handmade holidays
DiY American Girl Doll Bed {and Armoire}, Part 2
I’ve been avoiding this post for weeks now, partially because it was Christmas and things got crazy, but mostly because this “DiY tutorial” is going to be SO LAME that I’m afraid you’ll all start throwing things at me through the computer screen. It’s not that it turned out poorly; the end result turned was just fine. Better than fine, actually. It is frankly darling and Princess is thrilled. It was really just my documentation of the process that wasn’t good. I had a complete and utter blogger fail. I really should never have set myself up for a 2 part American Girl Doll Bed project. Oh, the pressure! My ... read more
Easy-to-Sew Pajama Pants {DiY}
One of our very favorite Christmas traditions is staying in our pajamas all day on Christmas Day–even right through Christmas dinner. While we don’t usually get new ones every year, it has been a few years since our last set, so I decided that this year, in the spirit of our handmade holiday, I would make matching pajama pants for everyone. I have explained in previous sewing posts that I am really not a very technical sewer. My seams aren’t always perfectly lined up and I never bother pre-washing my fabric, and I finish my inside edges with a pinking shears rather than a serger. I usually shoot for function ... read more
Vintage Freezer Paper Bleach T-Shirts {DiY}
It is relatively easy to find handmade gift ideas for women and kids, but guys and teenagers are a different story altogether. Every Christmas I send a small gift to each of my 13 nieces and nephews. (I wrote about this tradition last year when my nephew sent me this touching thank you letter.) While the gifts have varied over the years, they have always been something store-bought. I knew this year I wanted to make my gifts, but I was really struggling to come up with something “cool” that would be a hit with both teenage guys and girls. My friend McKenzie, who you may remember from this pickle ... read more
Felt Snowball Ornament {DiY}
Another felt project! Aren’t you excited? I know, I know, I have a problem. These little felt snowballs are super fun to make. I used my sewing machine to do most of the sewing, but if you don’t own one you could probably do the whole thing by hand with only slightly more effort. These ornaments look beautiful hanging on the tree, but they make a great gift idea as well. Give a set as a hostess gift, or tie one to the top of a present for a little extra flair! I used cream colored felt to make them look like little snowballs, but any color would work. ... read more
Homemade Rainbow Sparkle Playdough {DiY}
I wanted to come up with a small gift for the kids in my Sunday School class as well as a few other kiddos on my list, and I thought little rainbow packs of homemade playdoh would be really fun. The girls and I always enjoy making it but we usually just stick to one color (or white!) It is really easy to make and a great way to introduce your kids to “cooking” in the kitchen, since the measurements don’t have to be that accurate, it doesn’t matter if the kids get their grubby hands all over everything, it is fairly quick, and they get to play with ... read more
DiY chalkboard coaster set {handmade holidays}
I am on a mission this holiday season to worry less about stuff and instead craft my way to Christmas! I am sharing our DiY projects & ideas throughout the next month in a series called “Handmade Holidays” You can check out the rest of our projects here. Can you tell we have been feeling a little crafty around here lately? The girls and I have been working on so many projects that I hardly know where to start, but I figured I better get going on sharing some of our gift ideas so that y’all can get started on them too! These fun chalkboard coasters might be one of ... read more
DiY American Girl Doll Bed, Part 1
Can you keep a secret? I’m counting on the fact that Princess doesn’t read this blog, but I am so excited about her gift from Santa this year that I think I might explode if I try to keep it all bottled up. So shhhhhhhhhhhh! Every family “does” Santa a little differently which definitely makes things a little interesting now that our kids are a little older and starting to compare notes with their friends. For instance, we do the Elf on the Shelf, a fun tradition we started last year, but yesterday at church I overheard Princess discussing her elf with a few friends, some of whom have an ... read more
Felt “Paper” Chain Garland {DiY}
I think I might have a slight felt problem. I love it almost as much as I love ModPodge, and so far this year it has played a starring role in many a Christmas decoration. But seriously folks, what’s not to love? It is super cheap (only $0.20 a sheet when it goes on sale), doesn’t fray, & can be used for SO MANY things! I wish I could say this was going to be my last felt project of the year, but we both know that’s probably not true, so please, please just humor me a little bit longer. Pretty please? This felt “paper” chain was inspired by a ... read more
30 Minute Felt Appliquéd Burlap Pillow {DiY}
Much to Husband’s chagrin, I insist on filling our sofas with pretty throw pillows. And despite how many times a day I am forced to rearrange, re-fluff, and pick them up off the floor, I refuse to give in. I love them. Without them, the room just doesn’t feel finished. I wanted some pretty new Christmasy pillow covers this year but I couldn’t really justify the $40+ price tag at Pottery Barn. Why are those silly things so expensive? Since I don’t have the patience for “real” sewing–or for taking the time to measure, pin, iron, and put in a zipper–I decided to come up with something a little quicker. It ... read more
DiY ornament wreath {handmade holidays}
My family is on a mission to worry less about stuff and instead craft our way to Christmas this year! We are sharing some of our DiY projects & ideas throughout the next month in a casual series called “Handmade Holidays” You can check out the rest of our projects here. I have been wanting to make an ornament wreath for practically forever, ever since I spotted the original here a few years ago. Last year I went a little crazy on ornaments and other trimmings at the after-Christmas sales (more on that later), which meant this year I finally had enough ornaments to spare. My original plan for this wreath was ... read more
