Cyndee Kromminga

Cyndee Kromminga

Based in the Midwest, Cyndee Kromminga has been writing craft and interior design articles for 15 years. Her articles and craft designs have appeared in Crafting Traditions Magazine, Easy Holiday Crafting Series-House of White Birches Newsletter and Country Woman Christmas Books. Ms. Kromminga's education is in interior design and she has experience operating a craft and design business for over 20 years.
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  • Transform an Old Chair into a French Country Stool
    Old furniture can often be transformed into new and appealing pieces. Transform an old wooden kitchen chair into a French country stool using minor woodworking skills, paint left over from previous projects and heavy-duty fabric.
  • Make a Decoupaged Lunchbox Desk Organizer
    Beautify the surface of your work space and organize all your essential tools in a decoupaged, dome-shaped, lunchbox. The vintage, dome-shape of these lunchboxes allow room for a variety of desk accessories.
  • Make a Faux Fur Valentine Pillow Stack
    For Valentine's Day sew up a batch of faux fur Valentine pillow stacks. They can be used as a holiday decoration or as a replacement to a stuffed animal on a child's bed. This project takes minimal sewing skills and a small amount of faux fur.
  • Make Redneck Wine Glasses
    Make redneck wine glasses as a funny gift to give a couple moving into their first home, anniversary gift for the couple who has everything or Valentine's day. They are quick and simple to craft, and they always bring a chuckle from the recipients.
  • Make a Salt Shaker Angel Ornament
    My Christmas crafts, like so many of my crafts, are made using items that had a previous life. As I was contemplating my next project, I came across a box of salt and pepper shakers. I immediately saw angels emerging from these plain household items.
  • Sew Christmas Fabric Star Ornaments
    Sew stuffed fabric star ornaments to give your Christmas tree a touch of country charm. These ornaments are made using a small amount of Christmas fabric.
  • Sew Fall Leaf Bowl Fillers
    Are you looking for natural fall decorations, but you're not too excited about bringing bugs and dirt into your house? These fall leaf bowl fillers may be just the craft project for you.
  • Crochet Stuffed Acorns
    Recently, I found some wool yarn that had been hand-spun. The yarn's natural colors fit beautifully into my plans for natural decor. I decided to make a basket of crocheted acorns.
  • Sew Raggedy Appliqued Candy Corn
    Sew raggedy appliqued candy corn bowl fillers for Halloween using bits of leftover and recycled fabric scraps. These candy corn-shaped bowl fillers resemble little stuffed pillows.
  • Reupholster a Round Footstool
    With the recent addition of a new love seat in my living room, I decided to craft a new cover for my footstool. It sits right next to the love seat, and the old fabric didn't seem to blend at all.
  • Sew a Blue Jean Apple for the Teacher
    Gifts for the teacher on the first day of school are very popular, especially if your child is young. They are a great way for breaking the ice while introductions are made. Sew a stuffed blue jean apple with a red bandanna leaf.
  • Recovered Denim Sandals
    My closet is littered with several pairs of sandals and I just can't seem to throw them away. I finally decided to try a sandal makeover and recovered a pair using old denim jeans. They turned out better than I could have imagined.
  • Craft a Scrap Wood Rustic Table
    This table is 24 inches wide by 36 inches long and stands slightly below 18 inches. Perfect for a coffee table, but the dimensions of this design can easily be changed for taller or smaller tables to use as end tables, side tables or art tables.
  • Make a Coke Bottle Centerpiece
    New and unique party decorations, favors or place markers can be expensive and time-consuming if multiples are needed. Make Coke bottle centerpieces that can double as favors and/or place markers.
  • Craft an Uncle Sam pin
    Add an Americana touch to your outfit for the Fourth of July, or any of the summer's patriotic holidays, with an Uncle Sam pin. This pin is made using small wood craft shapes.
  • Make a Retro-Style Clay Pendant Necklace
    Make a retro-style clay pendant necklace using polymer clay and suede lacing. I used what I had for this project, but if I had needed to buy the supplies, the cost would have been minimal.
  • Make a 4th of July candle holder
    An empty glass food jar is just one of the many items that spark my creative spirit. They can be transformed into home decor for everyday decorating or for special holidays. Make a 4th of July candle holder using a recycled jar and paper cut outs.
  • Make a bingo bangle bracelet
    My favorite pieces were the old wooden bingo numbers. Their vintage color and patina worked up beautifully into a bingo bangle bracelet.
  • Sew an Appliqued Vintage Quilt Table Mat
    After the gift of a tattered vintage quilt and assorted quilt pieces that a friend's mother was throwing out, I pictured an appliqued table mat that would repurpose all of these elements.
  • Make a blue jean Independence Day banner
    Dress up your dining room, patio or a summer vignette in your home with a decorative blue jean banner for the Fourth of July.
  • Sew a Dog-Bone Neck Pillow
    This project is one of the quickest sewing projects I have made in a long time. Once I figured out the dimensions and shape of my dog-bone pattern, the actual construction time took less than 30 minutes. Now that is my kind of craft project!
  • Sew a Frilly, Rag-Ruffled Apron
    Make mom a frilly, rag-ruffled apron for Mother's Day using fabric from your sewing stash, or for a more frugal option, root through your old linens for fabric that will tell a story.
  • Sew Patriotic Coasters from Scrap Fabric
    These coasters are made using red and blue fabric scraps. If that's not enough to scream 'patriotic and Americana', the quilting in the shape of a star will do it.
  • Make a Rustic Wood Sign
    Digging through my wood pile, I found some weathered wood scraps that were perfect for rustic signs. I chose one board to experiment on and am quite pleased with the finished product.
  • Make Recycled Garden Markers
    The after-holiday clearance sales are great for collecting supplies for inspiration later in the year. After Christmas this year I found miniature yard signs. I decided to transform these ugly ducklings into fresh little garden markers.
