Christmas

Christmas Tree and Wreath Gift Tags and Cards

November 9, 2017 by jacki Leave a Comment

Use up your small extra pieces of holiday scrapbook paper or wrapping paper to make these fun gift tags! Even better recycle your old holiday cards and green from magazines into gift tags! Or make them into beautiful Christmas card.

Materials:

4 to 6 shades of holiday green paper (scrapbook paper)
Holiday card stock for back
Holiday green and or red card stock for back of tag
Tacky glue
Paper punch
Double side tape
Paper cutter or scissors
String or ribbon
Optional: corner rounder
Recycled optional: old Christmas cards for tags and green paper strips from magazines

Directions:

For the wreath:

Gather up your green papers, and tear into strips about 1/8” wide. Cut a piece of holiday card stock (you want to use card stock not paper since we will be gluing) to a size for a tag, mine is 2 1/2” by 3 1/4”. Trace a circle (the size of the inside of the wreath) lightly on the card stock. Run a thin line of Tacky glue on circle line. Tear the long paper strips about 1/2” long varying the size, and glue int place, filling in the circle.

I try to mix the greens shades up!

When you have your wreath all filled in, make a small string bow and glue in place.

I used a corner rounder, and then inked the edge with green! Cut a solid piece of card for back, punch small hole and ribbon. With double sided tape attach to wreath to the tag. If you want add a piece of white card stock to the back of the tag.

The wreath can be add on to a card, making a beautiful one of kind holiday card! Or add them to your holiday scrap book pages.

How Christmas trees from torn paper!

This time leave the paper strip long, I like to start from the bottom and work up. Tear the first bottom strip to the size you like (mine is about 2”), and the next strip just a little smaller and so on to the top. I like to lay out my paper strips first and then glue int place.

You want to over lap each strip just a little. And try to use different shades of green!

Add a small piece to the bottom as the tree truck, and maybe a star on top!!!

You can easily make a unique Holiday card, or add to your scrap book pages with this idea!

Or recycle your old holiday cards into gift tags! I just cut out the parts of the card that I need, even used the holiday greetings from inside. Then tear strip of green from a magazine!

From a old card to a gift tag!

Hope you are inspired to make these gift tags this holiday season!

Filed Under: Cards & Gift Tags, Christmas, Gift Tags, Paper Crafts Tagged With: paper holiday tree gift tag, paper holiday tree on card, paper wreath gift tag, paper wreath on card

Rag Baskets

October 8, 2013 by jacki 13 Comments

Fabric strips, piping cord, a little time and patience….you have made a unique one of a kind rag basket!

Materials:

Directions:

The piping (cording) that I like to use for my baskets is found in craft stores in the upholstery area. It comes in different sizes, the cost is around 30 to 40 cents a yard depending on size. For the multi colored basket (6” round bottom) I used 7 yards of piping and about 1 yard of fabric, the oval basket (9” by 6 1/2″) made of all the same fabric, I used 10 yards of piping, and all use 2 yards of fabric. So it takes more piping than you think!

The needle: I’m using a plastic yarn needle (it has a large eye) but a large safety pin will work.

First you want to tear you fabric into 1” to 1 1/4” wide strips, if you are using scrap fabric you do need the strips to be at least 18” to 20” long. With masking tape, tape one end of the cord, then cover and wrap with a strip of fabric, wrapping 4” to 5” on the cord (wrap with a slight angle) and start to roll into circle. This might take one or two tries, don’t give up, the starting point is the hardest!

Slide on your large needle, or pin a large safety pin to the end of fabric strip, holding fabric wrapped piping in a circle, pull needle through, then push needle back up on other side of fabric strip. If it is not holding tight, try again…remember this is the hardest part of making the basket….do not give up!!

In the picture below, I have loosened up my circle so you can see where to put the needle. But you do want a tight stitch that will hold!

