I’m coordinating a fun, end of year crafting challenge for some friends, and I thought I would share it here in case anyone would like to play along!  At the end, you will have (at least) 7 handmade items that would be perfect holiday gifts for family and friends! I say at least 7, because some of these projects are so cute you’ll want to make more than one!

Here’s the deal: Every two weeks, I will post a challenge that is a general theme, with links to tutorials to get you started.  You’ll have 2 weeks to work on it, and then we will share photos! At the same time, I will announce the next theme.  I’d love to have you play along! So, here it is:

Holiday Crafting Challenge #1: Braided Gifts!

Share your photos starting September 29, 2012!

Option One: Make It and Love It has this amazingly cute tutorial teaching you how to turn old t-shirts into braided headbands.  I love the upcycling aspect! It’s a really versatile technique. You could easily glue the strips of t-shirts together to make them longer, and apply this same concept to make a bracelet, or straps to a bag, or a belt . Use a buckle, or make it extra long so it can wrap around and tie. Check it out here.

Option Two: Sew, Mama, Sew takes it up a notch by using leather and rope to make this classic nautical belt! Check out this great tutorial here. Think of all the different color combinations you could do this in; I’m thinking of trying it with wide strips of old t-shirts and  leather and seeing how that works out.  I’d love to see what you come up with!

I’ll post the next challenge on Sunday, Sept 30. In the meantime, I need to get to work on my own submission.  I look forward to you sharing yours! Post pictures in the comments below, or on the Free Rose Studio Facebook page. Happy crafting!