We’re so excited to introduce our newly redesigned CreateForLess website! After months of planning, the day has finally arrived to share our brand new look and features with you. Many of the changes we made came from your comments and suggestions, and we wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

We’ve been working hard to bring you a cleaner and updated look and feel. And now you can finally buy just 1 item, no more purchase multiple requirements! But you can still buy in bulk and save, with our bulk quantity discounts. What hasn’t changed is our large selection, everyday low prices and commitment to offering an easy online shopping experience.

We hope you love the new design as much as we do. Take a look and tell us what you think about our new site. We’d love to hear your feedback, as we’re constantly looking to improve your shopping experience.

Happy Crafting!

The CreateForLess Team

By Dondi Richardson from the FloraCraft Make It: Fun Blog.

This Styrofoam glider is a fun weekend project to do with your kids. (Get them into crafting earlier!) Project includes a template for the glider. Easy to make and fun to decorate, plus you can see how far it will fly!

Supplies:

FloraCraft Foam: Four – Sheets, ½”x12″x12″

Other Materials:

• Acrylic Paint
• Dimensional Fabric Paint
• Toothpicks
• Glider Template

Tools:

• Design It: Foam Cutter or Serrated Knife
• Low-Temp Glue Gun and glue sticks
• Paint Brushes: wide flat brush and detailing brush
• Paper (for templates)
• Black Marker
• ½” Sequin Pins

Instructions

1. Print and enlarge the templates to size needed. Hint: You can use a photocopier to copy and enlarge templates.
2. Pin the templates to the sheets of foam and trace with black marker: one body, two wings, two tail wings and one tail fin.
3. Remove the templates and cut out the plane parts using the foam cutter.
4. Use the scrap pieces of foam like a sanding block to “sand” the square edges of the foam parts smooth, making it look more authentic.
5. Glue the parts together, inserting toothpicks between the parts for a more secure bond.
6. Paint desired colors and let dry completely.

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 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!

Congratulations to Stephanie who was randomly selected as our Free Stuff Friday winner and will receive an assorted pack of sizes and colors of Bazzill Cardstock!

Bazzill Cardstock is here to help you create beautifully colored cards, invitations, scrapbook pages, memory albums, journals, and more. Each sheet is acid-free.

Stephanie’s winning answer to “Did you wake up early for Black Friday shopping?” was…

“Nope, I Wish I Would Have Slept. But Have Been Up All Day Waiting For These Sales! But Its A Mad House!”

By Guest Blogger Melissa, from the blog Melomomma.

My son’s teacher assigned a family craft! We were to make an animal entirely out of leaves. It took a little thought from the four of us, but with a little guidance my son designed Rahh, the lion! Have fun and be creative!!!

What you will need:

• Newspaper
• Leaves
• Cardboard
• Heavy books
• Scissors
• Glue

Directions:

1. Gather several different shapes of leaves.
2. Open a heavy book in the center and line the pages with newspaper.
3. Place the leaves on top of the newspaper. Be careful that the leaves do not touch.
4. Place newspaper on top of the leaves and close the book.
5. Repeat until al the leaves have a safe spot in the books.
6. Allow approx. 5 days to dry.
7. Remove the leaves from the books and design your leaf animal or creature.

It may be helpful to draw an outline before placing the leaves on to the cardboard.

I also recommend designing the creature and laying the leaves in place prior to to actually gluing them on.

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

We are in love with paper flowers of any sort. These crepe paper flowers are so perfectly lovely. They are so versatile and can be used in so many different ways, and the best part…they don’t wilt! These are so easy to make you won’t believe it! We can not wait to show you how we used them!

All you need is crepe paper and hot glue…we layered the crepe paper with two colors to add some depth. The length of crepe paper you need just depends on how big you want your flowers to be. After you have both colors of crepe paper cut and layered just accordion fold them.

Then just take your crepe paper and start to wrap it around and start forming your flower. Then just put a dab of hot glue at the bottom every couple of inches, just to hold the flower in place.You can start to pull the top back a little to open the flower up as you go as well. After you have completely wrapped with flower around you can form it to be as open or closed as you want it.

So simple and so pretty aren’t they! The color combinations are endless as are the possibilities of how you can use them!

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.

Welcome our newest blogger, Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the site “Crayonbox Learning”.