  • Make a Recycled CD Journal
    Recycle old compact disks and wallpaper samples into journals. These little notebooks can be decorated for all ages. This journal will easily tuck into your purse and gardeners will find it helpful to keep track of their planting schedules.
  • Transform a Vintage Sewing Bench into Shabby Chic Seating
    Decoupage old advertising posters to a discarded sewing bench, and give the entire piece a shimmering pearl finish. This project resulted from an estate auction purchase of 50 cents.
  • Make an Easter Bunny Pin from a Glove
    Make a cute little bunny pin for Easter using a knit utility glove. Well, actually it's made from a finger of the glove, and one pair will yield you 10 bunny pins.
  • Make a Recycled Memo Center
    Every busy home needs a memo center to keep track of comings and goings, along with a place to post papers, memorabilia and coupons. I found the holder for a perpetual calendar at a yard sale and transformed it into a memo center with a crackled frame.
  • Sew an Upholstery Fabric Pet Mat
    I dug through my fabric stash and came up with scraps of upholstery fabric that were just perfect for a custom cat mat. I liked the finished product so much, that I decided to also make one for a dog.
  • Crochet a Triangle-Shaped Granny Square Shawl
    Granny squares grow with each round. This shawl is half of a square crocheted on the diagonal to form a triangle. Instead of crocheting continuous rounds, the shawl is turned after each row along the diagonal.
  • How to Sew a Cuffed Girly-Girl Church Purse for Spring Using a Vintage Quilt
    This purse has a cuff around the top edge and uses jumbo rick-rack for the handles. It is finished off with a fabric yo yo and vintage button. What little girl wouldn't love that?
  • Make Decorator Quality Twine Wrapped Fruit
    My fruit was going to become "decorator catalog" worthy. I wrapped the fruit with twine for a natural modern appearance without the gaudy plastic colors.
  • Make a Square-Patch Recycled Sweater Scarf
    Make a square-patch scarf by recycling a sweater from your closet or purchase secondhand sweaters from yard sales or thrift stores. One ugly, outdated sweater can be transformed into a new accessory you will be proud to wear.
  • Make a Quilt Covered Container for Organization
    Spruce up your desk for spring with a quilt covered container. This container is made using a recycled vegetable can and scraps from an old cutter quilt. The surface is decorated with an appliqued die-cut flower cut from a scrap of wallpaper.
  • Make a Tab-Tied Pillow Slipcover Using a Vintage Quilt
    Give your throw pillows a makeover. Make a pillow slipcover with a tab-tied closure. I used an old quilt that was beyond repair for the cover and a vintage bed sheet for the lining and the tab-ties.
  • Decorate with Jean Heart Bowl Fillers
    Make heart bowl fillers for Valentine's Day decor or a romantic accessory for your home using blue jeans. The color of jeans doesn't necessarily scream "valentine", but the wrong side of the fabric is lighter and makes a frugal canvas for painting.
  • Make a Victorian Lace Bracelet Cuff Using a Dress Shirt
    Add a little romance to your fashion accessories with a Victorian lace bracelet cuff.
  • Make an Antiqued Pedestal Candle Lamp
    What do you get when you combine an ugly candle pedestal, a recycled spaghetti sauce jar and a vintage beaded necklace? An antiqued pedestal candle lamp, but of course.
  • Recycle Vintage Tablecloths into Tea Towels
    My kitchen tea towels had been looking shabby for quite some time, so I decided to toss them out and make a few new sets from one of the floral tablecloths.
  • Decorate with a Romantic Shabby Chic Banner
    Decorate a mantle, wall or a bedroom with a romantic shabby chic banner. This banner can be used to decorate for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or to simply add a touch of femininity.
  • Make Valentine's Day Coasters with Ceramic Tiles
    Make decoupaged coasters for Valentine's Day using wall tiles and a Cricut die cutter.
  • Decorate Your Home with a Denim Star Wreath
    Recycle your old blue jeans into a denim star wreath for Americana, country, rustic or western decorating. Hang the wreath on a door, wall, chair or any place that needs that added finishing touch.
  • Sew a Ruffled Jean Leg Purse with Frayed Flower
    The wide tube of the legs were roomy enough for a purse, so I used fabric accents and transformed the gender-specific jeans into a darling ruffled purse with a frayed flower.
  • Make a Wooden Spindle Message Sign
    As I was scanning the piles of possibilities, I spotted a collection of old spindles. An idea of message signs started to sprout in my mind. By using my Cricut Expression die-cutter and a wallpaper sample book, I crafted several in an afternoon.
  • Decorate a Birdcage for the Winter Season
    A bit of greenery, craft birds, snowman's hat and a bow gave it the right amount of seasonal charm I was looking for. It was a simple fix that took about an hour to complete. This project can be duplicated with any type of decorative birdcage you have.
  • Refurbish an Old Rocking Chair
    The chair seemed like an overwhelming repair job. These instructions are how we tackled each problem area to bring the chair back to it's former glory. One or more of these tasks may be the answers you need to repair your own damaged family heirlooms.
  • Reupholster an Old Chair Using Blue Jeans and Hot Glue
    One of my sons had an old upholstered rocking chair in his room. I gathered the old jeans I use for crafting and decided to put the glue gun to work with a reupholstering job.
  • Paint Snowmen on Floral Stones for Winter Party Favors
    I've been looking for chunks of coal to paint as craft show items, stocking stuffers and bowl fillers. Who knew coal would be so hard to find? I did, however, find a bag of large floral stones at Dollar Tree, and decided to paint snowmen on them.
  • Transform a Recycled Jean Jacket with Paint
    Make painted jean jackets for the recipients on your gift list. Clean out your closets, shop yard sales or visit your local thrift store for gently used jean jackets.
  • Paint a Snowman Pallet to Decorate Your Yard for Winter
    The fence-like construction of a pallet is a wonderful canvas for painting, and the windy winter months ahead begged for a snowman. The instructions for this snowman pallet are general and basic, after all, no two snowmen are exactly alike.
