Handprint Wall HangingThey won't be little for long! Children grow unbelievably fast, and it's the simple things that develop into treasured memories over the years. Capture your children's little hands with a subtle and natural wall hanging. This art piece looks great hanging amid framed photos on a wall.
Modge Podge Designer ShelvesAn old shelving unit can be renewed to look like a designer accent piece with just a little ingenuity. Whether you want to give your tired shelves color and life for a child's room or make them look sophisticated for a library, this project will allow you to create a perfect one-of-a-kind look for your specific décor.
Transform Vintage Sheets Into Home DecorGo to any thrift store and buy a unique vintage bed sheet. They come in some amazing floral prints, etc.! These sheets were made really well and hold up great over time.
Kitchen Utensil HolderI bet you never thought about using a flower pot to hold your kitchen utensils! This project is so easy. It won't take but a few minutes. This is the perfect utensil holder.
Beaded DreamcatcherHere is an easy to make, beaded dreamcacher.
Plastic Bag DispenserEver figure out where to put those tons of plastic bags you get when you go to the groceries? Here's a cheap way to do it while teaching your young ones the value of recycling!
Fish Collage (Metal and Wood)This art project is for the true recycler. By combining old pieces of metal, a scrap of wood, and leftover paint, you can create a primative work of art that depicts the synergy of man and nature. My father creates these unique pieces in his spare time, and they are indeed works of art.
Tatami Wall HangingNatural materials give your rooms a comfortable, casual feel that's in keeping with today's lifestyle. Bamboo and reeds have a long tradition in Oriental and Polynesian design. They're used to make floor mats, wall hangings, and screens.
Library Lamp Made of BooksNeed a light? Have a bunch of old books laying around that you're not interested in reading? Make a library lamp! This unusual and functional work of art is sure to get great reviews from friends.
Antique Keepsake BoxStart by painting the inside and outside of your box with a complimenting color to your fabric. Once your box is dry, using your lid as a template cut a square of fabric that is just larger then the top of your box.
Grape ArrangementWith the lasting popularity of old-world décor, this grape arrangement will add class and color to an end table, dining table, pedestal, or architectural niche. You can use the same concept with different varieties of fruit, or add seasonal flowers or ribbons to change the look of the arrangement.
Painted Candle HolderThe only thing more romantic than candlelight is candlelight softened by the faint glimmer of enameled glass. This beautiful votive candleholder started life as a yard sale cut glass goblet
Fish Coat RackWe needed some coat racks for our new office which is by the water. I had some little wooden hanging fish I'd bought at a garage sale, worn blue and gray, that I really loved. I saw some coat racks at JoAnn's that I thought would go well with them.
Whiskbroom AngelWho needs a kitchen witch when you've got this adorable little whiskbroom angel around? No need to scare away the evil spirits - just let the Hacienda Angel whisk all your troubles away.
Picture PillowHere is a picture pillow I made of my granddaughter, Dani.
It was my first try at printing pictures to cloth using my printer. I must say, I'm quite proud of it.
Decorative Oil VasesOil vases or bottles are a great way to spice up a kitchen or take up room on an empty shelf. They can be used as bookends or purely for decoration.
Faux Stained Glass (Directions)I have an inexpensive and easy tip on how to make faux stained glass windows using clear Contac paper.
Decorated Dress FormsHere is a photo of an old dress form I decorated. I used an old dress found at a garage sale. The following two photos are more of my dress forms...
Decorating With Tree BranchesCollect various branches or smaller limbs and spray paint them black or your choice of colors and secure upright in a flower pot suited to its size in cement.
Decorating Lamp Shades to Look OutdoorsyOutdoorsy looking lamp shades are a fun way to celebrate the great outdoors from the comfort of your easy chair! The fringe at the bottom is from a popular mega center and is hand stitched on to secure it.
Old Rake Cup HolderHere is a old rake I made into a cup holder. I just painted it, then tied on a few silk vines.
Family Tree Wall HangingI received this Family Tree hanging from our daughter on Mother's Day. The 3 large charms were included where I placed pictures of my parents, husband's parents and the middle one is of myself and husband.
Famous Women Paper "Quilt"Famous Women Paper "Quilt" This is a paper "quilt" made from doilies, paper squares, and pictures of famous women.
Decorating a Shop Light for the Sewing RoomThis 4 foot shop light is in my sewing room and looked too ugly by itself so I made a simple cover for it to match the room decor.
Wall Mountable Custom DecorationsThese are super easy to make and only cost about $12.00. I purchased the letters, pre-primered and with holes in the back to hang them, at Target.
Chandelier from a Table LampI wanted a chandelier over my dining room table, but couldn't find any I liked enough for the price so I decided to hang a table lamp upside down over the table. I found this one at the thrift store and bought it for five bucks.
