The Saturday Evening Post » craft

8 Easy Crafts for Mother’s Day

Post Editors — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:35:01 +0000

Thinking about Mom, but not sure what to get her this Mother’s Day? Here are some DIY projects sure to please almost any mother.

If she’s an art lover:

Create and frame watercolor portraits
of the grandkids.
Click the image above or go to growcreative.blogspot.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s a wine lover:

Wrap her favorite Bordeaux
in a sweater sleeve.
Click the image above or go to greylikesweddings.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s a bookworm:

Fashion a quirky recycled bookmark and place it inside the newest book by her favorite author.
Click the image above or go to greenpaper.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s a recycler:

Repurpose blue jean cuffs into bangles.
Click the image above or go to michlinla.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s always on the go:

Make exfoliating sugar scrub cubes for a luxurious (and quick) shower treat.
Click the image above or go to soapdelinews.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s outdoorsy:

Spread a picnic lunch on this ombre blanket; when lunch is over, give the blanket to her as a gift.
Click the image above or go to inkmeetspaperpress.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s a romantic:

Pour wax into some pretty teacups
for candlelit dinners.
Click the image above or go to cupcakesandcashmere.com for the tutorial now.

If she’s got a green thumb:

Construct these little seed paper pots.
Click the image above or go to greylikesweddings.com for the tutorial now.

8 Easy Crafts for Mother’s Day The Saturday Evening Post

Craft Magic: Garden Tiles

Wendy Braun — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:00:38 +0000

Welcome spring by creating distinctly beautiful garden tiles that feature leafy designs.

Garden Tiles

Photo by Dwight Lamb/SEPS

Materials

Stepping stone concrete (sold  at craft stores)

Tools

Cooking oil spray
Rectangular plastic tub
Leaves
Pebbles

Directions

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

Craft Magic: Garden Tiles The Saturday Evening Post

Versatile Crochet Scarf Pattern

Sarah Anderson — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:46:43 +0000

I have a problem. I hoard yarn. Seriously.

Ask anyone who knows me. I am a notorious neat freak and can’t stand piles of stuff and clutter—except when it comes to yarn. I won’t toss out the little leftover scraps after a project is finished. So I end up with bags of scraps of yarn like this:

So I decided that I needed to find a way to use up my teensy little scraps. Enter the Stash-buster Scarf.

This simple scarf pattern can be used with any kind of yarn and any size hook. It’s super fast and easy … and the scarves you make are great for gifts. As you can see, the type of yarn you use changes the look of the scarf … but they all look fantastic!

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!

Pattern copyright 2012 by Sarah Anderson. This pattern is free for personal use. Please do not sell this pattern, or claim it to be of your own making. You are free to sell items made using this pattern, as long as credit is given to Sarah Anderson of Sarahndipities for the pattern used.

Versatile Crochet Scarf Pattern The Saturday Evening Post

Make Art with Fall Finds

Jesika St Clair — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:59:57 +0000

In the autumn, it’s hard to resist picking up fall treasures: leaves, seed pods, and even interesting rocks. But what to do with those collections once they’re in the house?

Here’s a creative way to use your findings to welcome autumn into your home.

Framed Fall Treasures

Materials

Picture frame
Fishing line
Wax-coated leaves*
Fall finds (seed pods, pine cones, etc.)

Tools

Scissors
Sewing needle or thumbtack

Directions

Cut strands of fishing line and tie around the frame’s edge. Make sure to pull the line tight.
Using a needle or thumbtack, punch small holes in leaves, seed pods, etc., and run strands of fishing line through each piece. Tie these to the lines on your frame.

*Wax-Coated Leaves

To make wax leaves, fold wax paper in half. Place clean, dry leaves inside folded wax paper. Lay wax paper and leaves on ironing board and cover with towel, then press. The iron doesn’t need to be extremely hot, just warm enough to melt the wax on the leaf. Once the wax paper has cooled, peel wax paper open and pull out wax-coated leaves.

Make Art with Fall Finds The Saturday Evening Post

Display Your Earrings in a Picture Frame

Jesika St Clair — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:00:09 +0000

The perfect pair of earrings can bring new luster to an old outfit. But when one of the pair goes missing—causing you to upturn sofa cushions and bedsheets in a frantic search—the luster might not seem worth it. Solution: Make this simple craft and give those pesky treasures a permanent home. Just make sure you return the “complement.”

How to Turn an Old Frame Into an Earring Display

Materials

wooden frame
window screen

Tools

staple gun
masking tape
scissors

Directions

Note: If you want to paint, stain, or decorate your wooden frame, do so before any of the following steps.

Lay frame face down on flat surface. Place screen over back of frame and trim screen to roughly the same size as frame.

Staple the screen to the interior lip of frame.

Tape loose edges of screen to frame with masking tape.

Place frame on wall and hang earrings on screen.

Display Your Earrings in a Picture Frame The Saturday Evening Post

Make a Beaded Bookmark

Jesika St Clair — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:00:41 +0000

Sure, an e-reader like the Kindle, iPad, or Nook can satisfy you with a library of delightful reads, but they still can’t mimic the warm, woodsy smell of a good book.

So grab a length of ribbon, yarn, or cord; gather some beads, charms, or coins; and craft a beaded bookmark to hold a savory spot in your favorite tangible bestseller.

How to Make a Beaded Bookmark

Cut 18 inches of cord, ribbon, or yarn. Tie a knot three inches from one end.
String beads to cover 1 1/2 inches of cord and knot at bottom of beads.

Tie knot five inches from opposite end of cord (leaving 10 inches between knots).
String beads to cover 3 inches of cord to make “bottom” of bookmark, adding a unique bead or charm if desired. Tie knot. Trim cord 1/4 inch on each end.*

*If you do not want any cord hanging on the end of your bookmark, dab a little craft glue on the end knots, let dry, and then cut the excess cord at the knot’s edge.

Make a Beaded Bookmark The Saturday Evening Post

Build Your Own Coffee Pot Terrarium

Jesika St Clair — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:30:26 +0000

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, three things are certain in life—death, taxes, and broken coffee makers. Put some life into an old coffee pot with this fun and simple craft.

How to Build a Coffee Pot Terrarium

Materials

coffee pot
2-3 cups topsoil
1/2-1 cup buttons
2-3 small plants

Tools

large bucket
spoon

Directions

Dig out your old coffee pot or buy one at a local thrift store or garage sale. Clean, rinse, and dry well.
Toss buttons into coffee pot.

In large bucket, soak topsoil in water for 15 minutes. Drain off excess water. Soil should be very moist, but not dripping.

Cover buttons with a 1 1/2-inch layer of soil.

Arrange plants in pot and spoon additional soil over roots. Pat plants firmly in place with back of spoon.

Display terrarium on indoor table in medium sun.

Build Your Own Coffee Pot Terrarium The Saturday Evening Post

Prayer Shawls

Ellen Michaud — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:41:30 +0000

Reverend Sara Marean turned off the car and looked over at the bulky gift bag on the seat beside her. The bag contained a prayer shawl that had been woven by women in her East Congregational Church in Milton. It was beautiful—a soft, navy blue wool that seemed to absorb the early morning sun. When it was finished, every one of the nine women in the group had laid her hands upon the shawl and offered a prayer asking God to help the person for whom it was intended. Does prayer heal? Read the full story in Sep/Oct issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

To learn more about prayer shawls, visit shawlministry.com.

Prayer Shawls The Saturday Evening Post