DIY Strawberry Decor from Lucky Pineapple Lantern

Materials needed:

~lucky pineapple lantern
~pair of scissors
~double-sided tape
~extra string

Step 1~ Lay the folded pineapple lantern down flat on a table.

Step 2~ Outline the shape to be cut with a marker. You would need a sturdy pair of scissors as you                   would cut through folded layers.

Step 3~ Cut the marked areas. Carefully detach the dangling charm and knot back the string. In case                  you cut the string too short, replace it and knot at about 2 inches from the hole.

Step 4~ Since the part of the leaf with one of the rings will be cut off, poke a new hole at the edge                   with a blunt object. Put in the ring.

Step 5~ Reinforce with added double-sided tape before assembling.

Step 6~ Unfold carefully and attach both ends.

Butterfly Decor from Paper Umbrella

The holiday season is over and so is the string of parties, family gatherings and dinners. You've probably got your hand on a paper umbrella in one of your drinks. Here's another way of using parasol picks to decorate a future party, because one can never plan early enough. 

(1-2) Pull the tiny rubber band up to fully open the umbrella, (3-4) make 3 cuts toward the center with 3-2-3 umbrella spine intervals (paper umbrellas have 8 spines). Mind which two umbrella spines to assign as the butterfly's antennae (as most of these are irregularly spaced).

(5) Carefully tear paper where 'antennae' spines are projected, trim antennae to proportionate length. (6) Cut curve at the sides where the two lower wings are supposed to be, you can also cut the tiny part of the spines that peek at the sides. (7) Cut the wooden pick right below the band. (8) Decorate with them anyway you like: make a wall statement by using a double-sided mounting tape; or string them together to make a dainty garland.

Very simple to make, craftventure your way to these butterfly's papery transformation.

Here's to a colorful year ahead.

Moon Lantern

These moon lantern making tips can come in handy not only for festival purposes but for decorating stage sets for children's school play or for adding a special accent in your baby's room.

First Step: 

Second Step:

Third Step:

This hole can be modified later by adding a flap to the side of the cut portion to tuck inside the lantern.

Hang up or attach to a pole.

Dress Up Bottles: Plants vs. Zombies

If you ever think Plants-vs-Zombies characters are cute (except the zombies anyway) and you're planning a themed party based off it, well here's a tip on creating decorations that are not that complicated and overly time-consuming: simply dress up some empty bottles to play the part.

Things you'll need:

• crepe papers of the right colors
• cartolinas or construction papers of the right colors
• clear tape/double-sided tape
• pair of scissors
• craft knife
• plastic jar lids of the approximately right sizes 
• wooden sticks or used toothbrushes (you may pull out bristles first: dip in hot water then remove manually with a pair of pliers.)
• old newspapers
• clean empty bottles
• plastic bottle (choose one that is shaped somewhat like peashooter)
• black marker 

SUNFLOWER

To make Sunflower

1. Attach stick or old toothbrush on top of a bigger-than-mason-jar lid. An 800 ml ice cream tub lid is about the right size.
2. Fill the hollow part of the lid with newspaper or used brown bag.
3. Cover the 'face' part with two to three layers of orange crepe paper.
4. Cover the bottle stand with green crepe paper.
5. Put petals and face parts using cartolinas or construction papers.
6. Put paper leaves at the bottom part of the bottle. If the paper you're using for this is not sturdy enough, attach a folded strip of  paper at the other side of each leaf, make it bend a little.

MARIGOLD

To make Marigold

1. Attach stick or old toothbrush on top of this time~ a mason jar lid. 
2. Fill the hollow part of the lid with newspaper or used brown bag.
3. Cover 'face' part with two to three layers of yellow crepe paper.
4. Cover the bottle stand with green crepe paper.
5. Put petals and face parts using cartolinas or construction papers.
6. Put paper leaves at the bottom part of the bottle. 

PEASHOOTER

To make Peashooter

1. Cut the appointed plastic bottle that will assume the head of peashooter at the right size. 
2. Cut a hole that will fit the mouth of the glass bottle that will serve as its stand.
3. Customize the shape by adding layers of newspaper pieces where they'd be needed.
4. Cover with green crepe paper.
5. Put face parts using cartolina or construction paper.
6. Cover the bottle stand with green crepe paper
7. Put paper leaves at the bottom part of the glass bottle. 

Satin and Tulle Topiary

 DIY a frilly but simple-to-make satin and tulle topiary from scratch.

This will make a beautiful wedding centerpiece and will add a subtle romantic touch to the occasion.

To make a satin flower ~

You will need:

• satin fabric
• candle
• hot glue
• pearls,beads or accent gems

 Procedure:

• Cut satin into several sized circles.
• Cut 5 or more snips in one circle to create a ring of petals.
• Melt the edges by carefully burning slightly over flame.
• Add a drop of hot glue in the center of each petal pinching carefully underneath.
• Hot glue the different petal layers together.
• Add a shiny accent piece.

To make an improvised  topiary stand ~

You will need:

• sturdy stick~ bamboo or any wood
• cement~quantity depends on number of stands to make
• plastic cup with cover
• paper with decorative print or colorful tissue paper
• gold paint spray (optional)
• metallic wire twist tie

Procedure:

• Spray-paint stick.
• Mix cement and pour into plastic cup.
• Using a craft knife, cut an x on the cup cover.
• Insert stick through hole.
• Stick in cup with cement, let stand.
• Remove cup cover when cement mixture stabilizes and bamboo stick can stand on its own.
• Attach ball of paper scraps at the top of stick.

Special Note: Using paper scraps in place of styro-ball is more economical and kind to our environment.

• When completely dry, cover cement part with matching decorative print or colorful tissue papers.

Cutting the Tulle Fabric~

• Cut tulle into strips of about 2" x 14".
• Fold repeatedly crosswise by about 2 inches wide (per fold).
• Trim with a half-round curve shape (or you may want a v-shape).
• Unfold tulle, never mind imperfections.

Final touch: assemblage~

• Gather bottom edge of tulle strip by running a needle and thread through, pressing tulle to the end of the thread till both side edges of the fabric meet creating a flower shape, secure thread with several overlapping knots.
• Hot glue one tulle flower onto the bottom of one satin flower.
• Attach the fabric flowers onto the scrap paper ball with hot glue till it's completely covered.

Tin Can Votive Project

Adding ones magic touch on something common is often the challenge to any crafter. Here is a way to use a discardable object such as a tin can to create something really special.

You  need a couple of tin cans, some ordinary glasses, old nail polish,a heavy duty pair of scissors, a sturdy glue and lots of patience...and you need to protect your eyes and hands too.

Take cues from nature when thinking up your design.