BH&G Holiday Crafts

FALL IS THE MOST MAGICAL time of the year, well, at least for crafters! Cool weather means you start thinking about all the project possibilities for the fall and Christmas holidays. A chill in the air triggers the need to create decor for your own home or make gifts to share with everyone on your list. It sparks you to get supplies ready and set aside much-needed downtime for a favorite hobby. It’s the time to fine-tune skills or try something new. The pages of this very issue are the right place to start. There’s so much to explore in Holiday Crafts magazine this year. A Halloween photo shoot at the home of Amanda Escoe inspired us to ask her to create a whole story of enchanting Halloween projects (page 8).…

1. CROCHETED POLAR BEAR Soft as snow, Iggy the polar bear is a huggable gem. Crochet the bear with white cotton, and knit a pale blue poncho to dress the cutie. Crocheted mittens are the finishing touch. ohmyyarnstudio.etsy.com; sweetamigurumidesign.etsy.com 2. NEEDLE-PUNCH SANTA Needle-punch basics and troubleshooting tips included with all the necessary materials ensure success for beginners. Use the needle-punch tool and soft yarns to fill in the pattern captured in a display-worthy wood-look hoop. theurbanacres.com 3. FELT MITTEN ORNAMENTS Six winter themes star on these wool felt mittens. Patterns and illustrated instructions guide you through every step of cutting, stitching, and assembly. The two-layer mittens are each open at the top, making them perfect gift-card holders. rachelsofgreenfield.com 4. TULLE ORNAMENT DUO The translucent nature of tulle delivers a delicate shimmery backdrop for a pair of embroidered…

UNUSUAL SUSPECTS Line up these Halloween regulars for a delightful examination. The painted nesting dolls feature elegant pastels, soft swirls, and pops of orange and black that nod to the season. This ghost, vampire, jack-o’-lantern, skeleton, and black cat will cause only shrieks of joy. GHOST PATROL Shape a platoon of tiny specters to populate tabletop displays, fairy gardens, dollhouses, or other miniature tableaux. Standing only about 1½ inches tall from hat tip to bottom, these ghosts make a little clay go a long way. You can also adjust the size to fit your needs. Set your imagination free to paint the witches’ dress designs. SPELL CASTERS Soft orange, pink, orchid, and gold array these painted peg-doll witches in sweetness and swirls. Traditional black hats and capes sport sprinklings of glitter stars. A little wool roving…

FALL STREAMING Stencil a purchased burlap pennant banner with a plethora of pumpkins for a quick fall flourish. If you prefer, make your own banner. Cut enough 5½ x 7-inch triangles from burlap fabric to fit your space. Fold the top of each triangle around a length of twine and hot-glue in place. Designer: CHRISTY MURCEK PUMPKIN PATCH These rustic fall icons start as knitted tubes. Knit each tube using circular knitting needles or a 22-pin knitting machine. Yarn wrapped around the outside and through the center defines the familiar pumpkin segments. Cinnamon sticks or twigs make natural stems. Designer: REBECCA RICH KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ List your favorite fall attributes on the spines of painted, sanded, and stenciled wooden books and crown the set with a tiny truck that’s ready to roll to market. If you’d rather…

JOLLY HOLLY Simple and sweet, red felted balls punctuate this two-tone felt garland. Twine gives the garland both texture and homeyness. Adjust the twine length and number of holly bunches to fit a mantel or doorway. Use a single bunch as a place card or gift tag by adding a name with a paint pen. Designer: KATIE REDMON FOLLOW THE THREAD Wrap, zigzag, and coil yarn between nails to create vintage-look trees with pattern and presence. Stain and distress 3½x8-inch boards before tapping in wire nails to form the foundation of each design. While the weaving pattern sets the look for each tree, the yarn choice makes each one unique. Ombré and variegated yarns enhance the results with every wrap. Designer: RACHEL BUCY BEAR NECESSITIES A tiny felt bear is a sweet treat tucked inside a slightly…

SLEDDING PARTY Everyone will want an invitation to this gathering, where playful penguins cavort with a jolly snowman. The same technique forms both the penguins and snowman—just change the foundation. Outfit each partygoer with a scarf, hat, or earmuffs to create a look that stands out from the crowd. instructions SLEDDING PARTY shown on pages 34–35 MATERIALS □ Foam balls: 2-inch, 3-inch, and 5-inch for snowman; 2-inch for large penguin□ Glue: crafts and quick-setting fabric(such as Beacon Fabri-Tac brand)□ Toothpicks□ 18-inch roll of aluminum foil□ Air-dry clay (such as Creative Paperclay brand)□ Fine-grit sandpaper□ Acrylic paint: white, black, off-white, orange, pink, antique gold□ Artists brushes□ Clear acrylic spray finish: matte□ Medium-weight cardboard (snowman hat)□ Scrap of black velvet□ ½ yard red velvet trim□ Small artificial greenery and berries□ Scraps of assorted striped and solid knit fabrics□…