MiMi-a great name for grandma

A Grandma's spin on crafts, games, recipes & lifestyle

Category: Crafting (Page 1 of 2)

Shark Week Craft – Moving Paper Shark

July 3, 2024 / / 7 Comments

Shark Week is just a few days away!   How many of you like to indulge in all episodes aired regarding the life of sharks in the deep dark ocean?  We try to watch as many episodes as we can to learn about these fabulous beasts.  Of course, the shark themed food and crafts are a big part of this week for us as well.  This year we are going to be making a Moving Paper Shark for one of our Shark Week Crafts!

When I first saw this fun paper craft, I knew it was definitely going on the schedule of fun shark week crafts.  There are several steps to completing this awesome craft, so I have separated it into sections and included a lot of pictures.  It is SUCH A FUN CRAFT!  I put letters and measurements directly on the paper to make it easier to follow, however, you don’t need to do this on yours.  If you choose to do so, then I suggest you write them in pencil so you can erase them after assembly.

Materials Needed ~

  • Colored paper (I used cardstock) – blue, red, white
    • 1 blue piece measuring 8 1/2 X 8 1/2
    • 1 blue piece measuring 3 1/2 X 8 1/2
    • various blue scrap pieces
    • 1 red piece measuring 3 X 3 1/2
    • 1 white piece – to make 4 strips each measuring 5″ X 1/2″
  • glue stick
  • scissors/paper cutter
  • googly eyes
  • ruler

Directions for Moving Paper Shark ~

Shark Body – With 8 1/2 X 8 1/2 Paper

  1.  Turn the 8 1/2 X 8 1/2 piece of paper diagonally in front of you                                                                                 
  2. Fold corner B over to corner D.  Run your finger over the crease to ensure the crease is strong.
  3. Open the paper back up flat on the table.                                                                                                                                 
  4. Fold corner B to center crease, run finger over crease and unfold.                                                                                   
  5. Fold corner D to center crease, run finger over crease and unfold.                                                                           
  6. Fold corner B back over to corner D and then flip paper over so that the longest side of the paper is directly in front of you.  Corner B will be pointing up to the top.                                                                                                                             
  7. Leaving about 2 1/2″ on the right side, start cutting strips from bottom fold to middle crease.  This is creating the moving part of the body and the uncut portion on the right will become the snout of the shark.           
  8. Flip paper back over and unfold.
  9. Glue whole section of Corner B (from tip to first fold).                                                                       
  10. Bring Point D to B by tucking section D down and glue to B, forming the body of your shark.   
  11. Once it is glued, corner C will be the only corner sticking out, which will become the snout of the shark. 
  12. Turn it over and set aside.                                                                                                                                                           

Underside of Shark Mouth – With 3 1/2 X 8 1/2 Paper

  1. Fold 3 1/2 X 8 1/2 paper in half by bringing Side A over to Side B.                                 
  2. Open and cut on fold, making 2 pieces.
  3. With one of the cut pieces, fold paper in half lengthwise.
  4. Starting at one end, cut in a somewhat rounded shape up to the top.                                                                         
  5. Open up and glue end of straight edge to underside of shark’s face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
  6. Trim any excess on sides                                                                                                                                                                 

Fins – With Scrap Paper

  1. With the scraps of paper, cut out 1 dorsal fin (for top), 2 pectoral fins (1 for each side) and 1 caudal fin (for the back)  I freehanded mine as I found it easier.                                                                                                                                     
  2. Glue the fins on.                                                                                                                                                                                         

Shark Mouth ~ With Red Paper

  1. Cut a piece of red paper about 3″ X 3 1/2″.  Cut it to fit inside the mouth, shaping the top of it to a point.

Shark Teeth – With White Paper

  1. Cut 4 strips of white paper about 5″ long by about 1/2″ each.  You can measure the sides of your shark mouth to be more precise if you wish.
  2. Place all 4 strips on top of each other and cut small triangle shapes all the way down the length of the paper, creating pointy shark teeth.
  3. Glue each strip inside the mouth.  After the glue dries on the bottom set of teeth, gently fold them up 

Shark Eyes ~

  1. Glue 2 googly eyes on each side of the shark snout.

Other Shark Craft Ideas ~

I have been posting about shark week over the last several years.  We love everything about shark week with snacks and crafts!  We did a different type of shark with a moving mouth in 2021.    Click here to see the shark with moving mouth craft we did a couple of years ago!                                                                                                                                                                       

Another fun post was one filled with fun shark game ideas (along with some free printables).  Click here to see the fun shark game ideas!   Clothespin sharks are fun too….Check them out here!                                                                                   

Don’t forget to include some of these games to your week to enhance the fun:

