By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

There are so many uses for clothes pins from displaying greeting cards and Valentines to hanging up clothes. The only problem is that they’re boring. Decorating them is a great way to bring a little more pizazz into the home and you can even make them themed depending on what you’re using them for. It only takes a few materials and a little time to make any type of themed clothes pins you wish.

What you’ll need:

• Clothes pins
• Decorative paper
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Embellishments

Step 1. Cut two strips of paper that are slightly larger than each side of the clothes pin.

Step 2. Put Mod Podge on one side of the clothes pin, then press it down to the paper. Do the same for the other side. Let it dry for at least a couple of hours before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Use the scissors to carefully trim off the excess paper. Make sure not to cut the clothespin itself.

Step 4. Choose embellishments that match the paper you used. I chose red bows because I loved how it looked combined with the black and white polka dot paper.

Step 5. Use Mod Podge to attach each embellishment to one or both sides. Don’t attach it near the ends of the clothes pin; opt for the center. Press each embellishment down for a few seconds to ensure it sticks, then let it dry for a few hours without moving it.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

Valentine’s Day flowers are lovely, but they’re also expensive and they die shortly after you buy them. A better option is to make paper flowers for yourself or to give as a gift. However, make small centerpieces instead of making a bouquet. It may sound complicated, but all you need is a little patience and a handful of inexpensive items.

What you’ll need:

• Tissue paper
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Short glass jar candle

Step 1. Cut tissue paper into squares. The smaller the squares the smaller the flowers. I cut each square into 5 inch pieces and alternated between using red tissue paper and one that’s heart-patterned.

Step 2. Take each square and fold it into a triangle. Follow that up by folding each triangle in half, then in half again.

Step 3. Hold each triangle so the fold faces to the left, then cut off the top of the triangle so you form a curve at the top.

Step 4. Next, cut off the lower point at a curve.

Step 5. Open up the triangles; each piece should look like a flower that’s missing the center.

Step 6. Make a cut in each piece from the top of the petal to the center so they are no longer solid pieces.

Step 7. You’ll notice the pieces have creased sections which is going to help with gluing the flowers together. Take one section and overlap the two ends until it’s the size you want for the outer layer. Don’t glue the ends down; instead, glue down the second or third section in.

Step 8. Repeat Step 7 for each layer until you get to the center. As you go along, make the layers smaller and put a small drop of glue on the bottom of each layer so they stick together.

Step 9. To make the center piece, roll one of the layers into a cone shape. Put a small drop of glue on the sides of the point, then stick it through the center of the flower layers. Pinch the layers around the point so they curve in.

Step 10. After the flower dries, place it on top of a glass candle holder. Opt for a candle whose coloring complements the colors of the flower.

By Craft Celebrity Mark Montano, from the blog Mark Montano’s Big Ass Blog.

How many sweaters do you have in your drawer that you really should toss but don’t because you think you might wear them again? My guess is at least three. Well, I’ve got a way to make more room in your dresser and put those sweaters to use. I guarantee these Sweeter Sweater Gloves, when made with girly sweaters in pretty colors and matching knit gloves, will not only be warm, but also very glamorous.

YOU’LL NEED:

• Sweater you’re about to toss
• Scissors (Fiskars are the BEST!)
• One pair of knit gloves
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine with matching thread (I love my BERNINA)

HERE’S HOW

Evenly cut off the sleeves of the sweater in a length you like. If you want your gloves to end at the elbow, then cut them off at the elbow. Pull the cutoff sleeves up your arms by the cuffs. The cuffs of the sweater should be tight enough to keep them in place on your upper arms. But, if they’re not, pinch them and see how much you will need to take in. Also see how much, if any, you will have to take in the sweater sleeves at the wrist. If you do need to take in the sleeves, do so by gathering the extra material along the seam of the sweater and stitching, and then cut off the excess.

