Innholdsfortegnelse for Holiday Decorating Ideas i Threads Magazine

I’ve never been one for holiday decorations per se. I love the holidays, and of course, I love crafting, but I have always preferred a more subtle backdrop for my wintertime décor, with items that feel as if they belong in the space and were placed with purpose, regardless of the specific occasion. Maybe it has something to do with the overabundance of Christmas kitsch I was exposed to while I was growing up. My well-intentioned and super-talented crafty mentor—Mom—loved to pepper our home with what seemed like an explosion of red, white, and green holiday paraphernalia. I’d have been content and even amused if it had been just a macramé snowman here or a singing and dancing Santa there, but it was a massive holiday takeover that stunned me…

1 Cranberry delight Place a candle (tapered or larger) in the center of a low, clear bowl, and fill the bowl with fresh cranberries to support the candle. This makes a wonderful, quick and easy table centerpiece. Or add water, cranberries, and a floating candle for a totally different look. —April Mohr, Watertown, Connecticut 2 Wreath alternative Instead of hanging a wreath, try making a kissing ball. This decorative ball hangs from the ceiling like mistletoe but has much more potential for embellishment. You can spice it up with embroidered ribbons and different color themes. As another wreath alternative, make a big knitted or quilted mitten, and fill it with holly and other festive greens. —Jennifer Stern, Manchester, Connecticut 3 Original ornaments A great way to turn ornaments into gifts is…

Makeover the bedroom for the holidays? You bet. If you’ve never thought about dressing up your own bedroom or a guest bedroom for the season, you (and your guests) have been missing out. The bedroom is the perfect place to create a cozy, peaceful retreat to escape to and rejuvenate during this time of seemingly endless parties, shopping, and holiday festivities. And, a crisp palette of red and white hints at holiday without going overboard. Create a feast for the senses The projects on the following pages come together to create a room that delights the senses. And they’re as relaxing to make as the quality they add to a room. You’ll find ideas for creating a bed that’s a soothing place of respite, making candle holders to bathe the…

It’s the holidays and guests are coming from far and wide. How do you add a touch of holiday decoration to make the guest bedroom even more warm and welcoming? It’s simple; just take a plain pillowcase, a lightweight yarn, and a size F crochet hook, and in a day, you can craft a pretty crochet-trimmed pillowcase to adorn the guest bed. I’ll show you how to create a trim as well as some snow-flake-inspired motifs that you can sew directly to the pillowcase front. This project is perfect for the intermediate crocheter, as the design calls for a full range of stitch heights from single crochet to treble crochet and introduces clusters. Not to worry, though, step-by-step photos will guide you through the more complicated stitches. And don’t stop…

when the weather starts to turn colder, our thoughts and energies tend to turn inward, and our decorating efforts are redirected toward the inside of the house. Although it’s easy to dismiss the outdoors as we curl up by the fire, there’s a wealth of beauty in the winter landscape just begging to be noticed. And one of the simplest ways to celebrate that beauty is to decorate with earthy elements, bringing a touch of the outdoors inside. This section is devoted to projects that do just that. But rather than relying solely on branches, berries, and other traditional greenery, we’ll show you how to give them a crafty twist to keep your home looking fresh and exciting all season long. Nature meets craft The projects on the following pages…

Wreaths may be iconic symbols, but they don’t have to be ordinary. Here, we’ve taken the classic wreath and given it a crafty boost. Although inspired by outdoor elements, these projects are perfect at home anywhere you’d like to decorate. First, chunky yarn and vintage-inspired decorations come together to make a funky, retro-craft wreath. Then, home-made raffia flowers are planted on a fabric-covered embroidery hoop for a wreath with rustic appeal. Not just for the door, these wreaths are great decorations for any place you want to add a crafty touch to your house. KATIE RUNNELS (“Yarn-wrapped wreath”) has fun working with yarn, especially yarn wreaths, and blogs at TheConstantGatherer.blogspot.com. DIANE GILLELAND (“Embroidery hoop wreath”) blogs at Craftypod.com and enjoys getting crafty, recently with embroidery-hoop wreaths. Yarn-wrapped wreath This soft, fluffy wreath makes…

