Just in case you are looking for a crafty activity for the holiday, or are not starting the celebration until tomorrow (like us) i literally just stumbled across this fabric egg sewing lesson. Retro Mama’s site is beatuiful in fact with many more activities to try.. if you have the time.
Fabric Eggs :: Retro Mama
we have bits + pieces of upholstery fabric all over the house from a fabric samples book we rescued a few years ago… but we really havent made anything productive yet. This would be a great first timers project that even the kids can get into.
I have also added it to our ever growing list of fabulous tutorials (found across the top)
Categories: Tutorials · recycled holiday
Paint Your Own Tea Cup ::Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
Among many diy recycled crafts i fell in love with this one. first her illustrations are stunning. and fun. who whould have thought octopi would look so awesome on a tea set? and second i really didnt realize it was this simple.
tools: pebeo porcelain pen + paints
how: paint your designs. dry for 24 hours. then bake in oven at 300F
(more detailed instructions at Re-Nest from Apartment Therapy)
anyone know if glass reacts the same as porcelain? think i can paint on glass jars like this???
Categories: Tutorials · around the house · recycled holiday
Im obsessed with stars lately, perhaps for the desire to make a million wishes, or possibly just for their glittering sparkle appeal. If you feeling the same, here are a few tutorials to fulfill your wish-making dreams…
Paper Acordian Star :: Martha Stewart
To make:
- start by folding a square or rectangle of paper into accordion pleats (you may want to experiment with plain paper before working with fancier stock). The number of pleats determines the number of points on the ornament: For example, four pleats will equal eight points.
- Fold the accordion of paper in half to find the center; unfold, and staple once at the center. If your ornament is too long to be stapled, you can fashion a staple out of wire: Make two small holes in the center with an awl, insert the wire through the holes, and twist the back.
- Make a deep diagonal or slightly curved cut into each end of the folded paper (about halfway to the center); the sharp corners will form the points of the star.
- Fan the sides out so that they meet, and attach them on the back with small pieces of tape. Use Scotch Magic tape, which is easy to remove, so you can flatten and store the star until the next special occasion.
More flat paper star tutorials from Martha Stewart
another fabulous tutorial uses plastic bottles (especially good since apparently they are so difficult to recycle), creating different patterned stars taking advantage of the different designs on the bottom of the bottles.
Water Bottle Stars Tutorial :: Espritcabane
Categories: Tutorials · christmas · holidays · recycled holiday
These yarn wrapped trees are exactly what i was looking for to add colour to
my house.
Yarn wrapping technique :: Paper*Ballet
The general materials are listed on her flickr page (click on top photo) but basically its a cone shape from recycled papers such as junk mail, or toilet paper rolls. You can wrap with anything you have lying around the craft room.
This seems simple enough that i could give this to my daughter to work on by herself. This is a big thing lately. i would most likely get my arm chewed off if i try to slip in and fix something. Funny story though, because its all my fault. I was trying to teach her not to change or ‘fix’ other people projects (i found my doll with a big black smile across his somber face, because i didnt make him happy enough) … and now its coming back to get me, and my need to get my hands in and help ‘guide’ her.
Felted Trees Tutorial :: The Long Thread
I am overjoyed for these felted trees, but i personally dont wear or have wool sweaters. I love the colours though. (square tree from martha, if you dont have wool or friends with wool) Below is another paper tree tutorial
Magazine Trees Tutorial :: Not Martha
And a simple wooden tree…
(i couldnt decide where to list this one.. under sticks or trees.. such serious decisions to make)
Wooden Tree :: espritcabane.com
But for the more serious crafter …
Felt Holiday Tree Tutorial :: The Thompson Family
The unique beauty lies in the choice of fabrics and colours. Use monochromatic colour scheme for an elegant + sophisticated look. Or if your house is like mine, and the furniture, walls and accessories are already monochromatic (all beige + brown) try for a mismatched random colour selection.
Categories: Tutorials · christmas · holidays · recycled art · recycled holiday
Make a Fastinator
Make Fabric Oragami
Make a Mock Tuxedo Bib
Make a Ruffled Party Necklace
Make Silk Flowers
Make an Osman Tie
