Here we are… that season again! Time to share our gifts this holiday with the people we love- and a handcrafted gift is really a gift from the heart! Today I’ll show you how to craft a recycled jelly jar into a sweet hostess gift or appreciation gift with just a few supplies. This one is Christmas-themed, but you could also use different colors for Winter or Hanukkah. Here’s your supply list: (some links are affiliate links and I keep this site […]
Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for Quilters
When Santa shops for quilting stocking stuffers, there are some go-to items he can always reach for. Here are some of the best last-minute stocking stuffers for quilters. 45mm Rotary Blades Quilters need to replace their blades regularly, and most don’t. Not because they don’t want to, but because they forget to keep them on hand. Tuck some replacement blades in their stocking this year to keep them cutting safely in 2015. Sewing Machine Needles Having a needle break […]
Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub Hostess Gifts
Yesterday I shared how I make my Peek-A-Boo Gift Tags for the hostess gifts that I’m giving this year, and I got a request for the recipe for the Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub- so you here go! And you know what? You can make this in under an hour! I’ve had my Dad, Mom, and daughter all try this scrub and we ALL agree that it leaves your ands very soft and barely scented. With our harsh Ohio winters […]
Frosty Hat Ornaments using Recycled K-Cups
I know I’m not alone in loving my coffee brewer….but I do have a modicum of guilt with all of those plastic k-cups that head into the garbage. I’ve come up with a little craft that you could use either as an ornament or a place card setting, depending on how you do it. A little paint, some ribbon and trims, and poof! You have cute Frosty Hats (top hats) made by recycling those k-cups! You’ll need: (affiliate links): recycled […]
Five Holiday Projects Featuring Krylon Spraypaint! (Vlog Hop)
Hey, Crafty Friends! As many of you know, I love to make YouTube videos and sharing great crafts and projects with you is one of my passions. This season, I’ve teamed up with Krylon and some amazing video creators to bring you even MORE crafty happiness! We’ve put together a little “video blog hop” or Vlog hop to inspire you to get crafting. Here’s how it goes- you visit the first video in the series below, and give it a look […]
Acorn Crafts Round Up
Earlier this week I shared a tutorial for an acorn ornament…. ….. I kind of fell in love with acorns all over again. It doesn’t matter if it LOOKS like an acorn, is MADE from acorns, or has a PICTURE of an acorn- I’m loving it! So I put together a list of some awesome Acorn Crafts you will adore! An InLinkz Link-up Enjoy these crafts and make sure you pin them so you’ve got them for next year!
“Surprise” Acorn Ornaments or Gift Boxes
Today I have a great tutorial for you! It’s not yet Thanksgiving so I’m not “completely” in holiday mode yet.. but I AM thinking about hostess gifts and decorations that would work for Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah OR Christmas. (That’s a tough order to fill, right?) Well, these acorn ornaments are that “shabby glamorous” look that’s big right now, and it can be used for ANY fall or winter celebration. Note: this is a sponsored tutorial and the links below […]
Craft Haul: Stampin’ UP Holiday 2014 and Cards!
