Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma

I have seen many mason jar picture crafts and I have always thought they are really neat but they are so plain. Just shoving a photo inside a mason jar and tying a ribbon around it is just kind of boring. I like sparkle and flare. So, I started to rummage through my craft closet (yes I have a closet, not a drawer, but a closet) and I pulled out my box of beads and buttons.

What you will need:

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma

Did you have a bottle of wine or two at your New Year’s Party? Don’t toss that bottle! Save it! You won’t want to miss this craft!

What you will need:

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

Year in a Jar at ThinkCrafts.com

My family loves to save trinkets from our travels and events we attend. My drawers are full of ticket stubs and tokens. There are so many years in one space, it’s hard to remember what came from where.  This little project starts out simple and you add to it all year. It helps keep those memories organized, giving them a special space.

Supplies

• Glass Jar
• Family Picture
• sticky glitter numbers

Read the Full Craft Tutorial after the Jump…

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

Teachers and parents alike enjoy showcasing their children’s homework or artwork.  This project incorporates the clothespin display with a seasonal theme.

Materials needed:

• Scrapbook Paper Scraps
• Cardstock
• Small Clothespins
• E6000 Glue
• Scissors
• Twine or String
• Mitten Template (Provided)
• Lamination (optional)

Directions: 

1. Use the mitten template provided as a guide to cut out or trim scrapbook paper scraps.  The heavier paper or cardstock would be best. You can embellish the cuffs on the mittens, or add cotton balls to give them a more 3-D look.  For my example, I used white cardstock for the cuffs.
2. After the mittens are made and the glue is dried, turn them over face down. (If you choose to laminate the mittens for durability you would do that before gluing the clothespin on the back) Using E6000 glue, add a clothespin to the back of each mitten.  Make sure that the clothespins are glued at the same place so that they match up when hung. Set aside and wait for the glue to completely dry.
3. Once the mittens are completely dry, you can begin hanging them.  The purpose of the clothespin on the back is to make it easier to hang them in places where there is limited space to hang. In my example,  I clipped the clothespins onto my bulletin board.  It’s easy to change out seasonally, and it is a cute way to display classroom work.
4. Tie a piece of twine onto the clip on the back of each mitten. A little tension in the twine helps keep the line from sagging from the weight of the clips.

After the mittens are securely hung on the wall or bulletin board, the display is ready for items to be hung on the twine.

By

Scrapbooking & Card Making Contributor

Peg Rounds

Once you find the perfect gift for a person, what about the perfect box to give it in?  The packaging can be as special as the surprise inside so why not create your own handmade boxes for those special gifts.  This gable box becomes extra special when using the Nutcracker Sweet line by Graphic 45.

Full How-to after the jump…

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