I’ve wanted to do this Tea Lamp project for awhile now, ever since I saw this lamp at Anthropology but I didn’t want to drill through anything. Then I remembered seeing a no drill option in one of my magazines. So I went through my magazine drawer and sure enough I found it in the April 2009 issue of Country Living. It’s an easy three step process that uses clay instead of drilling. I had lots of fun making this lamp and I hope you guys try it. Please email me if you have any questions and send me pictures of your lamp if you do try it….Happy Crafting Everyone!

Total Cost: $21

Materials needed: Tea pot, tea cups, saucers, lamp kit, Amaco self-hardening clay, Super Glue Gel.

Step One: Gather the materials you would like to use.

Step Two: Arrange the tea cups and dishware in the way you would like your lamp to look. I suggest using a steady heavy bowl for your base.

Step Three: Fill the top tea cup with clay and set the already assembled lamp kit about an inch deep inside. Leave room so you are able to remove the harp if you want to. Let it set for 24 hours.

Step Four: Glue the remaining elements together with a thin line of Super Glue Gel. This glue is no joke so make sure you have the placement right before you set the dishware down. Let the glue dry for a minute before gluing on the next one.

Step Five: Glue on the top tea cup in 24 hour then wait a day for the lamp to set before adding a lamp shade….That’s it…Enjoy!

I have always wanted to grow my own herbs, but I am super cheap and didn’t want to put much money out on it. For under $5 I was able to create a cute little herb garden and I even have left over seeds.

 What you will need:

• Old tea containers or like containers
• Potting soil
• Seeds
• Popsicle sticks
• Computer and paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Glitter

Instructions:

Fill your containers 3/4 the way full of dirt.

Create a pocket to place the seeds. Add seeds and cover. Print out pictures of what you planted. Cut them out an glue them on the popsicle stick.

Add a little glitter around the edges of the pics for extra flare.

Ok, raise your hands if there is a table in your house that your can’t look at for another minute. Every time you pass by it sitting there is just stares at you and says, “I’m ugly, but you’re too afraid to get rid of me!” and then it says something else, “you don’t have the nerve to get rid of me because where would you pile up your junk mail!”. Well, it’s time to shut that annoying table up once and for all and give it a face lift. Trust me, it will make you happy and the only thing your table will say when you pass it by will be “thank you!” so go grab your glue gun!

YOU’LL NEED:

• 2 woven Chinese mats
• 1 roll of 3/8″ grosgrain ribbon that matches (I used olive green)
• Elmer’s wood glue
• 2″ wide soft bristle brush
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Minwax Polycrylic coating (best stuff on earth!)

HERE’S HOW:

STEP 1: GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES!

STEP 2: Measure your table top and cut out the same size from the woven mat.

STEP 5: When the entire table is covered in mat, take the hot glue gun and start applying the grosgrain ribbon around all of the edges. Take your time and make sure that you are covering the rough edges of the mat with the ribbon.

STEP 6:  Coat the entire table (even the ribbon!) with the Minwax Polycrylic coating and let dry.

You’ll Need:

• Nylon zip ties in different colors (or black and white)
• Scissors
• 2 jump rings
• 1 large lobster claw

Here’s How:

1. Make your first link in a size you like. This will determine the size you cut your other zip ties.

 5. Add a jump ring with the lobster claw to the other end so you can close it.

This Tin Can Vase is a quick and easy project for the kids. It’s easy to make and is a beautiful personalized gift for anyone special in their life.

Supplies:
Chalk Board Vinyl
Tin Can
Ribbon
Potting Soil
Flower or Plant

Tools:
Scissors
Craft Glue
Chalk

This is a simple project, just start by measuring the Chalk Board Vinyl so it wraps around the can. Cut it with scissors and peel off the backing. Stick it around the outside of the can.

Using craft glue, secure a piece of ribbon to cover the seam of the vinyl. Then tie a bow around the top of the can with another piece of ribbon.

Finally finish up the decorations with chalk. This can be a written message for Mom, a drawing or information about the plant inside.

This is a nice project for tiny ones who might mess up the design and want to try again or if this is a transfer point for plants. The vase can be used over and over again and the name of the plant can be changed.

Make someone’s day beautiful.

Having flowers in the home isn’t always possible, especially when there’s kids or animals who can easily get at them. In that case, a better option is to make paper flowers, which is an especially cute craft idea to do with kids. It requires only a handful of items, but you can end up with a small window box of adorable paper flowers that everyone will love.