Turn the sleeves inside out and place the gloves in the end that you cut off, matching up the openings (the fingers of the gloves should be pointed toward the sweater cuff end).

Place a couple of straight pins in the openings to hold the gloves in place.

Sew the raw edge of the sleeve to the opening of the glove using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you stretch the fabric while you’re sewing so that the glove opening stretches when you put them on. Turn the sleeves right side out.

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

Did you have any New Years Resolutions? I know I did! I wanted to get organized! To begin my organizing, I went through my dresser. If I had not worn it in 6 months, I tossed it. Then a big red light went off in my head! DON’T THROW AWAY those old shirts! That is perfectly good material!

Oh… the brain of a crafter!

So, I bring to you the T-Shirt Wreath! It is so simple! No sewing anything and it takes under 15 minutes! I bet you have a few shirts you’d be more than happy to sacrifice, right?

What you will need:

• 12″ Wreath mold ( I used a flat wood one, but foam works as well.)
• 2-3 t shirts or pants (soft fabrics work best)
• Scissors
• Clear craft glue
• Decorative beads or flowers

Directions:

Cut old shirts or pants into long strips. The strips should be approx. 2 inches wide and 12 inches long.

You do not need to cut the strips nice and neat. It will not matter!

Fold the strip into half and tie it around the wreath mold as shown in the photo.

Continue to tie all the fabric around the mold. I made a pattern with mine, but you can do anything. It all looks neat! Trim the edges so that all the tied pieces are about the same size. Decorate with beads or flowers.

Use a clear tacky glue to secure the beads. Tie one more piece of fabric around the top to hang it. (I used a draw string from the pajama pants I cut up.)

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

The holidays may be over, but winter is not! Making it still totally OK and adorable to make snowman crafts.

What you will need:

• Jar (I used a Ragu Pizza Sauce Jar)
• Felt
• Lace
• Fabric for a scarf
• Googly eyes
• Rocks
• Tissue paper
• Construction paper
• Clear Gel tacky glue
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Glass bowl

 Directions:

1. Wash and dry the jar.
2. Using the tissue paper, cut out several squares of tissue paper. Cut a variety of sizes.
3. Put about a 1/4 cup of glue in a bowl. Add a tbsp water and mix well. The glue will be a little easier to work with now.
4. Paint the entire outside of the jar.
5. Cover with the tissue paper.
6. Secure any lose edges by painting glue over it.
7. Allow to dry.
8. Using construction paper, make a cone shape.
9. Glue on googly eyes.
10. Glue on the cone nose.
11. Take a walk outside and gathers some small pebbles.
12. Wash and dry the pebbles.
13. Glue the pebbles onto the jar to make the snowman’s mouth.
14. Cover the lid in felt. Be sure to cut off all the excess felt so the lid will still fit.
15. Add lace to the edge of the lid.
16. Tie a piece of plaid fabric around the snowman’s body for a scarf. (I actually used a prop from another craft, but fabric looks just as awesome).
17. You could place a flameless candle inside for a special glow!

By Guest Blogger Mina, from the blog Mina’s Journal.

Bring the New Year in with a calendar for 2012 that you can display in a CD case.

It is a nice size for the desk or side table near the telephone. The pages feature bright simple florals. The month titles are a hot pink color, and framed in a paler pink. CD cases can be bought very cheaply, or use one you already have. Fold the cover to the back so the case will stand on its own.

Craft Supplies:

• The download
• Paper or card
• Scissors
• An empty CD case

 Print and trim the outer edges for your monthly calendar pages. Just slip the month you want to use behind the plastic tabs on the cover case.

 *NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader to view, print and save your download. Save to your machine so you can print as many as you wish. All designs by Mina Keenan.

The download is a six page ebook, two calendar months to a page. Print out the pages as you need them.

Download Free Printable Calendar Pages 2012

Ideas for Calendar Pages.

Use the print outs to craft your own calendars with, using someone’s artwork or a photo.

Print and compile all the pages and place into a CD case as a gift for someone special.