The picture below shows where to push the needle back up, making sure you are holding on tight to the circle! Now push needle down on other side of the fabric strip and wrap the fabric 2 times around piping and make another stitch!!

This is what up should have! Now it’s time for a new strip….just lay the new fabric strip under the one you have been stitching and wrap the new strip around (you want it tight)! And keep going!!

Keep going until you have the size bottom you like!! Tip: before you start the sides, count the rows, in the picture above there are seven rows for the bottom, all sides need to be equal, and I’m ready to start up the side! To make the sides going up (no worries the hard part is done), you want to push the piping up on the fabric wrapped cord and keep stitching!!!

You want the sides of the basket to be even also! So count up on all sides, you want one side to have one row more than the other. The handle will even out the sides! But I like to add wire for extra support! I like the wire to run around the top row and handle of my baskets. This means you need to start the wire when the side count is 7 on one side and 6 on the other (for this basket). Cut wire to your size (top rows and handle) and use masking tape to hold in place (it is easy to add more wire if needed).

Now that the wire is in place, go half way around, again the side count is not even. Now we are ready for the handle, this basket has a double handle, below I show a single handle and side handles!! Make a tight stitch and bend up and over to form the handle. The first side you will just wrap with a fabric strip, until it gets to the other side. Now bend cord with wire back to the other side. In the bend area make a stitch, keep tight and keep making more stitches around the wrapped handle side, holding the handle together.

Now bring the wired piping down and bend around the top of the basket, this will be the last row….All most done!! Cut the piping and wire where it meets back to other side of handle. Cut piping at an angle and wrap tight with tape.

Keep wrapping and making stitches. When you come to the end, wrap all the way to the tip (you do not want the piping to show through) then back to make the last stitches. With the needle push through a stitch inside of basket and make a knot and cut off any extra fabric. Done….now that wasn’t so hard!!!

This is the inside of the basket.

For a single handle basket, again the side count will be off by one! Add wire before you start the last row on the side, continue the wire for the handle, and for the last row on the other side of the basket. The single handle you bend over shaping into your handle size and then back the other way, making the last row of the basket. Make a good tight stitch before and after the handle on each side.

Easter basket!

The oval (oblong) basket, you just need to shape the bottom and then make the sides! This basket I use smaller size piping and used the same fabric!

This is the bottom. I placed a button so you can see the center, and how I’m making both sides even.

Starting to make the sides!

If you run out of piping, it is easy to add more, cut the piping at angle (both the new and what you are using) fit them together and tape tight and keep going!

No one will know!!

This basket has side handles, and again I used wire to help shape them!

I love making these for gifts!

My next basket I’m going to try using ribbon instead of fabric….I need to find a sale on ribbon!

Hope you will be inspired to make rag baskets!

Filed Under: Christmas, Creative Ideas, DIY & Crafting, Easter, Fabric Crafts Tagged With: baskets made from cord and fabric strips, Braided Rag Basket, Coiled Rag Basket Tutorial, Diy Rag Basket, how to make rag baskets, Rag Basket Coiling, Rag Basket Cording, Rag Basket Instructions, Rag Basket Making, Rag Basket Patterns, Rag Basket Tutorial, Rag Baskets How To Make, Rag Easter Basket, rag fabric easter baskets, Rag Rope Basket, Rag Rug Basket, Rag Weave Basket, Rag Woven Basket

Hand Print Ornaments

December 4, 2012 by jacki 6 Comments

They grow up so fast, cherish the moments! These hand prints are easy and make great memories, it’s much fun to see how much they have grown for year to year and with a picture on the back, it’s the perfect keep sake! You will want to make more than one…one for you, one for grandmother, and one for the scrapbook! How cute would these hand prints be if made into a Christmas card!

