Handmade Holidays: Stocking Stuffers

As we get deeper into the holiday season, it's not uncommon for us crafty types to face a classic paradox: the holiday spirit fills us with inspiration to make things, but we have almost no time left to make them.

To overcome the challenges posed by this paradox, we should consider the merits of the stocking stuffer. Stockings are one of the most cherished parts of Christmas morning—a big sock filled with little things, like candies and toys, soaps and lotions, silly dollar-store treats, perhaps a gift card or maybe a pair of earrings. And, in my family, there's usually something sweet and special like a handmade gift.

The stuffed dolls from Kata Golda's Hand-Stitched Felt would make a perfect stocking stuffer. (Can't you see this mouse girl's sweet little face and arms poking out the top?) In the book, you can choose to make a mouse, a dog, or a bunny (as shown below), and the instructions could not be simpler. Just cut out your felt, sew the edges together with blanket stitch, and stuff! I finished the mouse girl shown above in a single night, beginning to end.

And for those who want a stocking to match their stuffed animal, be sure to check out Kata Golda's Felt Fox Stocking tutorial on Creativebug! 

Still need last-minute stocking stuffer inspiration for everyone else on your list?

While you probably won't have time to hand-stitch an entire Alabama Chanin dress to give as a gift, this headband from Alabama Stitch Book works up nice and fast. Plus it only requires a bit of T-shirt fabric and a needle and thread, so you won't have to run all over town looking for materials.

When taking on a last-minute knitting project, either keep it really small (like these coasters from More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts) or work with chunky yarn on big needles (like this cowl from Custom Knits Accessories)—the idea is that you want to be able to knock it out in just a night or two.

Machine-sewers can make all sorts of cute little things on the fly. This little dachshund necklace from Wee Wonderfuls is a perfect way to use up irresistible scrap fabric, and the bunny purse from Zakka Sewing will make any little girl excited to go back to school after winter break.

And don't forget the little stuffed kangaroo that Cristina made a few weeks ago! Easy, cute, and the perfect size to stuff into a stocking.

Handmade Holidays: Gift Guides

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Nothing creates a holiday memory quite like a handmade gift. If you’re feeling inclined to express your sentiments by hand this year, here are a few fun ideas:

For your mom:

 

Treat your hardworking mom to a relaxing spa afternoon with pressed flower luminaria from Weekend Handmade and homemade sugar scrub from The BUST DIY Guide to Life.

For your stylish best friend:

 

A slouchy pom pom hat from My Grandmother’s Knitting and a swiss cross bag from Zakka Sewing compliment a friend-filled weekend outing.

For the little ones:

 

Knitted dinosaur? Enough said.  This fabric case from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts for coloring on the go is an added bonus.

For your coworker:

 

Even a meeting-filled morning is made better with this personalized mug from The BUST DIY Guide to Life and these stamped notebooks from Printing by Hand.

And of course, don’t forget the pup!

Handknit Holidays

So, let the holiday gift crafting begin!

Handmade Holidays: All the Trimmings

The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

Making handmade holiday decor is a fun way to get into the spirit of the season. My favorite holiday projects are inexpensive and can be completed during a weekend (preferably in between sips of hot cocoa), and paper crafts are just the ticket. Either used as ornaments, a tree topper, or made into a garland, paper crafts are a lovely and quick way to add a little something festive to your home.

 Images 1 & 3: Modern Paper Crafts by Margaret Van Sicklen; Image 2: The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

I also love projects that evolve from leftover tidbits I have lying around. If, like us, you have a lot of fabric scraps in a basket somewhere, why not turn them into a few of these sweet little bird ornaments from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts?

 Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Although I tend to favor the immediate gratification of quick projects, some are just too beautiful to pass up for lack of time. This colorful tree skirt from Handknit Holidays can be used year after year, and would compliment a host of different decorating styles.

 Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

Do you have any favorite crafty ways to spruce up your home for the holidays? Please share!

Handmade Holidays!

Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

The holidays are always an exciting time of year, with the brisk post-Thanksgiving air inspiring us to begin decorating (and stocking up on peppermint treats) in anticipation of the upcoming December festivities. And what better way to prepare than by taking out a box of shiny baubles and crafting holiday odds and ends!

AlterKnits Felt by Leigh Radford

Handmade holiday crafts are arguably the best crafts—as an adult, how many opportunities do you have to dress up your belongings with glitter and excessive metallic finishes?

Weekend Handmade by Kelly Wilkinson

But most importantly, handmade holidays are also as much about the act of creating as the finished product. There's nothing more fun than spending an afternoon making garlands with friends, and there's no better feeling than knowing that a loved one is thinking of you each time they pull on their nubby hand-knit mittens.  

Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan

So to spread the handmade holiday love, over the course of the next month we will be sharing books and project ideas to get you in the spirit--from gift guides to décor projects, right down to ways to glitz up your favorite festive outfits!

In the meantime be sure to follow us on Twitter (#handmadeholiday) and Pinterest for regular doses of handmade holiday inspiration!

Tiny Felt Creatures: The Perfect DIY Stocking Stuffer

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for tiny versions of things. Little cups, mini pies, small embellishments—you name it, I have to have it. Needless to say, the palm-sized felt animal kits from Last-Minute Fabric Gifts author Cynthia Treen are right up my alley. How sweet are these little guys?

I don't have a lot of experience hand-stitching, but these little creatures looked too tempting not to try. Everything you need to craft (save scissors) comes wrapped up in a neat little box, perfect for taking on the go or gifting to a crafty pal. All you have to do is put on a good movie, cut the pre-sized fabric inside, and sew the pieces together following the step-by-step instructions provided.

And voila! In one evening I was able to whip up the kangaroo above (complete with removable baby kangaroo, as if it all wasn’t cute enough). Perfect for beginner or advanced sewists, Cynthia's kits are comprised of locally-sourced and recycled materials, reducing the carbon footprint. With the holidays around the corner, you’re just a quick last-minute fabric project away from a perfect stocking stuffer!

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