The key to a successful room makeover is surprise, surprise, surprise! Get creative with clever touches that will make any guest give you a high-five for your craftiness. To take on these two high-strung concepts, you’ll definitely need to think outside the box. These textured vertical wall hangings add depth to any corner and can even double as room dividers. Start with these two ideas, and then keep an eye out for other interesting objects to string together! KATHY CANO-MURILLO, better known as Crafty Chica (CraftyChica.com), writes a nationally syndicated craft column for The Arizona Republic. Her seventh book, Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing (Potter Craft), will be released in February 2009. Floating holiday hoops Not just for embroidery anymore, these hoops make for a surprisingly chic decoration. Use leftover scrapbook…

There’s a newness in the air at the precipice of deep winter—New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, new resolutions, and of course, new decorations. As the holidays wind down, all of the Santas and snowflakes are packed away, and we’re poised to go into the long haul toward spring. This is the time for rich and bold pieces to entertain you for the next several months, plus impress all of your New Year’s guests. Soft, but not subtle The projects featured in this section are all about adding surprise and drama to your décor. For example, daring color meets its match in cotton and velvet fabrics while sweet, little white lights meet theirs in a woodsy tangle of grapevine. Beyond new effect, think new texture. Wait until you get your…

Want a quick way to completely makeover the look of your living room? It’s simple with this sofa wrap, designed specifically for changing your sofa style on a whim—or at least, with the season. This sofa wrap makes quick work of covering the couch when you’re expecting guests—without all of the time or expense that’s typically involved in reupholstering. It provides the perfect opportunity to pick and choose the coolest combination of fabrics to dominate a room. This easy-to-make, easy-to-place, and easy-to-remove wrap is the combination of three elements: an underlayer, an overlayer of two arm pieces and one front-to-back piece, and optional decorative treatments at the corners. You’ll measure the sofa, cut and sew your fabric, and then drape and tuck your wrap in place. Adapted from “Make a…

HEAVENLY SHEETS P. 34 Copy the template below (enlarge as desired). Trace it onto your sheet hem or pillowcase, and then embroider along the lines. FREEZE FRAME P. 46 Use this template to create a freezer paper stencil, following the directions on p. 47. Resize as desired. PERMISSION GRANTED TO COPY FOR PERSONAL USE. GREAT GARLANDS P. 52 Use these templates below to create the elements for the leaves and lace, birds and branches, and petals and pine cone garlands. Copy the “Birds and branches” template at 110%, “Leaves and lace” at 200%, and “Petals and pine” at 165%. Then, trace them onto your fabric with chalk, and cut out the shape. BIRDS AND BRANCHES: PERMISSION GRANTED TO COPY FOR PERSONAL USE. LEAVES AND LACE: VELVET IMPRESSIONS P. 84 Copy…

LINDA PERMANN Bozeman, Montana “Peaceful Pillowcase” p. 40 Linda Permann attributes her passion for crafting to growing up in a large family where she discovered artsy ways to make things her own. She has been crocheting for over six years, and her patterns have been featured in numerous publications, including Stitch ’N Bitch Crochet, Knit.1, and Vogue Knitting on the Go!. Previously the founding Craft and Decorating Editor of Adorn Magazine, she now writes regularly for Crochet Today magazine and is a contributor on CraftStylish.com. You can follow her crafty adventures on her website, LindaMade.com. KATHY CANO-MURILLO Phoenix, Arizona “Deck the Walls” p. 71 You will probably recognize Kathy Cano-Murillo under her widely used nom de craft—The Crafty Chica (CraftyChica.com). Inspired by her Latina heritage and a passion for all…