Shark Bite -- Roll the Die and Fish for Colorful Sea Creatures Before the Shark Bites Game! by Pressman Blue Sky, 5"
Shark Bite -- Roll the Die and Fish for Colorful Sea Creatures Before the Shark Bites Game! by Pressman Blue Sky, 5"
$14.84


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01/09/2026 11:04 pm GMT
Late for the Sky Sharkopoly
Late for the Sky Sharkopoly
$33.99


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01/10/2026 12:11 am GMT

Fun Shark Facts to Share ~

  • Did you know there are more than 440 known species of sharks living in all the diferent seas on earth?
  • Shark teeth continuously grow back…you will never see a naturally toothless shark.
  • Sharks don’t have bones!
  • When you flip a shark upside down, they go into a trance-like state, called tonic immobility.
  • Not all sharks have the same teeth.
  • Scientists age sharks by counting the rings on their vertebrae.
  • Sharks can only swim forward.

Shark week is a great time to understand more about the amazing life of sharks.  We fear them, but there are a lot of misconceptions about these beasts!  If you haven’t ever watched any episodes during shark week, give it a try this year!  They are truly fascinating!

Are there any shark crafts you have done that you just love?  I would love to hear about them and see a pic….post it in the comments below!

Enjoy those sharks~

Mimi

DIY Upcycled Yard Skeleton

June 12, 2024 / / 22 Comments

 

I know…I know….it’s summer…so who is thinking about Halloween?  I am!  It certainly doesn’t hurt to start planning your new and exciting Halloween projects…especially if you are crafting a fun and unique DIY Upcycled Yard Skeleton.  Follow along on how to make your own skeleton using materials you might have normally thrown away!

As you probably already know, I am in a Sustainable Craft Challenge Group.  Julie, from Sum of Their Stories, gives us a theme each month to create an eco-friendly craft.  We are given a date to have it done by and all of our posts go live at the same time.  It’s so much fun to see what everyone comes up with.  The girls in this month’s challenge are:

Julie from Sum of Their Stories  Upcycled Strawberry Vase

Gail from Purple Hues & Me  Plastic Soda Bottle Floral Candleholder

Terri from Our Good Life  Recycled Altoid Tin for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift

Mel from Decor Craft Design  DIY Raised Pot for Summer Decor

Christine from Christine’s Crafts  Create a Cute Basket from an Aerosol Lid

Allyson from Southern Sunflowers  DIY Shell MIrror for Coastal Design

Jo from A Rose Tinted World  How to Make A Crumb Quilt – Make a Scrappy Quilt Block

Be sure to check out all of the links above that created wonderful items from this month’s theme:  Trash to Treasure!

DIY UPCYCLED YARD SKELETON ~

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to keep my small potting bench in one piece for a few years now.  I am not good at bringing things in during the cold winter months so I end up with a few casualties when each spring rolls around.  The good thing about this is that it leaves fun material behind to repurpose!  This is how my DIY Upcycled Yard Skeleton came to life!

Items Needed ~

Scrap wood pieces of various sizes

Nails

Hammer

Wood Glue

Spray Paint or craft paint of choice

Craft Paint for face

Paint brushes

Directions ~

The potting bench needed to come apart (well at least what was left of it!)  I got to work pounding on the remains of it to get all of the wood slats apart.  *Here’s a bonus….I have friends who pay to go into a room and tear stuff up to get their frustrations out….it’s called a “A Rage Room.”  I will admit that this sounds a bit fun, but if you are a crafter, you can do it in your own surroundings without paying for it! 😉

There are many outdoor items that can be used for this fun Halloween craft…potting shelf, chair, old flower boxes, etc.  After deconstructing your old item, rearrange the individual pieces to see how you would like it to look.  Lay them out and rearrange until you get the shape that you desire.

I focused on the wheel of the potting bench…this was the whole inspiration for the skeleton.  I was expecting a funky look…this is my vibe.  However, you can definitely go with the look that fits you best.  That is the fun part of this….getting creative!  After setting his “bones” into place, I did decide that I need a little bit more room for a good skeleton head.  I have some old unfinished wood disks from an earlier project.   Using wood glue, I affixed it to the wheel to make a more definite head shape.

Now it is time to put the rest of the body together.  I measured out what size nails I needed and started hammering each body part into place.  I used extra wood glue on some of the slats that were a little on the thin side to help hold them in place.  You need to be careful about the size of nails you use when using thin wood to ensure it doesn’t splinter and thus not hold the nail.

Ready to Paint ~

Using white spray paint, I began covering the body.  The wood from the potting bench soaked up the paint, so I had to spray several coats.  I decided that I didn’t want to cover it entirely in paint as I wanted a more rustic look.  Painting it a thick white would be cute as well….once again, it all depends on the look you are wanting to achieve.  My original intention was to paint it completely white and then sand the edges.  However, I liked how the paint soaked in and already gave it a rustic look.