Teaching children how to spell can be as easy as playing a game. For many young children, hands on activities work best for reinforcing skills. The Apple Magnet Game is perfect for use in learning centers, waiting at the Dr. office, or when you are traveling.

Materials needed:

• Cardstock
• Printable Magnet Paper (or magnet tape)
• Printable Apple Template (included below)
• Lamination Film (optional)
• A recycled tin lid or small cookie sheet
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Binder ring

Apple Maget Game Black & White

Project takes approximately 30 minutes to print, cut, and assemble.

Directions - There are 2 parts to make the Apple Magnet Game:

Part 1 is the apple ring book. The printable apple ringbook template is printed onto cardstock. The template provided is sized to allow for 2 apple ringbook pages per 8 x 11 sheet of cardstock. This size is perfect for little hands. Lamination is recommended for durability of the pieces. The individual book pages are cut out and a hole punched in the upper corner. The last step is to add a binder clip to the ringbook. This allows each page to turn easily, and withstand a lot of wear.

 Part 2 is the magnetic apple alphabet letters. For this portion of the project, I used the printable magnet paper by Avery which can be purchased from CreateForLess. The magnet paper is white on one side, and magnet on the other. Magnet paper is approximately the same thickness as card stock, and it prints similarly on the white side. The apple alphabet lowercase letter template was printed onto the magnet paper, and then cut out into individual pieces.

(Note: If you don’t have access to the printable magnet paper, you can print the letters onto card stock and use magnet tape or coins for a similar result.)

Once the magnetic apple letters are cut out, and the apple ringbook is assembled, it’s ready for use. The object of the Apple Alphabet Magnet game is for the children spell out the words written in the apple ringbook using the magnet letters. Because the alphabet letters are magnetic, they will stick to a tin lid, cookie sheet, or even the side of a refrigerator. For my example, I used the lid from a candy tin that was approximately 8 x 8. It worked perfectly. This activity can be re-created using different themes and with words with more letters.

All of the supplies needed for this project can be purchased from CreateForLess!

By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

Sensory bins or tables are a great project for those with small children. Letting your little ones pour, scoop and play with different textured grains or pebbles has many educational benefits (plus, it’s just plain fun!) and this rainbow rice takes it up a notch by adding color play into the game.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• White rice
• Food coloring
• Rubbing alcohol
• Zip-close baggies

1. Divide your rice evenly between the bags, For small batches, 1/2 cup fits well into snack sized baggies.

2. Fill each baggie with enough rubbing alcohol to make each grain wet without flooding the rice.

3. Add several drops of food color to each bag, try different combinations of colors to achieve different shades (this is an excellent chance to do a color blending lesson!)

4. Zip each bag closed, pushing as much air as possible out as you go. Massage the bags to blend the color and evenly distribute it through the rice.

5. Let the rice sit in the colored alcohol for 10-15 minutes.

6. One at a time, drain the baggies of rice through a colander or screen and spread out onto paper towels to dry.

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

I spent yesterday afternoon making my first three Dotee dolls, and what fun that was! Have you heard of them? They were invented by a lady in Australia named Dot, and they’re becoming quite the rage, especially for swapping. (Click here to see more dotees)

I was charmed by them right off the bat, and also love that they take so little in the way of materials or even skill. In fact, this would be a great craft to do with a child—a fun way to learn basics like sewing on a button, stuffing a small toy, with a reward at the end in the form of a new toy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scraps of fabric, roughly 8″ to 10″ square
• A bit of white, cream, or tan fabric for the face
• Trims for hair (optional)
• Dangly bits—those earrings from the ’80′s you held onto work well
• Odd bits and buttons you might use
• Pens, crayons, etc., for drawing the face
• Glue, needle & thread, scissors, fusible interfacing, etc.

The simplest dotees are rectangular, with no arms, legs, or even hair. They always have a hanger at the top, and a dangle at the bottom. Well, actually the dangle is optional, too!

To get started, decide about how big you want your dotee to be. Try a rectangular one first—you can make shaped ones next. Cut a two pieces of fabric the size of the doll you have in mind, plus half an inch seam allowance all around, plus about an inch more to allow for the “shrinkage” that will happen when you stuff it. If you like, round the top of the rectangles.

Now cut a circle of the white/cream/tan fabric for the face. You might want to cut a paper circle first, to gauge size. Draw a face on the circle. I used an ink pen, a fine-tip marker, and fabric crayons to draw mine. Use what you have—it’s all good!

