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12 Days of Handmade: Santa’s Runway

by Liz Gray December 24, 2011 1 Comment

Other than having the best cookies and milk (and a super-chic cookie plate), what’s the best way to make sure Santa stops by tonight? It’s today’s final handmade holiday idea: a candle-lit runway.

To make, set votive candles atop rock salt “snow” in glass jars or hurricanes. Then line them up on your steps alongside some greenery and wait for the man in red. (While you wait, why not take a virtual tour of our favorite decked-out holiday homes?) Happy Christmas!

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12 Days of Handmade: Custom Cocktails

by Liz Gray December 23, 2011 4 Comments

Hey, you’ve worked hard these past few days: crafting homemade gifts, decking out your holiday table, baking cookies and wrapping presents. Reward yourself with today’s handmade idea: homemade eggnog. (Not into eggnog? Check out all 15 of our holiday cocktails.)

This Ecuadorian-style version, rumpope (pronounced “rom-poe-pay”), uses eggs, condensed milk, peaches, vanilla extract and cinnamon to create a sweet, silky beverage that’s perfect for cool winter nights by the fire. Add rum for an adults-only gathering, or serve it on the side so guests of all ages can enjoy this holiday treat. Enjoy!

Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!

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12 Days of Handmade: Gift Box Centerpiece

by Liz Gray December 21, 2011 4 Comments

Fess up: Do you leave the gifts untouched until Christmas morning, or do you peek inside your gift bags when no one’s looking? I’m not saying I’ve never peeled back wrapping paper or shaken a box, but I love the surprise of opening something totally unexpected. That’s why I love today’s handmade project: this playful gift box centerpiece.

To make this stack of gifts, alternate boxes covered in floral moss (available at craft stores) and brown Kraft paper, then tie it up with a bright red bow. Don’t worry…even prying eyes won’t want to peel back this pretty wrapping.

Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!

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12 Days of Handmade: Snowflake Table Runner

by Liz Gray December 20, 2011 3 Comments

Living in Tennessee, there’s a pretty slim chance that I’ll have a white Christmas. But I can take matters out of the weatherman’s (or woman’s) hands and make sure I’ll have some snowflakes on the table with today’s handmade project: a snowflake-embellished table runner.

Remember those folded cutout snowflakes you perfected in third grade? Now is the time to revive those masterful cutting skills, or if the memory is a bit fuzzy, use a paper snowflake template. Cut several types of snowflakes out of white felt, then affix it to a burlap table runner. It’ll look great on your table (or across the mantel) all winter long, no matter how much (or how little) snow piles up outside.

Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!

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12 Days of Handmade: Sparkling Hanukkah Place Cards

by Liz Gray December 19, 2011 2 Comments

Tomorrow marks the first night of Hanukkah (Did you see Kayla’s table setting and recipe ideas?). Before the latkes and sufganiyot hit the table, jazz up each guest’s seat with these sparkling Star of David place cards.

To make, combine two Star of David cutouts to form a three-dimensional place card. Fold the bottom of each side out to make the card stand up. Outline the star with glue and glitter and write each guest’s name in the center using a metallic gold paint pen. Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!

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12 Days of Handmade: Homemade Goodies

by Liz Gray December 18, 2011 1 Comment

Mmm…s’mores. Gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate nestled between two crisp cookies, eaten by the glow of the campfire. (Craving one yet?) Introduce summer’s favorite sweet to the holiday season with our DIY s’more kit.

The perfect gift for coworkers, neighbors, kids or kids at heart, this delicious gift screams fun. Combine chocolate chunks, homemade marshmallows and crisp icebox cookies in a (reusable!) chalkboard-painted tin.

And don’t forget the roasting sticks! Just add a campfire for an instant good time. See how our handmade gift expert packages it up:

Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!

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12 Days of Handmade: Found Object Wine Stoppers

by Liz Gray December 17, 2011 2 Comments

Wine is the ultimate hostess gift: You can get it months ahead of time or on the way to the party, plus most folks can always use another one more bottle. Make the gift just a little more personal with this easy handmade addition: A wine stopper topped off with a found object.

Turn quirky finds into functional wine stoppers.

To make, you’ll need wine corks and automotive expansion plugs to keep the air out, along with a dowel to affix the topper. What to put on top? The sky’s the limit! Try old game pieces, vintage door knobs or monogrammed stamps, but any smallish object will do. Watch how easy it is to make this gift:

Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!

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12 Days of Handmade: DIY Holiday Cards

by Liz Gray December 15, 2011 3 Comments

Still pondering what to do about holiday cards? Me too! Here’s my plan: Tackle them this weekend with a pair of scissors in one hand and a glass of eggnog in the other. Instead of the typical store-bought greeting, I’m thinking I’ll go all-out with easy homemade ones. (Psst…Did you see Kim’s amazing modern tree and ornament cutouts?) For the third installment of 12 Days of Handmade, I give you this adorable bird-and-branch greeting.

For the bird, find a printable design online or reuse Christmas cards from years past. Then, create the textured branches with pine cone scales, and deck it out with glittery glue. Impressive and easy. Done and done. Get the full how-to here >>

More Handmade Cards:

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12 Days of Handmade: No-Knit Sweater Scarf

by Liz Gray December 14, 2011 4 Comments

Hi, my name is Liz, and I’m a sweater hoarder. Valuable real estate in my closet is devoted to a container filled to the brim with sweaters dating back as far back as my junior high days. Try as I might, I can’t bring myself to ditch them, so why not transform them? For day two of our 12 Days of Handmade, you can declutter and cross names off your gift list with this no-knit scarf made from old sweaters. If you’re one of those uber-organized types, you can also pick up scarf-worthy sweaters at your favorite thrift store.

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12 Days of Handmade: Easy Moss-and-Cranberry Wreath

by Liz Gray December 13, 2011 2 Comments

Only 12 more days ’till Christmas! We’re counting down with an easy handmade project every day until Christmas Eve. (Yes, you still have time to make them all.) First up: This old-fashioned moss-and-cranberry wreath.

This wreath reminds me of Christmas Eve as a kid. While the adults at our family party imbibed copious amounts of eggnog, I was content to string garland after garland of cranberries and popcorn to drape on the tree. The popcorn I didn’t eat, that is.

10 Festive Christmas Wreaths

The kids will love to help string the berries for this simple wreath that celebrates the natural hues of the season. Best of all: it can double as a centerpiece on your holiday table. Get the full how-to here >>