What you’ll need:

• Rocks
• Colored paper
• Tissue box
• Mod Podge
• Green pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Pencil

Step 1. Draw petals on various colors of paper, then cut them out. You can mix and match, do single colors or a combination of both.

Step 2. Cut out circles for the middle of the flowers.

Step 3. Glue the edges of the petals onto the back of the circles to form flowers, then give them ample opportunity to dry.

Step 4. Trim the top off a tissue box, then fill the box with rocks.

Step 5. Use Mod Podge to adhere a single green pipe cleaner onto the back of each flower. You can use the pipe cleaners to also make leaves or you can leave them without.

Step 6. Stick the flowers into the rocks. If they start to fall over, use the rocks to hold the stems in place. Make sure all of the flowers fully stick out from the box.

May brings summer and summer brings gardens and what is better in a garden than a gnome?!?! Welcome the gnomes home with this cute moss covered wreath.  An easy project  for the kids to do!

Supplies:

• Styrofoam Wreath 
• Moss
• Letter Square Beads
• Leather Cord
• Tiny Wooden Bowl or Wooden Cap
• Tiny Wooden Candle Cup

Tools:

Glue
Red Paint 
White Paint
Brush

This is a very simple project, it takes a lot of glue and some patience to wait for it to dry. I used the green wreath so if the little ones do not cover the whole piece with moss it will not show as bad as if you would have used a white one.

First, start on the edge and lay a line of glue down and stick the moss to the wreath.  Work the whole way around, then start another line of glue working toward the center. It took 3 good lines of glue to cover the wreath.

While the glue is drying, string the wooden beads onto 2 pieces of leather.  

Then paint the wooden candle cup white and the wooden bowl or cap red. These 2 items will make the mushroom. Once the paint is dry glue the two items together with the bowl upside down to make the rounded top of the mushroom.  Then dot white paint on the red to decorate the mushroom.

After the glue on the wreath is dry, attach the letter strings. I used pins to tack them tight, glue would work too. Then glue the mushroom on.

This is very simply decorated, but mini silk flowers could be added as well.

Welcome visitors home and gnomes to your garden for a prosperous growing season.

Kids are just like us, they have that one piece of clothing that they love, the only problem is they grow so fast, it doesn’t fit them anymore. I have several boxes of clothes to be saved for my daughter in hopes that one day she has a little girl, then she can share her faves with her tiny one. Let’s face it, for the most part, in 20 years are they still going to love Elmo? Probably not, there will be something or someone more popular. Most of these clothes will be out dated. Let’s make cute memory pieces now for our kids, so they can continue to love their favorite shirts.

The one shirt used today is a too small tee that my daughter picked out at one of our first shopping sprees.  A favorite of hers and a great memory of mine. The second shirt is one that has holes in the shoulders and a terrible stain on the back, plus yucky arm pits.  

This project uses the favorite print from the t-shirt to make adorable wall hangings.

Supplies:

Embroidery Hoop (large enough to fit your image)
White cardstock
Glue
Pen
Scissors

Optional:

Ribbon

To start, I traced the inside of the inside hoop onto the cardstock. I cut the circle out and put it aside for later.

Next, I laid the shirt out flat on the table. I slid the inside hoop into the bottom of the shirt and centered the image I wanted to frame, then I place the outside hoop down around the inside hoop, on the top of the tee, framing the image. For the case of the Pirate Ship, I used 2 hoops. The larger one I placed first, then to frame the Black Flag, I used a smaller hoop. I made the fabric taut by pulling the edges of the tee while the hoops were set but not tightened. Once both hoops were set, I tightened the screws.

I cut around the hoops leaving an edge that can be wrapped around the frame, a little more than a half inch, were I could. The section where the two hoops almost touched I cut down the center giving each hoop an equal amount.

Once the material is cut, place glue around the inside of the hoop on the back and fold the material around, press the cardstock into the back to cover up the ragged edge of the glued material. Let the glue dry.

If the hoop is to be hung, use the ribbon to make a bow or hanger. Or it can be hung just by the screw.

Additional Ideas:

The one t-shirt, I cross stitched my daughters name and then glittered it.

Before glueing the edges and the cardstock back on, the date coule be embroidered on.

This is a perfect way to let the great prints of baby and toddler clothes live on with new life.

Young learners enjoy practicing writing their numbers and letters. This earth friendly activity provides a fun activity that allows children to practice their skills, at the same time conserves paper! The cards are conveniently together with a binding ring.