  • Transform an Antique Ironing Board Into a Buffet or Sofa Table
    Decoupage an antique wooden ironing board with book pages to use as a behind-the-sofa table or as an extra surface for serving food at a party.
  • Make a Decorative Mitten Bucket for Your Mudroom
    I decided to make a mitten catch-all from a transplant bucket. It is a simple storage idea for those often misplaced mittens, gloves and scarves during the winter months, and is a perfect addition to a mudroom.
  • Craft Primitive Christmas Candy Cane Ornies Using a Mattress Pad
    I used a mattress pad to make primitive candy cane ornies for Christmas. One twin-size mattress pad produced about 40 candy cane ornies. They will become small inexpensive gifts for family and friends, and a new item for Christmas craft shows.
  • Make Rustic Wood Sign Ornaments for Christmas
    While amassing my selections for an upcoming Christmas craft show, I made small wood sign ornaments to hang on a tree. The project was done using what I had on hand. I used a variety of words that I associate with Christmas.
  • Make an Ice Skate Stocking for Christmas
    Finding cute and unique ways to package small Christmas gifts for family and friends can lead you to recycling, using what you have and thinking outside the box. I feel like this Christmas ice skate stocking meets all those points.
  • Craft Snowmen and Reindeer Ornaments Using Wooden Spools
    Make your own snowmen and reindeer using wooden spools from grandma's old sewing box or scavenge at thrift stores or auctions for these vintage finds.
  • Make a Straw Hat Reindeer Wreath for Holiday Decorating
    Lead Santa to your front door this Christmas with a whimsical straw hat reindeer wreath. I have plenty of straw hats in my crafting supplies and decided Rudolph was the perfect addition to our rural home.
  • Decorate with a Fall Table Mat Made Using Upholstery Samples
    My latest decorating project involved using several small upholstery samples to create a beautiful fall table mat for my dining table. The luxurious upholstery fabric would have cost a fortune if I had purchased each piece separately.
  • Sewing Halloween Gift Bags with Scrap Halloween Fabrics
    I gathered all my scraps of Halloween fabric from years of previous projects. They were all pretty small, but there was quite a variety that took me down memory lane. I decided to make a charm tote bag.
  • Sew a Halloween Candy Corn Treat Bag
    Digging through my Halloween fabric, I noticed that none of the pieces were very big. By combining them with other fabrics, I was able to design a candy corn treat bag. It is the perfect size to use as party favor bags or as small gift bags.
  • Decorate Your Home for Fall with a Pumpkin Candle Holder
    My kids don't really care if they carve a pumpkin anymore, so I decided to get a pumpkin for myself. I made a fall candle holder using a pumpkin as the base. It looks great as a fall table centerpiece.
  • Craft Halloween Salt Dough Candy Corn
    Mix up a batch of salt dough and make candy corn pins for children's party favors, or decorate your home with candy corn ornie bowl fillers or magnets.
  • Decorate for Fall with a Recycled Leaf Garland
    I like to decorate for the fall season and since my crafting usually involves recycling, I used nature's recycled items, or those materials made to look like natural elements to make a fall leaf garland using silk leaves and recyclables.
  • Sew a Winter Cowl-Neck Scarf from Old Sweaters
    If you are preparing for the upcoming winter season or are in the midst of winter doldrums, then get out your old sweaters for a winter upcycling fashion craft. A cowl-neck scarf made from a sweater is a great project for a snow day.
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  • Crochet a Calico Scarflette Using Eyelash Yarn
    This crocheted scarflette is a wide collar that is worn around the neck. It can be worn over a blouse or sweater and adds extra warmth, like a scarf, without the bulk.
  • Crochet Beaded Bracelets Using Recycled Bangle Bracelets
    I recently realized I had amassed quite a pile of bangle bracelets. They were perfect for beaded crochet bangle bracelets. The stitches would hide or mute the color of the bracelets while giving them a more delicate and romantic look.
  • Decorate for Fall with Halloween Boot Candle Holders
    Transform your child's outgrown cowboy boots into cute Halloween candle holders. They can be placed among you fall decor or prominently displayed as a centerpiece on any table in your home.
  • Transform a Bike Tire Rim into a Unique Decorative Fall Wreath
    Decorate your porch, garden or front entryway this fall with a beautiful wreath made from a bike tire rim. Painted to look old, this wreath will be a conversation starter for all of your daily visitors.
  • Make Bottle Lamps Using Recycled Wine Bottles
    Recycle wine bottles into special accessories using bottles that are leftover from meaningful occasions. Wine bottles can be transformed into soft, ambient lighting accessories by drilling a hole in the glass bottles to insert the wires for a lamp.
  • Transform Vintage Placemats into New Kitchen Towels
    Dig through your linen closet for vintage placemats or purchase inexpensive and plain kitchen towels. Embellishing with a trim will give the items a new purpose with a professional looking finish.
  • Design Your Own Laptop Tote Using Denim
    Purchased laptop totes often have a professional briefcase appearance, but you can design your own bag, custom-made to fit your laptop, for casual trips to the coffee shop or peaceful weekend vacations.
  • Homemade Baby Burp Cloths
    Homemade gifts for baby showers are always well received and the expense involved can be much less than store-bought purchases. Making baby burp cloths is a thoughtful gift for a new mother.
  • Make a Wooden Wagon from a Produce Crate
    Make a wagon out of crates to use as a flower pot stand, magazine holder or a catch-all for shoes, boots and gloves at your back door. The faux wheels on the crate remain stationary so that the wagon stays where you place it without rolling away.
  • Sew Quilted Bags Using Fabric Leftovers
    Make quilted bags for gift bags, small purses or miniature storage bags using your scrap fabric. One-of-a-kind bags can be constructed by mixing and matching a variety of fabric leftovers to create new fabric pieces.
