Get Crafty! DIY Projects You'll Love
Check out these cool crafts and do-it-yourself projects

Part of being a domestic diva is loving crafts and DIY projects. Here are a few ideas from the experts at iVillage:

· Seashell chic. Got leftover seashells around the house from that beach vacation? Use them to make beautiful decorations. Create a beach-glass bouquet or sea-inspired place cards. For more seashell ideas, click here.

· Cute as a button. Learn step by step how to make this button-backed chair.

· Organize your crafts. Want a cute, creative way to store your ribbons, embellishments, yarn and decorative papers? Try one of these creative solutions. Afterward, you'll be inspired just by looking at your supplies.

· See what other crafters are up to! Visit our craft photo gallery to get ideas and inspiration from other iVillage crafters from all over the world.

Happy crafting!

Buzz the Bottle Bug - Laura C. Martin

Buzz the Bottle Bug

Follow the directions to make this bug or adapt them to make another fantastic creature

By Laura C. Martin

You Will Need:

Scissors
Plastic netting from a clementine box or onion bag
Pipe cleaners
Plastic beverage bottle with a cap
2 craft beads (the holes should be large enough to thread a pipe cleaner through)
Googley eyes

Instructions:

1. Cut out a pair of matching wing shapes from the plastic netting.

2. Starting at the base of each wing, thread a pipe cleaner in and out of the holes every inch or so along the outer edge of the netting. You will probably have to twist a second pipe cleaner onto the end of the first one to make it all the way around the wing.

3. Twist the pipe cleaner ends together at the wing base. Then, wrap the twisted ends around each other to connect the two wings.

4. Set the bottle on its side and attach the wings just behind the cap by wrapping another pipe cleaner around them and the bottle neck, as shown, and tightly twisting the ends together a few times.

5. Spread the ends of the pipe cleaner to create antennae. Thread a bead onto each and bend the pipe cleaner tip to hold it in place.

6. For legs, bunch three pipe cleaners together, wrap them around the middle of the bottle, and tightly twist the ends together a few times against the underside of the bug’s body. Separate the legs and bend each one twice to form joints. For the finishing touch, glue on googley eyes.

Excerpted from Recycled Crafts Box: Sock Puppets, cardboard castles, bottle bugs & 37 more earth-friendly projects & activities you can create. Copyright (c) 2004 by Laura C. Martin. Excerpted with permission of Storey Publishing.

Make Bunny Baskets
Take your empty gallon of ice cream (no questions asked) and turn it into a cute bunny basket with our easy how-to video.

Do a Cute Candy Box Craft
Just cut and fold this easy printable template to make Daisy Duck Easter candy boxes. Check out all 20 Disney Easter crafts and recipes.

March is Youth Art Month

The weather can be unpredictable this time of year, but the Crayola forecast for March is a 100% chance of fun! Make the most of the last days of winter by creating some clever projects like optical art and jewelry. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! Celebrate by making whimsical decorations. Let the flowers bloom indoors with projects to welcome the springtime weather that's on the way. Finally, March is Youth Art Month—then again, it's always youth art month on Crayola.com! Visit today for lots of great art project ideas!

'Tis The Season

Youth Art Month

· Striking Pendant and Earrings

· Op-Art Weaving

· Twisted Wristbands

St. Patrick's Day — March 17th

· Clans and Tartans

· Leprechaun Legends

· Rainbow's End

· Lucky Blarney Stone

Spring — March 20th

· Texture Rubbing Mini-Kite

· Fields of Daffodils

· Four Seasons

· Basket of Blooming Flowers

· Breezy Blossoms

· Flutter Flight Kites

Passover — March 29th

· Passover Picture Game

· Passover Seder Place Cards

· Passover Seder Plate

· Matzah Holder

MORE CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Build your own colouring pages on Crayola.com with Create & Color!

Print out these craft sheets for more seasonal fun.

· Rainbow and Gold Colouring Page

· Complete the Leprechaun Colouring Page

· Luck-o-the-Irish Colouring Page

· Passover Symbols Colouring Page

· Seder Plate Colouring Page

· Surprise Seder Guest Colouring Page

· Palm Sunday Colouring Page

· Spring is Here Colouring Page

· Spring Starts

· Spring Time Friends

Colourfully yours,
The Crayola.com Team

Ravelry

Do you knit or crochet? Do you have a large assortment of yarn? Are you looking for new and exciting knit or crochet patterns? Do you design patterns? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you want to sign up a free Ravelry membership.

I can’t begin to tell you how much of a fan I am of this site. Since I picked my crochet back up this Christmas to make presents, I’ve been at Ravelry just about every day. You do have to sign up for a membership before you can browse the site, it’s free to join – and the community is great!

My favorite feature is the Stash. The Stash allows you to keep track of all the yarn you have in your home. I found a small yarn store in my dining room this winter and I am so happy to have a way to organize it once and then be able to refer to what’s online to know what I have. I won’t have to go dig through my yarn bag, or drawer. I can select projects, and go see what yarn I have, and even where I am storing it. The Stash is also a great way for you to sell yarn that you don’t need or like anymore. People can browse your stash and if they see something they need to finish up a project they can contact you about it. It’s awesome!

My second favorite feature of the site is the pattern search. You can find tons, and I’m not kidding I mean tons, of free patterns. You can even set the search up so that it only finds free patterns. You can also narrow it even further so that it only finds free crochet or free knit patterns. If you design patterns you can sell them or share them free here as well.

My third favorite feature – and really they’re all competing with each other for my love – is the project queue. As you are searching through the patterns on the site you can add them to your queue, so you never run out of anything to do!

Another great feature is that you can add the projects that you are working on and keep track of them via your Project page. Just click add, fill out the form, it will look for the pattern on Ravelry and then you can keep track of your progress. This has really helped me stay on track and involved in my projects.

So are you wondering how you join?

To become a member click the Create an Account Now link underneath the sign in box. This will take you to page where you can input a working e-mail address and then click the Send Sign Up Link button. They will send an e-mail to the address you’ve provided, click that and you’ll be well on your way to a Ravelry account. You’ll have to create a username and password at that point.

If you want to friend me, I’m rawrpounce. Come on, break out those hooks and needles, and come craft with me! :)

http://www.ravelry.com/

~Amanda

Red-Nosed Wreath Deer

Four holiday decorations from FamilyFun

See larger photo

How the heck did this reindeer get his head through that door? We may never know, but, hey, he's got a friendly face to greet the kids coming home from school. Start with a pinecone wreath (as we did) or modify this design for an evergreen wreath.

MATERIALS

10-inch square of corrugated cardboard
Pinecone wreath with a 7-inch opening (approximately)
Pencil or pen
Scissors
Adult-size brown knit ski cap
Pair of brown gloves
Several handfuls of fiberfill stuffing
Low-temperature glue gun
Cloth-covered floral wire
1 red pom-pom (2 inches wide)
2 white pom-poms (each 2 inches wide)
Two 1/2-inch circles of black felt
Small piece of brown craft foam
1 yard of wide ribbon
Small bells (optional)

1. Lay down the cardboard with the wreath centered on top of it. Trace around the inside hole, then remove the wreath and draw a second circle about 1 inch bigger than the rough one. Cut along the line for the bigger circle.

2. Stuff the hat and gloves with fiberfill. Place the cardboard circle in the hat opening and glue about an inch of the hat material to it. Let dry.

3. Carefully push the hat through the wreath until the cardboard back is flush against the back of the wreath. To hold in place, crisscross two pieces of floral wire across the back of the wreath and attach to the wreath to create a cross support.

4. If your wreath has a built-in hanger, make sure that it's at the top, then glue the red pom-pom nose and white pom-pom eyes onto the hat. Add a black felt circle to each eye.

5. Cut ears out of brown craft foam. Ours are 4 1/2 inches tall. Wire the ears in place (just push floral wire through the foam and wrap around the wreath).

6. For each antler: a) Cut three 18-inch pieces of floral wire. b) Fold down the top inch of each wire. c) Insert the wires into the glove opening and up to the tops of three fingers. d) Twist the three wires together at the bottom of the glove and attach the antler to the wreath frame with this wire. Repeat with the other glove.

7. Tie the ribbon into a large bow. Use floral wire or a pipe cleaner to attach the bow (and bells, if you like) to the bottom of the wreath.

8. If your wreath did not come with a hanger, make a wire loop at the back of the wreath and hang.

Halloween ideas

99 Great Pumpkin-Carving Ideas
Vote for your favorite in our 2nd Annual Pumpkin-Carving Contest—and get more great Halloween inspiration

PLUS:

Create a pumpkin masterpiece with 5 sure-fire carving steps

Plan a day trip to a historic home with fun Halloween events

Get the scariest house on the block with easy special effects

Halloween Crafting with Your Computer
Halloween can be such a fun pseudo-holiday. Dress your personal web page up with ghoulish fonts and clipart of black cats. Print spooky party decorations or eerie wall hangings for your living room window. If you have a printer and a little time, it's quite easy to make Halloween decor happen. About.com lists some great Halloween templates and craft ideas here...

Host a Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Party
This is really what I should've done instead of trying to carve all those pumpkins on my own. Hosting a pumpkin-decorating party is not only a great excuse to socialize with friends and family, but it also ensures that your jack-o-lanterns don't all look the same. Like mine, for instance. Most of them resemble my Uncle George.

Hanging Pumpkin Candle Holders
I love this idea. These pretty candles would look great on a patio or deck or to welcome trick-or-treaters to your door.

Make Your Own Pumpkin Planter
I never would've thought of using pumpkins as planters. This is ingenious. Containers can be so expensive and it's difficult to find Halloween or Thanksgiving-themed ones that you can use inside or out.

Disney Character Pumpkins

Carve a Disney Character Pumpkin!

Add a little Disney magic to your Halloween with these pumpkin carving printables! All you need is some tape, a push-pin, and a knife to make your favorite character come to life!

http://family.go.com/holidays/pkg-pumpkin-templates/?CMP=NLC-NL_7LittleThings_10_05_pkg-pumpkin-templates

Winnie the Pooh Template

Mickey Mouse
Template

Minnie Mouse
Template

Snow White Template

Tigger Template

Goofy Template

Pipe Cleaner Crafts
Help the kids unwind after dinner by winding up some fun and easy pipe cleaner crafts!

Artocracy

This is an interesting art site. Here you can view art, download free art, find art to purchase affordably (you never know what may move you), talk about art, and even submit art.

I’m always torn about posting art sites, because while they are usually incredible, most artists are selling their work on their site (as well they should). I usually consider it non-commercial enough if you can see the amazing art without it being watermarked with copyrights all over the image. If you can appreciate it, in it’s integrity then who cares about sale links.

What I like about this site is that with an e-mail address, you can get free art downloads. They bring the art to you via the download, in exchange for you receiving their newsletter that seems like a fair deal to me.

On top of that you can see the current Exhibit for free. Right now it’s Pink: why not? I absolutely adore that photo of the peony. But be sure to check out the exhibit archives as well, you never know where you’ll find a gem.

Plus, if you are an artist you can submit your art. So if you’re interested in digital artwork, you might want to check out the Submit section to see if you work could be included.

