Sheet music + birds = song birds! These cute and simple ornaments could easily be made from any unwanted book, dictionary, map, etc. Feel free to explore and use whatever material you like. I found my sheet music in an old songbook at a yard sale. I love to rummage around thrift stores and yard sales because I never know what I might find. Plus, the prices can’t be beat!
The thing I love about decoupage is repurposing an old (or perhaps unwanted) object. I’ll show you a couple different ways to make coasters using paper. Below you’ll find instructions for disposable and reusable coasters. You can spend as much or as little time making coasters as you want—it all depends on how you intend to use them.
Let’s face it, every year when we wrap gifts, we want it to be quick and easy since there are so many to wrap. At the same time we want each present to feel special, or extra-special depending on recipient 
Sure, you can buy ready-made bows and curled ribbon, but I’ll show you how to make some simple embellishments. You can even make these in advance so your stash is full when it comes time to wrap gifts.
These fun baubles make a cute garland, but are also pretty as a stand-alone ornament. This is a great activity if you have lots of hands to keep busy, as it expedites the process. I used the 1-inch circle punch for this, but you may use a larger one if you like. This will produce a garland that is about 48 inches long. You may space the baubles however you like—closer together or further apart.
Category: Decor, Garland & Bunting • Tags: fun to make with kids, nifty & thrifty
These fun baubles are cute as a stand-alone ornament and very pretty when strung together. Use a circle punch to make tree ornaments or use the printable template to make oversized ornaments to hang around the house! Try cutting smaller or larger circles to make different sizes. You can also add more circles to make it look fuller. Print out the template to create different shapes.
Doesn’t everyone love candles? They are warm, inviting, and make a space feel cozy. When shopping for candles, the fancier candles can get pricey, so why not make your own? You can have the satisfaction of making something yourself and, at the same time, of giving a unique handmade gift to a loved one. The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating and embellishing candles, so here are a few ideas.
Delightfully simple, these pieces of wood are a nice addition to your party’s decor. Use them to hold place cards, food labels, photos, whatever you can think of! I collected my branches from a neighbor who had recently pruned a tree.
You can create many different gifts with just a few colors of paint and stencils. Turn jars into candle holders (oh yeah, bring on the thriftiness!) or you can buy candle holders. The dollar store always has several different types of glassware suitable for candles and other gifts. When shopping in-store, it gets harder to find the popular stuff the closer it gets to Christmas, so shop early! If you are planning on getting lots of glassware, you can even order in bulk online at DollarTree.com and pick it up in the store. (Free shipping!) It’s a huge time saver—no more store hopping trying to find all the items you need, and you don’t have to wait for the cashier to wrap all the items at the register.
Category: Crafts, Homemade Gifts • Tags: nifty & thrifty, sparkly, upcycled/recycled
This Christmas card is also a gift! The felt poinsettia is a pin that can be removed from the card and worn as a brooch to holiday parties or on Christmas day. Better yet, slide the safety pin (which is on the back of the flower) through the teeth of a bobby pin, and voila! You now have a hair pin.
Could these centerpieces be any simpler to make? All you need is a few pieces of paper, a few jars that have been lying around your house and some tape! Add any appliqué or a band of ribbon to break up strong lines or patterns on the paper sleeve. Cluster multiple jars of different heights. Swap out the paper for any holiday and wow your family and friends with your craftiness!
Becky on Raymond’s Sporty Dream