Cup and Saucer Candle Holder
Tube Sock Snowman
Date: 12/21/2007 Topics: Christmas > Decorations > Crafts | Craft Projects > Christmas > Decorations | Photos > Holiday > Christmas Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
Supplies
1 men's white athletic tube sock Rice Yarn or rubber bands Black permanent marker Red baby sock Decorative holiday fabric and felt Scissors Craft glue or a hot glue gun Assorted bits and pieces (buttons, bows, pipe cleaners, sticks, etc.) from around the house
Instructions
To start the snowman's body, take the sock and make sure it is actually a "tube" sock (it should be straight with no bend for the heel and foot). Most socks have a smooth surface on the outside and a textured, rough, loop surface on the inside. If you prefer the snowman to have a textured body, turn the sock inside out. Hold the top of the sock open and fill the sock roughly two-thirds full of rice (this will form the body of the snowman, give him weight so he remains stationary, and enable him to have a flat bottom so he can sit solidly on a table, desk, or mantel). Tie a piece of yarn or secure with a rubber band to form the snowman's body and head. A large ball for the body and a slightly smaller ball for the head. Divide the sock accordingly with slightly more than half of the rice toward the bottom and the smaller amount above, forming the head. Leave about one inch or so of the sock above the head to secure the hat and tie off with yarn or rubber band. Stretch red baby sock over head to form a hat. (I could not find red baby socks so I purchased white ones and died them with Rit fabric dye.) Of course, any color will do. Decorate the snowman and give it some personality. Make decorating the snowman a "treasure hunt" of things found around the house and outdoors. Pieces of felt, colorful material, holiday gift-wrap ribbon, buttons (matched and mismatched), fabric pom-poms for facial features and clothing accessories. Where the yarn divides the snowman head and body, cut a length of decorative felt or plaid/holiday-print material and wrap it around his neck to form a scarf. A brightly colored pom-pom might make a fun addition to the top of the hat. Be sure to add eyes (either "googly" eyes, buttons, or painted with a permanent marker), a nose (an orange "carrot" cut from felt or a piece of pipe cleaner will do the trick), and a line of buttons (I cut circles from craft foam) down the snowman's front to complete his ensemble! Small sticks or pipe cleaners may also be inserted into the snowman's body to form arms. Craft glue will hold the decorative bits in place or a hot glue gun may also be used to attach the pieces.
Baby Food Jar Votive
Date: 12/20/2007 Topics: Christmas > Gifts | Craft Projects > Candlemaking | Photos > Crafts Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
Take an empty jar (I used the 4 oz.), wash well and remove label. It doesn't matter if all the glue is off as long as all the paper is gone. I used a sponge brush to apply Elmer's glue all the way around the jar, but not the grooves where the lid went. While the glue was wet, I sprinkled with white glitter and silver stars. To hide the grooves for the lid, I wrapped ribbon around the top and tied a bow. I used a scented votive candle and wrapped each in tissue paper for gifts.
Baby Food Jar Votive
Craft: Paint Brush Santa
Paint Brush Santa Date: 12/19/2007 Topics: Christmas > Decorations > Crafts | Craft Projects > Christmas > Decorations | Photos > Holiday > Christmas Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Supplies
wooden handle paint brush with light bristles white felt 2 wiggles eyes tan felt 1 speck of red felt ribbon glue markers
Instructions
Take paint brush. I got one that had no color or varnish on handle and used a red thick marker to color the top handle. You can you spray paint or paint but I like marker it dries quickly. Take piece of tan felt and adhere to front metal piece of paintbrush. Take the white felt and wrap around from one side along back to other side to make his hair, adhere this with glue. (note you can you yarn, fiberfill whatever you have or like). Glue on 2 wiggly eyes. Cut triangle tan felt and glue so it sticks out. Cut out mustache from white felt and glue. Take the speck of red felt for lip under mustache. Take ribbon and glue around top of face around paintbrush. Finally add ribbon, jute or other cording through hole at top of paint brush so you can hang on tree, door knob, anywhere you like. Also if you don't like red, use another color like green or blue to match your Christmas decorations.
Craft: Quickie Jingle Bell Lapel Pin
By Harlean Greathouse Date: 12/19/2007 Topics: Christmas > Gifts > Frugal | Craft Projects > Christmas > Gifts | Gifts > Christmas Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
An easy and quick craft for the kids. Jingle Bells on a shiny pin. Let them make them for friends and family as gifts.
Supplies
Large safety pin, 3 inches 1/8-inch ribbon, red and green 4 small jingle bells Hot glue Quickie Jingle Bell Lapel Pin
Instructions
Materials: Cut pieces of ribbon about 8 inches long, 4 green and 3 red. Fold in half and lay over pin on opposite side from opening. Pass the ends through the loop and pull tight. Alternate the red and green as shown. Thread one end of each green ribbon through a jingle bell. Tack the ends together using hot glue. Also tack each knot at the top with hot glue.
