25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 22

This plate was created by my mom. It would make a great last minute gift for a family member or a friend and is super-easy to make. I put mine up every Christmas next to my Santa statue to remind me of the power of believing in Santa.

Believe Plate
Supplies:

• Plate
• Red (or other Christmas colored) vinyl
• Cricut or other electronic cutter that can handle vinyl

1. Using your favorite font on your electronic cutter,  cut out the word Believe. Mine is about 3 inches tall.
2. Place your vinyl on your plate.
3. Use a small easel to display your plate in your home.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 21

This is my second edible craft I am posting in a week! I must really be craving sugary Christmas treats!!

I saw these Rice Krispies Treats Ornaments on The Finer Things in Life and thought they would make a GREAT treat for your family this Christmas or a great item to take to a Christmas party. They turn out cute and I am sure you would get tons of compliments on it.

Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 20

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is reading meaningful Christmas stories with my family. I love stories that stick with you throughout the Christmas season.
A few years ago, I created one of my favorite Christmas memories with the help of my mom. We each have a book of Christmas stories that we add to each year. It really is a treasure in my home as we open it each December and read stories that remind us of the true meaning of the holiday.

Christmas Story Book

Supplies:

• 8 1/2 by 11" size 3-ring binder
• Two matching fabrics (1/2 yard of each)
• 1/4 yard of white fabric
• Printable iron-on transfers
• Thick plastic pieces (like x-ray film)
• Batting
• Needles and matching thread
• Spray Glue
• Decorative Embellishments (optional) 
• 8 1/2 by 11" page protectors

1. Spray the outside of the binder with spray glue and lay your batting across it. Make sure it fits when you close the book. If it is too tight, it will not close!
2. Spray the batting with the spray glue and lay your outside fabric across it, again making sure that you are able to close it.
3. Trim the edges of your fabric so that you have a few inches around the binder. Fold in and glue all of the edges. You will have to make cuts int he fabric to make it fit around the rings.

4. Cut your plastic pieces so that they are the size of the inside flap of the binder. Secure your second fabric to the plastic using spray glue. Trim the edges and fold them around the plastic piece and secure with spray glue.Do this twice (one for each inside flap). 
5. Spray the each inside flap on your binder. Place your fabric covered plastic piece on.
6. Carefully sew your fabric covered plastic piece to your fabric from the front cover.
7. Printable iron-on transfers are available at most craft stores. It allows you to print any design from your computer and then iron the design on to fabric. Print the words "Christmas Stories" or your family name, whatever you want to title your book. Iron your design to a non-patterned fabric (white works the best so that you can read it).
8. Fold in the sides of your title fabric and press it into place. Sew it to the front of your book.
9. Embellish the outside with beads, buttons or whatever else you can think of if you want.
10. Print your stories on decorative paper or add clip art images to each story and place them in your page protectors.

My family adds a new story each year. It's fun to search for a new story each year and remember the times you added each story as you read it in the years to come.

25 Days of Christmas Crafts: Day 19

For years I used simple red and green plaid piece of fabric as my tree skirt because I could never find one that I liked enough to pay for it (man those things can get pricey). Last year I made my own. It is one of my favorite projects I have ever done. It was a fun project that gave my tree a little more of my personality.

Quilted Tree Skirt

Supplies: 

• Several Christmas patterned fabrics (amount depends on the size of your tree skirt. Mine ended up as a 40-inch and I needed had a about 3 yards total for my top.)
• Fabric for your quilt back. (I would get about 3 yards just to make sure you have enough.)
• Fabric for your binding (I would get about 3/4 of a yard.)
• Batting
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Yarn
• Marker
• Scizzors
• Needles

1. Decide on a pattern for the top of your tree skirt. You can use anything from simple squares to a highly complicated pattern. Instructions for my quilt top are below.
2. Put your quilt together with your quilt back and batting. Quilt or tie them together.
3. Fold your quilt into fourths and mark the center of your quilt with your marker.
4. Tie a piece of yarn to a pin on one end and your marker on the other. Place the pin in the center of your quilt and stretch the yarn so that the marker reaches the edge of your quilt (in the middle of one side).
5. Holding the pin to the center of your quilt, move the marker in a circle around your quilt creating a line where you will cut.
6. Decide how big you want your center circle to be and use your pin, yarn and marker to mark a center circle for your tree trunk.
7. Cut on your outer line. Cut a straight line into the center of your quilt and cut out the smaller circle. This should make it the shape of a tree skirt.
8. Finish your tree skirt by binding the edges.