 Happy New Year!…and happy crafting!

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog Coffee Pot People.

I’ve been working very hard at finding an upside to the cold weather, which to me has always been primarily an announcement of cold months coming, not my favorite thing. This year, though, I’m enjoying the beautiful colors and scarves. Oh my. What’s not to love about scarves? They have the power to make me glad of chill opportunities to wrap one around my neck!

The scarf above was made from a pair of worn-out jeans, and was a hit with its recipient, who plans to wear it with her denim jacket.

Here’s how to make your own:

Take one pair of men’s jeans (or two pair of smaller sizes), and rip the leg fronts and backs into strips. To do that, just cut the hems off, snip into the bottom of the leg, and tear. Don’t go narrower with your strips than about ¼”, or they’ll break. (I did try cutting, but I liked the rough edge ripping gives better. You may prefer a clean edge, though.)

When you’ve ripped as many strips as you can get from your jeans, tie them together to make one long one, and wind into a ball. Another option, of course, would be to sew the ends together, right side to wrong side for smoothness. I left the ends of the knots free, though, and they created a thicker texture, rather like an interior fringe.

Now take a nice big crochet hook, whatever feels comfortable to you for working this very wide “yarn”, and crochet a chain as long as you want your scarf to be. Don’t worry about the knots in the denim—just crochet around them, and let them add their character.

ROW 2: When you’ve got the chain as long as you want, turn, and double crochet in the fourth chain from your hook. *Chain one, skip one stitch, double crochet in the next stitch*, and repeat that sequence until you reach the end of the chain. Crochet three, and turn.

ROW 3: Skip one stitch, and double crochet in the next one. *Chain one, skip one stitch, double crochet in the next stitch*, and repeat that sequence until you reach the end of the chain. Tie off, leaving a long tail for a fringe piece.

The pattern will look like this:

Now cut about a dozen 10″ to 12″ lengths of the denim “yarn”, and tie half of them to each end of the scarf for fringe.

You’re done, and I don’t know you’re like me or not, but I can’t help thinking it’s just a tiny bit funny to be wearing a pair of jeans around the neck!

By Guest Bloggers Melissa + Kellie, from the blog Icing Designs.

There are so many amazing DIY party hats out there, this is just our take on them. All you need to start is your favorite scrapbooking paper, a cheap paper party hat, ribbon (satin or sheer), crepe paper, faux feathers, embellishments of your choice, scissors, a stapler and a hot glue gun! This would be a fun project for New Years!

You can take apart an old or new paper party hat (that you can get at any party store) just to use as a template. We already had a template that we have been using. Just trace the shape of the hat onto the back of the paper you are making your new party hat of. Once traced just follow the lines and cut.

Then just wrap the end of the hat around and shape into a cone and staple. (You can use a glue gun if you want to glue the seems together.)

Its okay if there is a little hole in the top. Use your glue gun to put a dab of glue in the hole at the top of the hat and then stick your feathers in.

Next your are going to take your crepe paper and glue it around the bottom of your hat. Make sure that you glue the crepe paper in the middle so that there is an overlay on the top and bottom. (The middle of the crepe paper should be toward the bottom of the hat).

Then take the top of the crepe paper and pull in down and little bit and the bottom and pull it up just to give it some dimension.

Then you are going to take your two even strips of ribbon and glue them on the inside of either side of the hat. You can use any kind of ribbon you like, satin or sheer. We also glued a strip of different textured ribbon in the middle of the crepe paper.

Lastly, we just embellished the front with a paper rosette with a gem in the middle.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

Spending time with family and friends is one of the best things about the holidays. Although it’s important to always tell loved ones how grateful you are for them, during Christmas is an especially great time to do so. This year, consider making personal note party favors for each guest at your dinner party. They take little time to create and are incredibly inexpensive.