***Note* I used acrylic paints for the snowman and Santa, be aware most acrylic paints will not wash out of clothing!

Santa hand print: on green card stock, paint red acrylic paint on thumb and across top of palm, paint flesh tone paint in the palm of the hand, and white on the four fingers, (when painting the hand try not to run the colors into each other) and place hand on paper. After print has dried, dip the child’s finger in white paint let or help child make a mustache using their finger, several finger prints across the bottom of the hat and one finger print on end of hat. Red or light red finger print for his nose, and two finger print eyes in gray (or blue). Once all dry, cut the Santa print out, punch small hole for a ribbon, add name and date….and of course a picture on the back.

Snowman hand print: Paint or dip child’s hand in white paint, and press hand on green card stock, let dry. For the snowman’s hats and scarf I used acrylic paint and small paint brush, orange paint for each carrot nose (paint pens and Sharpie markers will work), for the eyes and mouth I used a fine point Sharpie marker and the blue bow, green hearts and white arms are gel pens. Once all dry I punch a snowflake in the hand and add another snowflake, 2 snowflakes because it’s a 2 year old!! Cut the green paper around hand, back with red card stock, cut into hand shape and add white card stock, cutting in the hand shape. Punch small hole and add ribbon for hanging, add name and date to front or back…and a picture on back!

Little Deer “Rudolph” hand print: Trace the hand, and cut it out of light brown card stock, cut green glitter paper for back, punch a small hole for ribbon on the green paper where the deer will cover the hole. With small hole punch (or extra large needle) punch hole between thumb and pointer finger of the cut out hand, string a small bell on ribbon and pull through hole and tie, place 3-D scrapbook adhesives squares on back, and place on to green glitter paper. Using Tacky Glue, glue small red pom pom for nose, and glue small sticks for antlers, with brown fine point marker or gel pen add eye and mouth. I added 3 small snowflakes, because it’s a 3 year old hand print! Add name and date to front or back, and a picture on the back. I used my corner rounder punch on each corner!

I like adding my painted and traced hands to my scrapbook, but for the little deer these antlers would not work! Instead I used a brown Sharpie and make the antlers and made a red nose with paint!

Hope you are inspired!

Make an extra one each year and save, to give your child when all grown up!!

Filed Under: Cards & Gift Tags, Christmas, Holiday, Paper Crafts Tagged With: hand print Christmas cards, hand print ornaments, hand print Santa, hand print snowman, Rudolph hand print

Beaded Glitter Christmas Ornament

December 4, 2012 by jacki Leave a Comment

Transform a plain glass or plastic ornament into a beaded glittery gem!

Materials:

Glass or plastic plain Christmas ornaments (no added designs)
Mosaic Mercantile (glass tile glue) or Weldbond Glue
DecoArt Craft Twinkles in Crystal
Paint brush
Seed glass beads
Glass bugle beads
Ribbon 1/4″ to cover hanger top
Pipe cleaners or hook for hanging during drying time

Directions:

This will work on any color of glass or plastic ornaments. Glue ribbon around the top of each ornament, or glue bugle beads around the top. Paint a coat of Crystal Twinkles on each ornament, let dry.

Lets talk glue, I do like the Mosaic Mercantile glue the best…but not all craft stores carry this brand. I order it www.mosaicmercantile.com. Weldbond will work (slower dry time). You should have not problem finding the Crystal Twinkles, you might want to buy two…I love this paint!

Run a thin line of glue in an “S” shape, and place bugle bead in glue. Let dry before moving on. (I like to use pipe cleaner for hangers) If you are making more than one, the glue will set up in less than 10 minutes, so you could make an assembly line and just keep going making several at a time.

Keep going until you have covered the ornament with your design. Just be careful that you make thin glue lines.

Add 3 red seed beads to each end of the “S”, and 3 green seed beads in center of “S”.

The possibilities are endless!!!

Are you inspired!

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: beaded ornaments

JOY

December 4, 2012 by jacki Leave a Comment

Quick, easy and inexpensive!

