As promised, today’s post includes a roundup of ideas to Make-and-Give. I’ve shared a variety of making projects over the last year and provided detailed tutorials for several of them. All of these items are unique and special—perhaps one or two would be ideal for someone on your holiday gift list.
1. From Classic Jacket to Wearable Art
I can state with confidence that a custom-designed, hand-embellished denim jacket makes a great gift. At least, that’s how it seemed when I gave my sister the one featured in the From Classic Jacket to Wearable Art post. This project involves embellishing a classic denim jacket with fabric paints and embroidery. You don’t have to be a seasoned maker to tackle this project, just choose your design and follow along with the process described in the post. This is a great opportunity to get creative and make something unique and special.
2. Kindred Spirits Tote Bag
Back in January, I made a tote bag specifically tailored to my needs and preferences. I’ve used it nearly every day since. The design, size, configuration and decorative elements have stood the test of time. This tote bag easily holds everyday items such as a smart phone, face mask, hand sanitizer, keys, water bottle, sunglasses, laptop, camera and so on. It would be an ideal gift for someone on the go. This project requires a sewing machine and sewing skills. Check out the Kindred Spirits Tote Bag post for advice on how to make your own one-of-a-kind tote bag.
3. Old Silver Wind Chimes – DIY Tutorial
There’s something magical about the soft tinkling of wind chimes in the gentle breeze. If you know someone that might appreciate this magic, consider making them a set of wind chimes from repurposed vintage silver. In the Old Silver Wind Chimes – DIY Tutorial post, I share step-by-step instructions for transforming a vintage, silver-plated sugar bowl (or creamer) and cutlery into pretty wind chimes. Glass beads are strung on fishing line to tie it all together. It’s a fun project that doesn’t require any specialized tools or skills.
4. Maker Apron – DIY Tutorial
This project would be ideal for someone who likes to cook, paint, garden, work with wood, make pottery, or participate in any other messy pastime. It is made from a simple pair of thrifted denim jeans. The Maker Apron – DIY Tutorial post provides step-by-step instructions for this basic sewing project.
5. Bee in Cosmos OOAK Wall Hook
I’m always on the lookout for ways to incorporate my favorite photos into functional items in my home. This one-of-a-kind (OOAK) wall hook does that perfectly. I’ll readily admit that a wall hook would be a rather odd gift. But a wall hook tailored to the recipient’s specific needs and featuring a photo that is meaningful to them would be very thoughtful. For instance, how about a set of wall hooks, featuring photos of family members, specifically designed for a set of mudroom cubbies? Or what about a wall hook designed to hold someone’s baseball cap collection? Or one designed to capture keys while featuring a photo of the recipients first home? My OOAK wall hook, featuring a bee in cosmos flowers, is described in the Bee in Cosmos OOAK Wall Hook post and can easily be modified to meet your needs.
6. Sassy Lady Robe Hook – DIY Tutorial
Once you start noticing wall hooks, you may be surprised by how many hooks are used in the average home. Wall hooks, coat hooks, robe hooks, back-of-door hooks, closet hooks and so on. The Sassy Lady Robe Hook – DIY Tutorial post puts a different spin on the typically uninspired robe hook. I made a set of three for the inside of my clothes closet and I still enjoy the little spark of joy they give me every time I open the closet. Perhaps someone you know would appreciate the same feeling. The post includes step-by-step instructions and a full-size template for this beginner woodworking and paper crafting project.
7. Vintage Bangle to Keepsake Box – DIY Tutorial
A small, pretty keepsake box may be just the ticket for a few favorite pieces of jewelry or a treasured collection of trinkets. In the post, Vintage Bangle to Keepsake Box – DIY Tutorial, I describe how to repurpose a chunky, vintage bangle into a pretty, little keepsake box. It’s a straight forward hand-sewing project using felt flowers, glass beads and embroidery. Detailed instructions, as well as full-size templates for the felt flowers, are shared in the post.
8. Teacup Pincushion – DIY Tutorial
Anyone who sews on a regular basis knows that a good pincushion is a necessity. But those who sew infrequently, only to fix a hem or reattach a button for instance, could also benefit from a handy, little pincushion. In either case, the pincushion presented in the Teacup Pincushion – DIY Tutorial post may fit the bill. This hand-sewing project uses felt and embroidery to repurpose a china cup and saucer into a pretty pincushion. If the teacup is a cherished family treasure, as was the case in my project, that’s even better. Detailed instructions, as well as full-size templates for the felt flowers, are shared in the post.
9. Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial
It’s amazingly popular to use inspirational quotes as wall art. This photo embroidery project puts a unique spin on the trend. I chose to embroider the words “Hello Marvelous” to remind me of the Aristotle quote “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” The beauty of this project is that any photo can be used. Check out my Paper Stitching inspiration board on Pinterest for over 300 ideas. Select your own favorite photo and inspirational message. Then embroider your message on the photo. Check out the step-by-step instructions in the Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial post for guidance on this easy embroidery project.
10. Strawberry Tower Planter – DIY Tutorial
For something completely different, how about a strawberry tower planter for your favorite gardener? This beginner woodworking project requires only basic tools and a few supplies. With the step-by-step instructions provided in the Strawberry Tower Planter – DIY Tutorial post, it isn’t difficult to build.
11. Valentine’s Juggling Hearts – DIY Tutorial
Although these juggling hearts were presented for Valentine’s Day, they are equally relevant for the upcoming holidays. This is an easy sewing project using felt. In fact, it’s easier to make the juggling hearts than to juggle them! See the Valentine’s Juggling Hearts – DIY Tutorial post for detailed step-by-step instructions and templates to make these hearts for the fun-loving person on your holiday gift list.
12. Felt Juggling Balls with Pouch – DIY Tutorial
For someone who takes juggling a little more seriously, you might want to consider juggling balls instead of juggling hearts. According to my research, the ideal object for beginner jugglers is a sphere shape, about 2.5 inch in diameter, stuffed with millet, and weighing about 130 grams. All of these specifications are met with the felt juggling balls featured in the Felt Juggling Balls with Pouch – DIY Tutorial post. Templates are provided in a complimentary download. Step-by-step instructions walk you through making your own set of juggling balls.
This completes the 2021 Make & Give Roundup of FanningSparks’ projects. You may also want to consider some ideas from previous years. Check out the post, Make and Give DIY Tutorial Roundup, for a variety of make-and-give ideas from 2019.
If I were to choose only one make-and-give project from 2019, it would be the fabric-covered journals. I’ve given several to family members and they were well received. It’s an easy project that requires only basic crafting skills. Simply select fabric that reflects the interests of the recipient and then follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the DIY Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal Tutorial Part 2 post.
Check out the Make & Give 2020 Roundup post for gift-giving inspiration from 2020.
My first choice from the 2020 roundup would be the cordmaking lucet. There’s been a great deal of action in Pinterest around this project—over 1,000 people have pinned it! The lucet requires only basic woodworking skills to make. Detailed instructions, as well as a full-size template for the lucet, are shared in the Lucet Cordmaking – DIY Tutorial post. I also share detailed instructions, along with step-by-step photos, explaining how to make cord using a lucet.
More Info
You may also enjoy Inspiration for the Holiday Season which is a roundup of previous posts about holiday travel, decorating and traditions.
Today’s Takeaways
1. The holiday season offers an opportunity to get creative.
2. Handmade gifts signal care and affection.
3. Consider making and giving gifts this holiday season.
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