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Sherri Osborn

Family Crafts

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Halloween Costumes?

Wednesday February 15, 2012
You might think that it is strange to be working on my Halloween costume photo galleries at this time of year, but it has actually been fun browsing through them! It was a nice distraction from the cold weather, tax paperwork, and all the other work piled on my desk. Now might also be a good time to go through your photos and submit pictures of your home-made Halloween costumes. You can do that any time of year!
RELATED:
- Halloween Costumes to Make
- Halloween Crafts
- Submit a Photo

(Photo submitted by Jennifer)

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How to Stock Your Craft Cupboard

Tuesday February 14, 2012
Whether you are an avid crafter or just want to be a crafter, a well stocked craft cupboard is a must. This is especially true when you craft quite a bit with children because there is nothing nicer than a spontaneous craft project when a case of boredom sets in; plus, making crafts as a family is a great way to spend quality time together doing a rewarding activity.

After you read this article, take a moment to tell us what is in your craft cupboard. What is the number one craft supply you can't live without? Also feel free to share any craft products you bought that you have never used. You can also compare how your list of supplies compares to others'.

RELATED:
- Organize Your Craft Supplies
- Top Craft Supply Storage Ideas
- What is in Your Craft Cupboard?

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Make-It-Over Monday Craft Challenge

Monday February 13, 2012
This is week number two of the current craft challenge. Are you working on a pirate craft project to submit? I hope so!

Make anything pirate related and submit it to be featured here. You can make anything from boats and eye patches to parrots and treasure chests! I bet you can think of something amazing! Take some time, make a craft, and then show it off!.

You can share your simple ideas and tips using the comments feature on this blog post, but to get your project possibly featured in the next Make-It-Over Monday blog post, please submit it using this simple form. Some of the submitted ideas will be shared in the next Make-It-Over Monday blog post. Preference will be given to those projects that are submitted with photos.

If you need some creative inspiration, you can check out some of the past Make-It-Over Monday challenges:

If you have questions or comments about this craft challenge, use the comment feature below. Suggestions regarding this feature? Again, use the comments feature to post your suggestions; and, thanks for playing along. If you want a reminder when Make-It-Over challenges are posted, sign up for the Family Crafts newsletter.

RELATED:
- How to Submit a Project
- How to Submit a Photo

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Need an Easy, Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gift or Card?

Sunday February 12, 2012
Did you wait too long to buy a Saint Valentine's Day card and/or gift and just don't have a lot of extra time to make something? Not to worry, I have a fun solution for you! Check out these printable cards and gifts ideas that can be made in just minutes!

  • Printable St. Valentine's Day Cards
    Make your own cards to send out to special people for Saint Valentine's Day! They are easy to print and make and they are free. You can even make your own envelope and other matching Saint Valentine's Day supplies using my printable templates.

  • Valentine's Day Gift Cards
    Print out and make personalized gift cards for your next Saint Valentine's Day party or other Valentine's Day event!

  • Valentine's Day Gift Tags
    Print out and make personalized Gift Tag for your next Saint Valentine's Day party or scrapbooking project!

  • Printable Valentine's Day Cards
    Beverly shares some adorable Valentine's Day cards you can print and give. These are the perfect size and style for classroom Valentine's Day parties.

  • Printable Coupons
    Here are some fun coupons you can print out to give as gifts. These are especially great to put in St. Valentine's Day cards or you can print out several and make them into a little booklet!

  • Printable Certificates and Awards
    You can congratulate or surprise someone special with a fancy certificate you can make. Print out one or more of these free award certificates and give them as gifts or just because.

  • Saint Valentine's Day Coloring Book
    Create a Saint Valentine's Day coloring book and give it to your valentine! Print out and color one or all of these free, printable coloring book pages

  • Valentine's Day Bag Templates
    Print out and make personalized favor bags for an upcoming Saint Valentine's Day party. They can also be used for wrapping gifts. They are easy to print and make, and they are free.

  • Valentine's Day Box Templates
    Similar to the treat bags above, there little boxes can be printed, folded, and filled with treats.