Craft paint was used to create his face.  I chose to go with a more cartoonish look with glow in the dark eyes as I have my little grands that enjoy all the Halloween decor.  I would suggest do a search on different skeleton faces to decide what type of face you want to give your little guy (or gal!)

Give Him a Name ~

I had to fight myself not to name him Skelly.  This is the name I have used in past posts for Halloween fun that I like to do with my grandchildren.  Skelly visits at different times throughout the month of October bringing fun Skelly Skeleton themed things.  The kids absolutely love Skelly and I absolutely love creating all the fun ideas!  Check out some of my posts regarding Skelly here…

The Original Flat Skelly Skeleton Post!

Flat Skelly Skeleton is BACK!

Anyhoo, I decided I would give this rustic guy his own name….so please meet Mr. Bones!  A thick piece of rope and a sign were added for extra flair!

Items You May Need to Make DIY Upcycled Yard Skeleton ~

I happened to have everything I needed on hand, however, below are some items that may need to be purchased if you are not a craft hoarder like myself!

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

As always, I hope you enjoy the fun crafts that are shared in this blog.  Please let me know if you create something yourself…I would LOVE to see it!

Happy Crafting ~

Mimi

 

Unique DIY Mother’s Day Planter

March 27, 2024 / / 6 Comments

Do you find yourself looking for something new and different for mom each year when Mother’s Day rolls around?  Me too!  Let’s face it….you know mom will be happy with whatever you gift her, but sometimes you just need that something that’s a little extra.  The good thing is, I think I have hit the jackpot with this one!  Every mother is sure to love this unique DIY Mother’s Day Planter!

Bonus:  while this is indeed a great Mother’s Day gift, it is also a great gift for many other occasions as well.  A beautiful flower or plant potted in a moss covered tea cup and saucer…perfection!  Heck, you may even want to make one and gift it to yourself…it is that pretty!

Supplies Needed ~

  • Dried moss
  • Teacup/coffee mug
  • Saucer/plate
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Empty water bottle
  • Scissors
  • Ribbon of choice
  • Metal tag
  • Chalk marker
  • Chalkboard labels
  • Bumblebee embellishment
  • Flower/plant of choice

Below are links to some of the items that you may not have on hand.  Sometimes I have luck in finding some of these item at places like the Dollar Store, but if their supply runs out, it is always good to have another location to find everything!

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

Directions to Make Moss Covered Planter ~

  1. Covering one section of the cup at a time, layer hot glue and then place sections of dried moss over the glue.  Continue this process until the entire cup and handle are covered in dried moss.
  2. Use the same process to cover the saucer/plate.  I used a plastic plate for this step.
  3. Cut off the top 1/4 to 1/2 of a water bottle.  Turn it upside down in the teacup so that the drinking spout is facing the bottom of the cup.
  4. Fill the water bottle section with pea gravel/small rocks and potting soil.  This will help in the drainage of water to keep plant healthy and happy.   
  5. Plant your flower/plant on top of water bottle.
  6. Affix the chalkboard label to the center of the metal tag.
  7. Write your sentiment of choice with chalk marker.  Be sure to let it dry so you do not smudge it before the next step.   **It took me a couple of labels before I perfected my sentiment due to the fact that if you don’t write slowly, it can easily create unwanted chalk residue around the lettering.  Take your time on this step.
  8. Tie a ribbon around the mug, being sure to run the ribbon in side of the handle of the mug.  *One thing I learned while making my DIY unique Mother’s Day planter is that you want to keep the bow at a moderate size.  I tend to love big, elaborate bows, but this seemed to hide the beauty of the planter.
  9. Before making your bow, run the end of one side of the ribbon through the hole in the metal tag.  Push the tag up the ribbon until it reaches the knot of the bow.
  10. Finish tying the bow.
  11. Add the bumblebee to the label.

Extra Mother’s Day Fun ~

A few years ago, I found myself researching more about the tradition of Mother’s Day.  I must say that I learned some history about it that I had been unaware of.  If you are interested in reading more, please check out my Mother’s Day Controversy post!  It gives some fun facts BUT also lists some other fun ideas for gift giving on this very special day of remembering and honoring  our mothers!  These ideas include both gifts that you can purchase or do as an act of love without spending money!

Is your mom an avid reader?  I also have a very fun post on creating some photograph book marks.  Be sure to check it out….

Zany bookmark fun with photographs!

