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

Not sure what it is, maybe it’s because Valentine’s Day is near, but we are loving all things wedding right now! Of course we love when brides incorporate DIY projects into their weddings, it makes things seem so personalized and special. We are just loving the idea of a fabric corsages! They are just as beautiful, if not more, than using real flowers. What a fashionable gift/keepsake to give your bridesmaids or flowergirl! If you are not a corsage person, wear it as a bracelet!

Here’s a tutorial to make your own Fabric Corsage!

By DCWV Diary

I wanted to share a fun thing that we did on our front door this weekend…using 4 sheets of Immortal Love patterned paper!
 

You can see this big red heart from about 8 houses up the street! So fun, the neighbor kids have loved it!

I used 4 sheets of 12×12 paper and cut them down to 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ pieces and simply taped them up! Easy, easy!!!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

What is New Year’s without a guests or a party?  Celebrate by inviting your friends to the celebration using this festive invitation.  They are quick, fun and easy to make so you can invite everyone on your list.

Supplies Used:

• Graphic 45 Curtain Call Paper Pad
• Fired Brick Distress Ink
• Gold Ink Pad
• Silver Ink Pad
• Beige Cardstock
• Red Stickles
• Gold Stickles
• Tape Runner
• Red Marker
• Drink Glass of Your Choice Such As: Rub-Ons, Chipboard Pieces, a Stamp or Punch
• Silver Cardstock if using a stamp or punch for the Drink Glass

Begin by cutting an 8″ x 6″ piece of beige cardstock and folding it in half to create card base.  Cut a 4 ¾” x 3 piece from the “Leading Ladies” patterned paper from the Graphic 45 Curtain Call Paper Pad and adhere it to the front of the card using the tape runner.  Using the gold ink pad, ink the edges and into the center of the card.  Repeat this step, using the silver ink pad.  It’s ok to ink over the edges of the patterned paper as it helps to tie it all together.  In the next step, use the Fired Brick Distress Ink pad and a paper towel to lightly go over the edges to add just a little bit of color to the card.  Go back over the red with a clean paper towel to remove any excess ink.

Write the invitation message on the front of the card with the red marker.  This will give you a guideline when going over it with the Stickles and a dimensional look to the parts of the letters that are not completely covered by the Stickles. 

Adhere the drink glasses to your card, arranging them in a way that you like.  I, then, made marks above the glasses to help me know where the Red Stickles confetti dots looked the best and I recommend doing this so that you don’t get too many dots and make things look crowded on the card.  You can use a pencil, little dots of paper or whatever you’d like to do this step.  Then, create the confetti dots using the bottle of Red Stickles.  The last step is to go over the message using the bottle of Gold Stickles and then allowing it to dry completely. 

Now you can ring in the new year by sending these invitations to everyone on your list inviting them to the party of the year! 

Happy New Year to everyone!

By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools.

About the time my kids were toddlers, I made a decision to use photos (of them, naturally) as the main “art” in my home. On top of the photos I take (and there are many!) I’ve also had a photographer take portraits of my kids every few years. I love having their smiling faces all around me, but I’d love it even more if I had BIG photos of my kids everywhere! Unfortunately, the cost of giant, canvas mounted photos has prevented this from happening. Until now, that is.

The process of transferring photos to canvas, or wood, or even fabric, – using a decoupage medium - has made huge leaps of late, making now not just possible, but simple, to create your own large scale (or small, of course). While there are several tutorials floating around, these are the ones we like best. Click on the photos to find step-by-step tutorials!

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

While working with teachers all over the world, I am often asked to create activities that are simple to put together and low cost. Throughout the year, I look for different containers that I can transform into learning games while keeping the cost minimal. Adding supplies from CreateForLess helps stretch budgets, while help to keep learning fun!

This activity uses colorful gift tins as holders for festive learning games! Perfect for last minute gift for a teacher, daycare provider, or friend with young children!

