Valentine's Day Cards

There is nothing as special or personal as a homemade Valentine's Day card. Surprise your friends and family with your handmade creations. Here are some ideas to get you started.
 
Valentine's Day Cards
Materials List:

Four blank greeting cards (available at craft stores)
dark redpiece of scrapbooking paper
white piece of cardstock
cream colored piece of cardstock
red and white gingham piece of scrapbooking paper
paper cutter
scissors
glue stick
computer
printer
sewing machine

How to Make Valentine's Day Cards
Instructions:


Card #1:

For this card you will need a dark red piece of scrapbooking paper, a red and white gingham piece of scrapbooking paper (or other coordinating piece of paper), and a piece of white cardstock. Cut a piece of the dark red paper to fit the front of the greeting card and glue it in place. The dark red is the background of the card. Cut two strips of the gingham paper, approximately an inch and a half wide. Cut them to the width of the card (this card will open horizontally). Tear a freehand heart from the gingham paper, large enough to fill up approximately three quarters of the entire card. Next glue the strips of gingham paper to the front of the card with space in between them. The idea is that there is a "strip" of gingham, a strip of red, a strip of gingham, and then a strip of red. Use your sewing machine to stitch* along the edges of the strips of gingham paper, and then stitch around the edge of the card. Glue the heart in the middle of the card. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer and print out on white cardstock. Cut out the phrase (narrow strip) and glue to the center of the heart.

* Stitching tips:
If you have never used your sewing machine to make cards, it is easy! Just sew on the paper like you would on fabric. You might want to reserve a needle just for paper so you don't dull the needle for your fabric projects. There are two ways you can include stitching in your card making projects. You can either stitch directly on the card, or you can stitch on a separate piece of paper and then glue that piece to the card (then the stitching won't show through the card).

Card #2:

This Valentine's Day card is quick and easy. Cut a piece of dark red paper to fit the front of your blank card and glue it in place. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer and print it on the cream colored paper. Mat the cut-out phrase first on a dark red piece of paper, and then mat that piece on another piece of cream colored cardstock to create a layered look. This card will open horizontally, so turn it in that direction and glue the Valentine's sentiment to the top third of the card. For the bottom portion of the card cut three small freehand hearts from the dark red paper. Glue these hearts to three torn scraps (in the shapes of squares) of cream colored paper. Space these pieces across the bottom of the card and glue in place. Stitch around the outside of the card and around the "Happy Valentine's Day" if you wish, but it isn't necessary.

Card #3:

This card is made from a dark red piece of paper and a cream colored piece of paper. Cut a piece of the dark red paper to fit the front of your blank card and glue it in place. Cut a large square from the cream colored paper and glue it just above the center of the card. Glue the piece of paper in place. Tear a large heart from the dark red paper and glue it in the center of the cream colored square. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer. Print on cream colored paper and glue in the center of the heart. Stitch around the cream colored square and the edge of the card, if you wish.



Card #4:

This card is made from a dark red piece of paper, the gingham paper, and white card stock. This card will open horizontally. Cut a piece of the dark red paper to fit the front of your pre-made card and glue it in place. Cut two strips of gingham paper and glue them to the top and bottom of the card so that there is a red strip in between. Cut three freehand hearts from the gingham paper and space them out in the red portion of the card. Glue them in place. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer and print on white paper. Cut out into a narrow strip (narrower than hearts) and glue in the center of the card on top of the hearts.

Notes: - The terms "card stock" and "paper" are used interchangably here, but it is up to you which kind of paper you use, depending on the look you are trying to achieve - A sewing machine isn't necessary for this project, it is just a nice added touch - You don't have to use your computer for this project, you can handwrite the words if you wish.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

For those of you who do things last minute for the holidays or just plain forget than you are in luck with a couple ideas I have for your Thanksgiving table this year. I just whipped these up with a little help from Better Homes and Garden magazine from October.
This one I did myself with no help, hopefully it is not that obvious..LOL. We went to a pumpkin patch last month and gathered up all kinds of pumpkins some of which we used for pumpkin carving for Halloween and the rest we strategically placed throughout the house.
So, what I did was
1. Grabbed one of the pumpkins that I already had
2. Put it on a decorative plate that is displayed in our house throughout the year
3. Used a vase that I already had and went outside in my very sparse backyard (we live in Colorado), grabbed some mulch and rocks, added a pinecone and nut mixture that I use for my Christmas decorations
4. A very large candle that I purchased at Walmart for $1.99 last month.
5. As the final touch I used some fake leaves that I purchased also at Walmart for $3.99.
I am kind of proud of myself for this because it cost me less than $7.00!
It's not the most fancy centerpiece I have ever seen, but it works!