With the start of the holiday season comes the start of many get-togethers with friends and family and lots of chances to play host or hostess. At this time of year, those gatherings are often focused on taking stock of our blessings and giving thanks for our good fortune. When it comes to decorating your table, there’s no better way to say “thanks” than by setting a table that truly reflects the richness and warmth of the season. This section offers all the projects you need to create a comfortable yet stylish table setting. With these projects on the table, your guests will be as amazed and thankful for your crafting efforts as they are for your cooking talents. Create a beautiful, bountiful backdrop You don’t need to change your…

During the holidays, we have more frequent occasions to pull out the cloth napkins. Whether your festivities are casual or more formal, you can dress up those napkins with some gorgeous, beaded napkin rings. A larger, more graphic, beaded ring is always a standout at the table but more daintily charmed rings can be coupled or tripled for an elegant look. These beaded napkin rings are a can-do for any skill level. Simple beading techniques make them the perfect place for beginners to take the plunge while more experienced beaders will enjoy these quick and satisfying projects. SUSAN BEAL crafts in Portland, Oregon, and is a contributing blogger for CraftStylish.com. She is the author of Bead Simple and also writes daily at WestCoastCrafty.com. Delicate charmer Sweet and super-easy, make three or four…

No piece of furniture is more personal or more reflective of our style and taste than our beds. We carefully select just the right firmness in a mattress to support our bodies and bedding of the perfect color and thread count to soothe us into restful slumber. This holiday season, add a touch of personalized color and charm to your bedding with a set of simple, sweetly embroidered sheets—and if you’re feeling ambitious, a pillowcase, too. A version of traditional Hungarian folk-art design, this classic heart-and-flower motif is perfect for the beginner as well as the advanced embroiderer and is created using just two stitches—backstitch and lazy daisy. Hand embroidery is a wonderful project to unwind with during the hectic holiday season. Pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, light…

Holiday baking is one of the many joys of the season. Every family has its favorite recipes passed down through the generations, but no cookie better embodies the tastes and scents of the holidays than gingerbread. Delicious, spicy, gingerbread cookies aren’t just for eating, they make wonderful decorations such as tree ornaments and gingerbread houses or, as we see in this project, a holiday mobile. This simple mobile is the perfect way to show o≠ your favorite seasonal baking or other treasures long into the winter. Remember to bake extra cookies because you’ll want to have enough on hand to eat, too! KAYTE TERRY is the author of Complete Embellishing (Collins & Brown, 2008). She is a stylist and visual merchandiser based in New York City and the creator of ThisIsLoveForever.com/blog. Bake…

If you’re looking to add a big dose of fun to your holiday decorating, think “Feliz Navidad.” Whether on the wall, on the tree, or draped over the back of the sofa—bright and festive Latin-American-inspired elements bring out the party in any room. The not-so-subtle backdrop that these decorations provide will play off your more traditional holiday bric-a-brac well. The following section offers a brilliant mix of creative crafts designed to give your rooms a marvelously merry makeover. Add bold, beautiful touches To put a spin on typical holiday decorating, these projects were designed to capture the warmth and brightness that almost everyone (at least in northern climes) could use a little more of at Christmastime. Heavy woolen yarns, shiny (even metallic) and patterned papers, and soft, quilted fabrics are…

Everyone can remember making paper cranes and cups in grade school, but when was the last time you gave origami a second thought? Once written off for being either too childish or too complex, origami is now an up-and-coming art form. This star design reveals what a simple and stylish art it can be. Don’t be surprised if these stars leave you scouring the Web for more ornament patterns to decorate your tree this year! LILLIAN CAMPBELL is an editorial intern for Threads and CraftStylish. A star is born The possibilities for these decorative stars are endless. They can be hung on trees, strung in garlands, and attached to celestial-inspired wreaths. {1} START WITH A SQUARE PIECE OF PAPER. Mark the center of thesquare. Fold each corner of the square towards…

