By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

There are so many uses for clothes pins from displaying greeting cards and Valentines to hanging up clothes. The only problem is that they’re boring. Decorating them is a great way to bring a little more pizazz into the home and you can even make them themed depending on what you’re using them for. It only takes a few materials and a little time to make any type of themed clothes pins you wish.

What you’ll need:

• Clothes pins
• Decorative paper
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Embellishments

Step 1. Cut two strips of paper that are slightly larger than each side of the clothes pin.

Step 2. Put Mod Podge on one side of the clothes pin, then press it down to the paper. Do the same for the other side. Let it dry for at least a couple of hours before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Use the scissors to carefully trim off the excess paper. Make sure not to cut the clothespin itself.

Step 4. Choose embellishments that match the paper you used. I chose red bows because I loved how it looked combined with the black and white polka dot paper.

Step 5. Use Mod Podge to attach each embellishment to one or both sides. Don’t attach it near the ends of the clothes pin; opt for the center. Press each embellishment down for a few seconds to ensure it sticks, then let it dry for a few hours without moving it.

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

What do you do with all the tons of Valentine Cards your child brings home from school? Normally they get tossed after being looked at for a day. Or they get strung through the house making a frightful mess.

Well, I have come up with a fun solution. Not only will you have a place to display your favorite Valentine cards, but you and your child can have fun making this card holder!

Oh, yes, if you were wondering… the clothes pins do still work after being attached to the cookie cutter! This Valentine card holder is adorable, pretty, and 100% functional!

What you will need:

• Clothes pins
• Heart shaped cookie cutter
• Ribbon
• Lace
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:

Place the clothes pins in a circular shape. Before gluing them, place the cookie cutter on top to assure that they all fit (as shown in photo).

Using a hot glue gun, glue the cookie cutter to the clothes pins.

For added hold glue around the cookie cutter on both the inside and outside.

Cut lace to fit both the inside and outside of the cookie cutter.

Secure the lace with the hot glue gun.

(A close up of the lace)

(A view of the backside)

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

There’s something about a beautiful gift tag; it can make even the most boring gift bag or box seem perfectly decorated. With a few materials, you can make a French heart tag that’s ideal for attaching to almost any present. It adds a sweet touch whether the gift is for your love or one of your friends.

What you’ll need:

• French book pages
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Cardstock
• Hole punch
• Heart embellishment

Step 1. Cut a rectangle out of any color cardstock you wish, just make sure it’s proportionate to the heart embellishment you chose.

Step 2. Use a very thin layer of Mod Podge to adhere the French book pages to the cardstock. I used antique French dictionary pages from a book that was broken and going to get thrown out. Quickly and carefully use your finger to smooth out all the bubbles. Give it at least an hour to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Punch a hole in the top of the tag.

Step 4. Choose any type of heart embellishment you prefer, then use Mod Podge to attach it onto the center of the tag.

Step 5. Choose a color of ribbon that matches the heart embellishment. Use Mod Podge to attach the ribbon onto all four edges of the tag, then cut another piece and tie it through the hole. Trim off any excess only after the ribbon is already dry.

If the tag starts to curl while it’s drying, place a piece of wax paper over it and put a book on top for a few hours so it dries flat.

By General Crafts Contributor Mina, from the blog Mina’s Journal.

Home is where the heart is! Why not make these Heart Houses this Valentine’s Day? All you need is paper or cardstock, scissors and glue. A quick, cute and funky project for Valentine cheer.

How to make the Heart House:

Trim around the outer lines of the house and the roof. Fold the roof in half widthwise to make the peak. Fold along the tab ends and sides of house as shown in the template.

Glue where indicated on the model. I found it better to glue the house together first, before putting on the roof. Line up the peak fold to match the top of the triangular top of the house.

Glue the roof to the tabs of one side of the Heart House. Glue the other side of the roof to the remaining side of the Heart House.

You’re done!

Ideas for Heart Houses

Make a few houses for a table centerpiece, or a shelf display.

Cut out windows, cover the inside window spaces with lunch paper. Pop the finished house over a LED light source, for night time illumination.

Download Blue Heart House

To use as a gift box glue the house onto a card base. Make it a little larger than the house and paint it green or use green card. Pop a gift inside the house before joining the roof.