My Tree Skirt Pattern:
1. To make my top, I cut my many Christmas patterned fabrics into 4.5 by 2.5 inch pieces.
2. Sew two of the pieces together on the 4.5 inch side to make a square. (Using 1/4 inch seams)
3. Sew two more strips along each edge of that square (so that your seam from your first block meets the middle of the newly added blocks.) Your blockshould be about 8.5 inches by 4.5 inches.
4. Sew two two of your pieces along the 2.5 inch sides (to make a piece 8.5 inches by 2.5 inches.)
5. Sew the 8.5 inch side of this piece to your quilt block along the 8.5 inch side.
6. Repeat this for the other side of your block.
7. You should end up with an 8.5 inch by 8.5 inch square.
8. Create 25 of these blocks and sew them into a 5 block by 5 block square.

25 Days of Christmas Crafts: Day 18

I love this very unique bauble ornament created by Twinklyspangle at twinklyspangle.blogspot.com. She used many different colors for hers, but you could create it to match your Christmas decorations using your favorite Holiday colors. You end up with a unique and fun look with your finished product.

 Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas Crafts: Day 17

I don't typically post edible crafts on my page, mostly because I don't cook interesting things very often :) However, I saw these meringue snowflakes and thought they were much too beautiful NOT to publish. Babble.com has detailed instructions (which is great if you cook like me). They would really impress people at your next Holiday party.

Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas Crafts: Day 16

Candles can be a very fun or an elegant decoration around the Holidays. Finding candlestick holders can be a process though, especially if you don't want to spend a lot of money on Christmas-themed ones. Why not make your own?

The Mother Huddle created this easy-to-make candlestick holder using a package of candy canes, ribbon and a hot glue gun.Using different sizes of candy canes and candles would make a great centerpiece for your Christmas dinner.

Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas Crafts: Day 15

For kids, the month of December is probably one of the longest months of the year. Waiting for Christmas to arrive makes the time slowly tick by. With all there is to do to get ready for Christmas, I wish it went by that slowly for adults!

One way to make the countdown fun for kids is using an advent calendar. I loved this countdown board from Next to Heaven. It is an easy, quick and inexpensive project.

Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 14

If you are anything like me, you have already started getting a pile of Christmas cards. I usually end up with one whole section of my fridge overflowing with Christmas cards; family and friends pushing out those I barely even know.

Try out one of these homemade Christmas card holders to help you move away from the magnets on the fridge toward a more beautiful arrangement that your family and guests to your home will adore.

Mom Endeavors created this Ribbon Christmas card holder that looks great over a door. Click here to see this project. 

From Women's Day, a Christmas card holder made from clothespins that will hold tons of cards! Click here to see the project.

Dollar Store Crafts came up with this Christmas Card holder using a placemat she found at her local dollar store. Click here to see this project.

Santa's Postbag created this Christmas Card tree using skewers and pegs. It will hold up to 20 cards. Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 13

If you are looking for a fun (and yummy!) craft that your kids will love to make with you, try out this gumdrop wreath. It will add an element of fun to your Christmas decorations and your kids will love it (especially if they can sneak a few gumdrops while you make it together!)

Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 12

Dangling Holiday Bracelets
Supplies:

• Nylon Jewelry Line
• Safety Pins
• A wide variety of Christmas or Winter-themed buttons and beads
• Matches

1.  Fill each safety pin with beads and buttons making sure that each safety pin is different.
2. String your nylon line through the end of each safety pin. Make sure to alternate directions of safety pins so that the tops and the bottoms are opposite on each safety pin.
3. When you have enough safety pins to make it the length that you want it, tie your ends together and use a match to melt the knot so that it will not come undone.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 11

Nothing sets the mood at your Christmas dinner table like a beautiful centerpiece. I love this idea from Better Homes and Gardens combining different sizes of candlestick holders (that you may already have at home) with decorative Christmas bulbs.

