Holiday Review and Giveaway: YouCanMakeThis.com CLOSED

You may remember back in October when I gave away a Halloween bundle courtesy of YouCanMakeThis.com, a veritable playground for DIY craft masters (and amateurs too!). Well, with the holidays looming just around the bend, YCMT is back with more tips and quick, easy gift ideas for family, friends, neighbors - even co-workers! With their detailed, step-by-step instructions and templates for unique, handcrafted treasures, you can cross everyone off your list this year with ease.

This month, you can enter to win eBooks from www.YouCanMakeThis.com and learn some fun new techniques to foster your creativity. Check out their free download for some adorable printable holiday gift tags! I know I'll be using these with my treat bags. Each of them coordinate with ideas found on the YouCanMakeThis.com blog as part of their DIY Gift Giving Series, as well as designs and patterns found at YCMT and www.SWAKembroidery.com. You can also enter to win hundreds of dollars in gift certificates simply by watching the videos in the series and answering questions on the YouCanMakeThis blog! If that's not incentive enough to peruse the site, I don't know what is!

I was lucky enough to receive the brand new pattern for the She Loves Me Knot handbag to review (ARV $8.00). First of all, how cute is this bag?! I fell in love with it the instant I saw it. Imagine the oohs and aahs you could get as you walk into the office, playgroup or girl's night out with this slung over your fashionable shoulder. No one would ever believe you made this! Yes, you!

Now, I am a novice when it comes to anything involving needle and thread. I have aspirations to knit and crochet but a chic crafty mama I am not. So, I will admit that I was a bit intimidated as I read over the instructions. Everything seemed so complicated and initially, my brain was overwhelmed. But as I read the details over one more time and acted out the instructions with bits of paper (yes, I'm a nerd like that!), I realized it wasn't nearly as dreadful as I originally thought. I liked that there weren't many fancy tools required to get the job done, since I don't own much in that department. And the pictures that coincide with every written step are so well done that it is actually pretty hard to screw up. I can't wait to visit my local fabric store to choose my designs and borrow my mom's sewing machine to construct this little handbag from heaven. Depending on how it goes, I may just make one to match all my favorite outfits :)

But don't feel left out because YCMT isn't giving you a lump of coal in your stocking this year...

WIN IT: They're offering two lucky winners just a little something for a Merry Christmas - a pattern for their Believe Pillow (ARV $6.00)!



This sweet pillow is enough to get even the Grinch in the holiday spirit! It's the perfect addition to your holiday home decor or would make a great hostess gift for any seasonal party you may be attending.

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Have a look around the YCMT website and tell me one thing you would love to make. Be sure to leave me your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my button and/or holiday guide button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry for each)

4.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

**Because you will likely want to make this in time for the holiday, I'm ending the contest in 8 days rather than the typical 14, which should allow ample time for craftiness. Merry Christmas and good luck!**

Giveaway will end on December 20, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Contest open worldwide. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this review and giveaway opportunity from Courtney at YouCanMakeThis.com. I received one free download to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for my post.