Download Pink Heart House

To use the house to play with, cut along the top and bottom lines of the windows and down the middle. Fold open for shutter type windows.Cut along the top and down one side of the door. Fold door open and make paper dolls for your Heart House.

To make your own house, trace the template and design your own windows and doors, then make them up.

Have Fun! Happy Crafting!

*Design by Mina Keenan

By Craft Celebrity Mark Montano, from the blog Mark Montano’s Big Ass Blog.

How many sweaters do you have in your drawer that you really should toss but don’t because you think you might wear them again? My guess is at least three. Well, I’ve got a way to make more room in your dresser and put those sweaters to use. I guarantee these Sweeter Sweater Gloves, when made with girly sweaters in pretty colors and matching knit gloves, will not only be warm, but also very glamorous.

YOU’LL NEED:

• Sweater you’re about to toss
• Scissors (Fiskars are the BEST!)
• One pair of knit gloves
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine with matching thread (I love my BERNINA)

HERE’S HOW

Evenly cut off the sleeves of the sweater in a length you like. If you want your gloves to end at the elbow, then cut them off at the elbow. Pull the cutoff sleeves up your arms by the cuffs. The cuffs of the sweater should be tight enough to keep them in place on your upper arms. But, if they’re not, pinch them and see how much you will need to take in. Also see how much, if any, you will have to take in the sweater sleeves at the wrist. If you do need to take in the sleeves, do so by gathering the extra material along the seam of the sweater and stitching, and then cut off the excess.

Turn the sleeves inside out and place the gloves in the end that you cut off, matching up the openings (the fingers of the gloves should be pointed toward the sweater cuff end).

Place a couple of straight pins in the openings to hold the gloves in place.

Sew the raw edge of the sleeve to the opening of the glove using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you stretch the fabric while you’re sewing so that the glove opening stretches when you put them on. Turn the sleeves right side out.

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

Did you have any New Years Resolutions? I know I did! I wanted to get organized! To begin my organizing, I went through my dresser. If I had not worn it in 6 months, I tossed it. Then a big red light went off in my head! DON’T THROW AWAY those old shirts! That is perfectly good material!

Oh… the brain of a crafter!

So, I bring to you the T-Shirt Wreath! It is so simple! No sewing anything and it takes under 15 minutes! I bet you have a few shirts you’d be more than happy to sacrifice, right?

What you will need:

• 12″ Wreath mold ( I used a flat wood one, but foam works as well.)
• 2-3 t shirts or pants (soft fabrics work best)
• Scissors
• Clear craft glue
• Decorative beads or flowers

Directions:

Cut old shirts or pants into long strips. The strips should be approx. 2 inches wide and 12 inches long.

You do not need to cut the strips nice and neat. It will not matter!

Fold the strip into half and tie it around the wreath mold as shown in the photo.

Continue to tie all the fabric around the mold. I made a pattern with mine, but you can do anything. It all looks neat! Trim the edges so that all the tied pieces are about the same size. Decorate with beads or flowers.

Use a clear tacky glue to secure the beads. Tie one more piece of fabric around the top to hang it. (I used a draw string from the pajama pants I cut up.)

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

Unfortunately, we can’t always live near our significant other, but that doesn’t mean the love for each other diminishes. It’s important for your partner to know that no matter how far you are from each other, the love is still there. One cute way to provide a reminder on a constant basis is to make and give a “Love Knows No Distance” Magnet. It’s easy to make, involves using materials that would have ended up in the trash, and costs very little to make.

What you’ll need:

• Colored cardstock
• Mod Podge
• Marker
• Scissors
• Red felt
• Pencil
• Map
• Magnet sheet

Step 1. Choose the map you’d like to use as the background. One option is to use any map you have, another is to choose a map that’s specific to your location. If doing the latter, make sure your city is visible.

Step 2. Pick any colored cardstock you wish, then use the Mod Podge to adhere it to the back of the section of map you’d like to use. Give it some time to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Use a pencil to draw a heart shape on the back of the cardstock. I’m horrible at drawing hearts (one side always looks lopsided), so I printed out a template and traced it onto the back. Cut out the shape once it’s drawn perfectly.

Step 4. Peel the paper backing off the magnet sheet and stick it onto the back of the heart, then cut off the excess so the magnet covers the entire back.