Conceptually I adore this site for making art available to the masses, while trying to support the artists who make it. Be sure to check it out today!

https://www.artocracy.org/

~Amanda

Did you enjoy this Cool Site? Want another one? Let us know by rating or adding to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/artocracy

4 Common Mistakes When You Learn How to Knit

Having trouble with your first project? See if you're making these common knitting mistakes while learning how to knit

There's nothing as exciting as learning how to knit -- until you realize your carefully crafted scarf looks more like an accordion! What's going on? What did you do, and how can you stop it? Fortunately, most beginning knitting errors come from the same sources, and if you can spot them, you can fix them easily enough.

If you're just starting out learning how to knit, there are a few terms and hints that might help you keep your knitting in reasonable shape.

1. Tension

Most knitters wrap the yarn around their working hand so that they can keep the yarn at a constant tension. That prevents the piece from changing shape dramatically. Giving the yarn a gentle tug after knitting each stitch helps keep the piece together. Just make sure you don't pull too tightly, or it will become difficult to get your needle through the stitches.

2. Dropped stitches

Dropped stitches are very common for beginners. If you notice you have fewer stitches than you started with, look for a conspicuous loop just sticking out by itself and pull it back onto the needle. That's if it's at the top of the work, of course. If you find it sticking out halfway down, you'll probably also find a bunch of strings on top of it. Use a crochet hook to weave those through the stitch until you get it back to the top.

3. Accidental yarn overs

When you're just learning how to knit, you may accidentally wrap the yarn over the needle, creating another stitch. Count your stitches frequently to make sure you don't! Watch yourself at first to see where your working yarn is going. After a while, it will simply become routine and you won't have to worry about it anymore.

4. Warped edges

There's a very simple way to make sure you have nice, neat edges, even if you're just learning how to knit. Knit the first stitch of each row and purl the last stitch of each row regardless of your pattern, and you'll have neat, pretty edges.

Being familiar with the common mistakes and errors made by beginning knitters is a great way to improve your skills and become a more proficient crafter. Let's avoid the common and mistakes from the very beginning and simply enjoy how fun it is to learn how to knit.

Knit Flower: Morning Glory

morning glory
Click here to zoom.

Flower
Using A, cast on 5 sts. Slip sts onto 3 double-pointed needles and continue in rounds: K 1 round.
2nd round Kfb 5 times. 10 sts. K 4 rounds.
7th round Kfb 10 times. 20 sts. K 8 rounds.
16th round [K1, kfb] 10 times. 30 sts. K 4 rounds.
21st round [K2, kfb] 10 times. 40 sts. K 2 rounds.
24th round [K3, kfb] 10 times. 50 sts. K 2 rounds.
27th round [K4, kfb] 10 times. 60 sts. K 3 rounds.
Bound-off round Bind off 5 sts, * return st on right-hand needle to left-hand needle and cast on 2 sts **, bind off 8 sts ***, repeat from * to *** 8 times, repeat from * to **, bind off 2 sts. Fasten off.
Center
Using B, cast on one st.
1st row [K1, yo, k1, yo, k1] all in one st. 5 sts.
Beginning with a p row, work 2 rows st-st.
4th row P5tog. Fasten off.
Stem
Using B and 2 double-pointed needles, cast on 4 sts. Make an i-cord () 1in. long. Do not break yarn.
Sepals
[K1, yo, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1] in each st, turn. 28 sts. Bind off.
Finishing
Sew center inside flower and join sepals to flower.

Leaf
Using B and pair of knitting needles, cast on 3 sts.
1st row K.
2nd and WS rows P.
3rd row Kfb twice, k1. 5 sts.
5th row K1, kfb twice, k2. 7 sts.
7th row K2, kfb twice, k3. 9 sts.
9th row K3, kfb twice, k4. 11 sts.
11th row K4, kfb twice, k5. 13 sts.
13th row K5, kfb twice, k6. 15 sts.
15th row K6, kfb twice, k7. 17 sts.
17th row K7, kfb twice, k8. 19 sts.
19th row K8, kfb twice, k9. 21 sts.
21st row K3, [slip 1 knitwise] twice, * lift 2nd st on left-hand needle over first st and slip this st purlwise, lift 2nd slip st over purlwise slip st and return st to left-hand needle; repeat from * once **, k2, kfb twice, k2; repeat from * to **, k3.
15 sts.
1st side. Next row (WS) P7, turn.
Next row K1; repeat from * to ** of 21st row, k1. 3 sts. Bind off.
With WS facing, slip center st and work 2nd side as 1st side on remaining 7 sts.
Stem
Join B to center st and make 6 chain sts. Fasten off.
Finishing
Join leaf to flower stem, darning end in chain to strengthen stem.

Craft Green by Making these Trash to Treasure Crafts

Creative and fun ideas for recycling trash into crafts - craft green!

By Sherri Osborn, About.com

Not only is recycling good for the environment, it can help save you money, and, with the projects posted here, you can find out how to recycle creatively! Using the ideas presented here, you can transform baby food jars, paper bags, orphaned socks, and several other items into crafty masterpieces. Let's all 'Craft Green'.

Make sure any items you recycle into crafts are clean and dry - most can be washed in hot soapy water. You should also make sure there are no sharp edges or small parts which may pose a choking hazard for younger kids. Simply make sure you use common sense before you use your imagination!

Please enjoy this ever-growing list of great ideas for crafting green (recycling items you might normally throw away to create great craft projects, games, and more). Click on the desired item below to find a collection of great recycling ideas.

· Bags

· Cans

· Cardboard and Boxes

· Cardboard Tubes

· Compact Disks and Cases

· Film Containers and Pill Bottles

· Greeting Cards

· Jars and Bottles

· Kitchen Items and Tableware

· Laundry Room Finds

· Lids and Caps

· Light Bulbs

· Nature Items

· Puzzle and Game Pieces

· Reading Material

· Styrofoam Products

· Wearables

If you are interested in learning even more creative ways you can recycle, sign up for my fun and educational weekly Creative Recycling newsletter. Each week, you will receive a special newsletter featuring craft projects, activities, and tips for recycling specific items. You will, in total, receive 15 informative issues which will hopefully help and encourage you to do more with your garbage than just throw it away.

Finally, I have a couple of recycling craft collections you can explore. If you are hoping to add a few new craft books to your book shelf, I have a list of Creative Recycling Books to help get you started. I have also compiled a list of the current Top Creative Recycling Projects on my site. This list will change as more crafts are added. If you have a favorite recycling craft, take a moment to submit it and maybe it will make the top list!

The Craft Center

Find more about crafts, organization, organize

There have been some notorious slobs in the world of art. Leonardo da Vinci, for one, kept his studio full of newts, maggots, and bats. (The Mona Lisa had some strange company!) With that in mind, we offer here our dream craft center. Don't be put off by its unearthly neatness--we were, after all, striving for perfection. Just pick and choose the ideas that suit your family. Most of our organizing tools are simply household items, such as magnetic knife strips, plastic bins, and shower caddies, that we've put to new use. With this inviting and user-friendly system, your craft projects won't begin with a frustrating preliminary scavenger hunt. And that, we hope, means you'll have more time for art (for art's sake).

Tips
Every successful craft center abides by the following organizing principles:
1) A place for everything. The system lets kids easily find what they're looking for, and easily return it.

2) Like prefers like. Similar supplies are kept together so kids can hunt logically for needed items.

3) Show what's there. Neat labels or transparent containers let kids see what materials are available and thus visualize a project.

4) Maintain as you go. The center is kept orderly. Supplies are restocked, refilled, recycled, or discarded. Bins are relabeled as their contents change.

Prep Time: Weekend Project
What you need:
	3- by 4-foot bookcase 2 large storage bins 3 small storage bins Clear Plastic Jars Shower Caddy In/Out boxes Spice Rack Bottles Lazy Susan Paper Towel Holder Cutlery Tray Large Basket
Seasons: Year round
Materials: bookshelf
Instructions:
1.	For the base of our craft operations, we used a basic 3- by 4-foot bookcase. You could use a cabinet, part of a larger bookcase, or a rolling cart instead
2.	The clear plastic bin is our storage unit of choice. One large bin holds bulky felt and fabric scraps; another holds coloring supplies--crayons, colored pencils, markers, and chalk--further divided into labeled ziplock bags.
3.	Smaller bins hold themed supply sets, all further divided into labeled bags: clay (modeling clay, cookie cutters, rolling pin); string (embroidery floss, plastic lanyard, yarn, twine); paint (watercolor sets, small tubes and bottles of acrylics, powdered tempera paints); and so on.
4.	Tall, clear plastic jars are best for collections of uniform materials such as pom-poms or pipe cleaners.
5.	A shower caddy makes for a durable paint bottle holder. Hang smocks on the washcloth hooks.
6.	In/out boxes let you store paper, card stock, and sheets of craft foam in individual slots.
7.	Fill the bottles of a spice rack with glitter, googly eyes, buttons, beads, shells, confetti, and other tiny materials.
8.	Put a lazy susan to work holding glue, tape, and other often-used items.
9.	Attach a paper towel holder where your kids can reach it with grubby little hands
10.	A cutlery tray provides open-air storage for still-damp paintbrushes.
11.	A large basket holds miscellaneous recyclables, like egg cartons, empty bottles, and packing materials--the kind of bulky stuff that has "craft project" written all over it, but no particular assignment.

Variations
Magnetic knife strip: Keep scissors and hole punchers from straying.

Tackle boxes: The clear ones offer mini compartments just right for beads and jewelry findings.

Old shower curtain: Use as a floor cloth under the work area.

Recyclables: Diaper wipe boxes, margarine tubs, egg cartons, small jars, and bottles can be used to store everything from beads and sewing supplies to half-finished projects and modeling kits.

Skirt hanger: Use one to easily store a dozen of your child's works in progress.

Turn your photos into a Calendar

Have you ever wanted to turn your photos into a nice looking calendar for display? Or perhaps to give to friends and family as a gift? Well, this is all possible with some simple steps. Read on and find out how you can do this. It's really quite a simple procedure - anyone can do it within one or two hours.

1. Select Good Photos
The first step in turning your photos into a calendar format is to select some good candidate photos. The trick is to select your favorite 12 to 15 photos and place them into a suitable folder. Usually, for such a selection you can go by themes, e.g. children, famous landmarks or even seasonal photos like winter or summer landscapes.

2. Clean Up Pictures
Once you've selected the photos, the next step is to have them cleaned up. Remove any dirt or noise from the photos using your favorite paint program. If need be, you can also apply special effects to the photos using filters like sepia for a more interesting look.

3. Ensure Photos Are Large Enough
You then need to make sure that the photos you selected are large enough. Typically, if you intend to produce 8x10 inch photos, you need to have 1600 x 1200 pixels of resolution. I'd say that a 3 megapixel camera or above will be more than enough to produce such shots.

4. Upload to Photo Sharing Site
The next step is to then upload those selected and cleaned up photos into a good photo sharing site. A good one is Smugmug which has options for printing photos into calendars. Usually the price of the calendar is not much, and you can choose to have it shipped to an address of your choice.

