I spend quite a lot of time each week on digitizing or tinkering with the website, but I also like to work on other crafts and projects. This page showcases mostly things I've been working on, though I do sometimes feature items made by my sisters. Most are embroidery-related, but some show other crafts and activities as well. Many of the items, though not all, are gift items for friends and siblings, mainly for Christmas, the biggest gift-giving time of the year in my family.
If any of these project ideas interest you, please let me know and I'll post some detailed instructions.
Mouse & Squirrel Metronome
Posted 29 December 2023
This singing Squirrel and Mouse ornament is adorable -- but unfortunately, it came to me badly damaged. Is it salvageable, or will it end up in the landfilll?
I bet you can guess my answer, but to see details of how I resolved the problem, click here for the PDF.
Snoopy Ornament Re-Do
Posted 22 December 2023
This Hallmark ornament is a stocking stuffer for my brother, who's been a big Snoopy fan since childhood. I wanted to elimate the five-year-old date and a personalization on the back, while keeping the spirit of the original ornament. Click here to see the before and after.
Crazy Cat Lady Tree
Posted 15 December 2023
I bought this little tree last September, with the idea of making myself a Crazy Cat Lady tree inspired by one I saw on line last year. To learn more about my inspiration and my making of the little cats and the tree itself, click here.
If you'd like to make some little cats of your own, you can download the free design here, and the PDF instructions here.
For the Guys
Posted 8 December 2023
Finding things to make for the men on your list can be a challenge, but I've found that personalization is the key to success. I'm hoping that my experience might provide some inspiration for your own gift-giving. To see some of the items my guys have enjoyed getting for Christmas, click here.
And the Camel You Rode in On
Posted 1 December 2023
We didn't really *need* this camel, but he's a perfect fit for our large manger scene, and he was such a bargain that I couldn't resist bringing him home. He needed a couple of small repairs, which I was happy to be able to do. For the whole story, click here.
Ceramic Santa Re-paint
Posted 24 November 2023
This vintage Santa ornament has potential, but the paint job is truly ugly with all that yellow. Click here to see what a difference his makeover made.
Santa Sleigh Teddy
Posted 17 November 2023
When I bought this little Santa ornament, he was missing the little teddy that was originally with him. I wanted to replace the missing bear, but with a difference. Click here to see who's riding with Santa on Christmas Eve!
Paper Mache Tissue Dispenser Repair
Posted 10 November 2023
I love this piggy tissue dispenser, but his paper mache surface suffered some damage over the years. I finally decided to get the repairs done, and he's looking good as newagain. Click here to see how I repaired the damage.
New Straps for Birch Veneer Cases
Posted 3 November 2023
I have always loved these little birch veneer cases, and was thrilled to find two of them recently. But they needed a slight repair before Santa can use them as stocking stuffers. Click here to access the PDF details.
Bead Drop Icicles for the Christmas Tree
Posted 27 October 2023
I love the look of tinsel icicles, but they pose a danger to my cats, so I reluctantly don't use them anymore. I wanted something that would similarly dress up the tree, and came up with this alternative that looks pretty and can be reused for years. Click here for PDF instructions on how I crafted my pearl drops.
Double German Bells
Posted 20 October 2023
I've posted previously about making those pretty German bell ornaments (see my post for 1 September). My sister came up with this variation that uses two of the folded squares to make a completely different ornament. Click here to learn more in my PDF instructions.
Santa's Magic Button
Posted 13 October 2023
My little nephew loves the Elf-on-the-Shelf game that his grandma puts together for him each year, and I thought that this magic button from Santa's suit would be a fun addition. My other sister thought so too, and has asked for a set for her grandson as well. Click here to see more in the PDF instructions.
Where Can I Get Large Jump Rings?
Posted 6 October 2023
Jump rings are super handy for all kinds of crafts and altered art projects, but it can be difficult to find them in a large size . . . unless you can make them yourself. To learn how easy that is, check out this PDF.
Making Bead Dangles
Posted 29 September 2023
Beaded earrings like this make great gifts and stocking stuffers, but the dangles are also useful as embellishments on a host of crafts, including ornaments and altered books or puzzle pieces.
To learn more about how I make the ones I use on my crafts, click here to find PDF instructions.
Elfis Has Entered the Building!
Posted 22 September 2023
I've had this skeleton done for several months already, but I'd been flummoxed by how to finish up my elf's tiny hands . . . until just this past week, when I finally had a breakthrough!
To see the finished elf and learn how I made him, click here to find PDF instructions.
Making Button-Badge Ornaments
Posted 15 September 2023
Over the years I've mentioned quite a few of the button-badge ornaments that I make for our own Christmas tree and as gifts for friends and family, so I thought it was high time that I shared my method. Click here to see exactly how I make these infinitely personalizable keepsakes.
Morgan the Celebrity Dog
Posted 8 September 2023
If you remember a floppy dog toy from childhood, like this pink one, chances are it was inspired by J.J. Morgan, TV basset -- a huge celebrity in the 1950s and early 60s, but largely forgotten today.
Morgan's appearances on a host of shows inspired a generation of floppy dog toys, most notably the ones produced by a company called Bantam.
We had one of them, but it wasn't until I was researching for this post that I discovered his history. Click here to see reproductions of our Morgan made by my sister and me, and to read more about J.J. Morgan, celebrity dog.
German Bell Update
Posted 1 September 2023
In this project I'm revisiting the German bells that I wrote about back in March 22, 2019. I've added detailed pictorial instructions for making these beautiful German bell ornaments, plus additional photos of bells my sister and I have made. Click here to see new samples and the instructions.