Materials:

Wooden letters “J” and “Y”
Wooden star with small hole for ribbon or fishing line
One sheet 12″x12″ scrapbook paper or wrapping paper
Wreath size of letters
Mod Podge
Brush
Scissors, pencil
Acrylic paint (matching paper)
Sandpaper
Ribbon or fishing line to tie star to wreath
Satin (or Gloss) varnish sealer

Directions:

I found my wooden letter on clearance at Michaels, they are 1/4 thick and 10 1/2″ tall. This process will work on wooden or paper letters. Trace each letter and on back side of paper, make sure you have the letter in the correct direction. Cut each out, checking the fit, trim if needed.

Paint the edges (sides) of the letters and paint the backs if you want. If your wooden letters are rough give them a light sandy first.

Brush a coat of Mod Podge on to the wooden letter, make sure the Mod Podge goes to the edge. Place your paper letter on top, gently pushing in place, making sure of the fit (move gently if needed). With the side of the paint brush, run it gently across the papered letter pushing out the extra Mod Podge with your finger remove the extra glue. Brush on a coat of Mod Podge on top of paper, let dry. Do the same to the star.

Once totally dry, with sandpaper, sand the edges, the wooden part up into the paper giving a rustic look.

Clear off all sandy dust, and paint a coat of clear (satin or gloss) sealer/varnish, let dry.

When dry pull a ribbon or clear fishing line through hole in star and tie onto wreath.

Filed Under: Christmas, Paper Crafts Tagged With: Wooden letters Joy

Snowflake Candle Holder

December 4, 2012 by jacki Leave a Comment

Every year I love having my holiday candle exchange party just with the girls! Instead of an ornaments, I came up with exchanging holiday candle or holder, so everyone goes home with a beautiful candle (and I always make a party favor). It so much fun, but the twist is…it can not cost more than $8.00!! So everyone gets very creative, they want to hear the biggest WOW…and I wanted that one! Ok enough about the party..so this my candle holder idea that one of my friend will get! With a sheet of white tissue, scissors, Mod Podge, a brush and glass vase or recycle a jar, done!!

Materials:

Any glass vase or jar or recycle a glass jar
Mod Podge Gloss
White tissue paper 1 sheet
Scissors
Paint brush
Old paint brush
Candle
Optional: DecoArt Twinlkes glitter paint in Crystal

Directions:

Cut snowflakes from the white tissue paper. If you are using a recycled (used) sheet of tissue, iron it with low setting to smooth, making it easier to fold and cut. Remember snowflakes are about the folding and they should be unique! I cut more than I needed, but I used about 16 snowflakes in all different sizes and shapes.

Wash and dry the outside your vase or jar.

Brush an even coat of Mod Podge on the front side of the vase, gently place a snowflake in the glue. Paint a coat of Mod Podge gently over the snowflake. Once the tissue is in the glue, it will tear or move easily.

Now go over the entire area with Mod Podge using an up-down movement. You want to create texture and cover up any brush strokes. This can be done after you do each snowflake or after all snowflake are glued in place.

Let dry! If you should notice any areas where brush stokes are noticable, add more Mod Podge in the up-down motion.

Loved the shape of this jar, sprung white glass beads on wire and wrapped around the top. This will make a perfect Christmas gift!

If you like a little sparkle, add a coat of DecoArt Twinkles in Crystal (glitter paint)!

Isn’t this the perfect inexpensive, homemade gift!!

Filed Under: Christmas, Holiday, Recycle, Tables & Centerpieces, Tissue Paper, Under $10 Tagged With: Recycle jars into snowflake candle holder, snowflake candle holder

Grape Vine Wreath Snowman

November 23, 2012 by jacki 16 Comments

How adorable is this snowman made out of grape vine wreaths! This idea has been around for awhile, but he is so simple to make and fun to add your own personal touches too! He can hang from your front door or hang him inside. Even quicker, make him out of green wreaths.