Step 5. Use a black marker to write “Love Knows No Distance” across the heart.

Step 6. For a final touch, cut out a small heart shape from a piece of red felt, then use the Mod Podge to adhere it underneath the wording.

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 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 Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I love homemade ornaments; I think they really add personality to a Christmas tree. This year, make use of vintage paper materials by making ornaments out of them. You’ll save a huge amount of money, prevent paper from going into the landfill, and make sparkly personalized items for yourself or loved ones.

What you’ll need:

• Vintage music sheet
• Snowflake template
• Colored cardstock
• Scissors or craft knife
• Small hole punch
• Mod Podge
• Ribbon
• Glitter glue

Step 1. Choose a snowflake template. Cookie cutters work well. There are a variety to choose from whether you want something simple or one a little more elaborate.

Step 2. Use Mod Podge to adhere the sheet of vintage Christmas music onto cardstock. Depending on the size of the ornaments you’d like to make and the size of the sheet music, you’ll likely be able to make at least two ornaments out of each sheet of music. Give it at least an hour to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Print the snowflake template on the cardstock side, not on the paper side. Ink sometimes has a tendency to blur or bleed a bit on vintage paper, which typically doesn’t happen on cardstock.

Step 3. Either using scissors or a craft knife, cut out the snowflake shape. For the more elaborate designs, I recommend you use a craft knife as it’s much easier to maneuver than scissors.

Step 4. Punch a hole into a top section of the snowflake, then cover the ornament with glitter glue. I used green because of the green music print on the paper. Give the ornaments at least two hours to dry.

Step 5. Tie a matching ribbon through the hole.

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

My mom was the genius behind this. (Thanks, mom!) I love these stocking silverware holders, especially because they can be decorated nicely for an adult crowd or fun for a kid crowd. I used fleece to make this one, but I think making them out of linen would be a nice formal touch. Also, for a more formal version, you could use white napkins inside the stocking instead of sewing in the white fleece. So many ideas…so little time.

You need:

• Red Fleece or Felt (or linen or whatever you like!)
• White Fleece or Felt (again, up to you!)
• Ribbon
• Stocking pattern (make your own or google it)

1. Trace stocking pattern onto your red fabric, placing the straight side on the fold. I used this little green stocking for my pattern!

2. Cut stocking out.

3. Using the measurement for the width of the stocking, cut a rectangle from your white fabric that measures width x 3″.

4. Open red stocking and place white piece on the left inside of stocking. Sew directly into the stocking, close to the edge.

5. With right sides facing, sew curved side of stocking. Flip right side out.

6. Decorate with ribbons, bells, or other festive things! Insert silverware & you’re done!

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

Sometimes I just can’t resist whispering, “Score!” to myself as I leave a thrift shop. (I’ll bet I’m not the only one, either!) I did that when I found the little reading baby figurine I used for this craft. It was actually the lid of a porcelain box, but since the box itself was missing, Baby was priced at next to nothing.

Since then, I’ve watched for tiny figurines every time I’ve gone into thrift stores or wandered through estate sales, to see if I could repeat the magic, and share it with you. The answer is, Yes!

So here’s what you’ll need to do something similar:

A tiny, lightweight, figurine

• About 4″ of wire-edged ribbon (I used gold mesh, but you can use whatever appeals to you)
• Two white, multi-petal flowers with wire stems, squashed flat
• Gathered lace or ribbon
• Fishing line or gold cord, for hanging
• Glue gun and glue

Your first task it to make wings for your figurine. Lay the ribbon flat, and place the flowers atop it, near the center, each flower facing out. Twist the ribbon in the center; that will catch the flowers, and shape the ribbon into triangular “wings”.

Next, take the cord you’ve chosen for hanging your ornament, and cut it to length. Mine was about 6″, but yours might be longer or shorter, depending on the size of your figurine and how long you want the hanging loop to be. Tie a knot so you have a closed ring, and slip it under the arms of the figurine, putting the knot in back, where you’re going to attach the wings.

Hot glue the wings in place, over the knotted hanging cord. If your flattened flowers had long wire stems, like mine did, wrap them around a bamboo skewer or small crochet hook or knitting needle to form curlicues.