 

BH&G painted the words Noel on their bulbs using glitter paint. 

About.com had another take using the same concept. They used many different other types of holders with their candlesticks to place bulbs a variety of different levels. Click here to see their project.

For more centerpiece ideas from Better Homes and Gardens, visit http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/simple-christmas-centerpieces/

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 10

Making bows out of ribbon can really spruce up your Christmas decorations. I have a giant handmade gold bow at the top of my Christmas tree that has ribbons flowing down each side of it. They can also help give your wreaths, garland or any other decorations a finished look. I also love to create bows out of ribbons to make gifts look more elegant.

If you are intimidated making your own bows out of ribbon, don't be! Here is a video that shows just how easy it really is!

DIY Christmas bow

25 days of Christmas crafts: Day 9

This Christmas project is an easy one to make and can look elegant with the help of kids!

Nativity Ice Block
Supplies:

• One glass ice block (can find at a craft store)
• 1 sheet of nativity stickers
• Matching Ribbon with wire (2 yards)
• Glue Gun

1. We chose a beautiful set of gold nativity stickers. You (or your kids!) can peel off the stickers and place them as you want to on your block.

2.  Wrap your ribbon around the edge of your block and use hot glue to secure it in place.

3. Tie a bow on the top of your block and use hot glue to secure it.

25 days of Christmas crafts: Day 8

I saw this Candy Cane Topiary Tree from Courtney at Pizzazzerie and fell in LOVE with it. I think it is elegent and fun at the same time. It is relatively inexpensive, especially for such a beautiful Christmas centerpiece.

Try it out with directions here.

25 days of Christmas crafts: Day 7

I love these paper ornaments from mmmcrafts. They are easy enough to do that you can do several of them. I think they would be cute to decorate an office with. Hang them from the ceiling throughout your office to get your co-workers in the holiday spirit.

Click here to see this project.

25 Days of Christmas crafts: Day 6

Have you ever wanted to make your own family Christmas stockings? It is loads of fun and it can really dress up your mantle (or wherever you hang your stockings!) You can choose matching stockings for every member of your family or create stockings that match each person's personality.

Here are a few cute patterns that I really liked.
Classic Stocking: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/classic-stocking-667294/
Ballet Slipper Stocking: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/ballet-slipper-stocking-667309/
Quilted Stocking: http://www.sewingweb.com/Projects/Stocking/
Striped Knitted Stocking: http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/bags/xmas-sock-felt.html
Elf Boot Stocking: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/elf-boot-stocking-667324/
Bare Foot Stocking: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/bare-foot-christmas-stocking-667354/

If you don't trust yourself to cut your own pattern for a stocking, here is a great printable pattern:
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/xmas_stocking/Christmas_stocking_pattern.html

25 days of Christmas crafts: DAY 5 (Homemade Christmas Ornaments)

Christmas is a time for festivities and what better way to get your family into the Christmas spirit than with Christmas crafts? There are many different types of Christmas crafts, but my favorite always center around the staple of Christmas decorations -- the tree.

Homemade Christmas ornaments bring life and personality to your tree. These are a few of my favorite homemade Christmas ornaments from my tree. A few were made by my mom and a few by me. You and your children can help to bring your spirit to the spirit of Christmas using these ideas:

Hand-wrapped Christmas Balls

These Christmas balls are a perfect for kids to help create. You can match your existing decor colors or can let your kids be creative and show their own preferences and personality through their ornaments.

Supplies: 

•  Styrofoams balls (any size)
• Thick paper-based rafia
• Glue
• Spray glitter
• Ribbon
• Push pins

1.  Start with your base styrofoam ball.  It's fun to use several different sizes to give dimension to your tree.
2.  Unwrap a thicker paper-based rafia and using Elmer's glue, secure it to your ball. You can use several different colors of rafia or just one.
3. When finished wrapping the ball, use spray glitter to give it a little bit of shine.
4. Then attach a ribbon to the top using a simple push pin.

The project is easy enough that each person can quickly make several.