My example project features a Christmas themed tin, with candy cane shaped game pieces with opposite words. Each candy cane piece has a different word on it, and the goal of the game is to match the opposites. When not in play, the game pieces fit inside the tin.

Materials needed:

• Tin container (Any size)
• Cardstock
• Candy Cane Template
• Scissors
• Crayons/Pens
• Computer/Printer (Optional)
• Ribbon or Bow
• Embellishments (Optional)

Selecting the Tin:

CreateForLess.com has a wide selection of novelty shaped tins in different sizes to choose from. Any tin will work for this project. The outside of the tin can be decorated with ribbon, a bow, or other embellishments. (Keep in mind the age group of the children using the tin before using small pieces for embellishment.) Another option for decorating the tin is to paint the lid with chalkboard paint, and write the name of the game.

The tin that I used for this project was already colored, and the size was perfect for small hands. I added a simple grosgrain bow on the lid in Christmas colors to finish the look.

Candy Cane Template:

The candy cane template is provided, Candy Cane Template. The template was sized to fit a tin 3 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. The template can be resized for whatever tin you are using. The .Gif file is provided so that you can add text prior to printing if desired.

There are several options for using the candy cane template. The pieces can be cut out and used as a template for cutting out colorful scrapbooking cardstock, printed out as is onto colored cardstock, or the image can be flood filled using any photo/image software before printing.

Click on photo for larger view.

In the example, I flood filled half of the candy canes in a light red color, and the other half in a light green color. Before I printed the pieces, I typed the opposite words using n a cute font. I printed the pieces onto white card stock so that the color would pop, and then I hand cut the pieces. Laminating the game pieces is recommended for durability for long term use.

This is a project that you can put together with young children too. It takes just a few minutes to assemble once you have the tin you want to use, and have decided how you would like to color the candy cane template.

The overall cost for this project was less than $2.00, and the project was complete in under an hour. The best part is that all of the supplies used in this project can be found at CreateForLess.com.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

What’s more fun than receiving a card with a treat attached?  This cute little gift box is attached directly to the card and can be decorated for any occasion and filled with any kind of treat.  The ideas are limited only by your imagination. 

Supplies Used:

• Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad
• Merry Christmas Rub-Ons
• Red Cardstock
• Laminate
• 1″ Square Punch
• Tape Runner
• Scoring Board
• Paper Trimmer
• Scissors
• Glue
• 3-d Adhesive Dots

Begin by cutting a piece of red cardstock to 6 ½” x 11 ¾”.  Then, using your scoring board and the long side of the paper score at 3 ½”, 7″, 8 ½”, 9 ¼”, 10 ¾” and 11 ½”.  Rotate the paper so the short side is at the top of the scoring board and again score at ¾” and 5 ¾”.

Next, trim using the scissors the ¾” flap from the left of the cardstock on both the top and bottom up to the 7″ score line as seen in the picture.  This should leave you 5 tabbed areas at the end (far right) of your cardstock with the last tab measuring ¼”.

Now, cut the tabs on each score line just up to the score line that runs the length of the paper.  Cut off and remove the extra ¼” pieces on each end.  Repeat this step on the other end of the cardstock piece. 

Fold the box at the score lines to give them a good solid crease. It should look like this. 

Unfold the box and cut a strip of the, “Tis the Season” patterned paper from the Graphic 45 Paper Pad that measures the length and width (5″ x 1 ½”) of the front panel of the box and adhere it on.  Position the square punch where you want the window to begin at the top and start punching the window out; overlapping the next punch over the previous one to be sure to open the entire space.  I positioned the window 1″ from the top and bottom of the box, but you can choose how tall you want your window to be on it.    You may have to fold the ¼” flap at the bottom of the paper inward so the punch fits up to the center flap. 

At this point, your box will look like this.  Cut a piece of laminate to fit on the inside of the box behind the window making sure to cut it longer and wider than the window opening and adhere it using the glue. 

Using the tape runner, place a small amount of tape on the ¾” tabs and fasten them to the larger tab as shown in the pictures.  Make sure not to adhere the very top flap because that’s the one that will open and close the box as seen in the second picture below. 

