Category Archives: easy craft projects

Easy craft projects to help you get inspired to create.

March 6, 2013 · 11:05 am

Handmade CD Coasters

A few weeks ago I decided it was time to start spring cleaning. I’ve been wanting to go through my disks of photos for a long time, and finally one weekend I just sat down and got everything organized onto one DVD disk…

However this left me with several unusable CD’s. I felt bad just throwing them away, so I began brainstorming ways to use them.

When I landed on this idea to do toast coasters, I couldn’t wait to get started! This is such a fun and easy project and a great way to use up all kinds of scraps in your stash. Not only will this help you get rid of unwanted CD’s, but you can plow through your paper and fabric stash in no time!

cd-coasters3

I went back and forth about what to put on the coasters. I thought maybe I’d try out my new coffee-themed stamp set, but I eventually landed on this idea to write funny toasts on each coaster. I gathered limericks, toasts, and popular sayings from a variety of Scottish and Irish Web sites and printed out my favorites. Now each one of these 35 coasters has a funny (and sometimes crass) toast on it.

cd-coasters2

This is a great idea for bachelor parties or summer BBQ’s with the guys. They make great gifts and are fun to just have on display by your bar or in the den.

cd-coasters4

Recycled CD Coasters

Materials:

  • CD’s
  • Assorted papers
  • Felt
  • Mod Podge/brush
  • Scissors
  • Pencil/Pen
  • Group of toasts, limericks, or favorite quotes
  • Ink pad
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks

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Instructions:

  1. Trace a CD on your 12×12 scrapbook paper. You should be able to trace 4 CD’s per paper sheet. Cut them out and set aside.
     traced-circles
  2. Do the same with the felt. You may have to use a pen for this since pencil won’t show up on the felt. With the paper and the felt, I made a little X in the middle of the circle on the side where I traced, so I knew what side to hide.
  3. Once your felt circles are cut out, set those aside and cut out your toasts. I inked the edges of mine to give them a vintage-well worn look, but you don’t have to do that if you don’t want to. If you do ink your edges, make sure you allow the ink to dry before using the Mod Podge or else the ink will spread and bleed. You could even do this step first so the ink has time to try when you cut out your paper and felt circles.
    toasts
  4. Once everything is ready to go, you can begin making your coasters! Using a brush or foam brush, add some Mod Podge to the front of the CD, and then add some to the back of a paper circle. Place the circle on the CD and press to secure. Then add a bit of Mod Podge to the front of the circle and add your sentiment. Mod Podge over the whole thing and set aside to dry. Repeat until all your coasters are done. Let dry completely before moving to the next step.
  5. Once the front of your coasters are dry, you’re ready to add your felt circles. Simply glue your circles, X side facing the CD, to the back of the CD with your hot glue gun.
  6. Once all your coasters are done, trim any edges that need to be trimmed. You can even add a ribbon around the CD to hide the edges of the paper and felt. 
  7. And there you have it! An easy and fun way to use up those CD’s and have fun entertaining all at the same time! These also make great wedding gifts and gifts for boyfriends, husbands, dads, and all those other guys in your life that are just too hard to shop for!
    cd-coasters3

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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November 7, 2012 · 1:35 pm

How to Decorate an Old Tin Can

I’m all about reusing and recycling.  I love thinking of new ways to use old materials and using things like jars and cans to better organize my crazy life.

If you ask me, an aluminum can is just too valuable to toss into recycling.  There are about a billion ways that you can use it to organize everything from your craft room to your bathroom.  For this project, I used an aluminum can to make a nifty container for all my crochet hooks and knitting needles.  I also attached a piece of elastic band around the can to hold smaller items, like tapestry needles.

This is an easy project that anyone can do!  You could even gather a group of cans together to create one heck of a desk organizer.