As stated earlier, this fun moss covered teacup planter can be made for Mother’s Day or anytime you are looking for a unique gift to give to someone special.  Give it a try….I bet you will find yourself making more than a….that is one as a gift and one for you!  😉

Have you ever hosted a Mother’s Day Brunch?  Antique Farm House has some FABULOUS ideas to aid in the hosting as well as unqiue gifts to gift that Mom is sure to love.  Check out their Mother’s Day Sales Event here……Antique Farm House Mother’s Day Ideas

Did you make this beautiful planter (or any of the other ideas listed in this post?)  Come back and let me know how it went!

Happy Crafting My Friends ~

Mimi

 

Easy DIY Easter Crafts

March 12, 2024 / / 6 Comments

Ok….so Easter is nearing….your are hosting….and you haven’t planned everything yet!  There is still time to create these awesome and very easy DIY Easter crafts.  Whether you try all three of them or concentrate on one, they are sure to spruce up your Easter tablescapes or home decor!

Maybe you aren’t hosting….but you want to take a nice hostess gift….I’ve got you covered!  These little carrots and bunnies are sure to delight everyone.  Best of all….you can say,  “I made it myself!”  You go girl (or guy)!

Easy DIY Easter Crafts ~

Notice the plural on craft(s)!  I just loved all of these Easter DIYs so much that I couldn’t share just one.  I have separated them into sections, so if there is one particular craft you want to focus on, just scroll until you get to the correct heading desired.

Floppy Ear Bunny in Carrot ~

I have to admit that this one is my favorite…and the most challenging.  Don’t let that stop you from making it….it honestly is still an easy DIY Easter craft.  Just follow my tips and you will get it….easy peasy!

Items Needed ~

  • 4 X 4 piece of cardstock
  • Orange Jute
  • Tan Jute
  • Crafting Moss
  • Hot glue gun & glue
  • Scotch tape
  • Wooden craft ball with hole

Instructions ~

  1. Paint eyes and “blush” for cheeks on the wooden ball and set aside to dry.
  2. Cut a 4 X 4 piece of cardstock.
  3. Cut that piece of cardstock in half diagonally.
  4. With point of diagonal piece facing up, fold a long edge over to the other side, tucking it under at the edge.  Start rolling the paper until a cone is formed.  Hot glue down the edge to seal.
  5. Starting at the top of the cone, put a thin strip of hot glue all around the top.  Quickly lay the orange jute all around the top to form the top of your carrot.
  6. After gluing the strip around the top, you don’t need to glue every single strip around.  I did a small patch of glue going down a bit of the cone at a time.  When you wind the jute tightly around the cone, that one section of glue is enough to hold each time around.  Follow this method all the way down until the cone is covered….but don’t stop there!
  7. I then put spots of glue on the outside of what was already wrapped and continued wrapping back up to the top for double coverage.  This helps to not have any gaps between the rows of jute.
  8. Stuff the cone with crafting moss, leaving some overhang at the top.
  9. Wrap scotch tape tightly around the end of the tan jute (this will help the ends from fraying as you pull jute up and down through the wooden bead).  Run it up through the hole.  You will want a long piece in order to make both ears.  Make a loop then run it back down through the wooden bead.  Make a slight knot at the bottom to help hold it in place.  Run the jute back up and down the same way to make second ear.  Tie off with a larger knot at the bottom of bead.               
  10. After tying off at bottom of bead, I added a glob of hot glue to help keep the twine secured under the head. 
  11. Cut a piece of jute about 3 to 4″.  Knot it in the middle…this will be the nose.  Fray both ends of the string to create whiskers.  Hot glue on to bead.
  12. Glue wooden bunny head on top of crafting moss.

Beaded Carrots ~

Items Needed ~

  • Wooden craft beads (with holes) of various sizes
  • Jute
  • Green raffia
  • Orange RIT dye
  • Embellishment ribbon of choice
A Cherry On Top
A Cherry On Top

A Huge array of art supplies for all of your DIY needs!

View the Craft Products Now!
This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Instructions ~

  1. Heat about 1 to 2 cups of water.  Add 1 Tbsp (or as much as you desire) of orange dye to warm water.  Layer wooden beads into the colored water.
  2. Let these soak for as long as you desire.  The longer you soak them the darker the color will get.  I let mine soak for about an hour.  This gave the beads a deep rich orange color with some areas soaking a little more in and getting a deeper hue.  I like this as it gives it an imperfect look much like a carrot.
  3. Let the dyed beads dry.
  4. Cut a piece of jute about 12″ long and set aside.
  5. Cut several pieces of green raffia (I made mine about 8″ and then cut down as desired in the end.  Fold the raffia in half and tie a knot at the middle with the jute.  You will have equal amounts of jute on each side of the knot.
  6. Holding both ends of the dangling jute, line your orange beads onto the string, starting with your biggest bead first.  How you choose to layer your beads is completely up to you.  I sometimes did 1 big bead and sometimes 2 and then just layered them on as I liked.
  7. Once you get your final bead on, tie a knot at the bottom to secure.
  8. Tie your embellishment ribbon of choice between the raffia and the beads.

