DIY Holiday

Do you remember, years ago, the magazines that were filled with all sorts of crafty projects to make for the holidays? You could buy one magazine, and get crochet, knitting, sewing, jewelry – including beading, weaving, and lots of other projects. All in one magazine. With instructions that were clear, and easy to follow for those who hadn't tried that craft before. But also good for those who had tried the craft. I remember many women's magazines, and more – would have special issues like these with various projects. Oh, there were also magazines that concentrated on only one craft. But lots that had a lot of crafts. So if you wanted to learn a new craft, or get more skill and knowledge about a craft you already knew how to do, you could get the special issue magazine with multiple crafts.  It was a win-win situation. I know I acquired some of these magazines, and I learned how to do or improve cross-stitch, needlepoint, weaving, beading, and more, with the help of the magazines. I also used them for patterns for my crochet and knitting projects.
Then, in the late 90s, maybe early 2000s, the magazines became more specialized. There were separate magazines for knitting, crochet, (and knitting AND crochet together), beading, quilting, sewing. If you wanted to learn how to make beaded jewelry, AND how to weave, AND maybe find an easy crochet pattern to make, you would have to purchase 3 separate magazines. This situation has lasted until now – now when there is one magazine that has it all - DIY Holiday – the Crafting Life, a special issue of Interweave STITCH, published by Interweave/F+W Media.

Let me just quote from the introduction:

"This issue offers something for everyone – whether you want to explore crafting for the first time, or add a new skill to your repertoire."

This is true. And the magazine is filled with lots of projects to make for the holidays to give as gifts or to keep for your home. If you want to make something quick and cute with a technique you already know, this magazine has what you need. If you want to learn a new technique, this magazine has what you need. Look at some of the projects in the magazine:

You can see some of the beaded earring projects in the first picture, and a great necklace. I could try making those. But there is so much more inside the magazine! Much, much more!

Now look again at the cover projects:

I love the holiday garland and ornament on the cover. I think the ornament would be a cool gift tag. And, if after reading the directions for the project you want to make, you want more information, you can also check out crafting basics, guides, and glossaries at the Interweave Store. Also a bonus project. And helpful hints.

And - in the magazine, there are projects that are marked *Cool crafts on the cheap! Good to know!

You can order the magazine on-line here:
Interweave Store

If you want a free copy, write a comment below, about what craft(s) you can do, and which ones you would like to learn. Enter by Friday, November 28, 2014, and I will pick 3 winners (yes, I have 3 copies of the magazine, provided by Interweave/F+W Media) by a random number generator. Please include contact information – your email address is fine (I won't publish that) and I will notify the winners. Only US addresses are eligible.

Good luck to all my readers.