Craft: Paint Can Snowman
Date: 12/14/2007 Topics: Christmas > Decorations > Crafts | Craft Projects > Christmas > Decorations | Photos > Holiday > Christmas Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
This is a snowman made from a paint can. Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Supplies:
Paint can (you can get new ones at paint stores) White spray paint Acrylic paint 2 pom poms Old scarf from old stuffed animal Hot glue and gun Sealer
Paint Can Snowman
Instructions:
Spray paint the outside of the can with the white paint, let dry. Paint on face, let dry. Spray on seal, let dry. Glue on the pom poms as in picture to look like ear muffs. Glue on scarf, you can fill with candy and seal the lid on and give as gift or you can just use as a decoration.
Count Down to Santa
By Harlean Greathouse Date: 12/11/2007 Topics: Christmas > Decorations | Craft Projects > Christmas > Decorations Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
This is a craft for the kiddies to make as time for Santa draws near, and they ask repeatedly "How many more Days?" Just copy this onto a piece of card stock or on if you only have paper, just copy it and glue it to the back of a cereal box, and cut it out. Let the kids do the coloring and then just tie the treats on with string or yarn. Each child could make his very own Count Down to Santa.
Count Down Santa
Craft: No Bake Gingerbread House
Date: 12/11/2007 Topics: Christmas > Decorations > Indoor | Craft Projects > Christmas > Decorations | Photos > Holiday > Christmas Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
Using an empty milk or juice carton, graham crackers and royal icing, create an adorable gingerbread house with your kids. This is so easy and so much fun. Making these has become a tradition at my house. Approximate Time: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
Supplies:
Empty half gallon juice or milk carton scissors tape square piece of cardboard 3 egg whites at room temperature 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 lb. box of powdered sugar assorted candies and cookies powdered sugar and sifter for snow
No Bake Gingerbread House
Instructions:
Wash and dry a half gallon size juice or milk carton. Open up the top all the way. Cut the entire top off the carton along the creases. Using scissors, cut a slit approximately 3 inches down each corner of the carton. Press two sides to the center and tape them together to form the roof. Cut along the roofline on the opposite sides to trim off the excess, then secure with tape. Make Royal Icing by beating together 3 egg whites until foamy. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar. Add one whole box of powdered sugar and beat until stiff. Place icing in a pastry bag or a plastic baggie with the end cut off. Use the icing to "glue" the carton to a square of cardboard for the base. Glue graham crackers to the prepared carton. Continue placing crackers on all sides. Place a thick "bead" of icing where the roof tops meet. Decorate house by pushing small candies, pretzels, cookies, etc. into wet icing. Spread icing all around the "yard" of the house and use gum drops for bushes, pretzels for fences and anything else you can think of. Just be creative and have fun. When finished, use a sifter to dust the entire house and yard with powered sugar to resemble snow. Let the houses dry until icing is hard. Enjoy! By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC
Craft: Recycled Jar Snowman
Date: 11/27/2007 Topics: Christmas > Decorations > Crafts | Craft Projects > Christmas > Decorations | Photos > Crafts Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate:
Create cute snowman jars from canning jars or mayonnaise jars. These are great for giving layered cookie mixes, party mixes, or any homemade goodies.
Materials
Recycled Jar Snowman 32-oz. jar with lid 2 1/2 inch diameter styrofoam ball Serrated knife 5x18 inch fabric strip Black felt or fun foam 1 inch length of orange paper twist 6 straight pins 6 small black beads Two 6 inch long twigs or 2 chenille stems Baby sock (for hat) - dye with Rit Dye Three inch diameter black buttons or 3 large circles of fun foam Glue
Instructions
1. Use knife to cut 1/2 inch from one side of ball, forming a flat surface for bottom of head. Glue bottom of ball to top of jar lid. 2. For nose, cut a 1x3 inch length from paper twist that has been untwisted. Roll paper twist into a 1 inch long cone shape. Use a pencil to make a small indention at center of ball for nose. Glue nose to head. (You may substitute an orange chenille stem for the paper twist.) 3. For eyes, cut two 1/2 inch diameter circles from felt or fun foam. Glue eyes to head. 4. Inset pins into black beads and insert below nose to form mouth. 5. For arms, insert twigs or chenille stems into the lower part of the styrofoam ball. 6. For scarf, tie fabric strip around bottom of ball, covering rim of lid. 7. Turn cuff down on sock and insert small amount of fiberfill into end of sock. Tie a ribbon around end of sock just below fiberfill. Slide sock over the head. 8. Glue buttons or fun foam circles down front of jar.
