This month you’ve probably got some large tin cans hanging around – especially if you’ve been making pies in bulk with canned goods. This is the perfect opportunity to make lovely homemade Recycled Holiday Luminaries.

You’ve got lots of choices about how to reuse scrap gift wrap from last year. I was thinking you could make some adorable recycled cereal box houses, then dress them up for the holidays. Not only a cute idea, but something the kids could totally help with. You can make beautiful recycled gift wrap scrap cards. You can also create paper Christmas trees with recycled construction then cover them with ornaments made from recycled gift wrap.

Lastly you can use small scraps of recycled gift wrap around drink glasses at your holiday party or gathering. People can write their names on their cup without marking the glass and more easily tell them apart.

One of my favorite craft ideas is the Illuminated Wreath (shown above) that I saw at Real Simple. Grab a wire wreath frame and an old set of lights and you’re good to go. I realize the downside is the energy use, but you can limit that by unplugging this wreath at night when everyone heads off to bed.

A great useful reuse craft is to turn old holiday greeting cards into brand new gift boxes – seriously these are awesome and gift boxes can be expensive so this solves two issues.

What holiday reuse ideas do you have?

[Wreath Image via Real Simple; Homemade luminary image via:http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckmann/ / CC BY 2.0]

Post from: Blisstree

Recycle Holiday Goods Into New Decor

Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need to get started:

• 4 inch ivy bowl
• 4 inch clay pot
• glass paints in red, white, black and blue
• Acrylic paints in red and white
• 1 ½ inch wooden ball with a flat bottom or a two inch white pom pom

Paint the clay pot red and the rim white with the acrylic paint. If you are using the wooden ball, paint that white also. You may need to apply a second coat since the clay pot is very porous. If you need a second coat, make sure to let the first coat dry thoroughly before applying the second coat.

Now, paint the ivy bowl white, you can leave an opening in the front to paint on the face. I chose to paint the whole bowl white and work from there. For the pink nose and cheeks just add a drop of red to the white paint. If your blue paint is dark, just add a drop of white to it and you have a light blue for the eyes. If you leave an opening for the face, don’t paint it skin tone, just leave it transparent and you’ll be able to see the candies inside. I don’t really have a pattern for the Santa face, but if you just look at the one I painted you can copy that, or research on line to find one you like better.

Fill your candy jar with any candy like M&M’s or kisses. Red and white or green and white peppermint star candies are a fitting treat during the holidays.

Post from: Blisstree

Santa Candy Jar

While Tangled Thread isn’t a quilting blog (go to Quilting & Patchwork for that one!) making art quilts is one of my great passions.  I seem to create at least one art quilt as a Christmas gift for someone in my family every year.

Last year it was my brother & sister-in-law’s turn – this year it was my parents:

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay

My brother took the photos of my parent’s pets and I Photoshopped them.  The photots were then printed directly onto specially treated silk sheets (the silk sheets are fused to paper and are treated so that you can run them through your printer).  I appliqued the photos onto fabric, stitched them onto the background (which was created by appliquing more strips of fabric onto a “sandwich” of fabric and quilt batting).  I then mounted it onto a stretcher frame and covered the back with more fabric.

I also enjoy giving home-made candy at Christmas.  I bought some yummy black organza that had been printed with silver snowflakes – which I thought would make a great way to wrap the candy:

image: C Findlay-Harder

I cut rectangles of the fabric, wrapped the cellophane-bagged candy in it and then topped it all off with a matching silver ribbon.  The organza tended to fray a little so I trimmed off the ends with my pinking sheers.

