Whether you make these Christmas-themed crafts for yourself or to give to a special someone for Christmas, they are sure to put a warm smile on the face of whoever receives them.
Cookie Cutters*
Can’t seem to find the perfectly shaped cookie cutter for those special holiday cookies? Running out of unique designs for all of your relatives? Look no further! (Well, look below.)
Things you will need:
Large (rectangular) disposable aluminum lasagna or roasting pan
Ruler
Permanent marker
Heavy duty scissors
Paper
String
Stapler or super glue
Metal file
Directions:
1. Using the ruler and permanent marker, draw straight lines, marking lengthwise, onto the bottom of the lasagna pan, at least 1 inch apart.
2. Cut the sides off the pan with the scissors and also cut out the strips you have just drawn. Since cutting aluminum can leave sharp edges, it’s a good idea to wear gloves during this step.
3. If you’re like me, you always design something on paper before drawing the real thing. If you want to go for it without sketching designs first, then go ahead and skip this step. Just be careful; the perimeter of your shape cannot be longer than the perimeter of your longest strip. You can measure with the string to make sure.
4. Take one of your 1-inch aluminum strips and mold it around your design. Use pens or cups to create curves, and table edges or a ruler to create 90° angles.
5. Close your cookie cutter by overlapping the ends of the strip and stapling them together two or three times.
6. Use the metal file to grind down any sharp edges. If you need to, you can fold the edges about 1/8 of an inch for a smooth, non-hazardous surface.
7. Once you have constructed your cookie cutters, be sure to wash them before shaping your delicious cookies!
*Credit to wikihow.com
Ingredients:
1 cup salt
1 ½ cups water
Directions:
1. Combine the flour, salt, and water so that it makes dough.
2. Shape it however you wish. For a large selection of creative cookie cutters for cheap, click here. You can also make your own cookie cutters (see previous craft instructions).
3. Place them on a cookie sheet, and spray with a fine mist of water.
4. Bake at 350° F until golden brown or until the cookies move freely on the sheet.
5. After removing the tray from the oven, spray with clear shellac, varnish, or clear plastic spray paint.
6. Paint with tempera or acrylic paint and then spray with clear lacquer, varnish, or shellac spray paint.
*Credit to Art Today and Every Day by Jenean Romberg and Miriam Ruthz
If you want to create some lovely beauty products for the ladies in your family:
Coffee Scrub*
Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring
1 cup sugar
15 drops peppermint oil
1/2 cup used coffee grounds
Directions:
1. Dry the used coffee grounds on a paper towel for 24 hours or until most of the moisture is gone.
2. Mix all the ingredients together and keep them in a sealed container.
To use: wet your skin and rub a small amount of the scrub in circular motions on your face and body. Rinse off. You won’t believe how soft your skin will feel!
Milk Bath*
Ingredients:
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1 teaspoon corn starch
4 drops of fragrance oil
Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Keep them in a sealed plastic container or sealed plastic baggie until ready to use.
Scented Bath Bubbles*
Scented Bath Bubbles*
Ingredients:
1 cup of sweet almond oil (or try sesame oil or light olive oil)
1/2 cup of honey
3/4 cup of liquid soap (preferably castile soap)
10–15 drops of essential oil
Directions:
1. Measure the oil out into a bowl.
2. Blend in the other ingredients and stir until it is completely mixed together.
3. Pour the mixture into a plastic or glass bottle.
Shake the mixture up before using. (Makes about 4 bubble baths)
Bath Salts*
Bath Salts*
Ingredients:
1/3 cup Epsom salt
1/3 cup course-ground sea salt
1/3 cup baking soda
5 drops of your favorite fragrance or essential oil (vanilla, lavender or almond extract work beautifully).
Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Allow to dry.
3. Store in a sealed container until use.
Chocolate Lip Balm*
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon cocoa butter
1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon beeswax
1 capsule Vitamin E
3–6 chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Heat cocoa butter, oil and beeswax just until melted.
2. Add Vitamin E and chocolate chips and mix well.
3. Use a dropper to place in small jars.
Tinted Lip Gloss*
Tinted Lip Gloss*
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of honey
1 vitamin E capsule
1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon of beet juice (use the liquid from canned beets; add more for stronger color)
Directions:
1. Combine the honey, vitamin E capsule and almond oil together in a small pot on low until it’s about to boil.
2. Remove from the heat, mix in the beet juice then pour the mixture into a small container or empty lip balm tube before it cools.
Essential oils and flavored oils can be found in health food stores, online and at some pharmacies. Depending on the mood you’re trying to create, here’s a guideline to knowing what oils or flavors to use:
Relaxing: lavender, rose and sandalwood
Stimulating: peppermint, lemon and eucalyptus
Uplifting: orange, jasmine and rosemary
Essential oils and flavored oils can be found in health food stores, online and at some pharmacies. Depending on the mood you’re trying to create, here’s a guideline to knowing what oils or flavors to use:
Relaxing: lavender, rose and sandalwood
Stimulating: peppermint, lemon and eucalyptus
Uplifting: orange, jasmine and rosemary
*Credit to SUSIE magazine
Flower Arrangement*
This craft would make a nice centerpiece at Christmas dinner!
Thing you will need:
Large basket (that sits flat)
Styrofoam
Knife to cut the Styrofoam
Pine branches
Poinsettas and other large flowers
Baby’s breath or other fillers
Scissors
Decorative wrapping paper (optional)
Fake moss (optional)
Ribbon for bow (optional)
Directions:
1. Cut the Styrofoam to fit the basket.
Note: The Styrofoam has to fit the basket tightly and will need smaller pieces cut and wedged into the spaces around the original rectangle. This gives a solid base to put the arrangement in.
2. Add flowers in this order:
-Large filler (pine branches), to form the base of the arrangement.
-Large flowers (poinsettias), small number carefully positioned.
-Medium flowers (holly sprigs).
-Small filler flowers that come last and fill in gaps in the arrangement.
Note: If any of the foam shows, cover it with fake moss or crepe paper.
Work from the top down, but lift the arrangement and look at it from different angles as you work. Don't be afraid to take flowers out and move them around until you're happy with the effect.
3. Add decorative wrapping paper and tie with a bow if you desire.
Did you know that Heather wants to live on a farm?!
Oooh, those sound cool! :) But, unfortunately...everyone's expecting a knit or crochet item from me... :)
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