Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By CreateForLess.com Team Member Joselyn

Beginning knitting can be an extremely frustrating process. While you’re imagining all of the beautiful sweaters and complicated patterns you can create, you find out that you are far from knitting anything more than a straight line. Some people never make it past scarves, knitting more for relaxation or something to do with their hands. However, scarves can get a little boring, and they can take forever. Besides, how many scarves do you really need? Here’s a project that a knitter of any skill level can make quickly, using scrap yarn. If you haven’t taken the first step to learning basic stitches, here’s a great website that can teach you everything you need to know and more: Learn How To Knit.

Materials:

• Scrap Yarn (worsted weight)
• US Size 8  knitting needles or Double Pointed Needles for more experienced knitters
• Darning needle

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

© Danielle Westvang – Crayonbox Learning

Materials Needed:

• Tissue Paper (different shades of blue)
• Small (clean) empty glass baby food jar
• Mod Podge (Gloss Luster)
• Paint Brush
• Scissors
• Grosgrain Ribbon (coordinating colors)
• Tea Light

Directions:

• Take a small clean (and dry) glass baby food jar and put it into your work space.
• Cut different shades of blue tissue paper into small squares.
• Using a clean paint brush, paint  a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the glass jar. Do not paint the Mod Podge onto the whole jar at one time.
• Begin adding the blue tissue paper onto the thin layer in Mod Podge.  The Mod Podge will act like a glue and hold the tissue paper in place.  Staggering the pieces of tissue onto the glass jar (see picture) gives the jar a stained glass look.

• Use your finger to smooth the edges on the tissue paper as you’re placing it onto the jar.
• Keep adding Mod Podge around the jar and add the tissue paper pieces until the jar is completely covered.
• You will want to leave a small space uncovered at the top of the jar where the lid would have screwed on.
• After the jar is covered completely, use your paint brush to apply a thin coat of Mod Podge onto the jar.
• Let the layers of Mod Podge dry before adding a new layer.
• Add one more layer of Mod Podge to create a seal on the jar.  Let dry completely.

• Add Grosgrain ribbon around the top of the jar.  Glue down to give the candle holder a finished look.
• You can add embellishments as desired, but be mindful of the fact that the tea light may warm the jar so you won’t want anything added on that may get too warm.

By Kid’s Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the blog A Geek In Glasses.

I have to say that I really love projects that use letter tiles. I think they are fun. This quick project is great way to make a personalized gift for anyone on your list. I used our last name, but first names would be just as cool.

Supplies:

• Letter Tiles
• Hot Glue
• Twine

 Read the Full How-to After the Jump… Read the rest…

Christmas Card Ornaments

I love to get Christmas cards each year, but my favorite ones are always the ones that are homemade.  I especially love homemade cards from kids, so each year I have my girls make cards to give out too.

This year I thought it would be neat to make cards that could be hung from the tree as ornaments too.  That way Grandma & Grandpa could keep them for many years to come (and me too!).  We did two designs; a snowman and an ornament shape for the cards.  Both cards open up for you to write your special message and then they can be displayed hanging from the tree.  I like to write the year on the back of each one so years from now I can look back and see when these were done.

Supplies

Ornament Pattern

Construction Paper

Markers

Glitter Glue

Googly Eyes

Hole Punch

Ribbon or String

Read the rest…

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Materials Needed:

• Multi-Size and multi-color green buttons
• Grosgrain Ribbon (Christmas colors)
• Scrap Cardboard
• Scissors
• E-6000 Glue
• Pin back

Directions:

1. Cut out a 2 inch diameter circle out of cardboard.
2. Cut out a smaller circle from the center of the cardboard circle.
3. Begin gluing green buttons onto the cardboard circle. You will need more than one layer of buttons to cover the complete wreath. You don’t want any spaces to show. (Use varied shades of green and sizes of buttons gives the wreath a finished look.)
4. After all of the buttons are glued down, let dry completely. (2-3 hours)
5. Glue ribbon bow at the top of the wreath and let dry completely.
6. Finish the wreath pin by gluing a pin back onto the back of the pin.  Let the glue dry completely before trying to use.

© Danielle Westvang – Crayonbox Learning

By Kid’s Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the blog A Geek In Glasses.

This is a cute way to keep snowballs in the house! I love the look of yarn balls displayed in a bowl, and this takes them a step further to winter decorations. Perfect in a knitter’s house for the Holidays!

Supplies:

Styrofoam Balls

Ball of white or natural yarn

White plastic grocery bags with no printing

White Snow Glitter

Bowl

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By Home Decor Contributor Typhanie, from the blog Shoebox Decor.

This ornament would make a thoughtful gift for a loved one who has been impacted by breast cancer or anyone who needs some extra belief…Happy Holidays Everyone!

Materials Needed:

1 Large White Ornament Ball

1 pack sticky letters

1 pink ribbon

1 pack bling sticker sheets

Glue Gun {optional}

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