Welcome! If you’re like me and the idea of diving into a craft makes you a bit nervous, then you have come to the right place! For the next two weeks, I hope you’ll join me as we enjoy the fun of the coming holiday season by crafting together with a few projects that are super simple to do!

Together, we can take some everyday items that could literally be found at the hardware store and use them to make a humble, yet cheery holiday table. I wanted these projects to be so simple, you wouldn’t even need a glue gun or sewing machine to get the job done.

Welcome to “A Homemade Holiday”

(for even the un-crafty at heart)!

Pictured above are decorated mason jar cups that were a cinch to throw together and a table runner made from none other than a drop cloth from the hardware store. I snagged both of the main items at Ace Hardware. The Mason Jars were 8.99 for twelve and the drop cloth which is a 4 x 12 cost 13.99. Not too shabby!

Decorated Mason Jar Cups

Once you have your cups, you’re going to want to pick out some holiday fabrics. Chances are, you may have some festive prints and plaids lying around your home, or even in your scrap basket so you may not even need to go out and buy them. I went ahead and picked out a few at JoAnn’s fabric, just so I could see what it would cost (Thanks to a sale on fabric, I spent $3.75). I bought 3 different varieties, a 1/4 yard each (which was MORE than plenty).

For the strips, they worked best cut about 1/2 in. thick and 15 inches long. While at JoAnn’s I also grabbed some cute little paper tags ($2.39 for 50) that I thought would help make the cups serve an extra purpose–place cards! PLUS, guests don’t have to worry about mixing up their glasses (and they won’t lose them, so you won’t be washing dishes all evening. 😉 )

Canvas Table Runner

Let’s talk canvas. I thought about doing this table runner out of burlap, but when I priced it at the fabric store, it was actually rather expensive for the length that I needed. The great thing about using the canvas drop cloth is that if you are handy with the sewing machine, you could actually cut the cloth lengthwise, sew up the raw edges and have TWO table runners (I just folded mine. You know, still can’t load that bobbin on the old sewing machine. Maybe someday…:D)

Now, let’s talk ribbon. You could certainly buy some festive holiday ribbon for this. There are lots out there and so very pretty. BUT, mountain girl that I am, I love the rustic look and there’s just something about ticking stripe that says “country” and there’s something about red ticking stripe that says “Christmas”. So if you’re feeling rustic, grabbing just an 1/8th of a yard would be enough for the two bows at each end. (I ended up getting 1/4 yard and used the scraps to tie the silverware.)

Depending on the length of your table, you may not need to cut the drop cloth at all. My table was on the shorter end, so I did cut the cloth to length, leaving plenty to hang over the edge for tying. Now if you end up trimming your canvas to size like I had to, below are the steps to finish it off as (unlike the bows, etc.) you will want the runner to have a finished edge so it doesn’t fray when you toss it in the wash. 

 

1. Cut pre-washed canvas

You’ll want to pre-wash your canvas as they do shrink just a touch. This will ensure that it won’t change shape after you make it. 

2. & 3. Trip loose strings

Using your scissors, trim away any frayed strings so it’s even and tidy. This will make it easier for when you go to sew (or attach the iron-on adhesive). 

4. & 5. Finish rough edge

If you are handy with a sewing machine, or have some time to use a needle and thread, you can simply sew the rough edge so that it’s finished.

I was in a bit of a hurry and I confess, I don’t even know how to thread the bobbin on my sewing machine without my mother-in-law’s help (*smile*) so I opted to use some iron-on adhesive which was a cinch (just follow the instructions right on the package.)

6. Iron

If you use iron-on adhesive, you’ll already have your iron out, but either way, this is the time to give it a nice run with a hot iron to get the cloth smooth and looking extra pretty (I just ironed mine straight on the table. I know, I’m such a rebel!)

Above is the finished runner and as you can see, it’s super simple, but has a country charm that’s just right for that rustic holiday look and will hopefully be a cheery and warm welcome to friends and family this holiday season!

And now… for a special surprise! I’ve decided to box up the table runner, 4 of the finished mason jars + the tags and cloth strips to make 8 more cups…and I’m ready to ship it all off to one of you! If you’d like to enter for the holiday table decorations, you can enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway