Tiny tacks

These little fabric-covered tacks went to Japan in a Christmas package for Megumi.

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Merry Christmas!

We're off for Christmas. Hope you all have happy holidays!

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Thinking outside the box

Someday I'd like to have a hand-carved nativity scene. The idea of an artist carefully crafting each piece by hand seems much more spiritually meaningful, and more like how I imagine God must operate, than mass-produced plastics injected into the same molds. And I'm fascinated by the different perceptions that people from different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures have about the nativity, and about God. I want to see with new eyes.

This beautiful Maasai nativity is from Ten Thousand Villages, hand made by artisans in Kenya.

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Retro star instructions

Visit Swapatorium for instructions straight from 1958 for making a 30-inch spiky Christmas star, "perfect for your mid century modern interior."

Update: The link to the instructions no longer works. So sad!

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Controversy in the Jones house

This (fill in the blank) has been a cherished part of Alex's Christmas memories; IT's older than he is. We have inherited IT. But what is IT? Without naming names, one of us insists IT is a cute Christmas elf. The other is certain IT is a creepy gnome lawn ornament. The debate rages. Could you guys help us settle this once and for all? PLEASE vote: elf or gnome? Creepy or charming?

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Lacy snowflake tutorial

This is a speedy, fun project. I've hung one of these in each of our living room windows, and it looks festive and wintery. How to make it:

1. Download the large snowflake template or small snowflake template. Print enough pages so you'll have 6 squares (1 or 2 sheets, depending on which template you chose). Cut along the inner lines with an X-acto knife and then cut out the squares.

2. For each snowflake, bend the tips of the inner-most flaps toward each other and curl with your fingers to give them shape. (No tape needed for this pair of flaps.)

3. Moving outward from the center, bend the next pair of flaps around in the opposite direction until they meet. Overlap ends and secure with double-stick tape.

4. Repeat with the next pair of flaps, bending them in the opposite direction. Do the same for each concentric pair of flaps, alternating directions each time and taping ends together. Continue on to the remaining 5 squares, making the snowflake parts the same way you did the first one.

5. Tape all 6 points together to form a snowflake.

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Stockings

Made some stockings for us out of felt and fleece. Click here to download the free stocking pattern I used from McCall's. (I ignored their directions and did my own thing.)

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Candy ornaments

I saw this great idea on flickr and had to make some for myself because they're awfully cute.

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Some more stars

Made some more with better paper... here are the instructions again.

Update: Martha Stewart's site has been redesigned and this link no longer works. If anyone can find the directions on the new site, let me know! Thanks for the update, kind anonymous commenter!

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Handmade Christmas gifts?

Here are some tutorials for sewing projects that could make lovely Christmas gifts. (Assuming you have extra time on your hands. Ha!)
Fabric headbands in two styles
Amy Butler hourglass pillows
Fabric belts
Decorative pin cushions
Hats
Zippered pouches
Oven mitts
A big thank you to everyone who posted these...

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