Archive for January, 2008

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Quilting techniques for the beginner

Saturday, January 19th, 2008

There are several things you should know about quilting techniques before you start your first quilt project. Knowing some of the basics about quilting can help you get off to a good start so that you can surely enjoy this wonderful, relaxing hobby that offers personal enjoyment as well as satisfaction.

Quilting can be done by hand or machine. It is a hobby that nearly anyone can learn. There are many different kinds of quilts to create but a quilt generally consists of three layer; The top, the batting and the backing. There are several different ways the quilt top can be constructed. Some these ways include patchwork piecing and applique. Quilt blocks can also be used to construct the quilt top as well. Quilt blocks are individual sections of patchwork that are put together in a particular pattern. The blocks are attached together to create the quilt top. There are a number of different patterns available if you decide to use quilt blocks to complete the top. Quilt tops can also be made using pieces of fabric scrap left over from other projects, household items or pieces of clothing.

The layer of insulation that provides warmth and fullness to the quilt is the batting. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing batting for your quilt. These factors include the type of quilt you are constructing, the warmth desired and price range.

The final layer of fabric that completes the quilt is the backing. The backing can be a whole piece of fabric or two or more pieces of the same fabric sewn together, it really depends on the size of the quilt. Backing used for larger quilts is often two or more pieces sewn together. Smaller quilts a whole piece of fabric is usually all that is needed to complete the quilt.

When the top of the quilt is constructed, the batting and backing need to be cut to size, and all three can then be layered together. The layers must be basted to hold them together during the quilting process. The stitching that is used to bind these three layer together is the specific definition of quilting. This stitching can be done by hand or machine and is usually decorative and follows a pattern.

For your first quilting project, choose a project that is simple and small. Some projects that are good for beginners include baby quilts, lap quilts, pillows, and wall hangings. Select good quality material to construct you quilt from. Quilts are commonly constructed using 100% cotton fabrics and thread. Packages of fabric that are color-coordinated and pre-cut for quilters are usually sold at quilting shops. You should try to find a good quilting shop in your area to purchase fabrics and other items that are necessary to begin quilting. A good quilting shop can be a wonderful resource for materials and advice.

When selecting a simple project to begin with, try choosing template free designs. You can cut multiple pieces at one time and also use a quick piecing technique when you use template free designs. Batting that is thin is easier to quilt and maneuver. Batting such as Warm & Natural and Warm & White are good selections for your project.

The basics of quilting can be learned by choosing easy blocks to use for your quilting project. Easy blocks can also help you to see how color choices work together. Easy blocks include rail fence, 4-patch, 9-patch, and checkerboard.

Always use ¼" seams and keep the seams uniform when performing quilting techniques. A useful and helpful tool to have is a ¼" quilting foot. There is also no need to backstitch at the end of seams because when the top is finished and all the layers have been quilted, they will be locked together by the stitching.

 

 

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How to make a piñata for your child’s birthday party

Friday, January 18th, 2008

So you have a birthday coming up and you want to make a piñata.  Well it might be easier than you think.  Of course you will want to start out slow and choose a simple piñata to make rather than something complex.  Balloons/ hot air balloons are great for first timers trying out their piñata making skills.  Once you begin to get the hang of it then you might venture into bigger and more skilled pinata’s.  Let me show you how to make a piñata for your child’s birthday party by outlining some simple steps.

Materials Needed
A large round or oval shaped balloon
Torn newspaper (1 inch by 6-8 inch strips work best)
Paper towels or white computer paper also torn into strips
Flour and water mixture for paper Mache paste (see below for paste ideas)
Salt
Vegetable oil
Crepe paper
Tissue paper
Paint
String for hanging your piñata

Ideas for Paper Mache Paste
 Experiment with liquid starch.  (it can get quite sticky sometimes)
 Try using wall paper paste.
 Mix a small amount of water with some regular glue.  (1 part water with 2 parts glue)
 Flour and water mixture.  Mix one part flour with two parts of water until the mixture becomes like a thick glue.  You can continue to add more flour and/ or water as necessary.  Be sure to get all the bumps out and to add a few tablespoons of salt to keep it from molding.
 Another flour and water mixture.  Place 4 cups of water in a pot and bring to boil on the stove.  While this is boiling mix 1 cup of flour and 2 cups of water together; stir.  Once the water has reached the boiling point add the flour and water mixture.  Simmer on low for a couple of minutes; let it cool before using.

