We've crafted these three fun and easy holiday décor items you can make in just a few simple steps!
UPCYCLED SWEATER WINE COZY
We all love to give our favourite wine, beer or spirit as a gift during the holiday season. This wine bottle wrapping idea couldn’t be any easier! It only takes a few minutes to make. If you have an old sweater this is a great way to repurpose it and create something beautiful for a friend or family member.
What You’ll Need:
An old knit sweater, ribbon, colour-matching thread, sewing needle, scissors and a gift tag, ornament or other decorative accessory.
Tip: Smaller sweaters with narrower sleeves work best.
Step 1: Lay sweater out flat.
Step 2: Lay bottle over sleeve to measure for length that leaves the desired amount of bottle neck exposed.
Step 3: Cut sleeve at bottom of bottle.
Step 4: Stand bottle upright on a remaining portion of the sweater and cut out a circle of fabric to match the base of the bottle.
Step 5: Flip sweater sleeve inside-out and stitch the circle to close the cut opening in the sleeve.
Step 6: Flip sleeve right-side-out and place bottle inside.
Step 7: Wrap neck with ribbon and tie with a bow.
Step 8: Add decoration or tag if desired.
CIDER CARRIER
Heather Laura Clarke shows us how to build a cider and cider glass carrier that you can take to your next social event and be proud to display on your kitchen counter all year long.
What You’ll Need: 1x6-foot long 1x4-inch pine board, 2x36-inch long ½x2-inch craft wood, a small section of rope, saw, drill, hammer, 50 to 60 1-inch fi nish nails, wood glue, 220 grit piece of sand paper, wood stain, polyurethane and paint brushes.
Step 1: Cut one 14-inch section from the 1x4 pine board to form the bottom of the caddy.
Step 2: Next cut two 4-inch sections from the 1x4 pine board to form the short sides of caddy. Attach with wood glue and nails.
Step 3: Cut two 13-inch sections from the 1x4 (centre pieces of caddy) and drill a hole through each, about 1-inch from the top with diameter large enough to fi t rope through.
Step 4: Attach the two centre pieces of the caddy to the bottom of the caddy about 3 11/16” in from either end, using wood glue and nails
Step 5: Cut four 14-inch strips of craft board, thin hobby wood (long side rails) and attach to each side of the caddy with wood glue and nails. Make sure the top rails are flush with the tops of the short sides and the bottom ones are evenly spaced.
Step 6: Run a length of rope through both holes in the centre pieces of caddy, knotting on the outsides, to form a handle for carrying your caddy.
Step 7: Sand and fi nish as desired. For this project, we used Minwax stain in Early American and finished with a water-based polyurethane seal.
CAKE STAND
Presenting your holiday cakes and cookies doesn’t require an expensive cake stand. In fact, you can make your own from glass plates and candle holders found at your local discount store or hiding
in your cupboards at home.
What You’ll Need: 3 glass plates (these can vary in size or decorative pattern), 2 glass candlesticks (or sturdy wine or coupe glasses), epoxy or similar clear industrial-strength epoxy-based adhesive.
Step 1: Choose a glass plate to use as the base. If you’re using different size plates, use the largest as the base to ensure stability.
Step 2: Add adhesive to base of candlestick and position in centre of plate, measuring if necessary. Be mindful of any toxic fumes possible from some adhesives.
Step 3: Add adhesive to top rim of candlestick and position next plate directly on top of it.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3.
Step 5: Allow adhesive to cure overnight before moving the tray.
Tip: Try using nail polish remover to clean any excess adhesive from glass.
