Idea of the Day: Recycled City Scape

Recycled Box City Scape by Redefining Creativity.

I love this idea for straight after Christmas and at the beginning of the holidays……

Lots of interesting boxes floating around.

Lots of time to continue for days on this one.

17 Handmade Gift Ideas for Babies + Teachers……with Tutorials.

Babies:

1. Paint Chip Mobile by Kirsty.

2. Washcloths by Martha Stewart.

3. Printed Scrap Ribbon Tags by Lil Blue Boo.

4. Catch-all Baby Bib by Make-It and Love-It.

5. Vinyl Tablecloth Change Mat by Lil Blue Boo.

Teachers gifts:

6. Homemade Herb Soap by Henry Happened.

7. Wallet that turns into a Tote via How About Orange.

8. Hot Cold Rice Bag by Make It and Love It.

9. Felt Magnets via Everything Etsy.

10. Bath Fizzies by Martha Stewart.

11. Printable Lollie Wrappers by Fun.kyti.me

12. Time For Tea Soap by Cucumbersome.

13. Japanese Motif Soaps by Martha Stewart.

14. Cake In A Jar by Cakies.

15. Chocolate Fudge by Martha Stewart.

16. Subway art by Lil Blue Boo.

17. Printable Soap Wrappers by Fun.kyti.me

34 Handmade Gift for Little Boys + Little Girls….. with Tutorials

Ideas for Little Girls 

1. Upcycled Knit Pom Hair Accessories by Lil Blue Boo.

2. Puffy Bead Bracelets by Running With Glitter.

3. Non Slip Hair Bows by Make It and Love It.

4. Little Girl Romper by Make It and love It.

5. Braided Headband by Skip To My Lou.

6. Bonsai Tree Applique by Lil Blue Boo.

7. Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver and S (download).

8. Black Apple Dolls by Martha Stewart.

Ideas for Little Boys 

9. Upcycled : Shirt to shorts by Saltwater Kids.

10. 'Gak' by Make It and Love It.

11. Picture Matching Word Cards by Canon.

12. I Spy Bag by Make It and Love It.

13. Boys Shorts with Cargo Pockets by Craft Passion.

14. Upcycled Fused Plastic Belt by Lil Blue Boo.

15. Green Robot Stenciled T-shirt. by Lil Blue Boo.

Little Kids 

16. Personalised Memory Game by Momtastic.

17. A frame play tent by My Cakies.

18. Alphabet Wall Art by The Handmade Home.

19. Owl And Elephant Collages by Martha Stewart.

20. Kids size Ironing Boards by Duo Fiberworks

21. Rolling Pin Stamps by Redefining Creativity.

22. Nesting Dolls by the ETSY blog

23. Stick Horse by Light Blue Grey.

24. Felt Cookie Presents/Playfood by Redefining Creativity.

25. A Matching Game (Tutorial and Download) by Lil Blue Boo.

26. No Sew Pennant Banner by Place To Bloom.

27. Libray Totes by Noodle Head.

28. Dr Suess Activity Blocks by Sugar Bee Crafts.

29. Painted Block Puzzle by Momtastic.

30. Window Garland by Noodle head.

31. Accidental Painting by Lil Blue Boo.

32a. Thrifty Fort Building Kit by Saltwater Kids.

32b. Fort Building Kit ( all packed up) by Saltwater Kids.