Materials Needed:

• Colored Cardstock
• Lamination Film (heat laminator works best)
• Scissors
• Number Tracing Card Template
• Binder Rings
• Dry Erase Markers

Directions:

1. Print out a set of cards (4 pages) onto colored cardstock.  For my example, I used recycled white cardstock.  Using colored cardstock saves on ink, and time coloring. (optional)
2. Cut out the individual cards. (This will provide a better seal when laminating.)
3. Laminate pieces with a heat laminator.
4. Punch a hole in each card where indicated and insert the binding ring.
5. Ready. Set. Trace!

Two Number Tracing Card Template have been provided for today’s activity.  The first is blank, that you can use to add in any  text, or shape that you’d like to use.  It is in PDF format so you should be able to put it into any graphic program and add the font or shape that you choose.  The second template is a complete set of number tracing numbers Zero through 10.

The number trace ring books are an excellent item to include in summer packets, or take home bags to provide an extra activity to reinforce skills at home.  The number trace ring books  can be used for long road trips, or for time fillers when students are finished with their work early.

There’s nothing more fun than to receive a flower on a special day and what better thing to have is a flower pot that you can keep.  This beautiful flower pot card was created using the new American Crafts Neapolitan Dear Lizzy Collection. This would be a great project for Mother’s Day, which is on the 13th.

Plus tomorrow for Free Stuff Friday enter to win a prize pack from the American Crafts Neapolitan Dear Lizzy Collection!

Products Used:

• Orange cardstock
• American Crafts Dear Lizzy Patterned Paper:  Hazy Horizons, Sweet Sundress and Warm Memories
• American Crafts Dear Lizzy Ribbon: Printed and Specialty
• Craft Stick
• Foam Sheets in Green
• Wet Glue
• Tape Runner
• Martha Stewart Scoring Board
• Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer
• Stylus
• Scissors
• Ruler and Pencil
• EK Retro Flower Punch
• EK Open Scallop Edger Punch

Begin by cutting a piece of orange cardstock to be 4 ½” x 12″ and score at the 2″ mark using the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.  Now move the 2″ score line over to the left so that it is at the zero mark on the scoring board and score at the 5″ mark.  This will give you 3 sections- one that is 2″ wide and two that are 5″ wide. 

Fold the last 5″ long section up over the other; leaving the 2″ section unfolded.  Measure 1 ¼” in from each side of the paper and make a mark. 

Using a ruler and pencil draw the lines from the marks you just made to the top corners of the 5″ flap as shown in the picture. 

Place the paper in the trimmer matching the pencil line to the trimmer’s cutting track and cut on the pencil line. 

Repeat this step with the other side again lining the pencil line up with the track. 

Using the EK Open Scallop Edger Punch, punch a scalloped edge on the top of the 2″ flap.

Trace 2 of the flower pot shapes using one of the flaps as a template onto the Hazy Horizon sheet and cut them out.  Adhere one sheet with the wavy stripes out onto the front of the flower pot that will be the front of the card.  Lay the second sheet aside for now. 

This is what your card will look like at this point.  Run a piece of tape from your favorite tape runner along the inside edge near the fold.  Tie the ribbon around the flap and fold the flap down to secure. 

Now, punch 8 flowers using the EK Retro Flowers punch and the Sweet Sundress and Warm Memories Patterned Paper from the new American Crafts Neapolitan Dear Lizzy line.  Glue them together using your favorite wet adhesive glue.  Taking the stylus and 2 foam sheets stacked on top of one another gently emboss the center of the flowers going in circles until you reach the center.  This will give each petal a little curl to add a little dimension. 

Take one of the foam sheets and trim 4 long strips off to make the flower stems.  Next, fold each strip in half and then open up and add some glue onto one of the halves.  Fold down again and hold until secure.  This will create a stem that is sturdy enough to hold the flowers up right. 

Once the stems are dry, glue them to the flowers using the wet glue and allow them to dry.  After they are dry, run a piece of tape along the edge of your flower pot and place the stems over the tape making sure the flowers are at different heights.  Trim off any excess stems that are below the tape using a pair of scissors.  This will help remove some of the bulkiness when the patterned paper is placed over them. 

Take a craft stick and trace around it onto the Sweet Sundress Patterned Paper, cut it out and adhere it to the craft stick using the tape runner. 

Attach the pinwheel from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy line to the top and put it in the middle of the flowers on the flower pot making sure it is the tallest of all the pieces.