Light Bulb Carrots ~

Items Needed ~

  • C9 and/or C7 Orange light bulbs
  • Hot glue gun & glue
  • Crafting moss
  • Jute

Instructions ~

  1. Start with a thin strip of hot glue around the the silver part of light bulb.  Start layering the jute around.  Glue sections at a time and then continue wrapping jute around to the top.
  2. Put hot glue on top of silver portion of light bulb.
  3. Place a chunk of crafting moss on top of that hot glue.

Links for Items Used ~

Below are some of the items that you may not have hanging around at home.  The paper cutter….game changer!  Do you have one of these already?  If not, it makes a difference in so many diferent craft projects!

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

Orange Jute Twine - 54 Yards - 2mm Diameter
Orange Jute Twine - 54 Yards - 2mm Diameter
$5.77
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This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!
01/09/2026 11:04 pm GMT
FISKARS Precision Paper Trimmer.
FISKARS Precision Paper Trimmer.
$38.40


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This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!
01/09/2026 11:04 pm GMT
950pcs Wooden Beads for Crafts 7 Sizes ~ 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 20mm
950pcs Wooden Beads for Crafts 7 Sizes ~ 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 20mm
$9.99
Buy Now
This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!
01/09/2026 11:03 pm GMT
SuperMoss Raffia, Grass Green, 2oz
SuperMoss Raffia, Grass Green, 2oz
$9.77
Buy Now
This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!
01/10/2026 12:12 am GMT
12 Pack C9 Orange Light Bulb
12 Pack C9 Orange Light Bulb
$7.99
Buy Now
This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!
01/10/2026 12:11 am GMT

If you love these and still want more Easter bunny ideas, be sure to check out my DIY Sock Bunnies here!  Another fun craft that is super easy to make!

There you go friends….three easy Easter DIY crafts that can be made very quickly!  Let me know your thoughts!

Happy Crafting My Friends ~

Mimi

Upcycled Tin Can Planters

March 5, 2024 / / 17 Comments

Spring is around the corner and that means it is time to start thinking about outdoor decor and flowers!  Every year I always feel like I need to buy new things to spruce up the yard.  This year, I am working on doing some DIY and upcycling things that we already have around the house.  As luck would have it,  it is time for our monthly Sustainable Craft Challenge Blog Hop so I decided to try my hand at making upcycled tin can planters.

Each month Julie from Sum of Their Stories gives us a theme and challenges us to create a sustainable craft to share.  This month our theme is rainbows.  I thought on this one for quite awhile and then decided to get crafty with tin cans…..so here we go!

What you will need ~

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

There are a lot of items in this list that are optional.  They are noted as optional.  This project has so many fun variations available so I included all the items I used on at least one if not all of the cans.

  • Tin cans of any size
  • ModPodge 
  • Paint (color of your choice) *Typically white or brown.  For this project I used both colors.
  • Printed images, napkins, old cards, etc.
  • Foam paint brushes 
  • Bristle paint brushes
  • Plyers
  • Embellishments (*optional)
  • Hot glue gun (*optional ~ if adding embellishments)
  • Spice or dirt (*optional)
  • Wire or string/jute (*optional)

Instructions for Upcycled Tin Can Planters ~

  1. Peel and label and glue off of the tin cans.  Clean the can.
  2. Using plyers, squeeze all the way around the top of the can to push the sharp edges down.
  3. Pierce both sides of the can at the top for a wire/ribbon hanger. *This is optional
  4. Paint the entire surface of the can.  You may need to use extra coats depending on the color you choose.
  5. Let dry completely.
  6. Get your images ready.  For this project, I created my images and wording on canva.  By tearing the image out carefully, it gives a more rugged/rustic look, however, you can cut them out if you prefer.  Keep in mind, this is totally your project so make it “your style.”  You can add phrases or not.  There are some cute phrases added at the bottom of this post. 
  7. Using a foam brush, add a thin layer of ModPodge to the area where you will be applying the image.
  8. Carefully adhere the image to the wet ModPodge and smooth as you go.
  9. Next you will put 2 to 4 more layers of ModPodge over the entire can, waiting for each layer to dry before applying the next.  If you look closely here, you can see I have more coats to help adhere the edges toward the bottom. 
  10. Add wire/ribbon through the holes to create a hanger.  You can embellish this with beads or baubles if you choose to.  *This step is optional.
  11. Using brown pain, lightly brush the paint along the top, bottom and sporadically on the can.  While it is still wet, sprinkle paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper or a spice of the “rust” color.  This will give the can a rusted look.  You can also sprinkle dirt in the paint.  This picture shows the cayenne partially sprinkled on the wet paint to give a better look at how to do it. 
  12. Cut the top half of a plastic watter bottle and place in tin can with the drinking spigot facing the bottom of the can.  *This is an optional step, however, it gives some drainage for the plant which will help it to grow and thrive.
  13. Layer some pea gravel and dirt in the water bottle.
  14. Put your plant of choice in and voila….you have a beautiful new planter!