Cut a bit of fusible interfacing the same size as the circle, and iron the face in position on the front of your rectangle.

Now sew the rectangles together, right sides facing. Leave a gap at the bottom for stuffing. Clip any curves, and trim the corners, and turn right side out. Stuff lightly, and blind stitch the opening.

If you aren’t going to put hair on your doll sew the hanger into the seam. If your doll will have hair, you can cut a length of string, tie a knot to make a loop, and sew where the hair will cover the knot.

For Plaidy Lady, I used a short length of upholstery fringe for her hair, with a button sewed to each end, and sewed it around her face, going right through the doll, and putting a French knot in several places just for pretty. I also added a bit from a broken necklace, to hand down in front. Here’s the back:

You could also just glue the fringe in place, which is what I did with the two other dotees.

Now choose a dangle—a dangly earring, a bit of a bracelet, etc.—or create your own. Sew or glue it to the bottom of your doll. If you like, cover the place where it’s attached with a button. (I put buttons on the front and back, both.)

Like many crafts, I think the instructions make these dolls sound harder to make than they actually are. Here’s the truth of the matter: I looked at pictures of a bunch of dotees, and just started making them. It’s that easy, and I think you’ll think so, too, once you’ve tried one!

By Guest Blogger Wendy, from the blog “Ramblings from…The Sunshine State”.

Things are slowly coming along for my daughter’s rainbow birthday party. I managed to get the wreath done, now I’m getting ready to work on her t-shirt. Lots to do still! But I want to go ahead & share the wreath. I started with a wreath form, some batting & tacky glue.

I cut strips out of the batting (doesn’t need to be perfect) and wrapped it all around the wreath.

This is what you will end up with.

I used this super soft baby yarn. It has 110 yards & was less than $3. I knew this would cover it & I wasn’t looking to spend much on this.

I don’t have any photos of making the flowers, I was kind of playing with them as I went. At the time I wasn’t 100% positive what I wanted to do. But the flowers are easy. Just cut a spiral in the felt & roll it up. I used a little hot glue to secure them together.

I haven’t decided if I am going to make another bunting for this party (I made one for all three parties last year), so I wanted to add one to the wreath. It’s just triangles of felt, glued together.

I strung them on a piece of baker’s twine.

And here is the end result! I think it turned out pretty cute! I might hang it in their bedroom when the party is over, not sure yet.

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

We just love these tissue paper flower cupcake picks, they are so pretty and dainty and can be made in any color combination. We also love that they can be clustered on a cake or placed individually on cupcakes for a beautiful, festive presentation!

Materials:

• Tissue paper, any color you wish
• Scissors
• Flat top wooden picks
• Hot glue gun/glue
• 1/8″ wide ribbon

Layer 6-8 sheets of tissue paper. Cut out a 2×2″ square. Fold the squares into quarters. Hold the folded tissue at the folded point.

Starting on one side, cut around to make a petal shape, being careful not to cut too close to the point. You can make your petals pointed, rounded, or any shape you wish!

Unfold the tissue and layer the flower shapes on top of each other, staggering the petals.

Poke a hole in the middle of the stacked flower. I have this wonderful little punch that makes a tiny hole, but a pin or even the end of the pick will do just fine. Slide the pick into the hole, leaving room at the top of the pick.

Place a dot of hot glue onto the end of the pick and let it drip down a bit.

Squeeze all of the layers of the tissue flower from the bottom and hold for 10 seconds or so.

Fluff and carefully separate the layers.

Tie ribbon underneath the flower, to help keep it in place. If you choose you could even create a two toned flower by using two different colors of tissue paper.

By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

I usually only wear my wedding ring but it’s nice, at times, to have something pretty for my other fingers and this initial ring is just the thing.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 12 gauge wire
• Wire cutters and shapers
• Scrap paper and pen
• Pen or marker about as big around as your finger

1. On the scrap of paper, write the letter you want in cursive.

2. Cut a 5 inch piece of wire.

3. Using your wire shaper, bend the wire to follow the shape of the letter.

4. Center the letter on the pen and wrap the ends around so that they overlap by 1/2 inch. Trim off the excess and smooth the ends.

5. Crimp at the places where the wire crosses to accentuate the letter.

6. Slide on your finger to adjust the size.

 By Guest Blogger Vicky, from the blog “Alpha Design”.

