Handprint Reindeer

This craft might keep someone entertained for a few minutes ... or it might not. Especially if those few minutes are a delay while waiting to open presents. Good luck.
This picture is related to the 'Handprint Menagerie' I posted in October.

Gift Wrapping

It's a bit late for Hannukah and just barely in time for Christmas, but here it is.
Also, a funny note about the making of this blog post: I almost titled it 'Gift Warping'. That would have been something completely different!

Snowman Fingernails

It's Frosty the Manicure!

Getting Carded

I assume everyone who's ever heard of cards understands the basic principle of folding paper in half and writing on it, but here are a few more suggestions to help ... refine your technique.

Puzzling Out Sociallization

Analogies are tricky things, but this is about as clear a metaphor as I've been able to come up with for this situation.

Rudolph's Extra Verse

The most beloved of secular Christmas carols now has an extra verse that totally changes its message.

Hot Chocolate

A delightful beverage, and very accessible ... unless you're allergic, or diabetic ... or until over-demand for chocolate outstips the supply and it becomes prohibitively expensive.

Making Mittens

Stay warm and cozy as the temperature drops!

Halloween Decoration Suggestion

Keywords: Halloween, window display, trick-or-treat, free candy, witch, broomstick, spider, cobweb, crescent moon, pumpkin, jack-o-lantern, angry black cat, ghost, streamers, tape, how-to.

Pipe-Cleaner Masks



Keywords: pipe cleaner wire, mask support, glasses, framework, creative alternative, Halloween.
No, I am not planning to dress up as a vampire or a hawk this Halloween. I will probably be a dragon. If requested, I will include a tutorial on how that costume was constructed.

Handprint Turkey and Menagerie

Keywords: turkey, Thanksgiving (North American holiday Canada celebrates in October and U.S.A. in November), handprint, trace, outline, draw, colour, paint, peacock, elephant, jellyfish, tortoise commonly mistaken for turtle, running rabbit, bunny face, roaring lion, beehive (fun fact: also known as apiary), blue penguin, owl, arts and craft activity, for kids, those mature enough to appreciate childish activities, menagerie, zoo, animals.
You can also draw various flowers this way; I will probably share sketches of these at some point.

Dragonfly Sceen-Saver

Keywords: not what you think, home decoration, yarn, needle, thread, screen door, prevent accidental walk-through, big, bold, noticable, long anchor stitch, do not add beads.

Green Dress

Keywords: dress, ballgown, make, sew by hand, stitch, pleated skirt, corset bodice, historical, Victorian Elizabethan inspired, design, create, flair, elegant, formal, backless, plunging back, green, reverse-angle raglan sleeve.
External inks mentioned in the blog post don't seem to be transcribable here, so here they are in longhand:
http [colon slash slash] elizabethancostume [dot] net [slash] custompat
http [colon slash slash] historicalsewing [dot] com [slash] figure-out-how-to-do-pleats-on-back-of-a-bustle-bodice
Remove the spaces and insert the necessary punctuation.