  • Crochet a Ripple Afghan
    Crochet a ripple afghan as a bed cover or cozy living room throw. Ripple, chevron and zig-zag afghans are interchangeable terms of the same basic design and many crochet patterns are expanded from them.
  • Sew Thrifted Chenille Bedspreads into Small Fall Pumpkins
    Greet your fall guests with a basket of stuffed pumpkins in your entryway. I scored two orange chenille bedspreads during my thrifting adventures that were absolutely perfect for crafting primitive orange gourds for fall decorating.
  • DIY Shabby Chic Furniture Transformation
    Transform an old wooden furniture cast-off into a charming shabby chic addition to your home. This desk started out with a horrible shade of green paint reminiscent of the 70s. I gave it a lighter appearance to match it with a more current decor style.
  • Make Witch Hat Primitive Halloween Ornies from Recycled Wool Clothing
    Use grandpa's wool suits or wool clothing you have picked up secondhand to make primitive witch ornies to decorate your home for Halloween. These stuffed hats can be placed as a grouping in a basket or set among your Halloween decorated vignettes.
  • Recycle an Old Fence Section into a Primitive Yard Jack O'Lantern
    Make a big statement in your front yard this Halloween by painting a primitive Jack O'Lantern face on an old section of weathered fence boards.
  • Craft a Quilt-Lined Miniature Laundry Basket
    I had recently accumulated some great old vintage quilts at a yard sale for a really great price. The quilts had damage issues, so I had no qualms about treating them as cutter quilts. I knew these baskets would look adorable lined with old quilts.
  • Paint a Halloween Folding Chair for Fall Decorating
    Spruce up your front yard, porch or entryway with a trash to treasure Halloween project that will look nothing like the plastic decorations you buy in the store. I use wooden folding chairs purchased from auctions to create a welcoming fall seat.
  • Sew a Hobo Bag from a Vintage Quilt and Bed Sheet
    When I came across an incredible bargain on vintage quilts recently, I gave no thought to what I would do with them, I just knew I had to have them. I settled on a hobo bag for my first project design.
  • Make Your Own Shabby Chic European Inspired Wall Plaques
    There are many tools and simple shortcuts that can be employed to produce beautiful works of art. A stack of 9 x 12 stretched canvases I had picked up at a yard sale were the perfect base for shabby chic European inspired wall plaques.
  • Make Homemade Curtains for Kids Using Sheets
    Making homemade curtains for kids is very easy to do using novelty twin flat sheets that match the decorating scheme of the room. The amount of available fabric from a twin flat sheet is less expensive than purchasing novelty fabric by the yard.
  • DIY Craft: Make Quilted Cards
    Present your guest of honor with a homemade quilted card made from leftover fabric scraps from other projects, or create sets of thank you notes and invitations to have on hand when unexpected events pop up.
  • Make Jeweled Ball Bowl Fillers for Sophisticated or Shabby Chic Decor
    Homemade bowl fillers do not always need to be primitive or rustic in nature. More sophisticated bowl fillers can be made using a variety of jewelry, buttons, rhinestones, charms or other shiny baubles.
  • Kid Craft-Make Imaginative Pencil Toppers
    Pencil topper crafts allow your kids to create something they can use for school without having to purchase a lot of fancy new supplies. They also make great party favors.
  • Use Glue as a Medium to Craft Embossed Surfaces
    Craft glue or hot glue can be applied to the surface of items to make an embossed pattern. Either one will work for this technique. I like craft glue for more intricate designs, but hot glue dries (cools) more quickly.
  • Make Primitive Star Bowl Fillers for Primitive or Country Decor
    Make stuffed star bowl fillers for yourself or for sale. They are simple to sew and because they fall into that category of "primitive" crafts, mistakes and imperfections are embraced.
  • Cover Shabby Couch Cushions with Slipcovers
    Economics is an issue, so slipcovers are definitely in order. Slipcovers require a lot of fabric, so I decided to do it in stages, starting with the cushions to see if I liked the look.
  • Craft a Summer Garden Hose Wreath
    A garden hose resembles a wreath when it is wound and hung on a hose hook, so why not use an old one to craft a wreath for your garden gate, tool shed or patio. The fresh and whimsical nature of this simple wreath will fit most any backyard decor style.
  • Use Leftover Bits and Pieces to Craft a Heart Spindle
    Spindle ends are just one of the cool scraps I can never bring myself to throw away. Their simplicity seems so chic. Make a heart spindle decoration for a book shelf, table of doodads or counter top arrangement.
  • Repair an Old Bench by Weaving the Seat with Fabric
    Create a fabric woven seat for a chair or bench using recycled sheets or other thrifty fabrics. Just like the woven potholders you made as a child, this simple project is easy to do and can be completed in a few hours.
  • Make a Vintage Suitcase Table for Your Porch
    This case was a thrifty find on a recent yard sale trip. I whisked it home and sat it in the middle of the living room floor until inspiration hit. I decided to marry it with the legs of a small nesting table, to create a table for my porch.
  • Make a Patriotic Jar Lamp to Decorate Your Home
    Rag balls, along with an empty canning jar, a jar lamp kit and a lampshade are the perfect bones for an Americana style lamp. It can be used as a porch lamp, a dresser lamp or a lamp positioned in a nook with other Americana knick-knacks.
  • Craft a Patriotic Welcome Mat for Your Front Door
    Craft a flag welcome mat to greet your guests all summer long. I recently found plain sea grass mats at a dollar store. The grid-like weave reminded me of plastic canvas, I decided to create a flag pattern that could be stitched with strips of fabric.
  • Recover a Wooden Ironing Board with Quilt Blocks
    Recently, while sewing curtains, I noticed the cover to my wooden ironing board was pretty much shot. Definitely time for a replacement. I measured the dimensions and went in search for the perfect fabric.
