Valentine's Day Candy Craft

While I was looking online today I came across this cute video showing how to make edible Valentine’s Day crafts. I like the idea of a delicious bouquet of edible chocolates and candies. I was also thinking this is the perfect gift to give some of my favorite coworkers and friend. It is so cute and would be an adorable addition to a cubicle or office!

To make the gift, you truly do not need to have a lot of money or supplies on hand. Most of the supplies are readily available at your local Dollar Store. Check out the video below and let us know your Valentine’s Day craft ideas!

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Valetine's Craft Ball

As Valentine’s Day is only a couple weeks away, I have been looking online for some cute Valentine’s Day crafts to make for the upcoming holiday!  Since I absolutely adore the holiday, I thought I would make some love-filled crafts!

This craft truly is so simple to make, and perfect for hanging up during the month of February. I love Valentine’s decorations, but refuse to spend a lot of money on them.  I mean, it is for one day after all and most of the year would be in the hall closet.  So, for this craft you will need the following items:

• Valetine’s Day themed cupcake cups.  Small or large size will work.
• Styrofoam ball
• hole puncher
• scissors
• glue stick & glue gun
• string

The video goes into detail on how to make these absolutely adorable Valentine’s Day craft!  I plan to go to the craft store later today and make these tonight.  I will post a follow up on how it turned out soon!  (p.s. I love the picture above of the beaded Valentine’s ball as well — so many ideas!)

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Spring Bee Card Craft

I just adore Spring time!  As Spring time is right around the corner, and feels like it is already here (it is in the 70′s today) I thought it would be fun to look up some simple Spring time crafts to make with the kiddos.

I found this video that shows how to make Spring Bee cards.  I think this is so cute and perfect for a simple afternoon craft.  You will need the following supplies to make this adorable kid’s craft:

• Colored paper (blue, green, red, yellow, white)
• 2 googly eyes
• black marker
• glue
• scissors

It really is simple, you pretty much fold and cut some paper, use some glue and you have an awfully adorable Spring time craft! I think this one too because I can see my kids getting quite creative and making some interesting shapes and features, other than just some bees and flowers!  Here is the video that shows step by step instructions down below:

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Owl Felt Crafts

What an adorable video full of craft projects this is! I love the Mini Mouse hat, the felt owls, and of course the Hello Kitty craft! This is inspirational and makes me want to start on my 2012 Christmas presents, like now!

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Turn students into recycling heroes this back-to-school season

(ARA) – With back-to-school season back again, now is a great time to instill a simple message your child will benefit from in the years to come: green is good.

By implementing a few recycling tactics across your home and encouraging the same behaviors in the classroom, you can turn your student into a green “hero” and help her embrace earth-friendly habits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 30 percent of consumer waste is recycled each year. This presents a great opportunity for children to use their green thumbs and take part in saving the planet.

Here are a few ways to get your children started:

1. Give paper some TLC
Paper accounts for as much as 50 percent of landfill space. Rather than add to this waste, implement a designated paper recycling bin that can be easily accessed where you tend to use paper most in the home or in the classroom. Or, better still, put your paper products to good use by challenging your kids or students to create paper craft projects. Then encourage them to recycle any scraps when finished.

2. Get crafty
In addition to paper products, all kinds of waste can be “upcycled” into useful or decorative items. For example, a painted egg carton can make a unique storage box for small objects like beads or paper clips and tissue paper glued to a clean spaghetti sauce jar makes for an attractive vase. The possibilities are endless, so you’ll not only be saving trash from a landfill, you’ll be inspiring creativity.

3. Better together
Recycling is often more effective when multiple people take part. Teachers can set a goal for their classroom, school or even individual students to recycle a specified amount of paper, plastics, aluminum and glass before the end of the school year. Parents can support this effort by encouraging children to not only recycle at home, but to also take recyclable materials into the classroom to participate in the school’s project.

4. Adopt a program
Encouraging your children to take part in a recycling-focused program can develop valuable habits while encouraging some fun. One such program is the Elmer’s Glue Crew Recycling Program, a classroom resource designed to teach children how they can help save the planet, gives recycling-related lesson plans as well as fun and engaging projects for their students. Throughout the year, the classroom or school collects empty glue bottles and glue sticks to be recycled through TerraCycle. For additional information on the Elmer’s program, visit ElmersGlueCrew.com and Facebook.com/GlueCrew.

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Chinese Takeout Lantern

I recently stumbled upon this wonderful video of Shiho Masuda making Chinese takeout lanterns.  I love how simple and elegant these turn out.  I think even I, who is not a “crafty” type of person, could make these with ease.  This also seems like a good craft idea to make with kids.  It seems like the perfect vessel to let the creativity shine.  I also really want to try to make these as I think this would be the perfect addition to my next Chinese dinner-themed party.  A simple menu of dumplings, lettuce wraps, spring rolls and cocktails would suffice.  Check out the cute and short video below!

