I found these cute little felt hearts at Hobby Lobby and strung them on some silver thread.  It only took a few minutes and I like how airy they look. This is a quick and very inexpensive decoration for Valentines Day.

Step 1.

Thread the needle with silver thread and then poke it through the bottom of the first heart. Tie a knot to secure it. Then thread the needle through the top of the second heart as shown.

Step 2.

Continue threading the hearts, leaving space between each one,  until you have your string as long as you want it.

I made these strings of hearts using o rings (in the jewelry section of craft stores) and the glittery hearts were from Wal Mart and only cost .97 cents a package. I only needed two packs to make mine and it is at least a couple of yards long. The hearts were in the Valentine’s Day section but they have things like this at most craft stores too.

Materials:

• o rings (Get the kind that can be pulled open and then closed. The slip in kind won’t work for this.)
• hearts (I have seen lots of different hearts sold as table scatter or scrapbooking supplies)

Step 1.

Punch a hole in each side of the hearts. I used an eyelet punch but any small punch will work. You can use an ice pick if you don’t have one.

Step 2.

Slip the o ring into the first hole. Connect the next heart by slipping the o ring into that hole. I used the kind that you just spread open and then squeeze shut. It’s a lot easier than trying to feed them through the other kind.  Repeat this step until your string of hearts is long enough.

This is a really fun and easy project and a great way to share your excitement for your team.  With the alphabet beads you can spell out anything you want! Beads are available at most craft stores.

Materials:

• cord (I used stretch cord)
• beads
• beading needle or any one that is thin and has a big enough eye to feed the cord through.

Step 1.

Cut a piece of cord that is long enough to go around your wrist with a little extra so it’s not tight and allow some to tie off. I used stretchy cord but if you use regular cord you will need to buy fasteners which are also available and just attach to each end of the bracelet by tying a couple of knots.  Put the cord through the needle and start stringing beads until you have the right length for your wrist.

Step 2.

When you are finished just tie the ends together. I tie several knots to make sure it stays together.

  This project is so much fun to make and is very easy.  I just drew my design free hand from one of my many 49er shirts. It’s all made from felt squares and hot glue. I used ribbon to string them together. My family has been cheering the 49ers on since the early 70′s so I have lots of ideas for football parties and will try to post as many as possible over the next week. This project is easily adapted to most teams although some of the logos are difficult to draw and cut but you can always use their colors and cut out football shapes to put on them.

Materials:

• felt in your teams colors
• ribbon
• hot glue

Step 1.

Cut out enough pennant pieces to make banner the length you want.  Cut out a black oval shape that will fit inside the pennant piece. Next cut a beige piece that is slightly smaller than the black oval. next cut a red oval that is slightly smaller than the beige oval.

Step 2.

Glue the F on first at the bottom of the oval and then glue the S on top as shown.

Step 3.

First glue the black oval to pennant. Next glue on the beige oval. The red oval with the letters will go on last.

Step 4.

Attach each pennant to a piece of ribbon using hot glue. Leave some extra ribbon at each end to hang.

My brother and his wife came up with this idea for hanging heavy garlands and other decorations in drywall.  I really like this idea because when you’re not using it to hang stuff you can just unscrew the hook and the anchor is almost invisible.

Step 1.

Purchase a pack of drywall anchors and hooks.

Step 2.

Make a hole in the wall using a punch or a drill.

Step 3.

Push anchor into hole and then use a screwdriver to screw it in flush to the wall as shown.

Step 4.

Paint the anchor to match your wall or ceiling. The hook will screw into the anchor as shown in the picture.

I saw this Santa in a magazine spread sitting on a chair in someone’s living room. I think theirs was made from paper but I made this one from felt so it will hold up over the years.  Santa is cone shaped and is made from felt and then trimmed with a feather boa. I used hot glue so there is no sewing and is really easy to make.  I added a list that has the names of all my grandchildren on it.  This can sit on a tabletop or be used as a tree topper.

Materials:

• Red, black, and white felt. You will need about a half yard of red but can use felt squares for the black and white.
• stiff iron on Pellon
• white feather boa
• 2 black paper fasteners for eyes
• hot glue

Step 1.

From the red felt cut out the cone shape and the sleeves. (#1)  From the white felt you will cut out the beard/head piece, the moustache, and the larger of the two banner pieces.  (#2, 4, and 7.) From the black felt cut out two mittens and one of the large banner pieces which you will cut slightly larger than the white piece. (# 3 and 7) You will also need to cut out a piece of stiff pellon from the cone piece.

