Paper Cone Angel
Make this pretty paper cone angel to decorate your table or tree. The angel is easy to customize and personalize using your favorite festive rubber stamps!

Goofy Reindeer Ornament
Need a little silly on your tree? This easy ornament from Tammy Powley will lighten the mood on your tree this year.

Curly Branch Paper Tree
These are a recycler's dream and can be made from a used pencil or colored pencil and a sheet of any paper or curling ribbon in any color - try used gift wrap or ribbon to make a wonderfully stylized forest.

Little Tree Cross Stitch
Stitch a tiny, tiny tree using this pattern by Connie G. Barwick and add it to a card or gift tag. Or, add more pizazz and decorate the tiny tree with sequins and beads.

Christmas Tree Pillow
This easy to knit pillow has a simple Christmas tree motif on one side, and plain red and green stripes on the other, so you can use it all winter long without feeling too mired in Christmas decorations.

Puzzle Piece Ornaments
Create your own unique ornaments for your Christmas tree or other holiday decorating needs by recycling old jigsaw puzzle pieces. You can use the ideas and directions I provide on these project sheets to create a variety of ornaments. Use my projects as inspiration to create your own designs.

Christmas Scrubby Soaps
This project from David Fisher is a simple variation of my Animal Melt and Pour Scrubbies project - except with Christmas themed nylon scrubbies.

Sparkling Holiday Pin
This elegant sparkles pin from the Bliss Tree blog is really easy to make, especially if you start with a pre-formed pin with drop loops.

Recycled Christmas Needle Book
From the Craftside blog, create this needle book out of scraps from recycled wool felted sweaters. HTis is the perfect gift for the stitcher in your life.

Painted Christmas Cards
Imagine receiving not just your average Hallmark card, but one hand painted by a dear friend. Spend a cozy night painting a few cards with the instructions and technique guides from Marion Boddy-Evans.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make it Merry: Week 1
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Make it Merry: Week 4
Make it Merry: Week 5

Things are looking up, but it's no secret that the economy is still on crutches. While you can't MacGyver up a WiiFit Plus or shiatsu massage chair, you can at least take care of those complimentary gifts to pad the bottom of the tree, give as Chanukah gifts, or just fill out a stocking or two. There are lots of affordable handmade options online, some with low priced or free shipping. You could also create your own holiday gifts with a little time and technique.

Some of the most popular handmade gifts this time of year are those that will keep us cuddly and warm till we all thaw out in the Spring. Here are a few handmade selections from crafty artisans that are ready to be shipped to you, or directly to a loved one across the miles.

If you are looking to save some cash this year by crafting those special items yourself, check out our 100 Handmade Gifts guide, or hop over to Sarah, our Guide to Knitting or Amy, Guide to Crochet.

Already have a project in motion? Let us know what you're working on.

It's the first week of December, so it's time you got cracking on those holiday crafts. Here are some winter treasures to get started with.

Winterscape Needlepoint Ornaments
Create a needlepoint ornament with these Winterscape printable patterns. Cheryl Fall has your pattern and how-to.

Antique Christmas Scraps
Use these great looking antique Santa illustrations to use on all your paper projects-- scrapbooks, cards, ornaments and newsletters!

Knit Tinsel
If you can make an I-cord, you can use a fancy eyelash yarn to make knit tinsel in no time for your hearth or holiday tree. Sarah E. White shows you how.

Shrink Plastic Necklace
Use shrink plastic to create unique charms to make necklaces and other items of jewelry. These are quick to make and are perfect for last minute gifts!

Sweater Holiday Lighting
Make a light-up Christmas tree using an old sweater and a little know-how form the Sweater Surgery blog.

Printable Paper Sleigh
A Printable Sleigh to fill with goodies. This sleigh fits dolls house scale dolls, but it also stands nicely behind most commercial reindeer figures to make a table decoration. You can print it in the colors shown, or use the template to construct your own sleigh in the color you want.

