Christmas Crafts in Under an Hour

This Christmas can be festive and merry and still be economical. We found the perfect book for those crafty people out there that are short on time and may need to do Christmas on a budget. One-Hour Christmas Crafts, in the Clever Crafter series, is a book that all who love to create gifts, holiday decorations and ornaments, must check out. The craft ideas detailed in this well organized and beautifully illustrated book are fabulous and all of them can be completed in under an hour! Patterns and a glossary of additional instructions are included in the back of the book.

Handmade gifts make the season merry for the creator and those on his or her list. Enjoy!

It was hard to choose, with there being so many wonderful ideas, but I narrowed it down to feature one craft in each of the three sections. I've provided a description and directions for each craft and when I finish mine, I'll post some pictures.

Cozy Snowmen Sweatshirt in 40 minutes

p. 25

This sweatshirt featuring three happy snowmen will be a hit for anyone on your gift list and can be worn through the entire winter. You'll have fun sponge painting these cute little guys.

You'll need tracing paper, compressed craft sponge, paper plate, white fabric paint, sweatshirt, toothbrush, paper towel, and assorted colors of dimensional paint.

Trace the large snowman pattern onto tracing paper and cut it out. Use the pattern to cut the shape from the sponge.

Use the sponge shape to paint on the front of the sweatshirt by following the instructions in the back of the book.

Let the snowmen dry, then use dimensional paint to add faces, scarves, buttons, arms and snow details. Allow to dry.

Use the toothbrush to lightly splatter white fabric paint over the front of the shirt. Dip toothbrush bristles into fabric paint. Blot bristles on paper towel to remove excess. Hold toothbrush just above the sweatshirt and pull thumb across bristles. Allow paint to dry.

Poinsettia Christmas Card Template by Gladditudes

The poinsettia on the placemat is arranged much like on the Christmas card. A white poinsettia looks good on a red placemat and a red one is nice on green.

Poinsettia Place Mat in 25 minutes

p. 69

Add pizzazz to ordinary place mats by fusing the petals and leaves of a white silk poinsettia on to the corner of a red, green or plaid cloth place mat. Add highlights with gold glitter dimensional paint.

You'll need one white silk poinsettia with eight to ten petals, aluminum foil, paper-backed fusible web, red fabric place mat, and gold glitter dimensional paint.

I normally use the name brand "Wonder Under", but others work well, too.

Here are some of my own ideas for napkin rings to go along with the poinsettia theme. One uses florist's tape and silk poinsettias and the other red and green sheets of felt. The felt can be sprayed with starch to stiffen the fabric and to aid in cutting out the pieces.

Add a special touch with easy to make matching poinsettia napkin rings. Get some extra poinsettias and form a ring with the stems. Use green floral tape to cover the stems and finish off the ring. See the finished napkin rings, done with red poinsettias in the photo above.

Another easy to make and inexpensive napkin ring can be constructed from red (or white) and green felt. Use the pattern below to cut out the pieces of each napkin ring. The long red piece measures 8 3/4 inches by 2 inches at the widest point. The flower shaped pieces measure 3 inches at the widest point.

Cardinal Ornament in only 7 minutes

p. 82

Use Delta Fantasy Snow, a large pine cone, 12 inches of 1/8 inch red ribbon, an artificial red Cardinal bird, a small sprig of artificial berries and craft glue to create this lovely ornament of a male Cardinal sitting on a snow capped pine cone.

Form the hanger from the red ribbon by folding it in half and tying a knot 2" from the fold. Glue the ribbon end under one wing of the bird.

Apply the snow to the wide end of the pine cone (this will be the top) so it looks natural. Leave a 1" diameter opening at the center of the top of the pine cone for the bird.

Glue the bird onto the snow, covering the opening. Glue the berry sprig to the snow. Let it dry.

Here is the special artificial snow which will give the right effect.