Directions
1. Prep work.  Be sure to prepare the surface you will be working on before you begin.  Lay newspaper down on the table or something that you will be able to wipe up goopy messes with, as this project is very messy.  Tear pieces of newspaper into 1 inch (wide) by 6-8 inches (long).  Don’t worry about cutting the pieces so they look neat.  The torn pieces with stick together better and create a smoother finish to your piñata.
2. Make your paper Mache.  Whichever way you have decided to make your recipe this will be your next step in making your piñata.
3. Blow up your balloon.  You will want to find something to place it in while you are working on it so it does not roll around.  A shallow boll usually does the trick.
4. Vegetable oil.  Everyone wanders why you need the vegetable.  In order to keep your balloon from sticking to the newspaper strips when you pop it you will want to spray some vegetable oil one the outside of your balloon.
5. Begin by dipping your newspaper strips into your paper Mache mixture.  Apply these strips to your balloon vertically and by overlapping them.  You want to make sure that the entire balloon is covered except for a small hole at the top where you will fill the piñata.  After you have one layer of newspaper on the balloon let it dry completely.  Each layer you put on will take about 24 hours to dry so make sure you place your paper Mache mixture in the fridge so it doesn’t spoil.
6. The second layer of newspaper strips you place on the balloon will be in a horizontal direction and overlapping again.  Let this layer dry completely. 
7. Apply the third and last layer of paper to your balloon.  The last layer of paper added to the balloon should always be used with the white computer paper or paper towels.  This is easier to paint.  Let dry completely.
8. Now that everything on your balloon has dried you can pop the balloon inside and remove it through the hole at the top of the dry paper. 
9. Paint it, color it, whatever you want to do with your piñata is up to you.  Now that it is finished you can decorate it however you want.  Check out some pictures of other piñatas for some fun ideas.
10. Fill your piñata and hang it for the birthday festivities.

 

 

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Choosing quality beads

Thursday, January 17th, 2008

 

Designing and making jewelry are two of the most popular things that people like to do and they find the activity extremely rewarding. A lot of women and kids these days just love the idea of making their own unique jewelry and believe that creating their own custom jewelry is a worthwhile hobby. There’s something exciting about making one’s very own jewelry.
To make stunning jewelry pieces, you will need to choose quality beads. The quality of these beads really depends on where you buy them. They usually come in many different styles, shapes, colors, finishes, cuts, costs and can look extremely fantastic used in any design or creation. You can visit custom jewelry stores or craft stores to find a large amount of beads that can fit your budget or taste. It’s important to find the right beads for that perfect custom necklace or bracelet that you have in mind.

You can find a wide range of colorful beads or gems available on the market ranging from the rare, the spectacular, to the weird, the unique and even to the ordinary. Most people don’t need to have special experience or skills to make jewelry and other decorations. There are many crafting projects using beads that interests lots of people of different levels of skill. One crafting project that’s been around for years and is still going strong today is beaded jewelry. The Native Americans have been doing beaded projects for centuries. They have created beautiful clothing and other items using stunning colors, shapes and sizes of beads. The ways in which they have incorporated beads in many of their projects have certainly inspired many people today.

With a little skill, you can design your own unique necklace, pendant, bracelet, earrings or you can have an artisan make a special custom design for you. There are many pieces that involve all types of beads. The beaded jewelry will continually attract the interest of many people because they like to feel unique especially when it comes to a personal choice such as jewelry. The type of jewelry a person wears is her way of expressing herself. With beaded jewelry, you can personally choose the color, shape and size of beads to match your personality. Choosing the best quality beads can enhance your beauty, your personality and your mood.

The price range in beaded jewelry varies according to the quality of the beads and the amount of time it takes to create the piece. Some jewelers use beads that are formed out of semi-precious stones. One of the most attractive and expensive beads is the handcrafted glass bead. Many of the glass beads are hand painted to give an incredible and unique design on each bead. These are truly stunning beads. When you string a few of these well crafted glass beads into one piece of jewelry, it is not difficult to understand why the pieces are worth more money. Other crafters also use carved wooden beads in various shapes and sizes to create stunning pieces of jewelry. The different shapes, sizes and color of beads is what indicates the uniqueness of the project.