Thanksgiving Craft Idea For Your Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving Craft Ideas Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Thanksgiving craft centerpiece Idea

This next one I was inspired by the cover of Better Homes and Gardens last month. I don't know if any of you saw it, this is not an exact replica but pretty close and I thought it came out pretty good.
What I did:
1. Used a tray that is displayed in my house all year long, it serves many functions..love it.
2. Bought a bag of Fall ghourds at Albertson's last month.
3. Used some fake leaves that I purchased at Walmart for $3.99.
4. Cored out two small pumpkins and filled them with two candles that I purchased at Walmart for $.59/each last month.
5. Wrapped some raffia around the candles and tied them in a bow.
That's It! Pretty cute huh?

Thanksgiving Craft Idea Centerpiece For Your Table

Thanksgiving craft idea Thankgiving table

Ok, so I hope this proved that you (and I) CAN make a very inexpensive Thanksgiving table centerpiece using things you already have and purchase some things for very little money. I know we hear that all the time but usually I don't believe it untill I do it myself.

Card Making -Flower Thanks

Materials:

* 8 1/2" x 11" White Cardstock
* 8 1/2" x 11" Purple Cardstock
* 8 1/2" x 11" Pink Cardstock
* White Embroidery Floss
* Pink Ink Pad
* Purple Ink Pad
* Green Ink Pad
* "Thanks" stamp
* Leaf stamp
* Glue
* Needle
* Paper cutter
* Scissors

This free paper craft project shows you how to make your very own hand-made Thank You card using simple Card making instructions.

1. Take your 8 1/2" x 11" white cardstock and cut it in half. You will have two 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" pieces of paper. One will be the base of your card. Save the other half for scraps.
2. With the base of your card fold it in half. Take your pink ink pad and "ink" around the front of the card by brushing the edges of the card along the ink pad.
3. Take your pink cardstock and cut out three large flowers (2 1/2"). Take your pink ink pad and "ink" around the edges of the flower. Set aside.
4. Take your purple cardstock and cut out three small flowers (1 3/4"). Take your pink ink pad and "ink" around the edges of the flower. Set aside.
5. Place the purple flower on top of the pink flower and with your embroidery floss make a cross stitch (or an X) sewing them together. Pinch the petals of the flowers together to give them a 3-D effect.
6. Take your purple cardstock and cut out a rectangle (1 3/4" x 1"). Set aside. Take your scrap white cardstock and cut out a rectangle (3/4" x 1 1/2"). With your purple ink, stamp "thanks" on the white rectangle.
7. Take your leaf stamp and stamp two leaves on a scrap piece of white cardstock. Cut them out. Set aside.
8. Glue the "thanks" rectangle to the purple rectangle. Make sure you center the "thanks" rectangle in the middle of the purple rectangle. Set aside.
9. Glue the three flowers on the front of the card.
10. Glue the "thanks" on the card. Glue the leaves next to "thanks."

Now your hand made paper thank you card is complete.

Mini Scrapbook Albums - Coasters

Materials:

• Paper coasters
  Scrapbook paper (cardstock and patterned papers)
  Scrapbook embellishments (ribbon, brads, paper flowers, stamps, etc.)
  Corner rounder
  Adhesive
  Paper trimmer
  Scissors
  Hole punch

Coasters have become a popular scrapbook item. These cardboard-like embellishments can be used to create many scrapbooking projects. One use for coasters is to craft a mini-album with these versatile items. Coasters come in many different shapes and sizes so there are several choices when it comes to the size and shape of your coaster mini-album. The most common shapes for paper coasters are circles and squares. When making your mini album the possibilities are endless.

1.

Choose the style and shape of the coaster. Blank coasters can be purchased at many craft stores or online in bulk at American Coasters. The blank coasters can be covered with paper or stamped directly on the outside of the paper coaster. If you choose to buy coasters with printing on them then your will need to cover them with scrapbook paper to hide the pictures.

2.

Using the paper trimmer you will cut the scrapbook paper to the dimensions of your coaster. For example if you are using a square coaster (as shown in the picture) then you would cut the paper in a 4x4 square and use your corner rounder to round the corners so that the paper fits nicely over the coaster.

3.

Once you have your paper trimmed and the corners rounded then you are ready to cover the coasters. You will cover the coaster on both sides for your mini album. The coasters can be coved with solid colored paper (cardstock) or a patterned paper in order to add character to the pages. Liquid adhesive works well because it can be spread over the entire area to ensure the ends of the paper are glued down and secure, but make sure you use the glue in moderation so that it doesn?t warp the paper.

4.

Take your covered coasters and embellish them with photo mats, brads, stamps and ribbon. Then use metal rings, ribbon or other clasps to hold your album together. You can make a book-like album where you flip through the pages or create an album that folds-out like an accordion album.

5.

After the pages have been embellished and you have cut and decorated the photo mats and/or journal blocks for the pages then you are ready to add photographs.

Tips for crafting albums like the examples:

To create an album like the square mini-coaster album example you will need to punch two holes in the side of the covered square coaster and use metal rings to hold the coasters together. This album has stamped words on the cover and inside. The cover is embellished with paper flowers and a button (in the middle of the flower).

