Craft Project: Personalized Cork Coasters

This coaster was supposed to be made out of a recycled Christmas card but instead ended up as a stenciled cork coaster. Funny how that happens with crafts. You start out with one idea and end up with something completely different. Fortunately it's a nice "different" that makes for an easy craft project. These coasters are also relatively inexpensive to make. Simple directions below.


Supplies:
Cork board - can be found at craft stores and home improvement stores
Staz On Black Ink Pad
Pencil
Scissors
Stencil
Masking Tape

Trace circles onto cork board. I used a ramekin for my stencil. Cut out circles with scissors. Cork board is easy to cut with basic scissors.

Tape stencil to cork circle. You can buy a stencil or make your own. I chose the letter "O" for this set.


Using an eraser from a pencil, stamp it onto the ink pad and then stamp it on the cork until you fill in the stencil. Let Dry. Done.

You might be wondering if the ink will run. I was concerned about this as well. I wet the bottom of a glass and set it on the coaster for a couple hours. When I removed the glass the ink was still intact and looked just the same.

* You could also use stamps in replace of stencils.

Corn Casserole Recipe

This year for Thanksgiving I'll be making this corn casserole dish. My grandmother would often make this for the holidays and Sunday dinners. I couldn't imagine Thanksgiving without it. This casserole is not some culinary masterpiece but what I call good home cooking. Enjoy.

Corn Casserole Recipe

2 14oz cans of corn cream style
1 12oz can of evaporated milk
2 TBS butter
2TBS sugar
2TBS flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs beaten
1 cup crushed corn flakes

1. mix all ingredients except butter and corn flakes

2. Pour into a glass baking dish or small ramekins.

3. Sprinkle crushed corn flakes over the top and add butter.

4. Bake for 45 - 1hr at 350 degrees. You can either bake the dish as normal or place it in a water bath. I don't think the original recipe calls for the water bath but my grandmother says it cooks better this way. I've cooked the dish both ways and the results seem to be about the same.

* Sometimes the dish can come out a little watery at the bottom. If this happens don't worry, it will still taste just as good.

The inside texture is like a soft custard. It will not be completely solid.

Hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Craft Project: Eco Christmas Gift Wrap

A while back, a family member was complaining about the waste of Christmas wrapping paper. It got me thinking of alternatives to the paper wrapped gift boxes we often use for the holidays. So I decided I would make something sustainable that could be used again and again. After a little brainstorming, I thought up these fabric gift pouches. They can be used over and over again. You can make them in any size and they don't take up much space. Hope you'll make a few to use year after year. Enjoy.

Supplies:
Fabric - two 8 1/2" squares for outside print, two 8 1/2" squares for lining
Two 8 1/2" squares of batting
Ribbon
Sewing Needle
Thread
Velcro strip - about 4 -5 inches in length

Pin ribbon to the fabric square like the picture above. Machine sew down the sides of the ribbon to adhere it to the fabric. This will be the top of your gift pouch.

Place the print fabric up. Place the lining fabric on top so right sides are together. Last, place a batting square on top. Pin together and sew all three pieces together on one side of the square with a 1/4" seam. Make two of these.

After sewing the fabric, open it up so the print is on one side and the lining and batting is on the other side (refer to picture). Press open seams. Do this to the other one as well.

Place both sewn pieces right sides together. Sew a 1/2" seam around the edge (refer to red line). Make sure to leave an opening to turn right side out.

Turn right side out. It should now look like the picture above. Sew the small gap closed (refer to red line).

Tuck the lining into the printed fabric to form a lined bag. Your pouch should now look like this.

Pin velcro strips to the inside of the pouch. Refer to picture. Sew velcro onto the pouch.

Tie a bow with ribbon and sew it to the top of your gift pouch. Done.

* You can place gifts directly into the pouch or use a box first for fragile items such as jewelry.

Deadline: Post-It Stop Motion

Clever stop motion video using post-its.

Happy Friday.

Japanese Paper Doll Card

Awhile back I found a lovely tutorial on how to make Japanese Paper Dolls on Kimono Reincarnate. As soon as I saw the dolls, I knew exactly what to make with them, cards. Above is one of the cards I made. They're really easy to make, just head over to this tutorial and make the dolls. Then layer alternate sized paper onto a blank card and you're done.

Wouldn't these Japanese dolls look pretty covering a Christmas tree?

Craft Project: Miniature Stuffed Animals

I recently got some fabric designed by Kokka. It was so pretty that I didn't want to cut into it. Do you ever find yourself with this problem? Well, I was trying to think up the perfect project because the last thing I wanted to do was waste the fabric. As I analyzed the print, it reminded me of all those fabulous handmade stuffies. That thought translated into miniature stuffed animals for my daughter's doll house. So I made a mini stuffed animal, then another, then another and I couldn't stop! They're just so addicting. I'm already thinking of making mini ornaments, child brooches, and ponytail holders out of them as well.

Supplies:
Scissors
Thread
Tweezers
Sewing Needle
Polyfill
Fabric - I used Wonder Forest designed by Kokka

Cut out two animals with about a 1/4 inch seam around the animal. You'll want to leave a little more fabric at the bottom of the animal (refer to picture).