If you have no experience of making custom jewelry but you want to give it a try, then get a bead jewelry kit. It comes with everything you need. Beaded jewelry is an extremely fun project for the entire family including the children. Girls especially will find making their own jewelry very enjoyable. You can buy an assortment of kits that include beads that are not too expensive but still look nice once the product is assembled. Children can use their imagination and creativity to make their own piece of jewelry for themselves or to give as gifts. As their interest grows in making special custom pieces and find it very enjoyable, you can begin purchasing higher quality beads. You can find lots of tools such as DVDs or books that contain step by step instructions on how to make different pieces of jewelry.

Beaded jewelry is a one of kind item. It gives plenty of options to create your own custom pieces or to choose your own beautiful beads and have someone else create it for you. Beads are classified according to their color, size, shape, cut, finish and availability. Beads that are easily available will cost less where as beads like pearls are rare, precious and will be very expensive.

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Great places to go for good kid crafts

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

There are so many places to go for good kid crafts it sometimes becomes overwhelming.  Narrow your search down by having a specific craft in mind when you begin looking.  Let’s take a look at some of the great places to go for good kid crafts.

Bookstores
Believe it or not you can find some very fun and easy kid crafts at the bookstore.  Bookstores such as Barnes and Noble, Walden Books, or borders have more than their fair share of kid crafts.  They will often times sell just the crafts themselves, or you can buy a book with a number of different ideas for some good kid crafts.  Most of the chain bookstores of very kid friendly so don’t be afraid to take your child with you and let them help you choose a fun craft that they will be interested in doing. 

Large Chain Stores
When I say chain stores I am talking about the two that everyone is most familiar with: Wal-Mart, and Target.  They have an entire section of their store devoted to scrapbooking, sewing, and crafting ideas.  They offer a ton of materials so if you have your own craft in mind this is a great place to go and find everything you need.  And even if you don’t have your own craft in mind, they often have craft kits that you can buy and do together with your child.  Some even offer the same kits as other stores but at a lower price.  So don’t count these chain stores out when you’re looking for some fun and easy crafts for your kids.

Magazines
There are number of different magazines that you can either subscribe to or just buy at your local bookstore, Wal-Mart, grocery, or scrapbooking store.  Some of these magazines like Free Kid Crafts are dedicated to solely making kid crafts, and others like Martha Stewart living or Creating Keepsakes have more than just kid craft ideas in them.  Some of these magazines do not require a subscription while others do but tend to be worth the money you are paying if your kids love making crafts. 

School Teachers
If you are looking for some black lines of some easy crafts that are age appropriate look no further than your local school teacher.  School teachers have a number of different crafts they do during the school year for every season, holiday, and special occasion.  Most are willing to share their ideas so do not be afraid to ask for some crafty ideas for your child. 

Online
This may be your very best and fastest resource in finding those perfect kid crafts.  There are so many websites that offer free subscriptions and then offer a number of great craft ideas for children of all ages.  There is no way I can list all the different websites, but I can list a few of the ones that are especially great for kids and that have a lot of great craft ideas:
 holidaycrafts4kids.com- this website has craft activities for every month of the year. not just holidays.  Their crafts are designed with three purposes in mind.  They are for fun, decoration, and educational purposes and most can be made with household items you already have at home. 
  familiesonlinemagazine.com- from back to school crafts, to wedding decoration crafts, to holiday crafts this website has a ton of kid crafts on it with directions on how to do them all.
 dltk-kids.com- this is a great website for kids.  It has coloring pages, cards, holiday crafts, seasonal crafts, crafts to go along with some fun stories, bingo cards and much much more.  You name it, they pretty much have it so be sure and check out this website.

Hopefully this will get you started on your search for some good kid crafts.  There are many other great kid craft places so keep your eyes open.

 

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Five teenage friendly wire craft ide

Monday, January 14th, 2008

Here are five teenage friendly wire craft ideas. Teenagers love to make wire crafts. They can use their creativity to make works of art, gifts and holiday decorations. Lets take a look at five different craft ideas you can make available for your teen to try.

Idea #1 Cell phone charms

With most of the teens out there having a cell phone, it is no wonder that they are starting to accessorize their phones with their own uniqueness. These adorable cell phone charms are a great way to use wire crafting to make their cell phones unique.

These charms will likely cost less than $5. Here is what you will need and how it works.

You will need

Tiger tail wire; this should be about two times as long as you want the charm to be
3 crimp beads are also needed
Beads or charms that your teen will like to use to create their charm
Flat nose pliers

Here is what your teen will need to do.

