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.

Tell mom how much you care for under $5. I do believe this will mean more to mom than any candle or flowers. This is truly the gift that keeps on giving all year round. You can make it as personal as you wish and getting the kids involved is an even greater bonus. Happy Mother’s Day to you all!

What you will need:

• Construction paper
• Scissors (scrapbooking shears if desired)
• Ink pen
• Glass jar (mason jar or any jar with a lid will work)
• Artificial beads and flowers
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks

Directions:

Cut out 365 random sizes and colors of construction paper. Write little messages on each one. Duplicate messages are ok. Be as creative or as simple as you wish.

 Fill the jar with 365 notes. Add some heart confetti.

Include a note telling the recipient that they are to take out one note each day until next Mother’s Day. Oh, and be sure to tell them you love them too!

When you’re giving a gift to someone who loves birds and/or the outdoors, a bird gift tag can be a beautiful addition to the wrapping. The best part is that you can personalize it for the recipient, right down to the color ribbon you use.

What you’ll need:

• Plain gift tag
• Book page
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Tissue
• Ink pads in two colors
• Bird stamp

Step 1. Choose a book page to adhere to the front of the tag. I chose a page from an antique french dictionary, but you can choose any you think the recipient would love.

Step 2. Trim the excess paper from the tag.

Step 3. Rub the tag along an ink pad until there’s color along the edges.

Step 4. Stamp the image of a bird into the center of the tag.

Step 5. Dab a tissue into the same color ink you used along the edges of the tag, then blot it all over the front of the tag.

Step 6. Take a second tissue, blot it in a second complementary color of ink, then blot it all over the front of the tag.

Step 7. Punch a hole into the top of the tag

Step 8. Put a ribbon through the hole.

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.

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!

Scrapbook paper can be used in all crafts, not just scrapbooking. Scrapbooking paper has fun designs and coordinating color sheets to use in your projects. In this project they used scrapbook paper for the front on a passport cover. Adorable!

I love this idea! Why shouldn’t your passport be so darling and personable?!

Around my home we always seem to have great opportunities to take pictures of wildlife.  Every year we have several different types of butterflies that enjoy these purple phlox I have planted.  Butterflies are one of my favorite things to take pictures of and make into layouts.  Often though, it is hard to see them in a picture.  Do you have pictures like that?  Where there is so much in the picture it’s hard to see the subject?  There’s a fun way to draw attention to them in your layouts…frame them!      

Supplies Used:

• Bo Bunny Gabrielle Flight 12 x 12 Paper
• Butterfly Embellishments from the Gabrielle Line
• Coredinations Black Magic Cardstock-Orange
• Coredinations Sanding Tool
• Dust Buddy Tack Cloth
• Lagoon Stickles
• EK Layering Heart Punch
• EK Large Butterfly Punch
• Light Yellow Cardstock
• Light Orange Cardstock
•  Orange Coredinations Hocus Pocus Cardstock
• Heritage Cricut Cart
• Cricut Die Cut Machine
• Favorite Adhesive and Tape Runner

     Start by attaching your photos to your layout using your favorite tape runner. 

Punch 1 heart per picture on your layout from the light yellow cardstock using the EK Layering Heart Punch set to the middle heart and lay aside the solid heart to use on another project.   Take the open heart pieces, which will be the frames for the subjects in your photos, and go around the top of the heart with the Lagoon Stickles.  Lay all of the pieces aside to dry.  

Using the EK large butterfly punch, punch 2 butterflies from the orange Coredinations cardstock and sand the wings  with the sanding tool inward leaving the body of the butterfly and antennae black.  Wipe off the pieces using the tack cloth to remove any leftover dust and then run a line of Lagoon Stickles down the center for the body and allow to dry. 

Next, you will use your cricut and the Heritage cart to cut the words “Butterfly Love”.  Set the size to cut to 1″ and cut the words, “Butterfly Love” using the font key on the keypad and the light yellow cardstock. Then, cut them again using the font key and the shadow key turned on together to cut the letters from the light orange cardstock.  Adhere the font letters onto the shadow cut letters using your favorite adhesive. 

