Tutorial - How to Recycle Christmas Gift Bags

Redesign packaging for other occasions

Tutorial at Upcycled Design Lab Blog

"Next weekend my family is getting together for what we call "fall birthdays."    We have a hard time getting the whole crew together, so it would be impossible to celebrate all of the birthdays individually.   Anyway due to the impending family gathering l find myself in need of a few gift bags.  Is it just me or do you also have a bunch of gift bags stashed away but you still never have the right sized bag with an appropriate design".... Read more

Tutorial -Turn Image into a Decal for Reverse Stenciling

Decorate something special with a decal transfer

Tutorial at A Crafty Mix Blog

"Decals and stencils are one of the easiest ways to add beautiful detail to furniture but they can be very expensive and 9 times out of 10 I can’t find what I’m looking for anyway so I decided to make my own. I know, I know I could’ve bought a Silhouette or Cricut to make a decal but I don’t have that kind of money and I’m guessing you might not either".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Bubble Shorts

Alter a girl's pants pattern to make cute shorts

Tutorial at Anna's Heirloom Boutique Blog

"As I was sewing up the pants, I couldn’t help but think that they would make the cutest bubble shorts. The front panel and the pleats are just too perfect. Not to mention, we’ve been having unseasonably warm weather here in the Pacific Northwest (think 85 degrees in April!) so we are already in need of some warm weather clothes. Anyway, once testing was over I didn’t hesitate to ‘hack’ the Unfancy Pants pattern to make my little Anna a pair of shorts. It was sooo easy and they turned out so well, I couldn’t wait to share it here with you".... Read more

Tutorial - Woven Ribbon Recycled Can Pencil Holder

Uses leftover ribbon and recycled tin cans

Tutorial at Purple Hues and Me Blog

"Recycled tin cans are the perfect size to contain pens, pencils, markers and other office supplies.  There are so many ways to design a recycled tin can into a pen and pencil holder - just google tin can pen and pencil holder and you'll see literally hundreds.  I've done a lot of woven ribbon items lately and thought why not try it on a tin can.  Besides, I needed to make some pen holders anyway.  I have too many pens and other writing and drawing instruments and really need a place to store them instead of my usual ziplock bags".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Circular Yarn Wall Hanging

Easy technique for a large, low-cost piece of art

Tutorial at Plaster & Disaster Blog

"I had been looking for the right piece to round out the decoration of my office/dressing room, anyway, so I figured this was a good chance to make something to fit.  I came up with a plan to make a circular hanging with some graphic pops of color. To create the circular shape, I finally found a use for a wicker hoop that I have been hoarding for some future project since I was like 11. Literally.  I don’t even remember where it came from anymore, but I’ve been holding onto this thing through my teen years, college, and multiple moves and apartment clean-out".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Clip on Earrings Wearable

Turn vintage earrings into regular earrings

Tutorial at Plaster & Disaster Blog

"My grandmother didn’t have pierced ears, but she wore earrings every day and had quite a collection. Most of us have probably come across a lot of clip-ons in thrift and vintage stores, and I’m always so intrigued by how fun they are. But man, they’re a pain. How can they be both so tight that they make my ears hurt, and yet so precarious that I’m afraid they’ll fall off at any minute and I’ll lose them? I think I’ve invented a new paradox. Anyway, that’s when it struck me: why don’t I just turn my clip-on earrings into regular old earrings".... Read more

Tutorial - Cross My Heart Dress Pattern

Design has a modest V-neckline, and hangs  loose from the bust to emphasize the smaller waist

Tutorial at So Sew Easy Blog

"You know sometimes how you look about and everyone seems to be wearing the same thing, the same styles, the same colors?  That’s especially true on a small island where there are only a few places you can buy clothes anyway, so its no wonder everyone has the same pieces.  So I set out to make myself a dress.  Something I could wear to dinner, or if I had to go somewhere smart, or heaven-forbid, ever get a job".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Decorate an M & M Phone Case