What you’ll need:

• Any Christmas book
• White paper
• Glitter glue
• Ribbon
• Mod Podge
• Flat back rhinestones (optional)

Step 1. Choose your background material. I used a broken and worn down book of vintage Christmas music, but other options include Christmas story books or cookbooks. Each page you use should be double-sided.

Step 2. Cut the white paper into rectangles that are proportionate to the background paper. Write your personal notes on each one, then use Mod Podge to glue it to the center of the background paper.

Step 3. Use glitter glue to decorate the outer edges of the party favor. I did a red bow on the top, small red dot on the bottom and green wavy lines along the edges. You can also attach flat back rhinestones depending on how heavy the paper is. Let the party favors dry overnight before moving onto the next step. Test the glue by lightly tapping it with your finger to make sure it’s completely dry.

Step 4. Roll up the party favors and secure each one with a ribbon.

To distribute them to guests, place the party favors on the plates at the table or put them in a decorative basket and give them out as the guests arrive or leave.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I love homemade ornaments; I think they really add personality to a Christmas tree. This year, make use of vintage paper materials by making ornaments out of them. You’ll save a huge amount of money, prevent paper from going into the landfill, and make sparkly personalized items for yourself or loved ones.

What you’ll need:

• Vintage music sheet
• Snowflake template
• Colored cardstock
• Scissors or craft knife
• Small hole punch
• Mod Podge
• Ribbon
• Glitter glue

Step 1. Choose a snowflake template. Cookie cutters work well. There are a variety to choose from whether you want something simple or one a little more elaborate.

Step 2. Use Mod Podge to adhere the sheet of vintage Christmas music onto cardstock. Depending on the size of the ornaments you’d like to make and the size of the sheet music, you’ll likely be able to make at least two ornaments out of each sheet of music. Give it at least an hour to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Print the snowflake template on the cardstock side, not on the paper side. Ink sometimes has a tendency to blur or bleed a bit on vintage paper, which typically doesn’t happen on cardstock.

Step 3. Either using scissors or a craft knife, cut out the snowflake shape. For the more elaborate designs, I recommend you use a craft knife as it’s much easier to maneuver than scissors.

Step 4. Punch a hole into a top section of the snowflake, then cover the ornament with glitter glue. I used green because of the green music print on the paper. Give the ornaments at least two hours to dry.

Step 5. Tie a matching ribbon through the hole.

By Sewing Contributor Jessica, from the blog Life Sew Good. 

My mom was the genius behind this. (Thanks, mom!) I love these stocking silverware holders, especially because they can be decorated nicely for an adult crowd or fun for a kid crowd. I used fleece to make this one, but I think making them out of linen would be a nice formal touch. Also, for a more formal version, you could use white napkins inside the stocking instead of sewing in the white fleece. So many ideas…so little time.

You need:

• Red Fleece or Felt (or linen or whatever you like!)
• White Fleece or Felt (again, up to you!)
• Ribbon
• Stocking pattern (make your own or google it)

1. Trace stocking pattern onto your red fabric, placing the straight side on the fold. I used this little green stocking for my pattern!

2. Cut stocking out.

3. Using the measurement for the width of the stocking, cut a rectangle from your white fabric that measures width x 3″.

4. Open red stocking and place white piece on the left inside of stocking. Sew directly into the stocking, close to the edge.

5. With right sides facing, sew curved side of stocking. Flip right side out.

6. Decorate with ribbons, bells, or other festive things! Insert silverware & you’re done!

By Guest Bloggers Melissa + Kellie, from the blog Icing Designs.

We are quickly approaching the holidays! As we all know this month can be so overwhelming. It is almost a hassle to walk through the mall to buy all those gifts on your list. We have learned over the years that some of the best gifts are handmade and from your heart. I have been making homemade sweet trays for years to give to some of my favorite people on my list, including Kellie! I love finding a gorgeous platter and filling it with beautiful sweets and wrapping it up festively! I always include my chocolate covered marshmallow snowmen on the trays and they are always the first thing people comment on. They are so easy to make and are so cute! Today we are really excited to share them with you, along with the easy DIY instructions so that you can make them too! Even if you just make a few and wrap them up sweetly, they make a great little gift to give to someone you love!