Place right sides together. Hand sew a running stitch around the animal (refer to picture). Make sure to leave plenty of room to turn right side out.

Turn right side out using tweezers. Stuff with polyfill. Tuck the bottom of doll inside so you can't see the raw edge. Sew closed. Done.

Kid Craft: Twinkle Pom Pom Ornament

Here's a simple, inexpensive and quick Christmas ornament for kids (and adults) to make. My four year old daughter made the one pictured above in about ten minutes. I did have to help her for one part which I share in the directions. An older child could do this completely on their own. They could even make the ornament more complex by creating a pattern with the pom poms. There's lots of possibilities with this project so get creative and have fun!

Supplies:
One styrofoam ball with a 2 inch diameter
50 small twinkle pom poms (approximately) - you could use regular pom poms as well
50 straight pins (approximately)
Ribbon

Place a pin through each twinkle pom pom. You might want to do this part yourself depending on the child's age. I did this step for my daughter.

Fold ribbon in half and tie in a knot at the bottom to make a loop. Pin the knot of the ribbon to the styrofoam ball. Cover up ribbon ends by placing the pom poms over them. Continue to push the pom pom pins into the entire ball until none of the styrofoam is showing. Done. Supervise young children when they use the pins.

Banana Magic Trick

I bet you can't tell this banana has already been cut. And if you turned it over on the other side, it would look exactly the same. So here's the story behind this. Long ago my brother received a magic trick set for his birthday. Now like a typical brother, he wouldn't let me play with anything. However, there was a book that came with the kit. Oh yes, one glorious book that I was able to get my hands on. In this book were directions on how to cut a banana while keeping the peel intact. The trick did not require any of the toys that came with the kit so I was able to try it out. It worked! To this day I've never forgotten this simple magic trick.

So, curious how this works? Ready to dazzle and amaze your children? Here's the how to.

Supplies:
One pin that has been sterilized. Make sure that it does not have a silver coating that will rub off. One banana.

Insert the pin in where you see the first dot on the right. Make sure it does not stick out the other end. Swivel the pin left to right to slice the banana. Make a slice for each dot. Remove pin. Do all of this ahead of time.


Casually grab a banana from the fruit bowl. Say some magical words "A la peanut butter sandwiches" and peel open the banana to reveal the slices.

*The banana will not be cut perfectly but it looks pretty good.

*Update - Rane suggests rubbing the pinholes with lemon so they don't brown. Thanks for the tip Rane!

Craft Project: Origami Glitter Cranes

Over the weekend I've been working on more Christmas ornaments. Above is a picture of the results, Origami Glitter Cranes. I've had this idea for awhile now but just finally got a chance to test it out. The craft came out just as I envisioned (love when that happens). The cranes are surprisingly quite elegant considering they're made with paper, glitter and glue.

Supplies:
Gold and Silver Paper - I used wrapping paper.
Gold and Silver Glitter
Glue
Acrylic Gloss Spray - can find at most craft stores
Paint brush or foam brush

* when working with glitter I recommend covering your mouth/nose with some kind of mask so you don't breath in the glitter.

How To Fold an Origami Crane on Howcast

1. First you will want to fold a crane. Here's a video that best demonstrates that. I used a 6" by 6" square for mine. Use the same color paper as the glitter you plan on using.

Once your crane is folded, paint one wing with glue. Cover in glitter. Shake off extra glitter. Continue doing this until all sections of crane are covered in glitter. You only need to cover the top of the crane with glitter. Let dry. Spray a coat or two of the acrylic gloss spray on the crane. This will help seal the glitter and prevent it from flaking off. Done.

I think these would look lovely in non traditional Christmas colors such as pink, blue and lime green. What do you think?

Craft Project: Russian Nesting Doll Card

Matryoshka Doll Card Opened

Card Closed

Today I felt like making a matryoshka doll card, for no particular reason. Sometimes it's nice to make something just for the fun of it. The hard part is finding the time. That's why I like making cards, they're quick and easy. Not to mention, all you really need is paper, scissors, and glue. This card is no different, it's quite simple to make. The most time consuming part is just the cutting.

Supplies:
Card stock with print
Tan Card stock
Scissors
Glue stick
Fine point markers in black and red

Right click, copy, and save on a 11 by 8 1/2 landscape size page. Print on the back side of printed card stock. I used my 12 by 12 scrapbook paper and just cut it down to fit in the printer.

Once you print out the template, cut it out with scissors. It should look something like this.

The back side of the card should look like this. As you can see, I cut on the outside edge of the black lines.


Accordion fold the card (refer to picture). Make sure when folding the card that the second largest doll can not be seen behind the largest doll. It just fits behind the large doll so you have to fold it just right.

Print circles out on a tan colored card stock. Draw faces as desired. Glue to all the nesting dolls. Add details with black marker. This is where you can really add your artistic spin on the dolls. You could also add glitter, lace, gold paint, anything really. Have fun.

*This card stands nicely on it's own (sorry no picture).