Family Crafts

Easy Easter Crafts

Erika — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:09:51 +0000

Try our fun craft projects for you and your kids to do in celebration of Easter. Have a little Easter fun with these easy craft projects. There is something here for every level of do-it-yourselfer. From the kid-friendly paper Easter Bonnet to the more advanced hand-painted Easter welcome sign, we’ve got it all. So find a festive way to celebrate the spring holiday.

Here is a fun and easy alternative to Easter baskets. Plain pastel colored gift bags are decorated with polka dot scrapbooking paper, ribbon and Easter ornaments to complete these adorable bags. They are also great for an Easter egg hunt.

Get everything you need to make the holiday fun-Easter Crafts.

Eco-Friendly Craft Projects

Erika — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:02:54 +0000

Craft projects that you and your children will enjoy making while recycling products and going green. Check out ways to salvage old sweaters and scarves and make creative crafts.

Room Warmers

Be both crafty and earth-friendly with easy-to-make eco-chic projects that rethink old winter woolens and recycle them for new uses throughout your home. With some simple stitches, last year’s scarves become this year’s throw and a stylish coffee cozy. Unused sweaters make a snuggly dog bed and a chair full of pillows. It’s as easy as cleaning out your closet, so pare down and cozy up with any of these handmade knits.

Blanket Coverage

A simple Scarf Throw will give you an extra reason to cuddle up in a favorite chair. Lay five or more scarves side by side and stitch them together, alternating textures for a subtle pattern. Trim the edges, hem and finish with green tassels attached with decorative beads.

DIY Throw Pillows

Erika — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:25:01 +0000

Decorative Throw Pocket pillows are as handy as they are comfy: A clever catchall keeps books and glasses within reading reach.

Skill level: Beginner

Materials: Pillow forms in desired sizes; tape measure; chalk marking pencil; knit or crochet sweaters; scissors; sewing machine; matching thread; pins; hand sewing needle.

Directions for DIY craft project:
1. Measure pillow form and add 1 inch to each measurement.

2. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of sweater material to these measurements for pillow front and back.

3. Optional: Make a pocket by measuring desired size of pocket; add 1 inch to each measurement. Cut contrasting piece of sweater material to these measurements.

4. Sew zigzag stitches close to cut edges of all pieces.

5. Turn under 1/2 inch on each edge of pocket; straight-stitch close to edges to hem pocket.

6. Pin pocket to pillow front; stitch close to sides and lower edge.

7. Pin pillowcase front to back, with right sides facing and raw edges even; stitch edges in 1/2-inch seams, leaving an 8-inch opening along one edge. Turn right side out.

8. Insert pillow form into cover; slip-stitch opening closed.

If you like this craft, come see more on diy craft projects.

Craft Project -Create Your Own Slip Cover

Erika — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:07:44 +0000

Slipcovers have been used for many different purposes. Some of the purposes furniture slip covers have include either to get a few more months out of worn furniture or to help protect new furniture from getting ruined. Some of our readers may practice covering furniture with plastic even though it may be uncomfortable to sit on. Having custom slipcovers made can become a bit costly. Just think, by making a diy slip covers, you would be saving yourself discomfort and a few dollars. Instead of throwing away perfectly good furniture, consider making your own craft slip cover.

Simple slipcovers make furniture fun. Cover an inexpensive cube stool with this diy craft and use it as a portable ottoman, or tag-team two to make a contemporary coffee table.

Skill Level: Beginner

Materials: Purchased ottoman (the one shown here is 18 inches square); yardstick; chalk marking pencil; heavy felt to cover 5 sides of ottoman; scissors; pins; matching or contrasting yarn; tapestry needle.

Directions:
1. Measure top (width and length) and sides (height and width) of ottoman. Cut a piece of felt to each measurement (5 pieces total).

2. Place top piece of felt on ottoman; pin one side piece to edge of top. Using yarn and tapestry needle, make blanket or overcast stitches to join side to top.

3. Attach another side in same manner, then join sides together in same manner, stitching from top to bottom and keeping raw edges even.

4. Continue pinning and stitching sections together to complete cover.

5. Trim lower edges even if needed.

Add some pizazz to basic furniture with this easy slip cover craft project.

Slip Cover Craft

Projects: DIY Table Runner

Erika — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:29:29 +0000

Show your tabletop a little love with this fun felt craft project.

A candy stripe runner is a treat for your table. Enjoy this decorative craft idea with your family.

A candy stripe runner is a treat for your table.

