Activities  >   Crafts

Birchbark Box - The native people of eastern Canada made waterproof birchbark containers for collecting sap from maple trees. They used one or two stitches of split spruce root to fasten the box. You can make a small birchbark box, tied with yarn and filled with nuts.

Braided Mat - From the rag bag in every pioneer home came scraps of cloth that were re-used for many purposes, including rag rugs. You can make your own braided mats from old t-shirts! Make them in different sizes to use as a coaster for a teapot or a coffee mug, or to decorate a dollhouse.

Candles - Here's how you can make your own light!

Candle Holder - Create a cheerful light using fancy-coloured paper, a sweet smelling votive candle and an old jelly jar. It's just the thing to brighten up a rainy day.

Chinese Lantern - String a bunch of these festive paper lanterns from your ceiling, and create your own Chinese Palace!

Chopstick Hair Ornament - Get creative with chopsticks and make a cool ornament for your hair!

Collage Your Journal - Some recommendations for personalizing your diary or journal.

Feather Earrings - Homemade gifts always make the holidays special.

Make Your Own Berry Ink - Make your own ink to write in your journal!

Monogrammed Napkin - Embroidering initials on one's belongings was an attractive way to mark them as one's own. You can embroider a cloth napkin with a friend's initial. It can be tucked into a lunchbox or used at the table.

Pincushion - Little pincushions made of the bright scraps of fabric were often the perfect homemade gift for family or friends. Make one of your own to keep your pins handy!

Pomander Ball - Lemons, oranges and apples studded with cloves brought sunny colours and sweet, spicy scents into pioneer homes at Christmastime — and made welcome gifts. Hung with ribbon, they were used to freshen closets or brighten holiday greenery.

Pressed Flower Bookmark - Use wildflowers of your own to brighten up your room, or your favorite book!

Sweater Mittens - You can make your own one-of-a-kind mittens.

Tree-Twig Ornaments - These little ornaments are easy to do, and make great holiday decorations or keepsakes!

Wind Chimes - Make a wind chime of your own to put outside your window!

Windowsill Victory Gardens - Victory Gardens was a patch of land where people grew food for their families, friends and neighbors in order to save supplies for the soldiers overseas during the war. You can make your own — right on your windowsill!

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