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Smalti Mosaic Cityscape "Where Hot Meets Cool" - Glascow, Scotland

Last year my sister and I took a Smalti Mosaics class together at the local art studio.  We had so much fun and I’ve been thinking about starting to make mosaics again.  The picture shown above is the amazing Smalti mosaic work of a very talented artist in Scotland.

Smalti is a mosaic material used for a variety of applications such as mosaic murals, table tops and panels.  It is perfect for using as borders around mirrors, picture frames, backsplashes, or even to surround fireplaces.  Mosaics add a richness and uniqueness to works of art and home decor like nothing else can.

A big bin of Smalti - how magical!!

The size of the Smalti pieces to be used in the art work is up to you!  Cutting Smalti is a unique process.  It cuts easily with high quality wheeled glass cutters. In the class my sister and I attended we used an oil pen to trace along where the cut was to be made.  After that was applied we used the handles of the cutters to squeeze and pop the tile to the shape desired.  It was a lot of fun and very simple! You can also use a traditional hammer to cut the Smalti if that is more your style.

If you’re looking for a great craft idea that translates into amazing home decor mosaics may be the right choice for you.  I would suggest looking for a local art class or doing some research online before starting.  After getting the fundamental basics making beautiful mosaics is a piece of cake – or should I say piece of Smalti glass.

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Consider adding an antique-style charm with a favourite childhood photo to a necklace chain for a keepsake that will be (literally) close to Mom's heart.

Flowers. Spa days. Lavish dinners. On Mother’s Day, there are a variety of ways to recognize the special women who have made a difference in our lives. In fact, a recent study conducted by Yahoo indicated that over 85 percent of consumers celebrate the second Sunday in May, spending billions of dollars on gifts.

Times are changing, however, and many experts are noticing an increased trend towards Mother’s Day gifts with a more personal touch. According to Shelli Gardner, CEO and co-founder of crafting company Stampin’ Up!, a growing number of Canadians are choosing handmade or personalized Mother’s Day gifts that were created especially for the receiver. “Showing your love and appreciation for Mom doesn’t have to cost a fortune,” said Gardner. “The gift with the greatest impact, the one that shows you truly wanted to make someone feel special, is the one you make yourself.”

Gardner suggests the following Mother’s Day gift ideas for creative types:

Handmade cards: Creating a unique do-it-yourself Mother’s Day card can be as simple as gathering coloured paper, punches and rubber stamps, or investing in a ready-made cardmaking kit that includes all required supplies. Include favourite photos, phrases, and colours, and don’t be afraid to get decorative with ribbons and other accessories.

Personalized jewellery: There was a time when handmade Mother’s Day jewellery meant paper-clip necklaces and other grade school art projects, but there are some new options available that make it easy for creative types of all ages to create professional-quality customized necklaces, bracelets and other adornments. Consider taking a class at a local studio, or invest in a kit like Stampin’ Up!’s Simply Adorned collection, which includes chains, bracelets and locket-style charms (visit stampinup.ca for information about where to buy). For example, consider adding an antique-style charm with a favourite childhood photo to a necklace chain for a keepsake that will be (literally) close to Mom’s heart.

Mother’s Day scrapbook: Theentire family can get together to pool favourite photos, vacation mementos and other special souvenirs to create a special Mother’s Day scrapbook. Work with a traditional album and crafting materials or go high-tech and try an option like My Digital Studio, an easy-to-use software-based design studio that features thousands of exclusive images, colours, and accessories.

www.newscanada.com

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Heirloom display frames - instructions below

After months of dark, sleepy winter, many of us look for ways to bring spring’s sense of renewal into our homes. This year, go beyond the typical spring cleaning with projects that repurpose things you already own. You will revitalize your home’s style – and your own – and add a new, fun spin to life in sunnier days.

Start with that closet, basement or attic that’s cluttered with items you don’t use but can’t bear to throw away. You probably have clothing and jewelry that you either inherited from loved ones or outgrew – in one way or another. Sometimes changing fashions dictate that it’s time to retire what was once a favorite item. Mining these possessions and getting some crafty tips for ways to repurpose them is not only a great way to be environmentally friendly, but it’s also a perfect way to stay on a budget without letting your style stagnate.

With a little creativity inspired by current trends, you can “upcycle” your loved memories into wearable art. The craft masters at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores offer projects that capitalize on what you already have in a lovely presentation showing before and after photos. For example, a brooch bouquet necklace allows you to incorporate brooches and other past-its-prime jewelry into an of-the-moment statement necklace like those featured in glossy fashion magazines. And if you have a skirt with gorgeous fabric, but outdated style or size, Joann.com has tips on how to turn it into a fashion-forward fringed scarf.