  • Make an Upcycled Straw Hat and Vine Wreath
    Add a little rustic charm to your patio or porch by upcycling an old straw hat and a worn out grapevine wreath. I actually got the idea when I was looking through my craft supplies and spotted a wreath laying on top of a straw hat.
  • Craft a Bedspring Wood Flower
    The best and most satisfying crafts are those that cost no money and are made from discards, scraps or junk. Make a springy 'spring' wood flower using an old bedspring and scrap barn or fence wood.
  • Sew Vintage Tea Towel Curtain Panels for Your Kitchen
    An auction box full of old linen calender tea towels, transformed my sparse and ho hum curtains to fresh and bright. With a little bit of restructuring, these cloth towels added the perfect vintage touch to my kitchen.
  • Transform a Summer Dress into a Two-Piece Outfit
    I have several summer dresses in my closet that are the basic tank top structure. I decided with a tight budget for a summer wardrobe, I could alter the dresses into a shirt and skirt.
  • Make a Feather Boa Wreath for Romantic Decor
    Feathers, birds, eggs, nests, shabby chic and Parisian decor are so popular, that I set out to create a feathered wreath using a feather boa. This wreath falls into most of the popular categories listed and it only takes one feather boa to complete.
  • Make a Wool Rose Pin from Recycled Wool Sweaters
    Make a cute wool rose pin to accessorize hats, jackets, purses or any object that needs just a little something. I made this rose with a small amount of wool. The finished size is about 3 1/2-inches in diameter and has a depth of about an inch.
  • Paint a Federal Style Shabby Chic Chair
    I noticed I do a lot of shabby chic projects that are white or pastel, so I decided to dig some chairs out of the barn and give them a federal shabby chic look. My interpretation of federal is dark colors, Early American, with hints of patriotism.
  • Cover a Hat Box with Old Book Pages
    These boxes provide wonderful storage options for a room, as well as being a decorative accessory. Stacked within easy reach, yarn, scrapbook supplies or other craft supplies can be accessed anytime or quickly hidden away when not being used.
  • Strengthening Tomato Plants for the Garden
    The new plants were already beautiful, but we live in the country with wide open fields all around. The wind is not blocked by trees, so it is a necessity to give these plants a fighting chance.
  • Make Glitter Pouch Gift Tags with Your Kids
    When teaching a child to sew with a sewing machine, it is best to start out with a simple project. Make glitter pouch gift tags using recycled clear plastic from store packages.
  • Make Primitive Stamped Ribbon
    If you enjoy primitive crafting, you know that nothing goes to waste. Leftover bits are hoarded for use in other projects in surprising ways. Make your own primitive stamped ribbon, using scraps of muslin, to tie around decor items and gifts.
  • Build a CD Cabinet Using an Old Ammunition Box
    Old wooden crates and boxes make wonderful cabinets and shelves. I found an old ammunition box in the garage and built a cabinet to store my CDs. I built a base so the box could stand on end without toppling over and added shelves.
  • Sew Leftover Fabric Scraps into a Patchwork Gift Bag
    Holidays that require a wrapped gift make me cringe with the amount of wrapping paper that is used once, ripped apart and thrown away. Gift bags seemed like the perfect idea to use up leftover fabric scraps from previous small quilt projects.
  • Craft a Simple Spring Ribbon Garland
    Ribbon is most commonly used for bows and ties in craft projects, but the possibilities can be so much more. This project was inspired by the red and green construction paper chains I crafted as a child for Christmas.
  • DIY Birdhouse Tower Shelf
    A birdhouse tower shelf was envisioned after creating a few sketches, determining measurements and consulting a pile of scrap wood. I designed the shelf as simply as possible, so that what ever wood scrap was available would work.
  • Make-Over Recycled Picture Frames
    Frames are one of the easiest things to make-over when redecorating a room. You can use the existing frames or recycle inexpensive finds at yard sales.
  • Use a Chenille Bedspread to Sew a Little Girl's Spring Capelet
    The pastel colored chenille bedspreads remind me of kids, babies and springtime. With the help of writer, Jo Brielyn, I decided to make little girl capelets to sell with my spring crafts.
  • DIY Pots and Roses Shabby Chic Candle Holders
    I had a shelf that was filled with a collection of different sized clay pots. They were taking up a lot of room that I decided could be used with a creative craft project.
  • Make a License Plate Dustpan for Spring Cleaning
    License plates are the perfect size for a dustpan and they offer a nice thin edge for scooping dirt. They are simple to make and by constructing a wooden mold, you can form the sides of the license plates for a uniform shape.
  • Plant an Economical Garden by Starting Your Seeds Indoors
    Packets of seeds are cheaper than purchasing plants, so by planning your garden while the weather is cold and nurturing your seedlings indoors, you will save money on your gardening adventure.
  • Craft a Mixed Media Brooch Using Recyclables
    I love creating mixed media projects. It's a great way to craft using different techniques, with an assortment of supplies that wouldn't ordinarily go together. Miscellaneous items were used to create this one-of-a-kind brooch.
  • How to Sew a Japanese Knot Favor Bag
    Recently, I have been on a pattern hunt for a Japanese knot bag. This little bag has one long handle and one short one. The top of the bag is closed by inserting the long handle through the shorter handle. The long handle is then hung on the wrist.
  • Build a Planter Box for Your Garden Using Old Weathered Wood
    Planter boxes are wonderful additions anywhere in your gardens and making them from recycled lumber allows you to spend your money on the pretty green things. This weathered wood window frame planter box was inspired by an old window.
  • Build a Shabby Chic Glassware Bird Feeder for Your Garden
    Bird feeders! The wheels in my head started turning as I envisioned shabby chic bird feeders for decorating my garden. By stacking different sizes and types of dishes, I was able to create a tower of glassware.
  • Inexpensively Create Homemade Crafts for Family and Friends
    There are many reasons why people choose to make homemade gifts. The thrill of creating beautiful objects for just the right person and the reality of saving money in today's economy, are just two reasons.
