Whether you are getting ready to set your Thanksgiving table, or you are simply looking for ways to bring touches of fall into your living space, the following easy and affordable projects will help you accomplish your goal: Turkey Candle Holders Materials: Small glass containers (baby food jars or small jelly jars work well) Colored tissue paper Scissors Colored construction paper Glue Paint brush Pipe cleaners Sequins Glitter Directions: Cut the tissue paper into small squares. Cover the jar with a thin coat of glue, and then randomly place the tissue paper squares on top, overlapping them so none of … Continue reading →

There have been a lot of weddings in my family lately. I love weddings, so beautiful and emotional. My favorite part about weddings is how each bride puts her own spin on things and makes this special day her own. One area that I’m seeing more and more originality is the guest book. Seems no one wants a guest book that sits in a closet and never gets looked at. My sister Terrie wanted something original. The idea for this was all hers, I just put it together since she was overwhelmed with other wedding duties. Materials Large painters canvas … Continue reading →

I love to give handmade baby shower gifts. This summer is loaded with baby showers for me so I’ve been looking for cute, useful gifts that I can make quickly and these burp cloths fit the bill perfectly. Babies use so many burp cloths and we wind up grabbing whatever is close. These pretty cloths will get lots of use, just because they are cute. There is also no danger of mixing them up with another mom’s burp cloths. Materials Package of pre folded diapers Fabric Use pre folded diapers, the thick center makes a perfect guide for dressing them … Continue reading →

This is the summer for babies in my family. I have three baby showers to go to in the next month, all boys. That means lots of shower gifts. I usually make a diaper cake, after all, everyone needs diapers. This time I tried something different. I saw a diaper tricycle online and thought it was perfect for all the boys in my life. It’s easy and you don’t have to be crafty to make it. Materials 55 diapers 2 receiving blankets A bib Safety pins Ribbon Baby bottle A pair of baby socks A pair of baby mittens Rubber … Continue reading →

Or, at least one from the hands. Father’s Day is Sunday, which means you are quickly running out of time if you are planning to craft dad a homemade gift. If your dad is anything like mine, then he’s probably insisting that you don’t spend a single dime to honor him on Father’s Day. However, no self-respecting child or spouse is going to let dad sit empty-handed on such a special occasion. Fortunately, there are a slew of simple craft projects even the tiniest hands can help create. The following Father’s Day gifts are inexpensive to craft, but they’re sure … Continue reading →

Apparently, I jumped the gun on summer vacation. According to readers in New York, the academic year is not over. In fact, students enrolled in Brooklyn public schools don’t start summer break until the last week in June. Thanks for setting the record straight, ladies, and I feel your pain about having to deal with the chaos of end-of-the-school-year activities, including finding appropriate thank you gifts for teachers. As room mom for my daughter’s second grade class, I was responsible for soliciting monetary donations from parents, and then purchasing a birthday and end-of-the-year gift for the kids’ beloved teacher. Believe … Continue reading →

We are getting down to the wire for graduation so here is the last graduation gift. A money lei, it can be given to a boy or a girl and you can use the school colors to make it even more personal. I have also seen these made using candy and other fun things tied in among the flowers. Materials Money- I used all ones Scrapbook or construction paper- not to thick, you need to be able to easily fold and manipulate it. Ribbon- I used curling ribbon, it ties easily and is pretty strong Pony beads. First thing, iron … Continue reading →

It’s wedding season! When I’m invited to a wedding I usually buy something off the registry but I also like to give a personalized gift. Everyone wants something to remind them of their wedding day. This is a fairly simple thing to make but I’ve seen them online for $80, yours won’t cost anywhere near that much. Materials painting canvas in the size you want your finished item to be pictures of the bride and groom from their wedding day- I printed these on my printer using plain paper. A picture of their marriage certificate- print it just like the … Continue reading →

It’s the time of year for high school graduations. My friends and I all have kids around the same age so lots of graduations. I usually give the kids money, I have a hard time coming up with what they might really need. I don’t like to just give a card with money in it, or a gift card. I have to find a creative way to do it. This idea is so fun and keeps the guests laughing. Materials small square box- I got mine at the Dollar Store construction paper amount of money you are giving in all … Continue reading →