Christmas Trash To Treasure: Part II

Use your wrapping paper rolls for storing, kid's artwork, posters, and small scraps of wrapping paper. Instead of recycling your wrapping paper rolls, turn them into storage containers. Here's the how to:

Supplies:
Empty wrapping paper roll
Scissors
Hot glue
One rubber band
Small piece of decorative paper or fabric

At one end of the roll, make cuts about a 1/2 inch in length about an inch apart. Refer to picture.

Fold the sections in which will overlap each other.


Hot glue the sections together. This will be the bottom of the canister.


Place items in the canister.

For the top of the canister, make it the same as you did for the bottom minus the hot glue. Instead, place a piece of paper over the top and secure with a rubber band. The decorative paper holds the folded sections down to keep your items secure inside.

Christmas Trash To Treasure

One of the unfortunate things about the holidays is all the trash it leaves behind. That's why I'm always on the lookout out for new uses of cast away items. For example, the picture above is a candy mold that I salvaged from one of those cheap advent calendars. Once I tore away the cardboard exterior, I discovered a plastic candy mold with twenty-four unique molds! I'll save the candy mold to make chocolates and sugar shapes for next year.

Here's the kind of advent calendar I'm referring to.

What the advent calendar looks like when you tear away the cardboard.

Close up of one of the candy molds.

Come back later in the week to see what I'm doing with cardboard wrapping paper rolls.

Guerrilla Handbell Video

Guerrilla Handbell Video by Improv Everywhere

Background of Video: "For our latest mission, a 13-member handbell choir provided some unexpected accompaniment for a Salvation Army bell ringer on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan."

If you haven't seen the site Improv Everywhere, you have to check it out. But I'll warn you, it's highly addictive. I think I watched 10 missions in one sitting! Here's how Improv Everywhere describes what they do:

Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 100 missions involving tens of thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City

Recipe: Ice Cream Snowballs

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is ice cream snowballs. Every year my Grandma would have a large spread of hors d'oeuvres for Christmas Eve. For dessert she would turn the lights low and bring out the snow balls. Now, I'm passing the tradition onto my children and serving snowballs this year. We used to buy them, but I've found very few stores carry them anymore. So this year I'm making the ice cream snowballs. Enjoy!

Ice Cream Snowball Recipe

Ingredients:
Vanilla Ice Cream
Shredded Coconut - sweetened or unsweetened
Wax Paper
Birthday Candles - traditionally they've always been red but all they had was green at the store
Plastic Holly Picks - I purchased the picks at Bake It Pretty. I realize mine our mushrooms, I just couldn't resist. You can substitute the picks with fresh mint leaves if you like.

Lay out a large piece of wax paper. Place ice cream in the center forming a log shape. Fold the wax paper in half and roll it so it becomes one solid log. Place back in the freezer, about 20 minutes.

Take out of freezer. Cut the log into 2 inch length pieces. The circumference of the cylinders should be about 1 1/2". Coat in shredded coconut. Individually wrap in wax paper and freeze.

When ready to serve, pull out of freezer. Place a candle in the center of each snowball then add a holly pick. Light and serve. Done.

Save your holly picks for next year.

Deck The Halls with Japanese Masking Tape

Everywhere I look I'm seeing Japanese masking tape and more creative uses for it. I blogged about it a while back but I figure it's worth a revisit. Especially now, since it's so easy to find and buy online. Below you'll find a few projects to make with the tape. Also included our directions on how to create the package above.

Supplies:
Decorative Edge Scissors
Japanese Masking Tape
Cellophane Bag
Ornament ( optional)

Cut out two strips of masking tape the length of the opening of the bag. Trim the edges with decorative scissors. Place the tape on the bottom of the bag so half of it's hanging off. Fold the tape that's hanging off over to the other side. Fill bag with contents. Tape ornament to the top. Place the other strip of masking tape on top of the bag just like you did for the bottom. Done.

Here are a few more ideas to get you inspired.

Masking Tape Christmas Tree by MT

Masking Tape Picture Frame by Decor8

Masking Tape Clothespins by Whisker Graphics

Gift Wrap by Country Living

Interview with Rashida Coleman-Hale (Author of I Love Patchwork)

Rashida Coleman-Hale is the author of the new craft book, I Love Patchwork: 21 irresistible zakka projects to sew. You might also be familiar with Rashida from her lovely blog, I Love Linen. There she shares her love of sewing intertwined with life. Along with the blog, Rashida also has an online shop where she sells her handmade items.

