4 Easy Christmas Crafts

Christmas is Coming! 

Christmas time is the perfect time to break out the glue gun. Some of the best Christmas decorations and gifts are handmade.

I am sharing my three favorite Christmas Crafts I made this year. Lakelynn Salinas allowed me to share her impressive handmade Grinch faux fireplace.

I am posting a few tutorials that are easy. I am terrible at telling others how to craft. So I hope the instructions are easy to follow.

Christmas Art- 

Kohl's has similar pictures, but they were expensive. So I decided I would make my own for less. You need a small canvas and scrap booking paper. Adhesive letters if desired. Modgepodge is best to keep the paper in place.

This craft is simple you trace the canvas shape on the back of the paper and cut. Place the paper on top of the canvas use a foam or regular paint brush apply the Modgepodge.  Use Modgepodge like it is paint remember it will dry clear. The Modgepodge will take several hours to dry. After the glue has dried apply the decals to the canvas. This project is fast and easy, well if you exclude the drying overnight part.

4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace

Pillar Candle-

I wanted something to use all winter and I could change later. You can pick any candle holder you like with a smooth surface. You can use any ribbon you want for the embellishment.  I measure by wrapping the ribbon around the pillar and snip. I prefer glue tape because hot glue, may seep through and burn you. Since glue tape is cut, I use the ribbon to measure it. A glue gun works too be careful not to burn your fingers. Glue tape and hot glue will pull off. You can remove the ribbon after the holidays and apply a new one for other holidays.

4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace
4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace

Easy Skirt-

This one is easy you can sew it from memory with no pattern. Measure the waist where the waistband sits on the child. If the measurement is 21 inches, I add about 1/4 of an inch for when I sew the seams together, so the skirt will not be too tight.

Measure how long you want the finished skirt to be. Here is where it can get complicated. There are two ways of handling the elastic casing and the hem. If you own a serger, you can serge the raw edges. You need to make seam allowances for the hem and the casing. If you do not own a serger, you will need to fold down the hem twice and the casing. You must remember to double those seam allowances.

For example, let's say I serge the raw edges, and I need the skirt to be 21 inches. If my elastic is 3/4 an inch and I want a 1/4 inch hem, I add an inch and cut 22 inches long. I leave a little extra space for the elastic casing. If the tube is too tight, you won't be able to thread the elastic. The gist is your fabric will need to be 22 inches long. I add a pinch for the casing.

For example, let's say you do not own a serger, and the elastic is one inch, and you want a half an inch hem. You want a 23-inch long skirt. You need to double the hem measurement and add a quarter inch to the casing. So you add an inch for the hem and 1.25 for the elastic casing. So that's 25.25 inches.

The width is what you want. I use the width of the yard for bigger skirts. Cut the fabric and sew the edges together. Use a zig-zag stitch to finish the raw edges if you do not use a serger.

If you are not using a serger measure, the length you desire for the hem. To hem the skirt, fold the hem over then pin the hem with glass pins and press. You must repeat the hem directions again. By pressing the hem twice this prevents the raw edges from fraying. Then sew the hem.

4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace

At the waistband if you want an inch first measure 1/4 inch fold and press. This is so the raw edges are tucked away to prevent fraying.  The waistband needs to be slightly longer than the elastic. I measure one and 2/16 an inch.  You then fold the fabric, pin, and press again. This will be your waistband so pin and press. If you serged the raw threads, you only need to fold and press once.

Use a straight stitch but do not close the waistband. An inch of the waistband casing must be left open. You need this gap for the elastic.

Mark the elastic, so you know you are sewing the right sides together to prevent twisting. What you want to do is use an elastic threader or use a safety pin. Pin one side down and feed the elastic through until the opposite end comes out.

The sew the elastic together. Push it into the casing and close the gap. The tight elastic will gather the skirt for you! Wolla you have a skirt!

4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace
Another skirt I made with this method.

Another skirt I made with this method.

These skirts make great gifts. Once you have made a few it becomes a very easy project.

These skirts make great gifts. Once you have made a few it becomes a very easy project.

Last, I love this Grich Faux Fireplace. Lakelynn Salinas is incredible. Here is a link to Pinterest where she has written a tutorial. Her twist on the faux fireplace is the best Christmas craft I've seen in forever. She had to get creative this year. Her daughter was worried that Santa would not visit because their new home did not have a fireplace. Is this not one of the best parenting wins?

Lakelynn is from Tennessee she works, she has four kids, and is pregnant with her fifth and made that! She is a supermom. Her husband helped her with the painting. This craft may seem elaborate, but it's easy. I love this so much. This is perfect for Christmas! Lakelynn is on Pinterest so follow her. 

4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace

Which craft is your favorite? Are you making any gifts this year? 

Did you like this post? Want to read more?

Read on to learn how to get your kids to bed early on Christmas Eve.

My top 10 family Christmas Movies.

4 easy christmas crafts. #christmas #christmascrafts #handmade #handmadeChristmas #ChristmasGiftIdeas #SewingTutorial #fauxfireplace