I thought these looked like a great green gift!

Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls

I may be making them for my family for Giftmas.

EDIT: In that post, the author links the original Mothering Magazine tutorial, too.

I decided to make some advents calendars for friends. Here are some small things I made for them.

( Read more... )

Yep, you read that right. I used this tutorial to create a fast, inexpensive and cheap White Elephant Gift Exchange for work. The criteria were all of the above - the last being, "Would you give this to your grandmother?" Ya'know what - she'd get a big kick out of it.

I did not take photos of my steps because the tutorial explains it rather well.

My personal project details: It took about a full afternoon and (maybe three or so wonky bums before I got into a groove) to finish this project. I managed to purchase the (Ball) jar from Hobby Lobby along with the potpourri. I handmade the label and pulled off the circle from the can's lid, stretching hose over the jar mouth and screwing the ring closed over it. To finish, I threw in some gold ribbon from my Christmas stash as adornment. I didn't have any appropriate glues on hand and forgot to buy some from Hobby Lobby so I used double-stick tape on the ribbon and on the label. Not the best option but it's hidden well and I think it worked out.

And so here they are. ( Perfectly tacky, homemade, smelly pickled bums... )

I don't think I'll have time to do this before my X-mas party tomorrow, but it looks so cute, how could I not share it?

Candy Jar Labels

I thought I'd share a quick and easy idea for Christmas presents. This year I am making magnets for all my workmates:



I'm thinking of leaving them on everyone's filing cabinets one afternoon, with a christmas note attached :) And maybe some biscuits.

( Instructions - if you need them! )

The last set of Martha Stewart crafts were non-wearable. These, however, are wearable and range from easy to more advanced.

( Read more... )

And here's another cute, quick tutorial on how to turn a baby sock into a bunny. Perhaps an easter-y craft, but some people just like bunnies! I love the floppy-eared one with the little nose. <3

I found a cute tutorial to make this butterfly pillow, which would be cute for a little girl in bright colors or another woman in your life. A word of advice though, make sure you use high-quality felt! The cheap stuff is really itchy and usually gets ruined if you wash it.

a friend of mine asked me how to try and make a patchwork quilt, and it got me thinking about easy-to-make blankets. so i've been experimenting with the easiest way to make blankets. and i have found a really, really simple way to do it.  it's easy for handsewing or machine sewing (i originally sewed a couple by hand before i started using my machine, so i speak from experience) and dont take long to make at all. they make lovely gifts for people of all ages and size can be altered to make cutsie baby blankets for mums-to-be too!

( here we go ...  )

Here is a cartoon tutorial of weaving a beaded butterfly using wire. I call this technique parallel weaving with wire but not sure in the English name of the technique. If you know the more proper name, tell me, please.

Click the pic to see the cartoon lesson, please.