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November 1 ~ Gifts for Tweens & Teens
| Today we begin our 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays series with some great ideas for the tweens and teens on your gift list. Don’t miss our giveaway info too… Enjoy! |  |
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Make It
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Vinyl Pencil Case Word is that it’s lots of fun to cart your pencils around to class with this vinyl pencil case! Make one or many with Jodie’s Vinyl Pencil Case Tutorial from Ric-Rac. |
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Scrappy Belts Jessica from Juicy Bits shares a fun way to use up fabric scraps with her Scrappy Summer Belt Tutorial (good for all seasons of gift giving!). |
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Laptop Sleeve Nicole from You SEW Girl has a fun and easy Laptop Sleeve Tutorial, perfect for those who want to cart their computer around in style. The PDF is hosted on Australia’s Living Creatively site, another great resource for creative ideas. |
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Needle Book Joan from Nini Makes offers this great “present for a young stitcher.” You’ll want to make multiple gifts with her Needle Book Tutorial and some felt. |
Don’t miss these related tutorials from the SMS archives (fun for Tween & Teen gifts): Fabric Boxes, Drawstring Bags, Fun for Hair, Tech Gifts and For Your Purse or Pocket.
Here are just a handful of fabrics we love for some of these projects. Click on the fabric images to visit the Sew,Mama,Sew! shop:
| Lauren’s choice | Kristin’s choice | Meg’s choice | ||
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Buy It
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Wall Decals by Dali Decals We love the huge selection of amazing wall decals from David and Alicia’s Dali Decals shop. You can be sure to find something for the tween or teen on your list (and you’ll definitely find something for yourself!). |
Mix It
Beth’s Mom’s Easy Fudge
This is the easiest way to get delicious holiday treats in a hurry. Kids enjoy the process (and the results!).
1 pound confectioners (powdered) sugar
1/2 C cocoa
1/4 C milk (you can use soy if you want)
1/4 pound butter
1 t vanilla
1/2 C chopped walnuts (optional)
Spray an 8″ square pan with spray butter. Place sugar and cocoa in a non-metal mixing bowl & stir. Add milk and butter but DON’T STIR. Heat uncovered in the microwave for two minutes. Add vanilla & stir rapidly until blended. Pour quickly into pan & refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting.
There’s at least one antique bowl Mom has that doesn’t work with this recipe and metal bowls are out. Be sure to use glass or a newer ceramic mixing bowl.
Yum!
Share It
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Holidays at Home and the Handmade Holidays photo pool! |
Win It
Christmas Stockings: 7 Classic Holiday Treasures to Knit
Author/Editor: Editor: Elain Lipson
Delivery Method: Electronic PDF
PRICE : $14.95
From the publisher:
Celebrate the joy, beauty, and charm of the Christmas stocking tradition with seven knitted holiday stockings from some of today’s top designers. From classic to contemporary, easy to challenging, there’s a stocking for every personality in this unique and inspiring e-book.
Christmas Stockings: Classic Holiday Treasures to Knit edited by Elain Lipson is an exclusive e-book from Interweave. These beautiful holiday designs were taken from a collection of stockings, Christmas Stockings: Holiday Treasures to Knit by Elaine Lipson (Interweave, 2001), a popular book no longer available. The difficulty of patterns range from beginning designs to master the easy technique of sock knitting, to unique designs any experienced knitter will love.
A big thank you to Jaime from Interweave for donating a copy of this e-book. Visit the Interweave site for more information about this and many other excellent knitting resources. We wanted to give this one away right off the bat so you have plenty of time to knit beautiful stockings for the whole family!
Comment in this post for your chance to win this e-book. The winner will be announced on Friday. Take a look at our Handmade Holiday Prize List to see what else you could win this month!
We respect the copyright of all crafters. All links and photos from blogs on our Handmade Holidays posts are used with permission.
What great ideas! I loved last year’s Handmade Holidays and made my first pressies EVER from the tutorials! I’m looking forward to all the wonderful ideas this year and getting some much needed inspiration.
