In Handmade Home(Trumpeter Books, 2009), Amanda Blake Soule offers simple sewing and craft projects for the home that reflect the needs, activities and personalities of today’s families. Our homes are places of comfort, nourishment and love, and the 33 projects in Handmade Home express the ...

In Handmade Home(Trumpeter Books, 2009), Amanda Blake Soule offers simple sewing and craft projects for the home that reflect the needs, activities and personalities of today’s families. Our homes are a place of comfort, nourishment and love, and the 33 projects in Handmade Home express the ...

Of all the things you can do with an old pair of jeans, recycling them into a cute apron is perhaps the most perfect application. By design, the denim is rugged and durable — perfect for protecting your clothes while out in the garden or cooking on the grill. The fabric will hold up to ...

A wall plaque for the kitchen is a terrific gift for those who love to cook and spend time in the kitchen.Use canvas or a thin board for your base. Choose kitchen- or cooking-themed scrapbook paper, then find a few embellishments to match. For a rustic country feel, add some chicken wire or a ...

Men really do love their dogs, and while it can be difficult to think of a gift for men, you can’t go wrong by creating a work of art that showcases his beloved four-legged friend. First, you’ll need a good photograph. Then you’ll need to find scrapbook paper and embellishments that work ...

For that someone on your list who recently got married, had a baby or took a vacation, a shadow box makes a memorable gift. Some friends took a trip to Hawaii last year, so I made them a shadow box to commemorate their adventure.To give the project a beach feel, you’ll want to cover the ...

For the preteens on your list, a decorated plaque for hanging jewelry or caps is a fun and useful gift.Just about any size of board will work, as long as it’s not too heavy to hang on the wall. Sand the board until it’s fairly rough, then drill a few holes for hanging jewelry, baseball ...

We asked readers to share their stories and experiences with DIY projects. Most of the stories we received were created using recycled building materials. If you’re looking for some do-it-yourself projects to keep you busy, here are a few suggestions from Capper’s Farmer readers.DIY ...

Use scrapbook paper featuring something that interests the child — favorite TV or movie characters, trains, trucks, animals, Barbie dolls — and the youngster will be thrilled.Find a frame you like. Remove the glass, and either sand and paint the frame or use it as is. Choose fun and ...

With just a few materials, you can create a beautiful work of art that can be hung on a wall or placed in an easel to be displayed on a table. Choose a photo frame and fabric that complement each other or that you can coordinate by painting or staining the frame. Remove the back and glass from ...

The winter holidays are a special time for many reasons. Each year, as our family gathers at Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be part of such a fantastic family. Then I begin thinking of Christmas — the next time our large group will get together again.One of the joys of ...

Almost anything — picture frames, mirrors, cookie sheets, cabinet doors, clipboards — can be transformed into a chalkboard. You can make your chalkboards basic, or you can dress them up by gluing a flower to the edge, adding door knobs or pulls, or stenciling a design around the border. The ...

For the cooks on your gift-giving list, you can’t go wrong with a handmade recipe scrapbook. Trust me! Find a recipe book, then choose enough recipes to fill the pages. Next, pick out scrapbook paper and embellishments to go along with the recipes.Since my recipe book is small (6 inches ...

Who can’t use a calendar, especially one that never expires, meaning it never needs to be thrown away? Find a 12-by-12-inch frame that suits your liking — this size of frame keeps with the size of a traditional calendar. Then you’ll either need to purchase a make-your-own calendar kit ...

Give loved ones the opportunity to showcase their favorite photos at home or work with a photo board.Choose a wooden frame and fabric that go well together. Or you can sand and paint or stain an old frame to make it work with your fabric. When choosing your frame, make sure there is a fairly ...