The holiday season is often full of celebrations with family and friends. This year, dress up your sideboard or sofa table with this embossed velvet tablecloth. The rich weight and smooth texture of velvet brings sophisticated style to any setting. Your guests don’t have to know that your custom-designed tablecloth was created with just a few simple, readily available tools. All they’ll see is an heirloom-quality accent that reflects your elegant style. KAYTE TERRY is the author of Complete Embellishing (Collins & Brown, 2008). She is a stylist and visual merchandiser based in New York City and the creator of ThisIsLoveForever.com/blog. Create a vision in velvet You can also use this technique with store-bought stamps, doilies, or even heavy pieces of lace. {1} TRACE A PATTERN. Photocopy the flower and leaf…

When the snow starts falling, it can become impossible to keep your eyes off the wintry wonderland outside. Still, every picture deserves the perfect frame, especially for the holiday season. Accessories such as pillows and slipcovers can make a subtle change in living-room décor, but the most impact comes in the form of window treatments. You can quickly make a bold, elegant statement by transforming store-bought drapes with machine-sewn grosgrain and silk ribbons in a modern color palette. Just create a design that’s as simple or intricate as you wish, and sew the ribbons. Choose nontraditional holiday colors such as blues, grays, and purples for a dramatic tone. ARIEL PRICE is an assistant editor at Threads. Sketch your design After you buy curtains that fit your window, create a small scale…

COMMON TERMS Get to know these craft terms and you’ll be a pro in no time. Backstitch: (sewing) A strong stitch that doubles back on the last stitch. Come up through the fabric and back down to the right of where you came up, creating a series of straight dashed stitches. Bias: (sewing) “True bias” is a cut made on a 45º angle to the selvage. Bias refers to any line diagonal to the crosswise and lengthwise grains. Bias strip: (sewing) Ribbons of fabric cut 45º to the straight grain. Binding: (sewing) A strip of fabric used to cover a seam or enclose raw edges. Blocking: (knitting, crochet) The process of laying out a knit or crochet project, pinning it in the exact desired size, lightly dampening it with water,…

WHITE AS SNOW Indygo Junction’s Winter White Collection kits feature eight ornament designs to embroider and embellish this year. Felt wool, heirloom lace, and buttons give the pieces a vintage feel.  (IndygoJunctionInc.com, 13.99) COMFY COZY These knitting-needle cozies, part of Namaste’s new Cali-Collection, are made from animal-friendly materials and available in five different colors: perfect for the knitter on the go. (DreamWeaverYarns.com, $9) SPOONFLOWER POWER Spoonflower (SpoonFlower.com) has revolutionized the world of fabric, allowing members to order their own custom designs in a variety of sizes, ranging from a swatch to 5 yards. Samples shown at right: • Abominable Snowmen: Cheryl Cambras (CherylCambras.blogspot.com) • Christmas Mice: Nicole Falk (Halloweenville.com) • Yellow/Green Snowmen: Susan Mitchell, Sweet Pea Illustrations (ItsAWhimsicalLife.blogspot.com) STASH IT Got Stash? Card-making kits are the perfect way to personalize your holiday greetings. They include enough…

Every hostess wants her holiday table to be special. This year, add a dash of elegance with gold-leaf chargers that will bathe your table in a subtle golden glow. Gilding with imitation gold leaf lends surface texture and depth that can’t be created with paint alone. And it can be done quickly with a few simple materials available at any craft store. Don’t worry about applying the gold leaf seamlessly; the imperfections give the chargers a lovely, antiqued patina. KAYTE TERRY is the author of Complete Embellishing (Collins & Brown, 2008). She is a stylist and visual merchandiser based in New York City and the creator of ThisIsLoveForever.com/blog. Lead the charge in gold Foiling with imitation gold leaf is easy. We painted the chargers red so the cracks that develop in…

I have four sets of wineglasses, but I was always using that one out-of-the-ordinary set to give my table a little extra pizazz. Then I stumbled upon the idea of painting the neglected sets with glass paint and took it into my own hands to make sure they got some much-needed attention. It worked! Using glass paint, I was able to give each of my stemware sets the personality and distinction they deserved. Let me tell you, it has certainly upped their chances of making it to the dinner table. You, too, can reinvent your glassware with just a few supplies and a little time. Paint each glass the same, or mix it up and try different designs in complementary colors for an even more distinctive look. SARAH OPDAHL is a…