That laptop case is a clever idea! I know what my sister-in-law is getting for Christmas…
I am so excited that it’s Hanmade Holidays again! I’m looking forward to reading the blog every day for some great ideas.
The scrappy belt is so cute!
Wow! This is so exciting – I can’t believe a whole month of Handmade Holidays. I still have some awesome links in my favorites from last year, when I first discovered your site.
Would love a chance to win the book. Thank you
Something tells me that this year is going to be even better than last year. Love the Make it, Buy it, Mix it etc concept – fun!!
Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful ideas! The goal this year is handmade and done early. No more Christmas Eve sewing for me, I hope!
Wow! I haven’t knitted a stocking since 1972! Not sure I could remember how.
Great kick off to Handmade Holidays. Kudos to everyone at Sew Mama Sew. Thanks.
I love all of the ideas I get from this blog! The recipes and contests are a bonus. I’m going to check out Dali Decals. I still need to decorate my guest room and this might be a good place to start.
Oh, MY! It’s going to be a happy November for sure! Thanks, SMS, for all the greatness.
Love the scrappy belt idea! I’ll be making one for my sister!
Am I the 1st?
I love this idea of a givaway a day
Thanks for the generosity…
The wal decal is wonderful and I’m on my way to the shop to see more.
This is soooo exciting ~ I love, love, love, Handmade Holidays, and I love these projects! I’m going to make the needle book for my dear DIL = }
Great tutorials! The needle book is my favorite
I am definitely going to make that belt for a teen on my list. She will love it! Thanks!
Yay – it’s here!!! I like the pencil case and the needle book -I’m going to have to get started on all my projects!
I love the belt pictured, and will definitely make it for a beloved teenager in my life! Thanks!
I love that you guys do this…I was so excited this morning!
Last year was awesome and I can tell this year is going to be even better. Thank you!
I’m so happy to see you are doing this again in 2008. I’m still enjoying all of last years ideas too.
Love the scrappy belt! I haven’t been able to find the belt buckles at local craft stores though. Anyone know of a good source?
I am so exctied! I found your blog just in time. I read all of last years Christmas ideas this morning! I cannot wait to see what else you have to share with us!! Tweens and teens are always very difficult to me, especially for handmade items. I LOVE the great ideas and fabric choices!!! Hooray, christmas is coming!!
I am loving these ideas, can’t wait to get started on a few. Thanks for the links to the older tutorials as well, found some yummy hair barrettes I will be making for my little one. If today was the start, I can’t wait to see all the wonders to come.
I love the scrappy belt tutorial. I know that I’m going to be making a few of those this holiday season!
Thank you so much for those tutorials! I want to try them all.
tee-hee!
And according to this, I have the taste of a tween
Perfect timing -as usual – I was just saying last night that I needed to make myself a needle book! You just saved me some search time! So now I can make some fudge to nibble while I make my book – and all will be right with the world!
Oh, I love Scrappy Belt idea! It’s a great way to use all small pieces of fabric – and I have a lot of them. I just can’t throw them away – you never know, right
)
I’ve been waiting anxiously for this. I’m glad Halloween is over (and sewing costumes) and now I can get started on my Christmas sewing. Looking forward to the rest of the month!
Teens and Tweens have to be one of the hardest people to shop for! Thanks for these links. I especially like the vinyl pencil case.
I am loving the new format this year, with all of the different categories. You guys always do such a great job!
This exactly what I need to get my inspiration for the holidays. The decals are a great idea and great for apartment dwellers or college students too!
Love the needlebook! It will make great stocking stuffers!
My sister’s are no longer teens, but I’m putting the scrappy belts on the to-make list for future holidays. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’ve always wanted to knit some stockings! What a cute ebook.
What great ideas! I especially love the scrappy belt. I am always so sad to throw away all the little pieces of leftover fabric. Now I don’t have to!!! Thanks for the tutorials, I just love them!!!!