Voila!  Quick, easy and festive wrapping – just the way I like it

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The final Christmas projects round-up

Got a big button stash?  How about a button wreath?

image: Really Bad Kitty 

Use festive fabrics to create this braided wreath:

image: Craftown

This would be the perfect project for the beginning quilter:

image: Sewing.About.com

If you change the ribbon color, this would make a gorgeous Christmas wreath:

image: The Long Thread

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Christmas & holiday wreath inspirations

• Christmas ornaments
  One of the favorite holiday traditions at Noreen’s house is making an ornament for their family and friends. This year, it’s the Angel of Gratitude.
• Favorite Upcycled Etsy Holiday Finds
  Dominoes, quilts, plastic strips, aluminum cans, corks and more were used in these homemade holiday creations.
• Hand Embossed Velvet Gift Bags
  Do you know how to hand emboss velvet? Learn how with this project for an elegant embossed velvet gift bag. Beaded fringe optional!
• Layers Upon Layers
  Image transfers can sometimes be challenging. Cyndi’s giving you 4 chances to win Tilano kits that help make transfers foolproof!
• Making Christmas Meaningful
  How do you make Christmas meaningful in your home?
• Memories of Pearl Harbor Day
  Mary Emma, at Quilting and Patchwork, suggests turning memories of that era you or a family member experienced into quilt or other fabric art.
• Tangled Thread Christmas
  Chloe shares her Christmas tree and holiday decorations.

image: Stock.xchg

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Artsy bloggers roundup

Here’s what my house looks like at the moment:

Of course, it’s not Christmas without yo-yo garlands:

Yo-yo garlands seem to end up everywhere…

You’ve already seen this little guy on my tree:

I also have to have lots of hand-made Christmas ornaments – made by myself:

And by my family:

You can also be thrifty when you’re making Christmas crafts – I used leftover upholstery samples to make parts of my stocking:

I’d recommend using strong needles if you want to make your own – I snapped quite a few with this project!

all images: © C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas at my house

Did you know that fabric superstar Amy Butler has a great line of free patterns for quilts, accessories, fabric crafts and more?

You’ll find patterns for gorgeous scarves (for your hip cousin) business card holders (for your self-employed friend) and even quilts (for someone who’s really special!).

Want to check it out?   Click here to see all the goodies.

Post from: Blisstree

Need more inspiration for hand-Christmas gifts?

• How to hand-sew sequins
  Add some glitz and glamor to your holiday crafting with this easy how to sew sequins tutorial.  
• Layers Upon Layers
  Profiled artist Nicole Braun combines her love of mixed media arts with her photography.
• Making Festive Ice Wreaths
  If it’s freezing, you can make the perfect ice wreath!
• More Ornament How-tos
  Come see some beautiful and easy-to-make Christmas ornaments created by Eileen’s new helper elf.
• Spool knitted and woven heart instructions
  Noreen has re-worked the instructions for her spool knitted and woven heart. It’s now available as a pdf. The original heart was made in springtime colors, but the heart would be gorgeous in Christmas colors like burgundy, navy and hunter green.
• The Fascination of Karen Eckmeier’s Happy Villages
  Discover Karen’s unique ways of designing and quilting in her Happy Villages and Accidental Landscapes techniques.

image: Stock.xchg

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Artsy bloggers roundup

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family has put together an amazing list of Christmas crafts, holiday recipes, seasonal tips – all with a “green” or eco-friendly twist.

Sit back, browse, read, and linger in the holiday bliss!

Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up by exchanging organic and natural ingredients for conventional.

50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas

Cherry Dot Cookies

Organic Holiday Cookies!

Hey It’s Sugar Cookie Day – worth it for the pretty snowy cookie image alone.

Bacon Nut Stuffing – don’t forget, pork is a high pesticide food item, so buy organic if you make this dish.

Top 10 Turkey Tools

Pumpkin Cheesecake – one of my personal favorite treats.

What Else Is In Your Beer? AND Vegan Beer & Wine – I know beer and wine do not make a meal, but hey, they are treats, and if you have a drink, you may as well get the best.

Don’t forget to green up your holiday crafts by using recycled materials when possible.

