Homestead Acres » Gifts From The Heart

Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas #4 Wrap Up!

Kim — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:07:30 +0000

Now that Christmas has passed or just about if you celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, I thought we would have a final link up for all the projects you couldn’t share before Christmas. Many of us have family reading our blogs and you wouldn’t want them sneaking a peek.

Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas #3

Kim — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:21:20 +0000

Welcome everyone to the third link up this year for our Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas blog hop. Sorry for posting this a day latter then I normally would. I had some computer problems, but I’m back! I’m so looking forward to reading all your Christmas posts! Please grab the Christmas button code in the sidebar to link back to the blog hop, so others can join in the fun!

The link up will stay open from today until next Tuesday. I’ll post a new one each Wednesday morning, so make sure to come back and join in the fun!

Crochet Snowman Ornament

Kim — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:23:27 +0000

I originally posted this little crochet snowman in a Christmas post a few years ago. But as I was making a few of these up the other day, I thought I would give him his own post and do a video to!

Gauge really isn’t important with this, but I was using worsted weight yarn and an H hook. A note on the snowman’s hat, normally when you single crochet you chain 1. In this pattern I chained 2, because I wanted the hat to be a “little” lopsided. I wanted the effect of a snowman just made by children. You know what I mean right? By the time the hat gets on the top, it’s been much loved. lol If you want a smooth and neat edge on your hat, then chain 1 instead!

Chain 4, join with a slip stitch.

1st Row work 10 dc in the center of ring. Join to the first one with a sl. Chain 3 turn.

2nd Row *Work 2 dc in first stitch, work 1 dc in next stitch. * Repeat ** all the way around, join with sl.

Repeat row 2 until desired size is reached. In my example I stopped after row 2.

Weave ends in.

Hat

Row 1 Chain 16, slip stitch back through all chains. At the end slip stich backwards 4 stitches. Chain 2

Row 2 *Sc in 8 stitches. Chain 2 turn.*

Repeat ** until hat is desired height. Cut yarn, weave in ends and sew to snowman face.

I used google eyes and sequins for the mouth and nose. However I think mini pompoms would be very cute to!

Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas #2

Kim — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:42:24 +0000

Welcome everyone to the second link up this year for our Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas blog hop. I’m so looking forward to reading all your Christmas posts! Please grab the Christmas button code in the sidebar to link back to the blog hop, so others can join in the fun!

The link up will stay open from today until next Tuesday. I’ll post a new one each Wednesday morning (Yes I’m posting this a day late. lol Sorry been sick and it’s slowing me down), so make sure to come back and join in the fun!

Today I would like to feature a wonderful easy to make scarf by Tracy at This Crochet Life. Tracy’s Old Fashioned Scarf is worked in double crochet, with a single crochet boarder. This makes a classic style scarf that is quick to work up!

Tracy also has a monthly draw on her blog for one of her wonderful crochet creations! Thank you Tracy.

Photo credit Tracy @ This Crochet Life

How To Make A Button Snowflake Ornament

Kim — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:13:12 +0000

Button snowflakes are quick and easy Christmas or winter crafts for children to make. You can make them in any color or combination of colors, although my favorites are white, blue and pink.

Each snowflake uses 4 popsicle sticks and a handful of buttons.

Glue 2 popsicle sticks to form a cross. Then glue the other two on diagonally to form the snowflake.

Glue a large button in the center, then fill the points with smaller buttons.

Cut a 4 inch piece of ribbon and glue the ends together to form a loop. Glue this to the back of one of the popsicle sticks.

How To Make A Button Wreath Ornament

Kim — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:09:45 +0000

A favorite and easy Christmas craft of ours are button wreaths. All you will need for this craft are buttons and floral wire or pipe cleaners. If you don’t have a stash of buttons (this is a must!) you can start yours buy picking up bulk bags of buttons at a craft store.

Bend a loop in one end of the wire to keep the buttons from sliding off. Then string the buttons on until you’ve reached the size you like. Twist the wire ends together.

Now to make a bow! If you made your wreath with pipe cleaners you can simply tie the ribbon around it to make a bow. If you’ve used wire, I prefer to make a little bow first and hot glue it to the front. It helps to hid the bow!

Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas #1

Kim — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:22 +0000

Welcome everyone to the first link up this year for our Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas blog hop. I’m so looking forward to reading all your Christmas posts! Please grab the Christmas button code in the sidebar to link back to the blog hop, so others can join in the fun!

The link up will stay open from today until next Tuesday. I’ll post a new one each Wednesday morning, so make sure to come back and join in the fun!

Make A Mini Winter Hat Christmas Ornament

Kim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:32:01 +0000

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments to make are mini winter hats. They looks so cute hanging on the Christmas tree, or from a garland string! This year I’ve been teaching our kids how to make them and they’ve been having fun creating.

You will need:

Toilet paper tubes
Yarn

Cut the toilet paper tubes into rounds about 1/2 an inch high. Then cut the yarn into lengths 10 inches long. I’ve found the easiest way to do this is to wrap the yarn around a hard cover book the right height. Then cut along the top and bottom.Bend the yarn strings over so both ends are even. Place the looped end inside the tube and bring up the tail ends on the outside. String them through the loop and pull to tighten. Repeat this all around the tube until it’s well covered.Then push the yarn down through the tube. Straighten out the yarn, take another piece of yarn and wrap it around the top of the hat, down about 1/2 an inch, tie a double knot. Tie a knot in the other end of the yarn to form a hanging loop. Then trim the yarn on top to form a pompom.

A Handmade Christmas

Kim — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:15:15 +0000

Handmade decorations and gifts have a special place in my heart. Each year as we get our old favorites out to hang up, we remember when we made them. The fun the children had together creating with glitter, and paint. Yes I do have a few special store bought ornaments as well. But they are special because of WHEN I bought them, not who made them.

I’m going to be posting often, daily I HOPE up until Christmas, recipes, crafts and gift tutorials and ideas. I’m also going to revive my Christmas blog hop, Gifts From The Heart ~ A Handmade Christmas. I will post a link up each Wednesday and I’m looking forward to reading all your Christmas posts!

I stumbled on to this old video the other day. Boy did it bring back memories! I know I’ve seen this before and likely read the books as a child as well. I hope you enjoy!

How To Make A No Sew Fleece Blanket

Kim — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:17:15 +0000

I love making no sew fleece blankets for gifts. They are so quick and easy to make, yet beautiful and useful as well. This year I’m making smaller lap blanket size ones, 1 meter long. Hope you enjoy the video. To read step by step instructions see here.