DIY: REPURPOSE A SWEATER TO A STOCKING

I made these cute holiday stockings from repurposing sweaters; it was very easy to do and if you have sweaters you're ready to part with, consider this project. I preferred red sweaters with a festive feel, here's the process I used, and these were featured in Chatelaine magazine. Step 1 – decide what sweaters to use

I didn't use a form, but you could make a stocking shape with some cardboard or kraft paper to follow the shape when cutting.

Start chopping! You can see the shape pretty quickly! Using really sharp scissors to cut through the sweaters helps get through the thicker parts. Then I inverted the pattern and hand sewed them together with tight stitches.

Turn them from outside in and voila!  I loved how the stripe turned out! I used the bottom of the sweater so the top of the stocking would be in a solid red cuff.

Here it is on the fireplace.

The trio together.

And here they are in Chatelaine magazine.

SIMPLE HOLIDAY DIY IDEAS

I try to incorporate a few simple, DIY holiday items around this time of year. Here are a couple of my favourites from my own house – very easy ideas and some you can leave up all winter. The sled above is an antique luge that I love leaving out all winter.

Vases filled with inexpensive red balls just add a festive look to tables or mantels. So simple!

I also like to bring in some boughs, cedar, fir or pine and use this in vases around the house too. Just some simple ways to bring in some festive, bright decor.

SIMPLE HOLIDAY DECORE WITH BRANCHES

I like the look of large branches in vases through all seasons, but during the holidays you can easily create a festive centrepiece or display using a few decorations. The image above from House & Home magazine shows how easy it can be. You can DIY a simple display by getting some branches (maybe even in your own backyard like I do!) and find a few decorations to put on them. You can also do a vase with a red bow tied around it. Lot of different options!

I've also done my own version of wool wrapped branches, this is a fave of mine from Domino magazine many years ago. When I made this I wrapped individual branches in cream wool – very easy.

Images: House & Home magazine (top 3) Domino magazine

HOLIDAY IDEAS FROM ETSY

If you don't have time to make your own holiday handmade items, Etsy can be a good resource – or a place to get some ideas and inspiration to make your own items. All the items shown here are from Etsy, so whether it's stockings, wreaths, tea towels or tree skirts – there are many cute holiday themed homemade items on their website!