Time to Make Those Holiday Gifts!
Handmade gifts show love. For those of us with more time than money (an expanding category these days), hand made may be the only way to go.
For the crafty among us, now is the time to think about holiday gift giving; a darling scarf for the mother-in-law, mittens for the cousins, or bath salts for the sister. Here are four new titles that work with kids and can form the basis of a gift-making program.
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Cool craft projects with a modern slant. Bright colors and clean lines are featured in print-making. Make wooden spoon puppets, Noguchi-like sculptures, Calder-like mobiles and wearable art.
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The craft projects in this new version of the book originally pubbed by Disney in 2002 are right up my alley. Want to plan an ornament making program? Lot’s of terrific low-cost suggestions from 3-D dough pieces to elegant paper drops. Want to know how to make dancing gingerbread people? Love the edible wildlife ornaments; Pine Cones stuffed with peanut butter and birdseed (use almond butter if allergies are a problem) carrots wrapped in twine, and popcorn strung garlands. My favorite is the homemade gift of a gingerbread family decorating kit. Make gingerbread people and fill a tissue-lined box with a tube of white icing, sprinkles, redhots, tiny M&M’s and string licorice. Label the box Gingerbread Family Decorating Kit. Did you know you can make peanut brittle in the microwave? Have you thought about washing an old woolen sweater until it is felted to create material to reuse as mittens? Pretty easy and green too. Not just Christmas but other winter holidays are represented. Make a kinara for your Kwanzaa celebration. Create a mobile of stars for your Hanukah party.
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I am digging into my yarn stash after being inspired by the comfy yet stylish wrist warmers; a great beginner project for anyone who has just learned to knit and purl. I’ve been wanting to make a hot-water bottle cover; here it is as well as neck warmer. Also included are some pretty cool felted projects.
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From Ann Budd who wrote my favorite knitting book, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns, comes a book of 30 gift ideas. A variety of projects for the beginning and experienced knitters; scarves, hats, socks, and toys that can be knitted up over a short period of time with lovely professional results.
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Reduce, reuse , recyle: create clutches, totes, computer bags from old neckties, wool sweaters, shower curtains and even an umbrella. These are just the kind of things that I see for sale at the very hipster Brooklyn Flea. So that’s how they made that!
November 17th, 2009 at 11:04 am
[…] the presses! When I did my recent round-up of holiday craft books, one slipped through the […]