Make It: Winter Photo Coasters

Who loves a good photo craft? I know I do! In fact, photo crafts are some of my favorite projects, and these photo drink coasters did not disappoint. I love how personal and unique even a common craft idea can become when I add my own photograph.

Handmade gifts can be a lot of fun, but I often find myself short on time so simple projects have the most appeal. Making photo beverage coasters has been on my list of projects to try for a while now, so when my recent winter instagram photo was "popular" with my friends, and I was on the look-out for last-minute gift ideas, and the weather outside was frightful...well what's a gal to do but get craftin'?

Make It: Beaded Wire Christmas Ornament

Christmas tree ornaments are fun and often inexpensive to make at home. These pretty beaded wire stars that I first shared on The Idea Room, only take a short time to put together. Make a bunch to trim your tree, give as gifts, or even decorate packages this season.

This quick and easy wire-wrapped diy Christmas ornament looks much more complicated than it is. My inspiration was a gold wire-wrapped star ornament that my sister made to hang on my tree quite a few years ago.

Make It: Halloween Shrink Plastic Charms

Not every Halloween project has to be spooky. Today I'm sharing a charming little Halloween craft using printable shrink plastic and some smiling jack o' lantern photos. When you see how easy it is to make this Halloween charm bracelet and matching rings, you won't make just one:)

Ever since I saw these Wildflower Rings by A Kailo Chic Life, I've been looking for a project to try using printable shrink plastic (Shrinky-Dinks). What better excuse than Eighteen25's Spooktacular September? I had the pleasure of sharing this not-so-spooky Halloween craft over there last month.

Quite a few years ago I took this photo of a glowing jack o' lantern and used Adobe Photoshop Elements to take a little creative license with the colors. I ended up with a fun set of smiling jack o' lantern photos that come in handy this time of year. (I must admit this isn't the first time I've made use of these favorite images and it's not likely to be the last either.)

Make It: Decoupaged Trinket Dishes

I love to organize my jewelry in pretty dishes. So, when I found these cute little hexagonal plates, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make some trinket dishes with a personal touch using some of my own printed photos and decoupage medium. On the nightstand or next to the sink, these pretty jewelry catch-alls come in handy anywhere.

Last month I shared this quick decoupage craft over on Landeelu. These simple trinket dishes are easy and inexpensive to make. Make a few extra to keep on hand for gifts. You could even try some seasonal images for the holidays.

DIY Stamped Condiment Spoons

Add an easy custom touch to your next summer BBQ, Taco Night, or Sundae Bar with this easy metal stamping project.

Custom-Stamped Condiment Spoons are a fun way to add a personal touch to your summer buffets. Last summer, we served hot dogs and lots of toppings over the 4th of July. With Memorial Day coming up, I thought I'd break this project out again! Grab some metal stamps and some inexpensive stainless steal teaspoons and make a set of your own for summer entertaining. So easy!!

Kids' Artwork Pendant DIY

Easy DIY jewelry is fun to create and makes a great keepsake gift for Mother's Day.

What mom doesn't love children's artwork? Especially that done by some of her most favorite people? (I'll admit I've had a hard time parting with any art my children--and nieces and nephews--have made over the years.) This project showcases a favorite piece of art (new or old) and makes a lovely Mother's Day gift.

Make It: Bunny-Shaped Crayons for Easter

Holiday-themed crayons are such a great way to make old crayons new again. This easy up-cycle craft can be adapted for any holiday. Last spring, I used a Bunny cookie pan to make these adorable Bunny-Shaped Crayons for Easter.

Make It: Miniature Winter Hat Yarn Craft

Whether hung on the Christmas tree, topping a holiday package, or strung together to make a winter garland, these mini winter hat ornaments are an easy and inexpensive craft project for the whole family.

Christmas ornaments are one of my favorite crafts, and this winter-themed one is no exception. Years ago I made a version of these little winter hat ornaments at an elementary school class party. With a few changes, here's my updated version of these sweet little yarn hats. This craft is an easy one to fit in even in the "busy-ness" of the holiday season. Give it a try!