For the round coaster album example you will need ribbon, brads and a strong adhesive like glue dots. The pages are held together with a piece of ribbon that is attached to the coaster with a metal brad on one side and adhesive on the other. The outside pages have a long piece of ribbon stuck to the outside edge that is used to tie the album together once the pages are folded on top of each other. You will need to attach the ribbon to the coaster before you cover it so that the paper hides the ends of the ribbon and secures it to the page. This album has a simple design with a paper tearing technique on the front cover and stamped flower and words.

Other suggestions for albums:

Accessorize the album by adding some pocket pages with extra tags for photographs or journaling. You can also create little file folders that fold down for hidden journaling or secret messages.

Create albums with a specific theme. Themes are great for mini-albums because they only have a few pages for your photo story. Make a ?brag book? for grandma with picture or her grandchildren or make a ?baby shower? memory book for one of your friends.

The only thing holding you back when it comes to the mini coaster albums is your own imagination.

Blue Jeans Denim Bootie Bag Purse

Materials:

• 1 Old pair of jeans
  Scissors
  Glue gun (if gluing)
  Glue sticks (if gluing)
  Optional embellishments

Denim Jeans purses or booty bag patterns are all the rage right now with literally 100's of patterns on the market.
We decided to bring you this Booty Bag pattern for free!!!

This bag has the option of being a sewing project or a quick no sew bag by using glue. Glue is a great alternative for a quick kids craft thought it may not be as durable.

Low-rise or small jeans make a smaller bag, bigger or high-waist jeans make for a roomier bag.

Lay the jeans flat and cut off the legs.

Cut through the crotch, then straight across for an even edge.

Turn the jeans inside out and glue the bottom closed leaving about 1/2 inch of fabric (or an even edge). Let the glue dry or alternatively sew this section closed.

Turn inside the right way and check bottom for even edge.

Cut the inside seams from both pant legs and make handles from these. Glue or sew them on.

You can also glue or sew in a cheap bandanna as a lining & add embellishments to decorate the outside of the bag.

Velcro or magnetic closures can also be added.

For extra strength you can SEW this bag closed, but then of course it would not be a quick no sew bag for non sewers.

With craft glue this bag is suitable for carrying around lightweight items or as a overnight bag only.

Super Cool Wallet

For Materials:

*Fabric
*Contrasting fabric for pockets
*Sewing Machine
* Velcro
*Paper for pattern

1) cut a 9" by 7" piece. this will be used for the lining and the outer fabric

2) a 9" by 2 3/4" piece. this is for one of the card pockets! use the same fabric that you used for the outer fabric.

3) a 9" by 3 3/4" piece. This is for the other card pocket and use the lining fabric for this!! *i would also suggest using a medium weight interfacing for the "flimsier" fabric for stability! I wouldn't use it for both though because then it would be WAY too bulky.

STEP ONE! - iron fabric. trace everything and cut it all out! nyam!

This is what all your cut out pieces should look like! A= lining fabric, 9" X 2 3/4" // B= outer fabric, 9" X 3 3/4 "

STEP TWO! - using the two card slot fabric pieces (A and B.) fold them in half long way so that the good sides are facing each other. sew up the side with the stictching being as close to the edge as you can make it! i'll say its about 1/8" but don't hold me to it. i just make it small!

STEP THREE! -pull them right-side-out and iron them out flat. (its like you're making the handles to a purse!) -also iron the outer fabric in half longways-- its a guide for the next step.

STEP FOUR! -place A about 1/4" from the iron line with the seam NOT showing! sew that sucker down! again, make sure that you're sewing as close to the edge as possible so there's plenty of room for the cards! picture of step four:

STEP FIVE! -sew B on JUST ABOVE the iron line, covering up the sew-job of A! again make sure the stictching is close to the edge!

STEP SIX! -snag your little 1" squares of velcro and measure 1 1/2" in from each side and sew the velcro in place, ONLY ON B! fold the other pieces back and don't mess up! hahahaha

STEP SEVEN! -sew a line up the middle of the whole thing! this is to make the separate card holders. only sew up as high as the pockets go. i go up one way then back down so its double strength. -sorry the picture is upside-down, don't get confused!

STEP EIGHT! -sew the outer fabric with all its goods and the lining fabric together, with good sides facing each other! leave a small opening so you can pull it all through. if this seems wacky just stick with me. i swear it works and looks awesome! - you can use a regular size seam allowance stitch WHATEVER ITS CALLED! good luck!

STEP NINE! -IF YOU HAVE 'EM use your zig zag scissors to cut off some of the bulk edges, and leave the opening un-cut. do as i say.

STEP TEN! -turn the whole thang right size out. just pull it out through the hole! I SWEAR IT WILL COME OUT! then iron it out flat and push the corners out!

STEP ELEVEN! -fold it in half to make a wallet, and sew up each side so your $$ doesn't fall out!! -then fold it in half so it velcro's shut. and iron it with steam so that your wallet learns early on that this is how it closes!

TA DA..... YOU"RE FINISHED! I hope your wallet turned out for you! if not, try again...