How to Make It Festive

Learn with Jo-Ann Craft Demo Round Up
from Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010

Making a festive apron or Christmas card, doesn't have to take a lot of time, as demonstrated this past Saturday in Jo-Ann stores across the country.

In about 30 minutes, you can create a "Happy Holidays" apron idea for cookie baking or holiday feast making. In less than 30 minutes, you can create a handmade Christmas card for family or friends using pretty papers from Die Cuts with a View and a cute squeeze punch from our friends at Fiskars.

For those who couldn't make it out or don't have a large Jo-Ann store nearby that has the space to host classes and demos, we have the step-by-step instructions available for you below.

Happy Holiday Apron
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: Approx. 30 minutes

Supplies & Tools

• Marvy Uchida Decofabric Markers
  Colors used: black, red, green, blue, glitter gold
• Ready-made canvas apron
• Tracing Paper
• Iron, ironing board & pressing cloth or towel
• Template

Instructions

1. Print template and enlarge or shrink the design to fit apron.
2. Trace the pattern onto the apron using the tracing paper.
3. Color in the hook caps with glitter gold. Color the ornaments on the lower right red, upper right green and the small ornament blue. For the ornament on the lower left, color it with glitter gold. Then add a little green to the base of the cap. Blend the green color into the gold ornament using the glitter gold marker. Let it completely dry.
4. Use the black to outline the ornaments and the frame, and then use it to write "happy holidays!" at the bottom. Let this dry.
5. Set iron to the temperature recommended for the canvas apron. Place towel on top of artwork. The towel is used to keep the fabric paint from burning or sticking to the iron. Iron the artwork for 5 minutes to heat set.

Merry Christmas Holiday Card
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: Less than 30 minutes

Supplies & Tools

• Die Cuts with a View Christmas Stack
• Fiskars "Under the Tree"
  Large Easy Squeeze Punch
• Foam square adhesives
  or other adhesives
• Paper trimmer

Finished Card Dimensions: 4-1/4"x 6" card

Instructions

1. Trim red paper to 8-1/2"x12". Fold into quarters to make a 4-1/4"x6" card.
2. Cut a 3-3/4"x5-1/2" rectangle from light green Christmas paper. Punch three "gifts" horizontally on one long edge (as sample pictured).
   TIP: Find the center of the 5-1/2" rectangle and punch the center "gift" first.
3. Adhere the light green paper to the front of the red card.
4. Trim a 1-1/2"x5-1/2" strip of plaid paper and attach it to the top of card, as shown.
5. Cut a strip of words from patterned paper and adhere it below the plaid strip on the card.
6. Hand-trim a "Merry Christmas" square (or other sentiment from the paper) and adhere it to the top center of the card using foam square adhesive.

To get supplies for these projects or to find a Jo-Ann store hosting free demos in your area, visit Joann.com/stores and look for stores that offer classes.

If you try out these festive how-tos, be sure to share pictures of your creations in our Jo-Ann Fan Gallery on Facebook.

Resources

• Get More Free Projects on Joann.com
• Find Us: Jo-Ann Store & Class Locator
• Shop: Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores Online
• Like Us: Jo-Ann on Facebook