Quick & Easy Halloween Decor

We've been thinking about Halloween all summer and are super excited that we can finally start to trot out spooky decorations without getting funny looks.

Naturally, every year we make more and better Halloween decorations than in years past. This year is no exception, but we've added a rule to our creepy fun: recycle as much as possible as we decorate.

There must be something in the air because Jennifer Perkins from Naughty Secretary Club and I Love to Create gave a set of canisters new life when she decorated them for Halloween.

Jennifer uses both felt and yarn on her canisters, which gives a nice dimension. However, if you don't have any yarn, you can use felt for the entire project. Plus, if you have some Quick Stick felt handy you can make this project that much faster.

Now go scare up some supplies and get crafting!

Designer Craft Tip: Making Shapes

You can do tons of really cool stuff with felt, including cutting it into really cool shapes. But what do you do when want a great shape, but you’re not so hot at drawing free-hand? Use cookie cutters! With all the shapes and sizes out there, it will be easy for the kids to find something they love. Let them trace their favorite cookie cutters with chalk; the chalk is easily washed off so the cutters will be ready for you next baking project. Older children can cut out their own shapes, but smaller kids may need a hand with the scissors. Once you have your new shapes cut out, the possibilities are endless. Glue the shapes to cardboard or construction paper to make pictures and cards or decorate each one, then get out a hole punch and some ribbon for instant tags and ornaments. Let your imagination run wild!

Warming Up to the Books

Across the country students are now about two weeks into the school year. That means they should have all of their text books. But are they all covered? If you’ve run out of paper bags to do the job, consider felt! Felt book covers are easy to make and highly customizable – you can even add a holder for pens and pencils or a small notepad.

The crafty sewers at Disney Family Fun show you how easy this "book blanket" project is.

Looking for even more inspiration? Check out how we dolled up a spiral bound book using 9" x 12" felt and a few fun embellishments.

National Sewing Month

September is National Sewing Month! Whether you use a machine, or stitch by hand, this month is for you.  Did you know? Sewing is one of the oldest arts – scientists believe cavemen sewed in the Paleolithic era, using bone for needles and animal hair for thread. The sewing machine wasn’t invented until the early 1800s and computerized sewing machines weren’t readily available until the late 1970s.

Today people can buy patterns to load into their sewing machines and complete their projects in a fraction of the time. Of course, hand stitching will never go out style. Fixing a button, a quick hem, even a larger project like making a piece of clothing can all be hand sewn for that extra personal touch.

Do you have any special projects underway? Are you looking for some sewing inspiration? Here are a few of our favorite stitched projects:

Back to School Crafts

No matter what part of the country you live in, we’re in that final countdown to the first day of school. How does a busy parent keep the kids busy and get them ready for school at the same time? Crafting, of course!


Here are a few fun crafts that may just get the kids excited about hitting the books again this fall.

School Bus Frame
Pennants
Pencil Toppers

Getting Creative with Shapes

Someone once told me that drawing is simple – you just put shapes together to create a bigger picture. We could argue that crafting follows the same tenant. And this adorable little guy proves it! He’s made from Lara’s pieces – small beads, spools and a goose egg. Connect it all with pipe cleaners and voila, you’re spending the rest of the summer with a fun new friend. Click here for full instructions.

A Special Back-to-School Project for Mom

It seems like we’ve all experienced a very hot summer this year. If you have kids, that means they’ve probably spent more time inside than usual, slowly taking over areas that were once tidy: the coffee table, kitchen table, the bonus room where you craft…

Good news! Relief is in sight! By September 6th,  most kids will be back in school!

So, what’s a mom to do once the kids are gone for eight hours a day? Reclaim the house! After taking those areas back from the clutter, spruce them up with these fun topiary projects from Patti Gorman.

Add a small punch of color to a room with a Felt Tabletop Topiary, or make a statement with a Felt Wall Topiary. Both projects can be easily tailored to your taste and décor by using different colors and by creating them at a size that’s perfect for your space. Best of all? Once you complete these projects, they’ll look great all year long with no pruning!

Click here for complete instructions and the pattern to make the Tabletop Topiary.

Click here for complete instructions and the pattern to make the Wall Topiary.