Hand-Painted 
Silk Scarf

Materials

• White, 100 percent Chinese-silk scarf*

• Dull pencil
• 
Permanent markers, choice colors
• Jacquard Dye-Na-Flow paint*

*Available at craft stores or online.

Tools

• Two 2-feet-long pieces of freezer paper
• 2-by-2-feet foam board

• 16 thumbtacks
• 
Iron
• Small paintbrush

Directions

1. Lay pieces of freezer paper side by side, shiny side up on foam board. 
 Gently stretch scarf flat over freezer paper. Pin in place with thumbtacks.




2. Lightly sketch shapes on silk with pencil.




3. Heat iron on “silk setting” and press silk to freezer paper until wax begins to melt. Don’t overdo it! Edge of scarf should easily pull away from paper.




4. Trace pencil shapes on scarf with permanent markers. Be sure to close shapes so paint will stay within marker lines.




5. Paint shapes from center out. Allow paint to spread before adding more paint. Too much paint will overrun marker lines.
 Dry scarf on board for 24 hours. Remove and dry alone in clothes dryer on high heat for 30 minutes.




6. Rinse scarf in cold water until water runs clear. 
 Air dry.

Garden Tiles

Materials

• Stepping stone concrete (sold 
at craft stores)

Tools

• Cooking oil spray
• Rectangular plastic tub
• Leaves
• Pebbles

Directions

1. Spray tub and underside of leaves with cooking oil.
2. Mix concrete, according to package instructions, and pour 2-inch layer into tub.
3. Gently shake tub to release air bubbles and ensure level surface.
4. Place leaf (sprayed-side down) firmly into concrete. Cover with pebbles to make clear impression. Wait 48 hours.
5. Remove stones, leaf, and tile from tub. Smooth sharp edges with stone or file.

Stash-buster Scarf Crochet Pattern

Materials

• Yarn – any kind

Tools

• Crochet hook – any size that complements your yarn choice
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sk = skip
• dc = double crochet
• st = stitch

Special Stitches

• Vst = dc, ch 1, dc in same st
• Shell = 5 dc in same st

Directions

• Ch 17.
• Row 1: Dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as 1st Vst). Sk next 2 ch; Shell in next ch; Sk next 2 ch; Vst in next ch; Sk next 2 ch; Shell in next ch; Sk next 2 ch; Vst in last ch. Ch 3 turn.
• Row 2: 2 dc in 1st Vst. Vst in top of next shell. Shell in next Vst. Vst in top of next shell. 3 dc in last Vst. Ch 4, turn.
• Row 3: Dc in same st (counts as 1st Vst, now and throughout). Shell in next Vst. Vst in next shell. Shell in next Vst. Vst in top of ch from previous row. Ch 3, turn.
• Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until desired length is reached.
• End on a Row 3 pattern row. Ch 1, sc in same st; Sc in Vst; ch 2, sc in top of shell; Ch 2, sc in Vst; Ch 2, sc in top of shell; Ch 2, sc in last Vst. Sc in top of beg ch from previous row. Finish off, weave in ends.

You can leave the scarf long, or sew the two ends together to make a circle scarf or cowl. You can add buttons and other embellishments if desired. Have fun with it!

How to Make the St. Patrick’s Day Bookmark

Materials

• 1 multi-colored paint chip
• Green embroidery floss, about 8 inches long

Tools

• Pencil
• Scissors
• Hole Punch

Directions

1. Using your pencil, draw or trace a clover shape onto the paint chip so that two or more colors show.
2. Cut out shape.
3. Punch a hole in one of the leaves.
4. Fold embroidery floss in half and tie ends in a knot.
5. Wrap embroidery floss through hole, making a slipknot to secure.

Shamrock Barrette

Materials

• Wool felt
• Thread
• Blank barette

Tools

• Sewing needle
• Scissors

Directions

1. Cut four leaves in the shape shown at right. Mine measured about ¾ of an inch tall, and nearly an inch wide. I cut two lobes into each petal and flipped the flower over, because I prefer the shape of the bottom of the flower for the center of the clover.
2. Sew the leaves together as shown above.
3. Tie the threads together tightly at the ends.
4. Sew the clover onto a barrette.
5. Clip into your little lucky charm’s hair.

Crochet Heart Garland

Material

Worsted weight yarn

Tools

Size I (5.50 mm) crochet hook

Scissors

Abbreviations

• sl st = slip stitch
• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• trc = treble crochet
• sk = skip
• sp = space
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Directions

Heart

If you wish to vary the size of your hearts, stop after Round 1 (small), 2 (medium), or 3 (large).

• Round 1: Ch 4. Make all of the following sts in the first ch: 3 trc, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 trc, ch 1, 3 dc, 3 trc, ch 3, sl st.
• Rnd 2: Ch 3. Sc in first trc, hdc in same st. 3 hdc in next st.  2 hdc in next st. Sc in next four sts. Sc, ch 2, sc in trc.  Sc in next four sts.  2 hdc in next st. 3 hdc in next st. Hdc in next, sc in same st. Ch 3, sl st in center.
• Rnd 3:  Ch 3.  Sc in first sc, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st.  Sc in next seven sts, sk next st. Sc in ch 2 sp from previous row, ch 3, sc in same sp.  Sk next st, sc in next seven sts. 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, ch 3 and then sl st in center of heart.  Pull loop to the back and fasten off. Weave in ends.