These are so easy that even your kids can help! One of my twins, Maia helped me and she did such a great job…and had so much fun! Just use lollipop sticks and put three marshmallows on each stick.

After you are done setting them up you just dip them in white chocolate, shake off the excess and lay them to dry on a parchment lined cookie sheet. As they are drying, add an orange sprinkle for a carrot nose and sprinkle some edible glitter on them to give them some snowy sparkle!

After they are dry put some melted chocolate in a pipping bag and make little half moons for eyes. I like to take a tooth pick and drag some chocolate down to make eye lashes.

Then use some melted pink chocolate to create a ruffled scarf!

If you want to make a snow “man” You can cut a marshmallow in half and instead of letting the chocolate drip off, put it on the parchment paper and move it in a circular motion to create a hat brim.

You can use some melted chocolate to “glue” it on to the top of the snowman!

We hope you try these…your friends and family will love them!

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

When you’re looking for a beautiful Christmas party favor that’s easy to create, is filled with candy and only takes four materials to put together, the Christmas ribbon candy party favor can be exactly what you’re looking for.

What you’ll need:

• Wide wire-edged Christmas ribbon
• Small foil-wrapped candy
• Mod Podge
• Thin ribbon
• Glitter glue (optional)

Step 1. Lay out a piece of ribbon and put as many pieces of candy on it as you desire. For a small party favor, such as the one in the picture, I used 6 mint chocolate Hershey kisses. Wrap the ribbon over the top of the candy but no further.

Step 2. Take the other end of the ribbon and pull it over the first piece so it creates a loop around the candy. Once you have the loop in place, remove the candy, then add a dot of Mod Podge onto the ribbon and hold it until it sets.

Step 3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with a new piece of ribbon.

Step 4. Cross the two loops so you create a small pocket. Leave a little space at the corners so you can get the candy in. The recipient can also peek in and see what’s inside.

Step 5. Put the candy inside through the space at the corners. Don’t worry about bending the ribbon; it’ll just straighten out and go right back into place.

Step 6. Place dots of Mod Podge onto the two loops of ribbon so they stick together, then let it sit to dry. Make sure to do this after you put the candy in otherwise the pulling from putting in the candy is going to pull the ribbon apart.

Step 6. Wrap a piece of ribbon around the top loop and tie it into a bow; do the same with a second piece of ribbon and tie it about an inch away from the first bow.

Step 7. Cut the hanging strings off the bow.

Step 8. If there’s no sparkle already on the ribbon, add a few dots of glitter glue.

Step 9. Attach a tiny name tag onto the party favor by tying it onto the thin piece of ribbon.

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog Coffee Pot People.

Sometimes I just can’t resist whispering, “Score!” to myself as I leave a thrift shop. (I’ll bet I’m not the only one, either!) I did that when I found the little reading baby figurine I used for this craft. It was actually the lid of a porcelain box, but since the box itself was missing, Baby was priced at next to nothing.

Since then, I’ve watched for tiny figurines every time I’ve gone into thrift stores or wandered through estate sales, to see if I could repeat the magic, and share it with you. The answer is, Yes!

So here’s what you’ll need to do something similar:

A tiny, lightweight, figurine

• About 4″ of wire-edged ribbon (I used gold mesh, but you can use whatever appeals to you)
• Two white, multi-petal flowers with wire stems, squashed flat
• Gathered lace or ribbon
• Fishing line or gold cord, for hanging
• Glue gun and glue

Your first task it to make wings for your figurine. Lay the ribbon flat, and place the flowers atop it, near the center, each flower facing out. Twist the ribbon in the center; that will catch the flowers, and shape the ribbon into triangular “wings”.