Take the second flower pot shaped paper that you traced earlier and making sure the green side is up; adhere it over the flower stems and the bottom of the pinwheel as shown in the picture. 

Find the four small flower shapes shown in the picture from the Serendipity Thickers and place it in the center of each flower. 

Use one of the cute stamps or fun stickers that are in the new Dear Lizzy line to add a special sentiment to the card and plant some smiles in a person’s day!

I’ve been spending more time outside with the sunny warm weather. Tulips are blooming, lawns are being mowed, and the birds are chirping. This is a collection of my favorite projects for my patio that just topped my weekend to-do list.

First I love the look of these color-block terra cotta pots. Acrylic paint, terra pots, and paint brushes is all you need to give your planters a face lift.

Color Block Terra Cotta Pots DIY

I like the unique look of this upside down planter. It’s made with recycled containers and fabric scraps. Look at that orchid!

Recycled Upside Down Planters

I have to make this floral garland. It’s so pretty, and I bet it smells amazing. Looks like you can string most stems with a needle, or tie string around more delicate blooms.

Floral Garland

Most recipes will suggest fresh herbs if you have them. What’s fresher than growing on your patio? This example was made from a wooden wine crate. I wouldn’t mind emptying one of those… These directions will teach you how to plant a mini herb garden.

How to Plant a Mini Herb Garden

My darling little son recently broke one of my bracelets! Great! Along with the one I broke last month, I was pretty bummed! I hated to toss what remained of the bracelet so I held onto it until today. I am always losing pens, so I decided to make a pen/pencil holder. I think this turned out much better than and cheesy pencil holder I could buy at the local retailers. Additionally, this would be really pretty to throw a tea light candle in it! Bam! It’s multi functional!

What you will need:

• Mason Jar
• Hot Glue Gun
• 2-3 Glue Sticks
• Decorating supplies (I used a broken bracelet, but other ideas are broken jewelry, broken ceramic, beads, gems, buttons, etc…)

Directions:

Using a hot glue gun decorate your mason jar. Be sure to get an idea of what you want it to look like before gluing your décor into place.

I used mine as a pen holder, but I think this would be beautiful with a tea light candle in it as well!

This would be a really great gift idea too!

We eat, breath, and sleep army type stuff in this house. So, when I seen a rather large box in the garage I knew just what to do with it. However, if you don’t have a large box tucked away in your garage, your neighborhood Lowes or Home Depot sells them.

What you will need:

• 1 large box and one 1 medium box. Must be large enough to fit in unless this tank is for decoration purposes.
• Tape (I loved the camo duct tape)
• 1 brown bag paper roll
• Scissors
• School glue
• Construction paper
• Markers
• Craft knife (or a steak knife works if you are in a bind like me )

Directions:

Tape the medium box to the large box. Cut off the top. Cut a hole in the large box so that you can fit into it.

Cut a small hole into the medium box and insert the paper roll. Secure it with tape both on the inside and the outside.

Cover with construction paper using school glue to attach. Cut 6 round circles and glue them on the bottom to make wheels. Cut out two rectangles and write US ARMY on them. Glue them on. Make a star for the front and back.

GO PLAY!

Recycled crafts can be fun to create as well as educational.  This project is one that the kids can help you with!  There aren’t any set rules as to what types of seed packets you use.  In my example, I have used a packet of vegetable seeds, and 2 flower packets.

Materials needed:

• Cardstock
• Lamination
• Large Popsicle Sticks
• Recycled Seed Packets
• Old seed catalogs, ads or photo/clipart images
• Scissors
• Permanent Ink Marker
• Glue – E600

Directions:

1. Gather together recycled seed packets.  Select 5-10 different seed packets that feature a picture on the front.

2. Look through seed catalogs, websites, or ads for pictures of the flowers/content of the seed packets. In my example, you’ll see that I selected a picture of Acorn Squash, Dianthys, and Zinnias. Even though the pictures weren’t exactly the same pictures as my seed packets, they were close enough. 

3. Cut out or print the pictures of the flowers/veggies to match the seed packets.

4. Trim the pictures to fit on the end of a large popsicle stick. Laminate for durability.  (Optional)

5. Count out as many popsicle sticks as you have pictures.  With a permanent ink pen, write the name of the flower/vegetable on one end of the popsicle stick. 