33. Birthday (or Picnic) in a Suitcase by Funky Time.

34. Fabric Dollhouse (or Barn) by UK lass in US.

22 Handmade Gifts for Men or anyone really….. with Tutorials.

1. Vintage Trophy Coat Rack by Design Sponge.

2. Gardener's Apron by Martha Stewart.

3. Leather Journal by Duo Fiberworks.

4. Honey Walnut and Dried Fruit Topping by Martha Stewart.

5. Car Wash Kit by Martha Stewart.

6. Oilskin Zippered Pencil Case by Momtastic.

7. Upcycled Messenger Bag From Cargo Pants by Noodlehead.

8. Framed Initial by Make It and Love It.

9. Whimsical Key Chains by Living With Punks.

10. Dishtowel Apron by Made By Petchy.

11. Wooden Pendant Necklaces and Keychain by Lil Blue Boo.

12. Retro Duffle Bag by saltwater Kids.

13. Personalised Coffee Blend by Martha Stewart.

14. Toffee by Martha Stewart.

16. Homemade Book Plates by Martha Stewart.

15. Jam recipes with Printable Labels by Funkytime.

17. Rollie Pollie Pillows by So You Think You're Crafty.

18. Large Paintings Full of Text by Redefining Creativity.

19. Paint Chip Wall Art by How About Orange.

20. Car Travel Kit by Martha Stewart.

21. Monogram Mugs by Designmom.

22. Big Scrappy Painting by Redefining Creativity.

19 Handmade Gifts for Women and Older Girls…. with Tutorials.

1. Chalkboard Necklaces by Henry Happened.

2. Felt Ball Necklace by Purl Bee

3. Twig Necklace by henry Happened.

4. Sewing Kit in a Jar by Martha Stewart.

5. Paper Clip Earrings by Evie-S.

6. Recycled Woven Rug by Craft Passion.

7. Fold-over bag by Noodlehead.

8. Little Letter needle Book by Emaykayee.

9. Silhouette Jewellery by Less than Perfect Bliss.

10. Feather Hair-clips by Henry Happened.

11. Clay Necklace by Henry Happened.

12. Embellished Resin Rings by Tatertots and jello.

13. Beach Towel Tote by Redefining Creativity.

14. Swatch Portraits by Purl bee.

15. Vintage hankie Pillow Cover by Noodle Head.

16. Fabric Beaded Jewellery by Make It and Love It.

17. Dip Died Scarf by Henry Happened.

18. Love letter Corsage by Less Than Perfect Life Of Bliss.

19. Confetti Earrings by Evie-S.

Orientating a 5 year old….and a very simple water bottle tutorial.

Friday was the first of 3 orientation mornings for 5 year old.

On Thursday we made a special water bottle to take and use into the coming year.

It is such a simple little project…and will make great Christmas presents for some of my many nieces and nephews.

I thought I would make up a little tutorial (although I am sure you could work it out for yourself:))

1. What you will need.

You will need:

• a plain drinking flask
• letter stickers
• a sheet of stickers the child will like. (Waterproof if you can get them)
• diamonties …..maybe not for boys…..

2. Using the letter stickers and the base of the flask as a guide..... stick on the name. Add diamonties if appropriate.

3a. Ta Da. Give the flask and the sheet of stickers to the real designers!

3b. Horsey stickers ....very inner city!

4. Enjoy watching them (you may need to be an extra set of hands) design their flask.

...and stick...

5. Admire the artistry....and use. Can you see she added some extra bedazzling between the horses?

This was a 10-15 minute craft.

• No mess (Yay!)
• Useful (Yay!)
• Something I want to keep. (Bonus!)

11 year old loved it and asked could I make her a more grown -up one.

I'm thinking I might make myself one too! And no...she doesn't read Patricia Cornell and PD James. That is my stash from the fete last week....... thought it made a nice background.

Let me know if you try it.

13 Handmade Advent Calendars…. with Tutorials

1. Pottery Barn Inspired Advent Calendar by Hallelujahs for Joy.

2. Bucket Advent Calendar by Curbly.

3. Pocket advent Calendar by Noodlehead.

4. Advent Tree How To by Paige + Russell.

5. DIY Advent Calendar (Burlap) by Funkytime.

6. Advent Calendar Tutorial (House) by See Mommy Sew.

7. An idea to adapt for Advent Calendar by Hambley Screen Prints.

8. Countdown Calendar by Maya Made

9. Button Advent Calendar by Craftstylish.

10. Fabric (Paper Type) Advent Calendar by Roots and Wings.

11. Simple Advent Bags by Moment to Moment.

12. Burlap Sack Stocking Advent Calendar by Making the world cuter.

13. Giving Advent Baskets by Molly Piper.

….no tutorials for these but I think you get the idea!

14. IDEA: Advent shoes by Great Craft Disaster.

15. IDEA or Purchase Advent Calendar Printed Pouches by nuvonova.

16. IDEA Printable labels by Poppy Talk.

16. IDEA Parcels in a parcel by Women bible Life.

More Ideas from Last Year

What our family did in 2010…including contents ideas.

What our family did in 2009….. including contents ideas.

Cathy’s content’s ideas from Women Bible Life (a simpler and more complex version….. keep going to the end of the post for the easier one!)

Ruth’s ideas via 168 hours

Jesse (Jesus) Tree reading ideas from the voice.

A very cute end of holiday project…… the snuggly owl.

How cute is this! Image from Sewing Republic.

This is such a cute little project.

PDF of pattern pieces and tutorial can be found here.

It would look great made from reclaimed materials too!

REPOST: Decorations to make and give.

Below are some instructions I wrote for my friend Nic at 168hrs about 3 years ago.

I though as part of my Christmas decorations post, I would share them with you also.