And that's it! Now you know how to select photos and create a calendar for sharing with friends and family. A calendar with nice, memorable photos makes a perfect gift. So do try this idea out the next time you're out of gift ideas. Good luck!

~Ramachandran Kumaraswami

Did you like this tip? Want to rate it or add to it? Go here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/turn-your-photos-into-a-calendar

Home Décor

Classic salt-glazed stoneware offers cobalt-blue detailing as an inspiration for your home's décor. Try one of these project ideas today.

Salt-Glazed Projects

Iron-On Design

Cut and Paste

Coloring Designer Easter Eggs Without an Egg Dying Kit

Posted: 27 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PDT

Coloring Designer Easter Eggs Without an Egg Dying Kit

We think we came up with some pretty fabulous egg designs. Just about everything we used to make the eggs in the basket above is in the photo below. You'll find detailed directions, as well as a list of supplies for the individual designs by following the links. While we utilized various techniques to achieve the results you see, all of the eggs have one things in common, the basic egg dye recipe.

Egg Dye Recipe
Why buy packaged egg coloring kits when you probably already have everything you need right in your pantry?

To make a rainbow of egg hues, you can use either liquid or paste food coloring, although I find using paste gives extra bright and, depending upon how large a dab of paste I use, more intense color.

You'll need a separate cup for each color, large enough to hold an egg and the liquid. Dissolve a dab of paste food color, or about 6-8 drops of regular liquid food color, in 1 cup of hot water. Stir in 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar and your egg dye is ready to go!

Egg Dying Tips

Before you can color Easter eggs, you'll need to boil eggs, click here for how to instructions for making perfect hard boiled eggs.
Covering your work area with plenty of newspaper or other paper makes clean up afterward a snap -- just gather up the mess and throw it out in one fell swoop.
An empty egg carton makes a good drying rack, but liquid tends to collect at the bottom so use caution when lifting eggs out of the drying rack and blot the bottoms carefully with a dry paper towel so the color doesn't run
Making sure eggs are completely dry between color coats is probably the one most important tip for great Easter eggs - absorbent paper towels, used to carefully blot the eggs, can help finish the process
Wearing rubber gloves will help your fingers avoid getting stained with food coloring -- and they will regardless of how careful you are.
If you don't want to color boiled eggs, you can also use hollow egg shells in which the contents have been "blown" out. Follow this link for directions on how to make blown eggs.
After Easter use up all those egg with the recipes at this link: Top 10 Things To Do With Leftover Easter Eggs

Designer Easter Egg Designs (click links or photos for complete how-to instructions)

Abstract Eggs (pictured right) -- Who knew that a jar of rubber cement could help you make such great looking Easter eggs?

All-Natural Onion Skin Dyed Eggs -- No dye necessary here, onion skins do the work for these natural look Easter eggs.

Banded Eggs -- Various sized rubber bands help to make Easter eggs with bands of stripes criss crossing their surface.

Dinosaur Eggs (pictured left) -- The clever use of ordinary cheesecloth gives these eggs a unique dinosaur-like appearance.

Sticker Stencil Eggs -- A few supplies from the stationary store (or your desk drawer) can help make egg dying easy and stylish.

Marbled Eggs (3rd picture down from top of this post)-- This design creates unique marbled colored Easter eggs -- no two are ever exactly alike!

Spatter Dyed Eggs (pictured below) -- The kids love to do this one -- all it takes is some egg dye, an old toothbrush, and a small stock or skewer.

Thank you for viewing Cheri's FabulousFoods.

Make decorative tiebacks that will surely impress

by Alyssa Davis

Tiebacks designed to hold back window treatments let natural light shine in while adding a finishing touch to drapery panels and sheers. They are as practical as they are stylish, but decorative tiebacks that are not included with budget window treatments can be quite pricey. On the other hand, tiebacks that come with budget window treatments are more functional than decorative, and they add nothing to the style of the room.

If you want a designer look without the designer price, toss aside the tiebacks included with budget window treatments, and make decorative tiebacks that will surely impress. With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can design tiebacks that will look just as good as or better than designer varieties sold in fine department stores, and they will be far more unique. The following ideas for making decorative tiebacks will help you transform plain budget window treatments into beautiful window dressings with extraordinary style, and for much less than you ever thought possible.

Seaside Tiebacks

A room with an ocean theme can be further decorated with seaside accents, and accents such as seashells can be ncorporated into the theme when embellishing budget window treatments. Instead of investing in expensive metal holdbacks for a room with an ocean theme, visit your local craft store and purchase fishing net and natural twine. Use shells you have collected or buy them by the bag for creating unique tiebacks. A small bag of shells is relatively inexpensive, and any extras can be displayed elsewhere in a room with a seaside theme.

Begin by cutting two sections of netting according to the width of the panels. To decide on the proper length, keep in mind that it should hang four to six inches from the knot after loosely wrapping each panel. The tiebacks should fit securely to hold the window treatments in place, but they should not bunch the fabric.

After securing the window treatments with netting, hot glue three-inch sections of natural twine to the first shell, and continue this process until you have four or five shells with strings to attach to each tieback. Thread the twine through the holes in the netting and tie the knots securely.

These budget tiebacks will look far from budget priced. They will look unique and just as stylish as store-bought varieties. They will also become a conversation piece that will generate many second glances and countless compliments.

Pearls and Lace

Faux pearls and lace make lovely tiebacks in an elegant bedroom or living room. Faux pearls are available in many different colors, and they provide a great deal of beauty when decorating with budget drapery panels or sheers.

When selecting the strings of pearls, allow approximately fourteen-inches to wrap around each panel. In addition, select attractive lace that is approximately six-inches longer. Loosely tie the lace and the faux pearls around each panel, and secure a loose double knot on one side. Arrange the folds of the window treatments for a striking display that will greatly add to the elegance of the room.

Floral Tiebacks

A floral theme is one of the most popular choices when decorating a bedroom, and window treatments are an important consideration. When decorating on a budget, opt for tiebacks designed using silk flower blooms instead of expensive metal varieties. Use clear thread to string together the blooms of color-coordinating fabric flowers, and be sure to make the strings long enough to extend a few inches beyond both sides after gathering each panel. Use a small section of wire or sturdy cotton thread to hold the stringed flowers in place. They will add three-dimensional design and immeasurable beauty to ordinary budget window treatments.

Unique and Easy Glass Bead Tiebacks

If you have never browsed the bead aisle of your local craft store, you are in for a big surprise. Glass beads are available in many different styles, designs, and colors and they are good for more than just jewelry. Glass beads are ideal for making beautiful tiebacks to enhance budget window treatments, and the options are virtually endless.

Select glass beads in a color and design of your choice, and string them onto natural fiber twine. Carefully measure the amount of twine necessary before beginning, and be sure to add a few inches extra. The strings of beads that will hold back the window treatments must be long enough to gracefully hold them in place without bunching the fabric.

After stringing the beads onto the tiebacks, thread additional beads of your choice onto shorter strings of alternating lengths, and tie the ends securely. Tie each shorter string between every fourth or fifth bead to create a unique fringed affect.

These are just a few of the ways to enhance the look of ordinary window treatments while sticking to a decorating budget. Tiebacks do not have to come from the store or have a designer label to look stylish and impressive. Use your sense of creativity and imagination to create one-of-a-kind tiebacks and window treatments that will enhance the beauty of your home and dress up your view to the outdoors for many years to come.

_______________________

Senior on-staff decorating specialist Alyssa Davis offers many free ideas for decorating with iron wall decorations at <http://www.metal-wall-art.com> and tree metal wall art at <http://www.metal-wall-art.com/leaves-trees-metal-wall- art.html>.

Valentine day to enjoy

Our Valentine's Day Activity Booklet is a collection of fun printables, games, quizzes, and crafts that your kids will enjoy.

Valentine's Day Cards Kids Can Make

Valentine's Day Activities and Party Ideas

Homemade Valentine's Day Treats for Kids

Top 10 Valentine's Day Movies for the
Lovestruck

Homemade Valentine's Day Gifts, Cards,
& Crafts

Valentine's Day Activities for Kids

Valentine's Day Classroom Party Ideas

Making Wooden Duck Decoys

Have you ever seen a duck decoy where the wood is so detailed that it actually looks like feathers? In this video short, we'll visit a man who imitates nature in his duck decoys and see how it's done.

See how. Watch the Video.

http://www.ronhazelton.com/videoshorts/wooden_decoys.htm

Image: Ron let's us know How It's Done with a visit to a duck decoy carving workshop

Transform Kitchen Bar Stools for Less

by Simon Phillips

Have a new look at a fraction of the cost

A set of new bar stools can cost over $500, so furnishing your breakfast bar or kitchen can become an expensive project. One of the philosophies of living frugally is to make the best of what you've got, and if you need to buy something, try to make your cash stretch further. With this in mind, one way to give your kitchen a fresh new look is to give your existing bar stools a makeover. A good clean or a lick of paint can make a huge difference at transforming tired looking furniture

Alternatively, if you're starting from scratch and don't have any kitchen stools already, you may be able to pick up some bargain secondhand ones for just a few dollars by visiting local yard sales. You may have to put a bit of work in to strip them down and refinish them to your taste, but it'll be satisfying to see the end result and know how much money your handiwork has saved

If, beneath all the build up of dirt and grime that can accumulate over the years, your bar stools' original finish is in reasonable condition and you like the color, you could simply just give them a really good clean and leave it at that. There are various tricks you can use in addition to just giving them a wipe with a cloth. For example, if there are any mold or mildew patches on the wood, make sure you kill the spores by using half leach and half water; otherwise, it'll just reappear in a few weeks. For tiny splatters of paint from decorating, try gently scraping them off so as not to damage the finish. Or for water-based paint, you could rub with a cloth and a solvent such as toluene

On the other hand, if a thorough clean reveals a badly scratched, chipped or stained finish, your best bet to revitalize your stools is to refinish them. There are several main stages to this process (stripping, sanding, staining and finishing), but this is a great way to add your personal touch and give your bar stools a totally new loo

Stripping the old finish is probably the messiest stage. The aim is to scrape off all the finish to the bare wood beneath. Depending on what type of finish you're working with, you may be able to do this without spending a dime, just with a paint scraper. However, you may need to use a chemical stripper to loosen it and make it easier to scrape. If you need to buy some stripper, read what it says on the tin to make sure it's suitable, and follow the instructions for use. It's commonsense to wear old clothes and protect surrounding surfaces from splashes, as well as opening a window for ventilation

The next stage is very dusty. Once you've exposed all the wood and there are no traces of the original finish, you'll need to sand your stools. Sanding is essential to get as smooth a finish as possible and to remove any unsightly scratches or stains. It also helps the stain and finish to penetrate, by opening up the grain. You can do this by hand, but it will take a while. Or you could borrow an orbital sander from a friend to speed the job up. It's best to use sandpaper with 100-120 grit. A thrifty tip to make the sandpaper last longer is to try using an old toothbrush to unclog it. Always sand with the natural grain of the wood and don't rush this stage. As with any DIY project, preparation is key

After your sanding is complete and you're happy with the surface, you'll need to clean up all that dust. Vacuum up what you can and give the stools a final wipe with a cloth and a drop of mineral spirits. If you now decide you like the natural tone of the wood, you could miss out the staining stage and simply use a clear finish to highlight the natural beauty of the wood

A stain will bring out the natural grain of the wood as well as darken it in your choice of shade. For instance, you could make pine bar stools a mahogany color. If you want a change from the wooden look, you could paint your stools instead, using a layer or two of undercoat and whatever color paint you fancy. If you're feeling creative, you could hand paint a pattern onto the frames or seats for a really unique finish

Apply your stain carefully and evenly with a natural bristle brush and allow sufficient time to dry between coats, referring to the directions on the tin. You can then sand the stools one more time with 220 grit sandpaper before applying the final finish

There are all kinds of gloss, satin and matte finishes to choose from, such as varnish, polyurethane and bees wax. As kitchen and breakfast bar stools get daily use, you'll want a durable protective and waterproof finish to prolong their life and delay having to refinish them again for a long time. Apply the finish according to the manufacturer's directions and allow to properly dry before using your stools

When they're all finished, you'll be the proud owner of a totally "new" set of bar stools, for a tiny fraction of the cost of buying brand new.