Stone Covered Golf BallStone Covered Golf Ball. This is pretty much self explanatory. The stones came from a dollar store. I couldn't resist putting horns on it! It's temporarily sitting in a salt shaker lid, but I think it would be OK just sitting.
Sandal KeyholderTake the dowel and kinda turn and push at the same time into bottom of sandal to make a hole. Then put glue in the hole and reinsert the dowel.
Straw Hat OctopusHere's a cute hat made from a straw hat and craft foam.
My Easter Bonnet (Spring Decor)This craft makes a lovely Easter and spring decoration for your front door. Start by pulling the layers of the napkins apart, usually two-ply. Cut up napkins into 4x4 inch squares.
Crayon MobileThe finished project looks good in any kid's room. Make a couple and give them as birthday gifts.
Recycling Old Boards for Home DecorHere is a great way to recycle old boards into great home decor. You can paint anything any theme you want. Either stand it up or you can hang it on wall. Spray paint your board and let it dry.
Standing Baby CraftHere's a craft for making a figure that looks like a baby wearing a straw hat. Take the broom and separate the bristles to look like two legs and tie with string or pipe cleaners. Put on the sleeper, putting the legs of the sleeper over the bristle legs.
Glow-in-the-Dark MobileThis is a very simple project that packs a lot of punch. Your kids will love the glow-in-the-dark effect. Crafting Time: 30 - 45 minutes, plus paint drying time.
Keep-sake Ivy BowlThis is a super easy craft and an attractive way to display unusual collectibles. I made the ivy bowl (see below) to display crystals that Ed (my husband) and Anna found and gave to me from a hike in the woods.
Small Broom Wall DecorThese 6 inch brooms can be made to match any decor, and made for your own use or as gifts, used as gift tie-ons, or sold at a craft fair. Although I haven't tried it yet, I'm thinking they might even be a cute addition to a summer wreath
Make a Flower CollageTo make and expensive looking flower collage, take close-up photos of plants in the colors you want then enlarge them and use a spray-on photo glue to put them on acid-free matboard.
Mini-HatsThese adorable little hats can be hung on the wall, added to wreaths, used as gift bag tie-ons, or as refrigerator magnets. You can also make a few to sell at a craft fair. They are easy to make and allow you to make use of all the bits and pieces of leftover craft materials you have lying around.
Hoop and Fabric CraftI made two of these for Valentine's Day with happy penguins marching with hearts on their flippers and the other with dogs and hearts.
Chicken WreathIf you have a friend who likes chickens, here's a perfect gift. Just take some wooden shaped chickens and fence. Paint them with acrylic paint and let dry.
Home Sweet Home FrameTake frame, I used an 11x13 inch, take the cardboard that usually comes with frame and cover with fabric. Adhere tags with glue gun.
Sea Shell CenterpieceHere is a perfect way to use those seashells you picked up at the beach. Just take a potpourri jar and fill it up with seashells.
Decorative Ikea MirrorThis craft shows you how to change a simple mirror into a decorative one. Using different paint colors and different beads, you can make a mirror to match any decor.
Lace Toilet Tank TopperPretty up your powder room with a lace toilet tank topper. Measure the top of your toilet tank lid. From a lace curtain, cut a piece the same size as your measurements, but adding half an inch on all sides.
Slate That Looks PaintedIf you are like me, I haven't learned how to paint but love the look. Take a slate and go to craft store and find the rub on transfers that you like, I love bears thus my selection.
Mom's Memory WreathThis is a photo of a baby memory wreath my neighbor made for the mother of a precious baby girl she babysat for for nearly the first year of her life.The family moved away and as a gift she made this wreath containing many of the first items she had used.
4th of July Candle HoldersThese candle holders are made from clay pots. Paint the pots and saucers in patriotic colors, let dry, then stencil on stars or stripes or free hand it. Just use your imagination. Let dry. Seal if you like, then put in candles.
Apple Door WreathQuick and easy wreath, take wreath, hot glue apples around the wreath as evenly as possible. Take ivy and hot glue around apples.
Chandelier Light CoversDo you have old chandelier light covers that give you a headache when you look at them? With a little paint and ribbon, you can have brand new covers!
Personalized Name Decoration for NurseryI'm not particularly crafty, but at the end of my pregnancy, I suddenly decided I had to have something with my daughter's name or initials in her room. I didn't like the style or cost of wooden letters, so I made my own wall art while I was off work, waiting for my due date.
Shellin' Out for a Unique FrameEver collected shells at the beach or just admired their natural beauty? Frames decorated in shells are always distinct (no two shells are the same), stimulate personal or collective creativity, and evoke a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere for years to come.
Welcome WreathHere is an easy decoration for your front door. It only cost me a few cents to make this decoration because I already had everything to make it.
