Some years back I made one of these ornaments for each of DH’s employees. They were part of their invitation to our in-home holiday party. Almost everyone has kept theirs and he hears from many when they decorate each season.

Ida...I didn't see the hats....OMG! Those are G O R G E O U S ! Choice! Over-the-top! Very clever give away....

Sue, Is it like your first needlepoint kit ever? I am thinking of trying it but I have never done it before so need something eassssy.

I love everything you have done. I would like to order one wreath (the dried one is my fave), three of the bulb bowls, and an assorted half dozen of those gorgeous oyster shell ornaments! Well done. Totally copying all this next year. When the kids were little we used to do a craft each year; time to restart that tradition. Maybe at ThxG.

I was going to ask if it's hard to get the hole in the oyster shell for hanging? Something made me Google it, thank goodness. I get a pass -- allergic to shellfish.

I do a wreath making class with friends every year. They provide wire forms, greenery and stuff. They had "my" ribbon there, yay. And dried orange slices which I really liked using. Mine is a little bit ... ovalish.

My pavlova wreath is in the oven, fingers crossed on that one.

Does charcuterie-board making count as a craft? One of my DD visited a friend from middle school and stayed with her at her college apt (adorable historic cottage, really) over ThxG. She wanted to get her a thank you gift. DD said all they do is have dinner parties. The friend is at St Andrews (cutesy posh town on the Scotland coast) and rather than dorms most everyone stays in this adorable town in adorable homes (hers had a conservatory!). Anyway, DD wanted to get her a charcuterie-board to enjoy here at home (she is back in CT) but also things to take back to her home after break. The board is light and slim and the bow has these cute spoons tied in it (see below). Easy to slip in luggage. We got her local honey, Cherry chai jam, apricots, crackers, soppressata, crackers, 4 kinds of cheeses, and goat milk caramels. DH said ... "mess it up a bit, it looks like you bought it like that."

ida, gorgeous! Talk about the spirit of Christmas. 😇

My pavlova wreath is in the oven

I first read that has my previous wreath and thought wow, she does not mess around when she disposes of her old crafts. 😆

Ida, what you wrote made by Grinchy heart 💚 grow 3 sizes today. ❤️❤️❤️ Peace be with you and your students.

The closest I’ve been to a craft is when my friends (3 artsy gardeners) came to my house to take fresh cuttings to create a wreath and 2 boxes of greens to place on the local Tomb of the Unknown (Continental) Soldier. One asked is it ok if I take some clippings from the yew? Sure, IDK what a yew is but help yourself. 😆 I made lunch, they made beautiful greenery displays.

mtn, our wreaths could be cousins! I found it hard to tell (obvs) whether mine was round/symmetrical when it was lying on the table.

Yes, very first needlepoint and SO basic and easy.

PS these are the new ones I ordered. The tulip is an ”easy” kit. Then I’ll try the beachy one (it’s only 4x8” or something and very detailed so may make me tear my hair out, we’ll see).

Love all the arts and crafts, and especially having the students spend the bucks for the hats...great idea!

I already shared my only craft this year, a gnome for a friend..

And I had fun doing the table setting thought it's not as I'd originally planned...

Doesn't matter now anyway as no one is coming as I have a sore throat. We'll try to zoom instead...and here I am with all this food!

Love everyone's crafts! All beautifully done. I'd love to have time to explore, right now I don't. Took a knitting class which I loved (two friends are expert knitters) and made a hat, started the matching mittens. It's so therapeutic to knit! As a former art student, I love seeing all these projects and it makes me so want to start a one of my own!

What a happy way to start this Christmas Eve Day🎄 Thank you, Sue!

Most of you have already seen my ceramic Christmas Village that I made and painted. I also made the large, framed crewelwork piece above it.

And, this Christmas elf crewel piece.

I made this centerpiece for our coffee table. It looks so Christmas-y when I light its candle in the evenings.

Here’s something else I made using part of my ceramic bird collection, 3 fish bowls, battery operated candles w remotes, etc.

I cleaned and baked and set the table!

I’ve also created another Christmas table centerpiece using the 3 fish bowls:

Feel better, Annie. Sueb, if you have chance, send a link to where you got those?

. I'm doing watercolor bridal bouquets and here's a recent part of one.

It's extremely difficult for me to give the like button on my phone but I love what everyone is doing so much and I will try to thumb up when I'm on my laptop later. I love seeing everyone being creative and crafty.

I confess I didn’t make these button trees or the Santa, but I did have the good fortune to “source” them about 25 years ago at a Holiday crafts fair in Carmel, and they are still my favorites.

@Bumblebeez SC Zone 7

Wow. I know it takes a ton of talent to do watercolor. That is magnificent.

Above are the pot holder puppets I made for my almost 2 year old grand son. He knows where the pot holders are and pulls them out when I am with him at either of our houses. We have to chase each other, going Arghhhhh, and acting like you are biting/attacking the other person. He will think these are so much fun. Can't decide if I should wrap them or just put them in the drawer so he will reach in and grab it.

My DH said I was a little bit extra, I did stop short of cutting out teeth and placing them around the edge of the mouth.

