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35 DIY Christmas Wooden Crafts for Your Home

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Christmas is such a magical time in our home.

We love to do big decorations, spend more time together and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

One way to spend time together during the holidays is to make Christmas decorations together.

My kids are teenagers now, but they still like to do projects together as a family.

This year, I am hoping to add more “natural” elements to our Christmas decor.

This includes more greenery and wooden elements.

We still have a fake tree (it’s very dry here and I want to keep a tree up for about 2 months), but I like the idea of more natural decorations as well.

I have seen so many fun ideas of DIY Christmas wooden crafts in the past, that I want to group them all in one place to refer when needed.

So I searched the internet (who are we kidding, Pinterest!) and found these great ideas to incorporate wood into your holiday decorations.

35 DIY Christmas Wooden Crafts for Your Home

Twigs


Twig and Pom Pom Starburst Wreath @ A Beautiful Mess


Rustic Twig Christmas Ornaments @ Simple As That


Christmas Twig Wreath from Tree Trimmings @ The Middle Sized Garden


DIY Twig Letters @ The Happy Housie

Popsicle Sticks


Popsicle Stick Sleds @ Clean and Scentsible


Craft Your Own Nativity Scene @ AOP

Recycled Wood


DIY Wooden Christmas Tree Made From Architectural Salvage @ Pillar Box Blue

DIY Rustic Wood Candle Holders @ Marty’s Musings


Holiday Mantel and Table Centerpiece @ Jenna Burger Design

How to Make a Wooden Crate with Logs, Greenery and Lights @ Home Made Lovely

DIY Scrap Wood Christmas Trees @ Love and Renovations

DIY Wooden Nativity Silhouette with Free Cricut Cut File @ Simple Made Pretty

Pallet Wood


Light Up Pallet Wood DIY Tree @ Crafts Unleashed


Reclaimed Wood Pallet Christmas Trees @ Home-Dzine


Reclaimed Wood Merry Christmas Signs @ Craft Cuts

Wood Slices

DIY Wood Slice Christmas Ornaments @ Mountain Modern Life


Etched Birch Ornaments @ Design Mom


Wood Slice Reindeer Ornaments @ Crafty Morning


Wood Slice Ornaments @ Ginger Snap Crafts


Wood Slice and Burlap Christmas Wreath @ Finding Home Farms

Christmas wooden family

Wood Projects

Rustic “O come let us adore Him” Wooden Christmas Sign @ NJS Design Company

DIY Rustic Light-Up Christmas Sign @ The American Patriette

DIY Vintage Wooden Sled @ Twelve on Main

DIY – Wooden Planters @ Remodel A Casa


Wooden Nativity Set @ Reality Daydream


Wall Mounted Advent Calendar @ The DIY Dreamer


Wooden Patchwork Stars @ 100 Things 2 Do


Joy Outdoor Wreath Sign @ Fynes Designs


Rustic Wood Christmas Wood Ornament Signs @ 504 Main

How to Make a Wooden Peg Doll Nativity Set @ Laura Radniecki

DIY Wooden Christmas Village @ Woodshop Diaries

DIY Wood Christmas Tree Shelf @ Tinsel and Wheat

DIY Wood Reindeer @ Her Tool Belt

Wooden Star DIY Christmas Decoration @ Cutesy Crafts

DIY Wooden Snowflake @ Beauty in the Mess

Don’t these DIY Christmas wooden crafts just look so amazing? And fun too!

I’ll bet your kids (or grandkids) would love doing these crafts with you for Christmas!

So pick a few and get to crafting! You won’t regret it!

christmas wooden crafts pin

How do you bring nature into your holiday decorations? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!

15 DIY Mason Jar Crafts for the Christmas Holidays

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I love mason jars. We use them all over my house.

I guess I love the country, cozy feel of them and also the practical side of their use.

Here is a post about the ways I use mason jars on our homestead —> 13 Convenient Mason Jar Uses on the Homestead

But I really love the idea of using mason jars in our holiday decor and gift giving.

