SDo many links this week and so little time... Wait a minute, I have all afternoon to explore and enjoy; hope you do too!

• About.com Cross Stitch - Connie's added a new pattern collection - Four Ways to Say Peace. These designs will make great holiday ornaments.

• Aileen's Musings - Aileen's on a mission to win a trip to NYC and to see the Martha Stewart show! Check out her under $20.00 Christmas project on Michael's craft site and rate it to help her win!

• Cathie Filian - Cathie shows you how to make a kids felt book. The book are perfect for airplane trips, car rides and rainy days. They make great gifts!

• Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world - Over on the Craftside blog there are how-to ideas for casting and making a silver metal clay wing necklace and a recycled wool sweater Christmas needle book. There's an Mail Art Call Out to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, tips for making a vintage rosary style necklace and a little Jimi Hendrix thrown in.

• Crafty Princess Diaries - Tammy reviews a new book full of unique and earth-friendly ways to wrap your gifts this holiday season using scarves.

• Mixed Media Artist - Would you ever do an art show where you knew you wouldn't sell anything?

• Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery - How to make a Sweater Surgery Light up Christmas tree inspired by The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life.

• The Artful Crafter - Eileen shares directions for some lovely polymer clay Thanksgiving napkin rings. You have a choice of one embellished with a cute clay turkey or a more formal looking ring stamped with a fall motif.

• The Impatient Crafter - Madge makes a festive Patchwork Paper decoupaged letter for your teen's bedroom door in this week's post for iLoveToCreate.

• Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love - Make cool, graphic wall art using Ed Roth's Stencil Decor kit and a little imagination!

(Graphic is courtesy of morgue.com)

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This time of year there are so many reasons to make crafts. You can make home-made holiday gifts and Christmas tree ornaments along with crafts for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, and more. Here are some project to get you going on your holiday crafting.

• Max the Dog Ornament Craft - Make a Grinch craft! Make this adorable Christmas tree ornament that looks like Max the Dog.

• Clay Pot Turkey Craft - These can be made to be used as nut cups for your Thanksgiving dinner or simply for decoration.

• American Flag Heart Beaded Safety Pin - Use this free American Flag pattern to make beaded safety pin jewelry to honor veterans today and everyday.

• Advent Candy Tree and Poem - TOBPA shares this advent craft along with a poem that goes with it.

• Bean Bag Bear Craft - You can make personalized bean bag bears for everyone you know using a sock and a few other supplies. Just remember, this toy is not for young kids who like to put things in their mouth!

• Santa Puppet Craft - Follow these instructions to make a Christmas Santa Claus puppet using a paper lunch bag.

• Turkey Napkin Holder Craft - Find out how to create this napkin ring turkey craft using a toilet paper roll and a few basic craft supplies.

Enjoy, and remember, if you complete any of these crafts, take a few moments to send me a picture and it can be featured here too!

(Photo © 2009 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Check out all these free Thanksgiving related beaded safety pin patterns! These holiday beaded safety pin patterns can be used to make fun jewelry to give and to wear. Some of the featured designs include a pilgrim hat, a turkey, and a football.
RELATED:
- More Free Beaded Safety Pin Patterns
- How to Make Beaded Safety Pins
- Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities

(Photo © 2009 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's. This week we've got some friendly characters and festive Thanksgiving crafts to create.

Create a Pumpkin Candle
What better to put in the middle of the feast. David Fisher will show you how to make this easy and impressive pumpkin tealight holder.

Make a Sesame Street Wreath
For 40 years, Sesame Street has been part of our lives and has encouraged us to accept all holiday traditions. Barbara Crews will show you how to create this wreath dedicated to some of our favorite Muppets.

Draw a Penguin Pilgrim
For Thanksgiving crafts like place mats and name cards, you'll need some festive art. How about a lesson from Helen South on drawing this cutie penguin.

Embroider a Gift Bag
Save cash for presents when you reuse gift bags or buy those inexpensive plain bags. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how to dress them up for the re-gifting process with a touch of delightful embroidery.

Stitch a Swedish Ornament
If you've got an ornament exchange to attend this year, a traditional Swedish ornament will really stand out in the crowd. Cheryl Fall will show you how to hand stitch this original piece.

Wax Resist Holiday Cards
Add a contemporary look to your holiday while saving some cash on Christmas Cards. This wax resist technique from Marion Boddy-Evans is just what you need.

Pumpkin Foam Sticker Earrings
For a quick Fall look in a pinch, try these pumpkin sticker earrings from Tammy Powley. She'll show you how to make them in five easy steps.

Paper Globe Ornament
This dimensional ornament has an intricate look, but is actually simple in design. Kate Pullen will show you how to cut and stamp this delightful addition to your decor.

Knit a Stocking Ornament
A mini stocking is a creative way to give a gift card, or hide a little treat on the tree. Sarah E. White shows us how to knit this cute little sock.

Christmas Tree Bunting
Decking the Halls has never been so fun, and this one is perfect for helpful kids to take part in. Use up those scraps of fabric with this decorative craft from the Sadie and Lance blog.

Make a Mini Hippo
Stuffed animals add a bit of fun and tenderness to any slew of presents. Stuff a stocking with a smile when you sew this little hippo from Lesley Shepherd.

Snowman Candy Jar
Top off your candy jar with a snowman face as sweet as the treats inside. Sherri Osborn will show you how to paint and assemble this wintry decoration that is appropriate to show off all season long.

Joy Ornament Crosstitch
Stitch a little bit of joy for someone this Christmas. Connie G. Barwick has the free pattern for this jolly cross stitch project.

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.

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