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Friday, December 10, 2010

Give the Gift of Handmade in No Time

Want to give a handmade gift this year but in a hurry to cross names off your list? Hand-crafted doesn't have to cost you oodles of time. Here are just a few projects that you can make in about the time it takes to watch your favorite Christmas classic!

Holiday Napkin Rings & Wine Charms
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Crafting Time: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", "The
Little Drummer Boy" or "A Charlie Brown Christmas" [:30 ea]

How to Make Holiday Napkin Rings & Wine Charms

Christmas Jar Toppers
Skill Level 1: No Experience necessary (but helpful)
Crafting Time: "The Year without a Santa Claus" [:60]

How to make Christmas Jar Toppers

Gingerbread Chef Hat & Apron
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" [:60]

How to make a Gingerbread Chef Hat & Apron

Mother & Daughter Holiday Aprons created for Jo-Ann by columnist and Craftsanity host Jennifer Ackerman Haywood
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Crafting Time: "Miracle on 34th Street" [:90]

How to make Mother & Daughter Holiday Aprons

Chill Out Cookies and Brownies
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Crafting Time: "It's a Wonderful Life" [:130]
Recipes: Grandma's Gingerbread Cookies & Royal Icing
Packaging Idea: Martha Stewart Treat Boxes (Candy Cane shown)

How to make Chill Out Cookies & Brownies

Easy-to-Embellish Scarf
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: "Frosty the Snowman" [:30]

How to make an Easy-to-Embellish Scarf

Two-Hour Knit Scarf [:120]
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Crafting Time: "White Christmas"

How to make a Two-Hour Knit Scarf

Fabric Checkerboard Game
Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Crafting Time: "A Christmas Story" [:90]

How to make a Fabric Checkerboard Game

These are just a few of the ideas to get you started. Visit your local Jo-Ann store for more inspiration or find more free projects on Joann.com.

If you just can't make it yourself, make it out to a local holiday craft fair. Not only will you be giving your friends or family a handmade gift, but you'll be supporting a local artist and your local economy.

For folks who live in Northeastern Ohio, check out Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland this weekend, Dec. 11-12. Jo-Ann is proud to sponsor this event that features the work of more than 80 artisans. If you're not from around here, check the Crafty Events listing on Craftzine.com for shows and fairs in your area.

Of course, if you prefer to shop online, you don't have to settle for mass produced, ready-made products. Visit one (or several) of the online handmade marketplaces, such as ArtFire or Etsy, for thoughtfully and lovingly hand-crafted gifts made and sold by the artist.

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