Here is what your card treat box will look like at this point. 

Now cut a piece of the “Tis the Season” patterned paper from the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad that measures 4 ½” x 3″ and tape it on the front of the card using the tape runner.  Cut a 3 ½” x 2 ½” piece of red cardstock and adhere it to the patterned paper. Trim around the “Right and Jolly Christmas Tag from the Santa Express” sheet in the Graphic 45 Paper Pad and using 3- adhesive dots glue it to the red cardstock.  Open the card up and on the inside place the “Merry Christmas” rub-on and rub to adhere it.  Trim 2 of the striped corners from an extra piece of the “Tis the Season” patterned paper and tape them to the left corners. 

Fill with a special treat and your card treat box is ready to share. 

Happy Holidays!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

The holidays are filled with long lists of things to do and sometimes it’s just impossible to do it all.  Often the one thing that is crossed off the list is making our own Christmas cards.  That doesn’t have to be the case.  Here is a quick and easy way to make 4 beautiful cards that can take care of some on your list or give you a start to creating the multiples you need. 

Supplies Used:

• Green, Red and Brown Cardstock
• Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad or Happy Holidays Paper
• Holiday Greetings Rub-Ons
• Snowflakes Embossing Folder
• Stars Embossing Folder
• Die Cut/Embossing Machine
• Your favorite tape runner

 First, cut each piece of cardstock (red, brown and green) to 10″ in length by 5″ wide and fold in half.  By using a 12″ x 12″ piece of cardstock and cutting it down to this size it will give you 2 cards out of each sheet of cardstock so you will be well on your way to create as many cards as you need.

 Next place one half of the cardstock inside the embossing folder (snowflakes or stars) that you are using and run it through your die cut/embossing machine.  You can do all of your cards this way or just some of them. 

Using the Graphic 45 Happy Holidays paper, cut the 4 pictures individually and adhere them to the cardstock with your favorite tape runner. 

An easy way to place the rub-ons on your cards is to cut each one out of the sheet they came on and lay them on your card as I did here. 

Using the edge of the craft stick and a little pressure rub the entire piece until it is adhered to the cardstock.  A good way to tell if it has completely adhered to the cardstock is when you see the plastic covering have a frosted look to it. 

If it hasn’t completely transferred continue rubbing it until it does or if you have already lifted the clear plastic off and noticed that not all of it transferred carefully line it up where it needs to go and rub it some more.

You are now on your way to having cards to send to your family and friends and can cross that off your holiday “to do” list instead of erasing it and putting it your list for next year!

 By Guest Blogger Stephine, from the Blog Geek with Glasses.

Tinker Bell has been quiet popular at our house lately and I’m sure our house isn’t the only one, so I thought a personalized jar of fairy dust would be a nice surprise.If you are looking for a great stocking stuffer this is s simple project with cute results.

I used a glass vial I had at the house, but these are available in different sizes at the craft stores.

I printed the childs name and “Fairy Dust” out on a plain white piece of paper. It could be on an cream or antiqued paper. Just use paper, cardstock will not bend around the glass as nice.

Once printed out, tear the paper around the printing to give it an old feel. In this example I used an ink pad to create the look of a burnt edge. I like to use Distress Ink in Walnut Stain, but a black or brown ink pad would work too. I take the paper and lightly brush it against the ink pad.

NOTE: If you choose to try and burn the edge with a flame, do it outside or over the kitchen sink and make sure you leave a lot of space between the ripped edge and the printing – paper burns fast and crumbles when trying to glue it down.

To attach the label I used Mod Podge. I dab a little to the back and stick it to the vial where I want it, then I coat the whole label on the front with Mod Podge. This seals all the edges tight to the bottle.

While the Mod Podge is still wet I carefully go in and clean the bottle off. If the Mod Podge starts to dry, a damp paper towel can clean the glass. Let dry.

