How to sew cases, bags, and buckets

Check out these instructions for making things that hold other things. Maybe you know somebody who needs a handmade gift?

iPad or Kindle cover tutorial at Craft Buds
Pleated tote bag PDF from The Long Thread
Geometric DIY painted totes from Collect & Carry
Round fabric storage buckets by Film in the Fridge

Find even more things to make at Sew 4 Home, like this laminated tote with a zippered pocket or a round pillow that reminds me of peppermint candy and grandmas.

Origami paper stars for garlands or gifts

Making paper Christmas decorations is one of my favorite things this time of year. I found instructions here for making an 8-pointed origami star and tried it out. Lovely!

You can make garlands with them. (The back sides aren't as pretty, so hang the garland against a wall or put two stars back to back.) Or hang individual ones on a Christmas tree.

Or make paper stars to use instead of traditional bows on gifts. If you skip the last step in the tutorial, the back side is flat and easy to tape to a package. These will lay flat for packing presents in a box, and then you can fluff them up again when you put the gifts under the tree.

Nice wallpapers for artists and makers

I love these hand-lettered desktop wallpapers by Mary Kate McDevitt for We Make. They're sized for various screens and devices. Choose from the best color in the world, orange, or the second best color in the world, blue, right here.

Customize and print a free holiday card

Hope you had a lovely break! I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Christmas lights have popped up all over the neighborhood. My brain still thinks it's October.

But I'm seeing lots of designerly Christmas printables appear around the internet, including this fun, free holiday card from Love vs. Design. Download the PDF, type in your own text, and print. You can select a flat or folded card, and get some "ugly sweater" gift tags, too!

Apple sweet potato juice

I'm off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving, but first I wanted to show you my new favorite orange thing: apple sweet potato juice. It's been affectionately dubbed "Jess Juice" by Alex, who has been experimenting with his juicer (this model). The fact that this fall drink happens to be my favorite color is just a bonus. The apple is tart and refreshing, and the sweet potato gives it creaminess and mellows it out to something nearly dessert-like. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top makes it perfect. The recipe is just two big apples and two raw sweet potatoes. Adjust the proportions to your liking, of course.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, all!

Handmade holiday gift ideas

The long Thanksgiving weekend coming up might allow some time for making handmade Christmas presents. Here's a sampling of tutorials from the DIY category, in case they spark ideas for making your own holiday gifts. Above:
Pantone chip magnets
Ampersand shrink plastic necklace
Iron-on tote bag downloadable design
Freezer paper painted scarf

Easy beaded hoop earrings with printable tag
Mid-century clock bottle cap magnets
Paper pendants, geometric or pie chart versions
Simple stitched vinyl wallets

Homemade fabric designs using sun printing
No-sew modular felt coasters and trivets
Origami gift card holders

Style quizzes: 80s hair, first ladies and more

Completely frivolous Friday afternoon fun: taking fashion quizzes at MyLifetime.com. Find out if you're a fashionista. Do you know what a minaudière is? I think I've seen them on petite girls at the gym, encased in stretchy yoga pants and bobbing up and down on the elliptical.

You might also want to know what your 80's hairstyle should be. Or which first lady is your style twin. Hilary Clinton, let's go shopping, girlfriend.

Free Thanksgiving printable invites and tags

If you want to get fancy this Thanksgiving, the generous designers of the interwebs are offering lots of free printable invitations, tags, and place-setting goodies. Find a whole suite of stylish geometric printables, like these wine bottle labels, at Sarah Hearts.

Get Alma's printable Thanksgiving party invitations at Nicole's Classes. These pretty designs come in a dark version and a light version, in case your printer isn't feeling too ambitious.

Jordan of Polkadot Prints has created an elegant Thanksgiving set of tags. Thanks for sharing your time and creativity, designers! I know it takes a lot of time to make things to give away, and we appreciate it.