Our Holiday Project List is designed to spark creativity and make your retreat experience truly your own. From festive handmade décor to thoughtful, giftable creations, each project has been carefully selected to help you slow down, create with intention, and celebrate the season. You’ll choose up to three favorites to focus on, with the freedom to move at your own pace. With Joleen’s guidance and plenty of materials ready for you, this is your time to craft, connect, and bring a little handmade holiday magic to life.
Tomato Cage Tree
What to Bring
Tomato cage
Lots of magazines
Florist wire on a spool
A base to set your tree on
Time Commitment: This Will Take All Weekend
Broken Jewelry Wall Hanging
What to Bring
Broken vintage jewelry, loose beads, brooches, earrings, charms, rhinestones, pearls, etc.
A sturdy repurposed frame with a strong backing (no glass)
A piece of velvet large enough to cover the frame backing
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours
Vintage Buttons & Rhinestones
Disco Ball Tiles
What to Bring
Repurposed candlesticks (one for each tree base)
Disco ball mirror tiles
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours
Push Pins & Seed Beads
What to Bring
Repurposed candlesticks (one for each tree base)
Push pins
Seed beads
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours
Cozy Sweater Stockings
What to Bring
A sweater (larger sweaters give you more cutting room to work with)
Sewing machine if you plan to make several stockings (local participants are welcome to bring one)
Basic sewing experience is helpful, but absolutely not required
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A few hours (per stocking)
Paper Bag Snowflake
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About an hour
Laser-Cut Felt Heirloom Ornaments
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than a few hours
Felt Ornament Gift Set
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Colors are random
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium Skill Level
Time Commitment: All six will take more than a few hours
Storybook Bloom Ornament
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less than an hour
Scrap Paper Rosette Ornaments
What to Bring
If you have leftover scrapbook paper you can bring it or you're welcome to use the bookpaper we have on hand.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: About an hour
Vintage Book Burst Ornament
What to Bring
Nothing. I’ve got everything covered for this one.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less than hour
Pom Pom Christmas Ornament
What to Bring
We have Styrofoam balls. Bring your favorite pompom size and any random ribbon you have for hanging.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About an hour
Literary Kissing Ball Ornament
What to Bring
Your favorite styrofoam ball (sizes vary depending on how bold you want to go)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than a few hours
Gilded Book Bloom Ornament
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less than an hour
Macramé Tree Garland
What to Bring
3mm macramé cord (length depends on how long you’d like your garland to be)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than a few hours
Laser-Cut Bookboard Star Garland
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than a few hours
Book Lover’s Beaded Garland
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than a few hours
Gingerbread Family Book Garland
What to Bring
Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than a few hours
Mastering Christmas Bows
What to Bring
Your extra ribbon stash (wired ribbon works beautifully, but bring what you have!)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: About an hour
Reusable Fabric Gift Tags
What to Bring
Nothing. I’ve got everything covered for this one.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More than an hour