  • DIY Wedding Decorations for an Economical Dream Wedding
    The cost of a wedding can be somewhat daunting. Expenses can be pared down considerably by making many of your wedding decorations yourself. DIY wedding decorations can be crafted months in advance.
  • Making a Vintage Shabby Chic Pillow for Decorating
    Using vintage items is a great way to create a shabby chic pillow for decorating a living room, guest room or even the front porch. This fun pillow was inspired by an antique cloth children's book and a belief that you can never have too many pillows.
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  • Create a Photo Duvet Cover for Your Bedroom
    Scrap fabrics and old vintage photos can make a duvet cover as special as a family heirloom quilt. By using computer t-shirt transfer paper and a scanner, you can make a beautiful photo duvet cover.
  • Make a Miniature Felt Teddy Bear Ornament for Valentine's Day
    I designed this festive miniature teddy bear ornament for children's school Valentine's Day party favors and gifts. I used a simple bear-shaped cookie cutter for the pattern, but clip art or a coloring page could also be used.
  • Sew a Crochet Hook Holder Using a Place Mat
    Crafting with a place mat is a fun way to create a clever hook holder without spending a lot of time. A place mat already has finished edges, so it was just a matter of manipulating this item into something else.
  • Build a Roadside Cast-off Dresser Drawer Potting Bench
    Warning, I brake for roadside cast-offs. I can't help it. If I see someone has put an old dilapidated piece of furniture in their curbside trash, I just have to bring it home. These little orphans are just crying for attention.
  • Build a Rustic Bench by Recycling an Old Window
    The pastor of our church replaced the windows in his sun room and rather than toss the drafty old ones, he called me. He knows I can't throw anything away. I look at everything and see potential. I decided on a window bench.
  • Creating a Fashionable Beach Cover Up from a Man's T-shirt
    Beach cover ups have become a hot fashion essential to the wardrobe's of sun lovers. This clever cover up is created from a man's t-shirt, snagged from your husband's or boyfriend's closet or purchased at your local thrift store.
  • Transforming a Brass Fixture into a Shabby Chic Chandelier
    After watching yet another "home improvement" or "how to sell your house" show on cable television, I realized there was a common thread. Brass is out. Brass fixtures seem to have a stigma that you haven't cared for your home since the 80s.
  • Upcycle a Pillow Sham to Create a Beautiful Bib Apron
    If you have a sewing machine and minimal sewing skills, you can create many gifts by using fabric you already own. Fabric does not have to be a purchased piece off a bolt. This clever project creates a bib apron from a pillow sham.
  • Rescue Forgotten Pillow Shams and Transform Them into Bags
    Pillow shams are usually beautiful miniature versions of the bed covers they came with, giving them a potential for a crafty transformation. Use one pillow sham to sew this clever bag with a built in lining.
  • Craft a Snowman Ornament from Bingo Balls
    My love of crafting with unusual and sometimes odd items, has my friends continuously gifting me with their finds. Some of the items have me wondering if they are trying to stump me.
  • Crafting a Jack-O-Lantern Decoration for Fall Using an Old Coke Bottle
    I could see these bottles as cute holiday decorations in a variety of characters. Using the coke bottle as their body, they will be perfect on display for all the Coke, vintage or holiday collectors in my life.
  • Sew a Primitive Pillow Using Odds and Ends
    This idea for making primitive pillows, uses basic muslin and a variety of scraps and bits that you have accumulated. There are no strict rules for making this primitive pillow.
  • Use Your Scraps to Sew a Patchwork Woven Potholder
    For those moments when you want to be creative, but you don't have the time or patience for a lengthy and involved project, this patchwork woven potholder may be just the answer.
  • Craft a Cute Frosty Snowman Using Recycled Jeans
    Create this cute fabric snowman doll to greet guests at your front door or add decor under your Christmas tree after the gifts have been unwrapped.
  • Decorating a Party with Burlap
    Decorate your buffet or dining table with versatile burlap. It can easily be made into informal table linens and decorations, and requires no sewing.
  • Craft Your Own Art with Recycled Windows and Leftover Wallpaper
    I have jokingly stated many times that I have enough craft supplies to open a craft supply store. While that statement could be considered true, it would also have to take into consideration what I have as supplies. I collect everything!
  • Make Baby Shower Rosebud Corsages from Baby Socks
    Create cute and clever decorations and favors for a baby shower, using baby socks. Faux rose bud corsages formed from baby socks are a charming gift for your guests, or you can make a beautiful centerpiece for your table.
  • Junking Green: My Reupholstered Trash to Treasure Experience
    Saturday mornings are a great time for junking. Whether it's yard sales, flea markets or auctions, there is usually a great deal of stuff to claim. Junking is an economical way to be green.
  • Make Easy Fabric Postcards for Special Events
    Do you often run to the store, only to come home and realize you have forgotten to buy a card for a birthday or other special event? Instructions for making inexpensive fabric postcards may be the answer you have been looking for.
  • Creatively Using Fabric to Decorate Your Dinner Table
    You have invited the guests and planned the menu for a fabulous dinner party. What now? It is time to decorate your table. Creating a beautiful table can easily be accomplished with a variety of fabrics.
  • Review of the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri
    If you and your family are going to visit Branson, Missouri, a popular attraction is the Titanic Museum. The building itself is an awesome two story replica of the Titanic. At 100 feet tall, it's a half scale of the original and it's impressive.
  • Marketing Your Craft Business Creatively
    So, what can a crafter do to sell his crafts? Look for the unusual. The best marketing plan I have seen is to look to local businesses for opportunities.
  • Junk Crafting is a Profitable Business
    Junk crafting is a wonderfully profitable way to use items that started out life as one thing and became something else through crafting.
  • Garland Decorating Ideas for Your Home
    Create warm and welcoming decor by decorating with garlands. They can pull together a room's decorating style, party theme or holiday atmosphere by using a variety of materials for quirky and fun looks to sophisticated and upscale.
