Judging from the recent activity on my Pinterest pins, crafting and making for the holidays is in full swing. My Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder, for instance, is getting considerable attention. It’s my most popular DIY tutorial having been featured on at least 3 other blogs and been viewed, pinned or shared over 660 times in just the last 90 days. The candle holder has a pretty 6-point star design that glitters and shines with candlelight. It is a great DIY project—quite doable with the step-by-step instructions. Plus it’s perfect for the holidays either to give as a gift or to decorate your own home!
As much as I like the Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder, several of the other DIY projects I’ve shared are equally noteworthy. Today’s post includes a roundup of Make & Give suggestions from the last year. Every item is unique and special. All have been featured in a blog post here on FanningSparks. Here’s the Make & Give Roundup for 2020.
1. Basic Pillow
2. Pressed Flower Girls Wall Art
3. Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat
4. One of a Kind (OOAK) Mosaic Tray
5. Lucet Cordmaking
6. Ultimate Picnic Blanket
7. Simple Folded Boat
8. Fern & Flower Press
9. AirBee-n-Bee House
1. Basic Pillow
This Basic Pillow is perfect for the beginner sewer. It’s designed to be made with custom fabric from the FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower. There are two collections of designs—the Floral World Tour – Warm Colors Collection featuring 3 colorful flower designs and Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection featuring 3 lush fern designs. Custom-matched striped fabric is also available for the pillow backs. That being said, any fabric can be used to make this simple 18” x 18” pillow cover. It is the perfect opportunity to use a fabric with special significance. Check out my previous post, DIY Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal Tutorial Part 1, for ideas about selecting fabric to match your recipient’s passion.
2. Pressed Flower Girls Wall Art
This wall art showcases pressed Rose of Sharon blooms. It’s a fun collage of dried flowers and paper cutout dolls mounted in a frameless holder of acrylic sheets and wooden bars. It could easily be customized with a name or meaningful quote. I didn’t provide a full step-by-step tutorial but the post clearly explains the process I followed. This project goes hand-in-hand with the Fern & Flower Press listed below at number 8. The only difficultly is settling on a pleasing arrangement of the design elements.
3. Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat
The Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat started as a photo prop but it promises hours of fun for children and the young-at-heart. It does an amazing job of floating in still waters and gentle breezes. Simple materials are used. The sails can easily be customized with unique fabric. A name, number or design motif could also be added. Basic wood working and fabric stitching are involved.
4. One of a Kind (OOAK) Mosaic Tray
This One of a Kind (OOAK) Mosaic Tray is as functional as it is pretty. The glass tile and stained glass mosaic is seated in a thrifted serving tray. The mosaic design combines a charming fern motif with a playful tic-tac-toe grid. The background is laid in a spiral pattern. The design could easily be customized to reflect the interests of the recipient. This project may be a little ambitious for a first mosaic project but is ideal for someone with a little mosaic experience. My post includes a description of the process along with helpful tips but does not provide detailed step-by-step instructions.
5. Lucet Cordmaking
A lucet is a simple tool that resembles a two-pronged fork. It is used to make a knotted cord by manipulating fiber strands around the prongs. My full step-by-step tutorial explains how to make a wooden lucet and use it to make cord. The lucet requires only a few supplies and basic woodworking skills. Cordmaking may require a little patience but the repetitive movements quickly become relaxing and soothing. Cord can be made in a variety of fibers, such as yarn, string and floss, in an endless array of colors.
6. Ultimate Picnic Blanket
This picnic blanket has several features earning it the “ultimate” title. It provides a protected place to sit keeping moisture, bugs and pokey things at bay. Plus it’s durable, easy care and machine washable. Fabric and sewing notions are needed. It requires basic sewing skills. The red-and-white gingham check and daisy motif could easily be replaced with different design choices.
7. Simple Folded Boat
The Simple Folded Boat is another great project for children and the young-at-heart. It would be perfect packaged as a kit with plans to make it together. It doesn’t get much easier than this project. The fabric for this project is available in a rainbow of colors and could easily be personalized with a name, number or design motif.
8. Fern & Flower Press
The Fern & Flower Press can be used to preserve flowers, ferns, leaves, grasses and other plant materials. It’s straightforward and simple to construct. It is a generously-sized press specifically designed for large plant elements like fern fronds. It would be easy, however, to adjust the size to make it smaller. The cover design could easily be customized. Basic woodworking materials and skills are required.
9. AirBee-n-Bee House
The AirBee-n-Bee House is an attractive insect hotel designed for a backyard or garden. It is targeted to tunnel-nesting native bees such as Mason Bees and Leaf-Cutting Bees. It features natural materials such as reeds and branches. Basic woodworking materials and skills are required. The nesting materials can be arranged as desired.
For a few additional options, consider these Make & Give projects from the 2019 roundup.
1. Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder
2. Woven Statement Necklace
3. Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal
4. Pyramid Trellis
5. Bespoke Pillows
6. Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse
More Info
Don’t miss last year’s Make & Give Roundup.
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Today’s Takeaways
1. Hand-crafted items are unique and special.
2. Tailoring a hand-crafted gift for the recipient sends a message of love and caring.
3. Consider making and giving gifts this holiday season.
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