Marian Parsons

Reusing vintage linens for sewing projects is seen all over the decorating world, but there is no need to scour flea markets and attics. A painted detail can be added to simple linen cafe curtains to give them vintage appeal.

This handy wooden stand is a great beginner woodworking project for anyone wanting to surprise their favorite chef, baker, techie or hostess with a beautiful and functional custom handmade gift.

Don't forget your furry best friend when making handmade gifts for the holidays. With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up a catnip-filled stocking-shaped toy as a surprise for your favorite kitty.

Give new life to a tired quilt that's stored away in a linen closet, attic or trunk by making it into Christmas stockings for your family. These stockings will certainly become heirlooms that will be treasured for many holidays to come.

In all of the gifting during the holidays, don't forget about your furry friends. This holly-themed cat toy is easy to make and will encourage hours of playful interaction.

Upholstery can be an intimidating project, but it seems more complicated than it actually is. A thrift store arm chair with simple lines, a sturdy frame and good padding makes a perfect subject for a novice upholsterer.

Add architectural detail and rustic, farmhouse charm to a builder basic bedroom with a tongue-and-groove planked wood ceiling. This is also a great way to cover up dated, cottage cheese ceilings or a sloppy drywall job.

Antique bread boards are a popular collectible but they're often expensive. With basic woodworking skills, you can turn a piece of old or reclaimed wood into a great handmade gift for your favorite foodie or hostess.

Finding just the right curtains can be tough and having them custom-made is expensive — but with basic sewing skills, you can make these beautiful, lined and pleated drapes in any fabric and get the custom look for less.

Handmade sleeves or holders for candy canes have been around for generations. This sweet throwback holiday craft is quick, easy and fun for kids of all ages to make using just felt and glue.

Personalized handmade gifts are always cherished but not everyone knows how to knit or crochet. We'll show you how to use baker's twine to customize store-bought mittens, turning them into an easy-to-craft customized gift.

Inspired by hand-painted Nordic designs, this colorful Christmas tree skirt is a no-sew project that's made by layering felt cut-outs then outlining them with chunky yarn.

Some old quilts are too fragile or tattered to use as bedding, but they're too precious to throw away. Repurpose one into a charming, cottage-style Christmas tree skirt by using the largest intact portion of the quilt.

Some of the sweetest Christmas tree ornaments are the ones made by the littlest crafters. This retro kids' craft is a whimsical and fun interpretation of Santa Claus that can be made with common craft supplies in just a few minutes.

Felt is a perfect fabric for no-sew holiday projects because raw edges won't fray. This tree skirt looks complicated, but it's actually made with straight cuts and fabric glue, so it's a quick craft to tackle during the busy holiday season.