6. Glue the picture at the end of the popsicle stick opposite the writing, and let dry completely.

7. Once the tags are completely dry,  the game is ready to be played.

Variation:    Another variation to this game is to have the children sort vegetables from flowers by sorting into recycled aluminum cans marked with seed packets.

All of the supplies used to create this activity can be purchased from CreateForLess.com.

If you’re like me, it’s tough to toss jars when you’re creative because you know they will come in handy for something! Last year I wrote an article for Hamptons Magazine and thought I’d share with you the project I made especially for them.

YOU’LL NEED:

• Jars in different sizes
• Yarn
• Masking tape
• White Krylon spray paint
• Fabric cut on the bias 1 1/2″ wide by 10″ per jar
• Tea lights

HERE’S HOW:

1. After your jars are sparkly clean, tightly wrap them with yarn in a crisscross pattern and tape the ends on the underside or the inside so they stay in place. Don’t place the tape on the outside of the jar where you will be painting.

2. Cover an area in newspaper and give the jars 3 light coats of white Krylon spray paint (waiting 5-10 minutes in between coats) and let dry.

3. Remove the yarn and wrap the tops with the bias fabric securing them with a knot. You could also use ribbon for the tops, it’s up to you.

4. Add your tea lights and set your table.

For this craft you may need to head out to the recycle bin! What I loved most about this is that my son had the opportunity to really put on his creative thinking cap! I sat several boxes, cans, toilet paper rolls, etc… into the center of the table. From there we began constructing out Recycled Robot guy and we had some great laughs in the process!

 What you will need:

• Recycled Containers (Goldfish, cans, coffee containers, etc…)
• 2 toilet paper rolls (cans work as well)
• 2 towel rolls
• Googly eyes
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Tape
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Assemble your robot as pictured or as desired.
2. Use tape to adhere the toilet paper and towel rolls (legs and arms).
3. Cut out several strips of constriction paper and crinkle it accordion style.
4. Glue it on the top.
5. Glue on the googley eyes.
6. Cut out a nose and mouth. Glue it on.
7. Decorate any way you wish!

April 22^nd is Earth Day.  How are you celebrating this year? One part of helping the earth and celebrating Earth Day is by recycling.   I’ve done several projects this year for that day so I began thinking about what we’ve done to help the earth.  I decided to do this scrapbook layout to show some of the activities that my family has done to help celebrate.  It, also, got me to thinking about the things I use for those projects.  Are they eco friendly?  

One thing I did was to find paper that can be used on my project that is recycled. Of course, my first choice was my favorite kraft paper.  That way I can help keep it out of the landfills and create some fabulous projects with it.  Did you know that if you type in the word “recycled” in the search box at CreateForLess it gives you a large amount of items in all craft types to choose from?  Try it!  It’s fun to see what you can find to use.  I found this really cool recycled symbol done in rhinestones that I can imagine on several projects.  It could be ironed on a shirt or a piece of material and then sewn onto a layout or card. 

This year, my son wanted to plant a garden and wanted to start the seeds himself.  While looking for Earth Day activities that we are doing, I realized that he was doing one by planting a garden for us which will give us enough to use with no waste and no packaging from the stores to go to the landfill.  We have the containers for the seed starters that are plastic but we will use them again next year thus keeping them out of the trash.  Another thing I decided to grow this year was our own flowers.  This will help beautify our area and the seeds I get off these plants will be used for future plants.  We can give back to the earth by planting a tree.  They are important to the ecology in many ways and they provide us with things like shade so you can’t go wrong by planting a tree to celebrate Earth Day, 2012! 

Join the celebration this year.  Plan what your family can do to help the earth.  Start by looking for crafting supplies that are recycled and use those.  Don’t forget to scrapbook what you do because just like giving back to the earth when we plant a tree or pick up garbage, we give back to our families in the future by scrapbooking our activities. 

 Products Used:

• Recycled Kraft Paper
• Paper Accents Cardstock in Apple Green and Lilac or their Variety Pack
• Red Cardstock
• Green Cardstock
• Martha Stewart Flower Stamp Punch
• Martha Stewart Branch Punch
• Favorite Markers- Green and Blue
• Colorbox Ink -Deep Grape
• Colorbox Ink – Mud Slide
• Indie Cricut Cart
• Cricut Machine

It’s finally Spring and Earth Day is right around the corner. Introduce the kids to planting, beautifying their surroundings and helping the Earth by making these fun and easy Seed Bombs. We made these Seed Bombs in no time, the worst part is waiting for them to dry before we can share them with our friends and the environment.