Santa Pins
This ornament ends up looking cute and attaches to your tree without needing a way to hang it.
Supplies:

• Old-fashioned wooden clothespins
• Craft Paint (red, black, pink, silver). Can also use sharpies for the black and silver portions
• Snowtex textured paint

1. Using an old-fashioned wooden clothespin and paint you can create a very cute, very professional looking Santa Claus ornament. When choosing your wooden clothespin, which can be found at most any craft store, try to find one with a round ball at the top. This makes a perfect top to a Santa hat.
2. Paint the clothespin red, leaving a blank space for Santa's face, and wait for it to dry.
3. Use textured paint for the white portions of the hat and the beard. This can also be found at most craft stores.
4. Create the belt, and face using red, black silver and pink paint.
5. The clothespin then just pins straight to the branches of your tree.



Reindeer and Snowman Spools
These ornaments take minimal painting, but give a look of hours of work.
 Supplies:

• Wooden spools (can be purchased at most craft stores)
• Craft paint (white, black, pink, orange)
• Pom poms
• Wire
• Felt
• Bells
• Brown foam
• String

1. The base is made from small wooden thread spools. To create the snowman, paint a white base coat and allow to dry. The reindeer spool does not need  a base coat.
2. Paint (or use a Sharpie) to create your character's faces.
3. Create the reindeer's antlers using crafting foam and the snowman's earmuffs with pom poms and wire. Use hot glue to attach other embellishments like bells, pom poms and felt.
4. Attach a string to the top of each spool using hot glue or tying it onto the wire on the snowman to hang from your tree.

25 days of Christmas crafts: DAY 4

No Melt Snowman

If you live in an place that doesn't get much snow, or if you are just missing the powdery white stuff, don't let that stop you from creating your very own snowman. This is a great craft to work on with kids or to do on your own! Another plus is that you don't have to worry about your snowman melting away. Keep it for years!

This idea, from Kaboose, uses styrofoam balls, textured Snowtex paint and several embellishments to make an adorable snowman that will look great on a shelf or table in your home. 

Click here for instructions on this project. 

25 days of Christmas crafts: DAY 3

Personalized Gift Wrap:

I LOVED this idea from Curbly.com on making your own name wrapping paper.

It would be fun to create for a friend or a family member, or to wrap all of the gifts under your tree (although if you are a big gift giver it could get rather expensive!!)

Click here for instructions on this project.

25 days of Christmas crafts: DAY 2

Today's Christmas craft is an easy one for kids. Christmas coloring sheets make an easy decoration for your house throughout the month of December. Frame them and put them up with the rest of your decorations to make your kids feel like they contributed to the spirit of the season!

Christmas Color Pages: http://www.coloring-page.net/christmas.html
Christmas Coloring Pages: http://www.coloring.ws/christmas.htm
Activity Village Coloring Sheets (very detailed for older kids): http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_coloring.htm  
Christmas cards to print and color: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/printable_christmas_cards_to_color.htm
Coloring Sheets from Coloring Book Fun: http://coloringbookfun.com/christmas/

25 days of Christmas crafts: DAY 1

Christmas is honestly one of my favorite times of the year, and it is the perfect time for crafting! There are so many different types of Christmas craft ideas out there, many of which your kids can help with as a way to get them into the Christmas spirit as well.

I thought I would start off with a craft that is fun for adults and kids to do together.

Swirled Paint Glass Christmas Bulbs

This is a craft that I did with my mom when I was younger that was fun and gives your tree a very personalized look.

Supplies:

• Clear Glass Bulbs (or colored bulbs that have been soaked in bleach water for several hours to remove the paint.)
• 2-3 different colors of paint
• Beads, Ribbons, etc. for decorating

1. Make sure the inside of your bulb is clean and dry.
2. Remove the metal top of your bulb, being very careful not to crack the glass.
3. Pour one teaspoon of your first paint color in your bulb. Shake it carefully until your paint is spread around the inside of the bulb. Make sure you leave some of the inside blank for the other colors.
4. Return the bulb to the container and allow to dry completely (should take 30 minutes to 1 hour.)
5. Repeat with your second and third colors.
6. Replace the metal piece at the top of the bulb and hang on your tree.

Another option for using clear bulbs is to fill them. You can use ribbons or beads to fill them. You could do a variety of bulbs using different items of the same color to make a fun tree that you and your kids design yourself.

(Photo from www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com)