_________________________

Simon Phillips has an eye for a bargain and likes to spend time on money-saving DIY projects around the home. At his website www.getbarstools.com , you can find the latest discounts on kitchen bar stools <http://www.getbarstools.com/kitchen-barstools.html>, in all kinds of styles, including metal bar stools <http://www.getbarstools.com/metal-barstools.html>, as well as useful measuring tips

Take the Next Step:

- Instead of purchasing new bar stools that can cost over $500, use the above ideas to give your kitchen a fresh new look. A good clean or a lick of paint can make a huge difference at transforming tired looking furniture.

- Subscribe to our new weekly "Inflation Fighters" newsletter by sending <mailto:subscribe-InflationFighters@hub.thedollarstretcher.com> "Inflation Fighters" is a free email newsletter that will provide ways to help you save money as the cost of everyday items rise. Each issue features six or seven articles to help you stretch your dollar!

made money

How to Make Extra Cash From Your Hobbies: Three Easy Steps

Posted: 09 Jan 2009 04:00 AM PST

If you're anything like me, and most of the other people on this planet, you'd probably like to make a bit more cash. You'd probably also like to do so without sacrificing all your free time and giving up the activities which you love. A great way to put some extra dollars in your pocket, then, is to make money from your hobbies. Impossible? All you need to do to get started is to ask yourself three questions...

Question One: What activities do I enjoy doing, which I'm also good at?
Think through what you like doing. Don't worry at this stage whether you can see any money-making potential in it; the only criteria is whether you've reached a reasonable standard of competence at it. For example, if you enjoy writing (like I do!), are you able to write a coherent piece of fiction or non-fiction and have you received positive feedback on your writing? If you love to knit, can you make simple garments which look good and which fit?

It's important to consider whether you're good at your chosen activities because in order to make money from something, you usually need to have reached an acceptable standard at it. You don't need to be an expert, but you shouldn't be an absolute beginner.

If you're struggling to think of activities you enjoy, here are a few popular hobbies:

Photography
Writing (fiction or non-fiction)
Painting
Knitting and sewing
Woodwork and DIY
Playing a musical instrument
Cooking and hosting dinner parties
Sport and exercising

Thought of a hobby? Good... now ask yourself the next question:

Question Two: What have you paid for when enjoying this hobby?
When you're thinking about how you could possibly make money from your interests, it's very useful to consider what you've paid for while carrying them out. Almost every hobby will involve some expenditure. Think about products (items which you buy) and services (often intangible things that you pay others for, (e.g. training courses, subscription to a membership-only internet site).

Some common examples are:

Buying books which teach you techniques
Buying magazines about the latest trends in your hobby (there are magazines for almost every interest)
Going on courses (such as a crafting course, a writing week, a cooking weekend...)
Buying equipment and tools related to your hobby (this doesn't just apply to DIYers - think knitting needles and wools, sheet music and new instruments, sports gear, ingredients and kitchenware, digital cameras and software...)
Paying someone to train you (perhaps a sports trainer, a chef, a college tutor)

Chances are, you'll have spent a fair bit of money on your hobby over the years. Jot down anything you've bought -- especially things that you paid for when you were just getting started.

Question Three: What product could you make, or what service could you offer to others?

Look at the list you wrote in question two. Are any of those products or services ones which you could offer to others? For example:

If you bought a lot of "beginners' guides" when you were starting out with your hobby, could you create an ebook to sell to others who are new to it?
If you subscribe to several hobby magazines, could you write an article for one or more of them?
If your hobby involves regularly buying materials, could you sell these to others (online on ebay or at a local market)?

Think about what skills you've learned which you could teach others. You could produce information materials such as audiobooks or ebooks, or send a proposal to a publishing company. You could run training sessions or courses, or get in touch with a local educational institute that might hire you.

If you still haven't found any area where you can earn money by delivering a product or service to fellow hobbyists, think more widely. Does your hobby produce an end result which could be shared with the world? Every art or craft hobby is suitable here. For example:

If you love painting, have you ever attempted to sell your work (either producing prints, or one-off pieces)?
If you take great photos, do you just put them on Flickr, or have you tried selling them on istockphoto?
If you enjoy writing fiction, have you ever sent a piece to a short story magazine?
If you bake the best cakes in town, how about starting a stall at a local market?

Once you start to brainstorm like this, you'll be surprised how many possible ways there are to make money from your hobbies. Your biggest challenge might be restricting yourself to just one!

Do you make money from your hobbies? Do you have an interest that you think you could make money from? We'd love to hear your tips and ideas in the comments

Written on 1/09/2009 by Ali Hale. Ali runs Alpha Student, a blog packed with academic, financial and practical tips to help students get the most out of their time at university.

Chocolate Lip Balm

By Denise Witmer, About.com

Fun teen craft and party activity using this easy lip balm recipe.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 05 minutes

Ingredients:

· 1 small container; lip balm tube or a small tub with cap

· 3 tablespoons cocoa butter

· 5 chocolate chips

· 1 vitamin E capsule

· 1/4 teaspoon cooking oil

Preparation:

Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave in a small plastic mixing bowl. Do not overcook. Add the chocolate chips and stir until they are melted. Put into microwave for 10 seconds if needed. Wasting no time, add oil and cut open vitamin E capsule and squeeze into mixture. Stir well. Pour into container.

Note about supplies: Cocoa butter and vitamin E are found at your neighborhood pharmacy. Containers can be found at the craft store. All other ingredients can be found at your local grocery store.

Fun Recipes for Kids
Bath Salts & More . Camping Recipes . Craft Recipes . Christmas Recipes . Dessert Recipes . Diabetic Recipes . Drinks & Punch . Halloween Recipes . Lunch Recipes . Picnic Recipes . Pizza Recipes . Snacks . Thanksgiving Recipes . Valentine Recipes

Make a Holiday Candy Wreath

By Lauren Guerriero

Turn those treats into dandy candy, and crafty, creations. Check them out here: Cool Candy Wreaths

Colorful Christmas Crafts for Kids

By Jocelyn Worrall and Suzonne Stirling

A red and green Christmas? Not this year! Deck your halls and walls with candy-colored crafts that are simple enough for kids to make.

Check it out here: 15 Colorful Christmas Crafts

Christmas Wreath

Here is an important holiday decoration piece that kids will love creating. They will be proud to see their own Christmas wreath hanging on the front door.

You'll need:

· Twig wreath base

· Glue gun

· Selection of flowers, dried leaves, gum nuts, pine cones, wheat, etc.

· Tin of gold or silver spray paint

· Christmas tartan ribbon

· Wide Red Ribbon

Visit your local flower markets with the kids and purchase any of the items that you can't gather from your own garden or a local park.

Organize a 'craft station,' with newspaper spread out to protect tables or carpet. Decide which items you would like to spray with paint, and do this first on plenty of paper away from furniture. Leave to dry.

Help children with the gluing, as glue guns can give nasty burns. Attach a string loop to the top of the wreath for hanging. Then help the kids to tie lots of small bows with the tartan ribbon to be interspaced on the wreath. They have to decide where to position all the other items. Next, they will help you glue them in place on the twig wreath.

Leave a space at the bottom for a large bow and attach this at the very end. Hang the wreath on the front door for a nice festive entrance to your home.

Decorations, Gifts, Scrapbooking and More
Find dozens of craft projects to decorate your home, plus ideas for handmade gifts for everyone on your list. Even dogs and cats.

• Watch videos »
• Share videos and photos of your holiday decor »

Build Your Own Dancing DIY Snowman

Share Holiday Spirit and Send to Friends
Build your own DIY snowman, bring him to life and watch him dance. Then spread good cheer by sharing him with all your friends.

• Personalize your snowman now »
• Throw snowballs at neighborhood punks »

· Oversized Christmas Stockings

More Christmas Crafts

By Michele Beschen

For a memorable mantle this holiday season, create oversized stockings. When you go oversized, the stockings are going to be three feet tall. Kids absolutely love the size of these jumbo stockings. It’s fun to find ways to fill them that won’t break the bank!

Materials:

chenille bedspread or knit throw (enough material to cut two 36"x 24" sides)
enlarged stocking pattern (3 feet long)
pins
scissors
sewing machine
old necklaces
stock chain necklace or ribbon embellishments
weighted stocking hanger

Steps:

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

1. Enlarge a stocking pattern to a three-feet size size or draw your own oversized stocking pattern.

2. Double the chenille material either right sides together or wrong sides together. Pin the oversized template directly to the material. Tip: If your material has a design on it, take that into consideration as you are laying out your pattern.

3. Cut around the template. If your material has trim or fringe around it, cut that out separately and use it to trim out the top of your stocking (figure A). Stitch the trim or fringe to the top of the stocking before sewing the two sides together.

4. Place your pattern pieces (right sides) together, pin and sew. Stitch 1/4- to 1/2-inch all the way around, leaving the top of the stocking open. If material is too thick to run through your sewing machine, hand-stitch the corners of the trim at the top of the stocking together.

5. Turn the stocking right side out and run a 1/2-inch top stitch around the outline of the toe and the heel of the stocking. This will keep it from puckering when you hang it.

6. Drape old laces around the top portion to embellish. String the necklace across the front of the stocking (figure B), underneath the fringe and hand-stitch into place.

7. Create a loop for your stocking with a stock chain or ribbon. Hang the stocking from a weighted stocking holder to ensure the stocking will not fall (figure C).

Pressed Flower Gifts From the Garden

Rebecca's Garden : Episode REB-633 -- More Projects »

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/gifts-from-the-garden/index.html?nl=HGG_v089_28

After you've spent the season growing flowers, you'll love these ideas for using them. To press and dry flowers, you can use a botanical press or you can microwave them. To do this, place the flower on a microwave-safe plate between paper towels. Put a stone or something heavy on top. Microwave on high for about two minutes. Remember, microwave temperatures do vary. Now, you'll have pressed flowers for the crafts.

