Valentine heart jars provide quick, easy sweetheart project

A plain glass container (craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michael’s or JoAnn carry them, as well as many discount stores), colored tissue paper and diluted glue can work together to create a charming Valentine gift or gift packaging. Whether used open or closed, the finished product can create a temporary delight or long-lasting memory. A single heart to highlight a vase or a chain of hearts around a jar of candy will make Valentine’s Day a lasting memory for the recipient.

Step by step instructions await you here.

Would you like to get into metal stamping?

One of the drawbacks to trying any new craft can be the expense of the equipment. Here's a chance to get into stamping with great savings.

AllFreeJewelryMaking.com is sponsoring a giveaway. One lucky winner will get an ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit. Entry deadline is August 27, so enter quickly. Click here for full details.

By the way, they say the stamp works on other media besides metal...

Crafty last minute edible Easter decorations - Bunny Easter egg hunt

"Here’s a project suitable for even small children to make. Keep them occupied while the adults are fixing dinner or hiding Easter eggs. The finished project can serve as dessert!"

 

Check out the instructions here.

Crafty last minute edible Easter decorations – ‘Easter egg garden’ table décor

"Easter brunch calls for something full of spring and fun to serve as table décor. How about an edible Easter egg garden, complete with bunny gardeners and pretzel hoes?"

You'll find step-by-step instructions here.

Crafty last minute edible Easter decorations – marshmallow chick nests

"What do marshmallow chickens lay? Miniature marshmallow eggs, of course. Perfectly suited for use as place cards at Easter dinner, these edible decorations require few supplies and almost no clean up – just toss the empty paper cup when the treat has been devoured. The blend of salty and sweet flavors provides a light treat."

Get step-by-step directions here.

A Hexie Mug Rug Tutorial - great gift craft!

I came across this tutorial and knew I had to pass the information on to my readers! Jenna of SewHappyGeek posted the instructions for an easy-to-make mug rug project. You can do many of the steps "on the go" which is always a plus for me. Take a look and then think of all the ways you can adapt this fun project for crafters of various ages.

Click here for directions.

A Picture-Perfect, Do-it-yourself Valentine Gift

"Create a personal valentine for use on a greeting card, gift magnet or bookmark. Use a digital copy of a treasured photo as the heart of the project. Because you create the template to fit your needs, you're assured of a suitable frame for your photo."

Use your photo valentine on a handmade greeting card.

 Click here for step-by-step directions.

Pocket Angels Crafts - Sharing a Crafty Ministry

"Do you have one or more Pocket Angels? You know, those coin-sized medallions with an image of an angel inscribed on it. They come with attached to a prayer or thought for you and bring encouragement.

If you have a couple and would like some ideas for things to do with them, check out this article that I wrote for eHow.com. I had a blast thinking up ways to use them."

Read the article here...

DIY Graduation Gifts that Won't Break the Bank

"Let the graduate's skills, goals, awards and experiences guide you in planning a DIY graduation gift. Such a gift need not be expensive to demonstrate how happy you are for her."

Custom photo frame

Supplies:

Plain photo frame in desired size

Acrylic paint or sealant, for wood frames

Scrapbooking add-ons

Clear varnish or acrylic sealant

Optional: photo of graduate or family

Turn a plain photo frame into a special gift with the addition of images designed for scrapbooking. Incorporate the graduate’s interests, school colors or future plans into the design. Paint a plain wood frame or start with a simple finish.

Arrange the design elements around the frame. Once the layout satisfies you, secure them into place. Seal the design with clear varnish or acrylic and allow the frame to dry thoroughly.

Add a photo of the graduate which suits the theme of the frame for a unique and personal gift. If she will be going away following graduation, consider decorating the frame with images of favorite family activities and using a photo of the family.

Custom diploma frame

Supplies:

Matted document frame

Scrapbooking add-ons

Use scrapbooking add-on elements to decorate the mat around a diploma frame with images appropriate for the graduate. Look for lettering in school colors, images representing the subject of the degree or certificate or symbols of favorite activities.

This simple mat turns the frame into a personal representation of the student and allows him to hang the diploma or certificate on a wall instead of burying it in a drawer.

Cross-stitched wall hanging

Supplies:

Cross-stitching pattern depicting the subject of the degree

Cross-stitching pattern of letters for personalization

Fabric for stitching the design

Embroidery tools: floss, needles, hoop, scissors

Optional: mat and frame

If you have time to complete a cross-stitched hanging for the graduate, you’ll give something very special. Visit your local needlecraft or hobby shop for career-oriented patterns and add the graduate’s name, degree and date of graduation from basic lettering charts.

