Christmas in July, anyone? My brain refuses to think so far ahead, but I know that many of you are far more organized and ready to tackle holiday projects. In Linda Lum DeBono’s new book, Sew Merry and Bright: 20 Easy, Fun, and Festive Patterns, she gets the inspiration stirring early.
With all the typical holiday projects covered from stockings, to ornaments, to home decor and countdown calendars, you can give your home some handmade cheer for the holidays. The book is full of bright, happy patterns, clear instructions and simple projects. Many of the projects can be customized to suit other holidays or made with your choice of fabrics. For instance, the table runner, quilt and pillow are fun projects for any time of year.
Linda has sent me an extra copy of the book to give away! Please leave a comment by Wednesday, July 25 at midnight eastern to enter. Tell me about your favorite handmade decorations for the holidays. I will ship to the U.S. and Canada.
Check out the other stops on the blog tour below. Sew, Mama, Sew! is featuring a free pillow pattern. And be sure to visit Linda’s blog here and her website here.
Also, if you live in Atlanta and have the holidays on the brain, head over to Intown Quilters today for Holly Days in July.
It’s hard for me to pick just one handmade Christmas item. When I was a kid, it was all the handmade ornaments that my mother got from Southern California and Mexico. Now, it is a joy to unwrap the cross-stitch ornaments and decorations that I have made over the years. Then there is the felt elf Christmas card holder that my husband’s mother made. A handmade Christmas is the best! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love those little stuffed ornaments with the beads & sequins, that come from a kit. My grandmother use to make those.
Some of my favorite ornaments are those satin ornaments that are covered with sequins and beads. I have some that are quite old, and they are truly a treasure— as are all handmade ornaments!
When my sister and I were little, my mom bought these really ugly wooden ornaments that were in a set to be painted. My sister and I painted many of them and not real quality work, believe. They still go on the tree, they are still very ugly- but to us they say Christmas. Silly huh?
I have an angel I made in grade primary (1980). It hung on my parents tree and now on mine. So simple, made of silver and gold pipe cleaners and a wood bead.
Every year I make an ornament for each of my sons. It’s some times very frustrating trying to choose the perfect one. But then the next year when I take them out I hold it and remember who they were and think of who they are.
My favorite decorations are by far hand-made ornaments, especially those made with fabric. They are the perfect vehicle for a little bit of embroidery or using up scraps and are so portable while working on them. I have a little snowman that a friend of mine made for me of felt as a little stocking-stuffer type gift and I love to think of her every time I pull it out of the ornaments box to decorate our tree.
My favorite handmade decoration is so hard to narrow down. If I have to choose one, I love my dear grandmother’s hand-crochet covered, 10″ diameter turquoise blue and lime green glass balls. They were so trendy in the late 1950′s–not what you would think of for your grandmother’s Christmas tree. She was always a step ahead!
I didn’t even know about this wonderful little book! I make Xmas ornaments for my kids–I used to buy them, but the quality & price was pathetic. Homemade is much better!
Well, my favorite are the horrific little pony bead ornaments my (very young at the time) children made. but I would like to make a new favorite of those adorable little matroyshka dolls!
I love beaded decorations and small pillows to hang up on the tree. My favorite are the ones my kids make and bring back from school. They always have a storage home and never get lost with the other paperwork in the house. I’ve been eyeing this book, would be superb to win!
My favorite are handmade ornaments.
The book seems wonderful!! Thank you for giving us a chance to win it, thi s is very much appeciated…
My favorite is the knitted stocking my grandmother made for me when I was young! Thanks for the giveaway! Amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
My favourite homemade Christmas item is a cross-stitched stocking made by my mom.
I love all the beaded snowflakes and balls I made for Christmas decorations. Thanks for a chance to win this great book!
My favorite handmade holiday decorations are knitted gnomes (made by me!).
My favorite handmade Christmas decorations are the various crocheted angels my Mom made. They are a treasure I will always treasure.
My grandma used to crochet snowflakes for our tree, but on year she crocheted “Love and Joy Come to You” in cotton thread as a wall hanging, and it is cherished now that she is no longer with us.
I just finished an advent calendar for my girls….my first Christmas in July project!