C r a f t : M a k i n g R o s e s f o r D e c o r a t e d
C a k e s
Date: 11/09/2007 Topics: Craft Projects > Other | Food Tips and Info > Baking > Cake Decorating Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate: I have decorated cakes for 30+ years and recently developed a way to make beautiful
roses for wedding and specialty cakes by hand, using regular icing instead of fondant. Make icing using a bag of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup Crisco (do not substitute!) and a very small amount of water (3-5 tablespoons). You want your icing to be thick--yet smooth, similar to modeling clay. To form a rose, start with a ball of icing about the size of a dime in the palm of your hand. Flatten it thin, and roll lengthwise, jelly roll style. When finished lay on a flat surface, in an upright position to begin forming your rose. For petals, use about the same amount, flatten this thin but not as thin as for the middle of the flower, in an oval shape. Pick up your middle and attach the petal to the middle section. This is like working with modeling clay and you simply mold the flower petals on, one by one. After you have formed the flower to your liking, using your fingertips, roll the tops of the petals to make your flower realistic looking. If you
aren't satisfied with the look, take apart and try again. The more you experiment, the easier it gets. After these are made and placed on waxed paper, they can be air dried for several days or used straight on the iced cake. Since they have no flavoring in them they will not go bad before using them. I used this method on weddIng cakes recently with great results. Handmade roses for wedding cakes can cost up to $15.00 and you can form your own for less than $2.00 per batch. Sharon - Ravenna, KY
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Frugal Outdoor Garden Gift Ideas
Date: 10/25/2007 Topics: Craft Projects > Garden & Yard | Gardening > Miscellaneous | Gifts > General
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Ideas for frugal gardening or yard gift ideas as
Make A Tea Cup Bird Feeder!
suggested by the ThriftyFun community. I would buy a mini rose bush at a department store. You could always dress up the container pot with fabric or a ribbon tied in a bow. They are indoor plants but are very cute. About
$10.00.
Garden Ornament On A Stake
I am thinking something you can attach to a stake for a garden ornament. Check out the dollar stores and see if they have something you can improve. by cookwie
Tea Cup Bird Feeder
Make a tea cup bird feeder.
Materials
teacup and saucer (found at local thrift shop) copper tubing (1/2" about 2-3 inches long) copper end cap (to fit 1/2 inch or whatever size your tubing is) old spoon (optional) bird seed strong silicone glue (for outdoor use, clear works best) piece of rebar or other strong pipe to pound into the ground.
Instructions
Glue the end cap on the saucer bottom. Glue the cup and saucer together. Glue on a spoon for the birds to perch (optional). Pour birdseed into cup. Pound your piece of rebar into the ground. Put the copper tubing over the rebar. Insert the copper tubing into the copper end cap and enjoy. *By using the copper end cap it will make cleaning and winter storage a snap. Just pop off your cup and saucer, dump and refill or take inside for winter storage.
Craft: Carved Foam Pumpkins
Date: 10/17/2007 Topics: Craft Projects > Halloween > Decorations | Halloween > Pumpkin Carving | Photos > Crafts
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These are our current crop of pumpkins. Each
Carved Foam Pumpkins
year, my husband adds eight to the collection.
1. We purchase your carvable pumpkins at Michaels. Remember they have the 40% off coupons! Sometimes they are on sale. 2. Free patterns and stencils are on-line at many sites. Just google free pumpkin patterns. We generally gets a pattern book at Michaels. It includes all the tools you will need. 3. Use a push pin to punch the pattern onto the carvable pumpkin. 4. After carving the pumpkin, trace around a quarter coin on the bottom back of the pumpkin and cut a hole for the light. 5. The dollar store carries the single bulb light with the cord. They are for the porcelain Christmas houses. 6. We use a timer to display the pumpkins in the morning for the commuters and the evening. 7. Each pumpkin is stored in an individual box throughout the year. It may seem like a lot of money invested, but you only carve once and many of our pumpkins are over ten years old. Happy Halloween! Tedebear
Fabric Pumpkins
Date: 10/01/2007 Topics: Craft Projects > Halloween > Decorations | Photos > Crafts | Contest Winners > Photo Contest
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Here is a fun craft to make this fall. I
Fabric Pumpkins made a ton of them last year, they are cheap and easy.
Materials
a 22 inch square of fabric 1 roll of toilet paper polyfill 2-12 inch green floral wire 24 in gauge small piece of paper bag
Instructions
Place your TP roll in the middle of your fabric, right side down. Put polyfill around the TP roll to desired "plumpness". Be sure and tuck it under the TP roll so the bottom looks normal. Gather fabric up around the TP roll and polyfill and tuck it inside the hole of the TP. Push it in as far as it will go. Wrap a separate pieces of floral wire, one at a time around a pencil so they curl like a vine. Tuck on end of each into the tp hole. Crumple up a small piece of paper bag, then roll it so it resembles a stem. Push into the TP hole. Tracy from Battle Creek
Bear Candleholders
Date: 08/17/2007 Topics: Craft Projects > Home Decor > Decorations | Photos > Crafts
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Bears painted on clay pots to use as
Bear Candleholders candleholders.
Approximate Time 1 hour
Supplies:
clay pots clay saucers stencil paint sealer candles
Instructions:
Here are some cute candle holders if your decorating theme is the outdoors. You can paint bears or moose. First clean pots, paint any color you want, let dry, then paint on stencil or free hand it. Let dry. Then seal and let dry. Put your candle in and enjoy.