The idea has been out there for decades, for gardening when one doesn’t have the time to do the prep work of the soil and of course beautifying the areas of vacancy. These Guerrilla Gardeners have been bombing for years, but all of a sudden the idea is mainstream with Seed Bomb vending machines!  By making these at home you can beautify the land for pennies!

We are going to make ours using air dry clay, potting soil/compost, water and native wild flower seeds. The bee population is in serious danger and without bees, fruits will not be pollinated and we will not have honey – a huge source of healing and sweetness in our home. It is important for us to share this with our daughter and try to help the bees in our area by planting lots of flowers.  But feel free to use veggie seeds, like lettuce and spinach if you want to try a garden without much work.

Supplies:

Air Dry Clay
Potting Soil or Compost – the key is to have clean dirt – so you don’t contaminate any area that you bomb.            
(You can purify dirt from your yard by baking it in the oven.)
Water
Seeds

The recipe is by parts so you can make more or less depending on your ambition.

                3 parts air dry clay
                2 parts potting soil           
                1 part seeds

Start by scooping the air dry clay out and placing it into a mixing bowl, next add the potting soil. Since we are using clay that already has moisture to it, start mixing the two together with your hands. Add water a little bit at a time, really no more than a tablespoon at a time. Too much water will make a runny mess so less is more. If you add too much water try to fix the consistency by adding equal parts of clay and soil. In the end it should be mushy enough to push through your fingers, but hold a ball shape when rolled in your hands.

Once you’ve gotten the mix to this consistency, open the seeds and pour them in. Mix the seeds in really well. Next start making your bombs by rolling little balls in your hands, about the size of marbles. Lay the balls out on a rack to dry. Let them dry completely. I recommend a cloth bag to store them in, that way if there is any moisture left the Bombs will be able to continue to dry out and they will not mold.

Now, what do you do with them? Go out into the world, find a vacant lot and bombs away! These are also great for people who don’t really have the time to garden. The potting soil gives the seeds a good base to root to and the clay will hold in moisture. The rain does most of the work. We are going to use them on our property where it is too hard to dig and tend to the garden like a steep sloping  hillside.

Here is a note on seed choice: Choose wisely. Look for native seeds to your area. One of the packs of wildflowers we found are annuals for our area. These are the Seed Bombs that we are going to give as gifts to our friends. These plants are not invasive and will not come back, they will be there for one season and not cause problems for the future. For ourselves we are using a mix of annual and perennial  wildflowers because we know we want the hillside to be covered year after year.

Go out and Beautify our Planet!!!

Decorating the table is one of the best things about throwing a picnic (other than eating of course). Rather than throwing all the napkins and utensils into their own respective holders, make it a bit more decorative by making a place setting for each person. It’s inexpensive and you can personalize it any way you wish, including writing the person’s name on the outside of it.

What you’ll need:

• Gingham scrapbook paper
• Toilet paper tube
• Embellishments
• Mod Podge
• Utensils and napkins

Step 1. Measure your gingham scrapbook paper to the size of the toilet paper tube.

Step 2. Apply Mod Podge over the outside of the tube (I used a foam brush), then wrap the paper around it. Press tight, especially around the edges so it doesn’t curl up when guests use it.

Step 3. I left my picnic utensils holder plain so you can see how it looks before you add anything onto it. You can leave it plain, but some ways you can decorate it include putting a red ribbon around the center or using a black marker to write the person’s name. An extra cute option is to purchase paper ants and glue them along the utensils holder.

Step 4. Purchase matching utensils and napkins, then place them in the utensils holder.

Here is a tutorial for creating and using your own fabric stamp. The fabric stamp I made was carved out of an eraser. The only supplies you’ll need are an eraser, craft knife and fabric paint. I used an owl charm to help create my design, you can use a stencil or free-hand a drawing to stamp.

Start with an eraser. I chose to cut the stamp in half since I was making a smaller stamp.

Sketch out your design with a pencil. I traced an owl charm on mine. I kept it fairly basic so that it would be easy to carve.

Using whatever knife or carving tools you have, start cutting away at the eraser. I found it easy to slice down around the design and then into the side of the eraser.

Continue working until you have cut out the whole design. Now start stamping! Do a few practice ones on paper to start. I chose to stamp on some fabric bags I had on hand but it was challenging to stamp on the uneven surface.

 You can leave it like that or do what I did next and trace around your design. I wanted to add details and let the whole piece pop a bit more.