So in this post, I want to give you some ideas of how the brilliant minds online (let’s be real, Pinterest!) use mason jars around the holidays.

15 DIY Mason Jar Crafts for the Christmas Holidays


Elf Jar Craft and Gift @ Food Crafts and Family


DIY Christmas Mason Jar Candle Holder @ The Nerds Wife


Snow Globe Mason Jar Gifts @ Crafty Morning


Christmas Mason Jar Luminaries @ Maison de Pax


Car in Jar Snow Globe @ Mason Jar Crafts


Santa Gift in a Jar @ The Country Chic Cottage


Santa Painted Mason Jar @ The Ribbon Retreat


Snowy Mason Jar @ Deco Art Blog


Christmas Township Candle Jar @ Shabby Art Boutique


Snowflake Mason Jars @ It All Started With Paint


Candy Cane Mason Jars @ Mason Jar Crafts


Christmas Sweater Mason Jars @ It All Started With Paint


Gold Glittered Mason Jar Vases @ Classy Clutter


DIY Peppermint Mason Jar Candles @ A Pumpkin and a Princess


DIY Mason Jar Oil Candle Lamp @ Dan 330

Aren’t these the cutest DIY mason jar crafts! These would be great to have around the house during the holidays or to give as gifts.

When I look at a mason jar, I see millions of possibilities and uses around the homestead. Your imagination is the limit. So use these examples above as a jumping off spot and come up with your own, new idea.

Your family and friends will think you are awesome, and you are!

Which of these is your favorite project? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!

16 Fun Fall DIY Crafts for the Home

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Fall is here and I am ready! Bring on the cooler weather, football and fall colors!

One of my favorite things about this time of year is fall home decorating.

I love the pumpkins, fall colors and comforting smells.

So this year, I want to add some new homemade crafts to my fall home decor.

I searched the internet (who are we kidding, Pinterest) and found some great fall DIY crafts for the home.

I hope these help inspire us both to get crafty and bring the fall into our homes this year.

16 Fun Fall DIY Crafts for the Home


Farmhouse Pumpkin Bucket @ How to Nest for Less


DIY Fall Mason Jar Centerpiece @ Addicted 2 DIY


Easy Fall Wreath @ Create and Babble


The Easiest DIY Fall Sign Ever @ Little Vintage Nest


Mason Jar Lid Pumpkins @ The Country Cook


Fall Rustic Mason Jars @ Sincerely Jean


Weathered Wood Sign @ The Crafting Chicks


DIY Pumpkin Terracotta Pots @ Real Housemoms


Halloween Candy Jar @ A Pumpkin and A Princess


Fall Table Centerpiece @ Shanty 2 Chic


How to Make Plush Velvet Pumpkins @ Nest of Posies


Build Your Own Decorative Rustic Wheelbarrow @ Home Depot


Fall Candle Centerpiece @ That’s What Che Said


DIY Pumpkin Vase @ A Pumpkin and A Princess


How to Make DIY Twig Letters @ The Happy Housie


Fall Harvest Centerpieces @ Natural Beach Living

All of these great ideas make me wanna get out the craft supplies and get started! How about you?

Making these crafts will add a warm, fall feeling to your home this season. And if you can get your family to help you, even better.

Make your home beautiful and comforting with these fun fall DIY crafts for the home. You will be so glad you did!

fall diy crafts pin

Did you make any of these crafts? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!

9 Sporty Baseball Crafts To Make In The Off Season

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We are towards the end of our baseball season here.

My youngest son is on two teams (at the same time) in Little League. My older son played high school baseball which ended before school got out.

My two older sons are umpiring for little league as well, so life is busy.

As you can tell, we love baseball at our house. To me, baseball and summer go hand in hand.

I love sitting at the ball fields on May and June evenings and watch my boys play (or umpire) baseball.

I want to represent this family past time by using baseballs in our summer home decor.