Garland

• Ch 45.  Sc in top bump of heart, ch 6, sc in next top bump of heart.  *Ch 12, sc in top bump of heart, ch 6, sc in next top bump of heart.*
• Repeat from * to * until all hearts are joined. Ch 45, fasten off.

Beaded Friendship Bracelet

Materials

• Beading wire
• Beads
• 2 crimp beads
• 1 magnetic clasp

Tools

• Wire cutters
• Bead board or towel
• Crimping pliers

Directions

1. Decide how long you want your bracelet to be and add 6″. Cut your wire, making a knot close to the end of the wire on one side to act as the bead stopper.
2. Using your bead board or towel, lay out beads in the pattern you want for your bracelet. String all your beads onto the beading wire.



3. To attach the clasp, string on a crimp bead and half of the clasp. Turn your wire to push it back through the crimp bead. Check the fit of your bracelet and add/remove beads as needed.



4. Using your fingers, grip and bend the beading wire at the clasp and push the crimp bead up against the clasp, but not too tightly. You want the clasp to move freely once it is secure. Continue to push the wire through the next 2 or 3 beads, trim wire to leave no tail, and push all beads snug against the crimp bead.



5. Using the “tooth” of the crimp pliers, press the crimp bead to flatten the crimp and crease the center. Move the bead to the next hole in pliers and gently press to fold and round the flattened crimp. Your wire is now secured.



6. At knotted end of wire, use wire cutters to clip off the knot. Repeat the crimp and clasp process.



7. Do not bend the beading wire at the clasp until you have pulled the wire through the next two or three beads and pulled the wire snug with the remaining bracelet beads, eliminating any excess wire in the length of the bracelet. This time you will have a tail outside the second or third bead from pulling the wire tight. When you have secured the clasp, use wire cutters or fine point scissors, if you wish, to remove wire tail.



Congratulations on your new creation!

Fabric-Covered Greeting Cards

Materials

• Fusible web
• Fabric scrap a little larger than 8 ½” x 11″
• 8 ½” x 11″ card stock

Tools

• Cutting tools
• Cutting mat
• Iron

Directions

1. Cut the fusible web slightly smaller than 8 ½” x 11″, then adhere it to the wrong side of your fabric scrap. Trim roughly. Then remove fusible paper and adhere fabric to cardstock.



2. Take a ¼” off each long side, and ½” off each short side,  You will be doing some more trimming after the next step. 
3. Fold the piece of paper in half, short sides together, parallel to the grain.



4. The direction you fold paper is actually very important as to how smooth the fold will be. That is because paper has a grain line, much like the warp and weft in a fabric weave. If you fold parallel to the grain, you will get a nice, smooth fold with little to no resistance. If you fold against the grain, you will get resistance, and the paper may actually break or tear on the fold. You can test which is the right way to fold by gently bending the sheet of paper in both directions. The wrong direction will feel more resistant to your fold.
5. Open your first fold, and use the middle fold line as a guide. Fold again in the same direction, one short side to the middle as pictured below. Now cut through both thicknesses along the middle edge. These trimming steps are to make the card even on all sides. It is hard to make the edges even if the card is trimmed first and then folded. Trust me, I’ve tried.



6. You will now be working with half of your original sheet of paper, folded in half. Slice this strip into 2″ pieces.



7. Repeat steps for the second side of the piece of paper.

You could also print on the cardstock before adhering fabric, as I have done on these little thank you cards. And you could trim the card edges with a decorative blade to get some nice effects. I’m sure you can come up with more ideas for this technique. Maybe add some stitching or embellishment?

Button Snowmen Gift Tags

Materials

• Card stock paper: red, white, green
• Double stick tape
• Black felt (for hat)
• Red string for snowman bow
• 2 white buttons, one smaller for head/larger one for body, with only two holes

Tools

• Scissors and or paper cutter
• Optional: 2″ circle punch
• Hole puncher
• Tacky glue
• White gel pen

Directions

1. Cut white card stock into a 2 ½” square. With hole puncher, make a hole in corner. Pull string or ribbon through. Cut red card stock smaller than the white piece, and punch or cut a 2″ circle.
2. With double stick tape, tape each piece in place.



3. Cut a small black felt hat that fits the button you are using for the head.
4. Tie a small red bow from string or ribbon.
5. Using a smaller button for the snowman’s head, place the buttons on the green circle, turning the smaller button (head) so the two holes are sideways, and the holes on the larger button (body) go up and down. Glue in place with tacky glue. Then, glue on hat and small bow. With the white gel pen, draw stick arms and small hanging heart on the paper, next to the body button.