Eek! Halloween just ended…which means that Holiday crafting is in full swing! For those of us who make our own Holiday Cards, it’s time to get cracking. For me, that means doing some playing experimenting with different designs to see which one will actually “make the cut” and become the holiday card for the season. I recently got a nice box of the Stampin’ UP holiday product to work with, and in this video I’ll share with you the items […]
New Year’s Toasting Glasses
Well, here were are, at the end of the year. One of the joys of our New Year’s celebration is welcoming friends into our home and having a bit of wine or champagne. I was thinking about that old phrase “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the older is gold.” So I made some silver and gold toasting glasses. They are super easy to make and you can make them in about a half-hour- no […]
Sweet Treats for the Holidays
Can I tell you a secret? I’m really not into baking that much. After all, my Mom has the “mother-of-all-cutout-cookies” recipe and is CLEARLY the queen of the cookies. But I do enjoy making candies. Well, kind of candies. Mostly “cheater” candies. But you know what else? They are pretty dang good. So I thought I’d give you a peek at what I make for our holiday gift exchange and maybe you’ll like them, too. These tasty nummies taste like […]
Easy Gifts- 5 Minute Post-It Note Holder
Ok crafty friends- today I have the EASIEST 5-minute craft ever for teachers, crossing guards/bus drivers, even little neighbor gifties. Behold the 5-minute Post-it Note Holder! You’ll need: (affiliate links below) Heavy-weight cover or cardstock cut to 3 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches (you can get 4 out of a 12X12 sheet of paper by making your first 3.5 inch cut, then rotating the paper 90 degrees and then making the other 3.) Dry adhesive such as an adhesive tape, […]
Sisal Snowflake Ornament featuring Krylon Glitter Spray
Today I have a fun ornament or package topper for you- and you make it with some easy-to-find supplies. This is a pretty easy project, but there are a few supplies and tools you’ll want to have on hand. I made you a video to show you step by step! Here’s a tip: I used Krylon Glitter Blast for the larger version (the bleached trees) but it can be a bit fussy. If you want to work with an “easier” […]
Holiday Card 2013 (or “Why I Work In a Series”)
This year, I was walking through JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores and stopped dead in my tracks, right in the middle of the papercrafting aisle. I saw this deer punch from EK Success and I knew it had to be mine! (Side note: I’m a little fascinated by deer heads. I also have been stalking silver deer heads like this one for several weeks now. Can’t explain it.) But I digress. I was really drawn to the Burlap Paper and […]
How To: Make “Last Minute” Ornaments- Great as Gifts!
Ever realize that you need a little gift for a teacher, hostess, or neighbor- like RIGHT NOW? Well, if you’ve got some alcohol ink and plain ceramic ornaments, you can whip up a giftable ornament in no time. That’s why I’m calling these my Last Minute Ornaments! I made you this video to show you exactly how, in real time. SUPER fast and easy! There you go! Have fun and happy crafting!
Craft Product Review: Christmas Woolens Ornament Kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield
‘Tis the season to be crafting, so in the spirit of celebrating the holidays with handmade goodness, I tried out Christmas Woolens, a lovely traditional felt ornament kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield! I came across this kit while browsing booths at CHA last winter, and the muted colors and thoughtful details stopped me in my tracks. Just looking at those cozy mittens and snug stockings brought back fond childhood memories of drinking hot chocolate and decorating the tree with my […]
How To: Craft English Christmas Crackers (American Version)
Last month hubby and I headed to London for a week. I love that city, and it was my first time being there around the holiday season. I was entranced by English Christmas Crackers (not the food, the party favors!) and even took a class at Handmade London on how to make them. Sadly, you cannot readily find the snaps that make them true “crackers” in the US. So I’ve swapped a few things out to make an American version to […]
Paper Angel Ornaments using the Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch
A few weeks ago the Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punch went live on HSN, and almost immediately I started getting questions about where folks could find the pattern for the paper angel embellishment that was shown on a gift bag. I searched, but couldn’t find a pattern. So I made my own to share with you today! All you need is one doily made with your Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch. I used a 6 inch doily, but you […]
Kid’s Crafts: GrandParent’s Day Foamie Photo Ornament
About this time of year, my kids get the itch to start making gifts for friends, teachers, and grandparents. I came up with a kid-friendly craft that will enable them to give a gift they’ll be proud of- and it’s a great way to share those wallet-size photos from school pictures! I used a manual die-cutting machine for this because my kids, ages 6 and 10, know how to use it independently and frankly the results are great! Supplies: Cuttlebug […]
Guest Tutorial: Hand Scripted and Painted Bird Ornaments and Giveaway
If you are looking for a last minute Christmas tree decoration or Christmas gift, here are some chic and fun bird ornaments to make using supplies you likely already have in your stash, plus Lumiere paints from Jacquard Products. Created by Mel Designs, these birds were painted with Lumiere (read Jenny’s review of them here) and hand scripted with a Tee Juice Marker. Starting with 6″ muslin squares, use a paint brush and metallic Lumiere paints in Citrene, Metallic […]
Twiney Button Tags
You’ve spent all that time shopping for (or making, I hope) that perfect gift. Then you carefully wrapped it so that it was beautiful. Don’ ruin it by putting on a store-bought gift tag, when you can made one that is lovely and a keepsake in it’s own right in just a few minutes. It’s really inexpensive to make them, too! The Christmas Themed button packs are only a $1 and you get 10 buttons- so each tag cost me […]
