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  • Published on

    Begin Your Handmade Projects in October for Christmas Gifts

    Ideas Motivation

    We believe that beginning your handmade Christmas gifting projects in October gives you plenty of time to prepare for a meaningful Christmas. Your handmade gifts may become keepsakes for the recipients, so you'll want to start early enough to avoid stress, stay on budget, put your heart into your work, and create special things that will make the season bright! 


    For me, I love listening to cheerful Christmas music in my crafting area so I can get into the holiday spirit, reflect on memories with the people I love, and create things with joy in my heart as I focus on the details of my work. Of course, we crafters don't really consider it work when we love what we do and who it's made for. We're just living the dream, right? 


    Some of my favorite October crafting projects, which I'm currently working on, include crocheting gift bags and mug cozies. I have also been working on handmade gift tags and gift toppers because I enjoy the creative aspects of gift wrapping and curating an elaborate gift presentation so much! Soon I will begin making handmade ornaments, too. I can hardly wait! 


    Below you will find our October crafting tips that include holiday gift ideas that are handmade, and some motivation for you to get started on those Christmas gift projects! 


    Happy Crafting!

    A blog post image with fall leaf decorations and motivational words for working on handmade Christmas gifts in October.
  • Published on

    4 Helpful Sewing Tips

    Ideas

    Whether you are new to the art of sewing, or if you have been stitching for years, these four simple tips are designed to help you master your sewing projects so they turn out with professional quality results. 


    In the images below you will:

    • Learn the value of preparation for your sewing projects. 
    • Discover the importance of pressing every seam. 
    • Find out why you should respect the grainline of your fabric. 
    • Keep in mind how often you should replace the needle of your sewing machine. 


    With implementation of these four helpful tips, you will advance in your efforts to master the quality factor of your sewn pieces

    An image of a basket of sewing essentials with a sewing tip.
    An image of a hand-drawn dress design with sewing advice.
    An image of a black background with words about sewing advice.
    An image of a sewing pressure foot with sewing advice for replacing a needle in your sewing machine.
  • Published on

    How to Make Paper Plate Animals

    Homeschool Ideas

    Here is an easy craft project to make with your kids! Together you can create cute paper plate animals. Family craft time is bonding time, which means you have the opportunity to create memories while you complete this craft activity. This project is simple and fun, and the end result will be adorable. We hope you get photos of your family with the finished paper plate animals. But most of all, we hope you enjoy your time creating together. 


    For this project you will need: 

    • Paper Plates
    • Construction Paper
    • Non-Toxic Markers, Crayons, or Paint
    • Kid-Safe Scissors 
    • Glue Stick or School Glue
    • Googly Eyes (optional)
    • Cotton Balls, Pipe Cleaners, or Buttons (for added decoration)


    Below you will find the image with specific instructions for these six project steps: 

    1. Choose your animal.
    2. Make the base design. 
    3. Add special details. 
    4. Attach the eyes. 
    5. Decorate in your own fun way. 
    6. Finish and show it off!
    A list of materials needed to make paper plate animals.
    Craft project directions to make paper plate animals with kids.
  • Published on

    The Joy of Starting Your Next Project Today

    Ideas Motivation
    Are you a person who collects pins on Pinterest, hoping to try out a new craft idea? Or you watch all of the tutorials you come across on social media? Maybe you even go as far as to purchase supplies for that project, hopeful that you'll get around to making it someday. But somehow those supplies become easily forgotten and are still sitting in the shopping bag you brought home from the store months ago.

    It's not just you, it's most of us. Maybe we feel like we're not quite ready to begin. Will we have enough supplies? Will we get frustrated and give up? Will we continue with the project if it's not turning out perfect enough for our satisfaction. 

    What if we could embrace an imperfect beginning? If we start today, we may discover the joy that comes with making progress and creating. And learning a new skill is rewarding in itself, as it can likely apply to future projects as well. Use mistakes as learning opportunities and correct them as you can.

    It might not come together in a night but try to make progress every day or every week until your project is complete. Then improve your skillset by continuing onto the next project, whether it's using the same techniques, or experimenting with new ones.

    Below you will find practical tips to motivate you to begin. There is true joy that can be found in starting. So, begin your next project today!
    The joy of starting - why your next project should be today's project.