  • Review: Branson Landing in Branson, Missouri
    If you are heading to Branson, Missouri to enjoy the shows and attractions, don't overlook Branson Landing. It is located at the end of Branson's bustling strip and is a wonderful place to enjoy a leisurely stroll, shopping and street entertainment.
  • Create a Unique Altar Trellis for Your Wedding Day
    This outdoor wedding altar trellis will transport your outdoor wedding to another time using an old iron bed and salvaged porch posts for a one-of-a-kind decoration.
  • Sew a Soft Pyramid Door Stop
    Make a fun and easy door stop for all the doors in your home that can not seem to stay open. These fun door stops are made of pre-quilted fabric that come in a variety of styles and novelty prints.
  • Make an Authentic Faux Antique Wood Sign
    If you have a passion for antique, vintage or old things, you have probably noticed authentic pieces appreciate with age. One such special find is old wood signage, but their popularity has caused their worth to skyrocket.
  • Make a Simple to Sew Fleece Shrug
    Enjoy casual walks or evenings outside while wearing this comfortable fleece shrug. This shrug is worn like a shawl except that the short sides are partly sewn to act as sleeves for your arms.
  • Sew These Comfy Pajama Bottoms for Your Family
    Pajama pants are known in my house as happy pants. They are worn to bed and also used as casual wear. It is not uncommon to see children, teens and even adults sporting them all over town.
  • Sew a Romantic Handkerchief Skirt for Summer
    Make this beautiful and romantic handkerchief skirt in an afternoon and wear it that evening. A handkerchief skirt drapes airily with eight points, and only looks difficult to make.
  • Make This Clever Rag Basket Using Clothesline Rope
    With this pattern, the rug coils of the basket are actually clothesline rope and the wrapped rope is sewn together to form the basket using a zig zag stitch on a sewing machine.
  • Wrapped Rose Stem Wedding Bouquet
    Wedding bouquets do not have to be in a white plastic wedding bouquet holder. A simple ribbon wrap around the gathered stems can add a sophistication and elegance to the occasion.
  • Recycling a Sweater into a Green Purse
    It is sad to throw out beautiful sweaters when they become too small or are a little worse to wear. Enjoy this tutorial on making a "green" purse out of discarded sweaters.
  • Recycling a T-Shirt into a Book Bag
    Many people accumulate t-shirts that express their moods, hobbies or show their favorite sporting team or music group. This easy book bag can be made by recycling a t-shirt that no longer fits, for many more days of usefulness.
  • Popsicle Stick American Flag Kid Craft
    This American flag Popsicle stick craft is a terrific project for children and the hot days of summer are perfect opportunities for getting your kids involved in arts and crafts.
  • Make a Patriotic Newspaper Sailor Hat with Your Kids
    This vintage newspaper sailor hat is a wonderful reminder to support our troops and to thank them for protecting us and our country and giving us our freedom.
  • Turning a Salvaged Porch Post into a Shabby Chic Coat Rack
    Old porch posts on porches are a much sought after vintage treasure. Craft an inviting coat rack using one of these salvaged porch posts to create a cozy shabby chic feeling in your home.
  • Papier-Mâché Baseball Shaped Party Piñata
    Are you planning a "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" type of birthday party? Well, don't forget the piñata. Craft a baseball shaped piñata and use a real baseball bat to crack it open.
  • Decorating a Bedroom for Your Cowgirl
    Do have a little girl who would just love a girly girl cowgirl bedroom? Using blue jean fabric, frilly lace, pink and brown paint and glitzy crystals, you can create a bedroom of her dreams.
  • Making Fancy Pillows Inexpensively
    Fancy pillows don't have to have a fancy price tag. Make your pillows look fancy by spending your money on fancy trims or recycling old formal wear.
  • Quick Crochet Project: Child's Curled Brim Beanie Hat
    Create this cute child's crocheted beanie hat with a curled edged brim and have a ready gift when ever you need it. The stitches for this hat are basic and are perfect for a new crocheter.
  • Confirmation Party Favor Ideas
    As your son or daughter prepares for their confirmation day, you are probably realizing there are many people you are grateful for and would like to show appreciation to for the many years of support.
  • Planning Your Child's Confirmation Reception Celebration
    Preparing for a confirmation reception, like any party, is very simple if you break down the essential tasks. These task and steps are guidelines that can, of course, be tweaked to suit your own individual tastes, finances and abilities.
  • Grandma's Butterfly Hankie Quilt
    Grandma was a hankie lady. Boxes of Kleenex weren't around when she was young and as she got older, the mere thought of wiping your nose on something and throwing it away was considered too wasteful.
  • DIY Crocheted Slipper Flats
    These crocheted slippers remind me of slippers I had in my youth when all I wanted to be was a ballerina. Most of the time I ended up skating on the hardwood floors and trying to avoid the splinters.
  • DIY Recycled Shutter Birdhouse
    Eureka! A treasure trove of small window shutters was discovered by my son when he was cleaning behind a building for a landscaping job. These shutters could have gone directly to the dump, but knowing my love of junk...
  • DIY St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Hat Favors and Centerpiece
    Surprise your child's class for St. Patrick's Day by making these cute leprechaun hat favors. You can also make them for your family's table, along with a larger version hat centerpiece to encourage the 'Luck of the Irish'.
  • Shabby Chic Jewelry Holder Using a Doily and a Coat Hanger
    A shabby chic jewelry holder is a wonderful decorative accessory for a dressing area, bathroom or above the vanity. It's extremely feminine and is great for organizing and storing your earrings, necklaces and pins.
  • Sew an Easy Personalized Designer Tissue Box Cover
    Tissue companies do try to make their packaging pretty. Let's face it, though, nobody wants labels and advertisements decorating their bathrooms. This clever tissue box cover is just the thing to improve on your designer dilemma.