Peace Cross Stitch
One message during the holidays that everyone can agree with is 'Peace'. Create this simple cross stitch with the free pattern and instructions from Connie G. Barwick.

Draw a Santa
Decorate cards, tags and more when you learn how to sketch the perfect Santa from Helen South.

Glittery Wood and Wire Snowman Earrings
These super easy snowmen earrings are a whimsical design that even the beginning jewelry maker can create.

Ribbon Wreath Craft
Find out how you can create a unique wreath using pieces of ribbon. By looking at this finished project, you will never believe how easy it is!

Holiday Pear Quilt
Create a pear quilt as a holiday gift or just to spruce up the place. Cyndi Lavin at the Mixed Media Blog has your tips and instructions.

Cuttlebugged Christmas Cards
These quick Christmas cards were made using my Sissix Big Shot, ProvoCraft Christmas Tree embossing folder, Versamark inks and embellishments. Get the instructions at the Firenze Cards blog.

Christmas Card Art Worksheet
Make a watercolor Christmas Card out of a cathedral rose window without all that pesky drawing. Just print this outline from Marion Boddy-Evans on a sheet of watercolor paper using waterproof ink.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make it Merry: Week 1
Make it Merry: Week 2
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Make it Merry: Week 4
Make it Merry: Week 5
Make it Merry: Week 6

Time out for a public service announcement.

Sure, you take pride in the entire family calling you the 'crafty' one, in this case throwing your objection of labels to the wind. Who doesn't like to be infamous for artistic flair, resourceful usage of scrap yarn and flaunting mad ninja sewing skills?

Let me rephrase that question...who's got two thumbs and is everyone's best friend when they're in a crunch for a handmade gift? `Tis the season for you to lay low, my friend.

From innovative present wrapping to pretty-please suturing a dress seam for the office Christmas party, it's time for everyone you know to come out of the woodwork to ask for those crafty favors. Your generosity may very well be your downfall as the requests for your sparkling talent flood in -and you are all to eager to oblige. It is so easy to suddenly have too many projects happening at once in the whirlwind of winter wonderland. Shopping, attending holiday events and...dare I say it...even crafting for yourself.

I'm not saying you should be a total Scrooge, but try to keep your favors to a minimum. Here are a few scenarios that I've encountered so far.

The Awkward Sneak:
Mrs. C: Hey, girl. Remember Janine?
Rain: Sorta. Did she work here?
Mrs. C: Well, besides her need for new throw pillows, she's doing just great.
Rain: Oh, is that what you're gifting her this year?
Mrs. C: Hey, I know you've been a little busy, but...
Rain: *nervous laughter*

The Direct Hit:
Ms. N (who will swiftly murder me after reading this): "Do you know how to knit?? If so, do you think you could granny us up a pair of "hobo" gloves for a not so hefty, but still a fee?"
Rain: "I dunno how to knit."
Ms. N: "I'm blown away by that omission! You were the one person I thought I could count on in the knitting dept."
Rain: *declines to mention crochet skills*

The Family Crowbar:
Aunt B: Here, have some coffee. do you take cream?
Rain: Oh, thank you, yeah, I-
Aunt B: Oh, and here's the sugar, too. Did you see the quilt I'm working on, here? You know I just loved that blanket you made for your daughter last year. Here, you didn't get any cake, I'll fix a plate.
Rain: ... *quickly texting husband to request exit call*

So what is the best way to handle these requests? Can we avoid a stress overload without fostering an awkward moment? Some people say to just be direct and let them know you are too tied up with your own holiday craziness. I've talked to a few people who operate on a first-come-first serve basis, accepting those first favors and then artfully deciding when they're all booked up. Then there are those, like me, who have in the past taken in every assignment with a loving smile with the hopes of crafty glory in the end.

So how do you negotiate the holiday craft load? Any tips for shutting down loved ones this holiday season?