Easy Christmas Kids Craft: Paint Marbled Ornaments and Garland

Over the years we have amassed quite a collection of Christmas ornaments for our tree. It's a really good thing we have a tall one! Some of my favorites were made by my children years ago. Making ornaments together is a fun family activity, and children love seeing their creations hung on the tree. Keep the project simple so you have plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the fun!

Need an idea? Try this fun Christmas Kids Craft I shared on The Shabby Creek Cottage last month. These colorful paint-marbled ornaments and garland make a great family-friendly Christmas craft project and only require a few supplies which you might already have on hand!

For these simple paper ornaments and matching garland you only need a few supplies and some drying time.

Make It: Mini Mason Jar Ornament

Some of my favorite holiday crafts are tree ornaments. I don't know if I've ever made it through a Christmas season without making at least one! Last year I shared this easy snow globe jar ornament tutorial on Landeelu.com.

Mason jar snow globes are everywhere right now. I’m sure you’ve seen them, big small, all shapes and sizes! Well, I can’t seem to get enough of them, so when I saw inexpensive mini mason spice jars when I was shopping at Target, I just had to put together an ornament version.

Here’s what you need to make your own:

• Mini Mason Jar with handle (I found mine at Target. They’re about 3 1/4″ high.)
• Assorted Miniatures to fit your jar (Check your local craft store.)
• White Tile Adhesive
• Faux Snow (optional)
• Ribbon for hanging
• Jingle Bells & Bakers Twine

Make It: Jack-o'-Lantern Pendant

Earlier this month, I shared an easy DIY jewelry project for Halloween on Landeelu.com.  If you've got a few minutes, there's still time to make one (or several)!

Glass tile pendants are a fun and easy photo jewelry craft. Ever since I helped my niece make one featuring her favorite pooch, I've been wanting to try some of my own. For this Halloween version, I used a favorite "glowing" jack-o'-lantern photo that I took several years ago.

Choose a Halloween photo for your pendant or download mine below. Gather your supplies.

Supplies Needed for Glass Tile Halloween Pendants

• Glass Tiles (Mine were about .9" square. I ordered online, but I've also seen them at my local Hobby Lobby.)
• Pendant Bail (one per necklace)
• Black Satin Cord (or necklace chain of your choice)
• Mod Podge or other jewelry decoupage medium (read label to make sure it can be used on glass)
• Small Brush
• Scissors or Paper Trimmer
• Halloween Image (printed and cut to fit your tile)

Make It: "Admit One" Ticket Memory Box

Do you make gifts for the holidays? Here's a fun and easy DIY gift idea for teens and tweens that I first shared on Landeelu.com last month.

Do you or someone you know have a collection of ticket stubs from concerts, sporting events, or other performances stuffed in a drawer or tacked to a cork board?

Safely display those memories in a shadowbox turned memory box. I found these 8x8 Wish Bank frames at my local Michael's store.

Make It: Stamped and Beaded Garden Markers

Do you have a vegetable garden or know someone who does? It's on my very long list of things to do/try, but my sister has a beautiful garden and she's been hoping for some new plant markers for a while now:)

Stamped & Beaded Plant Marker Tutorial

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Supplies Needed for Your DIY Plant Markers

• 10" Zinc Garden Markers (or I found some at our local Bachman's garden center)
• 18-gauge wire (or thickness to fit your beads)
• Assorted glass seed beads (size 6/0 "E")
• Decorative Silver-toned beads (Butterfly and Dragonfly found at my local Michaels)
• Metal Alphabet Stamps (I used 1/4" stamps for the markers in the photo.)
• Hammer, small pliers/wire cutter, pencil, tape, and ruler.
• Acrylic sealer - optional

Make It: Easy Twisted Cord Bracelets

Looking for an easy summer craft? Try these easy twisted cord bracelets I first shared last month on Landeelu.