Next, take the cord you’ve chosen for hanging your ornament, and cut it to length. Mine was about 6″, but yours might be longer or shorter, depending on the size of your figurine and how long you want the hanging loop to be. Tie a knot so you have a closed ring, and slip it under the arms of the figurine, putting the knot in back, where you’re going to attach the wings.

Hot glue the wings in place, over the knotted hanging cord. If your flattened flowers had long wire stems, like mine did, wrap them around a bamboo skewer or small crochet hook or knitting needle to form curlicues.

Now take your pre-gathered lace or ribbon, and hot glue it around the bottom of the figurine, overlapping the ends in back. Check before you glue the ribbon, to make sure it is gathered enough that it doesn’t cup too much; if it does, run a basting stitch the length of it and gather some more. Or you can scrunch it as you glue—that works, too.

All done, and ready to give to someone special or hang on your own tree. (After all, you’re special, too!)

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I always end up taking a ton of photos at holiday gatherings. Some of these photos are so adorable that I can’t help but want to display them, but I don’t want photo frames cluttered on every surface. This is where having extra cardboard comes in handy. Rather than toss piles of cardboard into the trash or spend money on a bunch of photo frames that clutter up my home, I use one problem to solve another by using the cardboard to make adorable magnetic Christmas photo frames.

What you’ll need:

• Cardboard or chipboard
• Scrapbook paper
• Thick ribbon
• Red, white and green thin ribbon
• Green scrapbook paper
• Hole punch
• Red paper
• Mod Podge
• Magnet sheet
• Craft Knife
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler

Step 1. Use a pencil to sketch the frame out onto the cardboard. The best way to start is from the center and work your way out. Measure how much space you want for the photo, then for the frame.

Step 2. Use scissors to cut out the frame, then use a box cutter to cut out the middle. Pay special attention to the corners of the center square as they can sometimes be difficult to cut.

Step 3. After choosing the scrapbook paper you want, cut four pieces that are slightly larger than each section of your frame. Put a thin coat of Mod Podge onto the two side portions of your frame. Place the scrapbook paper down flush against the cut out center square, then press it down to smooth out any bubbles – don’t trim off the excess paper yet. Do the same for the top and bottom portions of your frame, but when you place it down, it’ll overlap over the corners of the first two pieces of paper. Give it about twenty minutes to dry before you trim off the excess.

Step 4. Cut two holly leaves out of green scrapbook paper, then punch three holes out of red paper to create the berries. Use the Mod Podge to attach the two leaves to the bottom center portion of the frame, then put the three berries over the point where the leaves meet.

Step 5. Cut three long pieces of red, white and green ribbon, hold them together and tie the ends together into a single knot. Braid the three pieces together, then tie another knot when you get to the end. Place a dot of Mod Podge on the braid in front of each knot so the ribbon hardens, then cut the ends off right above each knot.

Step 6. Coat one side of the braid with Mod Podge. Start at the end of one holly leaf, and pressing the braid down as you go along, work the braid around the entire frame until you reach the end of the other holly leaf; trim off any extra.

Step 7. Tie a long piece of ribbon into a large bow, then glue it to the top center portion of the frame. Before moving onto the next step, let the frame sit about an hour to ensure everything dries properly.

Step 8. Cut four small strips from the magnet sheet, remove the adhesive backing, then attach it to the back of the frame. Put it over a favorite photo on the refrigerator.

The cardboard gets saved from ending up in the trash (the cardboard I used was from a box of dog treats) and you get to make adorable magnetic frames in the process. They make really great gifts; they’re inexpensive, personalized, and include a memory in the form of a photo. You can make any type of design you like – write a child’s name on one, make one for your pet or make one large one for a group family photo.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

When you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, the place card holders not only serve the purpose of letting guests know where to sit, they also add decoration to the place settings and can provide guests with a party favor. Creating gift box place card holders stuck into wine corks are inexpensive, decorative, eco-friendly and you can create a variety of party favors from them.

