Holiday cards and wrapping gifts

By: Heather Binnie - U color my World


By: Enfy Cashmore

Bead ball

Holiday crafts: making toys

Pink Rabbit Monster

Pattern for the Pink Rabbit Monster Witch

For halloween I added a hat and broomstick. 

This pattern can be made using any yarn you wish. Choose a hook size that matches the yarn

Materials:
I have used :
3.00 mm hook
4 ply yarn (Light pink, dark pink for inner ear, Red and green for hat) 
Polyester fiber
Black 10 mm buttons for eyes or other eyes as desired
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle and thread for attaching eyes
Iron Wire 7 inches


Size: 6 inches tall

Fabric Notebook Covers

Here is a super simple quick and easy useful gift.  These little notebooks made perfect party favors for my daughter's party!
All you need is
one piece of oil cloth 5" x 8" (outside)
a coordinating 5" x 8" piece (lining)
2 pieces 2 1/2" X 5" for inside pockets for the notebook cover to slip in
one 1 1/2" X 3" piece for the pencil pocket on the front

Funny bottle

the boys & i had so much fun making these “i spy bottles” for our friends over the holiday season, & the best part? unlike the i spy bags, there is absolutely NO sewing involved.
easy-peasy i spy bottles

Gifts with bows: ribbon embellished picture frames

In case you missed our guest post in conjunction with the Holiday Craft Along, here's the full post. And don't miss this beautiful frame, for sale now under the "Buy Handmade" link at the top of the page! Enjoy!

We're so happy to be a part of the Handmade Holiday Craft-A-Long, mostly because we're in such good company! And also because I'm probably the biggest procrastinator in America, so I love the thought of getting a jump start on holiday gifts. This craft is quick and easy (it took me about 5 minutes), and will work for almost anyone on your Christmas gift list! (I'm thinking my husband would be less-than-thrilled with this--pretty sure I'm not alone on that one.) But think sisters, moms, friends, neighbors, and you've pretty much got the girly gifts covered!

Ribbon Embellished Picture Frame Tutorial

easy valentine and gifts wall decor

I decided to add a couple of other pieces to make a grouping. After you visit Make and Takes, check out the other on-the-cheap valentine decor tutorials below!




Decoupaged Canvas

Supplies:
*Artist's canvas
*Book pages or sheet music (or other patterned paper)
*Decoupage medium (like Mod Podge or Martha Stewart Sealing Glue)
*Crocheted doily
*Scissors

Somehow I left out a few pictures during the process, so you'll have to read a little more than usual. :)

1. Paint a thin layer of decoupage medium over canvas. I like Martha Stewart's brand because it has a brush built into the lid, but Mod Podge is still my favorite. Cover the canvas with book pages, folding the edges the way you would when wrapping a present.

2. Paint a thin layer of decoupage medium over the top of the covered canvas. Immediately press the doily onto the lower right corner of the canvas and wrap edges around. Trim off excess doily with the scissors. Spread a little Mod Podge on the back as well to hold the doily in place.



Next I cut a heart out of some of the same paper from the embroidery hoop art and stitched around the edges a few times.


For the button embellishment, I started with a chipboard button from Such Sweet Tierney (you'll find this one in the Vintage Lace set--I also used a piece of that set on a card on this post) and layered a threaded button on top.


I attached them both to the doily with Glue Dots.


That's it! You could embellish it further, but I was trying really hard to keep it simple!


Covered Wood Frame

Supplies:
*Square wood frame (I found mine at Michael's for $1)
*Acrylic paint and foam brush
*Patterned paper to cover entire frame
*Decoupage medium like Mod Podge or Martha Stewart's Sealing Glue
*Exacto Knife and cutting mat

1. Paint outer and inner edges with acrylic paint. Allow to dry a few mintues.

2. Apply a thin layer of decoupage medium to front of frame. Lay patterned paper on top and smooth out any air bubbles.


3. Turn over and place frame on cutting mat. Trim excess paper off edges and out of center of frame.


And that is it! I had to resist the urge to embellish this frame as well. Simplify!


Hang your pieces in a grouping. But don't forget to go to Make and Takes for the embroidery hoop art first!

Tutorial: Gifts to Give in Quantity

I am the Hospitality Chairperson for my kid’s elementary school PTA.
That means every Christmas, I need to come up with a nice gift for about 70 people, including all the staff and teachers.  Of course, my budget is next to nothing.  Every year my goal is to give something that is thoughtful, and let’s them all know how much we appreciate the amazing job they are doing with our kids.
Last year we gave Peppermint Popcorn, like the bag shown above.

"Sweetie" for packages.

Free Boo Pattern

Introduction

This is a PixieKitten free pattern and an amusing Halloween decoration.

It has a little bat and three pumpkins along with the letters.  Make more than one as a decoration for home or office.

Boo can be setup in a number of different configurations just use your imagination.  It stands five and a half inches tall and ten inches wide.

God’s Eye Birthday Bouquet

Do you remember making these colorful yarn and stick creations when you were young? God’s eyes are a fun, easy craft I remember making while attending summer camps as a kid. For this project, I’ve created a revised version of a god’s eye – leaving one stick extra long, so that it can be incorporated into a pretty flower bouquet. I also added my own personalized tag to make this centerpiece extra special, perfect for any child’s birthday!

Origami Crane Earrings (with Crane Tutorial!)

Romantic Gifts

Gifts wrap

Pom-Pom Tutorial

This is a tutorial for making pom-poms using your
fingers. This one is a small, two-finger pom-pom
(about 1" in diameter) but you can make bigger ones
by using more fingers. As far as yarn choice, thinner
and softer yarn will make a more pleasing pom-pom.

mother day gifts and father day gifts

In honor of Father's Day, try a little napkin origami. Fold dinner napkins into shirts to create fun place settings. Note, however, that a recent study showed 7 out of 10 dads won't even notice. (Not really; I just made that up. But I think it might be true. Another study showed 100% of dads did notice money origami, though.)

Felt Egg Design Book

Come have a look at what is inside this little book...

Recycling packaging: gift bags from newspaper

When I bought something at a store recently, the clerk handed me my purchase in a bag made from a newspaper. I liked it very much and had to make some more—thus today's DIY recycled newspaper project: gift bags made from the Wall Street Journal. You can vary the dimensions, of course, but here's what I used to create a bag that's 5" tall, 4.5" wide, and 3" deep.

Gift presents: Make bags from envelopes and pretty tape

I got a little tape-happy the other day. This project is like the envelope gift bag tutorial from awhile back, but approximately 200% cuter due to fancy tape. These little gift sacks could be used as party favors filled with candy or as packaging for wee presents.

anniversary paper: DIY modern paper ornament

I love spiky starburst shapes, so I attempted a version of the traditional Polish porcupine ball. Here's how to make this cool 3D ornament—great for Christmas or decorating any time. I can imagine jumbo sized versions hanging at parties or weddings. They take awhile, though, so you'd better start making them five years before you plan to get married.

flower peeps!

Thanks for all of your healing thoughts yesterday. I'm truly fine and so is my finger. Having a day to just play and not even go near sharp tools was all I needed to get grounded. In fact, the play yesterday was extraordinary. A good reminder for the rest of the summer... let go of expectations and enjoy spontaneity with my children. I think my summer mantra should be "let go... and play". I used to be all about that, but having a shop has definitely put a little more pressure on me to work. So, as I'm a firm believer in "a reason for everything"... my little accident, and the dynamic day that followed, was a clear message to keep PLAY the priority for my favorite season. Yesterday began with a perfect weather and an unscheduled morning. It was a yes kind of morning...