I didn’t fill the whole vial with glitter because it is big, so it’s about half full, which is fine. Remember a little goes a long way – at least that’s what I’m going to tell the tiny one. I made a custom blend of “Dust”. I started with the base of a pearl color, in a fine grade of glitter, then from the Martha Stewart Glitter Collection I added dashes and shakes of different colors. Shake, Shake, Shake and voila, custom dust color – hard to match, but the little one can’t find a match either, therefore it must be special.

Now to seal the vial. I used a pink candle. Sit the vial on a dinner plate – ceramic or metal pan, light the candle and hold it so it drips. The best thing to do is to just drip the wax into the top center. As the wax pool builds up it will run over the sides. IF THERE IS WAX ON THE LABEL JUST WAIT UNTIL IT IS COLD!! Don’t touch it yet. Finish up with sealing the jar.

Now that the wax is cold gently pick off the drips you don’t want. This is one of the reasons to use Mod Podge over the entire label, the wax will just flake off, if it is plain paper the wax will not flake off and might rip the label if picked at.

Quick and easy. Once it’s sealed it could be a shelf sitter, not to be used or it can be opened and a magical time can be had by all.

This fine glitter is fun to have around and I don’t mind my child playing with it. There is glitter all over the house 24/7. I used to work at a store that dusted each package that left the door so each customer could have a little fairy magic for their day. So I’ve been covered in glitter a lot. BUT it will get everywhere!!! Husband will go to work with it in his hair, the dogs will shimmer in the sun so beware and enjoy.

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 Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

I love the snow and am already looking forward to it so I just couldn’t resist creating a card using the new Bo Bunny Snowfall paper line and stamps. When I find a beautiful piece of paper, I often have trouble cutting it to fit to the normal card size so I will use it on a card that I know I won’t be mailing so that I don’t have to worry about the larger size. This is one of those cards and you can make one to give to someone that you know that enjoys the cold, frosty winter, too.

Supplies Used:

• Blue Cardstock
• White Cardstock
• Bo Bunny Snowfall 6 x 6 Paper Pad
• Snowfall Clear Stamps
• Father Christmas Clear Stamps for the greeting
• Martha Stewart Snowflake Stamp & Punch
• EK Jolee’s Hotfix Tool
• Hotfix Jewels
• White Ink
• Faded Jeans Distress Ink
• Picket Fence Stickles
• Glue
• Paint Brush
• Clear Stamp Block
• Tape Runner

Start by cutting a 7 ½” x 12″ piece of blue cardstock and fold it in half. Ink the edges first with the white ink pad working it towards the center of the card a little bit. Next, use the Faded Jeans ink pad and ink just the edges of the card enough to show on top of the white.

Take a piece of the snowfall paper and trim it just enough to allow a small edge of the blue cardstock to show on each side. Adhere it to the cardstock using your favorite tape runner.

Again using the white ink pad, the stamp block and the Snowfall clear stamps stamp them onto the patterned paper. Place the “Happy Holidays” stamp from the Father Christmas stamp set onto the block and ink with white ink. Stamp it onto the lower right corner. If some of the stamped image is lighter or darker that’s ok because remember you want a frosty look to the card and this helps to create that look.

Punch 2 snowflakes from the white cardstock with the snowflake punch.

Place a small dot of the Picket Fences Stickles in the center of the snowflake and using the paint brush work it out onto the rest of it making sure not to tear the paper. Repeat with the second snowflake and allow both to dry.

Once they are completely dry, place a small dot of glue in the middle of one snowflake and then arrange the second snowflake on top so that they are off center from one another and allow the glue to dry.

Glue the snowflake onto the card under the holiday sentiment and dry completely so it won’t move when applying the jewels.

Place one of the Hotfix Jewels in the center of the punched snowflake, the center of the large stamped snowflake and in the centers of the two small snowflakes and adhere using the Hotfix tool.

You now have some frosty holiday wishes to share. Happy Holidays!