What you’ll need (for each placeholder):

• Wine cork
• Cardstock
• Scrapbook paper
• Ribbon
• Mini scallop circle punch
• Pen
• Mod Podge
• Rectangle punch
• Fabri-Tac
• Knife
• Magnet sheet (optional)
• Mini hole punch

Step 1. Choose a sheet of Christmas-themed scrapbook paper, then use Mod Podge to attach it to a sheet of cardstock. Smooth out all the air bubbles, then give it at least an hour to dry.

Step 2. Use the large rectangle punch to create your place card.

Step 3. Cut four small pieces of ribbon and use Fabri-Tac to attach them; center two vertically and two horizontally so they cross in the middle. From the same type of ribbon, make a bow and use the Fabri-Tac to attach it in the middle – place it in the appropriate direction depending on whether you want the place card vertical or horizontal. Give the ribbon at least two hours to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 4. Decide whether you want to create a magnet from the place card or an ornament.

a) To create a magnet, cut an appropriately-sized piece from the magnet sheet, then place it on the back of the place card. Cut a piece of ribbon, hole punch the mini scallop circle, then put the ribbon through and tie it to the bow.

b) To create the ornament, hold the place card so the bow faces upright, then punch a tiny hole at the top of the place card. You will be punching through ribbon, so make sure to push extra hard to ensure it goes all the way through. Cut a piece of ribbon, put it through the scallop circle, then loop it through the hole.

Step 5. Use the knife to create a slit in the wine cork. Don’t push too hard otherwise the cork will split in half. Put the place card into the slit. If the wine cork doesn’t stand upright, trim the bottom of it so it’s even.

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog Coffee Pot People.

What’s not to love about scarves? They have the power to make me glad of chilly opportunities to wrap one around my neck! Here’s a project that yields a big, fluffy, dramatic scarf with a minimum of effort and materials. To make it you’ll need a few yards of bulky yarn, such as the chenille I used, and about ¼ yard of matching fleece.

Cut a strip of fleece 8″ wide across the width of your fabric, so that you have a piece 8″x50″ (or whatever the width of your yardage is). Cutting the short way, cut strips ½” x 8″. If your fabric was 50″ wide, you”ll end up with 100 little strips. Don’t obsess about the number or exact width, though. If you’re off a wee bit, it really won’t make a difference.

Take up your yarn and a crochet hook that’s big enough to give you a nice stitch tension (I used a Boye H, if I recall correctly), and begin a chain. Crochet one chain stitch, and then just lay one of the fleece strips across the yarn, next to the hook, and chain stitch right over the top of it, “capturing” the strip in the stitch.

*Chain one, and capture a strip in the next chain.* Repeat until your scarf is as long as you like, and finish off.

You now have something rather like a big boa, great fun to wear or give, and you’ve done it on the quick. Go forth, and collect your compliments and smiles!

By Guest Blogger Roshanda from the blog, Supermomdel.

I had this really great Christian t-shirt. Unfortunately, like most moms I was wearing it while doing the laundry and you guessed it, I got blench on it. However, I refused to throw it away with hopes I could do something really cool with it. Well, I found a great use for using the graphic from my blenched out shirt and turned it into artwork for my home office/bead room. By the way, this is totally super easy to do. Here are the steps.

Here is my shirt. I loved the “Heiress” and Roman’s 8:17 part. I felt like royalty in this shirt. So why not being reminded of my “royal” position in my home office.

This is the list of supplies: 8×10 Canvas, Mod Podge, (my favorite!), the Mod Podge rolling pin (a must), matching aryclic paint in gold and silver or any color of your choice and tacky glue.

The first thing I did was cut out the design on the shirt and then I used these arcylic paint colors.

I poured out the paint on a paper plate and pulled out the canvas to paint.

I pulled out an old dish cloth and used the gold paint and using a dapping techinique on the canvas. Make sure to not use too much paint.

