The return of cold weather always gets me in the mood to craft. Here’s the thing – I’m a lazy crafter. I like quick and easy projects…no quilting for me. (I would desperately love to be able to quilt…unfortunately, I just don’t have the attention span it requires. 😉 ) I especially adore projects that are simple and rustic.
It just so happens that a couple of friends and I are teaming up to have a booth at a craft show this weekend. I’m hoping to make a little money for Christmas shopping. Soooooo, craft messes abound in our cozy house this week. I’m loving all things “woodsy” right now, and I always love things that:
1.) are easy to make, and
2.) require little to no special supplies/tools.
So all of these projects (except one!) used materials I already have access to at home, and are simple and cute and right up my little rustic alley. Which means if they don’t sell at the craft show, they are things I will totally and happily be using around my house. 😉
Wood slice ornaments
This is the only project that required me to buy a new special tool. But since they’re so easy and adorable, I was only too happy to shell out the cash for it. I had to buy a wood burner, but it wasn’t too pricey. Since it’s something I can see myself using a lot in the future, I’m totally ok with the investment.
I used a pencil to sketch the design onto the wood slices, and then used the ol’ wood burner tool to engrave them. Super cute. And cheap. These would be so cute as gift tags/adornments as well as ornaments. I am in love.
Paper trees
My aunt gave me this idea, and I love them so much. I make mine using old books or hymnals, but really any paper would do. You also need scissors, kabob sticks, and some cardboard. I made templates of squares increasing in size, and then cut lots of each size out. Make a stand using cardboard and a kabob stick (I hot glue mine together), then start threading the squares on starting with the largest first.
Every time I go on to the next size square, I put a little square piece of cardboard in between, just to add a little extra stability to the structure itself. Top it with a star made of construction paper or kraft paper and you’re done! Super cute. I used these throughout our home for decorations last winter…I love that they can be set out all winter since they aren’t specifically Christmas décor.
Twig trees
These were a gamble. I wasn’t sure they would work, but I love the idea of them so much that I was pretty determined to figure out a way to make them happen. I gathered twigs from outside and used a wood slice for the base. Then I totally just hot glued them together. God bless hot glue guns.
I’m planning to use these to display the wood slice ornaments at the craft show. And once I get them home, I think I’ll add some little fairy lights, maybe a few additional tiny ornaments, homemade fuzzy pompoms, etc. I can’t wait. The cuteness factor of these…love love love. So simple yet cozy.
Rag Rugs
Finally, the ultimate winter craft: rag rugs. Again, my aunt taught me how to do these. They are crocheted, but it’s so easy. YouTube has tons of video tutorials if you’re interested in learning how to do it. These rugs are the only thing I can crochet. They make wonderful gifts and add lots of color to your home.
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