Refreshing or repurposing retired home decor items is good for the environment and for you. A few simple and fun projects seasoned with your own creativity are all you need.

To refresh the look of old frames, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has advice on how to add a splash of color and turn them into stylish wall art straight out of your favorite high-end interior design magazines. Incorporating family memories into your decor is easy with a project for heirloom display frames that combines items such as antique doilies and photos, buttons and picture frames into a beautiful piece of history to adorn your home. For instructions on these projects that will help you upcycle your heirlooms, visit Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores or go to Joann.com.

Brooch bouquet necklace

Brooch bouquet necklace

Supplies and tools:
1 brooch of choice
1/4 yard blue organza
1/4 yard green tulle
12 inches bridal applique or lace
1 spool 1/2-inch wide ribbon, cornflower blue
Ultimate Crystals Facet Bicone beads: sapphire and peridot – 1 package each
1 package Beader’s Paradise Seed beads, key lime
2 strands Darice Round Clear beads, 7mm
1 strand Darice Glass beads, sapphire blue
2 strands Darice Preciosa Crystal beads, 3mm
1 package Beyond Beautiful Faceted Round Silver Mirror beads, 6mm
1 package Darice tiger tail jewelry wire
1 package Darice 7mm jump rings
1 package crimp beads
1 candle and matchbook
Basic sewing supplies
Basic jewelry-making supplies

Directions:
To make organza flowers:
1. Cut four or five flower shapes from organza.
2. Taking one organza flower at a time, hold the edge of the flower close to, but not touching, the candle flame.
Have a small bowl of water handy, just in case the flower touches the flame. The edge will melt and curl
slightly. Turn flower and continue to curl the edges. Repeat for each organza flower shape.
3. Layer the curled flower shapes, turning flowers to alternate curled edges. With needle and thread, stitch through center of flower.
4. Embellish flower center with beads as desired.

Note: Step 2 takes a little practice. You will most likely lose the defined petal shape, however, once flower shapes are layered in step 3, it won’t matter.

To make ribbon flowers:
1. Cut a 12-inch piece of ribbon. Stitch a row of running stitches, by hand, along the long side of one edge of ribbon.
2. Gently gather the ribbon.
3. Fold the short edges to the back and stitch in place. Adjust gathers.
4. Embellish ribbon flower with a mirror bead.

Heirloom display frames

Supplies and tools:
3 photo frames
3 artist canvases
Green and blue spray paint, or colors of choice
Lace doilies
Vintage photos
Scrapbook papers: green, blue, cream, brown
Small candle cups
Pearl and brass buttons
Ribbon: green, blue, brown
Sawtooth hangers
Needle and thread
Acrylic paints: brown, gray, silver, gold
Small paint brush
Border punch
Paper trimmer
Scissors
Glue stick
Tacky glue
Double-sided tape
Screws and screwdriver

Directions for canvases:
1. Spray paint canvas front and edges. Let dry.
2. Position lace doily on canvas and tack down with needle and thread, starting at back of canvas. Fold lace neatly if it covers a corner and secure to back of canvas.
3. With glue stick, apply a bit of glue to tips of doily to help it lay flat on the canvas surface.
4. Sew thread through buttons; sew or glue buttons onto lace and canvas. Attach sawtooth hanger to back.

Directions for frames:
1. Remove backings from frames and use them as templates to create the background for your photos. Mix and match scrapbook papers and ribbons. See photo for design reference.
2. Arrange photos on background. Single or double mat them as desired and attach with glue. Decorate with buttons, ribbons and other embellishments. Set aside.
3. Basecoat candle cups with acrylic paint color of choice and add accents of the other colors to blend with the frames. When paint is dry, screw the candle cups onto the frame. Be sure the screws will not interfere with the glass when frame is reassembled.
4. Apply glue to the top rim of each candle cup and place a brass button on each, with the button shank inside the cup. Let glue dry.
5. Reassemble frames. Add additional sawtooth hangers, if necessary; then hang.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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A Country Birdhouse

Here’s another silver lining to the dark economic clouds still on the horizon this holiday season: handmade holiday decorations are not only less costly, they’re perceived as more meaningful as well.

From spending more time with loved ones to an improvement in our overall health, stories abound on the positive side effects of the shaky economy. Increased enthusiasm for handmade items may well be the latest good by-product of troubled economic times.

“Social science experts tell us that tough economic times realign people’s priorities, and we’re certainly seeing that all around us,” says Riddi Kline, vice president, marketing of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, a leading craft supplies retailer. “People are placing greater emphasis not just on cost-savings but on the meaningfulness of a decoration or gift. Nothing is more personal and customizable than something you make yourself. And this year, you can find craft ideas to fit every holiday decorating theme.”

