The jury is out over whether Pinterest has enhanced the holidays for hosts or just added to the seasonal stress of striving for perfection, but either way it's easier than ever to find inspiration (and a DIY tutorial) for any of your holiday planning needs — like these 18 Easter egg designs, all of which can be done in a day with simple tools and some leftover craft materials.

FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. If you still need to shop for your sweetie, you can still make it a handmade holiday. Here are 15 of our favorite picks from Etsy sellers located right here in Massachusetts. FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

Shutterstock

Now that holiday gift giving is over and you're beginning to stow away the decorations for another year, are you wondering what to do with the bits and bobs of leftover wrapping paper? Here are 13 easy DIY projects for crafters and kids to do with extra gift wrap. FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

It's hard to shop for the crafty guy or gal who prefers to do everything themselves. Whether the DIYer on your list is into sewing or cooking, is an adult or a kid, one of these ready-made kits is sure to get their creative juices flowing.

FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

Whether it's a good workout, some quality time together, or an afternoon spent learning a new skill, we love to give (and get) experience gifts. With so many daily deal sites out in the marketplace, offering discounts on everything from fitness to family fun, we thought we'd cut down on your holiday shopping time by rounding up the best deals in the arts, outdoor, food, and fitness categories. But hurry up! Time is limited on most of them, so don't miss out.

FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

Folded cloth napkins are an easy, inexpensive way to elevate your Thanksgiving table. They may look like they take a lot of time, but they're quite easy once you know how. Here are 5 different designs that take just one minute to create. Decorate your place settings, no butler necessary.

FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

 

Heidi Murphy/White Loft Studio & styled by Maggie Battista

Some of Maggie Battista's homemade cocktail concoctions.

A doyenne of the DIY pantry, Maggie Battista is a lady you love to know. Always one to make tasty bits and bobs from her garden or bring some delectable morsel back from a weekend trip, she's generous with her goodies as well as her go-to sources. In 2007, Maggie started Eat Boutique as a gift box service to share local, small-batch producers that create "food that hugs you back."

With the recent launch of the the Eat Boutique shop and another of her hugely popular local markets coming up, Maggie takes a break to chat creative cocktails and tipsy Italians in our latest Maker Moment:

FULL ENTRY

By Tara Bellucci

Cheesecloth is a kitchen workhorse, but did you know you can use it to create quick and easy Halloween decorations and costumes? Here are some simple ways to turn this staple into seasonal and scary decor.

FULL ENTRY