MAKE

A THRIFTY CHRISTMAS, THE CRAFT EDITION

Don't despair that Christmas is a month away and there's no money in the kitty to spread across those you wish to give gifts to. There's still time to make presents that will be appreciated for their beauty and function, and because they've come, handmade, by you.

katiecrackernuts.blogspot.com.au || handmade christmas face washers with a crocheted edge

CROCHET-EDGED FACE WASHERS

Bring a personal touch to a store bought face washer, or flannel. Add a beautifully scented soap and you're done.

MACRAME HANGING LANTERNS

These are made from jute string but could just as easily be done in a cotton strong, macrame cord or even fluoro plumber's line. An empty jam jar and a tea light candle finish the job. Make a pair to add a little sparkle to an outdoor patio or balcony.

katiecrackernuts.blogspot.com.au || handmade furniture polish

HOME MADE FURNITURE POLISH

For house-proud relatives this indoor and outdoor furniture polish is an easy to make and inexpensive gift. A glass jar is a great storage container. Avoid plastic. Cut down thrifted flannelette sheets and pair it with your jar of polish to finish the gift.

FABRIC HEAD SCARF

Make this simple, stretchy head scarf for an adult or a child using an old T-shirt. The pattern is printed on using potatoes and a small amount of fabric paint, or find an already patterned shirt and follow the instructions.

katiecrackernuts.blogspot.com.au || children's drawing transferred to pillow slip

CHILD'S PAINTING PILLOW SLIPS

This is my sister's idea. My niece and nephew drew pictures on fabric transfers that were then ironed onto plain white pillowslips. They were a Christmas favourite and are still being used in our house years later.

katiecrackernuts.blogspot.com.au || handmade christmas tree decorations felt and embroidery

HAND CRAFTED TREE DECORATIONS

I make a tree decoration for our four, now adult, children every year. Their individual stashes are quite substantial now and the tradition is being passed down. Handmade tree decorations are also a lovely, personal gift for friends and work colleagues.

katiecrackernuts.blogspot.com.au || handmade christmas gift swing tags

VINTAGE CHILDREN'S BOOK GIFT TAGS

Hunt down children's picture books that are well past their happy life on a child's bookshelf and turn them into gift tags for your Christmas gifts. I don't have any fancy cutting tool, I trace around a glass or similar and cut these out by hand. The cardboard is old cereal boxes I flatten out and cut into strips. Punch a hole through the two pieces and tie together, to swing freely, with a piece of jute string.

Hello you. Thanks for stopping by, it’s made my day. No, really, it has. Anyone who loves op shopping, pottering in the garden, baking from vintage recipe books and having a good old nana natter is my kinda human being. Please stop by again soon.