I already have the perfect recipient for the Needle Book. Thanks for these tutorials!
I will be linking this series for sure!
Love the belt! I’ve got a lot of nieces that are now teens.What happened to all of those sweet babies?? They have also been asking me about sewing projects and showing an interest in learning.This may be a good beginner project for them.Can’t wait to get started with all of the rest of those lovely crafty ladies!
I have sugarplum dreams of making all my gifts this year. Realistic? Probably not with a 5 month old and going back to work but christmas is a time of miracles right?:)
Love the laptop sleeve! Such a great idea! I’m so excited about this entire month’s posts. Thanks for all of the hard work.
These are wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing them! I am going to make the needle book for my daughter:)
These are great. I love the needle book. Perfect for my nieces.
I am completely in love with those wall decals. I know what’s going on my christmas list!
Yay November!! I can’t wait to see what you have in store!
I’m SO super excited yall brought this back again! And the prizes are awesome!!! Love the ideas and this is really getting my creative juices going!
I love the format your doing this year w/the different categories: make it, buy it, mix it, win it… so many great ideas. Can we move Christmas to January so I’ll have time to do everything?
Great ideas…I love those wall decals!
I am so excited for this…..I can’t wait to try and go all handmade!!
Yay! I’m so excited to see what there is to make this holiday season!
So exciting that November’s daily ideas for wonderful gifts is back! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I can’t wait to try this fudge recipe!
These are great, I never know what to make my niece and nephew.
I can’t wait to get started!
Hooray, it’s begun! I am so pumped for this year’s handmade holidays tutorials etc. You guys are so generous with your time and energy….thank you!
Great first day’s projects! Thanks so much!
Fun, Fun. I like the idea of the Fudge Recipe. The dry ingredients and nuts can be measured out and put in a bag with the recipe attached with a Ribbon. Of course it’s a nice little added gift if you give a great glass bowl to go with it.
I am so excited about this, I missed out last year. I guess I can look forward to being 100’s of projects behind since I want to make every one of these and it is only the first day! Did I mention that I want to do multiples? I am in BIG trouble!
Diggin’ the scrappy belt idea!
Love the tutorials and books – thanks.
OOooo…..I may make myself some of those scrappy belts!!! I hate belts because I can never find ones that fit me!!!
So excited for this!
Handmade Holidays are here! Yay! What a great start you’ve made.
Lorrie
I love November!
Oh my goodness…those wall decals are amazing! I want!
I’m loving that belt project. I don’t have teens on my gift giving list, but I do know some snazzy women who would totally get into this as a gift. These will be so much fun to make for my pals.
I really like the snap fabric bowls!
What a perfect start! I needed ideas for the three tweens in my life! Time to get to work!
i love love love those scrappy belts!!! so cute!!
Love the pencil cases! Perfect for my neices.
The cherry blossom wall art is amazing. What a great and easy way to decorate a space!!
Everything looks great! Handmade holidays might just make November my new favorite month!
What great ideas. Am looking forward to the rest of the month too!
I am soooo excited! Handmade Holidays are here woohoooo. I love the scrappy belt tutorial. I am going to try that out today! You sure are off to a great start. Thank you for bring us all these great ideas and tutorials. You rock!
I love the scrappy belt tutorial. I have so many fabric scraps that I loved too much to get rid of!
Thanks for the fudge recipe. Yum…
The belt is so cute, and the fudge sounds yummy!!
Love the needle case and thank you for the fudge recipe…can’t wait to try it.
Love the laptop sleeve! And so glad Handmade Holidays is back!
This is so exciting! November is going to be great!
My brilliant and talented brother has painted landscapes like this, and I cannot wait to show him this. I’ve never known him to be into home design or decor, but I would so love a wall like that one!
Really glad to see Handmade Holidays again this year!
What great tutorials!! I cannot wait to try the fudge recipe! It looks so easy and sooooo yummy!
I love the wall decals. Could work in lots of different rooms.
I’m so excited you brought this back this year! I love the needle case and the scrappy belts.