Sunflower TiebacksQuick and easy way to make attractive tie-backs to suit the decor in any room. Cut two strips of felt, each measuring 1 1/2 x 24 inches. You can also use two 1 1/2 inches wide ribbon strips cut to 24 inches.
Bear CandleholdersBears painted on clay pots to use as candleholders. Here are some cute candle holders if your decorating theme is the outdoors. You can paint bears or moose.
Framing Old Business CardsMy mom recently found an old business card of my dad's when he was young and had his own business. He died when I was 20. I took frame that I bought at Dollar store already had matting I just cut scrapbook paper for background of business card.
Make a Bathroom Vanity from an Old...Use an old dresser to make a vanity for your bathroom. I crackled this one and then also did some sanding to bring out the gold, as this was the basecoat. Then I stenciled over the top and poly coated it.
Detail Mini Lamp ShadesThis is a great way to accent those mini lamp shades or even large ones. To add some flair to a ordinary lampshade, take a pin and poke holes along outline of picture. This one was from the $1.00 store and had a print on it.
Berry WreathsThese beautiful wreaths are very popular where I live and can be used year after year. They also make nice gifts. It's a simple project and you need no special talent.
Towel and Pot Holder Kitchen DecorNew approach to a dish towel you hang over your oven door handle. Fold dish towel and find center. Take folded pot holder and find center. Sew a straight line or hand stitch through both items.
Dish Towel AngelTake dish cloth and fold back and forth lengthwise. Take spoon and wrap around spoon. Take ribbon and cut extra long. Tie dishcloth with ribbon at bottom of spoon part to form the dress.
New Drapes Out of SheetsIt will be 9 years next month since we moved into our house. There were absolutely no drapes in the house. So I had to find a frugal way of either buying drapes or making them myself.
Bark Picture FrameWe are new to Tennessee and my husband is big into deer and all the other wild life in our back yard. He got to choose how to decorate our den.
Fall WreathsEasy to make eucalyptus wreaths to decorate your home or use as a gift. Make your own for a fraction of what one would cost you to purchase.
Frugal Curtain Tiebacks?Advice for making frugal curtain tiebacks from the ThriftyFun community. In my living room I use 2 inch wide ribbon that matches my decor, the curtains are made out of sheets. In my son's room, I use bandannas.
Raised Stenciling With SpackleFirst, make sure wall is clean or painted the color you wish. Position the stencil to your taste. Decide if you want to use colorant to your joint compound or spackle or if you want to paint it after it is done.
Updating a LampAfter redoing my guest room, my lamp did not match the decor. Instead of purchasing a new one, I simply covered an existing one with fabric to match the room. This is a great way to recycle an outdated lamp.
Boho Hat FormBring your hat or hairpiece out of the closet! This one of a kind hat form is a unique way to use up fabric and trim and is pretty enough to display on a bureau or foyer table.
Dish DolliesDo the dishes with a smile! Make one of these unique "dish dollies" to put next to your kitchen sink. This is a great way to turn odd bits of fabric, trim, beads and other craft supplies into a useful and unique hostess or bridal shower gift, too.
Decorated Ceramic LampIt's easy (and cheap) to give new life to a boring ceramic lamp. I purchased the ceramic lamp on sale for $4.99. I used a sponge (cut into a square and rectangle with a utility knife) and a foam stencil brush, some acrylic paint, and some spray gloss.
"Charming" Welcome SignFor my welcome sign, I used things my family and I had collected over the years. I'm into beadwork and hearts, hubby is into running, my son is into reptiles and amphibians, and we're "all" into dogs! I attached the items to the sign with eye screws and nails.
Night Light LampshadeThese cute night lights would make nice gifts or stocking stuffers. So easy to make that you'll want to make several. A good way to use up all of those short pieces of lace and trim leftover from other projects.
Hurricane Candle Holder LampHere is a homemade hurricane candle lamp. First of all spray paint all pieces and let dry.
Decorative HatFirst of all, glue down the lace around the hat as in the picture. Glue on the flowers and ribbon using any colors that go with your decor. You can add beads or you could make a holiday themed hat. Just use your imagination.
Prayer Wall HangingUse decorative edge scissors or pinking shears to cut around edge of fabric. Glue to center of craft foam or construction paper. Glue ribbon under each corner of fabric for hanger.
Easy Tea TrayI love to use trays in the kitchen, den, dining room, or bedroom to hold a cup of coffee, tea, or a snack, and so I decided to personalize one. I bought an unfinished wooden tray from Michael's for $3 and used a slightly damp sponge to wipe it down with gold craft paint (about 89 cents).
Chair Pad For SchoolMy daughter complained about how hard the chairs were at school and requested I make a cushion for her. I warned her she might get picked on for having a seat cushion. She said she didn't care.
