Recycled Bottle Christmas Wreath

Christmas wreath with plastic poinsettias out of recycled bottles.

 This Christmas wreath spread like wildfire at my sons' elementary school as the students' project for the season,  I do not claim to be the originator of this design though. I hope it can give you inspiration for your DIY project; mine is really simple because of time constraints, you however can make it more festive by adding more design elements.

Below is how I cut a poinsettia flower out of a 250ml plastic bottle:

After cutting, paint the 'leaves' and put glitters on the flower then hot glue both parts together. You may now "cap" (pardon the pun) some embellishments on the center.

Attach several sets of flowers on a ribbon-covered round cardboard.

How to Make A Shadow Puppet

August is that time of year when Filipinos celebrate Buwan ng Wika which literally means Language Month. Because of the multitude of dialects used across the country it is but fitting to acknowledge and celebrate having a national language that unifies us in many ways.

Schools during this time would be alive with various activities especially competitions on declamation, essay-writing, slogan / poster-making and storytelling all using the National Language-Filipino.

One interesting way to make a storytelling piece come alive is to use shadow puppets. Here I list some tips on how to make a shadow puppet.

 But first, here are the materials needed:
   ~ cardboard/illustration board or any carton sturdy enough.
   ~ colored cellophanes/ a.k.a. candy wrappers
   ~ glue/ scotch tape
   ~ stick/wooden handle
   ~ pencil
   ~ pair of scissors
   ~ craft knife

How to Make a Shadow Puppet

   

DIY Paper Corn Hat

DIY paper corn hat.

For a corn hat with 3D kernels, try making this fun but economical design made entirely of paper.

You will need the following:
   ~ 1 yellow vellum/cartolina
   ~ 1 golden yellow crepe paper
   ~ 1 light or yellow green crepe paper
   ~ golden yellow tissue or colored paper
   ~ white glue
   ~ pair of scissors
   ~ 8" to 9" elastic string
   ~ stapler

The very first step is to make a paper boat using a yellow cartolina.

And now to decorate your corn hat:

DIY Paper Tomato Hat

A last minute DIY paper tomato hat.

For an easy but fun tomato hat, try making this design made entirely of paper.

You will need the following:
   ~ 1 red vellum/cartolina
   ~ 1 red crepe paper
   ~ green colored paper
   ~ white glue
   ~ pair of scissors
   ~ 8" to 9" elastic string
   ~ stapler

The very first step is to make a paper boat using a red cartolina. For more on this, kindly click here.

Now you are ready to decorate your tomato hat.

DIY Paper Carrot Hat

DIY carrot hat made of paper.

For a last minute carrot hat that's simple and economical, try making this design made entirely of paper.

You will need the following:
   ~ 1 orange vellum/cartolina
   ~ 1 orange crepe paper
   ~ several green and orange colored paper
   ~ white glue
   ~ pair of scissors
   ~ 8" to 9" elastic string
   ~ stapler

The very first step is to make the paper boat using an orange cartolina. For more on this, kindly click here.

Steps to make a rounded-top paper boat hat.

Now for the assemblage:

DIY Paper Pineapple Hat

A simple and economical pineapple hat.

For a last minute pineapple hat that's simple and economical, try making this design made entirely of paper.

You will need the following:
   ~ 2 yellow vellum/cartolina
   ~ 1 green vellum/cartolina or several green colored papers
   ~ white glue
   ~ pair of scissors
   ~ 8" to 9" elastic string
   ~ stapler

The very first step is to make the paper boat using a yellow cartolina. For more on this, kindly click here.

For the leaves of the crown. You need to cut several 2" x 7" green pieces of paper.
For the 'pineapple eyes'. You need to cut several 3" x 6" yellow pieces of paper.

Now your paper boat hat is ready to decorate.

Wire Wrapped Stone: How I Did It Myself

DIY wire wrapped, semi-polished stone and a story that comes along.

