Packing Paper Gift WrapI always have a lot of packing paper from home deliveries and thought I'd use some of it to wrap gifts for Christmas this year. The paper is very strong and also lends itself well for making 'ribbon' for gifts.
Chocolate Cowboy HatsThese chocolate cowboy hats are a wonderful edible craft. I am making them for my nephew's birthday/Halloween party where he will be dressing up as Woody, the cowboy from Toy Story (his absolute favourite). These only take a few food items and a bit of patience. They would also be awesome for a western movie lover or a baby shower!
Nappy Baby Shower InvitationsI am planning my daughter's baby shower - twins no less!! I wanted to make a special handmade invitation and saw this adorable design. It's a nappy - a modern day version of a diaper! There are many ways to personalize it and I'll show you a few as we go together, step by step!
Love Grows Valentine CardThis Valentine's Day, celebrate your love for your significant other with this easy card. Using a printout of a tree and hearts punched from an old calendar page, this card is also easy on the pocket.
Heart Shaped LeisI am helping my niece prep for her Valentine's Day class party next month. She wanted to make heart shaped leis for the girls in her class. We made these inexpensive heart shaped leis with items we already had at home and they turned out really nice and cute!
Recycled Boxes as Festive CenterpiecesThis is one of those craft projects that is easy on you and your pocket. With 3 to 4 different size boxes and wrapping paper, you can create a festive center piece for all occasions, with some of your items free (boxes can be found just for the asking). The paper can be changed out for different occasions.
Patriotic Straw Wall ArtI saw something like this on line, but I made my own. I had to improvise because I didn't buy enough of two colors, but I think it came out pretty cute anyway.
Romantic WreathI won't get this on in time for crafters to make it for Valentine's Day, but it's pretty for a romantic room/wall hanging any time of the year!
Reuse Special Christmas BowsReuse special Christmas bows for years to come, as you can see in the photos. After the present is open, you can easily remove the bow and use again.
Christmas Gifts for TeachersAs a retired teacher, I want to offer a bit of advice on holiday gifts for teachers. Gifts are never required, of course, but what no teacher needs are things with apples printed on them, or things that state "teachers are....".
Valentine Pudding TreatSweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey... If the amount of sugar is used to measure your love, then this sweet treat will send oodles and oodles of love. This is a kid-friendly craft ~ your kids can make these to show their love for their best friends.
Valentine's Day EggsThis is a fun and adorable edible craft I learned from my mother. She's been doing this since she was a little kid. All you need are a few household items.
Hershey's Kiss RosesThese are a pretty and delicious present for someone. They are easy to make once you get the hang of it. You can put a bunch of them in a ceramic pot as a gift. Or tie a few together and put on top of a gift. Or just hand someone a single rose and brighten their day.
Summer Shark Fruit BowlFruit bowl for summer fun with the kids and adults alike.
"Reasons I Love You" for Mother's DayI created this for my Mom for Mother's Day but I have also done for anniversaries and I even a friend or child's birthday! It is a personalized book dedicated to someone with REASONS you love them. For example, if it's Mom's 50th birthday, write down 50 reasons why you love her!
Budgeting to Feed a CrowdA friend of mine had heard we are having our family dinner for Thanksgiving at my house and made the comment that she could never afford to feed so many people. I told her it was easy on the budget, if you plan ahead.
Easter Egg Hunt CardUse a cookie cutter to trace a bunny onto sugar paper. Add some Easter eggs and you have a perfect card to celebrate Easter this year!
Heart-shaped Valentine CardMake this sweet card to give this Valentine's Day.
Baby Punch BowlIt's a cute way to add some fun to a baby shower or first birthday party. Let the child have the ducks after the party.
Plant Cuttings For Holiday GiftsTake plant cuttings now from plants such as spider plant, Christmas cactus, geraniums, etc. to use for quick inexpensive gifts later in the season. Even Dallas/Boston ferns can be divided into smaller plants.
Soup in a Jar GiftThe mother of a good friend is dealing with cancer. It is easy to feel helpless when those you love are going through any kind of suffering.
Blues Clues Diaper Cake84 Blues Clues diapers were used for this cake, with small clear rubber bands and an empty paper towel tube filled with 3 diapers.
Gift Idea: Memory JarIn the tough times we live in, it's hard to afford a lot of gifts, but this is special gift, one that comes from the heart and can be made to be given for Christmas, Mother's Day, or birthdays.
Have Wife Choose Her Own GiftThis is not very romantic, but it worked for my grandmother-in-law. Her husband used to buy her electric kettles, saucepans, etc. when she wanted something for herself. So she came up with this plan.
Gift Idea EnvelopeDoes your husband or significant other never know what to buy you for your birthday or other special occasion? Create a "gift-idea envelope" for each of you.