So today, I want to share with you the baseball crafts I found online (who are we kidding, Pinterest!).

bucket of baseballs

9 Sporty Baseball Crafts To Make In The Off Season


Baseball Bracelet @ Life in Left Field


You Stole My Heart Baseball Printable @ Sportsmom Survival Guide


Baseball Lamp @ Saw It, Made It


Baseball Cross Coach Gift @ A Diamond In The Stuff


Baseball Keychain @ Sports Roses


DIY Baseball Wreath @ Life in Left Field


Baseball Handprint Gift @ The Kindergarten Connection


DIY Baseball Curtain Rod Ends @ Trish Sutton


DIY Baseball Bookends @ Virginia Sweet Pea

I just love these baseball ideas. You can use old baseballs for these projects, buy new cheap baseballs or even use baseballs that your kids have kept from games (homeruns, etc).

You can also get your kids involved in these crafts, give them to coaches or as Father’s Day gifts.

I hope this list has helped get your baseball craft creative juices flowing. I know I am ready to chop up a baseball and make it into something new and fun.

baseball crafts pin

Which one of these crafts is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!

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The Newbie Guide to Making Homemade Candles

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Disclaimer: I am not a homemade candle veteran. I do not sell candles. I have dabbled a little, and want to share what I have learned.

Does making homemade candles just seem overwhelming? You are thinking “I don’t want to do it wrong. I don’t want to burn myself.”

That’s what I thought too. It took me a long time homesteading before I even tried making homemade products like this.

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Today, I just want to give you a quick tutorial on making homemade beeswax candles.

This recipe is from the book Handmade: The Modern Guide to Made-From-Scratch Living by Melissa K Norris. I highly recommend this book. It has great recipes for all kinds of things around the homestead that you can make at home.

Unfortunately, our bees didn’t work out so well this year. You can read about that in this post —> 7 Lessons I Have Learned From My Honeybees This Year

So I have to buy beeswax just like you. But that’s okay. Better luck next year.

Homemade Beeswax Candles

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What you will need:

candle making supplies

8 oz. glass jelly jar

4 oz. of beeswax

2 oz. coconut oil

1 wick 

Wick centering device (came with the wicks)

Food scale

Cookie sheet

Spoon or spatula

Scissors

Double broiler or glass measuring jar with a mason jar lid and sauce pan

Instructions:

  1. Center your wick in the jar. You can use tape or hot glue to do this. Then put the wick centering device on the top of the jar to keep it centered.empty mason jar with wick and wick holder
  2. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Put your jar on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven to keep it warm until you are ready to pour the candle.
  3. Measure your wax and put it in the glass jar. glass measuring cup on a scale with beeswax inside
  4. Use a double broiler to melt your wax and then coconut oil. I used a glass jar inside a sauce pan with a mason jar lid on the bottom to keep the glass off of the bottom of the pan.
  5. When the wax and coconut oil is melted (about 30 minutes) take the jar out of the oven and pour the wax into the warm jar.
  6. Turn off the oven and put the jar back in the oven to cool on the same cookie sheet.
  7. Once the candle has cooled, remove it from the oven.
  8. Let it cure for atleast 24 hours.
  9. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch above the surface of the candle.

beeswax candle and beeswax in a white bowl

Why I love homemade candles:

Beeswax candles are awesome because they are all natural. There are no synthetic chemicals or fragrances in this candle, which is great for burning in your home. You can add essential oils to this candle before it cools, but you would have to add alot of drops to make it smell right, which could be expensive.

Plus, when you burn a beeswax candle it already smells like honey, so you don’t need to add anything else. This is a great way to get started with making natural products in your home.

If you are interested in seeing this recipe and others in action, check out Melissa’s Hand Made Masterclass that goes with the book. You can get access to it here (affiliate link) Hand Made Masterclass.

Other Candle Making Resources:

Here are some resources for making other kinds of candles in your home.

