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Look to inspire

Look to inspire

Home made christmas baubles Learn to make baubles like these from thin card. Paper Bauble Instructions One sheet of A4 card is enough for four homemade paper baubles. Add glitter or use patterned paper for more vibrant effects. Here are step by step photographs of the process. Cut six strips of card Make a nick at each end of each strip so that they can be joined together like this... to make a loop. The rest should be woven into a simple five pointed star shape like the one below. Now drop the ring on top and draw up the five strips that are under their neighbours at the edge. Now cross these with their neighbours, locking the ring in place then finally the fiddly task of locking each strip with itself. Happy Christmas!

15 timeless observations from history's greatest dystopian novels The dystopian novel has a long, dark and intriguing history. Kicking off in 1726 with Jonathan Swift’s rip-roaring satire Gulliver’s Travels, it’s gone through numerous transformations in the last three centuries. One thing all these books share, though, is that they make us think long and hard about the societies we live in. Evolving not simply as a response to fictional utopian concerns, but also as a response to the prevalent or ominous ideals and politics of the writer’s time, the dystopian novel tends to use its make-believe guise as a front to critique the ideologies under which they’ve been forged. However, they also include enduring wisdom, which can be just as relevant to contemporary readers. To show just how relevant, we’ve unearthed 15 timeless insights from 15 of history’s greatest dystopias. “He who controls the past controls the future. 1984 — George Orwell “Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. Fahrenheit 451 — Ray Bradbury

Folded paper garland Folded paper garland By Kate on July 27, 2010 I‘ve been making these colourful paper garlands to brighten up our new home. They are really easy and very inexpensive. All you need are some long strips of paper and a few dabs of glue. If you stick or draw some eyes on the end they also make great paper snakes/catterpillars. Click on the link below for a step by step tutorial. Step by step 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hope this makes sense.

Dollar Store Crafts & Blog Archive & Recommended Reading: 65 Craft Blogs We Love It's April, which means it's officially stashbusting month! It's time to dust off all of the supplies hiding at the back of your closets and create using what you already have on hand. Think of it like spring cleaning, only much more fun! If you're planning to plow through your excess stash this month, you'll be needing plenty of ideas and inspiration. Heather and Rhonda put their heads together and came up with this list of must-visit blogs to help steer your way through your stashbusting odyssey. Give your bookmarking finger a few good stretches, then read on. Every Post is Amazing One of the things we value most highly is innovation (coming up with new ideas). [Recycled Keyboard Letter Necklaces by Mich L in L.A.] 1. [Mini Crepe Paper Roses by Filth Wizardry] 2. [Spoon Egg Holder by Just Something I Made] 3. [Recycled Treasure Chest Gift Box by Creative Jewish Mom] 4. [Hair Barrette Necklace by Aunt Peaches] 5. [Wine Cork Ink Pens by Paper, Plate, and Plane] 6. Dollar Store Crafty 7. 8. 9.

Upcycling Project Featuring Martha Stewart Paints by Plaid Crafts Wow! What a week! This weekend I got my Martha Stewart Paints by Plaid (available exclusively at Michael’s, by the way) and I got to business testing them out. By now, I hope you’ve read my overview of the Martha Stewart Paints as well as the review of tools and accessories that I received. Now it’s time for the fun part- making something! I can’t tell you how I agonized over which to make- some fun witch shoes for Halloween or to upcycle a wooden chest. So I started off with this worse-for-the-wear wooden chest. Next was to give the outside of the cabinet a nice base coat of paint, and for this I decided to use the Spray Paint kit. The cabinet was unprimed, so the paint sunk in quite a bit and two took coats. Then I pulled out my Satin and High Gloss Paints, stencil brushes, foam pouncers, and stencils and set about decorating. To paint the front, I decided to tape all of the drawers together and treat it like one big surface. Then I got to stenciling the top. There it is! About Jenny

DIY Hand Stitching, part 2 Last week, I started a DIY Hand Stitching series and began with how to hand stitch your own handwriting. I stitched onto paper and showed a method for transferring the pattern by poking or drawing dots as a guide on the surface. The same technique can be used when stitching a simple pattern onto fabric but when you stitch more than one color or there's a lot of intersecting lines (like these), it's much easier to use a piece of tear away backing. I'll show you how-- it's really neat! You will need: Fabric (linen, muslin & thick cottons), Needle (i use a #5 Embroidery Needle), Embroidery Thread, Scissors, Pencil, Thumbtack or Piercing Tool, Masking Tape or Low-Tack Tape, Tear Away Backing (available at fabric & sewing stores), Emboidery Hoop (optional) 1> Cut a piece of tear away backing, a bit bigger than your pattern. Tip: For your first time using tear away backing, try a simple silhouette like a heart or banana. 3> Tape your pattern smoothly onto the fabric.

Cornwall wedding blog {pasties & petticoats} & inspiration for your beautiful Cornwall wedding & {paper DIY} If you’re making your own invitations and (unlike me) are a bit handy with crafty stuff, have a look at these gorgeous ideas from Lowri at PaperVine… These favours would be perfect for holding a couple of after-dinner mints or small gift. I love the shape of these placecards… And here’s how to make the rolled flowers… Top 12 Resources for Running a Crafty Business We are excited to have this guest post from Anna Luna of Urban Stitches! You might remember the Q&A we did with Anna back in April about running a craft retail store, online store and teaching classes. Lucky for us, Anna is here to share with us her 12 favorite online resources for running a handmade business! Take it away, Anna! Hi there, I’m Anna, the owner of Urban Stitches and today I’m excited to be here to offer you the top ten resources I use on a daily basis for my crafty business. Tip: I actually run my online shop (and now brick and mortar shop too) in the evenings and on weekends after working a full time job. My 6 favorite crafty business blogs and sites Etsy: This is one of the largest online selling communities and not only do they make it easy to sell your handmade items or supplies, they have great forums set up to help answer your questions. Crafting an MBA is another great resource all in one place especially geared toward crafty businesses (obviously). Next, Alyson B.