On a lampshade, translucent rice paper covers the dried flowers to protect them and add a nice, natural texture.

Lampshade

For this project, you need a plain lampshade (which you can leave white, paint or add fabric) and some glue diluted with a drop of water. You also need semitransparent, handmade rice paper, which you can pick up at a craft or art supply store.

Start by brushing glue on the lampshade where the flowers will be placed. Apply a pressed flower on top of the glued area. Continue gluing and placing flowers around the lampshade.

Place the rice paper over the lampshade while the glue is still wet. Then apply glue over the rice paper. It's better to pat rather than brush it on so that you won't tear the flowers. For this step, being sloppy is good. The folds in the rice paper help create a nice texture. Once the glue dries, you can see the flowers well through the rice paper.

The shade can be done at this point, but you can take it a step further and paint the rim or add trim, ribbon or raffia.

Hurricane lamps, plates and votive candles

Using the same technique, you can decorate hurricane lamps, plates and votive candles. If you use glass, you'll want to spray on about 10 coats of sealant (preferably outside because of the fumes).

A thin layer of paraffin wax over the dried flowers protects them and holds them in place.

Another way to use your pressed flowers is to glue them onto candles. You need a candle, glue (diluted with a drop of water), pressed flowers and some paraffin wax melted in a double boiler. Brush glue on the candle, and apply a pressed flower. Continue gluing on flowers until you have a nice pattern. If the flowers have stems, cut them off. After the flowers have been arranged, apply a second coat of glue over the candle.

After the glue is completely dry, paint the melted paraffin wax over the candle. This protects the flowers and creates a seal. You can also use this technique to decorate soap. Guests can enjoy the flowers but also use the soap because the wax is only on one side.

Press dried flowers between glass to make a paperweight or sun catcher.

Pressed flowers between glass

The third project is placing pressed flowers between two pieces of Lucite or Plexiglas. Drill two holes through both pieces and add binding posts to make a paperweight. Some frame stores carry Plexiglas frames attached by magnets so you can change the flowers as the seasons change.

Another project is making sun catchers with dried flowers. You need two pieces of glass that are cut to match. Take your dried flowers and add a dab of glue to position the flower on the bottom piece of glass. Put the other piece of glass over the top.

Take some copper tape (available at a hardware store or craft store). Wrap it around the edges, making sure it's centered. Using the same tape, attach a thin piece of copper wire to the top. Attach a suction cup to the wire, hang the sun catcher in a window and watch your garden live on.

Scented Apple Wreath

Tools you'll need Apples and spice dried slice by slice, that's what this wreath is made of. And the wreath is wonderfully easy to assemble, even for kids. You simply fold pliable apple slices - dried in the oven or microwave - and thread them onto a wire frame. Hang the wreath with a colorful looped bow.

You will need:

Juice of 9 lemons
2 tsp salt
8 to 10 large firm apples (Rome Reds or Ida Reds are preferred, or use any firm apple)
Ground spices: 6 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp allspice, 1 tsp cloves, 2 tsp orrisroot powder (Note: Spices will not only add a pleasant aroma but also will act as a natural food preservative)
8"-10" heart shaped wire frame that can be open or closed by unhooking two ends (or 8"-10" length of heavy gauge wire)
1 1/4 yd of 1" wide blue and white checked ribbon
Floral wire

Tools:

sharp knife
paper towels
mortar and pestle or small bowl and spoon
small kitchen sieve or tea strainer
pastry brush
broiler pan or wire screen
pliers
scissors

If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!

What you do

Pour freshly squeezed lemon juice into a medium-sized bowl, add salt and blend well.

Peel and slice apples horizontally into 1/8" to 1/4" thick circles. Core apple slices as needed. Soak slices in the lemon juice mixture for 6 minutes, turning once. Make sure slices are covered completely.

Remove slices from bowl and place on paper towels. Pat dry with more paper towels to absorb excess liquid.

Combine the ground spices and blend well, using a mortar and pestle or small bowl and spoon. Using a small kitchen sieve or tea strainer, dust apple slices with the spice mixture. With a pastry brush, gently remove excess spice mixture. Turn apples slices over and repeat the procedure.

Place apple slices in a single layer on a broiler pan or wire screen. Dry in conventional oven at 150 - 200 degrees F for six hours or until evenly dried. If using a microwave oven, dry apple slices for 4 - 6 minutes at low to medium heat. Let slices cool. If not dried thoroughly, return slices to oven. Apple slices will be pliable.

Straighten both ends of the heart-shaped wire frame with a pair of pliers. Fold apple slices into halves, then into quarters and "thread" them onto wire frame. When frame is completely covered with slices, use pliers to bend both ends back into "hooks" so they can be reconnected.

Using checked ribbon, make a large bow with a loop for hanging. Attach a bow to wreath with thin floral wire.

Dishtowel Scarecrow
by Heidi Ott

Isn't he the sweetest! This darling harvest scarecrow is simple to assemble and easy on the pocketbook. What a great way to recycle those dish towels!

Materials:

1 dishtowel
1 matching dishcloth
1/4-inch dia. Wood dowel, 11-inches long
Beige felt
Raffia
Burlap or straw hat
Red and black permanent makers
Glue gun
Scissors

If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!

What you do

Arms
Lay washcloth out flat. Place several strands of raffia along one end. Place the wooden dowel over the raffia (see fig. 1). Starting on the side you placed the raffia and dowel, begin rolling the washcloth, inclosing the raffia and dowel in the center. Tie a piece of raffia around dishcloth 1-inch from each end (see fig. 2). Trim the raffia so it hangs out about 1 1/2 inches on each end of the dishcloth. Set arms aside.

Head
Cut a 7 1/2" x 2 1/2" piece of beige felt. Clip short ends so they have a jagged look. Fold in half widthwise and using the markers draw a face about 1-inch down from fold. Set head aside.

Body
Fan fold the dishtowel lengthwise (refer to fig. 1 of the angel towel, use your back button to return). Fold in center and place the folded felt head over fold in towel (see fig. 3). Tie a length of raffia just under the scarecrow face, around the felt and towel, to form the head. Slide arms between the folded towel up to the neck. Tie a length of raffia under arms for waist. Separate the two sections of the towel below the waist to form legs (see fig. 4). Tie a length of raffia 1-inch from the bottom of each leg.

Finish
Create hair by tying a bunch of raffia in the center (see fig. 5). Using a glue gun, glue center of raffia bunch to the top of the scarecrow head. Spread raffia down around the head and glue hat onto head over raffia. Trim the hair if needed.

More You Might Like:
Paint Stick Scarecrow
Ooey Gooey Apple Crispies
Scented Apple Wreath
Paper Bag Apples

About the Author:
Heidi Ott is owner of the Crafter's Community web site.Visit Crafter's Community to find hundreds of craft ideas, tutorials, and resources. http://crafterscommunity.com

Coffee Filter Sunflowers
by Melissa Yamello

click here for a larger view

Some of my favorite crafts are ones created with items that are often found around the house. This big, beautiful sunflower is a great example. All you need are coffee filters, crayons, scissors and a glue stick!

What you need

5 (per flower) - basket type coffee filters
2 - crayons (yellow and brown)
1 - pair of scissors (or safety scissors for small children)
1 -Glue stick

Related Articles & Projects:

First time here? Don't forget to sign up for our free newsletter!

If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!

Getting Ready

Cover table with newspaper, a plastic tablecloth or even an old shower curtain.

Gather your supplies and have them all within arm's reach. Cover kids clothes with a smock or old t-shirt.

Now you are ready to begin making your coffee filter sunflowers...

Coffee Filter Sunflowers - pg. 2
by Melissa Yamello

NOTE: If you missed the first page of this craft, use the "first page" button at the bottom of the instructions or click here to start from the beginning.

Now that your supplies are at the ready and your work surface has been prepared, let's begin!

What You Do

Step 1

Lay 4 coffee filters on a flat surface and color the sides of each one yellow (leaving centers white).

Step 2

Layer your yellow filters one on top of the other, fold in half and in half again. Use a crayon to draw the shape for the petals, as shown. Cut along this line - save your scraps!

Color the circle in the center of the remaining coffee filter brown and cut out. Set the brown circle aside, and discard the excess that you've cut off.

Open your filters and layer one on top of the other, turning each flower slightly. This creates a layered petal look. You don't want each petal to line up perfectly with the one underneath.

Step 3

Using your glue stick, apply glue to the center of each layer and glue one on top of the other.

Turn the brown circle over, and apply glue to the back. Scrunch up some of the scraps you have and stick them to center of the circle. These scraps will be the 'stuffing' for the center of your flower, and will make it appear 3D. Leave a small margin so that the glue will stick to the flower.

Apply glue to the center of your flower. Turn the brown circle over and glue into the center of your flower, pressing the edges down. If there is any white showing from the center, just touch up with your yellow crayon.

Options

Hang them on your walls (with a product like Fun Tac or Blue Stik) windows (they're pretty with the sun shining through) or glue a magnet to the back and stick it on your fridge. Stick them to gift wrap to make a present look extra special!

Return to the first page to see the completed craft.

Create Your Own Heirloom Photo Ornament

By Kimberly Powell, About.com

Filed In:

1. Genealogy

Holiday Photo Ornament - Magic Bubble

Holiday Photo Ornament

Holiday ornaments are more than decorations, they're memories in miniature. Capture the special memories of favorite family members or ancestors by creating your own homemade photo ornament with these step-by-step instructions.

Materials:

· Clear glass ornament (any shape & size)

· Magic Bubble adhesive

· Magic Bubble brush

· Crystal glitter (very fine) or shredded Mylar angel hair

· 1/4" decorative ribbon for bow (optional)

Note: Because Magic Bubble products are no longer readily available, you can substitute decoupage glue or Mod Podge in place of the Magic Bubble adhesive, or even just plain watered down white glue. It needs to be thick enough to coat the glass, but thin enough to easily swirl around and coat the ball. Magic Bubble products can also be purchased online at Craftware, if you can't find them locally.

Step One: Carefully remove the flange from the top of your glass ornament and rinse the ornament with a solution of bleach and water (this helps prevent mold growth on the finished ornament). Place upside down on paper towels to drain. Let dry thoroughly.

Step Two: Select a treasured family photograph for your photo ornament. Use graphics software, a scanner, and printer, to enhance, resize, and print a copy of the photo on regular printer paper (do NOT use glossy photo paper). Alternatively, you can use a photocopier at your local copy shop to make copies. Don't forget to decrease the image size to fit your ornament.

Step Three: Carefully cut around the copied photo, leaving about a 1/4-inch border. If you're using a round ball ornament, make cuts into the edges of the copied photo every 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch, to allow the paper to fit smoothly on the rounded ball. These cuts will not show on the finished ornament.

Step Four: Pour some Magic Bubble adhesive into the ornament, being careful not to get it on the neck. Tilt the ball to let the adhesive run until it covers the glass where the image will be placed.

