Search Results for: blog beaded bookmarks

Bookmarks To Encourage Reading, and Gifts Too

Bookmarks can be as simple as cutting a rectangle out of paper. The paper can be gorgeous scrapbook paper, contstruction paper, or even a page torn from a magazine. To make sturdier bookmarks you can use cardstock. Another option is cut a rectangle out of a cereal or cracker box. Glue paper or even fabric to this thin cardboard and trim the edges. For paper you can use children’s drawings, scrapbook paper, magazine cutouts, photographs, stickers, or stationery. If you are making the bookmark for a gift, it’s fun to follow the theme of the theme of the book. Grandparents … Continue reading →

Beaded Bookmarks

My favorite kinds of projects are easy and affordable. If they don’t even involve a trip to the craft store, that’s even better. I also like open-ended projects. By that I mean projects that can be expanded on, projects that don’t have to be done an exact precise way to work. Beaded bookmarks are that kind of project. And what’s more, they are actually quite beautiful. You will need a length of ribbon, or string, or yarn. The ribbon or string should be thin enough so that kids can slide beads on. I like to use the cord sold for … Continue reading →

Creative Cash Savers

With the holidays fast approaching many people are reconfiguring their household budgets to afford gifts, parties and other unexpected expenses that come with hosting out of town guests. Tis the season to get creative with your savings techniques That may mean cutting out your daily dose of Starbucks or re-evaluating whether you really need that weekly manicure. Another option is to channel your inner Martha Stewart so you can spruce up your house for holiday guests without breaking the bank. For example, instead of spending money on expensive storage units, decoupage affordable containers to use as totes for household items. … Continue reading →

Safety Pin Jewelry

Safety pin jewelry is a quick and easy to make. While it is not the most beautiful jewelry in the world, it is a great rainy afternoon project. There’s something very satisfying about how quickly you can make things. You do need to be cautious with the sharp point of the safety pin. And of course small children and sharp object and beads aren’t a good idea. You can experiment with different sizes of safety pins and beads. For this example I used a standard sized pin. As you can see from the picture it will hold two 6mm beads … Continue reading →

Button Flowers

I love this craft. It’s very simple, and yet beautiful in a quirky, vintage way. They kind of remind me a Dr. Seuss looking plant. To make your own, all you need are some buttons of varying sizes, wire, and some wire cutters. I used silver 20 gauge wire and gold florist wire. Both worked fine. The thinner wire is easier to cut and to work with, but wire that is too thin won’t hold up the buttons. Pick out some interesting buttons. I’m lucky to have some interesting buttons that belonged to my grandmother. You do want buttons with … Continue reading →

Fuse Bead Fun – Easy Crafts

I boxed up all our “melty beads” last week. That’s what we called the fuse beads made by Hama or Perler beads. We have done so many projects over the years with these beads. We’ve made refrigerator magnets, items for mobiles, package tags, Christmas ornmanets, and much more. If you’ve never used these beads, you should give them a try. They come in all sorts of colors, even clear, sparkly and glow-in-the-dark. You place the beads flat on a form. Some of the forms are shaped like baby chicks, children, dogs, dolphins, or rainbows. Other forms are just large circles … Continue reading →

Pencil Cups – Easy Craft Idea

Pencil cups is a very easy craft project to help ease into the coming school days. You will need empty metal containers and paper. We used empty circular tea tins, a can of nuts, and a can baking soda can. As for paper, it can be anything – construction paper, scrapbook paper, a design you’ve printed off your computer, a plain sheet of paper the children colored, or even gift wrap. I like the sturdiness of scrapbook paper, they don’t fade like construction paper, or rip easily, but the others do work. Make sure the paper will wrap around the … Continue reading →

Bottle Cap Magnets

Our refrigerator is just about covered with bottle caps. The boys and I had great fun making these bottle cap magnets over the last few days. You will need: Metal bottle caps (from soda or beer, or buy plain ones from the craft store) Magnet sheets (the ones that have an adhesive on one side make this extra easy) Glaze (Mod-Podge or Diamond Glaze or what we used – Krylon Clear Glaze) Tacky Glue Pictures, Paper, or Drawings Cut out small circles from magazines, postcards, photos, or plain paper. If the kids want to they can make their own drawings … Continue reading →

Family Fun Week in Review

Cool off with Summer Fun over in the Family Fun Section. We’ve got games, cold things to eat, and ways to make life a little more fun. Learn how to make those sandboxes even more fun in Fun Sandbox Surprises. Trains! Jeff shares a fun and frugal idea for occupying the train lovers in your life in Frugal Fun with Train Loving Kids. If your family is looking for a unique game, try Set: The Family Game of Visual Perception. And if you need an easy, quick and fun craft idea try Beaded Bookmarks. Sometimes, it is just too hot … Continue reading →

The Project Box

We keep a large plastic container in the corner of our family room. At first glance, it might seem like it is full of trash. Inside the box, plastic soda bottles, egg cartoons, and empty mint tins crowd for space. This is not trash though, this is our project box. The kids know that they can paw through the box and use whatever they find. I like not having to search for empty cartons and containers when they are inspired. I also like the physical limit of the box. It can only hold so much. That way I don’t end … Continue reading →