Gooseberry Patch

Crafty Fall Fun!

Do you love decorating with pumpkins but don't want the mess of carving? We like to leave 'em natural but we recently ran across another crafty idea that we may just have to try!

 

Yarn-Wrapped Gourds & Pumpkins!

Shared by Jessica of Two Shades of Pink, this clever tutorial uses artifical pumpkins (so you can keep 'em for longer) but you could use your fresh-picked pumpkins too. As easy as it is fun, this idea is so simple, even the older kids could help!

Visit her blog for step-by-step instructions!

Thanks for sharing, Jessica...we can't wait
to see what you come up with next!

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Let's Get Crafty for Harvest!

Welcome to another Friday Let's Get Crafty feature! Today, our celebration of our Cookbook of the Week continues...between the Home Sweet Homemade chapter and the clever tips sprinkled on every page, Homemade Harvest is stuffed FULL of crafty inspiration for this time of year.

 We're featuring 3 ideas from
this must-have book...enjoy!

Tin-Can Luminaries

You'll need:
tracing paper
clean, empty tin cans
    of various sizes
permanent marker
hammer and large nail
ruler
Optional: 16" craft wire
spray paint for metal
    surfaces in color of
    your choice
tealight candles

Trace fall patterns such as bats, leaves or pumpkin faces onto tracing paper that will fit tin cans. Cut out patterns and arrange on the cans; outline with a permanent marker. Fill each can with water and place in the freezer until water is completely frozen. Remove from freezer and punch dotted lines along designs using a hammer and nail. If hanging lanterns are desired, punch 2 holes in the rim of the can on opposite sides. Let ice melt and cans dry completely. For the optional handle, insert wire into the holes along the rim; twist ends to secure. Spray paint the outside of the cans and let dry. Place a candle in each can.

 

Sparkly Pumpkins

You'll need:
2 paintbrushes
craft glue
3 pumpkins
orange, red and clear
    craft glitter
brown acrylic paint
cake pedestals

Use a paintbrush to evenly apply glue over the surface of one pumpkin. Choose one glitter and sprinkle glitter over the glue, covering it completely. Repeat, using a different color of glitter for remaining pumpkins. Let dry for one hour; shake off excess glitter. Paint the stems with the brown acrylic paint and let dry. Arrange the pumpkins on cake pedestals for a festive centerpiece. 

 

Haunted House

You'll need:
pint-size paper
    milk carton
cardboard square
vanilla frosting
graham crackers
candy corn
black licorice
mini chocolate bars
candy pumpkins
ghost-shaped
    marshmallows

Clean out the milk carton with soapy water, rinse and let dry. Attach the milk carton to the cardboard square with a dollop of frosting; hold in place for 30 seconds. Use frosting to attach graham crackers to carton, breaking the crackers as needed to fit. To form the roof, turn 2 graham cracker rectangles on their sides and lean toward each other; secure to the carton with frosting. Cut a cracker square diagonally and attach each piece to the front and back of the roof. Use frosting to attach the remaining candy. Use candy corn as shingles and mini chocolate bars as doors and windows. Use black licorice to fill in the seams of the house and attach pumpkins and ghost-shaped marshmallows.

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A Personalized Gift in Minutes!

This speedy craft might be one of our quickest yet and it makes a great gift for almost any occasion. Who knew you could use a simple glass-front frame as a memo board?

Dress it up with vintage fabric or change out the paper season-
ally...this craft is all about personalization. It's a great way to share an encouraging word or just a smile every day!

Find it in our book, Recipes for Warming Hearts.

 

Wipe-Off Memo Board
One more way to personalize...use a purchased vinyl decal to add a monogram or favorite quote! Look for them at the craft store.

You'll need:

• picture frame with
  glass front
• patterned scrapbook paper,
  large enough to fit frame
• dry-erase marker
• Optional: vinyl decal
  to personalize
• Optional: four heavy-duty
  magnets and hot glue gun

Trim paper to fit frame. Use vinyl decal to personalize, if desired. Place paper in frame. To use, stand memo board on an easel, or attach four magnets with a hot-glue gun and hang on the refrigerator. Write on glass front with dry-erase maker; wipe off with a soft cloth.

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Berry Sweet...and Easy too!

Did you know that this Sunday is Friendship Day?