Needle and Crochet Hook Can

Materials:

  • 1 aluminum can, washed with label removed
  • White paint, or paint color of choice
  • Mod Podge
  • Elastic band
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Large paper embellishment or embellishment of choice

Directions:

  1. Paint your can the color of your choice. Once paint is dry, cover with 1 layer of Mod Podge. Let dry overnight.
  2. Add a dab of hot glue on the back of the can and secure one end of the elastic band. Wrap the band around the can and secure the other end with hot glue over the previous end. Pull band a little tight when you wrap it around so the needles will stay secure against the can.
  3. Embellish with a paper flower or embellishment of your choice. Fill with your crochet hooks and knitting needles and you’re good to go!

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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January 25, 2012 · 1:14 pm

DIY Journal or Notepad

I love lists.  And I know I’m not the only one out there who finds it cathartic to write down things I’ve already done just so I can cross them off.  How awesome does that feel?

I’ve also got to be one of the only 20-somethings left on planet Earth that doesn’t have a smart phone.  I can call, text, and take a picture…and that’s about it.  So when I think of a great idea or remember that I need to buy toilet paper or eggs, I actually have to write it down in my to-do list.  No apps, no fancy phone gizmos or bells and whistles, just the trusty ol’ pen and paper.

Therefore, I carry my to-do list with me almost everywhere.  It fits snug in my purse so it’s not cumbersome to carry and I even pimped it up a bit, so it’s not boring and official looking when I whip it out to empress everyone (or prove that I’m still living in the 18th century).

This is a super fun and easy craft to do if you’re looking to reface an old journal or notebook.  This is also a great handmade gift for someone who’s going off to college, a little frazzled when it comes to remembering things, or someone who just adores the simplicity of pen and ink.

Cute Journal or To-Do List:

Materials:

  • 1 journal or small note pad
  • Scrap paper
  • Various ribbons
  • Hot glue gun
  • 2 buttons
  • Needle and thread
  • 3-Hole Punch

Instructions:

1.  Remove all the paper from your notepad.  Also remove the front and back covers.  Discard the spiral.  Set aside the paper for now and decorate the front cover however you see fit.  I used some scrap paper and ribbons on mine.  Use a glue gun to adhere your embellishments to the cover.

2.  Use the three hole punch to create two hole punches in the cover, back cover, and paper.  If the holes don’t line up exactly, it’s not the end of the world.  It gives your to-do list a nice homemade look!

3.  Once you’ve made your holes, string some thread or yarn through all the holes.  Tie as tightly or as loosely as you see fit.  I tied mine tight enough to hold the paper, but not too tight that I can’t untie it and add more paper if I need to.

4.  String some thread through one of your buttons so the loop is in the back of the button…meaning put one end of your string through one hole on the button.  You are going to want to make a little loop to hold your note pad closed, so you’ll be tying the excess string in the front to make a loop:

5.  Use your needle and thread to sew a button to the back cardboard so the loop you just created has something to attach to.

6.  And there you have it!  An easy to-do list or journal for your needs or the needs of someone else.  Like I said, you can decorate the front and back however you’d like!  And feel free to post your creations and ideas on our Facebook page!

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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September 14, 2011 · 9:33 am

How to Make Little Pots out of Newspaper

I love this idea of using old newspapers to create adorable little boxes.  You can use these boxes to store paperclips, pencils, cotton balls, or anything else that’s lightweight and small.  These are also awesome for starting seedlings.

My newspaper pots. The big one is newspaper, the smaller one is magazine pages.

There are several tutorials online regarding how to make these cute little pots, however I found this one to be the easiest to follow.  I will direct you there because the pictures are awesome and the author does a better job of explaining folds better than I could ever do.

TUTORIAL ON HOW TO MAKE PAPER POTS

I made one with newspapers to hold my paperclips and then I made another one using magazine pages.  You can make them with newspaper, wrapping paper, etc.  You could even modge podge them to make them more sturdy.

Happy Crafting!