Materials:

1 18″ grape vine wreath
2 12″ grape vine wreaths
Foam black hat
Red felt 56” long by 8” wide ( about 1/4 yard)
2 Bells 1 1/2″
1 Bell 1″
1 1/2″ Red ribbon for hat about 14” long
3/8” Silver ribbon (about 1 yard)
Black wire or black pipe cleaner
3 white pipe cleaners or wire
1 red pipe cleaner
2 silver plastic 2 1/2″ ornaments for “buttons”
1 can White spray paint
Scissors
Optional: bird for top of hat, 4 snowflake picks, holy pick for side of hat

Directions:

The first and second wreaths are both 12″ in size, however I did look through all the wreaths to find one smaller than the other!!

Start by spray painting white all 3 wreaths. You can leave them natural or even use green wreaths, it’s all about the look you want. While the wreaths are drying, cut the foam black hat in half. I found this hat at Michaels ($3.99 without coupon).

Once the paint is dry, lay out the smaller 12″, the other 12” and then the 18” wreath, with white pipe cleaners attach them together (12″, 12″ 18″). With a black pipe cleaner or wire, attach the hat to the top of the wreath. The wire or pipe cleaner easily pushes through the foam hat, and around the wreath.

With a white pipe cleaner or wire make a hanger, under the hat on the wreath, this will give a hanger for a door hook or nail. Wrap ribbon around the hat and add a holy pick.

At this point I think it is easier to work on him hanging up, slide him on a door hang! Add the bird to the top of the hat.

For the scarf I’m using red felt, but if I had a holiday scarf I would have used it! Cut the felt 56″ long (longer if you like) by 8″ wide, cut “fringe” on each end. Lay out the scarf and fold over each side, this way you will not see any raw edges! Now wrap scarf around the snowman and just loop it on, it’s too thick to make a full knot!

String all 3 bells onto a red pipe cleaner, then wrap bells around scarf and tie onto wreath, keeping the scarf and bells in place.

Slide plastic (silver) ornament onto 3/8” silver ribbon, slide one end of the ribbon through wreath, tie ends in a bow and let the ornament hang down. Tie ornament/ribbon on the other wreath…how cut are the snowman buttons!!

Add a few snowflake picks.

Done!!

The wreaths were about $4.88 each (without a coupon!!), 1/4 of a yard of red felt $1, foam hat $3.99 (without a coupon), bells $1, holiday picks (4 snowflakes, 1 bird, 1 holy) on sale $2.50 and spray paint from Home Depot under $2, I had the ribbon and pipe cleaners! Using coupons with Snowman cost under $15.00.

Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, DIY & Crafting Tagged With: grape wire wreath snowman, snowman for door, snowman made from wreaths

Frosted Glass Candle Holder

November 19, 2012 by jacki 2 Comments

A can of Frosted Glass spray paint, stickers, decorative punches, and a glass vase or recycled jar, the possibilities are endless!

Materials:

Frosted Glass spray paint
Glass vase, candle holder, glass jar
Stickers
Decorative punches

Directions:

I’m using two sizes of snowflake punches. Punch out the stickers and firmly place on outside of the glass piece and spray with Frosted Glass (outside) let dry and remove the stickers!

This one I just used the round stickers!

I wanted to make a stripped vase using masking tape, but my tape was too old, so I used rubber bands!

I think my oil bottle has a new life as a vase!

This is a vary inexpensive project, the spray I purchased from Jo Anns with a 50% off coupon for about $3.00 and sprayed four different pieces, (I had the stickers and the snowflake punches), Micheal’s had the glass candle holder/vase on sale $2.50!

Filed Under: Christmas, Creative Ideas, Decorating, Holiday, Parties & Entertaining, Recycle, Under $10 Tagged With: Frosted Glass, holiday candle holder, holiday gifts

Beaded Serving Spoons

November 16, 2012 by jacki 2 Comments

Add some sparkle and fun to your serving spoons, dip spoons and spreaders! These are so much fun to make, and add the personal touch to any party! They make a great gift.