Santa Piggy Ornament
Posted 14 July 2023
I decided to make this pig figurine into a tree ornament with the addition of a few festive embellishments. Now he's Santa piggy!
To see the results, click here to find the PDF.
Better Results from your BAM
Posted 7 July 2023
Lots of crafters have a Badge-a-Minit hand press stuffed in the back of a closet because they just couldn't get it to make a decent button. If you're one of them, you might want to take a look at my tip sheet for making better buttons with your BAM.
To see how I do it, click here to find the PDF.
Canned Monster Ornament
Posted 30 June 2023
Most of my projects these days seem to be small ones, so I end up making a lot of ornaments -- often Looney-Tunes inspired, like this week's example. Best of all, it let me recycle a couple of odds and ends that I've been saving. Win-win!
To see my latest ornament creation, click here to find the PDF.
Ornament Inspirations
Posted 23 June 2023
I love creating ornaments, and I make many new ones each year, using a variety of techniques and styles. If you've ever wondered where the inspiration comes from, this post is for you!
To see some of my recent creations and learn what inspired them, click here to find the PDF.
Snowfolk Joint Replacement
Posted 2 June 2023
When my sister made these adorable little snowfolk ornaments back in 1993, she gave them real twigs for arms. Unfortunately, the twigs eventually dried out and snapped off, leaving stubs. This year, to celebrate their 30th birthday, I decided to give them joint replacements!
To see the process and the result, click here to find the PDF.
Book Binding Repairs
Posted 26 May 2023
As you'll know if you've been following my project posts, I love making and repairing all manner of things.
I also happen to love books, so it's not surprising that, when faced with some books whose bindings had failed, I undertook to repair them myself. I'm not an expert, but I think they turned out pretty well.
To see if you agree, click here to find the PDF.
Button Machine Spin Tops
Posted 19 May 2023
I love playing around with my button machines, especially when I can come up with something new to make. This latest idea -- which I've not seen anywhere else -- will create cute trinkets for Santa to add to everyone's Christmas stocking come December. Click here to see what they are!
More Oyster Shell Ornaments
Posted 12 May 2023
I made several more of these ornaments after my first post two weeks ago, and they are gorgeous! I also learned some more in the process.
Click here to see these latest additions to my ornament collection, and to read my tips for working with the shells.
Elf Sack-style Stocking
Posted 5 May 2023
This is what my Elf Sack Stocking looked like back when I designed him in the 80s. I made changes for the latest version, and I'm really pleased. Click here to see the Elf Sack then and now.
Oyster Shell Ornaments
Posted 28 April 2023
After receiving a box of these shells at Christmas, I decided to try my hand at making them into ornaments. I'm really pleased with how they turned out! Click here to see what I came up with.
Guys and Dolls, Jen Style
Posted 21 April 2023
In a previous incarnation, I was a prolific designer of soft toys, including many dolls. Click here to see some of my creations from back in the day, including this Handsome Devil.
New Game Tiles Storage Bag
Posted 14 April 2023
The plastic bag that holds these game tiles has seen better days, and I wanted something better to keep with my board game. Click here to see the new bag.
Card Game Box Re-Make
Posted 24 March 2023
I dislike these flap-style boxes for card games. They're hard to manoeuvre and often are flimsily made, so they don't stand up very well to repeated use. Hate 'em.
I decided to try my hand at making a new box that would make it easier to access the cards while preserving the original packaging images. Click here to see what I came up with.
Seam Ripper Re-Cap
Posted 17 March 2023
I seem to have accumulated a number of these small seam rippers that have lost their caps, and I wanted to find replace-ments to keep the sharp points covered.
Click here to see what I came up with.
Sheena's Vintage Stocking Re-Make
Posted 3 March 2023
My sister's original stocking, made when she was a baby, went to pieces years ago. She's got another, but I thought it might be nice to recreate the first one, just for the sake of nostalgia.
Click here to see the result.
This Year's Tees
Posted 17 February 2023
I make most of my gifts, and because my list is long I like to get started early on my projects. Prominent among these are the shirts that I pretty well always embroider for the guys. They like the personal touch, and I like choosing design motifs to suit each one's tastes and personality.
Click here to see a few of the shirts that I've completed so far this year.
Tricot Drawstring Cord
Posted 3 February 2023
Look at all this lovely cord, just waiting to be added to my drawstring gift bags! It's smooth and strong, and -- surprise! -- it's made of tricot!
Click here to read more about this project.
Ornament Repairs
Posted 27 January 2023
With Scampers around, it's not surprising that things get broken . . . but believe it or not, I was actually able to repair the ornament that these pieces came from, plus a few others.
Click here to read more about this project.
Jacket Sleeve Repair
Posted 20 January 2023
This jacket is my hubby's favourite, but the sleeves were worn through. The rest of the jacket was in great shape, so I thought I could give him a couple more years of use if I fixed these gaping holes.
Click here to read how I did it.
Raising the Rack
Posted 13 January 2023
Lacking a fireplace, we've been using this metal stand to hang our stockings. It's been okay, but I've always thought it was a bit too low to the ground, so that the stockings drag on the floor or hang over the ones below. Ideally I'd like a bit more height, and this year I finally decided to do something about it.
Click here to see my solution.
And Me, Mr. Dressup
Posted 6 January 2023
My sister's nimble crochet fingers have been hard at work again this year, and she's outdone herself. Meet Mr. Dressup, for nearly thirty years the star of the eponymous CBC children's program -- rendered in crochet! He's gorgeous.
Click here to see more photos and read more about the doll.