During a stop-over in one of our road trips I found a rough, translucent stone on the ground. It was just raw beauty.  I took it home, looked at it from time to time wondering what I'd do with it. Then one day, I decided to take it to my own hands to polish it. Although I didn't have the tools, I do have the will power.

 I sanded it with white sandpaper, I buffed it with sand then washed dust away with water and soft-bristled brush and buffed even more with soft cloth till eventually~

                    it went from this                                        to this.                            

The next step is wrapping it with wire. So here is my beginner attempt to do so~

It was too large to use as pendant for a necklace so I attached it to a bag zipper instead...and now I can carry it whenever, wherever.

Retro-themed Surprise Party Invitations

A retro-themed surprise party invitation.

As I was scanning some of my old files I saw this picture of the invitations I made for a retro-themed surprise birthday bash. The record invitation was printed on photo paper and the cover/envelope design was printed on a finely-textured specialty-paper.

Pistachio Shell Craft

Creative use of recycled pistachio shells for your inspiration.

These are the materials needed:
~ pistachio seed shells
~ mirror (from compact face powder)
~ cardboard
~ gold spray paint
~ glue
~ pair of scissors
~ pencil
~ trimming for embellishment (optional)

Procedure:
~ Outline the width of the mirror onto the round cardboard with a pencil. The size of the cardboard depends on your preference and on how much shells you have.
~ Start glueing down the shells outwardly right up to the sides.
~ When the glue has dried, spray one coat of paint,  let dry.
~ Spray a second coat of paint.
~ Attach mirror at the center.

Plastic Foil Packs Pillow

Plastic foil packs pillow made fun with stegosaurus design.

Materials:
~ plastic cover
~ foil packs (a lot of them)
~ a pair of scissors
~ needle and thread
~ trimming of choice (colorful lace/ribbons)

Procedure
~ collect foil packs (remove/clean residues of food products)
~ cut them into tiny strips
~ create pattern for the plastic cover
~ cut two duplicates of the plastic sheet pattern
~ sew them together at the sides leaving a hole for the foil strips
~ fill it in with the strips of foil packs
~ sew the hole close
~ add trimmings

Corn Husk Picture Frames

Decorate for zero cost~ make shabby, bohemian picture frames out of dried corn husk.

 If you're committed to reducing wastes and you're up for a crafty challenge, here's a chance to fill your wall for nothing. Have some of your beloved pictures laminated, attach coils of braided corn husks around the borders, mount them up and voila, you got yourself a happy wall in place of an empty space.

Basically, these are the supplies and materials needed: corn husks, cardboard, a pair of scissors, glue gun and mounting tape; but the first thing that needs to be done is to make the coils of braided corn husks.

 Approximately, a 6" piece of braided corn husk can make a one-inch diameter coil.

1- Make a knot at one end of the piece of husk,
2- tear it into three strands
3-and braid. Tie up the other end.
4-Glue down the initial knot at the center of a cut round cardboard
5-coil the braid
6-and glue down the other end at the back of the cardboard.

Make as many coils as needed, depending on the size and number of your laminated pictures. If you prefer some colors, you can soak the husks in watercolor before drying them.

Nature's Objet d'art: Coconut Stalk Flower Craft

A little dressing up is all it takes to turn dried coconut stalks headed for the compost heap into sculptural objet d'art home decor.

It's easy to notice that this part of the coconut stalk very much resembles a flower, when dried it looks sculptural just as it is. So with a little bit of furnishing and elements of bling I tried to work up something on a couple of dried coconut stalks that I found.

A. Prepping up

 After cutting excess part at the back portion, smooth the center with any blunt tool and wipe off dust with a soft cloth.

B. Materials

Materials I have on hand are thick wood glue and glossy beads but any materials for embellishment will do just as well like little pearls, sequins or crystals.

Bedazzling from the inner core, I worked my way outward and chose to leave the 'petals' unpainted to retain the rustic look.

Creativity Quote- Julia Cameron