Optional Embellishments ~

There are SO many fun embellishments you can add to jazz up your planter.  I am listing some ideas below:

  • Add an additional layer of ModPodge to your finished project and then roll in beads, dirt (Yes, dirt….gives it a rustic look), glitter, colorful spices, etc.
  • Use wooden balls to the bottom of the can to make a footed planter.
  • Tie jute or ribbon around the top with a little bow.
  • Adhere Mason jar rings to the top, bottom or both.  If you are going for a more rustic look, you can use rusty rings.
  • Flatten the bottom of the can and fold up slightly to get a flatter planter vs. the round can.

Sustainable Craft Challenge Group ~

If you have been following me very long, you know I am part of a group of artsy crafters.  As stated earlier, Terri gives us a theme each month to create a fun DIY project using at least one sustainable item.  You have already read about mine and now here are my friends’ beautiful rainbow crafts.  A link is provided in green for you to view what they have created this month.

Julie from Sum of Their Stories created a  Paper Rainbow Ring Binder

Christine from Christine’s crafts shows how to make Easy Rainbow Brooches

Gail from Purple Hues & Me is displaying Upcycled Plastic Bottle Rainbow Flowers

T’onna from Sew Crafty Crochet has made a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Scarf

Terri from Our Good Life is sharing her Easy Rainbow Hearts Tote

Allyson from Southern Sunflowers has made DIY Rainbow Wall Art Using Inspirational Quotes

Planter Quotes/Sayings ~

  • Grow With Grace
  • I Wet My Plants
  • Feed Me & Tell Me I’m Pretty
  • You Grow Girl
  • Plants Are My Soil Mates
  • I’m Rooting For You
  • Let Love Grow
  • Crazy Plant Lady
  • Give Me The Dirt
  • You Make Me Wanna Sprout
  • Bloom Where You Are Planted
  • To Plant a Garden Is To Believe In Tomorrow
  • Botany Plants Lately?
  • Be Nice Or Leaf

This was such a fun DIY project to do.  I know I will be making many more of these with all kinds of themes and looks.  They are perfect to keep or to gift!  I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out….send pics in the comments below!  Believe me….you will have tons of fun with these!

Happy Crafting ~

Mimi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Valentine Rag Wreath Heart

February 6, 2024 / / 26 Comments

Whether you are looking for an easy DIY Valentine craft or an everyday heart decor item, this DIY Valentine Rag Wreath Heart is perfect!  Changing the color scheme from colorful to neutral can easily make this a beautiful decorative piece for holiday or everyday.  What’s even better is that it is so easy to make and you most likely have everything you need already.

This was perfect timing for the craft blog hop group that I take part in.  Julie from Sum of their Stories challenges us each month to a Sustainable Craft Challenge.  Each blogger takes the theme and creates a fun craft that is at least partially, if not all, from sustainable elements.  This month’s theme is HEARTS!  I have included links to their creative posts down below! 

Items Needed ~

You won’t need to search far for the items needed to make this little beauty.  The list below includes everything I used, however, you don’t necessarily need all of it.  For example, I used 3 different types of cutting tools but you can create your own DIY Valentine Rag Wreath Heart with only one cutting tool if you prefer.

  • Metal Hanger
  • Pliers
  • Various Colors Scrap Fabric
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Pinking Shears *
  • Rotary Cutter *
  • Cutting Mat *
  • Decorative Ribbon
  • Hot Glue Gun/Glue *
  • Wooden Heart *
Rotary Cutter Set
Rotary Cutter Set
$29.99

Rotary cutter, cutting mat and straight edge to help you cut several strips of fabric at a time!

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01/10/2026 09:03 am GMT
Fiskars SoftGrip Pinking Shears
Fiskars SoftGrip Pinking Shears
$37.28

Create scalloped edges on your fabric for all of your craft projects!

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01/10/2026 03:03 am GMT
The items listed above with an * following them are not “necessary” to make your wreath.  They were used in the one I made, but a beautiful heart can still be made without these items.