Assemble all of the pieces on your layout using your favorite adhesive and tape runner.  Don’t forget to place your hearts around the subjects in your pictures that you love.  On this layout I placed the word “butterfly” unevenly to make it look like  it was floating like a butterfly would; which added extra interest to the title, too.  Have fun adding special features like this to your layouts, also! 

Next time you have the opportunity to capture great photos don’t hesitate to get them even if they are further away.  When you do your layout you can add a frame to bring attention to what you love about the photo! 

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.

The Spring Clothespin game is a fun, and flexible game that can be adapted to the age group you’re working with, skills, and themes. The template that I have included in this tuturial features a tulip, but any character or theme can be substituted.

Materials Needed:

Spring Clothespin Game Template (click to download)
Cardstock
Scissors
Lamination (heat laminator or clear contact paper)

 
Colored Clothespins:

Small – Medium wood clothespins
RIT Liquid Dye

On the first example, I put words on the flower pots. The object of the game is to find the rhyming word in the bubble that matches.  The correct answer is clipped with a colorful wood clothespin.

In the second example featurings simple math problems written on the tulip, with the answer being in the bubble that is clipped by the small wooden clothespin. I put pre-cut cards in a cute cello bag, including a little bit of recycled (pink) shredded paper, 3 colored wood clothespins.  The bag was topped  with a simple cardstock header and ribbon. Perfect for party favors,  holiday gift giving, teacher gifts, or a surprise for your children.  The options are endless for this game!

 Directions:

1. Print off a copy of the Spring Clothespin Game Template provided.
2. Color, and cut out prior to laminating. (The lamination will have a better seal of the game cards are cut out and then laminated).
3. After the cards are laminated, the cards are ready for play.

Coloring Wood Clothespins:

1. Select the number of wood clothespins that you’d like to color.  I used the smaller  wood clothespins for this project tutorial, but it’s recommended to use the larger clothespins when working with young children.

2. Select the color dye that you want to use. RIT dye comes in a dry or liquid coloring in an array of colors. For this tutorial I used the liquid dye and I think it worked better.

3. Put warm water in a plastic or glass container, add the RIT dye to achieve the desired color that you want. The longer that you keep the wood clothespins in the water, the darker the color they will be.  For large batches of pins, use 2 cups of warm water and  ¼ cup liquid dye.  I dyed a small batch and so I did not use as much water or dye. For my example, I used Petal Pink RIT dye and it took a few hours for the color to soak in to the desired color.  Depending on how dark the dye is, you may not have to leave the pins in very long before they have reached full color.

4. After the pins have been dyed, pull them out and lay them on paper towels or something absorbant (not fabric because the dye will stain it). I let my clothespins dry over night to make sure that they were fully dry before I used them.

All of the materials listed in this tutorial can be found at CreateForLess.com. 

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.

This is probably one of my favorite projects to make since I’m always finding terrific glass dishes that need sprucing up a bit. A little lace, a little spray paint and you’ve got something amazing. Add some adhesive felt on the back if you’re going to hang plates as wall decor, or use it as a pretty patterned tray.

You’ll need:

• Krylon Fusion Spray Paint (It’s the best for this project!)
• Newspaper for your workspace
• Lace in different patterns
• Spray Adhesive (love the stuff!)
• Krylon Clear Coat
• Sticky felt to protect the back if it’s just decorative.

Here’s How:

Step 1.  Cut a piece of lace larger than your plate so that it covers all the edges of the plate.

Step 2. Spray your lace with the Spray Adhesive and stick it to the back of the glass plate so that all of the lace is sticking to the plate.

Step 3. Lightly spray paint over the entire plate. Gently remove the lace after the paint is dry.

Step 4. Spray the entire back of the plate with another color of spray paint. Choose contrasting colors for the most impact.

Step 5. Spray several coats of clear coat on the BACK of the plate to protect the spray paint.  Wait 10 minutes in between each coat.

Most of the time, light switch plates are fairly boring and come in only solid colors or metallic. One way to spice them up and tailor them to the room is to decorate them yourself. You’ll only need a few materials to make them look exactly the way you wish.

What you’ll need:

• Light switch plates
• Mod Podge
• Patterned paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Box cutter

Step 1. Choose the light switch plate you need, then pick out the patterned paper you want covering it. I opted for a vintage map from Washington.

Step 2. Flip the light switch plate face down, then trace the edges including the spaces in the center onto the back of the patterned paper.