Thanks for all the great tutorials. I think I’ll make the fudge for Christmas!!
Love the scrappy belt idea. Thanks!
Oh, that scrappy belt is lovely! Perfect for any kid!!
I am going to try the needle book first. The decals are soooo cool, what a great idea.
I really like that scrappy belt, I’d love to try to make one of those! I’m SUPER excited for this month’s daily dose of craft ideas for the holidays….thank you for sharing those with us!
I’ve already started working hard on many presents – the colors of the fall season always inspire me.
I love the scrappy belts and the wall decals! Very cute!
yay! it’s starting! SO glad Handmade Holidays is back
Yay! I am so looking forward to November now!
This is so AWESOME – a whole month of handmades. I simply love to make my own gifts and can’t wait to see everything that is coming up. Thank you!
Sarah J Doyle
http://SewingBusiness.com (blog)
http://PatternsThatFitYou.com
That pencil case is too cute … good for all on the list, not just teens and tweens
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Yay! Handmade Holidays!
How exciting to start again this year! Can’t wait to see everything.
What fun! Thanks for the good ideas!
I like the needle book already – hope I’ll have time to make gifts for everybody ELSE!
I have been wanting to knit a christmas stocking for a while, maybe this is the inspiration I need.
I’ve used Lauren’s choice of fabric (the Babushka dolls) in some wall hangings for a friend’s daughter. She is only little but it could be a good gift for a tween or teen.
see the photos at http://www.meandmy2guys.blogspot.com
I am SO excited about Handmade Holidays!!! It’s only day one, and I’m already not able to decide what to try first!
yea!! i am so glad you are doing this again! the scrappy belts are calling my name for sure.
I’m so glad you’re doing this month of Handmade Holidays again. Although I didn’t make a lot of X-mas items last year, i used the tutorials throughout the year for other gifts.
The scrappy belt is perfect for a teen…great idea. And, a nice way to use up some of my scraps.
Awesome tutorials! I love the needle case.
These projects are so fun, I think I really need to make this laptop sleeve.
I like the needle book a lot!
Question – does the fudge *have* to be microwaved? Or could it be, say, warmed in a double boiler or suchlike?
I think the Needle Book would be great to personalize for college students to take with them.
I love this! i have favric just waiting to be used!
I was also typing in the dark!
Oh, my! I’ve got a niece or two that would love those belts. And the tutorial is so well-presented that I just might be able to make them!
LOVE that belt ! I know my nieces will love to get one ! Thanks !
I would love a change to win! Thanks!!!
I am so excited about this month’s Handmade Holidays. I used so many ideas from last year not only for Christmas presents, but for birthday gifts also. Can’t wait to read all the great inspirational projects.
Great ideas! I definitely see some of those belts in the future for my nieces.
Yey November has arrived and so has Handmade Hols!!
)
Love the ideas from today and a giveaway already!! Have posted about it today on CraftyB as so excited!
Thanks girls
Love the belt!
Oh, I like those scrappy belts! Thanks!
This will be my first Christmas season with you guys, I can’t wait for all the ideas!
I’ve been saving some of my favourite scraps for a project for myself – love that belt!
I’m off to make a scrappy belt and a laptop case! This post couldn’t have been more perfect timing! Thanks.
Love these tutorials. And Christmas stockings?!?!?! How fun!
Excellent ideas! I’m definitely making some of the belts!!
Love these ideas! I just learned to knit last year, so that e-book would be great!
Hooray! It’s begun.
I’m already lovin’ the pencil case and laptop sleeve.
It’s gonna be a great month.
Lynne in NC
yay Ive been waiting and waiting for this again! Now I know my christmas gifts will be sorted, now which ones do I choose?!?
LOVE that belt! adorable. love the make it buy it mix it features, too. so looking forward to this year!
I’m in the market for cute wall decals, and that fudge recipe looks amazing. Thank you so much for sharing these ideas. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the month brings!
i’m super excited to use the laptop sleeve tutorial..for myself!
my poor laptop has been toted around in a cute, but not so awesome sleeve for a while.
it’s about time for something new!