1. Put the tiger tail wire through the small latch at the bottom of the phone. Pull this wire though to where both ends are even.
2. Put a crimp bead over both ends of the wire. Pull the bead up toward the latch as far as it will go. Then use the flat nose pliers to crimp the bead into place.
3. Now place beads and charms onto one side of the wire. Finish this line with a crimping bead.
4. Now flatten the crimp to hold the beads into place.
5. Repeat these steps from step 3 to complete the other piece of wire.

Ribbon and bead bookmarks

We want our kids to enjoy crafts, and we also want them to enjoy their books. Well if you can combine the two, maybe they will get more from it. Here are some way cute bookmarks that will liven up their reading time.

You will need

Two cone end caps
1 measurement of about 1 m of tiger tail wire
Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
A small packet of the crimp beads
A wide selection of beads that your teen will like
About 30 cm of ribbon

Here is what your teen will need to do.

1. Take about a 10 cm piece of the tiger tail wire. Now fold that piece around one end of the ribbon to make a loop.
2. Take both tails of the wire through the crimp. Now slide the crimp up as far as possible to secure the loop. Press that flat, by using the flat nose pliers.
3. Now do the same steps over with two more pieces of wire.
4. At this point you will want to thread all three pieces of the wire through the cone end cap. Pull them hard to fit them snugly into place. Put a crimp over the tails. Then crimp flat right at the base.
5. Now spread your beads onto the wire strands. Use a crimp to hold them into place.
6. Then repeat all of these steps on the other end of the ribbon to create the same affect and you are done.

You can also make wire earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Here are the things you will need to make these three. The instructions are blended, because they are very similar.

You will need

Beads or your teens liking
Copper wire
Spring clasps
Charms
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Sterling ear hooks for the earrings

Here is what your teen will need to do.

1. You can use different lengths of wire to create the different types of jewelry your teen wants to make. They key will be using very thin wire, so that you can maneuver the wire to work in the shapes and with the beads and charms you want to use.
2. You will want to string the beads and charms onto the wires in a manner that will still allow for movement but will be optimal for color or design.
3. Create the different looks by beading the wires and then using your flat nose wires bend the wires to hold the beads into place. That is unless you want the beads to move freely.
4. Then attach the hooks, or the spring clasps to finish any of these three wire metal craft ideas.

You will find that there is many wire metal craft ideas out there for your teens. Have fun helping them find ones that will work best for them. These are only five teenage friendly wire craft ideas. There are many more out there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tips for selling crafts at boutiques

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

Finding the right boutique to sell your crafts is a key component of developing a successful business selling your crafts. Here are some tips that will help you discover a boutique that helps you sell your crafts, find consumers who want to purchase your products, and will enable you to actually make a profit doing what you love.

4 tips to finding the right boutique to sell your crafts.
1. Find a boutique that works for your style, your niche, and your product.

Not just any old boutique is going to work for you and be successful for your product. Different boutiques cater to different niches. They have different customer bases. You want to sell only at boutiques that appeal to the type of customer who will be buying your particular crafts.

So you know that not every boutique is going to be right for you. What do you do to find the right one? What does this mean for you? It means that it’s time for you to get out there and start checking out all of the boutiques in the area. It can be just in your city, or it can be in several surrounding cities. It all depends on what works best for you and how willing you are to drive further to deliver your crafts, or how far you want to ship them.

Check out the kinds of goods that each boutique is marketing. Talk to the people at the boutique to see what they are interested in. Talk to the shoppers at the different boutiques to see where they like to shop and what they are looking for in their crafts and other products.

2. So you have found a good boutique. Now you need to contact the boutique owner.

When you find a boutique or several boutiques that seem to work well with your own craft style and craft niche, ask to speak to the owner. Ask for the owner’s phone number, if he or she isn’t there. Tell them that you are interested in becoming a vendor in their boutique. Bring in samples of your products so that the owner can see why he or she would benefit from selling your products in their boutique.

Ask about any fees that you will have to pay and what the arrangements are for portions of the proceeds. Will you have to rent a space from them? Most boutiques will have this type of arrangement. How much freedom will you have to set up your own display? Ask about the types of crafts that sell well. What is the owner’s marketing plan?

Now that you have found a number of different boutiques that seem to work for you. Now it’s time for you to sit down and compare boutiques to determine which one(s) will really work for you.

3. Compare boutiques to discover which one will work best for your product and your budgeting needs.

It’s time to make a spreadsheet. Or at least make lists that will make it easy for you to compare pros and cons and prices of the different boutiques. What is your particular budget for fees and rents? Will you still be able to make a profit when combined with your labor costs and your materials costs? What kind of profit do you want to know?