Now take your pre-gathered lace or ribbon, and hot glue it around the bottom of the figurine, overlapping the ends in back. Check before you glue the ribbon, to make sure it is gathered enough that it doesn’t cup too much; if it does, run a basting stitch the length of it and gather some more. Or you can scrunch it as you glue—that works, too.

All done, and ready to give to someone special or hang on your own tree. (After all, you’re special, too!)

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

When you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, the place card holders not only serve the purpose of letting guests know where to sit, they also add decoration to the place settings and can provide guests with a party favor. Creating gift box place card holders stuck into wine corks are inexpensive, decorative, eco-friendly and you can create a variety of party favors from them.

What you’ll need (for each placeholder):

• Wine cork
• Cardstock
• Scrapbook paper
• Ribbon
• Mini scallop circle punch
• Pen
• Mod Podge
• Rectangle punch
• Fabri-Tac
• Knife
• Magnet sheet (optional)
• Mini hole punch

Step 1. Choose a sheet of Christmas-themed scrapbook paper, then use Mod Podge to attach it to a sheet of cardstock. Smooth out all the air bubbles, then give it at least an hour to dry.

Step 2. Use the large rectangle punch to create your place card.

Step 3. Cut four small pieces of ribbon and use Fabri-Tac to attach them; center two vertically and two horizontally so they cross in the middle. From the same type of ribbon, make a bow and use the Fabri-Tac to attach it in the middle – place it in the appropriate direction depending on whether you want the place card vertical or horizontal. Give the ribbon at least two hours to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 4. Decide whether you want to create a magnet from the place card or an ornament.

a) To create a magnet, cut an appropriately-sized piece from the magnet sheet, then place it on the back of the place card. Cut a piece of ribbon, hole punch the mini scallop circle, then put the ribbon through and tie it to the bow.

b) To create the ornament, hold the place card so the bow faces upright, then punch a tiny hole at the top of the place card. You will be punching through ribbon, so make sure to push extra hard to ensure it goes all the way through. Cut a piece of ribbon, put it through the scallop circle, then loop it through the hole.

Step 5. Use the knife to create a slit in the wine cork. Don’t push too hard otherwise the cork will split in half. Put the place card into the slit. If the wine cork doesn’t stand upright, trim the bottom of it so it’s even.

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

Well, the holiday season is truly upon us! We wanted to share with you a simple DIY that you can make with just fruit and sugar! Sugared fruit looks so gorgeous and festive; it is just perfectly frosted and a really beautiful winter centerpiece. All you need is egg whites, sugar and winter fruit! Great fruits to use include; apples, pears, grapes, plums and oranges. (You can use Wilton’s meringue powder and water in place of egg whites if you plan to eat the fruit).

Just take a pastry brush to add the egg whites to the fruit.

When you add the sugar to the fruit be sure to sprinkle it on with a spoon, do not roll it in the sugar or it will get very clumpy.

When you are finished sugaring all of your fruit just lay them on a parchment lined cookie tray to dry for a few hours. When the fruit is dry you can pick it up and gently shake the excess sugar off. Then just arrange it any way you would like, on a pedestal or a bowl to display!

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I keep at least one mini notebook in my purse at all times, but the ones I usually come across are always plain or ugly – it’s why I prefer to decorate my own. I’ve always loved pandas, but after recently seeing a show about them, I decided making a mini panda notebook was in order. It’s incredibly easy to create, and there’s the benefit of adding any details you like whether it’s glitter or a bow. This would be a great stocking stuffer idea!

What you’ll need:

• Mini composition notebook
• Green glitter glue pen
• Thin green ribbon
• Leaf printed scrapbook paper
• Fabric glue
• Scissors
• Heavy book
• Panda embellishment
• Mod Podge

Step 1. Coat the top cover of the notebook with Mod Podge, line the leaf printed scrapbook paper flush against the black binding of the notebook, then press the paper down to remove any bubbles. Cut the paper a few millimeters away from the edge of the cover. Repeat the aforementioned directions for the back cover, then place the notebook underneath a heavy book until it dries thoroughly.

Step 2. Stand up the notebook and use the green glitter glue pen to coat the entire black binding.

Step 3. Before the glue dries, place a piece of thin green ribbon over where the paper and black binding meet on the front and back of the notebook; pull it taut so it lies flat and doesn”t bunch. Don’t worry about trimming the edges just yet. Leave the notebook standing up while it dries.

