Tutorial - How to Make Decorative Table Weights

(for those looking forward to Summer, or who live in the Southern Hemisphere)

Tutorial at A Crafty Mix Blog

"It drives me insane when a sneaky gust of wind messes up a table we’ve spent hours decorating. Instead of relying on plates and cutlery to keep the cloth in place you can make your own inexpensive tablecloth clips that fits your unique decor and are keeps the tablecloth from becoming a parachute".... Read more

Tutorial - Umbrella Holder for the Grill

A solution to grilling out in the sun

Tutorial at Happier than a Pig in Mud Blog

"My cement patio is in full sun from 10AM until the sun goes down, and while I'm grateful for the grilling space it does get a little... warm. Not to mention I need to apply sun tan lotion just to grill out: So I decided to nose around the hardware section at Home Depot and Walmart looking for a little inspiration... This simple $1.97 Umbrella Holder for a Gas Grill idea is working great".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Pumpkin Topiary

Easy and inexpensive fall decor

Pumpkin TopiaryTutorial at Life on Lakeshore Drive Blog

"In my first post, I shared how I took this planter from needing some TLC to the one below.   You can click here to see that post.   Now for the tutorial on my Dollar Store Pumpkin Fall Topiary.I put this fall pumpkin arrangement together using floral leaf and berry picks from the Dollar Tree.  The pumpkin is from last year, and if I remember correctly it came from Wal-Mart".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Solar Light Lamp Post with Planter

Give light to a dark area on your patio or deck

Lamp Post Tutorial at Life on Lakeshore Drive Blog

"I have finally finished a project for the first time in a long while!   YAY!   We needed some lighting on our deck,  because we love to sit out there in the evening.  I decided to make a lamp post using solar lighting.  I searched for several weeks for the perfect lighting without incurring a huge cost.  I was so excited when a found a four piece solar lighting set at Home Depot.  It was perfect, and included all the pieces I needed minus the flower pot and pole".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make an Outdoor Furniture Cover

Make with upholstery fabric that is easy to wash and dry

Furniture Cover Tutorial at Home of Homemade Treasures Blog

"Months ago, I was desperately looking for a solution for my outdoor furniture. We have this beautiful wooden table and seat set that caters for 8 people (four 2-seaters). We also love spending time outdoors and it is just a perfect start to a nice breezy spring day or a sunny summer morning for us to have some breakfast at the backyard. However, we were hardly able to use the set up until I made some cover for the seats a few months ago".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Campfire Decoration

Make these fun campfires to use as decorations or nightlights

Campfire Tutorial at About Family Crafts Blog

"While I have built plenty of real campfires and could help you out with the real thing if you like, I would rather explain how you can use a CD, some rocks, and some tissue paper to make this cute campfire you can use as a party centerpiece of even a nightlight you can use in your tent.  I created this CD campfire craft – well, actually several of them – to use as centerpieces at a baby shower with a hunting/outdoor theme".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Outdoor Sconces

What an amazing way to welcome guests!

Outdoor Sconces Tutorial at Heart-Hands-Home
"We are celebrating our daughter's 16th birthday, our oldest son's graduation and finally having a housewarming party all rolled into one giant barbecue! When we moved into our house a year ago, the yard was suffering from severe neglect and we are trying to reclaim part of it from the overgrown wilderness--what a job!

One of the things I have been trying to do is spruce up the entry to the house to make it feel a little more welcoming. If candlelight can add a welcoming glow to the inside of the house, why not the outside!..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Metal Mermaid

Cute! Looks like fun to make and the possibilities are endless!

Metal Mermaid Tutorial at make52
"There's something so compelling about metal - it's shiny, it's smooth, and with lightweight art metal, you can do just about anything you'd like with it. You can cut it with scissors, distress it, emboss it, punch holes in it - and for this week, create a piece of (somewhat) outdoor-safe art. Building on the sea themes of the last few weeks, we'll create a mermaid, and as a bonus, a little fishy friend for her..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Placemats, Napkins and Glass Covers

Very pretty and the glass covers are so clever! Doesn't that show your dining partner just how special he is?!

Placemats, Napkins and Glass Covers Tutorial at Hawadaere!
"I will be detailing more than one tutorial for you today. Napkins-Place mats and Glass Covers. Matching or coordinating - it is all up to you!
I always like to set my table and make it look dressed up - I find it makes the meal taste that much better when everything around is aesthetically pleasing. For this reason I use place mats, tablecloths, napkins, glass covers (not necessarily all at once) and napkin rings to dress up the table. As you may know, these items can be quite pricey at the store and of course no one wants to have the same linens as everyone else on the block..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Bowling Ball Lady Bug

Now that's a fun way to decorate the garden!