Video tutorial using affordable materials

Tutorial at Cute Simple Stuff Blog

"Today I wanted to share this Cell Phone case I did for my 7-year-old niece. I wanted to give her something M&M related because I know how much she loves that stuff (and I love them too, so delish). I went with the red M&M because, she´s this sassy little girl (I think red goes better with that), she loves red, green and brow and Valentine´s Day is almost here, so why not giving away or rocking a red cell phone case for that holiday? You know, people give those chocolate in that day anyway, why not go a bit further".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Dye Leather Gloves

Dye and condition old gloves to make them like new

Tutorial at Makery Blog

"Today I thought I'd share another little experiment with Rit dye. Whilst my stockpot was simmering away I began pondering what else I could use all that lovely rich dye liquor for. I like to get value for money! (BTW, did you know you can bottle unused Rit dye liquid once it's cooled and reuse it months later! Apparently so...result, huh?)  Anyway, I decided on a whim to randomly chuck this pair of leather gloves into the mixture...and what do you know? It worked! They didn't crisp up when they dried and the result is relatively even...so I guess...you CAN dye leather with Rit dye".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Crochet a Holiday Plant Cover

Make a 4" house-plant special for the holidays

Tutorial at The Inspired Wren Blog

"It's almost time to deck the halls with red and green! (I know last week I was all "Halloween, YAY!," and now I'm all "Christmas, WooHoo!," and you're all "I'm getting whiplash over here and what about Thanksgiving anyway?" Welcome to my brain.) The end of November means it's time to change out the crochet planter covers in my kitchen. This month while watch-listening to TV I crocheted up a few Santa-inspired sleeves so my plants can spread the Christmas cheer, and I've written it down so you can, too".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Crockpot Cover

Make a lid cover to coordinate with your kitchen decor

Tutorial at Nanny Notes 2 U Blog

"Have you noticed the revival of interest in cooking with a slow cooker?  Maybe it's always been there and I just hadn't noticed! Anyway, it takes me back to the 70's when our 'crock pots' were well used and really appreciated. Today I thought I would share a quick tutorial for a lid cover for your Slow Cooker so that you don't have to resort to the 'tea towel under the lid' trick again and your cooker can look stylish and colour co-ordinated in your kitchen. I picked up some microfibre towels at the 'cheap' shop thinking they were tea-towels but they turned out to be more a 'hand towel' size so they will be perfect for this project. You can use any cotton fabric for this - maybe a cheap towelling tea towel, remembering that it is to be absorbent".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Stencil a Gift Box

You'll need a stencil, foam brush, and paint

Tutorial at Creative Khadija Blog

"My family and friends are always expecting something arty/crafty from me & this is kind of a hard Task always! Well I handle anyway..haha. Gift Packing and gift box designing is a really important thing when you are gifting, a person who is going to open the box will be definitely first reviewing the packing. So its necessary to work on the gift pack/wrap before giving it away! a ready-made packing with printed paper sheet wraps is also good but will may be not that impressive as something compared to any hand designed packing! making some hand designed gift wraps are not difficult, just a few time is needed with a little bit of creativity..So this is what I did before gifting some goodies to one of my friend".... Read more

Tutorial - Hexagon Hello Sign

Make your own stencils for this design
 
Tutorial at Sisters, What Blog

"I recently saw this hello sign at Snap Creativity and just fell in love with it. We needed something new for the door and nothing says hello better than a hello sign. I mean this sign is literally saying hello. Anyway, I had really fun making it. I recently have been loving the shapes trend and hexagons have been calling to me, so I added some hexagons to my sign".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Pineapple Soft Serve

A healthy and wonderful soft serve dessert

Tutorial at Make the Best of Everything Blog

"I have been a little obsessed with blending frozen fruit, especially bananas to make healthy ice-cream like desserts.  Last week, when I was visiting my parents in Chicago, I watched my mom make ” Banana Swirl” for my son.  She then added other frozen fruits and made several different flavors and froze the frozen treats for later.  She added Strawberries, Peaches, Mangos and Pineapple…….Pineapple?  Yum! Last year- when I went to Orlando with two of my closest girlfriends to celebrate our 30th birthdays We spent a day ” Eating around the world” at Epcot.  I finished the day with Disney’s famous Pineapple Dole Soft Serve…..So anyway, the wheels in my head a-got- to- turning".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Remake a Dress into a Top and Skirt

Waste not, want not - two pieces from one dress
Tutorial at What's Mummy Up To Blog