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 Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

Gingerbread houses are one of my favorite things about Christmas. However, one problem with them is that they’re typically on the larger side, so they usually have to sit on a table where they take up a lot of space – they then become a danger to pets or to the waistlines of their owners who pick and nibble at it. Although not a typical gingerbread house, I made a similar small version out of paper, a few types of candy and various other elements. It’s small enough that it can sit high up on a shelf without taking up a lot of space.

What you’ll need:

• Beige or brown paper
• Chipboard
• Cotton balls
• Tic Tacs or other small candy
• Peppermint hard candy
• Small paper bow or bow punch
• Two candy cane stickers
• Four sticks of gum
• Three colors of scrapbook paper
• Sugar
• Mod Podge
• Tape
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

Step 1. Sketch the pieces of the house onto the chipboard. You’ll need four pieces – the roof, the back wall of the house, the base, and the front/sides of the house. To give you an idea of the measurements, these are the ones I used:

• Front/sides of the house: I did this in one combined piece so it’s easier to work with. The front rectangle is 2.5 x 4; the triangle height is 2 and the base is 4. The sides, which are attached to the front rectangle of the house, are 2 x 2.5.
• Roof: The entire strip is 7 inches long and 2 inches wide; when it’s bent, each half is 3.5 inches.
• Back wall of the house: Trace the front rectangle and the triangle to get the back wall of the house. This piece doesn’t have the sides attached.
• Base: The length is 6 inches total; one inch of space, the house, then another inch of space. The width is about 4 inches; .75 inches, the house, then another .75 inches.

Step 2. Cut all the pieces out of the chipboard, then use Mod Podge to attach them to the back of brown or beige paper. Cut the pieces out once they dry.

Step 3. Lay the front piece of the house face down, then carefully bend the sides upward. Press the sides back down, then lay the back wall of the house face down next to it. Tape the edge of the front part of the house to the edge of the back wall piece. No one will see the tape, it’s going to be on the inside of the house. Stand up the now-combined piece, pinch together the still open corner, and tape it from the inside. When you have the frame of the house together, glue it to the base and let it dry thoroughly before moving onto the next step.

Step 4. Glue the roof of the house onto the frame. I made mine long enough so the edges hang over the sides of the house, but trim it before gluing it if you would like it shorter.

Step 5. Glue one type of scrapbook paper onto the edges of the roof and two triangular sections of the house. I used red and white striped paper for a bit of a candy cane look.

Step 6. Trim down four pieces of gum so they bend on each corner of the house. I didn’t even have to glue mine on – all I did was put a little water on each one and they stuck to the house without a problem.

Step 7. Attach a candy cane sticker to the two sides of the house.

Step 8. Cut two small windows out of one color scrapbook paper, then cut a door and the widow frames out of another color paper. Glue them on using the Mod Podge, then attach a small paper bow above the door.

Step 9. Lay the house on its back, then glue the tic tacs on in a row going across the front of the house and the peppermint hard candy in the center of the front triangle. Let it dry flat, and give it about an hour to dry unless all the tic tacs will fall off and go everywhere – I know from experience.

Step 10. Stand the house back up, then pull apart cotton balls and glue them on the base all around the house.

Step 11. Mix Mod Podge with sugar to create a thick, gooey paste, then drip it onto the roof of the house, especially on the edges. I let some drip off into the cotton “snow” so the cotton looked like it had typical snow lumps in it.

I wanted to keep this little house fairly simple, but you can add any other candies or embellishments you’d like – gum drops, paper Christmas trees, and even more peppermint candies. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend using is unwrapped chocolate. When using candy, please make sure to keep it far out of reach of your curious little pets when you’re making it or putting it on display – my dog was quite interested during the construction process. Also, I highly recommend nibbling on the candy yourself while you’re making your own adorable little house.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Thanksgiving seems to be one holiday that gets missed in sending a card to those who are close to you. During this time of year, I find myself often thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for every year. One of the most important things to me is my family and friends. I created this card to give to someone just to let them know that I am thankful for them. And hope to inspire all of you to create one and send it to someone you are thankful to have in your life, too.