ANGEL BEAD ORNAMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut wire about 60cm long.
2. Fold in half.
3. FEET : thread 1 small bead onto one thickness. Stop bead at bend in wire.
4. SKIRT: holding both wires together, thread 1 ‘drop’
5. BODY: holding both wires together, thread 1 medium bead (with large inner
hole).
6. WINGS: separating wire, thread approx 15 seed beads into one side, thread
wire back into the ‘body’ bead. Repeat for other wing.
7. HEAD: holding both wires together, thread 1medium round bead for head.
8. HALO: with both wires together, thread 1 bead cap (or daisy spacer bead)
9. FINISHING OFF: holding both wires together thread 1 seed (or metallic
bead)
10. Holding both wires thread one crimp piece and squash.
11. Using the same beads as used for wings, thread beads for about 10cm on
each wire.
12. With wires together again thread 1 crimp (and close) 1 seed bead and 1
crimp (close).

The sweetheart kissing ball from the Cupcake Cuppy.

Use the same idea to make Mary and Joseph.... if Santa doesn't take your fancy. Martha Stewart.

Image from kellishouse. A great instructional video at Activity TV

Upcycled stockings from Martha

Upcycled Christmas card balls. Martha Stewart.

Mmmmm.... Yes Please! We need a new wreath! This idea from Kiddley

Totally beautiful and downloadable. Thanks again Martha

Sweet simple table decorations as place settings. Or attach a ribbon for hanging decorations. Martha Stewart.

A great idea from Reese Dixon to make with the kids.

Beaded snowdrops. Thank you Martha Stewart.

Classically beautiful and made of hankies, by none other than Martha Stewart.

I know a lot of these ideas come from Martha Stewart. I do look elsewhere, but I always come back because she just has a gift!

Many of the ideas have downloads so they are as easy as they can be. Some have video tutorials and all of them are very doable…. even with little people or the craft challenged.

I would love to hear what you are planning on making, or if you have found other great ideas out there.

I am hoping I have inspired you do make just one thing for your family and friends this Christmas.

All images used in this post are from the websites they link through to. Just click on the photo and you are half way to made.

Fete feedback

The school fete is fast approaching, so I have been raking my brain and the internet for some inspiration. As usual….lots of ideas….not a lot of time/money to create some craft stall winners.

So….. what I would love from you is some feedback.

What should I (and my band of crafting mumma’s) be spending our hours making? Please let me know in the comments below what you would buy at a school fete and a rough price.  Also if you have kids….ask them. Lots of kids bought things from the craft stall last year. I would love their feedback too.

'Make It Modern' boxy pencil case tutorial. Image from blog.

Cupcake bath bombs.... aren't they adorable. Image and tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets.

Fabric Headbands. Tutorial and Image from Foofanagle.

Last year we made these and these inspired by my friend Kat. This year maybe these windmill drinking straws. The tutorial and image source is at 'Ginger and George'.s

Galactic Sparkly Playdough from Neatorama. Image theirs.

More girlie Sparkly Playdough by One Crafty Mumma. Image from her blog.

Very cute library bag. Image from Sew Mama Sew

Aprons for little ones. This one from Sew Much Ado. Image theirs

Sleep masks. This panda one is too cute. I think I could maybe try some other animals as well. Idea and image from Craftster.

Fabric boxes at 'The Sometimes Crafter'. Tutorial and photo from her blog.

Cute baby shoes...... Image via Jennifer Ladd for Sew Mama Sew.

Fabric wall hangings. Image from Sew Much Ado.

Egg-cup pincushions by 'The Sometimes Crafter'. Image hers.

Tea Cup Pincushion by Punk Projects. Image and tutorial hers.

Kit ideas….so the kids can do it themselves.

Cookies in a jar from Bakerella.....thanks Cath for the tip off. Image from Bakeralla

Seed bombs.....either made or as kits. Image from Gardening Australia.

If you have never heard of these….and the picture isn’t helping at all. Have a look at how to make Seed bombs. This could also fit into the next category…. things for kids to make and do.

Things for kids to buy…. and do…

Hair braiding ..... from 'Method of hair braiding'

Friendship bracelet. Image from Honestly WTF

'I could make that' corner bookmarks. Image and tutorial from that blog.

Other ideas :

• cards
• lavender bags
• door stops
• origami brooches
• oilskin lunchbags
• felted stuffed animals
• berets or hats
• homemade heating pads
• pet rocks
• summer snowballs (for water fighting)

If you want to make any of the crafts yourself, all the images have a click through to a tutorial. The fast approaching holidays is a good time to try some of them out.

For an idea of what we made for the craft stall at last years fete, look here and here and here.