{DIY} Magnetic Chore Chart by Keeping Life Creative | Keeping Life Creative Thank you so much for the feedback on the magnetic chore chart! I’m pretty excited about it too. So as promised, here are the details on how I made the magnets. . . . I found all the supplies at a local craft store, including the whiteboard (which I bought with a 50% off coupon, of course!) and put everything together in less than an hour. Supplies: Chore Graphic Printout1-inch circle punchClear Glass PebblesMod PodgePaint BrushHot Glue GunStrong Magnets Start by printing out the chore chart graphics. Punch out each chore graphic using a 1-inch circle punch. Then brush a thin coat of Mod Podge over each punched chore graphic. {I’m using the “maid” graphic for “mom’s choice” or “mommy’s helper.”} Firmly press the glass pebble (flat side down) onto the modge-podged chore punchout. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over the back of the cutout to seal. Allow Mod Podge to fully dry, then hot glue a strong magnet to the back of each chore pebble. Completed chore magnets: Hi!

Bubble Wrap Hopscotch Is 13 Ounces or Less My brother and SIL are the coolest. For my kids’ birthdays this year they sent this. Bubble wrap hopscotch. So save your bubble wrap, because this is such a great thing to get in the mail. You might want to make a set for yourself. Then just package it up and send it off. Incase you’re interested in the rules, here are the official hopscotch rules, according to my playground experience: 1. and incase you’d like to see a little more, here is my favorite fun mail inspiration from the archives (or follow my 13 oz or less Pinterest board, or see it all right here): A Disposable Camera | A Sponge | A Tube of Bert’s Bees | A Wreath and Twinkly Lights | A Disguise | School Supplies | A Pair of Flip Flops | A Big Ball | Plastic Eggs 1 and 2 | Silly Putty |Shovel & a Bucket | Ribbon Sticks | Bubblewrap Hopscotch | Fan Mail | Waterbottle Care Package | Bouncy Balls | Sticky Notes | Jr Mints | Frisbee | Mini Banner and Mini m&ms

Fake Toilet Paper Roll Is there anything worse than going to the bathroom only to find you forgot to check if there was any toilet paper? There is Now! I made a fake roll of toilet paper out of cardboard, and inserted a removable prank message for that moment of truth when your victim realizes that no salvation will come from that little white roll. I can't wait to get my little brothers with this guy! Happy Pranking! And remember to vote for your favorite pranks starting April 3rd! Disclaimer: This little roll of paper can be a powerful and day ruining little prank if used maliciously, so I suggest that care be taken when setting up where and on whom it will be used.

Bloomin' Handmade Greeting Cards You Can Plant You’ve might have seen seed paper recently. It is homemade paper with flower seeds in it. When it is planted in the ground and given lots of TLC it will bloom into beautiful flowers you can enjoy. First, you need to make the paper. Use paper you have around your house. When your paper is nice and evenly blended you can add your seeds. Now it is ready to be shaped. Place a towel on the counter and if you have a piece of felt, place the felt on top of the towel. Take another towel and press it down on the paper pulp to help dry the excess water. When your paper is dry, cut it out into a flower shape. Make sure you add a message somewhere on your card to let the recipient know they can plant it! Little Birdie Secrets are regular contributors to Make and Takes and was born from the crafting obsession of three friends living in the Pacific Northwest. Tagged as: card, fun with paper Written by Little Birdie Secrets

15 Cool Crafts Made with Altoid Tins & Clay & Sculpting Crafts Ideas & Kids Crafts If you ever had an Altoid mint you know that the mints come in this wonderful little tin. But, who would have thought all the imaginative things you could do with this little tin. By scouring the internet I came across a bunch of Altoid crafts you can make. In this post I am listing 15 of the coolest crafts you can make with Altoid Tins. (1) Altoids Mini Flashlight This Altoid Tin craft is a little more complicated than we typically list in this blog, but how can I make a post about Altoid Tin Crafts without putting this one in it. (2) Altoids Turtle Keepsake Box Check out this elaborate Keepsake Box…. and it is made from an Altoid Tin container and Super Sculpey. (3) Altoids Pincushion I absolutely love this Altoid Tin Pincushion idea. (4) Altoid Tin Wallet Here is a great way to keep your cash….. keep it in an Altoid Tin Wallet. (5) Magnetic Travel Board Game Set This Altoid Tin Craft is from our very own site. (6) Altoids Tin Garden (7) Travel Candle (8) Altoid Tin Mini Toolboxes

Rick Rack Rosettes A friend gave me this flower ring and necklace, when she handed them to me I thought they were porcelain–there’s a very vintage feel to them. From a distance you really can’t tell that they’re made out of rick rack! Yes, rick rack! She shared how to make them with me, and now I’m sharing with all of you readers! The wow of the rosette comes from a few simple steps! She found this tutorial, in Portuguese I believe. First, cut 2 strips of rick rack. Then twist the two pieces of rick rack together, like this. And then run a stitch down one side to hold it all together. Like so. And to make the flower, you just start from one end and roll it up. Keep rolling. Until you have this–and then tuck the little tail under and hot glue it down. You’ll notice all of the petals are closed, so to open them up you just peel them back one by one. And here it is on my finger. Awesome. (Please excuse my hands, my hand model moved to Indiana, so I’m left using what I’ve got

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