Holiday decorating wouldn’t be complete without the ambiance of candlelight. These découpage lanterns add a charming and elegant feel to any room. By covering bubble vases with layers of textured transparent paper and paper varnish, you can create beautiful, personalized candle holders that emit a soft light. Although the paper and varnish are easy to work with, the result of this technique is often mistaken for stained or painted glass. After the base coat of paper has set, you’ll apply a cutout design in a contrasting color. When the candle is lit, the depth of the layers and paper shine through. This is a perfect holiday-themed craft for the entire family with a design to suit any taste. Craft in multiples so you have plenty of lanterns on hand to…

Popular home décor retailers are showcasing pretty—and expensive—wall art this holiday season. So, why not try your hand at creating your own custom art work? Freezer-paper stenciling on fabric is an easy process that yields professional results. With freezer paper from your local grocery store and a few basic craft supplies, you can create your own masterpiece. Whether you keep it simple with a solid image or get creative with complex sketches, follow the steps below and create unique wall décor in less than an hour, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the season. JESSICA AFRAME is the Senior Marketing Manager. She is an avid crafter and a frequent contributor to CraftStylish.com. Pick a stencil; then paint There are so many meaningful holiday symbols to hold in your heart and…

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than getting back to the basics. Simple branches gathered from the yard coupled with sparkling beaded icicles provide a lovely contrast to all the lights, bows, and rich fabrics of holiday decorating. Here, silver and crystal beads mimic shades of ice, but you can choose different colors to complement your home décor. This stunning centerpiece is perfect for a table or mantel and can even be used as an alternative to a Christmas tree. KAYTE TERRY is the author of Complete Embellishing (Collins & Brown, 2008). She is also a stylist and visual merchandiser based in New York City and the creator of ThisIsLoveForever.com/blog. Make beaded icic le ornaments If you have ever taken a close look at ice, you know it’s simply stunning. These beaded icicles mimic…

We all enjoy receiving cards during the holidays, but often, when their numbers grow, we’re perplexed with how or where to display them. In my house, this usually means they end up in a pile I keep meaning to get back to. But this year, I’ve come up with the perfect solution—a bright, festive holiday-card wall hanging. Now, I’ll be able to appreciate the decorative, quilted hanging all season—plus be able to beautifully display the cards. To create the project, first choose five coordinating fabrics. Keep them simple or go wild with a mix of colors and prints like I did. With fabric in hand, you’ll use basic quilting techniques, work with fusible fleece, fleece, and play around with a bias-tape maker —some of my favorite ways to spend a…

A scarf is the classic first project for novice knitters. It doesn’t require a tremendous time commitment, it usually involves a select number of stitches, and there are no tricky pieces that have to fit together when you’re finished. But for the advanced knitter, scarves are child’s play unless you add a creative twist. This project gives you the best of both worlds by blending scarves made with different stitches into one warm and snuggly blanket. This 4-foot by 5-foot finished blanket is made of four scarves—all the same length—knit in complementary colors and styles. If you’re a beginner, you’ll learn a new stitch with each scarf: garter, stockinette, cable, and basket weave. And, you’ll be surprised to discover how easy they all are! If you’re an expert, you’ll enjoy…

Do you remember that breathtaking moment of childhood when, after you had hung the very last ornament on the tree, you turned on the lights? When the lights sprang to life and cast the room in a warm glow, you knew the holidays were really here. And every night, as the sun went down, you couldn’t wait to turn on the lights on the tree. With strings of LED lights, you can create that special magic with a few creative ideas that spread the beauty of light throughout your home. LEDs are 90 percent more e≤cient than their old-school tungsten counterparts, plus they stay cool to the touch and are available in festive shapes such as snowflakes and starbursts. Whether you favor white lights or colored, these holiday decorating ideas…