Making Festive Ice Wreaths

yo-yo Christmas tree ornaments

Easy Christmas Crafts for the Kids

24 Things To Make – A Crafty Christmas Countdown

Beautiful Christmas Wreath Ideas You Can Create Yourself

Quick and Easy Christmas Wreath Idea – Snowflake Wreath

Homemade Recycled Holiday Luminaries

Embroidered Christmas craft how-tos

Christmas in July Crafts for Kids

Christmas sewing & crafting tips and tricks

Free holiday projects from around the bead-osphere!

Free Holiday Projects

Favorite Christmas tree ornament tutorials, free patterns & ideas

50 Holiday Things You Can Make Yourself

Thrifty Christmas Crafting

Homemade Christmas Ornament Ideas: Pinecones

How to Make a Candy Christmas Wreath

Make Your Own Pop Up Christmas Card

Green up your homemade holiday gifts by using recycled materials and natural and organic ingredients when possible. You can apply this thinking to almost any homemade gift idea.

Homemade Eco Gifts You Can Make for the Holidays!

Fabric Covered Journal Tutorial

How To Make Your Own Bath Salts

A Gift You Can Make With Your Children~ Hot Chocolate Mix Jar

Make Your Own Solar Light!

DIY Eco Chic Soap

Make Your Own Oilcloth Bags

Cheap Christmas Spa Basket Gift – Heating Pads

When it comes to green holiday tips you can do a lot; be a smart consumer, save energy, reuse items, and way more.

Turn Cereal Boxes into Gift Boxes

Green Product Review: Green Christmas Book

Tips on Staying Healthy During the Holidays

Green Christmas Shopping – 3RLiving Exclusive Discount to Unplugged Living – 3R Living has the coolest green gear, and now, you can score it for less.

• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #1
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #2
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #3
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #4
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #5

How To Reduce Your Winter Heating Bill

Weatherization Assistance Programs

Easy ways to save money when gift shopping online (conserve gas, stay at home and shop).

The First Snowfall – A Day for Fun and Quilting Inspiration

Snow! Snow Everywhere!

25 Reasons To Get Outside During Winter

Christmas Tree Coat Stand

Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees

Decorating Your Holiday Table – with the goodness of soy

Christmas Lights

Decorating Your Coffee Table for Christmas

Great Kitty Stocking Stuffers – recycled tins, natural kitty treats!

15 Unique Christmas Gifts – many recycled!

Steal This Christmas Gift Please!

Kitten Christmas Pictures – you know me; NOT a pet fan. So if I’m posting kitten pictures, you can bet your hide they’re flippin’ adorable. Even I was moved.

Best Holiday Books, 2008 – kid friendly! Use the library or share with friends to be extra green with holiday books.

Christmas Party Game Idea – Family Tree

Green Holiday Gift Guide: Great Books for Kids

Holiday Lights Video

[Image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Have a “Green” Christmas this year

• Christmas shopping for fiber-aholics with Tangled Thread
  Need a gift idea for the fabric or fiber-aholic in your life? Chloe has put together her favorite picks to delight the crafter on your list.
• Freaky Friday #138
  A visual journal prompt using photos & images of your family.
• Green crafts – A new hand made book from recycled wood & paper
  Noreen’s been working on Christmas presents. She’s just finished making a journal for her sister in law, using old wood from a stage set, and recycled paper. She’s binding it all with spool knitted cords, and has embellished it with a Celtic Tree of Life. A very green Christmas present indeed!
• Layers Upon Layers
  Come meet Theda Sandiford, and enjoy her multi-layered and challenging collages!
• Spice Up Plain Pens with Wrapping Paper or Magazines
  Make a stocking stuffer for cheap!
• We Want More Ornament Ideas!
  Eileen and her elves have been crafting up new ornament ideas. Here’s just one example. There will be more to come!
• Write a Thankful Poem
  Even though this is described as a Thanksgiving activity, you can adapt it to any time of the year, suggests Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork.

image: Stock.xchg

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Artsy bloggers roundup