Step Five: Roll the copied photo (image side out) into a roll small enough to fit into the ornament and carefully insert. Use the Magic Bubble brush to position the photo against the inside of the ornament and carefully brush over the entire photo until it is smoothly adhered to the glass. If you're unable to obtain the Magic Bubble brush, it looks like a small mascara wand or bottle brush - so feel free to substitute anything similar.

Step Six: If using glitter, pour more Magic Bubble glue into the ornament, and tilt the ornament to cover the inside completely. Pour out any excess. Pour glitter into the ornament and roll the ball until the entire inside of the ornament is covered. If you find you've missed a spot with the Magic Bubble glue, you can use the brush to add more adhesive to that spot. Shake out any excess glitter to avoid clumping.

Step Seven: Allow the photo ornament to thoroughly dry. If you did not use glitter on the ball, you can now add shredded Mylar angel hair, decorative paper shreds, punched paper snowflakes, feathers, or other decorative items to fill the inside of the ball. Once the ornament is completed, carefully put the flange back on, pinching the wires to avoid damaging the ornament opening.

Step Eight: Use a glue gun or white glue to attach a decorative ribbon bow around the neck of the ornament if desired. You may also want to attach a paper tag with the names and dates (birth & death dates and/or date the photo was taken) of the individuals in the photograph.

Photo Ornament Tips:

· If you plan to use your printer to print the photos, be sure the ink is waterfast. Many inkjet printers use water-soluble ink, which will run if used in this project. If you aren't sure, then have copies made at your local copy shop.

· This project works best on flat ornaments. When using round balls, be sure to clip the edges of the photo to help it fit the rounded ball, and make pinpricks in the photo to help eliminate air bubbles. Work slowly and be patient - this can be tricky with larger photos and round ball ornaments.

· If you make a mistake, tear a photo, etc. you always have the option of starting over. To reuse the ornament, rinse it out thoroughly with chlorine bleach, and let dry.

Enjoy your special keepsake ornament!

Easy-to-make wreath

Therese D'monte

Make a beautiful wreath from plants that last into winter

Vivian, my 90-year-old friend and former neighbour, sits in a wheelchair by her hospital bed. It takes her a while to answer the telephone--sometimes seven rings, sometimes 10. We still chat from time to time as we did in the past, but then it was over the garden fence.

Once an active gardener, whose graceful, methodi-cal style put my own rather slapdash methods to shame, Vivian would gaze disapprovingly from her kitchen window as I shifted yards of mushroom manure or perched precariously on a ladder to trim the hedge, heedless of my back and joints. She vowed I would do myself a serious injury.

Her gardening style is very different now, and she no longer raises her prized peonies. But like the beautiful plants that last into winter, Vivian is tremendously tenacious. Despite failing eyesight that blurs the colours and shapes of plants, she has her name proudly displayed on her assigned portion of concrete planter in the hospital grounds. Outliving all her relatives and remaining as long as she could in her own home, Vivian met her personal approach of winter courageously when the time came, checking out long-term care facilities herself.

My own inclination is to deny the approach of winter-in the garden or anywhere else. The garden aglow with masses of dahlias and chrysanthemums, I always hope this will be the year when autumn continues until Winter solstice. Spring is just around the corner then. For years I've scanned the literature for names of late bloomers and coaxed along perennials such as Crimson flag (Schizostylis), asters, sneezeweed (Helenium) and goldenrod (Solidago) that will hang on until the bitter end. I'm reluctant to accept a ghostly garden of grasses and seedheads and deciduous shrubs, however shapely in form.When the inevitable happens, however, and the dahlias have succumbed to the first frosts, I'm getting better at welcoming the new season. I'm heartened by the dazzling beauty of berries, evergreens and variegated foliage that relieve winter's bleakness.

True survivors, they remind me of Vivian. She would laugh and think me fanciful to make such a comparison, but when I see the lacy loveliness of soft-textured dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) hanging in there in the face of great odds, I think of her. This old faithful carries on bravely throughout winter, long after its companions, annual begonias and geraniums, have expired. Blending and contrasting beautifully with low-growing coton-easter shrubs, silvery grey lamium or purple heathers in winter gardens, it's also a wonderful accent for indoor arrangements.

As the light of day diminishes for Vivian, much of her gardening is done in her mind's eye. I bring her reports from my kitchen window about the blossoming of her winter jasmine, the forsythia and lilac in spring. Even though her home has been sold, the garden she tended for 65 years will always be hers.

Here in the hospital, she takes an active interest in the lives of her caretakers. She listens to the news and tells me that soon there will be a cure for glaucoma. There's nothing amiss with her memory. Just recently, it became clear that even now, certain gardening practices of mine have not escaped Vivian's attention. Mischievously, she inquired whether I had fallen off any ladders lately.

When I reflect on Vivian's powers of acceptance, somehow the diminishing hours of daylight in my garden don't seem so traumatic after all. As leaf-shrouded perennial beds get a well-deserved rest, berries, evergreens and variegated foliage come into their own. And we, no longer distracted by summer's splendour, get the opportunity to truly appreciate them.

Make a beautiful wreath from plants that last into winter

To make this wreath, you need a circular frame of presoaked oasis, a few branches of something evergreen (not necessarily coniferous) as well as berries or other types of complementary and durable plant materials. I used hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and was lucky to find some pieces with dainty cones attached, dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) to tone with the hemlock's silver undersides, and cotoneaster berries. The cones will stay attached to the hemlock branches long after the needles have turned brown and fallen off. There are many other equally successful choices, such as deciduous greenery from Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata) or Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) shrubs, and various berries such as firethorn (Pyracantha-a bit of a tussle, but worth it), holly and beautyberry (Callicarpa). You could substitute sunshine shrub-also known as senecio-(Brachyglottis greyi) or herb foliage for the dusty miller; curry plant (Helichrysum angustifolium) remains remarkably fresh as well.

Steps
When you have made your choices and gathered a generous supply of plant materials (assemble much more than you think you'll need),

condition them by cutting stems and placing them in lukewarm water overnight.

Soak the oasis foam thoroughly. Cut plant material stems on a sharp angle to the desired length (approximately seven to 10 centimetres).

Elevate the frame on a cake stand or large, upturned flowerpot, so that you can rotate the wreath while you work.

Insert hemlock pieces into the oasis, taking care to completely cover the top and sides.

Intersperse with berries and dusty miller, or other foliage. Making a mess is part of the fun. Work on newspaper for easy cleanup

and transfer to the compost. (Tie a bright ribbon to your scissors so they won't get lost.)

Hang the finished wreath on a wall or door, or use it as a table centrepiece. The wreath will last for many weeks--even months--if you keep it moist.

Personalize your Christmas tree with kids

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Tina Forrester

Credit

Tina Forrester

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Making ornaments from nature is kids play!

What nature-loving kid can resist pocketing such treasures as new-fallen acorns and pine cones, lichen-covered twigs, and bright green moss? A fun way to encourage your child's interest in nature is to help him transform his bounty into holiday decorations. Just gather promising materials as you clean up your garden, walk around your neighborhood or hike in the forests. The supermarket is a source of other natural materials such as apples, oranges, cranberries and popcorn. Here are some ideas to get you started.

PINE CONE MICE
Spruce cones make great mice to hide among the branches of your Christmas tree. From one cone, remove enough scales to make ears for each of your remaining cones. Glue two ears on each head, then add googly eyes. Glue a 15-centimetre yarn or felt tail on the back end.

TWIGGY STARS
Stars made of twigs look pretty hanging on a tree or in a window. Using pruning shears, cut five 15-centimetre lengths for each star. Tie one pair of twigs together near the ends with string, winding it around and between to form a V-shape. Repeat with the remaining twigs, arranging them to form a five-pointed star. Cut five 15-centimetre lengths of raffia; tie a double knot over the thread on each point. Attach a loop of raffia to hang the decoration.

MOSSY BALLS
Styrofoam balls covered with moss look wonderful on a tree or collected in a bowl. Simply coat the surface of a five-centimetre Styrofoam ball with white glue; roll it in moss, then press firmly until it adheres. To make a string hanger, drill two holes in an acorn top, pull string through and tie. Glue cap to ball. Decorate with hemlock cones, rose hips, dried flowers, berries or dried poppy heads.

PINE CONE ORNAMENTS 1
Gilded pine cones with sparkling tips are beautiful hung on a tree, in a window or over a doorway. Spray pine cones with gold or silver paint and let dry. Using paintbrushes, apply glue on the tips of the pine cone scales. Shake on glitter or sparkles; let dry overnight.

PINE CONE ORNAMENT 2
For tree ornaments that also look festive mixed in a large glass bowl with painted, round ornaments, soak some pine cones in a bucket of water until they close up. Dry the outside of the pine cones with rags. Spray or brush on craft or glitter paints. When the pine cones are dry, they will open and only their tips will be coloured. To make hangers, tie a 15-centimetre length of fishing line around the top of each cone.

Making ornaments from nature is kids play!

POPCORN AND CRANBERRY GARLANDS
These old-fashioned garlands never go out of style. The two secrets of success are to use stale popcorn and to thread a needle with heavy-duty thread used for buttonholes or for quilting. Simply thread one cranberry down to the end and knot the thread around it to make an anchor. Then carefully alternate popcorn and cranberries-or in any pattern-until the thread is almost full. Tie a knot around a final cranberry to finish.

COOKIE CUTTER APPLE ORNAMENTS
These simple ornaments smell wonderful. Cut a large, round apple horizontally into three-centimetre-thick slices. (The core or the star is at the centre of each.) Using sharp cookie cutters, cut each shape out so the core is at the centre. Avoid the peel, which distorts the shapes as they dry. Using a plastic straw, create a hole at the top of the ornament. Coat both sides of each ornament well with spice mixture (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and/or ginger in any combination) and place it on a non-stick cookie sheet. Bake at 180°F for two to four hours, or until leathery. (It depends on how juicy the apples are.) Hang with a red ribbon.

ORANGE-SLICE STAINED GLASS ORNAMENTS
When hung on a tree in front of Christmas lights, preserved orange slices look like stained glass. Simply lay an orange sideways on a cutting board and cut it into three-centimetre thick slices. Bake on a non-stick cookie sheet for two to four hours at 180° until translucent, depending on the juiciness of the orange. Using a needle, thread a gold cord through the meaty part and tie a knot to hang.

RECYCLE YOUR TREE
After Christmas-if you put up a real tree-stake it outside to a fence or pole as a feeding station, then decorate it with special treats over-wintering birds enjoy. (You can also decorate a bush for the birds.) Wrap the tree with strings of cranberries, popcorn and dried fruit. Tie on bouquets of wheat or other grains, small ears of corn or small dried sunflower heads. Hang suet in a plastic berry basket or onion bag. You can also create simple feeders by hanging empty orange halves fill with stale doughnuts, wild birdseed, apple slices or raisins.

