Crafty Christmas Countdown: 18

I started out to make a snow globe like this one. The tree I bought was a little on the big side, my spare jars a touch small. I was going to put something together in an empty plastic container when I remembered a plastic house I got as a gift when I was a kid. Part of a series of farm playsets, this scaled down house works pretty well with the Hot Wheels car I bought for my project. A little bit of glitter trim and a pipe cleaner finishes the scene. 
 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 19

Today's craft started with a kit. I did personalize it a bit with the teddy bear.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 20

Two years ago I made a nativity set for my mother. It's a nice little set but was missing some pieces. With the addition of these figures it should be relatively complete.

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 21

I tend to use thumbtacks more as decoration than to actually hold anything on my wall at work. I like the little festive touch this string of tacks adds to my work space.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 22

Today's craft wasn't one I intended to make. I bought a cheap string of white lights to replace a bad string I own that has flamingo shaped covers on the bulbs. As I got ready to move the covers over I realized I had the chance add some subtle Christmas decoration to my room. But I didn't want to use just plain white lights. So I cut some little star shapes from red and white cardboard, punched a hole in the center of each, and slipped them over the bulbs.
 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 23

Today's craft started with a pair of Christmas socks that I've owned for years. They were some of my favorites so I was pretty bummed when I realized that the sole was wearing out. I was resigned to the idea of relegating them to the rag bag when I realized that there was nothing wrong with the cuff. And sock cuffs make great sock puppet shirts. Or, in this case, sock ugly Christmas sweaters. Add in goofy eyes, a tacky red nose, and reindeer antlers and it's just the right level of Christmas tacky.

Crafty Christmas Countdown : 24

A couple of weeks ago, while trying to fall asleep, I had an idea. Why not count down to Christmas here on my blog by posting a different holiday craft every day? In the light of day I had to admit that the notion of producing 24 unique crafts in less than a months was a truly impractical idea. One might even say nutty. But I couldn't talk myself out of it. So we'll give it a try. To be clear, I'm using a pretty loose definition of crafts. And also of what makes something a Christmas craft. Take today's project for example. I've had this kit for making wind-up robots for quite some time. What makes these little guys Christmasy? Each one has a candy cane made out of pipe cleaners glued to it's side.