Whether you're looking for an easy summer camp craft, inexpensive gift, or an afternoon boredom buster, these simple wrap bracelets are sure to please. Similar to woven friendship bracelets or the simple braided bracelets that some call "wish bracelets," these take only a few minutes to make.

Print It: Surprise Can Gift Wrap -- UPDATED for 2015

Remember this fun Graduation gift wrap idea from last spring? Well, it's that time of year again, so I'm sharing an updated label just in time for those grad gifts you've got left to wrap!

Make It: Kids' Art Embellished Keepsake Boxes

Mother's Day is just around the corner, but don't worry because these Kids' Art Embellished Keepsake boxes go together in a jiffy. If you're short on time, look for an already painted box like the one I found. If you don't mind adding a coat of paint yourself before the decoupage step, you can find wood boxes in assorted shapes and sizes at your local craft store.

How to Decoupage Children's Artwork onto a Keepsake Box

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Children's art is one of my favorite things and when I can use it to make memorable gifts, all the better! Here I found some small painted boxes in the Target dollar spot and decoupaged favorite artwork on the top to make an adorable keepsake box. Wouldn't one of these make great a great gift for mom or grandma? And they're inexpensive too!

Supplies Needed for Decoupaged Keepsake Box

• Painted Wooden Box (mine measures 4 1/8 x 6 1/2" and are 4 1/2" high, $3 at Target)
• Mod Podge or your favorite decoupage medium
• sponge brush
• copies of artwork sized to fit
• optional: craft paint (if your box is unpainted), decorative paper or fabric, stamps and ink, decorative edge scissors

Make It: Color-Wrapped Mystery Braid Bracelet

Hello! Do any of you like to pack up a project or two when you travel? Or maybe you're looking for a few new projects to do at home while the kids are off school? With it being spring break season, I thought I'd pull out this fun bracelet idea that I first shared last summer on i heart naptime.

Many of you have probably made or received woven friendship bracelets. And, some of you have probably seen the mystery braid bracelets too! When I had my supplies pulled out one day last summer, I started wondering about making the Mystery Braid bracelet more colorful in some way. After a couple of false starts and a knotting lesson from my sister, I came up with this fun version.

What You Need:

Mystery Braid Bracelet kit (I found mine at Michael's)

Cotton Embroidery Floss (3 skeins in colors of your choice)

You'll also want a scissors and tapestry needle on hand for ending off each thread color.

Make It: Bit of Luck Hand-Stamped Pendant for St. Patrick's Day

As many of you know, I contribute monthly over on Landeelu. Last month, I shared this fun little hand-stamped pendant for St. Patrick's Day. I've been wearing my pendant already! I hope you get a chance to make one too!

Do you wear green on St. Patrick's Day? Whether you go all out or just need a bit of green to keep you pinch-proof, this little hand-stamped pendant will complete your look.

Print It: You Are My Sunshine Valentine Printable

Last year I shared a "Kool" Valentine printable for Kool-aid drink pouches. This year I put together a new version to use with my daughter's favorite CapriSun drink pouches. It goes together quickly with only a few supplies, and BONUS, you can avoid being tempted by all the goodies in the Valentine aisle!

You Are My SunShine DIY Valentines

So grab some drink pouches from the pantry or put them on your shopping list, print and cut apart the You are My Sunshine cards, and gather some little helpers. You'll have classroom Valentines ready to go in no time!

Make It: Easy Rudolph Garland

Crafting and decorating are fun and popular activities this time of year, but it's often hard to fit it all in! Here's a festive garland craft to add to your Christmas craft repertoire that takes less than 30 minutes and is so easy, the kids can put it together for you!

Supplies Needed for Paper Rudolph Garland Craft

• Brown Card Stock Triangles
• Pinch Clothespins
• Google Eyes
• Red Pom-poms
• Jute Twine (length of garland)