In January this year I was overjoyed when my niece gave birth to a little baby girl. There was a rush within the family to buy presents for this new addition and I saw many of them giving things like clothes and toys but I wanted to do do something a bit different. Something that marked her birth and would be a keepsake for her in years to come. So, I decided that I would paint her a canvas with her name and birth date on it.

I looked online for ideas and after much deliberation I decided that I would use an owl theme. I know from my card making that Owls are very on trend at the moment and so this seemed like a good choice. I created a mental picture of what I wanted it to look like and went out to a local craft shop to buy a canvas. I got a small square canvas and then I went to my local DIY store where I bought a number of paint tester pots. Acrylic paints soon add up in price and so this seemed like a great way to save some cash.

After all of this, I armed myself with a paintbrush and just went for it. I had only previously painted two canvases before this and so this seemed like quite a big task of myself. Eventually (after a few weeks of hard work!) I finished my picture. I used raised paints that come in a nozzled tube to add the writing and the rest of the picture is just done with my tester pots. I added the buttons on as eyes to make it a little more 3dimensional and interesting.

I hope to do much more painting as I really enjoyed the whole experience. Here are a couple of things I learned along the way:

• It is best to draw out the picture you see in your head and keep it next to you the whole time. I also kept a few example pictures that I found on the internet with me too.
• If you are going to mix your own colors then make sure that you have more than enough. There were a couple of times when I got into a bit of a panic because I thought that the color I had mixed would run out!
• Have a break in order to refocus. After sitting for a few hours you can get quite tired and a bit bleary eyed. I found that I painted much better when I had regular breaks and a chocolate biscuit!
• Practice writing in paint on a piece of paper first so that you get it right on the canvas!

My niece really liked the unique present and it will look great on her pink bedroom wall!

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

It’s an easy 20 minute project that allows you to use up the ever-growing scrap pile (and don’t tell anyone: you don’t have to sew a stitch!)

You need:

• Scrap fabric: doesn’t have to match, but you need to be able to have some longer pieces
• 1 square of felt
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Headband

First, Tear a few long strips of scrap fabric. The best pieces are about 1.5″ x 12″, although I used different widths and lengths. You can cut it if you prefer, but tearing it gives it the look I want!

For The “Flowers”:

1. Heat up your glue gun.

2. Beginning with one stip of fabric, begin to twist the fabric while rolling it up. I suggest using a dot of glue in the middle and then about once every roll.

3. Repeat making 3 “flowers”.

4. With a piece of coordinating felt, cut 3 circles the same size as your flowers.

5. Glue your flowers to the felt pieces. This will help keep them together and secure when you put them on the headband.

For the Headband:

1. Take a regular headband & a long strip of your fabric. Starting at the end, start twisting your fabric around the headband, gluing it conservatively. Make sure you tack both ends with glue.

2. Arrange the flowers on the on the headband & glue them in place.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I absolutely love bright color party decorations – they always seem to fill the room with even more energy. I usually like to make them myself so I can customize them and it’s typically a lot cheaper than buying them.

I found some extra neon paper and took the opportunity to make some large, bright decorations that I can use for an upcoming party. They definitely brighten up the room.

What you’ll need:

Neon paper
Mod Podge for paper
Two large paperclips
Wide ribbon
White scalloped edge circle
Embellishment
Heavy book

Step 1: Choose four different color neon papers and with the short side facing you, fold each one as if you were making a paper fan. Each fold should be slightly less than an inch wide.

Step 2. Take each folded paper, pinch it in the middle and fold it in half so you create a smaller version of a fan; use the Mod Podge to adhere both halves together. To give it enough time to dry correctly, place each one under a heavy book.

Step 3. When all four are finished, glue them together side-by-side, then while they’re folded (similar to a flattened accordion), put it under the heavy book for an hour so it can dry properly.

Step 4. After it dries, slowly open it up and pull either end toward each other until they come together and the four fans form a circle. Paperclip it closed in the back. This gives you the ability to fold it back up after you’re done using it so it stores without getting ruined or taking up too much space.

Step 5. Adhere a white scalloped edge circle over the center where the four points of the fans meet. Attach an embellishment on top of it.

Step 6. Cut a long piece of wide ribbon and glue both ends on either side of one of the folds on the back – choose any fold except for the main one so you can still close the decoration up to put it away without having to remove the ribbon.

