CRAFTS FOR GIFTING
The Lace and bauble candles were originally made in 1995 for our neighbors and our Christmas decorations. They are quite elegant and look best in groups.
Lace and Bauble Candles
You will need:
1 chunky candle between 6 and 15 inches tall
Length of wide Lace
Large Plastic Baubles
Hot Glue gun and glue
Directions:
Wrap the lace around the candle, leaving about 1/4" overlap. Cut the lace. Carefully glue one side of the lace to the candle. Glue the overlap to the lace around the candle. Place the baubles around the candle. When you're happy with the position of the bauble, glue it. Allow the candle to stand for about 1 hour for everything to set up.
I can't tell you how many times I've told Angela to throw away some ratty old shirt or sweater and got a look from her that told me I had just given her an order that was comparable to killing her cats. To avoid feeling guilty and clean out the dresser drawers, we started making pillows out of the old clothes that she just cannot bare to part with.
Shirt Pillows
What you will need: Old t-shirt, sweater or whatever item of clothing you want. Polyester fiberfill or old nylons or pantyhose, cut up small. Thread and a needle Repair any holes in the shirt by sewing or patching them. Sew up the neck and sleeves of the shirt (if you are using a sweater or button down shirt, make sure that the buttons are closed and tack the spaces inbetween the buttons to make sure the stuffing can't fall out.) Stuff the shirt. Using a whip-stitch, sew the bottom of the shirt. Give it to your kid. They will be happy.
CANDY WREATH
What you will need:
1 straw wreath
1 wreath bow.
2-3 lbs. cellophane wrapped candies
"U" pins
Length of ribbon
Child-Safe scissors
First, attach the bow. Put it wherever you like on the wreath. This will keep you from going psychotic at the end when you realize that you didn't leave enough room for the bow. Take a piece of candy and attach it to the wreath with a U pin. Continue until the wreath is completely covered on one side (you want to leave the back alone so it will lay flat against the wall). Tie one end of the ribbon to the scissors. Attach the other end of the ribbon to the back of the wreath with several U pins. The scissors will be used to cut the candy off the wreath.
Homemade Sequined Ornaments
When Angela was smaller (7-12) she made at least one of these per year! I treasure her ornaments now!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Satin covered ornaments
Sequins, beads, baguettes, rondelles, etc.
Pearl headed or fancy pins
regular pins
Ribbon or cord for hanging
Using the sequins, beads, etc., pin each onto the satin ornament in whatever designs you want! Tie a ribbon or cord for hanging onto the ready-made hanger or remove the hanger and anchor the ribbon or cord with a Pearl headed or fancy pin.