Explore the top 10 most popular sewing, crochet, printables and recipe ideas for a handmade home from The Birch Cottage in 2020.
As we usher in another New Year, I always enjoy taking a look back at the past year on The Birch Cottage blog. So, grab yourself a cup of coffee, settle in to your favorite comfy chair and take a little trip down memory lane with me as we reflect on the past 12 months with the top 10 best ideas for a handmade home on The Birch Cottage in 2020.
Let's see if your favorite sewing, crochet, craft, printable or recipe made the list of the best of the best for 2020.
2020 Year in Review
Before I share the top 10 ideas for 2020, I wanted to share with you a 2020 year in review for The Birch Cottage blog. Sometimes, it's important to acknowledge accomplishments.
In spite of (or maybe as a result of) the challenges we faced in 2020 all around us, it was a year of growth and accomplishment from a business perspective for The Birch Cottage. Here are a few of the accomplishments:
Subscribers Resource Library
As you probably know, I share a LOT of free printables like Christmas gift tags, bathroom humor prints, bowl cozy care tags, sewing and crochet patterns and more. Plus, I've begun sharing SVG files for use with Cricut Design Space and your cutting machines.
It had become quite problematic keeping all the files organized. So, I have moved all downloads to a shared Google Drive folder called the "Subscribers Resource Library." Since the files are all stored in Google Drive, you can search and browse for files more easily (that is my goal, anyway).
New Subscribers
It has been a record setting year for new subscribers. We now have more than 15,000 subscribers who so graciously allow me to visit them in their inboxes on a regular basis. Of course, in exchange, they have unlimited access to the Subscribers Resource Library. But I am very grateful and humbled.
I even did some housekeeping early in the spring. I sent an email to everyone who hadn't opened an email from The Birch Cottage recently and told them I would be removing their email from my subscribers list unless they notified me that they still desired to receive the newsletters.
Learn to Sew
I started a new learn to sew series, called Sewing Basics, with the beginning sewer/sewist in mind. With 2020 being the year of the COVID-19 pandemic and people scurrying to make or learn to make face masks, sewing machines were flying off the shelves at retailers.
It's funny how things work out sometimes. I had already planned to start a learn to sew series long before the start of the pandemic. I figured people had received sewing machines for Christmas and just weren't sure where to start. I plan on continuing this series in 2021.
Cricut Cutting Machines
I also started a new Cricut series. Introducing the different Cricut cutting machines and talking about their features and functionality of each. I hope this will help you decide if a Cricut Cutting Machine is right for you and which one will best meet your needs.
In addition, I've started sharing more SVG (scalable vector graphic) files and tutorials to help you on your Cricut crafting journey.
Reader Survey
I conducted a reader survey and the number of responses I received just blew me away. The one resounding takeaway from the survey was that you wanted more ideas for handmade gifts. I heard you and I'll be sharing more creative ideas in 2021 to help you sew, crochet and craft handmade gifts for your loved ones.
Top 10 Ideas for a Handmade Home in 2020
I share creative ideas on The Birch Cottage blog out of my desire to encourage you to create handmade gifts for your family, friends and your home. Likewise, you probably visit The Birch Cottage blog because you're looking for ideas to help you craft meaningful, modern and appreciated gifts. It's what I call "crafting a handmade home."
I know I said I was going to share the top 10 ideas, but I changed my mind and decided to share the top 12 ideas from The Birch Cottage blog from 2020:
Top 10 Best Ideas for a Handmade Home in 2020
I share creative ideas on The Birch Cottage blog out of my desire to encourage you to create handmade gifts for your family, friends and your home. Likewise, you probably visit The Birch Cottage blog because you’re looking for ideas to help you craft meaningful, modern and appreciated gifts. It’s what I call “crafting a handmade home.” This list is the top 12 best ideas from 2020 on The Birch Cottage blog.
#12 - Free Fabric Pumpkin Pattern (in 3 sizes)
Who doesn’t love pumpkins? And with three different size pumpkin patterns to choose from, you can make these adorable pumpkin patterns to fit your home décor needs/wants and they make for lovely handmade gifts for any occasion.
#11 - 24 Cookie Mix in a Jar Recipe Ideas
This is a unique way to gift cookies at Christmas or anytime. These cookie mix in a jar recipe ideas make great gifts for: bridal shower, housewarming, Christmas, birthdays, etc. And they are a convenient way to gift cookies.
#10 - DIY Terra Cotta Pot Ideas for Mother's Day
You guys! I am so glad that I’m not the only one who loves repurposing terra cotta pots. This collection of terra cotta pot ideas for Mother’s Day was a big hit and rightly so!
#9 - How to Make Zucchini Noodles That Aren’t Watery
Everyone seems to be trying to eat a little healthier, especially at the beginning of each new year. And “zoodles” or zucchini noodles are no exception! If you’ve ever tried to make zucchini noodles, or zucchini for that matter, you know it can be very watery. Well, there are a few things you can do to make them less watery.
#8 - Pumpkin Bread Recipe for the Bread Machine and a Free Recipe Card!
A bread machine is such a convenient way to make bread – especially in the summer when you don’t really want to turn on the oven. It’s also great for busy families as you can set the timer and have bread ready by the time you return home from work. Plus, pumpkin bread is amazing whether you make it in the bread machine or not!
#7 - Small Batch Cupcakes from a Box of Cake Mix
Did you know you can make a small batch of cupcakes using boxed cake mix? No need to bake 24 cupcakes when you can just as easily mix up and bake only 6!
#6 - Learn How to Crochet Crunchy Stitch Dishcloth
Crocheted dishcloths are quick, easy, practical and work so well! Just be sure to use 100% cotton yarn. You’ll find the full pattern right here on The Birch Cottage blog.
#5 - The Secret to Super Moist Meatloaf
It seems I’m not the only one who is looking for the perfect meatloaf recipe. Do you know the secret to super moist meatloaf? Surprisingly, it’s not what you put in the meatloaf.
#4 - Sew a Pleated Fabric Face Mask with Casings & Filter Pocket
Who would have thought that a fabric face mask tutorial during the year of a pandemic would be one of my top five blog posts of the year? The great thing about this mask is the drawstring casing and the pocket for a filter.
#3 - 12 Free Printable Bathroom Humor Prints
Seems I’m not the only one who appreciates a little bathroom humor. Or maybe a lot of you were also looking to add a little humor to your day during the middle of a pandemic?
#2 - Sew a Reversible Microwave Safe Bowl Cozy
My family absolutely loves these microwave safe bowl cozies. In fact, when I first made them for them for Christmas a few years ago, they all wondered why I hadn’t made them for them sooner! Even my husband loves these bowl cozies. And, don’t forget about the free printable care tags!
#1 - FREE Printable Pleated Face Mask Pattern
Although the fourth most popular blog post was all about sewing fabric face masks, the most popular creative idea from The Birch Cottage blog for 2020 was the free printable pleated face mask pattern. I thought the instructions in this blog post were self-sufficient, but I received a number of requests for a printable pattern and I’m very glad I obliged.
So did your favorite creative idea for a handmade home make the top 10 or 12 list? I gotta say, I was really surprised that the Bathroom Humor Prints were such a hit. And the meatloaf - it's been in my top 10 since I first shared the recipe.
You'll find plenty more creative ideas for a handmade home just like the top 10 for 2020 right here on The Birch Cottage blog. I do hope you'll visit again soon!
Til next time...