Supplies Used:

• K & Co. 12 x12 Halloween & Fall Paper Pad
• Inkadinkado Mini Expressions Stamp
• Fired Brick Distress Ink Pad
• Brown Cardstock
• Maroon Cardstock
• Kraft Cardstock
• Your Favorite Adhesive for Paper
• Scoring Tool or Scoring Board
• Circle Cutter
• Paper Trimmer
• Falling For You Border Punch by Fiskars

Start by cutting a 4″ wide by 12″ long piece of brown cardstock. Score this at 2″, 4″, 8″ and 10″ on what would be the front (part facing you) of your card.

Flip cardstock to the back and mark the center (6″) on the top and bottom of the cardstock. Score from the top left at the 2″ mark to the middle (bottom) of the cardstock where the center (6″) mark was placed. Score again from the top of the center down to the bottom of the 8″ score you made earlier. Flip the card so that the bottom now becomes the top and repeat the scoring steps- from the 2″ mark to center of the bottom and from the top center to the bottom of the 8″ mark.

If you have the Martha Stewart Scoring Board, you can use the envelope piece and score at the 4 ¼” mark on it from the top middle to bottom left corners and flip the cardstock to do the top to bottom right corner which will help you with these two scoring marks.

 Using a ruler to line up the the top center to the bottom 2″ score line and score and from the top center to the bottom 8” score line after you have flipped the bottom to become the top of the card and score again to create the other 2 fold lines as seen in the picture.

Now fold the card at the score lines to create the card. Start by folding the 4″ and 8″ score lines downward which will help the other scores lines to fold properly. Crease the folds well and continue folding the pieces until the large triangle in the center is folded as seen in the second picture.

Cut 2 pieces of the K & Company patterned paper at 3 ¾” long x 1 ¾” wide and adhere them on the flaps on the ends of the card that were created by scoring at 2″ and 10″ after you have flipped the card back to the front facing side. Now cut 2 squares of paper at 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” and cut them diagonally. Adhere these pieces to the top and bottom triangles that were formed by scoring.

Cut 3 circles – 1 from the maroon cardstock at 3 ½”, one from the patterned paper at 3 3/8″ and one from the Kraft Cardstock at 3″. Ink the edges of the Kraft Cardstock and stamp the Happy Thanksgiving sentiment on it. Adhere the circles one on top of the other. Punch some leaves using the Falling For You Border Punch and glue them to the card. Adhere the finished circles to the card.

The card is now ready to be shared with that special someone that you are thankful for having in your life!

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

My daughter firmly believes in aprons, and wears one whenever she cooks. “What is it with people, Mom? Don’t they like their clothes?” she asked me one day. Good question!

So let’s just assume that if you cook, you need an apron. But what if you don’t have the time, inclination, or skill to sew one up? No worries! Just grab a length of ribbon, pair of scissors, and a café curtain, and you’ll have an apron in no time.

All you need to do is thread your ribbon through the loops or casing of a curtain panel and tie it around your waist, and the best thing is, these aprons will stretch out or scrunch up to fit just about anyone.

Now, I will show you one little thing. One of the panels I chose to make an apron from had its casing several inches from the top. If I’d used the casing, it would have created a “paper bag” waist, which would have been very pretty, I think, but the apron would have been too short for me. (Perfect for a child, though!) If you run into that, check to see if the fabric at the top is doubled. If it is, you can just cut a slit through the inside layer for your ribbon, like so:

Here’s that apron, which is gathered very full. I may cut some of the panel off, which is another plus—these aprons are easy to alter.

I really like this last one, which strikes me as pretty enough to wear for company. (Remember “company aprons”? Let’s bring them back!)

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

Here’s a bit of old news: Computers play a big part in our lives these days. They’re everywhere, aren’t they? Let’s dress up a monitor for a friend or relative who works in front of one with a little bit of cheerful whimsy, a Computer Corsage.