So how do you decide what handmade decorations will enhance your home’s holiday décor? Margaret Skinner, director of customer education of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores offers a few pointers:

* Choose craft items that complement your home’s overall theme. For example, if you love clean, contemporary modern lines, make items that mimic that look. Crafts that incorporate reflective surfaces and metallic looks will fit well with contemporary themes. Softer fabrics and materials will mesh with a country theme.

* Make crafts that will endure and be durable for seasons to come. “You’ll invest your time and a bit of yourself in every item you make,” Skinner says. “Opt for items that will be easy to care for and that will appeal to your sense of the holidays not just this year, but next year and the year after that as well.”

* Give yourself plenty of time and space in which to create. You’re not rushing the season if you start working on your holiday crafts in early November or even late October. You’re just giving yourself plenty of time to accomplish everything you want to do. Also, dedicate a specific area of your home to your crafting and keep all your projects in one place – this way you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.

* Get kids involved. When you create crafts with your children, you’re not just making decorations, you’re making memories that will stay with them throughout their lives. Plus, making crafts together will make each item feel that much more meaningful when you use it to decorate your home.

* Shop smart when shopping for craft supplies. Jo-Ann Fabrics is a leading seller of supplies for virtually every type of crafting activity. You can find craft ideas and directions to fit every type of holiday décor at www.joann.com.

Try this creative craft – a handcrafted birdhouse – that can be customized to fit with either a city or country theme:

A Country Birdhouse

A Country Birdhouse
Designed by Connie Glennon-Hall

Supplies and tools

1 wood birdhouse
1 can Rust-Oleum multicolored texture spray paint, autumn brown
1 each acrylic paints in dark brown, green and ivory
wooden picket fence
Deco Art Snow Writer
1 piece, 12 inches by 12 inches, brown cardstock
1 piece, 10 inches by 4 inches, Homespun fabric
Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge
Tacky glue and glue stick
1/2-inch flat paintbrush
1/2-inch detail paintbrush
wire cutters
scissors
paper trimmer
ruler
sandpaper

Assembly instructions:

1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.

2. Paint the entire birdhouse with dark brown acrylic paint. When dry, spray with autumn brown multicolored textured paint. When dry, paint ivory lines with the detail brush.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to bottom of birdhouse using glue stick.

4. With wire cutters, cut a nine- to 10-picket length from the fence. Dilute green paint and apply a wash coating over fence. When dry, glue to the front of house, along the front base.

5. Measure the three sections of the roof and cut brown cardstock to fit. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Press the sticky side of the cardstock onto the homespun fabric, aligning plaids and allowing 1/4 inch margin around each piece.

6. Trim around roof panels – keeping the 1/4 inch margin of fabric – and fray the edges by pulling out threads. Glue the three panels to the birdhouse roof, allowing fringe to remain exposed.

7. Decorate the house base, fence, perch, openings and fabric roof with Snow Writer.

Uptown (City) Birdhouse

Supplies and tools

Wood birdhouse
Rust-Oleum textured paint, desert bisque
Deco Art Dazzling Metallics acrylic paint, Champagne gold
1 piece, 12 by 12 inches, tan or gold cardstock
1 piece, 4 inches by 9 inches, Glitter Organza 5/8-inch ribbon
Deco Art Snow Writer
Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge
tacky glue and glue stick
double-sided tape
scissors
paper trimmer
ruler
sandpaper
paintbrush
beaded trim

Assembly instructions:

1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.

2. Spray birdhouse with desert bisque textured paint to obscure wood grain. When dry, paint entire house with champagne gold acrylic paint.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to the underside of birdhouse using glue stick.

4. Attach beaded trim to the side edges of the upper roof using tacky glue.

5. Measure and cut a piece of ribbon slightly longer than the length of lower roof. Put a strip of double-sided tape on one side of ribbon. Squeeze a thin line of tacky glue over the lower roof and then apply the ribbon strip over that. When dry, trim ribbon ends.

6. Measure the two sections of the large roof and cut two pieces of cardstock to fit.

7. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Position the cardstock on work surface with adhesive side up. Cover adhesive side with five overlapping strips of ribbon. Repeat for both roof pieces. Trim ribbon edges.

8. Place the two roof sections, peak to peak and ribbon side down, over the wrong side of the sheer fabric; cut the sheer fabric 3/4-inch larger all around the roof shape. Create a “hinge” between the two roof pieces (wrong side) with a strip of tape. Apply two more pieces of tape along the bottom edges of the wrong sides of the roof sections. Fold the sheer fabric over both long edges of the hinged roof, sticking the fabric to the three strips of tape. Add bits of tape to the bottom roof corners and fold raw fabric edges in, as though wrapping a gift. Secure the roof to the birdhouse with tacky glue. Glue only one roof plane at a time; tip the birdhouse over and weight it down, until glue is dry. Then, repeat for the other roof plane.

9. Decorate the house with Snow Writer, covering up the raw fabric edges between fabric and wood roof.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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