Steps to Create Your DIY Heart Wreath ~

  1. Shape your metal hanger into a heart.  Pliers are very helpful with this process.  There are different styles of shaping your heart, however, I chose to straighten out the curve of the hanger and then pull inward to the middle of the heart.  The deeper you bring the wire down helps to create a bolder heart shape.  This is helpful because once you start tying the fabric on it is easy to start losing the shape of the heart.                                                     
  2. Cut your strips of fabric.   You can cut them all the exact same width and length or you can vary them for some depth.  I like to cut mine different sizes.  Typically, you will want them to be 1″ wide and 5″ to 7″ long.  Using the shorter ones in the V of the heart also helps to define the shape of the heart more.  Fabric can be cut by using the fabric scissors for all of them or you can vary with the different cutting tools mentioned above.   These are the strips from my granddaughters wreath.  We had so much fun talking about how you can mix so many different designs that seem like they would clash, yet when you put them together in your project, it looks so pretty!                                                             
  3. Begin tying the fabric strips around the metal hanger.  This can be done methodically or sporadically….I LOVE this about this craft.  If you are like me, you need to not follow one particular method continually.  I started out by tying one color in random spots around the wreath.                                                                                                                   
  4. Continue tying the different colored fabric strips around the heart frame.  The closer you push them together, the more full your end product will look  Once again, you have choices here.   My granddaughter wanted to make one for her room (which made me so happy to help her with her own creation!)  Hers was a little less full, yet still so beautiful.   
  5. Cut a piece of lace ribbon to hang your wreath.  The length will vary according to how low you want it to hang.  I originally cut mine about 12″ and then decided to cut it down to about 9″.  Tie each end to the top of each side of your heart.
  6. I chose to embellish the very tip of the wire hanger that hangs in the middle of the heart.  You will see that I hot glued a small wooden heart on mine.  Creativity is key here….you can use some pretty beads, wooden ball, small tassel, a heart shaped jewel or choose to not embellish it at all.

 

ROMECH Full Size Hot Glue Gun
ROMECH Full Size Hot Glue Gun
$21.21

Craft away with this fun and highly rated glue gun...pink, yellow, blue or grey! How fun is that?

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01/10/2026 03:05 am GMT
45 Pack Unfinished Wood Heart Shaped Cutouts for DIY Crafts
45 Pack Unfinished Wood Heart Shaped Cutouts for DIY Crafts
$16.99

9 different styles of wooden hearts for all your crafting needs!

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01/09/2026 11:04 pm GMT

Voila!  You have a beautiful work of art that is so much fun to make!

Sustainable Craft Challenge ~

It’s time to meet all of my creative carft friends.  As stated earlier, we take part in a monthly challenge to create a craft that has at least some portion of it that is sustainable…upcycled, recycled, reduces waste or uses leftovers.  Julie gives us a theme to work with each month….February’s challenge is HEARTS!

Julie from Sum of their Stories has created  HANGING HEARTS MADE FROM TINY FABRIC SCRAPS

Mel from Decor Craft Design made a beautiful VALENTINE HEART SIGN FROM UPCYCLED PISTACHIO SHELLS

Terri from Our Good Life crafted a HEART CANDY MACHINE

Gail from Purple Hues & Me created a SODA BOTTLE HEART SHAPED BOX

Niki from Life As a Leo Wife constructed a DIY FAUX CONCRETE BUNNY

Christine from Christine’s Crafts crocheted SMALL CROCHET HEARTS

T’onna from Sew Crafty Crochet made a beautiful CROCHET PATCHWORK HEART

Marci from Old Rock Farmhouse constructed a DOODLE HEARTS COLLAGE

Be sure to check each of these posts out to get some new wonderful craft ideas!  I know I enjoy their creativity and have certainlly learned some amazing new crafting techniques!

You can also check out my Valentine Branch Tree from last year’s challenge.  This project was awesome because I was able to use the “tree” that I had used in my Gratitude DIY Branch Tree Post!

In Conclusion ~

I have included several links above to items that I used in this project.  I am also including the link below for A Cherry On Top.  I use this site for a lot of my craft projects as well!   In fact, I love them so much that I became an affiliate for them.  This means that if you purchase anything from them, I may earn a small commission.  I appreciate you supporting my small business!  I know you will enjoy all that they have to offer….just as I do!

They have some promotions going on right now, so be sure to check the top of their home page to get the codes needed for checkout!

A Cherry On Top
A Cherry On Top

A Huge array of art supplies for all of your DIY needs!

View the Craft Products Now!
This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Happy Crafting My Friends ~

Mimi

DIY Snowy Luminary

January 1, 2023 / / 22 Comments

Christmas has come and gone and New Year’s Eve is upon us.  Have you taken your Christmas decor down yet or are you one of those (like me) who love a few extra days of festive glow.  There is just something special about the cozy feelings you get with the strings of lights and warm candles all around.  Well, winter is still here so let’s make a DIY snowy luminary to keep all the warm “feels” through the rest of the winter!