Materials:

16 gauge aluminum Jewelry Wire
Spoon
Beads different sizes
Wire cutters
Needle nose pliers

Directions:

Double check your beads to make sure they will slide on to the 16 gauge wire. Pick a spoon or spreader, you want to choose one that is not to decorative, you will be covering it with beads. If you choose a sterling silver piece once the wire and beads are on it will be very hard to polish! Bed, Bath and Beyond have serving pieces from $2 to $9, bring a coupon!

The aluminum jewelry wire bends easily and is very easy to work with. The pliers will leave marks, so I use double stick tape to tape down a little strip of felt.

Cut a piece of wire about 18” long (the length will depend on how many times you wrap and the number of beads), with the needle nose pliers, gently start to form a circle. Place on the top center of spoon and wrap tightly 3 times with your fingers.

You want to keep the wire tight and close together. Slide on a bead, with your finger or with pliers, gently bend the wire down the center. With your fingers push bead into place and hold.

Holding the bead in place, start wrapping 2 to 3 times in the opposite direction, add more beads and wrap.

Remember you want to wrap the wire tight. End with another circle swirl. When wrapping check the back, to make sure the wire is straight.

When making your designs, you want to wrap the wire 2 to 3 times between each bead.

Note: beaded wired spoons and spreaders should be hand washed, not in dishwasher.

Filed Under: Christmas, DIY & Crafting, Entertaining, Gifts, Holiday, Parties & Entertaining Tagged With: beaded serving spoons, dip spoons with beads

Pine Cone Deer

November 15, 2012 by jacki Leave a Comment

How cute are these little deers! Just pine cones, sticks and glue, add a red pom pom nose or a jingle bell, couldn’t be easier. The kids will love helping find the perfect pine cones and sticks!!

Materials:

Pine cones different sizes, and not broken or too old
Sticks and branches for legs and antlers
Glue: Hot glue or any strong holding clear glue
Scissors and or small branch clippers
Optional: gloves, bells, ribbon, small ornaments, small birds, red pom poms

Directions:

Time for a pine cone hunt, you do want to be picky picking your pine cones! You do not want them too old, falling apart or broken, you also want different sizes, I like the head to be smaller than the body! For the legs and antlers, I cut a branch from one the oak trees (it needed to come down), and cut the ends for the branches for the antlers and the thicker straighter branches for the legs. I did let them dry out for about 2 days! If you are using branches that have fallen to the ground, check to make use they are still in good shape, not too old!

My box of branches….ready to go!

For the legs you want them some what straight, and the same size (thickness) for all 4 legs. Cut off any small branches off. Do not cut them too short, wait and cut them to the size of your deer pine cone, mine were 4” to 4/12″ long!

Have different sizes and shapes of end branches for the antlers.

Match up the pine cones, find the pair that look the best together. I like the head (pine cone) smaller than the body.

You may need to wear gloves, then gluing! I using hot glue, it’s just quicker, but if the kids want to help (please be careful using hot glue around children) but if they are willing to hold the pieces together while the glue sets…why not (try Weldbond glue)! For the deer body, as you see in the picture above, the head (pine cone) goes one way, the smaller end is the nose, and the body (pine cone) the other way. Find the best spot for both pine cones, where you can push them together and get a good hold, now that you have a good spot, pull them apart and glue, hold in place until glue has set.

See how the two pine cones are pushed down together.

For the legs, before you glue, find just the right spot, 2 for front legs and 2 back legs. Cut the leg branch to the right size and glue ( about 4” to 4 1/2” long).

Make sure your deer can stand on it’s own!

Now for the antlers, pick 2 branches, and fit them to the top of the larger end of pine cone, pushing into pine cone for a good fit. Make sure the antlers do not make the deer top heavy, if the deer falls over, the antlers are to large and or too heavy. Now glue antlers into pine cone.