Happy Handmade Holidays E-course

See the final paragraph for exciting updates to this course, and news about changes for 2013!  The LIVE portion in 2013 will include Harvest, Halloween and Thanksgiving projects, in addition to the existing Christmas content, and will run October 28 through November 29, 2013.

Every year, I feel the urge, the yearning for a handmade holiday season–from Thanksgiving straight through the New Year, I want to offer my family a home overflowing with the little touches that make the holidays special, with gifts that come from both my heart and my hands, and with memories they’ll share and cherish as they grow.  And every year, I am derailed by the basic demands of everyday life.  This year, let’s join together to make sure we all get at least a bit of what we’re hoping for: decorations that can be saved and passed down, memories that are held within sewn objects we’ve made ourselves, the happiness of celebrations planned with needle and thread.

Happy Handmade Holidays is a Christmas Camp of sorts, but in a virtual setting.  We’re spending five weeks in November preparing for these special days of the year, sewing up some projects that will make those days even special-er.  More special.  Magical.  Each project is simple sewing, suitable for any skill level–so whether you’re new to sewing and hoping that this first season will be a chance to use your new skill to make something memorable for your family, or if you’ve been sewing for years and simply are looking to find the motivation and community to get some holiday projects finally finished, Happy Handmade Holidays is the perfect online venue.

Over the course of five weeks, we’ll be sewing projects classic and edgy, along with sharing some linky round-ups, downloadable templates, and inspiring images of holiday decor and celebrations around the world.  Projects include:

• sewn gift organizer & planner–never give the same gift to anyone on your list again!
• Christmas tree skirt with applique
• classic Christmas stockings
• sewn Advent calendar
• Nativity hand puppet set
• sewn Christmas wreath (great for your house or for gift-giving!)
• quilted gingerbread house
• an assortment of delightful sewn ornaments
• stuffed candy canes for decorating and for play
• felted Christmas tree table centerpiece
• sewn mistletoe for happy holiday snogging
• holiday napkins with rings
• Christmas card assembly line, with a gift tag variation
• quilted cocoa cozy for caroling comfort

Each of these projects comes with FULL instructions and step-by-step guides, through photos or video, along with plenty of one-on-one guidance as you sew.  Most come complete with a printable instruction sheet so you can save them to make again!  Heaven knows, you’re sure to get enough compliments on your finished projects that at least one family member is bound to ask you to make one for them next holiday season.  Even if you don’t need to make every project on the list, each one will inspire you to shoot for your most handmade holiday ever!  Making these projects has been on my own list for a long time, and nothing can ever compare to the accountability and motivation that working alongside a group of other folks who share your goals can provide.  I can’t wait to see what you’ll make, and how sewing handmade will transform how you and your family feel about the holidays you share for years and years to come!

Happy Handmade Holidays is an on-going online class, taught through a combination of written lessons, photos, videos, audio and downloadable PDFs.  Registration fee of $99 includes all instruction, one-on-one interaction with me throughout the course, and plenty of ideas and community.  Class is registered on an on-going basis, with content available forever–start now and work whenever (with plenty of time to take advantage of post-holiday sales!).  Each year, I’ll be adding NEW holiday content–register for Happy Handmade Holidays now and get all the Christmas content, then come back in October to add Harvest, Halloween, and Thanksgiving projects during the LIVE, five-week portion of the course!  Join us and see how your holidays can be just what you’ve always imagined!