Arts to Crafts

Fun Craft Ideas for All Ages

Holiday Crafts

Owl Christmas Ornament for Kids to Make

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Owl-Ornaments

Christmas ornaments aren’t just a fun craft to do with the kids, but they are also great keepsakes to cherish for years to come. Every year that I open up our box of ornaments, I see the ones that I made as a child. Each one tells a story and reminds me of the year I made it. With each year you can see how my crafting skills improved and my expertise improved as a I got older. It’s what I love about crafts. They are perfect for all ages and imperfections are just our creative differences.

Hop on over to Ucreate to get the full tutorial on how to make these adorable Owl Christmas Tree Ornaments.

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DIY Christmas Card Ideas to Make This Year

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Making your own Christmas Cards is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit. Whether it’s a photo card that puts together a collage of your favorite family photos from throughout the year, or a homemade card with your own creative touches, a hand made Christmas card is a fun craft project for the whole family.

Christmas Card Ideas

There are a wide variety of Christmas cards that you can make. There are simple designs that are quick and inexpensive, and there are more elaborate designs that layer paper and accessories to create a magical keepsake for family and friends. One of the best things about a Christmas card is that you can make them with your kids. They may not have the attention span to help with them all, but I’m sure that there’s a step or two where they can lend a hand. Or, let the kids make a special card for their Grandparents or teacher.

Here’s a look at the types of Holiday Cards that you can make for Christmas this year.

Snowtop Mountains Card

This snowy mountain card by lindsay.dee.bunny (via Flickr CC 2.0) shows what you can do with a little paper. If you don’t have a die-cut machine to make the trees, you could cut some out by hand or use tissue paper to glue down your own trees. Or another idea would be to make a needle felted tree and glue that to the card. I love adding texture and depth to a card.

Bike Chain Christmas Tree

I love the creativity and ingenuity used to make this card. The Christmas tree is made from a bike chain that has been painted green and then shaped into a tree. What a brilliant idea shared by Richard Masoner via Flickr CC 2.0

Photo Ornament Christmas Card

Are you newlyweds celebrating your first Christmas together? Or maybe there’s a new baby in the house? This photo ornament card is a great way to show-off your news. All you have to do is make a photo ornament, take a picture of it and then add a greeting. You’ll enjoy working on every step of this project. Photo courtesy of njt1982 via Flickr CC 2.0

Kids Christmas Card

Kids love getting involved with Christmas and want to help whenever they can. Let them get involved with the family card, or let them make one for someone special. I’m sure that this adorable card would be loved by all. You can also make copies of your kids artwork and turn it into a card. I did this with one of my son’s drawings when he was too young to write. I made a card using a photo I took of the drawing. I then used Send Out Cards to make Thank You notes with his drawing on the front and my writing on the inside. A frame-able card that we still have on display! Photo via Brentwood Borough Council via Flickr CC 2.0

Here are a few more ideas. All of these cards were made with scrapbook paper, card stock and and lots of creativity.

starshaped-card
Photo by starshaped via Flickr CC 2.0

Holiday Card
Photo by amy.gizienski via Flickr CC 2.0

Embellished Card
Photo courtesy of WordRidden via Flickr CC 2.0

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Free Crochet Pattern for Holiday Penguin

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This cute little guy is named Howie the Holiday penguin and I think he’s the perfect little project to crochet for Christmas.  Whether it’s to go in a Christmas stocking, or put on display as a decoration in your home, this Christmas penguin is a fun project that is sure to put a smile on all who see him.

Crocheted Christemas Penguin

Free pattern for crocheted Christmas penguin

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Gifts to Make With Decoupage

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One of my favorite craft techniques is decoupage.  The first Christmas ornament that I remember making as a child was with decoupage.  And that’s another reason why I love this craft so much.  The technique is ideal for kids and adults alike.

Decoupage Tray

Image courtesy of John Bonham2 via Flickr CC 2.0

To decoupage all you need to do is take a design and glue it in place on whatever object you’d like.  The versatility of decoupage has no limits.  You can choose whatever material and objects you’d like to use, as there is almost nothing that won’t work.

The flexibility and versatility of decoupage makes it the ideal DIY technique to use for turning your trash to treasures.  Find the perfect tray, table or dishes at a yard sale but they need a little TLC?  Decoupage to the rescue!  Need a beautiful, but inexpensive gift idea?  Decoupage to the rescue!

How to Decoupage

Decoupage Glasses

Image courtesy of John Bonham2 via Flickr CC 2.0

As I mentioned above, all you need for decoupaging is mod podge (my glue of choice) and paper or fabric.  Here are just a few ideas for material that you could use.

  • Scrapbook paper
  • Wall paper
  • Napkins
  • Newspapers
  • Photos
  • Magazines
  • Comics
  • Wrapping paper
  • Tissue paper
  • Fabric

Decoupage on Glass

Glass is one of the best materials to use when decoupaging.  Not just because paper and materials adhere so nicely to it, but because it’s perfect with other arts and craft techniques as well.  So you can layer, or combine, your decoupage with paint and other elements.

Decoupage Glasses-Bottle

Image courtesy of John Bonham2 via Flickr CC 2.0

Decoupage Blue Glasses-Bottle

Image courtesy of John Bonham2 via Flickr CC 2.0

Decoupage Floral Glasses

Image courtesy of John Bonham2 via Flickr CC 2.0

Decoupage Box

Image courtesy of acarinhas via Flickr CC 2.0

Decoupage With Napkins

Decoupage with napkins image courtesy of swamp dragon via Flickr CC 2.0
 

I hope that these examples inspire you to give decoupage a try.  Want an easy craft to make with the kids?  Create a decoupage Christmas tree ornament.  The kids will have fun picking out the perfect material to use for the craft and with a little mod podge and paintbrush, they’ll have fun making their very own keepsake.

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Free Crochet Patterns for Christmas

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The leaves are falling and with every passing day I think more and more about Christmas and the holidays ahead. I love this time of year and in just a few weeks I’ll start decorating the house to make it warm and festive. That gives me plenty of time to make some new Christmas decorations to put on display around the house.

Free Crochet Patterns to Make for Christmas

Crochet Christmas Tree Decoration

Free pattern for Crochet Christmas Tree Decoration

Crochet Christmas Garland

Free pattern for Christmas garland with crochet berries and blooms.  I really like this pattern because you can vary the colors that you use, which makes it perfect for any holiday season.  Crochet one for Christmas and then make another one to celebrate the bright colors of spring and Easter.

Crochet Nativity Ornament

Free crochet pattern for nativity ornament

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