Style Lush

Simple kids craft: Pinecone bird feeders

by Emily

This is one of my favorite crafts to do with the kids. It is easy, it doesn't get too messy (and even if it does, the elements are pretty easy to clean up), it doesn't have to look perfect, AND it's cheap.

The only things you need are:

Pinecones (we gather ours around the neighborhood)
Peanut butter (I buy the cheap Target brand specifically for this project)
Birdseed (any kind will do, and you only need a small bag)
Butter knives
String
A surface to work on (we prefer a towel spread on the floor if we're working indoors)
A container about the size/shape of a casserole dish

First, gather your pinecones. We like to find big, broad pinecones with as much space as possible between ... uh, whatever those parts of the pinecone are called. You know, the parts that stick out. (Shut up.) Tie a string around the top of the pinecone before you begin -- this is how you'll hang the pinecone once you've finished. Then, have the kids spread the entire pinecone with peanut butter and when you've decided that's enough (and trust me, YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE THIS, because they will spread peanut butter for HOURS if you let them), pour some birdseed into a pan, lay the pinecones in the birdseed, and either roll it around in the seed or sprinkle it on top. Then once they're covered in seeds, take them outside and hang them up for the birds to enjoy.

Or, squirrels. Squirrels always steal ours, but the kids don't know that, so we just keep making them. Perfect for a slow winter afternoon!

[photo credit: craftzine.com]

Valentine's Day for pre-schoolers

by Christina

I am so super excited about Valentine's Day for my 4 year-old, it's kind of silly. I was in the valentine section of Target this past week and was wondering -- do they make the tiny cards like they used to? I didn't see any. I looked around and really didn't see anything I'd love to send to school with him for his party that wasn't candy as he goes to a  lame candy-free school. Then I remembered something I'd pinned ages ago! I know the day is a good three weeks out but since these will be cut and sewn by hand, I figured I should share them with you now.

I mean, couldn't you just die? These images are from pinterest via Katie Did- I am so glad I found this, I can't wait to send him to school with these.

Pretty Paper Doilies

By Janet

Do you remember cutting and gluing doilies in elementary school to make Valentine's Day cards? It's been years since I've purchased a pack of doilies, but I suddenly have a renewed interest in making things pretty with a pack of delicate paper doilies. They are so inexpensive and they definitely don't need to have the third-grade cut-and-paste effect. In addition to Valentine cards, doilies can help make presents and weddings and notecards ever-so-lovely. For example:

See what I mean? I'll bet if you spent $2 on a pack, you'd find tons of pretty uses for the doilies. 

{Images via fromsoul, Martha Stewart, Papermash, Daydream Lily}

Let's Look to January and Think About Birthday Cards

By Jennie

Right now it's probably safe to say most of us are wrapped up in the holidays and it's a wee bit overwhelming to think about January before Christmas, but it's about this time I start thinking about being better about acknowledging the birthdays of those I love in the new year. 

I recently saw this make-your-own-bunting-birthday-card tutorial over at How About Orange, and it's a great way to make a bunch of cards at one time so you can send them out as the year unfolds to everyone you really care about. 

{Photo from How About Orange}

In fact, I think I'll buy a bunch of these cards (I already have a corner rounder on hand, but you can pick one of those up, too), and a "happy birthday" stamp and I'll be nearly ready.

So, who wants to join me for a card making party one day soon?

Paper Word Garlands

By A'Dell

I made these super simple paper word garlands a few days ago, and hung them in my entryway. They're phrases from my favorite Christmas carols, but you could use any phrases and make them for any occasion. I love them and they make me ridiculously happy.

I gathered this idea from Katie Did and I made them almost exactly the same way: freehand cut the letters, tape them to baker's twine, hang. My letters range from four to six inches high and I tried to use only two or three colors/patterns to keep things from getting too busy.

I thought cutting the letters would be far more of a challenge than it actually was and I was surprised at how simple it turned out to be. Once I accepted that the letters would be irregular and some would look better than others, I flew through the task and promised myself no do-overs. Katie made far more garlands than I had patience for at the time (seriously, go look at how amazing hers are) and I might make more, but I am pretty happy with the four I've got. 