RELATED WEB SITES
Kids' Domain: Pine Cone Wreath
www.kidsdomain.com/craft/pinecone.html

eHow to Make a Giant Holiday Wreath
www.ehow.com/eHow/eHow/

eHow to Decorate a Gardener's Christmas Treeehow.com/eHow/eHow/0,1053,11078,FF.html

Christmas Tree Types
www.realchristmastrees.org

Ontario Christmas Trees
www.christmastrees.on.ca/

Christmas Tree Selection and Care
www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/forestry/g866.htm

Holiday decorating with nature

Christina Selby

Holiday decorating with nature of

Gather berries, cones and evergreen branches to create your own holiday magic

At this most sociable time of the year, nothing says “welcome” quite like a beautifully dressed front entrance and home. By gathering berries, cones and evergreen branches from the garden (or your local florist), and adding fruit, flowers and candles, you can replicate many of the ideas shown here to create your own holiday magic.

FRONT ENTRANCE - WALKWAY
A row of red dogwood branches lines the path, while a cedar bower frames the entrance. Hanging baskets are filled with more cedar, as well as pine and willow branches (shown here)

A sleek metal container holds an arrangement of ornamental cabbage, cedar, pine cones, yellow amaranth and Italian pittosporum, a tender green best suited to indoor use. The front door display also contains bronze-coloured magnolia leaves.

RAVISHING REDS
Cedar branches are the perfect foil for rosy pomegranates and dogwood branches, spiced up with osage oranges from the Maclura pomifera tree, which is native to central North America. A rusty candelabra wears a sash of rose hips.

MELLOW YELLOWS
More osage oranges are mixed with yellow dog-wood and oregonia, florist-speak for a small, variegated boxwood.

DOOR DETAIL
A fan of dogwoods highlights the curvy transom.

Gather berries, cones and evergreen branches to create your own holiday magic

TABLETOPS - LIGHT EFFECTS
Pomegranates and osage oranges were hollowed out and tea lights installed for this warm, inviting display.

TABLE TALK - Hypericum (a.k.a. St. John's wort) berries, seeded eucalyptus and Cymbidium orchids provide the punctuation in this arrangement (shown here).

WHITE LIGHT - Snowy roses and gerbera daisies sparkle in this centrepiece; the smaller bouquets are just the right size for individual place settings. A large candle in the centre of this arrangement of hydrangeas and roses adds a romantic glow.

FIREPLACE - PEACEFUL PERCH
Firelight and candles, combined with warm reds and greens, create the perfect ambience for curling up with a good book. Pepperberries festoon the standing lamp to the left of the fireplace.

MANTEL MAKEOVER - For instructions on how to recreate a mantel display, see our Mantel magic story.

Squash Lantern Holiday Candle Centerpiece

Who said that carved out squash were just for Halloween?

By David Fisher, About.co

Squash Lantern Setup

David Fisher

Looking for innovative, easy and fun ways to add some natural interest and light to your holiday candle centerpiece? This tea lite lantern, made from a carved out squash is a lovely, yet easy candle making project.

This fall, there were so many wonderful types of squashes at my local market, that I bought several to use as decorations around the house. However, for a dinner party, I made them into candle lanterns for the table setting. (This project was inspired by Gloria Nicol's Complete Book of Candles and Candle Making

For this project, you'll need:

· A medium-sized squash - I used golden and green acorn squashes

· A large awl or drill with drill bit - I used my drill and a 7/16" spade bit. (A large standard screwdriver would work too - though not quite as neatly as a drill bit.)

· A sharp knife and spoon to cut open the squash and scoop out the seeds.

· A fire safe plate and a tea lite

Step One - Using a crayon or Sharpie marker, draw a rectangle on the bottom of the squash where you want to cut the opening. I found that it works best to carve out two ridges of the squash. It seems to sit best this way.

Step Two - Cut out the hole and scoop out the seeds, making sure that all of the seeds and stringy bits are scooped out.

Step Three - Using your drill or awl, drill holes along the crevices between the ridges, spacing the holes about 3/4" apart. Drill the holes in all of the crevices. (See the pictures above.)

Step Four - Place the squash lantern on a fire safe plate with a tea lite on it.

Step Five - After you're done using it as a table setting, cut out the area that is likely to be burned/scorched above the candle, and cook the rest!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Free Knitting Pattern
Downloadable Pattern: Cable Luxe Tunic

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60618AD.html?noImages=

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease^®

Pattern #: 60618AD

KNIT
SKILL LEVEL: Experienced
SIZE: Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X
Finished Bust 36 (38, 40, 44, 50) in. (91.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm)
Finished Length 24 (25, 25, 26, 26) in. (61 (63.5, 63.5, 66, 66) cm)

This pattern is free only until Nov. 27th, 2008 for our Sweater Knit-Along on the Lion Brand Notebook, blog.lionbrand.com

SKILL LEVEL: Experienced

SIZE: Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X
Finished Bust 36 (38, 40, 44, 50) in. (91.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm)
Finished Length 24 (25, 25, 26, 26) in. (61 (63.5, 63.5, 66, 66) cm)
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

CORRECTIONS: (applied Oct 8, 2007)

Yoke
Row 11: P 7, ~~(3/3 LC) twice,~~ 3/3 LC, 3/3 RC, p7.

3/3 RC (3 over 3 right cross) Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k3, then k3 from cable needle.

The above is only a summary of corrections; the corrected pattern text is below (if free) or shipped upon completion of order (if purchased)

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Image of Downloadable Pattern: Cable Luxe Tunic

This dramatic sweater is a gorgeous addition to any wardrobe.

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Downloadable Pattern: Cable Luxe Tunic

Lion Brand^® Wool-Ease^®

GAUGE:

18 sts + 24 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in St st (k on RS, p on WS) with larger needles.
22 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in cable patterns with larger needles. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

3/3 LC (3 over 3 left cross) Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k3, then k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RC (3 over 3 right cross) Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k3, then k3 from cable needle.
3/2 LC (3 over 2 left cross) Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front, p2, then k3 from cable needle.
2/3 RC (2 over 3 right cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k3, then p2 from cable needle.
4/4 LC (4 over 4 left cross) Slip 4 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k4, then k4 from cable needle.
4/4 RC (4 over 4 right cross) Slip 4 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k4, then k4 from cable needle.

PATTERN STITCHES
3/3 LC Cable (worked on 6 sts over 8 rows)
Row 1, 5 and 7 (RS): Knit 6.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl 6.
Row 3: 3/3 LC.
Row 8: Purl 6.
Rep Rows 1-8 for 3/3 LC Cable pattern.

4/4 Center Cable (worked on 12 sts over 12 rows)
Row 1, 5, 7 and 11 (RS): Knit 12.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl 12.
Row 3: K4, 4/4 LC.
Row 9: 4/4 RC, k4.
Row 12: Purl 12.
Rep Rows 1-12 for 4/4 Center Cable pattern.

NOTES:

Pullover is worked in 3 steps.
1. Yoke is knit lengthwise, then seamed at center back.
2. Stitches are picked up along one long edge of Yoke for Front, Back, and Sleeves, and worked downwards from Yoke to lower edge.
3. Stitches are picked up along opposite long edge of Yoke and worked upwards for garter yoke.

PULLOVER
Yoke
With larger needles, cast on 26 sts.
Row 1 (RS): P 3, k3, p 4, k6, p 4, k3, p3.
Row 2 and all WS rows: k1, k the knit sts and p the purl sts to last st, k1.
Row 3: P 3, k3, p4, 3/3 LC, p 4, k3, p3.
Row 5: Rep Row 1.
Row 7: P 3, 3/2 LC, p2, k6, p2, 2/3 RC, p3.
Row 9: P 5, 3/2 LC, 3/3 LC, 2/3 RC, p5.
Row 11: P 7, 3/3 LC, 3/3 RC, p7.
Row 13: P 5, 2/3 RC, 3/3 LC, 3/2 LC, p5.
Row 15: P 3, 2/3 RC, p2, k6, p2, 3/2 LC, p3.
Row 16: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-16 until piece measures 44 (47, 52, 58, 66) in. (111.5 (119.5, 132, 147.5, 167.5) cm), end with Row 2. Bind off. Sew short ends together for center back seam.
Mark for Front, Back and Sleeves
Along one long edge of Yoke, place markers 7 (7 1/2, 8, 9 1/2, 10 3/4) in. (18 (19, 20.5, 24, 27.5) cm) on each side of center back seam for Back. Place markers 8 (8 1/2, 10, 10, 11 1/2) in. (20.5 (21.5, 25.5, 25.5, 29) cm) from each of the first markers for Sleeves. Rem 14 (15, 16, 19, 21 1/2) in. (35.5 (38, 40.5, 48.5, 54.5) cm) is for Front. Place corresponding markers along opposite long edge of Yoke, for Collar.

Back
From RS with larger needles, pick up and k 82 (88, 94, 104, 118) sts between back markers.
Size S only:
Foundation Row (WS): (K2, p6, k2, p1) 3 times, k2, p12, (k2, p1, k2, p6) 3 times, k2 - 82 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st; p1, (work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2) 3 times, work Row 1 of 4/4 Center Cable, (p2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable) 3 times, p1; inc 1 st in last st - 84 sts.

Size M only:
Foundation Row (WS): P3, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 3 times, k2, p12, (k2, p1, k2, p6) 3 times, k2, p3 - 88 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, p1, sl 1; p2, (work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2) 3 times, work Row 1 of 4/4 Center Cable, (p2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable) 3 times, p2; sl 1, p1, inc 1 st in last st - 90 sts.

Size L only:
Foundation Row (WS): P6, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 3 times, k2, p12, (k2, p1, k2, p6) 3 times, k2, p6 - 94 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, k2, p2, sl 1; p2, (work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2) 3 times, work Row 1 of 4/4 Center Cable, (p 2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable) 3 times, p2; sl 1, p2, k2, inc 1 st in last st - 96 sts.

Size 1X only:
Foundation Row (WS): (K2, p6, k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p12, (k2, p1, k2, p6) 4 times, k2 - 104 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, p1, (work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2) 4 times, work Row 1 of 4/4 Center Cable, (p 2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable) 4 times, p1, inc 1 st in last st - 106 sts.

Size 2X only:
Foundation Row (WS): P7, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p12, (k2, p1, k2, p6) 4 times, k2, p7 - 118 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, k3, p2, sl 1; p2, (work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2) 4 times, work Row 1 of 4/4 Center Cable, (p 2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable) 4 times, p2; sl 1, p2, k3, inc 1 st in last st - 120 sts.

All sizes:
Shape Armhole
Row 2 and all WS rows: K the k sts and p the p sts. Continue as established, inc 1 st at beg and end of each RS row, working new sts in pattern until there are 90 (96, 102, 112, 130) sts, end with a WS row.
Cast on 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows - 98 (104, 110, 120, 138) sts. Work even in pattern as established until Row 2 of second rep of Center Cable has been worked.
Shape Waist
Size S only:
Inc Row: K5, p2, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, (work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1) 3 times, work Row 3 of 4/4 Center Cable, (inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable) 3 times, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, p2, k5 - 112 sts; 14 sts have been increased in 14 center p2 sections.

Size M only:
Inc Row: P2, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, (work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1) 3 times, work Row 3 of 4/4 Center Cable, (inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable) 3 times, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, p2, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2 - 118 sts; 14 sts have been increased in 14 center p2 sections.