Just in time, here's a great little project that you can whip up in
an afternoon to treat a sweet friend. Just start with a basket,
a cloth napkin and some goodies from your kitchen & craft room.

You won't believe how easy it is to make a...

Berry Sweet Basket!

Baskets are one of our favorite things to find just a dollar or two. We've found them at the flea market, the craft store, garage sales and even the thrift shop. Add a coat of creamy white paint and they're ready to be filled!

Next you'll need to whip up the liner. This one starts with a cloth napkin, one of our favorite craft supplies to keep on hand. What's that? You don't consider cloth napkins craft supplies? Well, after today, you just might change your mind.

They're perfect for lining baskets, obviously, but they're also perfect for gift-wrapping a homemade goodie from the kitchen. Cut them down to size and they're great for jar toppers. You can embroider an initial on the corner of a few for a personal and super-easy housewarming or hostess gift...really, the possibilities are endless. We LOVE finding these (and stocking up!) during the end-of-season clearance sales. Keep an eye out for them!

If you're feeling really crafty, you could whip up some homemade cloth napkins with some linen or heavy cotton from the fabric store. They're easy to finish with a simple rolled hem around the edge. We like to buy them already finished though, whenever they're on sale. They're so very handy...heck, you can even use them at the dinnertable!

Below, you'll find the easy instructions dressing up a humble cloth napkin, just like the one shown in the photo above...

Berry Basket Liner

Here's what you'll need...

• Tissue paper
• Strawberry template at right
  (Click to view and print larger)
• Sharp scissors
• Embroidery needle
• Purchased green cotton napkin
• Red and green felt scraps
• Red, green and ivory embroidery floss

Trace strawberry and stem onto tissue paper and cut out templates. You can also use transfer paper, found in the notions section of the craft store. Follow the instructions for its use from the manufacturer. Using templates, cut strawberry from red felt and stem from green felt. Pin embroidery patterns to felt shapes and then pin shapes into place on napkin. Sewing through all layers, embrioder design using 2 strands of floss in coordinating colors. Tear off tissue paper once embroidery is complete.  Using 6 strands of floss, work chain stitches along hemline or 1/2" from edge on napkin.

Need a refresher course on your embroidery stitches?
Click the images below to view them larger...
they'll help get you started!

 

Now, how about some jam to pack inside? With just four ingredients, it doesn't get much easier than this recipe!

Strawberry Freezer Jam
Thanks to Connie Bryant of Topeka, Kansas for sharing her recipe!

4 c. sugar
2 c. strawberries, hulled and crushed
1-3/4 oz. pkg. powdered pectin
3/4 c. water

Combine sugar and strawberries in a large mixing bowl; set aside. Whisk pectin and water together in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil and stir for one minute; remove from heat. Pour pectin mixture over fruit mixture' stir until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Spoon into jars leaving 1/2-inch headspace; secure lids. Allow to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Store jars in freezer up to one year and opened jars in refrigerator for one month. Makes about 5 cups.

Add a sweet little fabric square to the top of the jar, tie it with ribbon and add it to the basket and it's ready to give.

They'll never know how easy it was to create...they'll just know that they're loved!

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You'll find this project in our crafty booklet,
Oh-So-Sweet Embroidery.

It's just ONE of 15 fun and easy projects inside, all perfect for gifts or just to treat yourself. Pick up a copy today by clicking the big red button!

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Mark Your Spot in Style!

Whether you mark your favorite recipe in one of our cookbooks or keep track of the last page read in your summertime novel, today's project is so easy, you might want to make a bunch!

Button Bookmarks

You'll need:

• Vintage buttons in
  graduated sizes
• Jewelry & craft adhesive
  (We like E-6000.)
• Jumbo paperclips
• Felt scraps

Stack buttons together and glue to secure. Once dry, glue a paperclip to the back of your button stack and allow to dry. Cut a circle of felt just slightly larger than the bottom button in the stack, or at least large enough to cover the paperclip. Glue in place. We used pinking shears to cut out our felt scrap...gives it a fun edge, doesn't it?

Have fun making these easy little goodies...heck, they're so easy, maybe you'll whip a few up and give them as gifts too!

 

 

You can find this project and over 20 others in our craft book, Fun-to-Fashion Jewelry. Add it to your collection and you're sure to be inspired.