I’m looking forward to lots of inspiration! I have many teens on my list so this is a great place to start.
Fudge sounds yummy!!
The scrappy belt is my favorite & that fudge recipe looks so yummy! Beth
I’m starting my list of favorite ideas so I know where to go back to–LOVE the scrappy belt idea for my teenage neice in Denmark!
I usually stay away from the computer on the weekends but not today. I had to check on the first installment of Handmade Holidays. Thanks!
Love these ideas! Thanks!!!
I’ll be making a scrappy belt for my tween daughter. Even though I’ve been making Christmas gifts all year, there’s still room for some November inspiration. Thanks, SMS!
I love the laptop sleeve! I’m considering doing more homemade gifts this year, and that one would be great for my sister!
Oh I love the belt idea for my teenager. thank you! What fun!
Oh the scrap belt is a great idea for my teenager–a little urban outfitter accompaniment. Thanks for the idea!
Revving my imaginary sewing machine pedal as I read…. can’t wait for the next installment
I’ve got 2 teens on my list, that I’ve been struggling to think of gift ideas for – thank you.
This is so great! I love this time of year!
Those belts are such a cute idea – what a great stocking stuffer! And the fudge sounds easy and yummy – a great combo!
Thanks for another great handmade gifts ideas.
What great ideas! And what a gorgeous stocking on the front of that book! I can’t wait to see the rest of the month’s ideas.
I’m so excited to try the fudge recipe!
I love the scrappy belts. My niece loves belts! I may just make her one!
The needle book is so gorgeous! Parctice one for me…then two perfect recipients!:)
I’m so glad you’re doing the homemade holidays again this year. So very inspiring
I am so excited you are hosting handmade holidays again this year. What a great compilation of trendy and useful gift patterns. Thank you!
Can’t wait to see all the wonderful ideas this year!
Paula
Thanks so much for all the great tutorials. I’m excited that you are also sharing some ideas of gifts to buy this year.
Going to try that fudge and Love the needle book! Very sweet!
Rane
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Thank you so much for doing the Handmade Holidays again! It was inspiring last year-my whole family received handmade gifts! I love the needle book project!
The vinyl pencil case will be a great place to start for my cousin who is hard to buy for!
I am so pleased that Handmade Holidays are back! There are so many creative bloggers out there…I really appreciate the sharing of ideas.
Thank you for all of your great ideas! I can’t believe it is that time again. Love this time of year!
jenn
I’d love to make the vinyl pencil case but my sewing machine is just too wimpy to punch through the vinyl.
That needle book is adorable! Perfect for my niece who wants to learn to sew.
Oooh, if this is just the first day then I can’t wait for the rest!! Thanks for the great ideas and I love the addition of the buy it and mix it sections as well!!!! Y’all are the best!
I’ve been looking forward to this all year! squeee!
Fantastic! That belt is the perfect gift for our babysitter!
This reminds me–I need to make my son’s Christmas stocking!
i’m favoriting the scrappy belt…and REALLY want the stocking book! you guys MADE my christmas last year (well, i made it, you supplied the how-tos!) looking forward to an eventful and productive november! thanks for doing this again!
My 12 year old needs a pencil case! Hers keep getting lost and I’m getting tired of buying new pencils every week. I bet the scrappy belts would be a hit too!
I’m very excited that you’ve added food to this year’s fun. I’m more of a foodie than a crafter. I should’ve submitted something, oh well. Can’t wait to see what others are cooking up.
Great ideas — it can be hard to come up with cool handmade items for teenagers, but these definitely look like they’d fill the bill!
oh wow ! I have a million ideas swarming through my head. Thanks for the inspiration.
I might need the needle book and laptop sleeve for myself.