Your list of materials is short. You’ll need:

• A large-ish bead cone, small salt shaker, or tiny bottle
• Small dried or silk flowers and other bouquet fillers
• A snippet of self-sticking hook-and-loop tape, (such as Velcro)

If you’re using a salt shaker, you’ve got it made—just choose your flowers, cut the stems to length, and stick them through the holes in the top in a pleasing arrangement.

If you’re using a bead cone or tiny bottle, you may want to wrap the stems of your bouquet with a little wire before inserting them in the cone or bottle.

Once you’ve created your tiny bouquets, simply stick one half of the hook-and-loop tape to the back of the holder, and the other half to the computer monitor’s edge.

Don’t you think this would bring a bit of cheer to an office-worker friend or relative?

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

October is breast cancer awareness month and time to Think Pink! A great way to help is to remind your friends to get their check-ups and to spread the word or join in a local community event to help raise awareness. What better way to do this than to send a little note to your friends reminding them to set up those appointments to get checked and let them know that you are thinking of them. This is a simple card that says a lot and you can make them to share the message for the month to Think Pink!

Supplies used:

• EK Jolee’s Layered Doilies with Bows
• K & Co Spring Blossom Paper Pad
• Coredinations Whitewash Pie Safe Cardstock
• Sand It Gadget
• Dust Buddy
• Worn Lipstick Distress Ink
• Alphabet Stamps
• Pink Cardstock
• Thinking of You stamps or stickers
• Wavy Edge or Scallop Blade or Scissors
• Favorite Adhesive

Start this card by cutting an 8 1 /2″ long by 5 ½” wide piece of pink cardstock and fold it in half. Unfold it and using your wavy or scallop blade or scissors cut across the bottom approximately 1″ from the bottom. Cut a piece of the Coredinations cardstock 4 ¼” x 5 ½”. Sand it and wipe off the dust using the Dust Buddy. Adhere it to the inside card being sure to line it up with the fold of the card. Make sure not to put any adhesive past the scalloped edge on the card front or it will show at the bottom of the card. Cut a 2 7/8″ x 5″ long piece of the rose patterned paper that’s in the Spring Blossom Paper Pad and adhere it to the card. Stick the Layered Doily with Bows sticker onto the patterned paper. Next, use the alphabet stamps and Worn Lipstick Ink stamp the words “Think Pink” around the sticker. On the inside of the card, stamp or spell out the words “Thinking of You”.

There’s still time! The month of October isn’t over yet so be sure to make a bunch of these cards and mail them out to remind your friends to get their check-ups and to let them know that you are thinking of them this month! While you are working on making some of these, be sure to check out all of the Think Pink items to craft with over at CreateForLess.

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

A lot of adults have as much fun on Halloween as the kids do. And why not? Why shouldn’t we get to play dress up, and watch scary movies, and enjoy the decorations?

Of course, not many grown-ups get to go Trick-or-Treating! So let’s make up for that a little and put together Altered Treat Jars for our fun-loving friends.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Halloween papers and stickers—black cats, skeletons, Jack-o’-Lanterns, etc.
• Ribbons and trims in Fall and Halloween colors
•  A small jar with a lid
• Treats to fill the jar
• Glue

Now, this is such a simple project, I don’t think directions are really necessary. Just take a look at the photos, the one above of the front, and the one below of the back.

Let your own imagination and creativity carry you along. Cover the jar with scrapbooking paper, or an old Halloween card front, decorate it and the lid with stickers, etc., and you’re ready to fill the jar and give it away.

Need help on what to put inside? There’s always candy, of course, including such yummy adult goodies as chocolate-covered coffee beans, but you don’t have to limit yourself to edibles. My friend just happens to love Halloween, and also does collage and card-making, so I packed her jar with black, orange, and purple buttons, beads, and flat marbles, a bunch of stickers, some purple ribbon, some ostrich feather, and another black feather I found outside, and two small paper punches of a cat and a bat. Get the idea?

