Make It Special
There’s nothing like a good cup of holiday cheer to make you want to pull up your sleeves and expose your inner Martha.
You’ve still got twelve days to make the holidays craftily complete. We searched the world (wide web) for our list of DIY favorites. These are the projects that made the cut, so to speak.
This little knick-knack shelf from craftster.org is the answer for displaying the ambush of tidings of great joy, i.e, cheery, yearly updates from friends and family. Perfect for an entryway, and even cuter if made in duplicate and stacked.
We’ve made these danglies before, and the blogger couldn’t be more correct; these earrings are super duper easy to construct.
Put a twist on the concept by employing the same technique to create a sparkly mini garland for your mantle or shelving, or create a ring around candle groupings … any place that could use some holiday glitz. Fancy beads would also dress-up a wreath with a little holidazzle.
Though you’ll need some knitting foreknowledge (stitch one, pearl two….), these whimsical slippers would set any toes a’twinkle. We love the ballet-inspired “laces.”
A wonderfully intricate snowflake takes the typical origami project up a notch. Make three and use them as ornaments, or if you have the time and patience, make a batch of differing shapes and sizes and string them above your kitchen window (if you’re lucky enough to have one).
These little wreaths are all over online, but we love the playful, mixed-media look of this one. This post offers the most direction—and an adorable creation (and that fabric isn’t bad either).
Somehow, everything’s more fun when miniaturized, stockings included. Leave it to Martha and crew to come up with something so criminally cute.
These days, there’s a cozy for everything and anything. Even headphones. A thoughtful/kitschy offering for the friend who never leaves home sans iPod.
PS: Check out Domino’s pretty, new site. You’ll see their handful of DIY holiday gift ideas here.
December 13th, 2006 at 11:15 am
Every year we have to make our Christmas gifts for the Crowley Family (it’s a tradition). If only I had these ideas before, maybe I would have actually made our gifts this year ;) Great ideas!!
December 13th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
I guess 12 days wasn’t far enough out for you, Dede. You must be quite on the ball this year. If anyone tries out any of these projects (I’m certainly going to try and find time), we’d love to post your beautiful creations, or any others that you’ve made … especially your own little inventions. Send us an e-mail!
December 13th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
I wish I was a little more crafty. I find homemade gifts to be so thoughtful. I think it would be really fun to try to tackle one of these over the holidays when I’m home and have access to my mom’s craft room. I lalalove that button wreath. I always see them in stores and think I can’t possibly pay that much for something I swear I could not only do myself, but do better. You’ve inspired me…this time, I’m doing it!
December 13th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
These are so cute. Where can I buy them?
Kidding (sort of). Love the ideas. Thanks to your gift-guide post, I spent the whole day on threadless.com and looking at concert posters. I got almost all my shopping done online!