  • How to Craft Corn Husk Dolls from Early Pioneer Days
    A corn husk doll may be one of the first toys a child had back in the pioneer days. They were equally loved by white settlers and native Indians alike. They were very easy to make back then and they are even easier to make today.
  • Craft This Adorable Clothespin Bunny Necklace Just in Time for Easter
    This cute little Easter bunny necklace makes a wonderful gift for the children in your life and even many adult women. Make up a batch for teacher's gifts, office gifts or favors for your child's class Easter party.
  • Adorable Kissing Spoon Party Favors
    Kissing spoons are an adorable favor for weddings, anniversaries and Mother's Day, to name a few. They also make beautiful and whimsical bouquet presentations.
  • DIY Yo-yo and Denim Easter Bunny Pin
    These little yo-yo bunny pins will dress up an outfit for Easter and make wonderful gifts for friends at the office. If your child needs a classroom gift for a spring Easter party, make these simple pins.
  • Fabric Crochet: A Touch of Country with This Sunflower Trivet
    Dig through your fabrics or use up scraps left over from other projects to use for crocheting decor items. This rag crochet sunflower trivet is the perfect addition to a country or Tuscan style kitchen.
  • Give Your Old Throw Pillows New Life with Pillow Covers
    Making pillow covers for your throw pillows is a great way to change the look of a room without investing a lot of cash. Pillow covers can be changed with the seasons and special holidays.
  • How to Crochet a Heart-Shaped Rag Rug with Tugs of Inspiration
    Crocheting is a relaxing pastime that has become increasingly popular. Most people think of yarn when they hear crochet, but fabric, thread, rope, wire and many other items can be knotted into beautiful creations of inspiration.
  • Crafting Romantic Jewelry for Valentine's Day
    Yes, we all want that expensive gold or diamond jewelry for Valentine's Day. I certainly wouldn't turn it down if it was offered, but crafting romantic jewelry for Valentine's Day can allow you to create affordable jewelry for yourself and your friends.
  • Make Beautiful Scrap Fabric Corsages as Gifts for Birthdays, Mother's Day or a Just Because Day
    Scrap fabric corsages make beautiful gifts for friends and family. Attach one to a card or package for a friend's birthday, Valentine's Day. Mother's Day or a Just Because Day.
  • How to Make Pillows Out of Most Any Vintage and Recycled Fabric
    I make pillows that have a story about them. They are made from a multitude of textiles that started out life as something else and many of them come from vintage fabrics.
  • Ideas for a Fabulous a Super Bowl Party Menu
    A Super Bowl party is like the Thanksgiving dinner of all football parties. I believe a garish display of and healthy food is required and since you don't indulge with these foods every day, I think that's OK.
  • Make a Super Bowl Football Player Party Favor
    As the hype and hoopla for the Super Bowl begins to build, craft cute Super Bowl party favors for your kids to share with their classmates. Recycle toilet paper tubes to create these cute football players.
  • Organizing a Cluttered Office
    It's time to clean the office when there is so much clutter that only one person will fit in the room and you can't find a spot to set your coffee cup. Yes, for those of you who are tsk, tsking my awful cluttered mess, take a look around.
  • Decorating for a Super Super Bowl Party
    My family and I plan a Super Bowl party every year. It works out wonderfully because my husband's birthday falls right around the time of the Super Bowl. We plan it out to have a Super Bowl party and birthday party combined.
  • Makeover Your Child's Blue Jeans
    Does your child have blue jeans that are too worn, too faded, too short, too long, or they just don't fit right anymore? Why not give them an ultimate makeover?
  • Easy and Fun T-Shirt Tie Dyeing Using RIT Dye
    Making T-shirts are a wonderful way to create unity for a large group. If you are involved with a class of school kids on a field trip, matching T-shirts makes taking a head count very easy.
  • Create a Fantastic Retro Blue Jean Backpack for Your Child
    Blue jeans are one of those recycled items that have hundreds of possibilities. Once they have surpassed their usefulness as actual pants, they become a fantastic crafts supply.
  • Crafting for Valentine's Day with Your Kids
    About the beginning of February, gather Valentine's Day craft supplies to create beautiful and whimsical Valentine's Day decorations. If you have the box ready, you will easily be able to combat the doldrums of winter with some quality fun family time.
  • Can Valentine's Day Be Special for the Whole Family?
    Hmm... is it possible to celebrate a romantic holiday when you have kids? Well, of course it is. As new chapters of our lives take on new dimensions of love, we learn to cater holidays to our families.
  • Making a DIY Memory Photo Pillow
    There are so many fun crafting products that include using your computer, on the market today. One is t-shirt transfer paper that feeds through your computer printer. You can easily scan treasured photos and print them out on the t-shirt transfer paper.
  • Sewing an Easy and Decorative Duvet Cover
    Having a duvet cover can help to keep your comforter clean and allows you to change it with the seasons. Sewing your own duvet covers makes this more affordable and you have more fabric designs to choose from.
  • Sew a Simple Vintage Handbag for Any Occasion
    Do you have an abundance of vintage linens in your closet? Textiles, plus old costume jewelry and antique fabric, can all be combined to make simple handbags for any occasion. Use your collections to enhance your personal fashion style.
  • Make a Convenient Diaper Changing Pad
    This easy to sew diaper changing pad folds and slides nicely into a diaper bag. The attached pocket corrals a package of baby wipes, which means no more digging and rooting around in the bag.
  • Crochet an Easy Ruffle Scarf This Winter
    This lovely crocheted ruffle scarf can be completed in an evening and would make a wonderful last minute gift for Valentine's Day, a birthday, Christmas or a just-because day.
  • Simple, Elegant and Clever Centerpieces for Your Thanksgiving Table
    You can make simple, elegant and clever centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table, that will have your guests singing you praises. Making a special centerpiece does not need to be expensive.
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