Bowling Ball Lady Bug Tutorial at Keen Inspirations
"Friday, was still 50% off day at the thrift store and so I had to stop in and see if there was something new or something that I missed. When I walked in, Ann said “Hey, I just put put two more bowling balls for you.” So, I had to get those too! ;-) Some of you have wondered…what could I possibly want to do with 6 bowling balls???..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Stencil Paint Adirondack Chairs

Love the colors, the designs and how they go across the chair slats! Beautiful!

Adirondack Stencil Tutorial at Cactus and Olive
"So, yesterday I went to Lowe's and purchased 4 Adirondack chairs. I was planning on buying tan ones and then spray painting the whole surface of each chair into different crazy colors, but I was pleasantly surprised to find these blue ones already there. I love the color of them, plus leaving them blue cut the work in half, which I am all in favor of!..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Summer Pals Sandcastle Flags

It's a contest! Make an adorable flag and sandcastle and you just might win a prize! Click through for details.

Summer Pals Sandcastle Flags Tutorial at Joey's Dream Garden
"A couple of years ago, I made a few little flags for sandcastles on the train down to our holiday destination....
Since then, I've been meaning to make some for you good folks to download and print out... Finally, I've gotten around to it! I think this would be a good activity for children to keep them occupied when you're packing for your holiday. Then again, you might want to make yourself a little flag and wrap it around a pencil..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Sneaker Planters

Hot pink Chuck Taylors. Oh yeah! Great fun for kids, but perfect for adults too!

Sneaker Planters Tutorial at The T-Shirt Diaries
"I love to upcycle pretty much everything I can get my hands on. Upcycling your old shoes into a flower planter is a great way to keep things out of the landfill and beautify world...." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Summer Fun Popsicle Bunting

Summertime cuteness!

Summer Fun Popsicle Bunting Tutorial at Hungry Hippie
"I love popsicles-I used to eat them by the box as a kid...literally. So what's more fun than turning this super cute fabric into bunting? Use it outside, inside, at the beach on your umbrella, really anywhere..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Mirrored Garden Streamers

How pretty! I've never seen mirror streamers.

Mirrored Garden Streamers Tutorial at Dolce Cape Cod
"Years ago, I received a present of small mirrored streamers to hang in my garden. They were simple sets of mirrors on either end of a string a few yards long.
They were made to be draped over branches to catch the sun, with the mirrors working as counterweights to hold the streamer in place, The streamers are quite magical when the light reflects off the mirrors, and they're especially enchanting when a gentle breeze catches them; sparkling fairy circles of light dance across the ground..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Perfect Fit Tablecloth

There's just no reason to put up with a fly-away tablecloth. This looks so easy!

Perfect Fit Tablecloth Tutorial at Smashed Peas and Carrots
"It's an inexpensive and fast way to get a vinyl table cloth to fit your outdoor dining table perfectly so that it won't blow away with the wind. We eat outside almost everyday in the summer so this project was a must-do for our family!..." Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Chimney Block Benches

Well, here's something a little different ladies (and gents?)! These benches are quite beautiful!

Chimney Block Benches Tutorial at TRU TALES DESIGNS AND DRAFTS
"These are the benches I made for the play area in our yard for the Grandchildren. I made 4 of them, 2 for each of the corners by the driveway, rather than have a fence. I was going for a look that would be cohesive with my landscape and not look totally playground. These break down for winter storage, because they had to be out of the way for snow removal..." Read more

Exchange Program Tutorial - How to Make Mosaic Fish Bead Birdfeeder

Here's another fabulous tutorial created as part of my Exchange Program. KayzKreationz made this amazing mosaic birdfeeder using a fish beads from sbsupply.

Mosaic Fish Bead Birdfeeder Tutorial at KayzKreationz
"I knew immediately that I wanted to do a mosaic birdfeeder. After all, fish and birds just go together, right? So now the problem was, what did I want my birdfeeder to look like. While waiting to see whether I was chosen to receive a set of beads, I mulled it over and started making some rough drawings of what I wanted..." Read more

Tutorial - How To Make a Gazing Ball out of a Bowling Ball

So pretty!

Gazing Ball Tutorial at My Repurposed Life
"I have made several of these beautiful gazing balls. They are one of my favorite garden ornaments. They are very shiny, very pretty, and the best part . . . unbreakable!..." Read more