Am I the only one that can't type on my phone in GW?

You all are so creative! And, Sure, I love, love, love your oyster shells!

I made this little Santa sleigh out of copper wire for a challenge on a jewelry forum I belong to. I didn't have the time, but I'd like to add a little Santa and some reindeer pulling the sleigh. Apologies for the photo quality.

Last year, I made wire snowflakes:

I posted this on the Christmas Tree thread; I'd like to try making them next year. I love the dehydrated citrus fruit.

No, typing in HOuzz on the iphone is awful, The only thing worse is voice dictation! Try it.

Pavlova wreath coming along. I should have used bigger dollops of meringue but cest la vie. The divots will be filled with a mixture of greek yogurt , sugar and heavy cream. Then fresh red fruits and mint leaves. I sugared some of them to mix in with the plain ones...

A couple years ago I bought cardboard cones in different sizes, variegated yarn and different colors of green felt to make these easy trees. This year, being in a new house with a new mantel, I found a way to incorporate my Räuchermänner.

I may have posted this before. Not my work but my SILs, may she RIP. A counted cross-stitch angel I hang above our fireplace for the season....and a close up to show just how fine the stitching is...she had the most incredible patience.

wow, Annie

mtnrd, your pavlova looks and sounds really wow too!

That's beautiful, Annie. What a wonderful way to remember her.

A couple of years ago I made the beaded stars to give away too...a very quick, easy and satisfying craft. I always love it when the outcome looks much harder than the effort that went into it...so often, it's the reverse.

I'm so enjoying seeing everyone's crafts. So talented!

@chinacatpeekin I love that pottery vase! Is it Grueby?

New placemats from Santa. Centerpiice inspired by Ruby Claire, Spode plates Jojo's fault.

Beautiful work, everyone!

Mtn: https://needlepoint.com

I went to the actual store in Charleston last spring.

I made nothing cute this year. Past needlework that only comes out at Christmas.

The first of the seven needlepoint stockings was made in 1972. The last one (granddaughter’s) in 2004. A stocking for our 2 children, their spouses, and one for each of the 3 grandchildren.

Merry Christmas!🎄🎄🎄🎄

Dawn, that wire work is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I had such big plans for arts/crafts this year, but life kept getting in the way. I did manage to put some greenery together in a vintage metal cooler, so at least I finished something!

Maddie those are amazing! heirlooms

Pavlova wreath with greek yogurt and fresh and sugared berries. loved it!

Beautiful!

Mtn — I ordered the oyster shells from etsy! All cleaned and holes drilled!

Forty five years ago I embarked on my very first needlepoint project and made this stocking for my first born child

It still hangs on my fireplace because he passed away 18 years ago.

Over the years, I have made more than a dozen other stockings for other family members and friends.

It is hard to find nice needle point kits these days. The size of the stockings have gotten smaller over the years and the yarn is now like thread.

I wish I knew how many hours of my life I spent making all of them. Most of them were made while I was working full time and raising my family.

Here are some of the other stocking I made.

The oven mitt puppets were well received and we had a rousing chase around the island. The multi colored hair one has taken up residence at my house.

Very impressed by all the talent!

My holiday crafts are pretty much all children's stuff, since that's my job. I get a kick out of making keepsake ornaments and all the other fun stuff with the kids this time of year.

Some things from past holidays:

P.S. For years, I crafted my own cards to send to family and friends, but I haven't in a long time now.

The talent displayed here is incredible !

what wonderful creations!

I didn't make a darn thing this year - but I did support those much more talented than I am by buying handmade crafts and some art.

Hugs, Badgergal ❤️

Badgergal, those stockings are gorgeous. I'm so sorry about your son, but how nice to hang his beautiful stocking in remembrance.

The stockings look soo much like ours!! My MIL made each of my kids a stocking as well as me. Mine is the felt snowman pieced together my kids all have the needle point ones. MEMORIES!!

Everyone's creations are gorgeous!! I made this...then he blew off his sled in the storn, and now, needs some repair. Those snowflakes are fragile...

I am not crafty at all, so I appreciate all your work. With November and December and end of the semester and finals, there is no way to do anything. I barely get the Christmas cards and decorations up.

Arcy, I like that one arrangment in the milk can.

The only things I made this year left the house without pictures (I am really bad about that) -- oversized linen throws with heirloom stitching details. I grew up with a mother and grandmother who were always doing some kind of needleworking or crafting, so it's always nice to see what others are doing. I am a dabbler, doing a little of a lot of things and not a lot of any. I've done needlepoint, cross stitch, crochet, needlepoint, pottery and ceramics (considered buying a kiln), mosaics, sewing, bag making, and quilting projects.

Thank you for the kind words, SueB! You'd be amazed the things people do with wire. If you are interested in seeing more, google "wire weave jewelry" or "wire wrapped jewelry" - there is some incredible talent out there and they humble me daily with their skills. :)

Maddie, I have the same needlework ornaments as you except mine have the boy's names on them. A friend made it for me in the 80's. They also come out once a year.

I didn't make anything but my DGD invited all the girls from her 6th grade class over to make cookies and pillows.

This is one of the gifts I received. :) No sewing necessary.