Renuzit FreshenersOne dollar and a few scraps will get you a cute gift. This is a very easy craft. Make the face on the base. Cut the top off the straw hat, decorate and slide on the Renuzit bottle. Glue silk flowers to the top.
Shell PlaqueUse left over scraps of wood and any collected shells to make a nice plaque for your walls. Also uses craft paints, stencil, and tile grout.
Fabric WreathThis wreath is inexpensive to make (I made mine for under $10!) but will be a treasured gift for many years. It can be made to fit any decor, personality, or holiday.
Craft Project: Updating A Promotional ClockA Dog Gone Good Time (Or how to redo a Doctor's Clock). I paid a dollar for the one in the picture. I loved the blue and green together and thought I need a new clock for my office.
Tile TrivetsPurchase tiles of any shape or size to fit your decor. Purchase packs of cork, or rubber self sticking pads. Put the pads on the bottom of the tile and you have instant trivets/hotpads.
Flowered HatThis is a simple, very inexpensive project that you can make for your own front door, but also makes a great Mother's Day gift for a mom or grandmother.
Doll Plastic Bag HolderTake an old doll and recycle into a cute plastic bag holder. To the doll dress hem, add enough material to make the length from the shoulder of the doll to the new hem twenty-seven inches long.
Millefiore Appliqued Paint Using Gallery GlassYou will need three different colors (tubes) of "Gallery Glass", a product by PLAID. On a sheet of picture glass or a piece of freezer paper shiny side up, form nickle size drops of color one. Make about a hundred dots. Now, make a second smaller dot in the center of the first dots.
Recycled Bedspread CraftsI bought a printed, ruffled bedspread, which I suspect is about 40 years old, for $1 at the thrift shop. In good shape, it was a little faded, which made me not want to use it on the bed, but gave it a sort of "vintage" patina. I took it apart and made several matching items to perk up my bedroom.
Potpourri PieThis a pie that not only smells great, but looks great too. Muslin is cut to look like pie dough, potpourri is the filling, and more muslin for that open looking pie. You can even bake this one too!
Recycled Message BoardThis will keep your whole family organized! Using recycled materials, you can create a beautiful message board to display in your entry way.
Shell Wreath with Candle HolderThis looks beautiful in your bathroom and you can use colors that match in yours.
Soap FishThis is a vintage pattern that was originally made with an oval bar of Sweetheart soap. Since Sweetheart soap is no more, you will have to improvise.
Concert T-Shirt PillowsWhat to do with all those old concert tees? You can't get rid of them - way too many groovy memories.
Magnetic Teddy for the FridgeThis little wooden bear has a magnet to be used for displaying a child's drawings. Made of wood, but this pattern could also be used with craft foam.
Hearts And Ribbon Wall HangingThis sweet decoration is small enough to fit in any little nook, but pretty enough to be displayed on your favorite wall. Both children and adults can have fun creating this wooden heart and sheer ribbon craft.
Tile Word ArtA friend of mine gave me ceramic tiles she had left over from her bathroom. She knows I paint on anything that stands still! Word Art is so popular right now.
Mini Clay Pot Bird BathThis decorative little bird bath can work as a place to keep stamps, paperclips, safety pins, or even potpourri. It also seems very popular as a Barbie or dollhouse decoration.
Easy CurtainsMeasure your window/windows. Purchase fabric to fit the window"s width and length. Use contrasting colors to make your window covering interesting.
Craft Project: Scenic WindowMake your own scenes outside your "window". If you don't have a window, just paint one! I love beach and lighthouse scenes. So, I made my window looking out at a lighthouse.
Button TreesI love buttons! I also save lots of things you might consider junk, which I re-use to make beautiful household items and jewelry, like my button and earring trees.
Rag WreathThis is a rag wreath and is so simple to make! Take a hanger, leave the hook on, and shape the hanger into a circle. Cut your material into 1x6 inch strips. Simply tie the strips onto the hanger sliding them tightly together as you go.
Craft Project: Divider ScreenYou can use this screen for privacy or just for daily inspiration. It does take some time because of its size, but well worth the time invested. If you are artistic, make your own canvas frames and hinge them together.
Recycled Heart PillowsI made this heart shaped pillow out of old pillow shams. They were already in the quilted pattern, so I just cut 2 hearts from a pattern and sewed matching buttons on the back. The words were iron on stencils that I used a pen to make permanent.
Pumpkin RollsGive your extra toilet tissue a festive look this fall with some fabric and a few craft supplies.
Framed Cosmetic Mirrors as Bathroom ArtSave or collect cosmetic mirrors (pick them up at sales or thrift stores) and hot glue them to an acrylic or glass frame. Some are upside down. You can mat the background with a coordinating fabric of your choice (under the glass).
