks from center to opposite edge; folds will point away from you.

3. Do not score printer paper star. Align it with orange cardstock star, rotating shape for best fit. Once stars are aligned, number corresponding sections on both stars from one to 10.

4. Cut numbered sections from printer paper star; use sections as templates to cut pieces from assorted patterned papers. Ink edges of each piece with Pine Needles ink; adhere to corresponding section on orange star using glue stick.

5. Stack and apply four foam squares to center of back star; apply foam square in middle of each point. Apply small adhesive dot at tip of each point.

6. Cut gold floss length for hanging loop; knot ends and press to adhesive at top point. Adhere front and back orange stars together.

7. Punch small star from orange cardstock and adhere to ornament center; coat star with glitter glue and let dry.

Tip

Using a glue stick to adhere individual pieces of paper gives you a bit more drying time to get them in position, compared with using other types of adhesive.

by Alice Golden (www.alicegolden.typepad.com)

Gift Card Jar

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Worried that a gift card may not be so personal? Be creative by presenting your card inside this adorable snowman to show that time and heart went into creating their unique gift.

Materials

  • Recycled glass jar (with wide mouth)
  • Dow STYROFOAM Brand Foam Ball, 3” diameter
  • Wooden teardrop, medium
  • White construction paper, scrap
  • Black felt, scrap
  • Chenille glitter stem
  • Metal office clip
  • Red gingham ribbon, 12” length
  • Wiggle eyes, two

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Sapphire, Jack-O’-Lantern Orange
  • DecoArt: Glistening Snow-Tex, Duraclear Varnish
  • Snowflake paper punch
  • Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrushes, toothpick, black marker, newspaper (to cover work surface), plastic spoon or spatula

Directions

STEP 1

On covered work surface, insert toothpick into bottom of foam ball (head). Use spatula or spoon to apply snow texture on head. Let dry. Use spatula to apply snow texture on side of jar. Let dry.

STEP 2

Paint lid blue. Let dry. Apply varnish. Paint wooden teardrop (nose) orange. Let dry. Use black marker to outline nose.

STEP 3

Punch snowflakes from white copy paper. Adhere snowflakes onto side of jar.

STEP 4

Cut two mitten shapes from black felt. Adhere mittens onto sides of jar.

STEP 5

Adhere nose and wiggle eyes on head. Let dry. Cut small piece from bottom of head (so head sits flat). Adhere head onto top of lid.

STEP 6

Insert chenille stem end through loop on office clip. Adhere other chenille stem end onto bottom of lid. Attach gift card on office clip. Replace lid on jar.

STEP 7

For scarf, tie ribbon around jar. Knot ends.

by Melony Bradley

Mambi Prize Package Winner

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It is time to announce the winner of the Mambi prize package from Me & My BIG Ideas offered in my Tabletop Christmas Tree blog post on November 28!

The winner is Macy.

Macy, I will be contacting you by email for your mailing address. Thank you for all your nice comments.

Alice Golden from Golden Moments (www.alicegolden.com)