Size L only:
Inc Row: P2, sl 1, p2, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, (work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1) 3 times, work Row 3 of 4/4 Center Cable, (inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable) 3 times, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, p2, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2 - 124 sts; 14 sts have been increased in 14 center p2 sections.

Size 1X only: Inc Row: K5, p2, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, (work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1) 4 times, work Row 3 of 4/4 Center Cable, (inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable) 4 times, p1, inc 1 st in next st, sl 1, p2, k5 - 138 sts; 18 sts have been increased in 18 center p2 sections.

Size 2X only:
Inc Row: K3, p2, sl 1, p2, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, (work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1) 4 times, work Row 3 of 4/4 Center Cable, (inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, inc 1 st in next st, p1, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable) 4 times, inc 1 st in next st, p1, sl 1, p2, work Row 3 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2, k3 - 156 sts; 18 sts have been increased in 18 center p2 sections.

All sizes:
Continue in pattern as established, inc 1 st in each of the center 14 (14, 14, 18, 18) purl sections on every Row 3 of Center Cable 2 more times - 140 (146, 152, 174, 192) sts. Continue to work even in pattern as established until piece measures 17 (18, 18, 19, 19) in. (43 (45.5, 45.5, 48.5, 48.5) cm) from pick-up row. Bind off.

Front
From RS with larger needles, pick up and k 82 (88, 94, 104, 118) sts between Front markers and work same as Back.

Sleeve (make 2)
From RS with larger needles, pick up and k 46 (54, 60, 66, 72) sts between Sleeve markers.
Size S only: Foundation Row (WS): (K2, p6, k2, p1) 2 times, k2, (p 1, k2, p6, k2) 2 times - 46 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, p1, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, k2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p1, inc 1 st in last st - 48 sts.

Size M only:
Foundation Row (WS): P1, k2, p1, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 2 times, k2, (p 1, k2, p6, k2) 2 times, p1, k2, p1 - 54 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, p2, sl 1, (p 2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1) 2 times, k2, (sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2) 2 times, sl 1, p2, inc 1 st in last st - 56 sts.

Size L only:
Foundation Row (WS): P4, k2, p1, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 2 times, k2, (p 1, k2, p6, k2) 2 times, p1, k2, p4 - 60 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, k3, p2, sl 1, (p 2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1) 2 times, k2, (sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2) 2 times, sl 1, p2, k3, inc 1 st in last st - 62 sts.

Size 1X only:
Foundation Row (WS): K1, p6, k2, p1, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 2 times, k2, (p 1, k2, p6 , k2) 2 times, p1, k2, p6, k1 - 66 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1, (p 2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1) 2 times, k2, (sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2) 2 times, sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, inc 1 st in last st - 68 sts.

Size 2X only:
Foundation Row (WS): K1, p1, (K2, p6, k2, p1) 3 times, k2, (p 1, k2, p6 , k2) 3 times, p1, k1 - 72 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 st in first st, sl 1, (p 2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2, sl 1) 3 times, k2, (sl 1, p2, work Row 1 of 3/3 LC Cable, p2) 3 times, sl 1, inc 1 st in last st - 74 sts.

All Sizes:
Continue to work in pattern as established, inc 1 st each edge every RS row 3 (3, 3, 3, 5) more times - 54 (62, 68, 74, 84) sts. End with a WS row.
Cast on 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows - 62 (70, 76, 82, 92) sts
Work even in pattern as established until sleeve measures 17 (18, 18, 18 1/2, 19) in. (43 (45.5, 45.5, 47, 48.5) cm) from pick-up row. Bind off.

Garter Stitch Yoke
From RS with smaller circular needle, beg at center back seam, pick up and k 21 (22, 23, 27, 30) sts along left half of back, 24 (27, 30, 33, 36) sts along left sleeve, 41 (44, 47, 54, 60) sts along front, 24 (27, 30, 33, 36) sts along right sleeve and 20 (22, 24, 27, 30) sts along right half of back - 130 (142, 154, 174, 192) sts.
Working back and forth in Garter st (k every row), dec 13 (14, 15, 17, 19) sts evenly spaced every 6th row 3 times - 91 (100, 109, 123, 135) sts.
Sizes L, 1X and 2X only:
Knit 5 rows.
Continue in Garter st, dec 15 (17, 19) sts evenly spaced across row - 94 (106, 116) sts.

All Sizes:
Work even until 3 in. (7.5 cm) from pick-up row. Bind off.

FINISHING
Sew center back seam of garter stitch yoke. Sew armhole seams. Sew side and sleeve seams. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES Click for explanation and illustration
beg = begin(s)(ning)	dec = decreas(e)(s)(ing)
inc = increas(e)(s)(ing)	k = knit
p = purl	rep = repeat(s)(ing)
RS = right side	sl = slip
St st = Stockinette stitch	st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side

Learn to Knit instructions: http://learnToKnit.LionBrand.com

More Than Mistletoe: Create Your Own Holiday Flower Arrangements

By Marissa Stapley

http://www.hgtv.ca/articles/articledetails.aspx?ContentId=816&cat=2&by=1

This holiday season break free from mistletoe and poinsettias and create gorgeous floral arrangements perfect for every holiday event. Here are three stunning ideas, easy to arrange yourself.

The holidays are fast approaching, and with them, many golden opportunities to show guests your creative side with stylish, homemade table centerpieces. Guaranteed to wow family and friends, these projects are simple and inexpensive. So get out the glue gun, hit your favourite flower shop, and make your table shine!

Classy Christmas Dinner

This arrangement involves beautiful white hydrangea with green foliage and ornament accents, all nestled in a hatbox! Choose one that coordinates with the décor of your room. You don't have to stick with Christmas colours. A wonderful choice is timeless toile. Hatboxes are available in craft or home furnishing stores.

Materials:

Hat Box
Plastic or foil tray to fit the bottom of the box
Plastic wrap
Floral foam
Florist's sticks
At least ten large white hydrangea
Assorted greenery - ferns, evergreen, or even aromatic eucalyptus and holly berries
Assorted shiny Christmas balls and ornaments
Satin ribbon in your choice of colour
Glue gun

Instructions:

1. Make a diagonal cut and take off about 2 cm from the bottom of each stem.

2. Remove any leaves from the bottom half of the stems. Put flowers in tepid water and add the recommended amount of preservatives.

3. Line box with plastic wrap. Fill foil container with wet floral foam and place inside.

4. Create a foundation with the hydrangea, starting in the middle of the foam, and moving outwards in a circular pattern.

5. Follow with the greenery. Review, adjust and add more flowers or foliage if necessary, but remember you will still be adding ornaments.

6. With ribbon and glue, fasten ornaments to the end of the florist's sticks. Use about five or six.

7. Slide the sticks into the foam, among the flowers.

A Hanukah Feast of Lights

This Menorah centerpiece is classy and symbolic, incorporating soft candlelight with a floral carpet featuring the colours of Israel's flag. Some florists are even able to order flowers directly from Israel, although this is not cheap. When the arrangement is done, scatter chocolate coins and colourful dreidls across your blue, white or silver tablecloth.

Materials:

9 taper candles, 8 blue, 1 white
Large foil tray
Floral foam
silver ribbon, 3 cm wide
white ribbon, 2 cm wide
blue ribbon, 1 cm wide (ensure you have enough of each ribbon to cover the circumference of the foil tray)
blue and winter white irises, white roses and orchids
assorted evergreen foliage
glue gun

Instructions:

1. Make a diagonal cut and remove the majority of each stem, leaving about 4-5 cm.

2. Place the cut flowers in a bowl of tepid water with sugar or preservatives.

3. Using the glue gun, affix the white ribbon to the silver ribbon, and the blue ribbon to the white ribbon.

4. Wrap this combined ribbon around the circumference of the foil tray, and secure with glue.

5. Fill tray with wet floral foam

6. Place candles in foam: four blue candles on either side of the single white candle, like a Menorah

7. Begin arranging the white flowers in the foam. Be creative! Follow with blue, then fill with greenery.

8. When your guests arrive, light the candles and celebrate!

New Year's Eve Elegance:

To perfectly accent a New Year's Eve cocktail spread, try this effortless but truly stunning arrangement. It's ready in no time, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to chill the champagne and take care of any last minute details, such as writing your New Year's resolutions list!

Materials:

Find two matching hurricane vases. The taller they are, the more dramatic this piece is. (After your event, these vases make beautiful pillar candleholders.)
Floating candles that will fit in the vases. Buy extra.
Two long stems of ivory baby orchids.

Instructions:

1. Fill each vase with water.

2. Submerge orchid stems upside down. The stems are generally heavier at the top, so will stay submerged if inserted into the vase this way.

3. Float one candle on top of each vase. These candles will also help keep your orchids secure. You need not worry that they will float up or even move at all.

4. Place the arrangements at each end of a dining or buffet table. You can also create more than two, and place them around the house for a soft, candlelit ambience. Get set to party the night away!

Boa Bonus:

Here's one more fabulous holiday decorating tidbit. For a funky mantelpiece arrangement, use a chartreuse feather boa and wrap it around traditional cedar or evergreen. Add tinsel, holly berries or eucalyptus, various ornaments, twinkling lights, et voila! A decorative conversation piece!

Terrific Homemade Tree Ornaments

By Sonja Rasula

http://www.hgtv.ca/articles/articledetails.aspx?ContentId=650&cat=2&by=1

Creating fabulous tree ornaments is not as hard as it may seem - it only takes a little time and is a lot of fun. Spend a Sunday afternoon with friends and family, making sure to enjoy apple cider, hot cocoa and eggnog. Making tree ornaments is a creative activity to enjoy with kids and can become a great annual tradition. First, buy a large amount of colourful round bulbs - five per person is usually a good amount. Make sure to buy plastic bulbs if children will be making ornaments. Then decide what trimmings you'll need to create your magical masterpieces - read below to get great ideas!

Riveting Ribbon Ornaments

Use white craft glue to cover your ornaments with strips of pretty ribbon. From delicate lace, to ribbon adorned in sequins, to shiny, iridescent coloured ribbon, there's a style to match every personality. Here are some design ideas:

· Glue a strip of ribbon around the center of the bulb. For an added touch, glue a thinner strip of ribbon to the original ribbon, creating a lovely textured effect.

· Glue ribbon from the top of a bulb around to the top of the bulb on the opposite side. Repeat, so that the bulb is "quartered" by the beautiful ribbon.

· Add a colourful tass

Follow the directions to make this bug or adapt them to make another fantastic creature

You Will Need:

Instructions:

Four holiday decorations from FamilyFun

MATERIALS

4 Common Mistakes When You Learn How to Knit

Having trouble with your first project? See if you're making these common knitting mistakes while learning how to knit

1. Tension

2. Dropped stitches

3. Accidental yarn overs

4. Warped edges

Creative and fun ideas for recycling trash into crafts - craft green!

The Craft Center

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Personalize your Christmas tree with kids

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http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60618AD.html?noImages=

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease®

Pattern #: 60618AD

Downloadable Pattern: Cable Luxe Tunic

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease®

Terrific Homemade Tree Ornaments

Who said that carved out squash were just for Halloween?

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease^®

Lion Brand^® Wool-Ease^®