 

 

 

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Just in Time for the 4th of July!

 

Want to make something special to celebrate Independence Day
next weekend? These special bubble wands are sure to tickle
kids (and grown-ups) of all ages!

 

Star-Shaped Bubble Wand
An easy make-ahead that will entertain the kids while they’re waiting for the fireworks to begin. You'll find this crafty idea in our book, Seasons for Sharing.

40-inch length of 20-gauge wire
star-shaped cookie cutter
wire cutters
electric drill
enamel spray paint

Fold wire in half, then beginning at one point of the star cookie cutter, bend the wire around the cutter to form the star shape. When the wire is completely covering the cookie cutter, twist to secure. Straighten the ends of the remaining wire and cut with wire cutters to make both ends even in length. Place the trimmed ends into the chuck on an electric drill and tighten the chuck. Hold the wire tightly and rotate the drill until the wire is completely twisted and tight. Coat bubble wand with spray paint; let dry.

Bonus tip: 
Fill a painted pail with bubble wands and flags held in place with bright marbles.
A colorful picnic centerpiece until they’re ready to be put to use!

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Pretty (and Easy!) Patchwork This Friday!

 

 

Hey there Friday Craftsters! Here's an easy project you can whip up in an hour or so. (Click image to view larger.)

Take it along to your favorite hostess along with some goodies baked with love this weekend, or pick out fabric to match your own kitchen and treat yourself to a summery burst of color. Let's get started! 

Patchwork Potholder
Match right sides and use a 1/4" seam allowance for all sewing unless otherwise noted.

You'll need...

• rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler
• 18" wide solid and print fabric scraps
  (we chose 2 solids and 5 prints)
• 1/4 yard backing fabric
• batting
  
• clear nylon thread
• 3/8" wide ribbon
• 1-1/8" diameter button

For the front of the potholder, use the rotary cutter to cut an 18"-long strip from each fabric scrap, making each strip narrower on one end, but at least 1-1/2" wide (Fig. 1).

Match the long edges and sew the strips together, alternating the wide and narrow ends. It'll look a little like a crazy quilt. When all pieces are sewn together, press all the seams in one direction so it's nice and flat.

Cut an 8-1/2" square from the pieced strips. (We cut ours on the diagonal.) Cut a same-size piece from your backing fabric and a slightly smaller 8" square from batting.

Center and pin the batting on the wrong side of the potholder front. Zigzag the front to the batting along the seams using nylon thread.

Leaving an opening for turning, sew the front and back together. Remember, right sides together! Trim the corners, turn right side out and press. Sew the opening closed.

Fold a 7" ribbon length in half. Sew the button and ribbon ends to one corner as shown and it's DONE!

So pretty!

 

Find this craft in our booklet Sew Simple, co-published with our friends at Leisure Arts. Comes complete with instructions and diagrams for all 20 projects inside!  

 

 

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Thanks for hosting a great crafty link-up, Tip Junkie!

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Stitch Some Fun this Friday!

 

 

 

 

Crafting to welcome Spring is way more fun than cleaning, right?

We thought so!

In today's Let's Get Crafty post, we're sharing a project from our booklet Creative Memory Keeping. You can use up all those fabric scraps too pretty to throw away and it's done in an afternoon...instant gratification! 

 

 

Framed Patchwork Sampler

Here's what you'll need:

wooden frame with cardboard insert and glass front
spray primer
cream spray paint
muslin
fabric scraps
assorted buttons
assorted trims, lace & ribbon
appliques
lightweight batting
fabric glue
masking tape

1. Remove cardboard insert and glass from frame. Prime, then paint frame. You could also use a frame that's already painted, so long as it has a cardboard insert.

2. Cut a piece of muslin 1" larger on all sides than the frame's insert.

3. Pin a 5-sided piece of fabric to center of muslin. Matching right sides and raw edges and using a 1/4" seam allowance, start at 5-sided piece and sew various size and shape fabric pieces to muslin until muslin is covered.

4. Trim fabric to fit muslin. Glue trim, lace and ribbon to pieced fabric along seams. Randomly glue or sew buttons and appliques to pieced fabric.

5. Cut a piece of batting to fit insert. Layer batting then completed patchwork on insert, wrapping ends to back. Secure with tape or fabric glue. Set glass in frame and then add covered insert in place.