Cook Meals For A New MomThe best thing anyone did for me when I gave birth to my three boys via c- section, was to cook a meal for me. Because of my busy schedule with the boys, I discovered that I could double or triple our family favorite and freeze it.
Doilies to Accent Gift WrapI love using paper doilies to accent gifts. It adds an elegant touch and is inexpensive.
Mesh Laundry Bag With Baby Shower GiftA friend of mine is having her first baby soon, so I have been having a ball knitting and crocheting for the new little one. I went to the dollar store and picked up a bunch of those mesh laundry bags.
Valentine's Day Heart GarlandThis is the very first project I ever tried using a sewing machine. Like many others, the thought of using a sewing machine was intimidating. After tackling this easy project, I realized that the sewing machine isn't that intimidating.
Valentine Chinese BoxA Chinese box that I bought on clearance after Christmas for a quarter becomes a sweet valentine box.
Rainy Day GiftMy wonderfully, creative daughter came up with this idea one year "Money for a Rainy Day". Choose 10-20 bills (use whatever denomination you want), and tape a string on each (use various string lengths).
Preserve Leaves With Hair SprayYou can preserve colorful autumn leaves easily by spraying them on both sides with heavy duty hair spray! I did that, put them on twigs with wire - added nuts and other pods.
Remember To RSVP To InvitationsThis isn't a tip but a reminder. When you receive an invitation to a function, and it reads to RSVP or any other type of a request to respond, please reply accordingly.
Split Easter Basket Purchases Between FamiliesWhen creating your Easter Baskets, get together with friends/neighbors or relatives who have children in the same age range and share multi packages of trinkets/toys or candies. Then your baskets will have more variety and save you a lot of $$$.
American Idol Birthday PartySince her older sister auditioned for American Idol this summer, our younger daughter embraced the American Idol idea for her 11th birthday party.
Start Planning for Valentine's Day NowNot too early to start saving on the Valentine date or dinner. Here are some tips I would like to share. You can prepare your own dinner by starting your shopping now and buying the meat and side dishes when you see them on sale.
Mexican-Style Deviled EggsI originally developed this recipe for a Cinco de Mayo's BBQ for last year, and have had friends ask for the recipe. It's yummy, and I hope you enjoy these eggs as we do. This recipe can be made to serve as many as required, but is to serve two with this recipe.
Goodie Bags as PresentsI have a frugal idea for giving gifts when you are on a tight budget. I have 6 nephews and nieces aged between 6 and 15 and, with money so tight, I didn't know what to get them all.
Summer Hat for Easter BasketHere's an Easter tip. When my children were babies, instead of Easter baskets, we picked out a cute summer hat and used it as a basket instead. We put little things in it a baby could use, like a small bottle of juice, a teething toy, a small book, etc.
Organizing and Cooking a Large Meal SuccessfullyTips for organizing a large meal and making sure that everything is ready at the same time.
Photo Scavenger HuntFor an cheap birthday party for pre-teen or any older child, have a scavenger hunt at the mall. Make a list of odd thing such as Alyssa's Dad's favorite cologne or a mannequin with red shoes.
Pinata From A Paper BagFor my three year old's birthday party, we wanted to have a pinata. Rather than buy one, we went to our local H.G. Hills supermarket and picked up a brown paper grocery bag with handles, for free, of course.
Cookie Of The Month PresentFor my Dad's Birthday last year, I gave him a cookie of the month club. Every month near his birth date, I brought him a batch of cookies, brownies, or bars.
Plastic Canvas Easter CrossThis is a simple craft for Easter using only plastic canvas and ribbon. First you should cut a pattern, start with a rectangle that is 21 squares by 17. Find the center on top edge, leave center square uncut.
Protecting Silk Flower Arrangements for GravesitesWith Memorial Day soon approaching, I wanted to share this tip for silk flower arrangements. Spray with a couple coats of WD-40 to help repel water from rain and sprinklers, and to protect silk flowers' colors from fading due to sunlight.
Figuring How Much Food to Buy for PartiesIt will soon be time for graduation parties, family reunions, etc., and it can be difficult to know how much food to fix for a large crowd. Here are several serving guides I have come to rely on.
Handprint LilyHere's a nice craft for little ones to do at Easter using their own handprint.
Valentine Skee Ball GameI made this game for my daughter's Valentine's Day party at school.
Fifth Birthday Tea PartyFor my daughter's fifth birthday I gave her a tea party. At the thrift store I bought old granny hats, and jewelry for about $10.00.
Pirate Party Invitations and IdeasThis year my son wanted a Pirate themed party. I found an ad in the paper for a mini golf place with a pirate logo. I scanned in the ad and removed their name from the banner. I added my son's name and Happy 7th Birthday. Then I printed it on transfer paper and made a t-shirt out of it for him for all his friends to sign at the party.