Everything You Need to Know About Making Your Own Candles @ Fix

Homemade Candles in the Slow Cooker @ Live Simply

DIY Homemade Citronella Candles @ Don’t Waste the Crumbs

How to Make Tallow Candles @ The Prairie Homestead

Did your candles turn out awesome? Please share them with us in our Facebook Group! You can join here —> Real Food Homesteaders.

Don’t be afraid to try something new in homesteading. It may not work out the first time. You may feel like a failure if it doesn’t come out perfectly. But you know what?

You can’t learn a new skill without trying, failing and trying again. So don’t give up. Keep trying new things to see what works for you and your family.

candles pin

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!

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13 Convenient Mason Jar Uses on the Homestead

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Find out how to use all of those mason jars you’ve been collecting in fun new ways!

I LOVE MASON JARS! Sorry, was I yelling?

I have mason jars all over my house. They are so useful and convenient.

Plus, I just love the rustic vibe they provide.

 Don't know where to start with homesteading?

Grab our checklist to show you how to make your dreams a reality, step by step.

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13 Convenient Mason Jar Uses on the Homestead

1. Drinking

photo of green mason jars in the kitchen cabinet

We use these green mason jars for everyday drinking. We have the pint and quart size in the cupboard for our dishes. You can also get purple ones too. I heard that Ball was discontinuing these soon, so don’t miss out.

green mason jars with lid and straw with milk inside

I drink my protein shakes each morning out of a mason jar with this lid and straw. I love it because I can take it on the go!

2. Food Storage

photo of a large mason jar inside a refrigerator

If you look in my fridge (scary!) you will see several different sized mason jars with leftovers in them. So handy, especially if you get the white lids for easy storage.

3. Canning

photo of beans canned in mason jars on the kitchen counter

Of course, we can’t talk about mason jars without talking about canning! I love canning the harvest. It is so rewarding to see all of the jars lined up on the shelf, ready for winter.

4. Lights

photo of a mason jar chandelier

My husband made this chandelier from mason jars. He got the tutorial here and used a piece of wood for the base.

photo of a mason jar pendant light

We also used these mason jars to make three pendant lights over the kitchen island. We got the instructions here.

5. Laundry Soap

photo of inside a cabinet in a laundry room with jars of laundry soap inside

I use mason jars to store my homemade laundry soap in the laundry room. Here is the recipe I use!

6. Gifts

photo of mason jar craft with red licorice

I love to use mason jars for teacher gifts. This one has Twizzlers in it and says “You’re the Sweetest!” I got the tutorial here.

7. Centerpiece

Christmas decoration- coca cola crate with mason jars and ornaments inside

This year I used mason jars with lights inside this old Coke crate for my Christmas centerpiece.

8.  Soap Dispenser

photo of mason jar soap dispenser

This pint size soap dispenser is super easy to use to make. Here is the tutorial I used. If you don’t want to make your own, you can buy the tops here.

9.  Chicken waterer

photo of a mason jar chicken waterer

I use mason jars for my chicken waterers when I have baby chicks in the house. You can buy the base here.

10.  Vase

photo of mason jar vase with orange flowers on a wood table

I love to have fresh flowers in the house and a mason jar (big or small) makes a great flower vase.

11.  Cupcake Liner Storage

photo of mason jar with cupcake liners inside on a table

This is a Pinterest find that I thought was ingenious! Why didn’t I think of that first!

12.  Wedding Decor

mason jars with a wedding theme

A friend of ours had these jars at her wedding. We saved them as a keepsake.

13.  Matchbox

mason jar with matches inside

Here is a way to keep the matches safe and dry. Just cut out the striking strip and put it on the top of the jar. Yes!

Do you love mason jars too? I am continually looking for more mason jars uses and projects. I have a Pinterest Board devoted to Mason Jars.  Check it out!

mason jar uses pin

Please comment and let us know what you use mason jars for in your home or homestead. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!

 Don't know where to start with homesteading?

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