Customize this project for any room or any season and
add a little sunshine wherever you place it!

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This Friday is for the Birds!

Want to make a cozy home for all those birds hopping around your backyard? It's easy to craft your own country house from a gourd and invite a 'tweet' little family to move in! We love how these look hanging from a tree or even on a shepherd's hook.

Photo: Home Made Simple
Click the link above for more helpful tips!

Gourd Birdhouse
This idea can be found in our book Celebrate the Seasons.

Dried gourd, 8" or larger
Warm, soapy water
Sharp knife, fine-toothed
    craft saw or drill
Raffia or ribbon
Paint, if desired

Wash gourd in soapy water to remove dirt and mold; let dry. Using a knife, saw or drill, cut a hole in the gourd's side 1" to 1-1/2" in diameter. The size of the hole will determine which birds will "rent" your house. Remove seeds and any remaining pulp and clean inside with soapy water. Cut or drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Add another pair of holes near the top of the gourd; thread ribbon or raffia through to hang your new birdhouse. Paint a few pretty flowers around the door or just leave plain...the birds will love it!

Want to make this birdhouse but don't want to dry your own gourd?

Check local craft stores, nurseries or order online...they don't cost much!
Click here to order your pre-cleaned and dried gourd from Amish Gourds, crafted in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

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Perfect for Valentine's Day!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, today's Friday Fun post features a project perfect to surprise Mom, sisters and best friends...anyone who's been extra sweet to YOU!

 

This idea originally appeared in our crafty booklet, Homemade Gifts from the Heart, as a thank you gift but its shape is just right for a sweetheart you know.

 

 

 

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Want to get crafty?
Whip up a Sweetheart Ribbon Wreath!

Click the picture above to see the wreath up close.

Below, you'll find easy instructions to make one of your own, plus a cookie recipe you can use for the treats. It'd be just as sweet to fill the little bags with jelly beans, conversation hearts or chocolate kisses too!

To make the wreath:
You'll need to choose...

• two fabrics
• two 1" wide ribbons
• one 5/8" wide ribbon

Tear each fabric piece into about twenty-four 1-1/2" x 6" lengths.  Next, cut each ribbon into twenty-four 6" lengths.

Use needle-nose pliers to pull a coat hanger into an oval shape, as shown at right. 

 

Then form the hanger into a heart shape, cutting off the top of the hanger with wire cutters. See photo at left for details.

 

Tie the fabric and ribbon lengths around the wire wreath. Next, use the 1/4" wide ribbon to tie small cellophane bags of cookies or treats onto the wreath. Lastly, add a ribbon hanger to the top of the wreath. That's it!

Use your favorite cookie recipe for the treats or fill those bags with whatever you like. Here's a bonus recipe from our Cookbook of the Week, Fast-Fix Meals!

Choco-Berry Cookie Drops
Thanks to Edward Smulski of Lyons, Illinois!

18-1/4 oz. pkg. devil's food cake mix
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. raspberry jam

Blend dry cake mix, oil and eggs together until well mixed. Add chocolate chips, vanilla and jam; blend well. Drop by half-teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets, leaving room for cookies to expand. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 10 minutes. Makes 7 to 8 dozen.

 

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Ready for Some Friday Fun?

Remember last week, when we said that Fridays were our new fun day?

Today kicks it off! We're excited to announce...

One Friday a month, we'll share one (or a few) crafty ideas from our stash or that we've found elsewhere. This week, we're sharing three projects perfect for these winter months...simple and outdoorsy, they're easy too!

 

 

Whip up these fragrant fir snowflakes with just a little wire and a donation from a tree near you. We love the idea of decorating with natural materials and these would smell so good too, wouldn't they?

Click here for complete instructions from Sunset!

 

 

 

This pretty pine cone garland is made from ribbon, screw hooks and, of course, pine cones...it's simple but oh-so pretty.

Click here to see how to make it from Tig & Thistle!

 

 

These outdoor ice ornaments are so cheery, especially hung on a snowy branch. The birds will love the cranberries and other goodies that'll fall out on sunny days too!

Easy instructions can be found here from Everyday Art!

 

We hope you found something here to spark your creativity.
Tune in next week for even more Friday Fun!

Have a great idea YOU'VE found or, better yet, that you made yourself?
Share your links in the comments!

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