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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June 15, 2011 · 9:53 am

6 Easy Gifts for Father’s Day

In my family we don’t do gifts for Father’s and Mother’s Day…instead, we spend the day as a family eating.  That’s the truth of it.  There’s nothing we need to buy one another that we can’t get ourselves…and now that my siblings and I are all grown up and starting lives of our own, the family time we have always treasured has been limited…so giving Dad and Mom our time on their respective calendar days has turned out to be the best gift ever.

If you ask me, showing Dad some love doesn’t have to drain your wallet…and chances are, what he really wants is a little downtime with his loved ones…even if he’s too manly to say it 🙂

My dad and I reading the paper…our Sunday tradition!

ACTIVE DADS:

If your dad is into the great outdoors, plan a camping get-a-way adventure in your own backyard.  Set up a tent, make a bonfire, and have a weenie roast.  If you’re rained out, move the outdoors inside and camp out in the basement!  My brother and I used to do this all the time.  Plus, no bugs!  If you guys wanna get up and get moving, research various National Parks around you or scout out some forest preserves.  Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon hiking.  If you’re a fishing family, do some research and find some lakes around you that will allow you to take fish home.  See what fish live in those lakes and buy lures to attract those fish.  Tape them to a map of the area so dad knows what bait to use at every lake.

VACATION DADS:

Does your dad love to get away?  Have your family pool all the money you would have spent on gifts together and buy dad a gas card.  Pile everyone up in the car and take a road trip.  There’s so much to see here in the U.S. and there’s at least one awesome attraction in every state.

CULINARY DADS: 

He’s the king of the grill.  The meat man.  The host with the most.  Instead of buying him more grilling supplies (which he probably doesn’t need), buy him a few cooking classes at a local cooking or community college.  If he’s not the school type, devote one day a week to helping him in the kitchen.  Make Friday night family night and get everyone involved in making dinner.  Feeling like experimenting?  Lay out a map of the world on the kitchen table.  Each week take turns rolling a die on the map.  Plan your meals on which country the die lands.  Expand the taste buds!!

DADS WITH A GOAL: 

Is your dad trying to shed a few pounds?  As we all know, the older we get, the harder it is to loose weight…so help encourage your papa by promising him a new outfit when he reaches his goal weight.  Offer to run with him three times a week and make healthy meals together to keep you both on track.

STAY AT HOME DADS:

Let’s face it…the job market sucks.  Hundreds of people are out of work, including many dads who have a family to support.  If your dad is out of work, chances are he needs some words of encouragement more than anything.  Gather the family together and make a video where you each tell dad how much you love him and thank him for all he’s done.

GRANDPAS:

Dick Van Dyke, one of the most well-loved dads of all time, has just come out with his autobiography, My Lucky Life.  Not only grandpas, but I’m sure several dads would love this.  If you get the book on tape/CD, you can hear Dick Van Dyke read his own memoir.  Sign me up!

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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June 1, 2011 · 9:24 am

Rethink the Rubber Duck

Every couple has a little inside joke…ours is ducks.  When I came across this idea, I just couldn’t contain my excitement!

Here’s a fun party favor for a baby shower or birthday.  Simply glue a tea strainer to the underside of a rubber duck and let your leaves soak away!  FYI, you probably want to find a BPA-free, food safe plastic duck.  Check dollar stores or Oriental Trading Company for different ducky options.

If you’re not a tea drinker, you can use this same concept in the bathtub!  Attach 2-3 tea strainers to an average size bathtub rubber ducky and fill with lavender, oatmeal, and/or other bath salts.  Let the ducky float around in your bath with you.

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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May 11, 2011 · 8:49 am

Round Tee Shirt Rug

Put them to good use!  I have saved all of my marching band tee-shirts from back in the day and they are literally just sitting in a drawer.  I feel terrible throwing them away…but I never wear them and have no idea what to do with them.  Then I came across this brilliant idea to turn tee shirts into a one of a kind floor rug.  Sounds like I have a fun weekend project coming up!

One of a kind summer rug!

All you need are several old (or new) tee shirts (about 12 should do the trick), scissors, and a 33″ hula hoop.  Get full directions here.