"One of my favourite designs was this heart-back dress, the Sweetheart Dress.  I love Shannon's designs!  Anyway, Hannah has love, love loved this dress, and if given the chance to choose her clothes for the day, she often reaches straight for her "heart dress".  Bethany on the other hand, well other than this photo-shoot day for the blog post back in October, she hasn't gone near this dress.  She wears tons of the clothes that I've made for her, so I was pretty sure it wasn't an anti-homemade-clothes thing, and I thought she liked the fabric, seeing as she chose it and all.  Anyway, after a bit of prodding one morning when choosing an outfit to wear, she eventually owned up to the fact that she doesn't like this dress because it's not twirly enough.  Of course, it's all about the twirl-factor when you're nearly 6 isn't it!  Dah, Mummy! My heart sunk initially 'cause I love this dress, and in my mind I was already putting it away for about 3 years until Hannah can fit into it, but then I was struck with an idea … A TOP doesn't need to be twirly does it".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Refashion a Clock

Take a clock from infantile to modern

Tutorial at One O Textile Blog

"Last week, probably because of a small fit of madness, I have revolutionized my bedroom, cleaning everything  and moving furniture ( I now have my desk facing the window so I can enjoy as much natural light as possible. I can’t explain how this has made my work more enjoyable! ). Anyway, in the middle of my “desperate housewife” madness I found an old clock. It was in excellent condition, but definitely too infantile … so I decided to transform it and give it new life".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Turkey Shirt

Turkey stencil provided to make this shirt


Shirt Tutorial at Sisters, Sisters Blog

"Once a week I take Captain Awesome to a playgroup/preschool with some friends. Next week there is a turkey trot for little kids, so this week we decided that we should make matching shirts for all of them. I know, totally cute; they will be doing their first team run together with matching shirts. I've been training Captain Awesome and he will get first place and win us a turkey - Just Joking. He will do awesome though, I just know; especially with his little turkey shirt on.  Anyway, using the awesome Freezer Paper Stencil and Painting technique, we made these shirts".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Notion Basket

Use for notions or as a thread catcher

Basket Tutorial at Roonie Ranching Blog

"I have an awesome thread catcher/pincushion combo that my amazing Aunt Janet made for me, but since Erin already has a pincushion (and adamantly denies needing another one, even though I doubt you can ever have too many!) I didn't need a design quite this complex.  Isn't it cool, though? Aunt Janet is so amazing.  Someday I hope to have half of her sewing abilities!  Anyway, here is what I came up with when I sat down to design a little something for Erin.  It's really simple".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Temporary Earring Back

Quick fix for a lost earring back

This easy solution came to me yesterday at the office, when I found  the earring back missing from one of my earrings.  To make this temporary earring back, you need a pencil eraser, a thumb tack, and something to take a slice of the eraser with - for example the razor blade I have in my desk drawer.  The blade was left from the previous occupant of my desk, and I've found it handy for opening reams of paper, cutting through boxes, and now, making earring backs.  The process is self-expanatory, but here are the steps anyway:

• take a thin slice of the eraser
• poke a hole in the center of the slice with a thumbtack
• voila, instant earring back!

My hair is chin length, so you can't see the back when I wear it.  If you have very short hair, this fix may not be for you.  Not pretty, but it may keep a favorite earring from getting lost until you can get a replacement.

Tutorial - How to Make an Expandable Photo Box

I remember making one of these at a Scrap Book Conference

Photo Box Tutorial at Craft Cravings Blog

"Happy Monday. Yes, it’s Monday again. Lame!  Today’s photos have a little bit of an ugly lighting issue. By the time I finished the project, a bunch of clouds rolled in and we’re  expecting rain tonight. I may go back and re-take some of these photos, but they aren’t too bad, I’m just being picky. Anyway, back to the project. This little exploding box is easy to make and it makes a great little gift! I made one for my mother for mother’s day last year in purples and greens. It had photos of all three of her kids. Each “level” of the box had photos of us at different ages. Level one was baby, level two was “older kid” and third level was more recent pictures. She really liked it and I know you guys will too. It’s so fun and depending on what type of paper you use, you can make it for any occasion".... Read more