Step 4. Trim the paper and ribbon around the edge of the notebook. To flatten any edges that are sticking up, put a dot of Mod Podge on your finger and carefully go over it.

Step 5. After the notebook is thoroughly dry, cut another two small pieces of green ribbon. Take one piece, put fabric glue on the back of it and place it horizontally on the front of the notebook about 1/3 of the way from the top. Tie the other piece of green ribbon into a bow, then attach it onto the center of the horizontal piece.

Step 6. Attach the panda embellishment underneath the horizontal ribbon, then place a heavy book on top until the ribbon dries and the notebook flattens.

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

Day 3:  The Table Runner or Banner

You have table cloths, so why not just use what you already have and make it more special with a handmade runner? You don’t need a sewing machine for this one; all sewing is done by hand.

You Need:

• Felt
• Scissors
• Craft/Button Thread
• Needle
• Pins
• Fabric Pencil (optional)
• Leaf Template or Cookie Cutter (optional)

If you want, google “leaf templates” and you will have plenty of options to print for this project. You will need a bigger leaf and then littler football-shaped leaves. I used a Wilton leaf cookie cutter for my template.

Cut leaves out of felt. I used 10 “big” leaves and 6 “little” leaves. However, you can make as many as you want to make it longer, shorter, or fuller.

If desired, you can hand embroider words that represent what you are thankful for (i.e., family, friends, faith). If may be easiest to use a pencil to draw the word you want, then hand stitch over the top.

Lay out leaves in the order you like and pin together.

Using a running stitch, sew leaves together. It’s helpful to occasionally lay it out to make sure it’s straight!

If you want to make it a banner instead of a table runner, stitch a piece of hemp cord onto the ends and hang.

Project 3: Complete!

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 Blogger Sam.

I love bunting! There seems to be a huge craze for it at the moment and it isn’t hard to see why. It is beyond cute and has so many applications. I have seen it used at children’s parties and fun days, bonfire parties and weddings to great effect. So, a little while ago I decided to take the plunge and have a go at making my own paper bunting. It was so simple to make and looked great.

If you are attempting to make your own bunting for the first time, I would definitely recommend that you try your hand at the paper sort first like I did. It will help to give you a better idea of flag sizes and the spacing between flags for when you come to make your first fabric bunting. There are so many pretty papers out there that the design opportunities are endless!

You can also look to see if you can find card and paper from around your home to use. How about creating a string of bunting from newspaper to celebrate a birth? You could use the newspaper from the day the baby was born and save the bunting as a special keepsake!

When you have had a go at paper bunting and you feel that your confident enough to have a go with fabric, don’t feel that you have to go out and buy a lot of expensive cloths and materials. Simply have a look around your home for things that you can recycle such as old clothes, tea towels or bed linen. You can cut triangular flags out of these things and save yourself some money. However if you do have some spare cash then there are lots of very pretty themed fabrics that you can buy online. Packs of fat quarters that are used for quilting would work really well for this.

Quick paper bunting tutorial

You will need:

• A pack of patterned papers (scrapbooking paper packs are great for this!)
• A length of ribbon
• Double Sided Sticky Tape
• A pencil
• A guillotine
• A ruler

1. Take a piece of your paper and place it so it is pattern side down. Place your ruler across the top edge and make at mark at the half way point.

2. Line up your ruler from the left bottom corner to the pencil mark you made across the top of the paper and draw a line. You should now have a diagonal line across your paper. Do the same from the right bottom corner and you will end up with a nice triangle shape.

3. Use a guillotine to cut along the diagonal lines that you drew so that you end up with a perfect triangular flag shape. Repeat this on 5 or 6 different pieces of your paper.

4. Next place your flag with the pattern facing up and stick a length of double sided tape across the top of it. Stick your ribbon on to the double sided tape, starting with the first flag approximately 4 inches into the ribbon. Do this for each of your flags and space them a couple of centre meters apart. Make sure that you leave about another 4 inches at the end of the ribbon.

5. Tie a loop at each end of your ribbon to hang it with and voila!

Sam has been a dedicated crafter since her early teens. She loves all types of arts and crafts but especially those relating to textiles and the home. She enjoys writing about homemade textiles such as cushions, aprons and tea towels and sharing her knowledge in tutorials.

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!