These free printable cards and gifts should help you take care of everyone on your St. Valentine's Day list!
RELATED:
- More Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
- More Printable Crafts

(Photo © 2010 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

Spotlight Crafts - Homemade Beads, Chair Make-Over, More

Saturday February 11, 2012
This week you can make bowls, re-fashion an office chair, make your own beads, and much more. Which will you try first?
  • How to Make Bowls Using CDs - Believe it or not, you can create little bowls out of CDs. Make sure you do this craft in a well-ventilated area. Any children working on this project should be closely supervised. I would suggest having the adult deal with the heating of the CD and let any children be involved with decorating the cooled CD bowls.
  • Tissue Heart Picture - Follow these instructions for making a fun heart picture using tissue paper - submitted by H. Marie.
  • Reupholstered Office Chair - If you are tired of using a boring office chair, use these instructions to reupholster the chair to fit your personality. I did this for the inexpensive chair I use when I sit in front of my sewing machine. The chair cost me $20.00, but I think it now looks like a million bucks! This would also make a fun gift for a student or a graduate.
  • Paper Plate Heart Pocket - Use these step-by-step directions to fashion a heart-shaped treat holder out of 3 paper plates.
  • Make Your Own Paper Beads - Find out how to make your own beads using strips cut from from magazines, catalogs, and even junk mail.
  • Stuffed Football Craft - Check out these directions for making footballs out of paper bags. These are great for decorations!
  • Soda Pop Can Cow - Why not make an entire herd of these tiny cows! They don't all have to be black and white, you can get creative and make them in many different colors.
Enjoy, and remember, if you complete any of these crafts, take a few moments to send me a picture and it can be featured here too!

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Special Valentine Holders

Thursday February 9, 2012
Looking for a special way to collect valentines? Why not try some of these homemade ideas. Among all of the fun ideas shared on this page, you will find a simple Valentine's Day box, a printable treat bag, or a simple paper heart pocket. hese are great to make as a classroom or group project!

RELATED:
Make Valentines
More Valentine's Day Crafts
Submit a Valentine's Holder Idea

(Photo Submitted by Carmelita)

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How to Emboss

Wednesday February 8, 2012
Embossing is a technique which creates a raised, or 3-dimensional, image on a piece of paper. There are two ways to emboss: dry embossing and heat embossing. Both of these embossing techniques are easy and the results are stunning! Try one or both.

RELATED:
- Embossing Craft Terms
- More About Embossing

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Photos of Homemade Valentines

Tuesday February 7, 2012
Have you seen the St. Valentine's Day photo gallery? There are not many cards in this gallery yet, but I hope you can help me change that. Please consider taking a photo of your home-made St. Valentine's Day cards and submit them to be included in this photo gallery.
RELATED:
- How to Submit a Photo
- Create a Valentine
- Homemade Greeting Cards

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Make-It-Over Monday Craft Challenge

Monday February 6, 2012
Check out all of these fun tooth fairy related crafts and activities:

What do you think about them? Remember, just because we are moving onto a new craft challenge item today doesn't mean you can't still submit your tooth fairy crafts. Submissions are still being accepted for any and all past Make-It-Over Craft Challenges.

Now, onto a new Make-It-Over Monday Craft Challenge! I thought I would use another theme this week instead of an item. How about pirate?

Dig through your craft cupboards, recycling bins, and even your closets to find inspiration for this craft challenge. Make anything pirate related and submit it to be featured here. You can make anything from boats and eye patches to parrots and treasure chests!

You can share your simple ideas and tips using the comments feature on this blog post, but to get your project possibly featured in the next Make-It-Over Monday blog post, please submit it using this simple form. If you make the project you are submitting, take a picture of it and submit the photo. Some of the submitted ideas will be shared in the next Make-It-Over Monday blog post. Preference will be given to those projects that are submitted with photos. You can look through projects submitted for past challenges if you want some inspiration.

If you have questions or comments about this craft challenge, use the comment feature below. Suggestions regarding this feature? Again, use the comments feature to post your suggestions; and, thanks for playing along. If you want a reminder when Make-It-Over challenges are posted, sign up for the Family Crafts newsletter.

RELATED:
- How to Submit a Project
- How to Submit a Photo

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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Spotlight Crafts - Winter Hat, Clay Pots, More

Saturday February 4, 2012
Go dig some craft supplies out of your craft cupboard and start working on this week's spotlight crafts:
  • Heart Owl Craft - If you like owls, I bet you will love learning how to make this little owl out of hearts!
  • How to Paint a Clay Pot - This craft video will gives you some great tips and inspiration for painting clay pots.
  • Fleece Hat Pattern - This easy fleece hat can be made by kids or they make great gifts for your favorite kids.
  • Cardboard Box Guests - A visitor named Pez explains how you can make a cardboard cut-out of guests who cannot attend a party.
Enjoy, and remember, if you complete any of these crafts, take a few moments to send me a picture and it can be featured here too!

(Photo © 2012 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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