Now that you’ve done a Halloween jar, I’ll bet you’re getting all kinds of ideas for others. Me, too! Here’s one I made this week for a friend who loves pink:

My jar had two flat sides, so it ended up having two “fronts”:

Oh, and one last thing: When you’re filling the jar, if you’re careful you can get the contents to show through nicely, and almost become part of the decoration:

You know, I can hardly wait to empty another jelly jar!

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I really love all the aspects of Halloween from the creepy designs to the art of doing costume makeup. I enjoy the holiday so much that I give my loved ones little bags of treats. Although Halloween isn’t typically thought of as a gift-giving holiday, there are plenty of opportunities to use a creepy spider gift tag. Whether you’re giving a hostess gift or a bag of treats to your child, the recipient can also use the tag as a bookmark.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Orange gift tag
• Ultra fine black glitter
• Mod Podge
• Red glitter glue pen
• Spray glue
• Spider punch
• Newspapers

Step 1. Punch three medium-sized spiders out of black cardstock, then use the Mod Podge to adhere them haphazardly onto the gift tag.

Step 2. Use the red glitter glue pen to make bright red eyes on the spiders. You may have to do this step two or three times so that the glitter shows up well enough. Avoid using regular red glitter – when working with such limited space, the glitter could flake off or bunch up into a single pile.

Step 3. Start from the hole of the gift tag and make a swirly and squiggly line from the top of the gift tag down to the bottom. Make certain parts of the line thicker than others; don’t worry if the line is a little jagged in some areas.

Step 4. Over a spread out sheet of newspaper, sprinkle ultra fine black glitter onto the glue line – don’t sprinkle it all over the glue, only sprinkle it in spots and let some of the red glitter show through. The line will appear as if it’s a thick, disgusting looking worm.

Step 5. Tilt the tag back and forth so the glitter sticks onto the glue and also spreads over the rest of the tag. Considering how fine the glitter is, it may not move easily so tap the tag a bit to shift it. Let the tag sit untouched until it is completely dry.

Step 6. You could leave the fine glitter spread on the tag as is, or if you prefer, use a very light coating of spray adhesive to ensure it sticks on. Don’t touch the tag until it fully dries otherwise you could leave fingerprints.

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

I love all the embellishments for clothing, bags, and other items being made from zippers these days, don’t you? Exposed zippers are a hot trend right now and this look is very easy to get. This is a simple flower pin to make, using just three things, plus a needle & thread:

• A brass zipper about 21 inches long; metal is best (I cut mine from a jacket I no longer wear) OR ZipR Trim
• A pin back or small circle of non-fraying material
• A “silk” leaf
• Needle & thread

Begin by separating the zipper into its two halves—simply unzip all the way, if it’s one that comes completely apart, or cut the stopper off at the bottom and then unzip it. Remove the zip-up thingy, which you won’t need. If you want, you can cut off the long straight piece at the bottom. If you leave it on, use that end to begin your flower.

Before you start working with the zipper, take your silk leaf, stripped off any supporting plastic veins, and stitch it to the pin back’s pierced disk or circle of fabric. You just need to do a couple of stitches in the center, as the stitching to attach the flower will add more stitches to it, too.

My flower has five petals, and I found that about 3″ of the zipper was needed for each one, so I put a dot every three inches, and then just “stacked” the dots. Begin like this:

Then just continue looping. It’s very like making a bow for a package:

Every so often, stitch down through the stack and pin disk to fasten the petals in place. That way they won’t get away from you.

When you have about 6″ of zipper left, start rolling the center of your flower, beginning at the free end of the zipper.

As you roll, take stitches to keep everything in place. When the zipper’s completely rolled up down to the petals, stitch it to the center of the flower, going through the pin disk or fabric circle as you work. Fasten off the thread and cut, and attach the pin’s back piece to the pierced front part. If you’ve used a fabric circle, you can sew a safety pin on the back now; make sure the pin is off-center, near the top edge of the circle, so that the pin doesn’t droop forward.

You’re done! What will you wear your pin on?