Craft: Glitter Star Crayons

We've been busy crafting around here so I thought I would share what we've been making, glitter star crayons. The children made and gave these to the kids in our bible study group. My kids had a lot of fun picking out what colors to to use for the crayons. My son came up with the idea of a red and green combination for the stars which I thought was perfect for Christmas.

I know this isn't a new idea but if you're looking for a last minute craft project or gift, this might be perfect for you. These crayons would be great for stocking stuffers as well. Simple directions below.

Supplies:
Crayons - peeled and broken into into pieces no larger than an inch in length
Baking pan - I used a star silicone pan I got at Michaels. Target often has fun shaped silicone pans in their dollar section.
Glitter

Glitter Star Crayon Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

2. Place crayons in baking pan, fill about half way. Sprinkle with glitter.

3. Place in oven for about six minutes. Check often, the crayons melt quickly.

4. Take pan out of oven. Mix the crayon mixture with a toothpick if the glitter clumps together. Let pan cool for about 10 minutes.

5. Place pan in freezer for another 10-15 minutes. Pop crayons out of pan. If you don't want to put the pan in the freezer your crayons will have to cool for about an hour before you can take them out of the pan. Done.

I recommend labeling the crayons so they're not mistaken for candy.

For packaging, I just placed the crayons in cellophane bags and added some Christmas buttons with basic twist ties.

Come back tomorrow to see what we made for the Sunday school teachers. It will be another easy project that you can make in a couple of hours.

Kid Craft: Fabric Scrap Ornaments

I've been storing this idea in my brain now since high school. I always knew one day I would get around to making it. I just didn't think it would take me fifteen years! The idea came from someone I used to babysit for. The mother had made a wreath out of a styrofoam wreath form and fabric. Of course, I asked her how she made the wreath and she was happy to share the details. I always thought the technique would make for a nice ornament.

This is an easy inexpensive craft for children 5 and up. Both my 5 and 7 year old made one of these ornaments and had no problems. Directions below.

Supplies:
One styrofoam ball - I used a ball that's 2" in diameter, any size will work

Fabric cut into one inch squares - If you're going to use a bigger ball, I recommend making the squares larger as well.

Embossing tool or tiny screw driver - You don't want to use anything pointy like a toothpick or knitting needle ( it will just poke a hole in the fabric). I speak from experience.

Yarn
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Knitting needle

1. Poke a hole all the way through the center of the styrofoam with the knitting needle. Thread both ends of yarn trough it. Tie yarn at bottom of ball. Cut loose ends. Refer to picture above.

With embossing tool, push the center of the fabric into the styrofoam.

Your ornament should look something like this now.

Repeat process until the entire ball is covered and no styrofoam is showing.

Done!

Linoleum Print Christmas Cards

This year I decided to deviate from the Christmas photo cards and make some old fashioned cards instead. I dug out my linoleum supplies and got to work. I carved out a very basic nativity scene. Next, I stamped it on "O Holy Night" sheet music (that's my favorite Christmas song). Last, I sprinkled a little glitter on the ink before it dried. It was nice to have a project like this. Usually, I just make one of something so this was kind of therapeutic for me.

I made 27 cards. Now that I'm done, I have a new respect and appreciation for block printers. For whatever reason I couldn't get the ink/pressure right. All of them came out a little faded or a little too blotchy for my taste. But I'm just going to say that ads charm, right?

What cards are you making this year?

One more question, what do you do with the photo cards after the holidays? Do you save them or throw them away? Promise I won't tell anyone.

Deck The Dollhouse Halls

The other day I got the idea to decorate my daughter's dollhouse for the holidays. I thought it would be a fun project for both of us to do together. So far, we made a wreath for the doll house (there's also a tree in progress). I gave her the option of a sparkly wreath or a yarn wreath. Of course, she picked the sparkly wreath (she loves all things pink and sparkly). My inspiration came from the cover of the December Martha Stewart magazine (picture below). We used whatever we had around the house so it's not an exact replica but it's pretty close.

Supplies:
Silver pipe cleaner
Gold wire tinsel ribbon - a old pipe cleaner will work too
Pink, Gold, and Silver beads
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

Bend pipe cleaner into a circle and twist ends to secure.

Attach gold wire with one of the silver pipe cleaner ends.

Wrap gold tinsel ribbon all the way around the wreath ( I let my daughter do this part). Make sure some of the silver still shows. Secure end of gold tinsel ribbon with the remaining silver pipe cleaner end.

Hot glue the beads onto the wreath. Hang the wreath up with some of the extra pipe cleaner.

Gift Card Holders Made with Japanese Masking Tape

A while back someone left a comment asking for craft ideas using Japanese masking tape. I've shared about ideas before here, here, and here. However, if you're still looking for new projects to make with the tape, try out these gift card holders. Directions below.

Supplies:
Strip of paper cut to 7" x 2 1/4"
Japanese masking tape
Scissors

*Click on pictures for a larger view.

Take your strip of paper and fold in half (refer to pictures).

Place the paper on top of half of the tape. Wrap the tape around the other side to seal one side.

Trim top and bottom edges. Repeat steps on opposite side.