The adventurous crafter can graph a cross-stitched motto or adage or even a version of the diploma! Let your imagination guide you toward the perfect idea for your cross-stitched gift.

How to Make a Wishing Well Flower Holder from a Coffee Can

Don't throw away that empty coffee can. Use it to spruce up your place by turning it into a decorative flower holder. You can use it for artificial or real flowers. Perhaps best of all, you could use it as a project to spend time with children. Just cut the wood ahead of time to make it a safe children's project.

Detailed instructions here...

Crocheted Shamrock Hot Pads - Protect Your Table with Style!

Put your Irish on the table with a pair of shamrock hot pads. It's an easy crochet project, suitable for a beginning crocheter who knows single and double crochet.

Click here for complete instructions.

Opposition skewers: No-stress snack for the Super Bowl or other sports-themed party

"Make these tasty finger foods ahead of time and you'll be free to enjoy the party, too! They're fun, easy and adaptable -- perfect for a sports themed party."

Sample signs for skewers

Click here for step-by-step details.

The Peppermint Bird - An edible Christmas craft

For a party table, a buffet or just to have handy to share with unexpected guests, the Peppermint Bird provides an easy and colorful delight. The project is easy, making it suitable for children to be involved. Unlike a floral display, the Peppermint Bird and her nest will stand up to holiday traffic. Replenish the supply of “eggs” as needed.

Click here for more on this fun Christmas project.

Thanksgiving Place Mats: A Craft for Kids to Save the Sanity of Parents

"Honor the spirit of Thanksgiving and keep the kids occupied until the meal is ready by making place mats that recount what the child is thankful for on the big day. Stickers, drawings, wording or a combination can turn a sheet of paper into a decorative addition to the dinner table."

Click here for more on this handy project.

Quiet Time Games for Halloween

If a Halloween party is in your plans, you may want some 'quiet' games for the attendees. Here are a couple of word games to consider.

Halloween Word Find

Here is a Halloween-themed word find game. The first file is the game. It will fit on a single sheet of paper. The second file contains the solutions, if you need them.

For the puzzle, click here.

Click here for the solution to the puzzle.

Halloween Anagrams

Give the kids a piece of lined paper. Have them make as many words as they can from "All Hallow's Eve." Set the minimum word length to accommodate the age level of the children. Decide whether to accept plural forms as separate words. Award prizes based on most words, most unique words, longest word, etc.

Paper Pumpkins

With a large pumpkin outline and a handful of crayons, children can create a personalized jack-o-lantern without the danger of carving tools.

Twenty Tips for a Safe and Happy Halloween

"From kids to family pets, Halloween provides an exciting time. Sadly, that time can also lead to injury or death. Here are tips to help you protect those you love while having a great time."

Click here for ways to have a great Halloween.

Video about egiva.com, the free sharing website

"If you've wondered about how to use egiva.com or why you should use it, you'll enjoy this video. Take a grand tour of the egiva site and learn ways to use it to share what you have but don't need or find what you need but don't have. Craft supplies are only one of the categories on the site. Check it out!"

To view the video, click here.

Experiments on the Three Laws of Motion - Science Can Be Fun!

"Sir Isaac Newton's Three Laws of Motion form a basic platform of science in everyday life. These three laws of motion can be explained in ways that students of different ages can understand them, and apply their understanding to real-world experiences. Many simple experiments can be performed to demonstrate how these laws work. Discuss the implications of the experiments and ask students for other examples of the law to extend their understanding."

Click here for a group of fun experiments to show kids how Newton's Three Laws of Motion work in their lives.

Emergency Substitutions-Chocolate

"Even the most careful cook may find herself missing an ingredient in a recipe occasionally. Emergency substitutions can save a situation from becoming a disaster, particularly when the missing ingredient is a form of chocolate. Most forms of chocolate keep well for up to a year in a cool, dry place, according to Hershey's."

Save an inconvenient grocery run. Click here for detailed substitutions.

Halloween Party Crafts-Easy-to-Adapt Halloween Crafts for a Bewitching Party

"Lots of children's games and crafts adapt nicely to Halloween with a few set changes. 'Pin the tail on the donkey' can become 'pin the tail on the black cat.' A simple bean bag toss game can become a ghostly game by drawing ghosts on the target board with their open mouths as the scoring goal. Look through craft catalogs and think about how you can adapt the projects to your own needs."

Click here for more on having a great Halloween party.