{Handmade} Christmas in July: Custom Silhouettes

I've been dying to make a silhouette cutout of Mr. H forever now. Don't you think this is the perfect gift to melt a grandma's heart? A grandma can only have so many framed photos of her grandchildren...so why not mix it up and give her a sweet silhouette. It's the perfect way to help her remember those tiny features forever. This great photo (from design*sponge) has an accompanying article giving the whole step-by-step process.

This may just be a gift I make for myself this year!

{Handmade} Christmas in July: Stocking Stuffers

I finally got around to making those recycled notepads I've been wanting to make forever...and guess what? I love them! I've been using them like crazy. They'd make a great stocking stuffer for just about anyone on your list.

Plus, they make great impromptu coloring books when you're desperate at a restaurant and would rather not have your three year old scribbling in your pretty Jonathan Adler notepad.

The original idea came from Martha Stewart. But I added a few touches of my own: perforated pages, and a more rigid binding. Happy Crafting!

Photo: mine.

{Handmade} Christmas in July: For the Crafter

Basically anyone who is into crafts whatsoever has heard of The Black Apple. Emily Martin is pretty much the Queen Bee of all crafters. So impress your crafty friends with a gift featuring some of Emily's most beloved characters. This embroidery transfer kit can be used for so many things: tea towels, wall hangings, pillow cases, even baby onesies. I bet those little houses would be super cute stitched on some little notecards as well. This is definitely one gift that can't go wrong.

Photo here.

{Handmade} Christmas in July: Don't Forget Baby

By now, I'm sure you've all seen this darling Bird Mobile from Spool Sewing.

But really...what better gift for a tiny little person?

Photo from Spool Sewing

{Handmade} Christmas in July: For the Jewelry-Lover

I made this simple, easy turquoise necklace this summer, and it's been a go-to piece for me ever since. Here's how:

1. Pick up some Turquoise Nuggets. I only needed one strand for this necklace.

2. String them onto some flexible beading wire. Make sure to give yourself enough room on each end to finish it off.

3. Add a round silver bead or two (depending on the desired length) to each end.

4. Finish it off with a crimp tube on each end and a toggle clasp.

5. Now you're ready to give (or wear) your new turquoise necklace.

See, here I am wearing mine on the 4th of July:

I've actually worn it dozens of times, and it still hasn't fallen apart! Seriously, if I can do it, anyone can!

{Handmade} Christmas in July: For the Seamstress

I'm no sewing machine whiz, but I think I can handle making a pincushion.

This Heather Bailey project has been on my to-do list since last Christmas.

And what could be sweeter for the seamstress in your life, than a pear-shaped pincushion?

Photo: Heather Bailey Store

{Handmade} Christmas in July

First off, let me start by saying that I hate the phrase "Christmas in July." I think the first time I ever heard it was a bad Hey Dude episode from my adolescence. I thought it was stupid then, and I still feel the same.

Anyway, every year I promise myself I'll start my holiday projects early; and every year, I'm scrambling at the last minute. So this being the last week in July, I thought there's no better time to round up my favorite projects--some I've done, and others I want to do--as part of my new {Handmade} Christmas in July series. Hopefully it will inspire you (and especially me) to get some projects going early this year. Even if you don't do these projects specifically for the holidays, it's always nice to have some handmade gifts on hand so you're ready for birthdays or baby showers. So stay tuned the rest of the week for simple, fun projects to give (or make for yourself)!

photo here.