I belong to a Sustainable Craft Challenge Group that challenges us to use a pin we have saved and actually create the craft.  How many pins have you saved that you haven’t gotten back to????  We spend all of that time researching pins and then just let them sit there….so let’s get going!  We also have to use some items that are recyclable, unused, reduces waste, etc.  I don’t know about you but I have a collection of saved items to “use in a craft later.”  Let’s do this! Continue reading

Zany Bookmark DIY Fun

February 3, 2021 / / 12 Comments

You need to try these little gems!  Kids not only like to get Valentines, but they love to give them as well!  They will be filled with such pride as they help with everything from the design to the fun tassel finish.  Everyone will love being a part of this zany bookmark DIY fun!

Items Needed:

  • Photographs
  • Scissors
  • String, Yarn, Ribbon, Embroidery Floss
  • Thermal Laminating Pouches
    • (you can use contact paper, but this post is about laminating.  I have not used the contact paper, but have read articles about it)
  • Empty Toilet Paper Roll
  • Optional – Laminating Machine
  • Optional – Print Shop Program

Cut Out Photo Bookmark ~

The most fun to making this one is the photo session itself.  Have the children pose in funny ways with their hands up in the air.  Tell them to pretend they are hanging on to a tree limb or rope.  They can put both hands up or just one.  Encourage them to hold their legs in various ways as if they are suspended in the air.  It is also fun to have them make silly expressions.  This makes the final product so much more fun!

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Fall is Around the Corner!

August 14, 2020 / / 5 Comments

We have all heard the jokes…let’s just skip through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and move on to 2021!  Everyone is officially FED UP with 2020.  However, we still have time to make this year memorable in ways other than the dreaded virus that has haunted us these last few months.  I truly believe this.  Maybe it’s because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HALLOWEEN!  Let’s set aside the frustration and enjoy the rest of this year because YES~Fall is Around the Corner!  Ok, ok I hear you.  It’s August 14 and the official start of fall is September 22.  That means we have time to plan new activities, make new crafts and search for delicious new recipes….let’s go!

Start Collecting Pine Cones and Nuts NOW!!!

The wonderful thing about crafting with nature’s wonders is that adults and children can craft together using the same materials but with different outcomes.   Pinecone and nut crafts have evolved through the years.    I have been urging my family members to start collecting pinecones and nuts now so we will have a nice inventory when we get ready to start crafting.  I am absolutely loving some of the ideas I am seeing on Pinterest like these cute ideas:  Click here for some creative nature holiday crafts like the pics below!!

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Leaf Print Stamp Art With Kids

July 21, 2020 / / 0 Comments

I have been wanting to try leaf print stamp art with my grandchildren for a while.  I have looked through so many pictures and ideas of how to do it.  Let’s just say that when Addi, Max and I did this fun craft together yesterday, our artwork did NOT turn out like the images I had in my mind.  BUT….that’s ok!  In fact, it is MORE than ok!  If there is one thing I have discovered in life with kids…nothing ever really turns out the way you plan.  It’s the fun and laughter along the way that makes it all worthwhile!

STEPS AND TIPS TO LEAF PRINT STAMP ART WITH KIDS~

  1. Set up your craft area with markers and paper.  If your children are smaller, I believe white copy paper will be best.  I considered colored construction paper, but the leaves are a bit hard to color on without ripping, thus making it more difficult to get a dark enough image for colored paper.  ***You can use paint as well, but I need to up my art supply game first…including art aprons!
  2. Be sure to have butcher block paper or kids placemats to put under their artwork to save your craft area from looking like a rainbow.
  3. Collect leaves.  I recommend that you do NOT do this ahead of time.  I know many of us like to be prepared for crafts with littles, but I guarantee you that it will be more fun if you let them pick out their own leaves.  Never underestimate a good little walk in nature with children!
  4. Have each child collect at least 5-10 leaves.  It is great to get several different types of leaves, however, the number collected is equally important as you will quickly learn.
  5. Using a small leaf, do a VERY QUICK tutorial for the kids.  Color a small leaf, instruct them to watch as you then turn the leaf over and stamp onto the paper.  I say very quick because they will be anxious to get started!
  6. Make sure you explain that they need to color gently so they do not rip their leaves.  This takes us back to #4 and why you need several leaves.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    .   
  7. It is fun to color with different colors, but I recommend you color with one color first until they get the hang of it.  It takes children quite a bit of time to choose colors and also get the lids on and off.  This results in the leaf colors drying before they ever get to stamp.
       
  8. Once they have colored their leaf, help them turn the leaf over by the stem and press down on paper.
         
  9. Of course, praise them for their wonderful artwork!                                                                                                                         

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