Skill Level: Beginner fun craft

Materials Needed for Table Runner, Home Decorating Project: Tape measure; chalk marking pencil; felt: 1 yard white, ½ yard each of brown, lime green and turquoise; scissors; paper-backed fusible web; iron and ironing board.

Directions:
1. Measure, mark and cut white felt to desired size of runner (ours is 14 inches wide). You may need to piece white felt sections together to get desired length. If so, cover seams with colored stripes as you fuse them on.

2. Using iron, fuse web onto back of each remaining piece of colored felt. Cut into strips slightly longer than runner width and several inches wide. We cut strips freehand for a slightly irregular look.

3. Peel backing off web and arrange stripes on runner; fuse in place.

4. Trim stripe ends even with edge of runner.

Easy Craft Project

Come see us at Point Click Home for more fun craft ideas.

Craft Project: Decorative Pencil Holders

Erika — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:19:41 +0000

Try this fun craft project and convert a basic tin cans into a great pencil holder.

Skill Level: Beginner

Corral pens, pencils and scissors into cute, yet functional holders by following the directions below. This project is easy enough for the kids, too!

Materials you will need for this paper craft:

Tin can; sandpaper; tape measure; pencil; printed paper, such as gift wrap or an enlargement of a color photograph; scissors; spray adhesive

NOTE: A recycled can is perfect for this project. Sand the upper edge first!

Directions for this kids craft project

1. Rinse and dry an empty tin food can. Sand the upper edge to smooth interior surface.
2. Measure cup circumference; add 1?2 inch. Measure cup height. Measure, mark and cut a piece of printed paper to these measurements.
3. Spray adhesive on wrong side of paper, then smooth onto sides of cup, working from center out to eliminate air bubbles.

For more on this decorative and useful Pencil Holder Craft Project, visit us at Woman’s Day.

Pencil Holder

Spring Greetings-Craft Idea

Erika — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:47:14 +0000

We have great spring craft ideas for your kids and other family fun craft ideas for the Spring Season at Woman’s Day. Show Mom how much you love her with a pot of flowers she won’t have to water.

Materials:

Light-color construction paper
Card stock
Craft knife
Green and assorted colors construction paper
Glue stick
Fine-point permanent marker

Instructions:

1. Fold sheet of construction paper in half to make a card.

2. Cut flowerpot shape from card stock and glue edges (except top) to front of card.

3. Cut stems from green construction paper and petals from assorted colored papers.

4. Glue stems to flowers and, when dry, write notes to Mom on each stem.

5. Put flowers in case to complete this Spring Craft Project.

Spring Craft

Valentine’s Day Cakes and Cupcakes

Erika — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:36:19 +0000

This Valentine’s Day bake a cake or cupcake for your sweetheart. A great way to show your love is by celebrating with a beautifully baked cake or batch of cupcakes. Whether you need a dessert to make for your kid’s school party or just want to show your sweetheart how much he/she means to you. We have found great Valentine’s Day recipes that are a perfect fit come February 14^th. From the perfectly pink layered Strawberry Valentine Cake to the adorable Cupid Cupcakes, any one of these themed treats will make the day even more special.

Come see more Valentine’s Day Recipes worthy of baking this special holiday.

Valentine's Day Cake

DIY Potpourri

Erika — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:50:26 +0000

This Valentine’s Day extend the life of your Valentine’s Day roses by making this DIY Potpourri. You’ll be sure to show your true romance.

The materials you will need are:

Dry rose petals
¼ cup whole cloves
1 cup whole allspice
10 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
8 small bay leaves
4 whole nutmeg
3 Tbsp star anise
2 Tbsp whole cardamom pods

Follow these easy how-to instructions for DIY Potpourri.

DIY Potpourri

Origami is Good for the Soul

Erika — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:06:28 +0000

Origami, the traditional Japanese art of folding paper into various objects, is an activity that is guaranteed to provide any family with countless hours of fun. Children are drawn to the brightly colored paper often laden with intricate patterns and designs. It is relaxing, quiet, and ideal for a day whose weather does not necessarily permit outdoor adventure. It’s also an enjoyable way of honing motor skills and concentration as it not only requires the ability to focus, but also the ability to perform a series of steps in order to complete the desired task.

Origami paper is easily acquired at any arts and crafts store and most packs of paper come with ideas and folding instructions and nearly every major bookstore sells the instruction books. Another fun place to find origami supplies would be at your local art museum.

Read about more fun arts and crafts ideas at WomansDay.com.

http://www.womansday.com/Lifestyle/Lifestyle/Crafts.html