Step 3. Cut the piece out with scissors, then use a box cutter to cut out the inside shapes so it’s easier to make an accurate cut.

Step 4. Cover the face of the switch plate with Mod Podge, then attach your piece on top smoothing it down as you go along. Give it ample time to dry.

Step 5. Cover the surface with another coat of Mod Podge, but move quickly so it doesn’t start to dry as you’re going along.

Step 6. Using Mod Podge on your finger, go along the edge to smooth down the paper.

Step 7. Give it at least a day to dry before you use it.

 Here is a quick and easy Punch Art Bunny to make for Easter. I made this hippity hoppity bunny for an Easter card using various sizes of heart and oval paper punches. I have included an example of a card where I used the Bunny as the focal point.

What you’ll need:

• Martha Stewart Confetti Heart punch
• EK Success Paper Shapers 1″ Scallop Circle punch
• EK Success Paper Shapers ¾” X 1½” Oval punch
• EK Success Paper Shapers 1.25″ x 2″ Oval punch
• Fiskars XL Heart punch
• EK Paper Shapers Punch Medium Circle 3/4″
• Fiskars ¼” Circle punch
• Pink, Dark Brown and Tan cardstock
• Darice 10mm Wiggly eyes
• Scissors
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Art Institute clear Glitter glue and/or Glue Dots

Instructions:

Punch the following from:

Dark Brown Cardstock

• Four ¾” X 1½” Oval
• Two Hearts
• One 1″ Scallop Circle

Pink Cardstock

• Two ¾” X 1½” Oval
• Two 1.25″ x 2″ Oval
• Six ¼” Circles
• One Confetti Heart (use larger heart)

 Tan Cardstock

• Two ¾” Circles

To assembly glue Pink ¾” X 1½” Ovals slightly below brown ones for ears. Glue small Pink ovals to bottom of each foot and then glue three ¼” Circles to top of each foot. To create the Bunny head flip Heart upside down so the pointy end is facing the top and then glue Tan circles slightly overlapping each other on lower part of Heart and glue small Pink Heart in center for nose then attach eyes. Glue ears behind head.

To create body take second Heart right side up and glue head on top. Then trim 1″ Scallop Circle in half placing halves together and rounding the cut edge with scissors trimming off a little of the scallop to create two small hands, glue to body near bottom of head. To complete Bunny attach feet on either side.

I have included an example of a card where I used the Bunny as the focal point.

My friend Peter has a huge clock in his kitchen with a collage of his friends. It was my inspiration for this very large wall clock. Sending special thanks to all of my friends for their endless inspiration today.

YOU’LL NEED:

• Plastic box frame that is 18″x24″
• Image that is enlarged to 18″x24″
• Florescent orange Krylon spray paint
• Contact paper
• Scissors *FISKARS make the best scissors (and their Teflon blade is perfect for cutting sticky stuff!)
• Craft knife
• Clock that you can take apart
• Drill and 3/8″ drill bit
• Spray adhesive
• Clear packing tape

HERE’S HOW:

1. Enlarge your image to 18×24. Staples can do this easily for a few bucks. *This image is from a Dover book with mortised images that are perfect for clocks.

2. Place your image inside the frame to decide where you want your clock to be placed.

3. Drill a hole in the frame for your clock parts.

 4. With your image inside the frame cut out your oval in contact paper to use as your stencil for the florescent paint. *I cut out leaves and clovers and added them to the oval so that it would have some interest.  I placed one on the lower right corner and randomly.

5. Peel and stick your oval and your flourishes to the frame.

6. Spray paint the frame with the Krylon florescent paint and let dry for 5 minutes and carefully remove the contact paper. If you’re having a hard time getting it off, take the tip of your craft knife to lift an edge.

7. Place the cardboard inset inside your frame and cut out a hole in the area where your clock parts will fit.  My clock was square so I traced it and cut out the exact size.

 8. Spray mount your image to the cardboard inset and put it inside of the box frame.

 11. Tape your clock in place with packing tape.

12. Put on your clock hands and you’re done just in time.

If real eggs are not your speed for the upcoming spring hunts, and plastic eggs are just a little too synthetic give this alternative a try. This makes a nice hollow egg shape that can be filled with treats.

