holiday 2010 press kit
Let's Make Christmas Together
Celebrating the season with family and friends is what makes Christmas special. That's why our favorite holiday tradition is to share the best ideas in handcrafted gifts and decor. This year, we're offering a fresh new collection of ideas to fill every home with the warmth, whimsy and wonder that make the season meaningful. Many projects can be used year after year.
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project instructions
Beaded Holiday Picks
Whimsical wire loops adorned with crystals and beads give sparkle and shimmer to gift boxes, floral arrangements, Christmas trees and more. Choose beads in traditional red and green, glitzy silver and gold or other colors of choice. Wherever you place these handcrafted picks, the result will sparkle with charm!
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Less than 1 hour per pick
Mother & Daughter Muffs
These hand-sewn satin muffs are a stylish way for mom to share her love of glamour and fashion with her daughter. Mom's version has handy pockets on the inside to hold essentials. Daughter's version features fabulous faux fur all around it.
Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:2-3 hours each
Crocheted Hat
From teens to moms, this cute crocheted hat is destined to be a big hit this holiday season. Its simple crocheted design and classic shape are timeless yet trendy. Embellish it with a clip-on tulle flower or other accessory of choice to give it a dash of personal panache.
Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Mother & Daughter Holiday Aprons
Artist, columnist, blogger and mother of two, Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood designed these vintage-inspired aprons that will make holiday baking even sweeter this year. They're fun and surprisingly simple to make. JOANN has these and other holiday print fabrics so you can create your own design.
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:1.5 hours per apron
Fabric & Lace Garland Chain
Create a merry multitude of fabric garland chains, then use them to decorate the mantel, banister, window frame, Christmas tree and other objects within your home. Tea-dyeing some of the fabrics gives them a delightful antique appearance. And the lace trim around the edges maintains a quaint yet contemporary appeal.
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:8 hours
Knitted Wrist Warmers
These trend-setting accessories are on every young fashionista's wish list! Knitting a pair of wrist warmers is relatively easy, even for beginners, and one pair can be completed within a few hours. Embellish with floral appliques, big buttons and sparkly gems to give them the stand-out style she adores.
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:3-4 hours
Festive Jingle Bells Bag
Hang something lovely on the inside of your front door! First, sew a simple elongated bag using fabrics in your favorite holiday prints, then fill it with pine stems, roses and maidenhair ferns. Don't forget to tie on the jingle bells — this is the finishing touch that makes this craft so very merry!
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:1 hour
Polka Dot Tree Skirt
It's merrily modern! This fabulous fleece tree skirt is contemporary and retro all at once. The large polka dots are reminiscent of 1960s mod fashion, while the bright neon colors seem to pay tribute to the hues of the 1980s. But when finished, the overall design becomes one that's totally today!
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:5-6 hours
Paper Flowers Wreath
For a charming twist on tradition, craft a lovely wreath from handmade paper flowers, then embellish it with buttons and pearl headpins. Here, repurposed Christmas music sheets and inked scrapbook papers in soft colors lend a look of vintage elegance. You can easily add a more personal touch by using your own stationery papers for a few of the flowers.
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project
Tiered Lace Stocking
Bring a bit of Victorian yesteryear into your present-day home with stockings made from tiers of beautiful lace. Shades of cream and white are simply elegant and easy to coordinate with other holiday colors throughout your home. Finish each stocking with a lace rosette and ribbon tied around the cuff.
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:4-5 hours
Holiday Pop-Up Cards: Spinning Dreidel Card
Family and friends will be delighted when they receive this work-of-art card! As the card opens and shuts, the dreidel spins and shimmering glitter adds a sparkle reminiscent of the festive Hanukkah lights. Sharing Hanukkah wishes with handmade cards will surely deliver sentiments as sweet as the traditional game's candies.
Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:2-3 hours per card
Holiday Pop-Up Cards: White Christmas Card
Talk about impressive! Snow softly falls in a merry winter scene on the card's front. When what to your wondering eyes should appear — a miniature snowman amidst a forest of festive trees tucked inside this joyful greeting. Wish everyone on your list a Merry Christmas with this pop-up card that will make each recipient wish for snow.
Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:2-3 hours per card
Holiday Pop-Up Cards: Candy Cane Card
When a stocking is hung by the mantle, it's no surprise to find a tiny gift tucked inside. But, when that stocking is on your holiday card, no one will be expecting the festive candy canes that pop out when opened. These oh-so-sweet cards will become keepsakes to be treasured long after the holiday season has passed.
Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:2-3 hours per card
Heirloom Table Runner
Christmas past and present meet on this endearing craft! Print heirloom photos of loved ones and prior holiday gatherings onto fabric, then display them in this one-of-a-kind table runner. Ribbon and lace trims portray a sense of old-world charm, while the precisely striped layout stays fresh and modern.
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project
Reusable Gift Tags
A smart idea in today's recycle-friendly world! Craft a collection of fabric gift tags, then write each recipient's name with washable marker. Or paint a jolly array of wood shapes with chalkboard paint then write on each tag with chalk. Let recipients know that the gift tags are reusable so they can pass on handcrafted cheer next year!
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:1-2 hours per tag
Christmas Memories Treasure Chest
Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project
Cookies for Santa Place Mat
This clever place mat is crafted so boys and girls can write their own personal message to Santa directly on it. Just add milk and cookies before you set it out on Christmas Eve and, if you're lucky, on Christmas morning you may find a message from Santa!
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:3-4 hours