One Week Left! Christmas Craft Tutorials

One week left until Christmas and it's not too late for Christmas Crafts! With the kids out of school for break, relatives arriving, and chilly evenings in, it is the perfect time to plan craft projects for the whole family! Here are four tutorials I have written for Suite101.com. Enjoy with your family and let me know how they turned out!


Felt Mini-Stocking



 Felt Mini-Stocking Tutorial: Using my free printable pattern and the easiest sewing stitch, the blanket stitch, you can make these cute stockings even if you're not particularly crafty. Make them for your own tree or give as gifts stuffed with sweet treats.

Felt and Ribbon Tree Skirt

Tree Skirt Tutorial: Put presents under the tree before Santa comes on Christmas Eve. No-sew and super easy, this tree skirt is embellished with felt and ribbon presents. Your kids will love tying bows and arranging the presents.

Holly Leaf Bulb
and
Spatter Paint Bulb

Embellish Store-Bought Ornaments: The kids will love this holiday project. Harness their holiday energy with these ideas for embellishing and personalizing plain glass bulb ornaments. With a few inexpensive supplies, set up an ornament station, complete with paint, felt scraps, ribbon, buttons, and many more. Years later, they may not remember what was under the tree, but they'll definitely remember what was on it!





Fabric and Ribbon Scrap Wreath



Fabric and Ribbon Scrap Wreath: This festive project makes it very easy to be green! Use what's left over from your other craft projects to make this cute wreath. It's not only fun, but makes the most of your holiday budget.











Welcome to JMWH Crafts: My First Post

     For my first post on JMWH Crafts, I would like to introduce myself and tell you about my goals for this blog. My name is Jennifer Hayes, and I am a stay-at-home mother of three. For the past few years I have been playing around with the idea of starting my own craft business, and with my youngest going off to Kindergarten next year, I have decided that it's now or never.

     I have, in one way or another, been involoved in something creative for as long as I can remember, and have had many influences. Through my mother I learned how to sew, and was introduced to theater and Broadway musicals at a young age. Through my father, a mechanical engineer, I learned drawing and design. By combining the two I began drawing patterns and designing my own crafts and projects. I designed costumes for my high school drama club, and studied art and art history in college.

    Through my gradfather I was passed the "Packrat Gene", not a medically recognized gene, of course, but quite influential nonetheless. I have a genetic compulsion to not throw anything away that I might find useful later. My grandpa keeps everything, but for me the hoarding is generally limited to craft supplies and containers to keep craft supplies in. There isn't a button, bead, or bobbin that has passed me by. You name it, I've saved it. As a result I love crafts that utilize found objects or recycle some of my craft clutter. If I don't start my craft business soon, my husband is going to stage a revolt and make me throw my hoard in the dumpster. So keep an eye out for following posts about my efforts as a recovering "Craft Packrat".

     Now that I'm a mom, I tend to work on crafts for the kids and also money-saving tips for the crafter on a budget. My oldest daughter especially loves all those little girl trimmings, like accessory-store jewelry and cute glittery purses. I am constantly coming up with affordable alternatives to a trip to the mall while trying to pass on the same designing and sewing knowledge I was passed by my own parents.

     Well, enough about me. Let's get crafting, and be sure to check out my profile and tutorial articles at Suite101.com.