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

Rosettes are all over the place right now, and no wonder—they’re so pretty! Useful, too, on clothing, cards, hats, jewelry, home decor—wherever you want a striking, and somewhat three-dimensional decoration.

I’ve been playing with the paper variety lately, and have come up with a way to make them that I think is pretty easy.

To make your own, you’ll need:

• Pretty paper, with a bit of body to it—scrapbooking paper, music sheets, heavy magazine pages, etc.
• A sturdy needle and thread
• A sewing machine, or other piercing instrument, such as a push pin
• Decorative “toppings”

Start by cutting a strip of the paper you’ve chosen. It should be half as wide and at least four times as long as the diameter rosette you want to make. The longer you make your strip of paper, the more “ruffle” will be left at the outer edge of the rosette.

Now, at first, when I tried making these, I just sat and pleated the strip of paper, and then joined the ends of the paper, and it did work, but the paper was so like a spring, it kept leaping from my fingers, and sproinging itself into unwanted shapes! So I did this:

You can see two rows of punches along the edges. I ran the strip through the sewing machine, without thread. The more closely spaced set of holes is what the machine did on the longest stitch length, but that seemed too small a spacing. On the other set, I put the machine on the longest length stitch, and the widest zigzag it would do, and then fed the paper through, letting the needle go through the paper only on one side of the zigzag, which worked nicely.

A sewing machine is quick and easy, but if you don’t have one, use a push pin. Laying the strip alongside a ruler, or on graph paper, will help you get even spacing.

The next step was to take a nice big needle and, using good strong thread, do a running stitch through the punched holes:

As you can see, the paper begins to pleat itself as the needle goes through. Squish the pleats together while they’re still on the needle, and then slide the paper off, doing that until you’ve reached the end of the strip. If you wait to do the pleating until afterwards, it will be harder to get the folds exactly the same width.

Now, carefully pull the thread tight, until the ends of the pleated paper meet each other, putting the needle through at least the first several holes again. I went all the way around again, just for the added strength:

Surprisingly, I found it wasn’t necessary to glue the ends of the paper together, but you may want to.

Secure your rosette by taking several stitches across the center in two or three directions, slipping the needle under the thread going through the paper.

Turn the rosette over, and top with your adornment of choice:

Want to play some more? Vary the width of your paper strip. Here you see what happens when your strip is scalloped on one edge, and an oval (egg!) shape made by using a strip that is twice as wide in the middle as it is on the ends:

It’s Spring! What will you find to use your colorful embellishments on?

By Guest Blogger Noel, from the blog “Stamping with Noel”.

Looking for handmade gift ideas for children? Or for a mom with children of various ages? Or a grandparent with school age grandchildren? I have an idea for you.

For many years I have carried dice in my backpack when traveling. When my oldest was in kindergarten, I found a collection of games to play with those dice for both younger (3-5 years old) and older children (5 and up). These are learning games that first teach counting, them number recognition, followed by simple and advanced mathematics. I printed them out and gathered up a collection of counters and dice and stuffed them all in a large ziplock bag. Those games have been played in Scotland, France, Italy, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia and innumerable other places. We have played them as a family and also brought other families into the fun.

BUT, that ziploc bag was an eyesore and a little unwieldy, so over a year ago I came up with a better solution. This box was made with an empty HodgePodge Hardware tin seen here (Green Craft idea: it is always better, more convenient and less expensive to Reduce, Reuse, Recyle! Before you go out and buy a tin, see what you have around the house to use).

Step by step instructions for this handmade gift idea:

1. Mask off the center of the tin with painters tape
2. Paint it with artist’s gesso and acrylic paint
3. Apply rub-ons
4. Line the inside of the tin with a piece of foam to muffle the sound of the rolling dice when sitting in a quieter restaurant – even with this measure, I would still refrain from playing this at a fancy establishment, it works much better outdoors at a bistro or park!
5. Print games instructions on small pieces of cardstock (several to a full sheet and then cut down), color coded (differentiating the games for younger children from those for older children).
6. Add small pens and notepads for score keeping
7. Collect small items to use as counters and markers when necessary – I collected items already in my home, but the Designer Button collections form Stampin’ Up! would give you a colorful array.

This handmade game box is compact, hard sided and fits in all of my day packs during travel. I was so pleased with my results that I made a second set to gift my younger brother and his son.