This is what it looked it when I was finished. I really like the hint of white that stills shows through. It almost looks like an “antique.”

Now you want to take your t-shirt and measure it on the canvas. You can make it wrap around or cut it exact. I cut it directly around the letters however, I think next time I do this I will just cut around the words.

Take a liberal amount of Tacky Glue and coat the area where you will place the t-shirt.

Take a rolling pin like the one Mod Podge sells and roll out all ceases or dents in the t-shirt. I love this little tool. A great investment.

Once it dries which will be about 15-20 minutes. I pulled back out my old dish cloth and added some more acrylic paint.

Final touch which is my favorite part. I really like Mod Podge. This stuff is like a crafters drug of choice. (Just Say Yes!) Take a black sponge brush, you can find these in the art department rather cheap at any craft store. Dip in the Mod Podge, I used the Gloss which is a glue and sealant all in one. Brush across the t-shirt area and canvas. I let this dry overnight, you don’t have to but it was late at night and I had to get to bed.

The Final Touch: Viola! You have just taken a t-shirt and repurposed it into artwork. You’ll think twice now before throwing them away now won’t you?

By Guest Bloggers Melissa + Kellie, from the blog Icing Designs.

Well, the holiday season is truly upon us! We wanted to share with you a simple DIY that you can make with just fruit and sugar! Sugared fruit looks so gorgeous and festive; it is just perfectly frosted and a really beautiful winter centerpiece. All you need is egg whites, sugar and winter fruit! Great fruits to use include; apples, pears, grapes, plums and oranges. (You can use Wilton’s meringue powder and water in place of egg whites if you plan to eat the fruit).

Just take a pastry brush to add the egg whites to the fruit.

When you add the sugar to the fruit be sure to sprinkle it on with a spoon, do not roll it in the sugar or it will get very clumpy.

When you are finished sugaring all of your fruit just lay them on a parchment lined cookie tray to dry for a few hours. When the fruit is dry you can pick it up and gently shake the excess sugar off. Then just arrange it any way you would like, on a pedestal or a bowl to display!

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I keep at least one mini notebook in my purse at all times, but the ones I usually come across are always plain or ugly – it’s why I prefer to decorate my own. I’ve always loved pandas, but after recently seeing a show about them, I decided making a mini panda notebook was in order. It’s incredibly easy to create, and there’s the benefit of adding any details you like whether it’s glitter or a bow. This would be a great stocking stuffer idea!

What you’ll need:

• Mini composition notebook
• Green glitter glue pen
• Thin green ribbon
• Leaf printed scrapbook paper
• Fabric glue
• Scissors
• Heavy book
• Panda embellishment
• Mod Podge

Step 1. Coat the top cover of the notebook with Mod Podge, line the leaf printed scrapbook paper flush against the black binding of the notebook, then press the paper down to remove any bubbles. Cut the paper a few millimeters away from the edge of the cover. Repeat the aforementioned directions for the back cover, then place the notebook underneath a heavy book until it dries thoroughly.

Step 2. Stand up the notebook and use the green glitter glue pen to coat the entire black binding.

Step 3. Before the glue dries, place a piece of thin green ribbon over where the paper and black binding meet on the front and back of the notebook; pull it taut so it lies flat and doesn”t bunch. Don’t worry about trimming the edges just yet. Leave the notebook standing up while it dries.

Step 4. Trim the paper and ribbon around the edge of the notebook. To flatten any edges that are sticking up, put a dot of Mod Podge on your finger and carefully go over it.

Step 5. After the notebook is thoroughly dry, cut another two small pieces of green ribbon. Take one piece, put fabric glue on the back of it and place it horizontally on the front of the notebook about 1/3 of the way from the top. Tie the other piece of green ribbon into a bow, then attach it onto the center of the horizontal piece.

Step 6. Attach the panda embellishment underneath the horizontal ribbon, then place a heavy book on top until the ribbon dries and the notebook flattens.