I think they are cute enough to hang on the Christmas tree, too!

Decorative Gift Card Envelopes

Materials

• 8 ½” x 11″ paper (I used regular 20-pound copy paper.)
• Wax paper
• Glue stick
• Cup of your favorite brew (This craft is addictive, so you might be here awhile.)

Tools

• Cutting mat or ruler
• Paper cutter
• Edge punch (The one I used is from the Martha Stewart line.)

Directions

1. Cut your sheet of paper into quarters (each will now be 4.25″ x 5.5″).



2. Using the edge of your cutting mat for sizing (or a ruler) fold short edges so that they overlap in the center and width is reduced to 2.5″.



3. With wax paper underneath to protect your work surface, run a glue stick down top overlap edge, and bottom long edge. Fold short overlap edges to center, and then fingerpress to secure glued edges.



4. Now fold bottom edge up about a half inch, run glue along the inside, and press to secure.



5. All that is left to do now is edge punch the open end of your envelope through both layers at once.



Voila! You will probably want to make a bunch because they are easy and fun, and they look fab!

Decorative Paper and Bead Ball Ornaments

Materials

• Acrylic paint for foam balls
• Smooth foam balls, your choice of size. (I’m using 2” and 3” balls.)
• Card stock paper
• Glass seed beads in coordinating colors
• Optional: for hanger, eye pins or wire; fishing line, ribbon, or string; Tacky glue

Tools

• Paint brush
• Toothpicks
• Foam sheet or cardboard box
• Decorative punch (I use a flower-shaped punch)

Directions

1. Start by choosing your paint colors, and paint foam balls. I find it’s easier and faster to stick a toothpick into the ball, paint the ball, and then stick it into foam sheet or cardboard box to dry (the toothpick hole will be covered with flowers). You do want a good coat of paint, but remember you will be covering it with flowers.

2. While the balls are drying, start punching your shapes from the card stock paper. I tried to count them when I was making this 3″ ball, and I had around 80 flowers. The number of shapes you punch will depend on how close together you want to put them. Since I was making about 75 covered balls, I just punched each of the colors I wanted to use, and put them in bags. When I ran out of a certain color, I just punched more.


Tip: I found velum paper works well—I used velum paper for the snowflake balls, shown below—and it’s a beautiful look. It comes in colors like red, gold, and silver.

Think about choosing different punch patterns: hearts, snowflakes, two different sizes of flowers. What shapes do you have?


3. Pick your bead color, slide one bead onto the pin, and stick it on a punch shape. Now, I just pushed it right into the ball, but you could dip the end of the pin in Tacky glue if you felt like it needed it. Since I was making so many, I found it easier to slide the bead and flower on, make a bowl full of them, and then put them on the balls.
   

   I found the sequin pins from Jo Ann Fabrics for 99 cents for 300, and of course I used a coupon. But any thin, straight pin will work. You just have to make sure the bead you use as your center will slide on and stay on. I also found that if the card stock was super thick (like some of the heavy glitter ones from Michael’s) it was too hard to punch and way too hard to push a pin through—just thought you should know!

   Remember, it’s up to you to choose how close together to put the flowers. It gives you a different look when the flowers are on top of each other. If you do not glue the pin into the ball, it’s no problem to move the flower pin around, which you might need to do when you are fitting in the last ones.

4. To make a hanger, I’m using an eye pin (which is used to make jewelry), but it works well for this project. You can also use wire. First, slide the seed bead on, then a flower. Dip the end of the pin in Tacky glue and push it into the ball. Tie fishing line or ribbon onto the pin, and hang your ornament!


Did you know you can get the foam in oval or egg shapes to use as Easter eggs? How much fun! How about making a topiary? Cover one or two large balls with flowers, wrap a wooden dowel rod to use as the stem, and place it in any vase or pot. Could be so pretty for a baby shower or a bridal shower center piece.

Heart Gift Tag

Materials

• Pink card stock
• Embroidery thread

Tools

• Heart pattern (Click here to download heart pattern PDF.)
• Parchment paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle

Directions

1. Trace figure 2 heart pattern from PDF onto parchment paper with a pencil.
2. Transfer pattern and cut heart out of pink card stock.
3. Thread embroidery needle with a 9-inch piece of embroidery thread. Poke needle through the top of gift tag.
4. Bring ends of embroidery thread together and tie in a knot.

Felt Heart Ornament

Materials

• Red felt
• Embroidery thread
• Glue stick

Tools

• Heart pattern (Click here to download heart pattern PDF.)
• Parchment paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle

Directions

1. Trace figure 2 heart pattern from PDF onto parchment paper with a pencil.
2. Transfer pattern and cut two hearts out of red felt. 
3. Align back piece with front. Use a blanket stitch in white embroidery thread around the outside edges to sew the front and back together.
4. Thread needle with a 9-inch piece of embroidery thread. Poke needle through the top of the ornament. Bring ends of embroidery thread together and tie in a knot.
5. For added dimension, stuff with fiberfill before sewing closed.