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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December 15, 2010 · 4:15 pm

Scrap Yarn Window Birds

So I was cleaning out some old craft supplies the other day and came across a Styrofoam ball and some left over yarn from a scarf I attempted to knit.  A sudden thought occurred to me to wrap the yarn around the ball and create a flock of little birds…

Birdies!

Wanna make some of your own?  Here’s how:

What You’ll Need:

1  2 1/2″ Styrofoam ball for every bird you want to make (I made 6 birds because the balls came in a pack of 6)

Leftover yarn (enough to cover the Styrofoam)

Tape

Kabob stick

Clay–Orange and brown

Hot Glue Gun

1.  Tape the end of the yarn to your Styrofoam ball.  Wrap the string around and tape it on the other side of the ball.  Continue this process, twisting the ball once, until your ball looks like this (you’ll need about 5-6 pieces of tape):

Starting the string…

2.  Continue to wrap the yarn around the ball until the entire ball is covered.  Be sure to turn the ball every once in a while so the yarn is evenly covering the ball.  Knot when completed.

Here are some of my bird heads

3.  Stick the kabob stick into the ball to create the stand.  Cut off some of the stick to create a shorter bird, if desired.

4.  Use the brown clay to create feet for the bird and the orange clay to create a beak.  Bake according to package directions.  Be sure to stick the bird in the clay feet before baking to create the hole.  When the clay has cooled, put a drop of hot glue in the hole in the feet and hold the stick from the bird in the hole until the glue dries.  Glue the beak to the face.

Creating the feet…

Creating the beak…

And there you have it!  Yarn Birds!  You can also do this with a topiary.  I found one in my closet and created this little festive birdie to sit by my window:

For this guy, I just covered the base of the topiary with yarn and set it in a glass dish…then I stuffed it with Easter grass to prevent it from wobbling around.

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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October 20, 2010 · 3:06 pm

Alice in Wonderland-Inspired IKEA Table

So my latest creative venture has involved a beat up table from IKEA and an old copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  It’s not quite finished yet, but I thought I’d share how it’s coming along…because knowing me it will take forever for me to actually be satisfied with it.  🙂

Alice in Wonderland table

This table’s creation happened in many stages.  First I had the checkerboard pattern you see there, made from squares of tissue paper.  I let that sit for about 3 weeks and then I was bored with it.  I found a tattered copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in a free box at my local library and ripped out all the pictures, as well as my favorite quotes from the book.  I mod podged them all around the table and called it good…for about another 2 weeks, anyway.

One weekend while relaxing at home, I decided to bust out some old paints I found hidden in my closet.  I added some color to some of the pictures on the table and eventually decided to paint them all.  And there you have it.  My Alice in Wonderland table.

This is a fun project that can be done on any cheap table.  Mod Podge photos, quotes, paper, etc. and make it your own.  The only bad thing about Mod Podge-ing is that once you start, it’s impossible to stop!

Here’s some other views:

With my “painted roses” from last week! 🙂

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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October 6, 2010 · 2:49 pm

How to Paint White Roses Red

For as long as I can remember my family has been obsessed with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  My dad is a mad hatter freak and even dressed up as the crazy tea party host for Halloween a few years ago.  We collect various book versions of Wonderland and have a special area in our house dedicated to Wonderland memorabilia.

A couple months ago, during one weekend when I had nothing to do, I decided to convert my boring white IKEA table into an Alice in Wonderland dedication.  It’s not quite done yet, so I can’t share it at this time, but I did have a brilliant thought for a floral arrangement…

Painting the Roses Red!

A close up…

Not only do these white-gone-red roses pay homage to Alice and friends, but it’s a super fun and easy Halloween decoration.  I went to Michael’s and bought these white roses on sale, win #1.  I found some old red paint at my parent’s house and simply dipped the roses in the paint and turned them over to let them drip a bit.

Allow your roses to dry for at least 48 hours.

This can also be done with black paint on white roses for a spooky yet elegant Halloween or wedding decoration.

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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