I got a chance to interview Rashida for her book tour. Here's what she had to say:

Placemat & Napkin Set

Tell us a little about yourself. When did you first start sewing?

Rashida: I'm a married stay at home mommy of two under 3 with another on the way (He's due February 27 th). That's me in a nutshell! I started to sew when I was about 12 years old. My mother sat me down in front of the machine one Summer and taught me how to sew. I remember going with her to Joann's for the first time. She made me pick out a pattern, fabric, and notions. It was the ugliest jumpsuit ever, but I was so proud that I had made it! I was hooked and ended up studying Fashion Design at FIT in New York, where my sewing skills became a little more refined.

What does the word "Zakka" mean to you?

Rashida:I think the term 'Zakka' has evolved so much over the years since it's popularity has grown here in the US. I see Zakka as more of an aesthetic than an actual object. The styling, the fabric combination, and embellishments all help to make handmade Zakka a functional yet pleasing to look at item.

Blossom Pincushion

What was your inspiration for "I Love Patchwork" ?

Rashida: My work is hugely influenced and inspired by the Japanese Sewing Books that have become so popular. I've collected quite a few. The designs in these books are amazing and every detail is well thought out and beautifully executed. I wanted 'I Love Patchwork' to be a sort of 'Japanese' sewing book, but in English.

What is your favorite project in the book and why?

Rashida: The button calendar has to be my absolute favorite. As I mentioned in the book, the idea came to me in the middle of the night and I had to jump out of bed and start making it right away. I'm not a fan of making things that will just collect dust. I like everything to be useful in some way. I love that you can use the calendar over and over again. If you get tired of the colors, just whip up a new one! It's also a great project for using up some of those scraps we all have stashed away.

Button Calendar

Is there anything else you want people to know about, "I Love Patchwork".

Rashida: 'I Love Patchwork' is all about self expression. Have fun with it! Play with color combinations, prints, linen, don't be afraid to experiment to come up with beautiful and innovative designs for your projects. Buy the book and you'll see!

Book Tour Schedule

Monday, December 21:
Meg on Craftsanity (podcast interview)
Rashida on Craft Critique (interview and book review)

Tuesday, December 22:
Rashida on all buttoned up (interview)

Wednesday, December 23:
Meg on maya*made (interview)

Thursday, December 24:
Designer-to-Designer: Rashida and Meg interview each other on http://www.sewliberated.typepad.com and http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com

Craft Project: Sea Glass Christmas Ornament

Perhaps for the want of warmer weather, I got out the jar of sea glass. With no particular idea in mind, I began to piece the glass together like a puzzle. And before I knew it, an ornament unfolded before my eyes.

Supplies:
Small pieces of Sea Glass - the ones in the picture above are amount 1/4 - 1/2 inches in diameter. May be purchased at craft stores.
Glue - I used Ecoglue for this project. The most important thing is you want an extra strength glue that dries clear.
Jewelry Bail
Wax paper

Mix and match pieces to get the best fit for your wreath, much like a puzzle. You want the flat sides to touch so you can glue it together.

Once you have your pieces laid out it's time to glue. Take one piece out of the composition and add glue to the side.

Glue to the next piece. Continue to do this until all the sea glass is glued together. Make sure all the bonds are as tight as possible. Carefully wipe away any glue that is showing on the top of the glass.

Glue the bail onto the back of the ornament. Let dry for a full day.

In The Press Again!

Eco Gift Pouch Tutorial

I was fortunate to be included in the story "Craft the Bag to Add Something Extra to Your Gift" by Jennifer Forker for the Associated Press. The article offers alternatives to the usual paper gift wrap with a focus on green gift wrapping. There's even a tutorial on how to make an easy Christmas Drawstring bag. You can find the article on the ABC news site, click here to read.

Christmas Craft's Roundup

Mizuihiki Knots for Gift Bows

Today I thought I would share a few of my favorite crafts from around the web. Some are from recent months and others have been around for a while. Happy Holiday Crafting.