All crafted out for this year? (I don't blame you, I'm tired just thinking about all the things I have to do this week.) These word garlands would be so much fun for almost any other event or party. They're cheap, simple to make, and bring a whole lot of custom impact without busting a budget.

Paint Chip Gift Tags for Any Occasion

By Leah

My family has always been mega into wrapping gifts (often the presentation is better than the present), so growing up we always had a huge selection of paper, boxes, bags, bows, tissue paper, and gift tags to fuel our creativity. (My dad has made bows out of tape from a busted VHS cassette; my mom likes wrapping clothes in carboard tubes.)

Since moving out on my own, I've never had the space or funds to get a real wrapping station together, and although I usually manage to pull it all off, more or less, the one thing I never have on hand for Christmas is cute tags to put on the gifts. I of course only realize this at the last minute (albeit the last minute every year) and end up making tags out of scrap paper or, in a pinch, writing directly on the wrapping with Sharpie. My parents must be so disappointed.

Here's a cute idea for DIY gift tags that takes a little prep but not much, and the result is really sweet:

Liz at Say Yes to Hoboken turned these free paint chip cards into tree ornaments, but I think they'd be darling as gift tags (for any occasion, actually, depending on the shapes you cut out and the colors you pick). If you're setting the table for a big meal, paint chips could also be transformed into nice little place cards. And they're free free free!

DIY Calendar Journal

By Janet

Looking for an inexpensive DIY holiday gift to give? How about this Vintage Postcard Calendar Journal? With just a fruit box, some vintage postcards, a package of index cards and a date stamp, you can create these fun calendar journals. 

It's a gift that just keeps getting better and better as each year passes and more entries are added. 

The simple instructions can be found here. 

{Image via Design Sponge}

As Seen on Pinterest: Tomato Cage Tree

By Jessica

 

Looking for the easiest outdoor decorating idea possibly ever? If you happen to have a tomato cage sitting around your garage (or in my case, your sadly neglected, once adorable, kitchen patio) you are in luck! Simply flip that bad boy over and wrap it with some lights. THAT'S IT. Of course this genius idea came from the wilds of Pinterest (what doesn't?) but I am pretty sure the inspiration had white lights. Since my very classy tomato cage was all sorts of bent out of shape, I decided to go crazy with two different strands of colored lights and hope the outcome was cute and whimsical next to my husband's inflatable penguin.

I have to say I love it in the most crooked, sad, little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree way.

Paper Crafts For Your Holiday

By Sara

As Leah mentioned yesterday, winter flower bulbs are a fantastic gift for just about anyone during the holiday season. I've gifted many different people with amaryllis or paperwhite bulbs and they are always happily received. This year, I spotted something equally lovely and much longer lasting:

This is a PAPER amaryllis kit from one of my very favorite paper stores: Paper Source. How adorable is this? I snapped up a couple to make and give to my grandmothers since they adore flowers but are getting awfully picky about any powerful scents. This is a fantastic alternative to live bulbs if your recipient is sensitive to smells. 

Paper Source also has paperwhite kits as well as a wide array of seasonal paper kits. I'm partial to the Poinsettia Wreath Kit:

And perhaps the Button Garland Kit is your style:

These kits are such a great way to add hand-crafted goodness to your home without having to come up with the idea on your own. Or, you know, spending hours pinning crafts on Pinterest that you might not actually get around to creating. 

All images courtesy of Paper Source.

Matchbox Advent Calendar

By Elisabeth

I am coming to realize I have a fondness for advent calendars. After re-purposing my Thankful Tree two weeks ago, I attended my last moms meeting of the semester and we made matchbox advent calendars.

Aren't they divine? They are so easy to make, too. All we used were empty matchboxes, scrapbook paper, two-sided tape, ribbon, and stickers for the numbers. We were also given a list of ideas for doing something festive each day of the month. Today was a low activity day (in my eyes), so I picked "making hot chocolate." Exciting for them, totally doable for me.

There are plenty of tutorials for all sorts of matchbook calendar ideas online if you're interested!

And don't think it's too late to try something like this. I started putting these boxes in the number SIX pocket of my wall calendar and both my boys didn't bat an eye!

{photo credit: justagirlblog.com}