Step 2.

Iron the piece of Pellon to the back of the cone piece. Use hot glue to close the seam in the back as shown.

Step 3.

Glue face on as shown above. Next you will cut a circle and stitch it on the face as shown for the nose. Glue on the moustache and add two black paper fasteners for eyes. I spread some glue on the beard and moustache and covered it with glitter.

Step 4.

Attach arms to sides of cone and then glue the mittens to the underside of sleeves as shown.

Step 5.

Center the face/beard on the front of the cone and attach with hot glue. Cut a piece of the white feather boa that fits around the top above the eyes and secure it with hot glue.

Step 6.

To make the banner cut a piece of fabric paper from the smaller of the two banner pieces and using rubber alphabet stamps spell out Merry Christmas or whatever message you would like.  Cut a piece of black felt that is slightly larger than the bigger of the two banner pieces. Next you will layer the black felt first, then the white felt, and then the fabric paper. Secure each layer with hot glue and then place it near the bottom as shown. Cut another piece of white feather boa that will fit around the bottom. Attach it with hot glue.

Step 7.

Type up the names you want on the list (I used my grandkids names) and then print them up on fabric paper. Cut it out in a strip and then roll the edges as shown. Attach to the mittens.

This little garland is so quick and easy to make and you can spell out any message you like with rubber stamps or alphabet stickers. The tags can be purchased at craft or office supply stores or you can make your  own with a tag kit.

Materials:

• tags or a kit to make tags (Pre made tags can be purchased at office supply stores and you can get the tags or a kit at most craft stores.)
• string or twine
• ribbon
• letter stickers or an alphabet rubber stamp kit

Step 1.

If you are using a tag kit you will cut out a circle using the template and then press it into the metal tag as shown. I could not find an applicator anywhere so I just laid a board on top of mine and gently tapped down with a hammer.  This worked but I would still like to find an applicator.

Step 2.

Punch a hole through the top of each tag. I used an eyelet setter but you can use a hole punch or even an ice pick.

Step 3.

Slip a piece of ribbon or string through each hole and secure with a knot.

Step 4.

I added red ribbons and candy canes  to mine but you can tie almost anything on it. Go to your local craft store for some inspiration!

This Christmas banner comes pre cut and strung so you just cover it with scrapbook paper to match your decor. You can add embellishments if you want a little more glitz.

Materials:

• Pre cut cardboard letters (these can be purchased at most craft stores)
• coordinating scrapbook papers
• glue

Step 1.

Brush glue on each letter and then position scrapbook paper on top and press down.  Let it dry well.

Step 2.

After they are completely dry carefully cut away the paper. A very small pair of scissors will work best.

This bead garland was made from a bag of foam beads used as filler for vases.  The bag only cost $2.50 and it comes in lots of different colors. This is a project that your kids could help you with because the foam is really easy to push a needle through. I think they look really cute and I used them in all my garlands this year.

Materials:

• a bag of filler beads (I got mine at Hobby Lobby in the florist section)
• needle and strong thread ( button or upholstery thread works well)

Step 1.

The beads come in a cellophane bag like the one above.  Thread your needle with strong thread and then just push the needle through the beads. Use a slim but sturdy  needle or the beads might break apart. That’s all there is to it and it’s fun to do while you sit and watch tv or while riding in a car.

These little ornaments are really fun to make and would be a great project to do with your kids. I purchased the wood pieces in the floral department of Hobby Lobby but I think you can also get them at Wal mart or Michaels. I made one for each of my family members to take home.

Materials:

• 1 bag of wood pieces
  
• scrapbook paper
• ribbon
• thin twine or cord
• glitter

Step 1.

Cut out tree shape from scrapbook paper. Cut another piece for the back of each tree.

Step 2.

Apply glue to tree and start putting wood pieces on until tree is covered.

Step 3.

Thin out some glue by adding a little bit of water and then paint it on the wood pieces. I left a few dry here and there so that I could apply some green glitter after the translucent glitter dried.  To do this just take a fine brush and cover the ones that were left dry with glue and then shake some glitter on them. The glitter will only stick to the wet spots .

Step 4.

Cut a piece of ribbon that is long enough to wrap around the tree and glue it at the back as shown.  I printed up the names of all my family members on fabric paper and glued it on top of the ribbon. You could also use plain paper if you don’t have fabric paper.

Step 5.

Glue a bow made from twine and glue it on the front of the tree. Make a loop of twine and glue it to the back. Cover the back with a piece of contrasting paper. I wrote the date on the back of mine.