DECORATE
Elf Clog Ornament
Elf Embroidery Patterns

Fabric Pom Poms
Ice Doilies
Paper Train Paper Craft
Polaroid Onraments
Tomorrow Land Trees
Yarn Gift Tag
Zakka Style Owl Pennant

GIVE
Bottle Stoppers
Easy Fringe Fleece Scarf
Elf Slippers
Felt Cookies
Fold a dollar into a Christmas Tree
Handmade Santa Plate
How To Make Your Own Cookie Cutters
Mouse Pincushion
Reusable fabric coffee sleeves

Craft Project: Snow Baby Ornament

I've been having a lot of fun creating new Christmas ornaments lately. This is my latest creation, Snow Baby. She's very easy to make and made with the most humble supplies. You could easily create a boy version as well. Just exclude the bow and make a blue scarf instead. This also might be nice for a "Baby's first Christmas ornament". Directions below as always.

Supplies:
Embroidery Thread - Brown
Fabric Glue
Felt - Pink, Brown, and Tan
Sewing Needle
Yarn - White
First you will need to make two pom poms about the size of golf balls. One should be slightly bigger than the other one. For the larger pom pom you will want to create two long tails for it when you make it. For directions on how to make a pom pom, click here.

Once you have your pom poms made, cut out a tan felt circle slightly smaller than the smaller pom pom (refer to picture). Cut out hair and a bow. Glue on hair with fabric glue. Now embroider on the eyes and mouth. Last, glue on the bow. Set aside.

Next thread the yarn tail on a tapestry needle and pull it through the center of the small pom pom. Repeat with the other tail. This will secure your two pom poms together. I also recommend adding a little glue between them for extra durability. Last, tie the two tails together at the top to make a loop for hanging the ornament on the tree.

Flatten the top pom pom, and glue the face on. Cut out a small strip of pink felt with pinking shears for the scarf. Wrap the scarf between the two pom poms and glue. Done.

*If you decide to make this as a "Baby's First Christmas Ornament", you might want to embroider the year on the scarf.

How To Make Collar Stays from Gift Cards

The collar stay is perhaps one of the most overlooked accessories for men. Collar stays often come with dress shirts and their purpose is to keep the collar straight and crisp. Underneath the collar of a dress shirt is a small pocket perfectly shaped for a collar stay. Collar stays are often made of plastic or metal (brass, silver, gold plated). I've even purchased ones with magnets to prevent disco collar for my husband. Needless to say, they're an important accessory. It's always good to have a few extra on hand so I created this simple tutorial. You should be able to make four collar stays in no more than ten minutes.

Supplies:
One gift card
Heavy duty scissors
Fine point permanent marker
One collar stay

Trace one collar stay onto a gift card. You should be able to get four collar stays from one standard size gift card. Carefully cut out the collar stays. Done.

*Make sure you can not see the collar stay through the shirt. For example, you would not want to wear the collar stays (pictured above) with a white shirt.

*Remember to always remove your collar stays before washing dress shirts.

Package Stocking Stuffers Like The Pros

It's all in the packaging, as they say. Items you might normally pay a couple dollars for are now five to ten dollars simply because of the Christmas wrapping. Avoid these money wasters by making your own fabulous stocking stuffers. Here's the how to.

Supplies:
Plastic ornament balls - you can find these at most craft stores. cost .50 - $2
Ribbon
Cellophane
Double sided tape or Glue dots
The gift - you can use small candies, sample size cosmetics, hair accessories, etc. Two good resources for free samples are Freebies 4 Mom and Deal Seeking Mom.

*optional - tinsel or confetti

This is what the plastic ball ornaments look like. They come in all kinds of different colors, shapes and sizes.

Cut a large size square of cellophane and stuff it into one of the ornament halves.

Add double sided tape to the back of the gift and place it in the center of the cellophane. Scrunch the rest of the cellophane in the ornament along the sides of the item like a nest. Add a little tinsel or confetti along the sides for sparkle. Attach the other half to make the ball ornament. If you find your gift is moving around in the ball, add more cellophane.

Finish the stocking stuffer with some decorative ribbon. If you're concerned about the ornament opening up, just add a little tape at the bottom.

*These are good gifts for tween girls to make and give to friends.

*Reuse - save plastic ornaments for next year