Take a Break: August Holiday Gifts to Start Now-2013 Edition

It’s the first Wednesday in August, so once again, it’s time to post five holiday gifts to make now.

Crayons: Given the intense heat, I thought there should be at least one project that took advantage of the sun. Use the dribs and drabs of crayons you have laying around the house. Break them up so they fit into silicone molds, cupcake tins (might want to use the disposable kind or ones just for craft purposes) and set in direct sun. If you want to have mixed colored crayons, break them up in small pieces and put into a large bowl. If they are small enough, and you set them out around 10 am, by 4 pm, they should be ready. If it’s rainy where you are, try using your crockpot  or put in a preheated 225 degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until completely melted. Let them harden and cool completely before unmolding. These make good last minute stocking stuffers.

Beaded watch bracelet: Watch bands don’t seem to last very long for me, and I’m allergic to a lot of metals, so I decided to make some beaded ones. I found this video to be very helpful: Making Interchangeable Beaded Watch Bands.  Once you get the hang of it, make some special holiday ones.

Penny Crafts: What to do with the loose change rattling around in your pocket, bed stand or the draw where you toss change? While you can certainly make a kitchen counter out of them, what about covering paper mache letters, creating one of a kind art work? Check out Loose Change. With 340,000 pennies you can lay a floor. Drilling a hole in the penny can result in all sorts of projects including jewelery and key chains. For more penny craft ideas.

 

Fabric Covered Canvas: Interesting fabric stapled on canvas can be the perfect accent piece for any room in the house. You can even use a favorite T-shirt. Check around at thrift stores for canvas pictures that could use a new cover.  If you’ve never tried this before, follow the easy instructions from Fabric Covered Canvas. 

Fruitcakes: My friends that are in the fruitcake business have been hard at work since spring making and putting up their cakes to sell during the December holidays Since fruitcakes do best if they “age” for a while, make one and store in a cool space so it will be deliciously

“mature” by the Holidays. If you don’t have a recipe, here’s one to try.