But as I post this, I realize this tin could be used for a great handmade gift idea for adults as well. Wouldn’t this tin work nicely for a traveling stationery set? Just add hand stamped post cards and note paper with envelopes, stamps, a nice pen, and a small address book. Everything would be tucked inside before you leave home. Then, along the way, you could add your purchased souvenir postcards as well – keeping them from getting too beat up, and solving the ‘which book did I put those in’ delimna. Yes, I think I need to make one of these for myself!

The best handmade gift ideas are often functional items – and often are derived from your own personal needs.

Happy Crafting,

Noel

By Guest Blogger, Brianna Davis.

We love a good party favor, but there’s no doubt that they can get pricey, especially if you have a hefty list of party guests. Luckily, bloggers are coming up with new ways to gift party-goers with trinkets and tasty treats for weddings, birthday parties and other get-togethers on your social calendar.

DIY Party Favors for Weddings

DIY weddings party favors have taken over the world of wedding blogs. That vintage touch is easy to achieve when you have the right materials, so read on for DIY ideas for wedding party favors.

1. Charlotte’s Fancy – Creative Party Favors If your wedding will go into the wee hours of the night, this goodbye package of doughnuts and milk will be the perfect thing to hit the spot of guests who’ve danced the night away. It’s a fairly inexpensive project you can DIY with the help of a few friends and family members and takes minimal skill, so if you aren’ that crafty there’s no need to fret.

2. Giver’s Log – DIY Hot Chocolate on a Stick Wedding Favors Keep your guests energized with a sugar fix. These DIY hot chocolate on a stick project is simple for those who know their way around the kitchen and can be made in large batches. It’s also a very cheap project that you can knock out within a few hours and then move on to other wedding plans.

3. My DIY Wedding Favors – Tea Party Favors Give your wedding guests a few tea sachets to help them unwind after the big day. The tea bags can be bunched in a tulle sachet or simply tied together with a ribbon that coincides with the colors for the wedding.

4. Do It Yourself Weddings – DIY Candles Wedding Favors If you’re looking for a DIY bonding experience for your family and bridesmaids, whipping up DIY candles will do the trick. Making your own candles is a lot easier than it sounds. You can choose the colors and scents and create DIY stick-on labels emblazoned with the bride and groom’s names or a love quote or quote from one of the couple’s favorite songs.

5. DIY Wedding Planning – Sweets in a Jar If you need a simple, fast DIY party favor, look to these jars with sweets inside. You can fill jars with candy or baked goods and you instantly have a sleek, attractive DIY wedding favor that can be adorned a custom label and ribbons that coordinate with the wedding’s colors.

6. Ruffled Blog – DIY Ribbon Wands Wedding Sendoff If you’re over the rice or bubbles for the sendoff at the end of a wedding, consider these DIY ribbon wands. This is a simple project that can be done months in advance so you aren’t scrambling to finish up at the last minute. A mix of colors works well for festive pictures.

7. Whimsy Girl – Oreo Truffles Wedding guests will say yum to these delicious truffles. Making candy is very simple and when you have a lot of hands involved, the work goes by in a flash. The icing looks classic in white, but feel free to incorporate icing in the color of your wedding too. Truffles can be bundled in bags or put into small jars in conjunction with the DIY project mentioned in this article.

8. My Cakies – DIY Cupcake in a Jar Guests will adore these jars of layered cakes and frosting. You can choose trendy flavors like red velvet or dark forest chocolate or go classic with vanilla. This is an easy project that anyone can do since it takes basic baking skills and no one says you have to make the cupcakes from scratch. If you aren’t good at baking, boxed baked goods are your friend and no one will mind once they’re digging in to these cute party favors.

9. DIY Wedding Planning Guide – Glitterati of Cupcakes If you’re comfortable in the kitchen and looking for a major wow factor, these cupcakes are the perfect way to add bling to your wedding. These glitzy cupcakes can be handed out to guests as they leave or made available for noshing after the cake has been cut and folks are looking for something to munch on. They’re different from basic cupcakes because it’s all in the decorating details. The majority of the work comes in when decorating the cupcake wrapper.

10. Green Wedding Shoes – DIY Cupcake Topping Bar What better way to get your guests in the DIY action than with a cupcake topping bar? You and your wedding party do the dirty work and create a slue of cupcakes with very little frosting on top. Then set out an array of fresh berries and syrups for guests to top their cupcakes with.