Place a piece of tape down the center and have it fold over at the bottom and up the other side. Your card holder should look the same on both sides now.

Place a piece of tape on the card to make a tab to pull the card out of the holder. Make sure the tape doesn't cover up any bar codes.

Place card in holder. Done.

For a different look, I used newspaper with grey tape. I also wrapped the card holder in string and made a string tab for the card.

Craft: Music Sheet Stars

I was looking through the new Pottery Barn (PB) catalog when I stumbled upon something that looked very familiar, paper stars. And they weren't just any paper stars but over sized lucky stars. Did anyone else catch that? Every year PB comes out with something to fill their vases and apothecary jars. This year one of the fillers was over-sized lucky stars.

Some of you might remember I wrote a tutorial for basic lucky stars long ago, here. So, I'm resurrecting the tutorial along with an explanation on how to make these music sheet stars. For the most part the process is the same but there are a few adjustments.

Supplies:
Music sheets - search online to find holiday carols and print on light brown paper. Position your sheet music so it's formatted in landscape.
Paper trimmer or scissors
Double stick tape

Basic Star Instructions

Instructions For Large Stars

1. Cut music sheets into (2" x 11") strips. Make four strips. Tape together to make one long strip.

2. Fold star (instructions above) up to step seven. Using double stick tape, tape end down to star. Finish with step eight. Done

*I recommend not wrapping the paper too tight. The large stars are a little tricky to puff up and might require a couple tries.

Instructions for Small Stars

1. Cut music sheets into (1" x 11") strips. Make two strips. Tape together to make one long strip.

2. Fold star (instructions above) up to step seven. Using double stick tape, tape end down to star. Finish with step eight. Done

Other option - use wrapping paper to make the stars. You will be able to make them just about any size that you want, due to the width and length of the paper.

'Tis The Season of The E-zine

Kireei Magazine

Lately, it seems every where I look I'm spotting online magazines. And not just any online magazines but gorgeous, creative, awe-inspiring, craft, design and entertaining magazines. There's enough creativity flying around to keep it snowing glitter until the end of the year!

New to the E-zine scene is Kireei magazine. The magazine emerged from the site Kireei which focuses on design and products in the following categories; home, children, eco, kitchen, and photography (many of which are handmade). In this first issue of Kireei magazine you'll find interviews, child book reviews, tutorials, and much more.

Inspired Ideas

Inspired Ideas is the brain child of the talented Amy Powers. Amy is the author or the blog Inspire co. Inspired Ideas is just what you would except from the title, a magazine packed with inspiring crafts. If I counted correctly, there's 31 projects in this issue alone!

Sweet Paul Magazine

Just like the blog Sweet Paul, the magazine stands out for its exceptional photography and styling. The first word that comes to mind when I see this magazine is "sophistication". You'll find high style products, recipes and tutorials in this issue.

I hope you'll get a chance to look at some of these e-zines. I can't help but feel inspired after looking at them, myself. These E-zines make me want to blog better, craft better, and most importantly live better.

Upcycle Craft: Christmas Bows

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is wrap gifts, weird right? While most people dread it and find it to be an inconvenience, I find it relaxing. Part of the fun is picking out the paper, decorations, ribbon and creating a theme (yep, I usually have a gift wrap theme). Somethings I make and some things I buy.

This year I stumbled upon a way to make a bow after finishing off a bag of candy. I was inspired by the actual candy bag, the inside foil reminded me of Christmas Bows. So, that's what I set out to make. The result, a surprisingly quick and easy way to make a bow. I didn't time myself but I'm sure it took no longer than two minutes to make. Here's the how-to.

Supplies:
Food packaging lined with foil - For this craft the package should be constructed with two sheets sealed on all four sides.
Double stick tape - I used tape that's pre-cut for scrapbooking.
Scissors

*Click on pictures to get a larger view.

Starting with a food package, cut strips horizontally. Next, turn all the strips inside out.

The strips naturally coiled into a figure 8 shape. The left "8" I taped the center together to make two loops. The right "8" has not been taped, it's just to show you how the strips naturally form. Next, take one loop and push it down in the center to make a bow shape and tape (refer to right picture).

Now push down the other loop just like you did in the last step and tape. Make three of these and one basic loop (refer to right picture).

Take two of the bows you made and tape them together in an "x" shape. Next tape another bow vertically down the center of the bows.

Last, tape your basic loop in the center. Done.

Craft: Google Map Place Cards

Let your guests know exactly where they're sitting with these cute Google map place cards. These place cards are quick, easy and inexpensive to make. In fact, you probably have everything you need to make these at home. Here's the how-to.

Supplies:
White card stock
Card stock in color of your choice
Scissors
Glue stick

Go to google maps. Enter the desired address in the "search maps" box. Zoom in or out according to how you want your map to look. To copy the map hold down keys Ctrl, Alt, Print Screen" all at once. Paste into a photo editing program such as Photoshop.

Crop to desired size. Add a white rectangle on top for the name. Copy entire image and fit as many place cards as you can on your 8 1/2" x 11" page. Print on white card stock. Cut out.

Glue down Google map on a second piece of card stock (refer to picture). Fold in half.

Invite some guests and host a dinner party.