Love the format this year of Make it, Buy it, Mix it, Share it, Win it. So much fun!!
excellent, a belt tutorial! i have D-rings waiting for a belt, and enough scraps to sink a battleship.
thank you sooo much for your needle book idea, absolutly love it,
thanks
Clemencia
Thanks for the link to Dali Decals’ shop: I’m sure it will come in handy sooner or later!
I love those wall decals!
I love the belt tutorial. Looking forward to making one!
I’d love to win! Thanks for the chance!
I love the link to the drawstring bags — so simple, so practical!
Love them all and I can’t want to try the fudge for Hubby!!! Thanks
Great ideas!
Thanks for all the time spent putting this together!
I had belts on my list for siblings, love the patchwork.
I love that laptop case! I have been looking forward to this year’s handmade holidays!!!!
Loving all the ideas and I can’t wait to see them all organized throughout the month!
I’m so excited this is back for another year! I made so many things from the links last year, and I hope this year I’ll be able to give even more handmade gifts. Thanks so much for putting this together and sharing!
Wow, what cool ideas! I can’t wait for Christmas!
Great ideas!
Loved all the great ideas last year and looking forward to this year!
I love the needle book! I’ll have to make one for myself!
That belt looks adorable.. I can see my 12 & 16 year old sisters wanting on… I know what I am making them this year.
There are so many wonderful ideas to read about, I’m not going to have time to sew . . . thanks for triggering all of the creative juices.
Love the belt tutorial!
I just love that needle book. And a recipe too! Love it!
That pencil case will be perfect for my niece! Thanks!
Definitely going to try the fudge! Thanks for all the wonderful tutorials!
I’ve been wanting to make some belts from all my scraps – thanks for the link!
I am so happy this month is finally here! I love the recipes and other gift ideas, too. Of coures, the tutorials are still my fave.
Wow, what a great list, I was just told about this blog by a friend and have added to my ones to visit daily
its freat to have all the idesa together and hopefully this will help me sort out Xmas this year!
Great ideas for a sometimes difficult age to “make” for. Thanks! Thanks for the chance to win a great knit book. I’d love it!!
I love that scrappy belt and the laptop sleeve. I love the fudge recipe too. Fun!
I need that book so badly!
I love that belt! What a great way to use scraps.
I love the belt, thanks so much for sharing this! I am going to try my hand at this for my niece, thanks again!
I love Handmade Holidays!!! So many great ideas!
Those needelbooks are adorable!
I really like the laptop sleeve. I should make one for my husband.
-violet
Thanks for the link to the beautiful decals!
The needlebook is so cute! I think I’ll have to make one for myself
I love the wall decals (and have for some time). Unfortunately, we have plaster walls. The layers of paint have helped to smooth them, but these things just won’t work in my house.
love the decals!!! thank you for sharing that website! so much easier than stenciling.
I needed that needle case tutorial two weeks ago. I guess I’ll have to make one for myself.
This will be my first season to see homemade gift ideas daily!! I am so excited. Thanks
oooh, I need to make the laptop case for me! My kids are forever asking for belts. I don’t know how they lose theirs all the time! They also fight over pencils when it’s time to sit down for school. Perhaps if they have their own personalized pencil holder it will solve them (and me) some trouble.
I love the needle book!!!
I have a cousin who would love a hand made belt! I was thinking of making a handmade stocking for my room mate this year, maybe I’ll get a chance with the book
I might just need to make that belt for me! It looks great!
I am SO excited to see handmade holidays back this year! I think it will help get my creative juices flowing!
Thank you for the ideas
Ooo those belts are pretty! This is really making me itch to get crafting!!!!
I really enjoy that vinyl pencil case! What a fun and easy gift to make for such a picky age group.
I really like the laptop sleeve. But I need to make it for my husband not a teen.
I definitely want to try out the little pencil case. It’s just too cute! perfect for a little bag in your purse (for makeup or whatever!)
I love it its truly amazing what you guys come up with!!
Incredibly cute needle book! Going to make this right away. Great ideas…looking forward to more. : )
How did this start already and I didnt see it! I have been waiting for another list of great handmade goodies! YEAH!!!
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