Supplies:

Wool Roving
Plastic Eggs
Water 
Soap
Tape

Optional:

Embroidery Floss
Needles

Start by taping the plastic egg together. (I suggest this because when I had my little one help, she rolled the egg too hard and the two pieces came apart inside the half felted wool mess.)  In a large bowl place a good squirt of liquid dish soap and the hottest water your hands can take. Because we are felting around a form, I make the wool tuffs wet in the water and lay a layer on the plastic egg, covering the whole thing. Then with damp wool pieces build onto the egg. Once the egg is covered and there is no plastic showing, start rolling the egg in your hands.  Drip more water on, roll, more water, roll, you get the idea. Roll until the wool is firm. When you’re ready, rinse the egg until the soapy water runs clear. Set the egg aside to dry.

Once the egg is dry there are a couple of things that can be done. The felted egg can be left as is for decoration. The felt can be cut with scissors, a little cut just to get the egg out can then be hand sewn shut with beans or rice inside to make an egg shaped ball. It can also be cut wide open and used just like a plastic egg to fill with treats. One suggestion for the treat filled eggs is to run a blanket stitch around the opening to create a finished edge. Also a small button or hook and eye could be used to close the egg.

However you finish them, just enjoy the wonderful textile of wool!

I am getting married in September to the most wonderful man ever. I am a typical bride and need to stretch my pennies as far as I can. I’ve been addicted to Pinterest since becoming engaged. While browsing Pinterest, I found a jar wrapped in twine. It was so simple, yet I loved the natural texture of it. I wanted to try it myself and make my own one-of-a-kind vase for a table centerpiece.

Items needed:

• Glue gun and glue
• Jar of any shape or size
• Jute or hemp twine (I used jute)
• Patience!

Recommended items:

• Wax paper
• Wood Craft stick

I gathered my materials, I happened to have a Pace Picante salsa jar on hand, so I used that. I liked the hour-glass shape. I then laid out a few pieces of wax paper. I didn’t want the glue to get stuck to my counter. Turn on and heat up the glue gun.

I then put an inch of hot glue around the base of the jar. I worked from the bottom up. I recommend starting as close to the bottom as possible. I glued an entire circle of glue around the bottom of the jar and laid the string around it and just kept circling up. I put a dab of glue about every 1/4″ or 1/2″ turn around the jar. Don’t use too much glue or it will ooze out. I just kept winding the jar around and around with dabs of glue every so often.

At one point I touched the hot glue and gave myself a nice blister on my finger- avoid that step Later I started using a wooden craft stick stick to hold the string to the glue for a second to give it a chance to adhere.

I did not cut the string at all. I didn’t want there to be any loose ends, I just kept unwinding it from the spool. My entire project was just one loooooooong strand.

The closer to the top of the jar that I got the more frequent I had to use glue as the jar tapered inwards, again, I just used a dab of hot glue. The biggest problem I had was getting the glue and the string to adhere to the top of the jar where the lid screws on.

This project took a lot more time than I expected, but I love how it turned out. I hope you like it too.

Play dough mats are a great way to work with kids on their motor skills, shape recognition, alphabet and number skills. It is also a fun activity for kids to play with on rainy days when they can’t go outside and play.

There are 2 templates provided; one is blank, and the other is Spring/Easter themed. The blank template you can use to create your own play dough mat with alphabet letters, shapes, lines, and doodles. The Spring/Easter template is ready to print and use.

Using page protectors is an inexpensive way to keep the play dough from sticking to the cardstock template. You can use lamination film, but the page protectors work just as well and then the cards can be stored in a 3 ring binder when not in use.

Downloads:

• Spring play dough mat Template
• Play dough mat Template

Play dough Recipe:

• 1 ½ – 2 Cups Flour
• 1 ½ Cup Water
• 2 TBSP Oil
• 2 TBSP Alum
• ½ cup Salt
• Food Coloring

Mix water, food coloring, salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil on high until the salt crystals have dissolved. Put flour in a bowl and add oil, Alum, and any scent (optional). Once the liquid has dissolved, pour it over the flour and mix completely. Start out with less flour, and if it’s sticky add a little bit more. Store in a closed, tight container. Will stay good for several months. If it gets dry, add a little water to it.

All of the art supplies for this project can be found at CreateForLess.com.