What about the boutique owners? It’s important that you get along with the owner(s) of the boutique(s) that you are working with. If you found any of them to be abrasive, then it might not be a good idea to go with that particular boutique. Which boutique(s) seem(s) to work with your style and your niche, from jewelry to shabby chic to woodworking?

You need to decide if you have the money to be a vendor in just one boutique or in several. Then you need to decide which store(s) will be the best for you.

4. Contact the owner of the craft boutique and fill out any necessary paperwork.
Sign a contract with the owner of the boutique. Look carefully at the contract. Are there any surprises? If there are, then you should walk away. Ensure that everything is clear on ayments, on dates, on stipulations, and on fees.

 

 

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Applique and quilting

Saturday, January 12th, 2008

A simple and effective method of decorating fabric done by hand or by other methods is known as applique. Cutting a shape out of one fabric and sewing that shape onto another fabric is the basic concept of applique. Applique can be used with other materials besides fabric. Some of these materials include beads, sequins and more. Not every material is suitable for applique. However, applique can be used for small or large scale work. Applique requires two important steps, the first is the designing and transfer of the design to the fabric. The second step is the applique itself. You can look at designing for applique in two different ways. The first is to work directly with materials, cutting shapes, arranging and rearranging the shapes, and stitching them by hand or machine to a background without  any type of planning. The other is to plan a design on paper, using cut paper, and tracing or drawing forms that are easy such as leaves, butterflies, fish, etc. Be careful when choosing the color and texture of the material because it is an extremely important part of the design.

There are different applique techniques to choose from. These techniques include:
- Needle turn applique.
This technique is done by stitching directly onto the surface. The needle is used as a tool in this method of applique to turn the seam allowance under as stitches are taken.
Needle turn applique steps:
1. Leaving a ¼" seam allowance between motifs, trace or transfer applique shape onto fabric. Then carefully cut out.
2. Transfer applique design to the fabric background.
3. Fold over seam allowance and crease to wrong side, using a bamboo creaser. Follow traced line when folding over seam allowance.
4. Place applique in position and then pin from the wrong side.
5. Using a threaded needle, place needle under applique and come up just on the applique edge of the creased seam allowance. Then pull thread through. Directly across from where the needle came up , insert needle into background fabric and move needle up under the applique, emerging 1/8" from the last stitch. This is known as a blind stitch and with practice it will be nearly invisible.

-Freezer paper applique technique.
Freezer paper is used as a guide for stitching when this method is used.
Freezer paper applique technique steps:
1.Transfer applique to the background of fabric.
2. Then copy motif onto the freezer paper, the motif should be copied onto the dull side of the freezer paper. Do not add seam allowance and cut out exactly on line.
3. Place shiny side down onto motif fabric, iron freezer paper motif. Adding ¼" seam allowance, cut out shape, but do not remove freezer paper.
4. Place on background fabric and proceed to pin.
5. Just on the outside edge of the freezer paper template, but under the applique, bring the needle up. As a guide while blind stitching applique,  use the point of the needle to  push seam allowance under following paper edge.

Raw edge applique technique.
Use this technique to add a fun look that gives an added dimension to the top of a quilt.
Raw edge applique technique steps:
1. Trace or transfer design to background of fabric.
2. Then transfer motif to applique fabric.
3. Cut out motif. For added dimension try using wavy edge or pinking edge scissors.
4. Place motif on background of fabric and pin.
5. Using machine or by hand, stitch with decorative stitches inside the edge of the applique leaving the edge free of ravel.
6. Embellishments such as buttons, beads, etc. make this type of applique look exceptionally well.

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Friday, January 11th, 2008

There are so many different ways you can use fabric today it is almost overwhelming.  From beginner level sewers to expert level sewers there is something for everyone.  If you are looking for some fun creative ways to use leftover fabric or just some cute fabric you just had to buy here are some craft ideas fabric crafts.

 Patchwork Quilt.  These kinds of quilts are great for all those leftover pieces of fabric you have hanging around your house.  Or maybe you have some pieces of clothing that are dear to your heart you just can’t manage to throw away.  Here’s what to do.  Cut up different pieces of fabric and piece them together any way you want.  There is no rhyme or reason to this.  You can do it however you want.  By the time you are finished you will have a great quilt (that might mean more to you than you thought) and a lot less of something else.
 Hooded Bath towels.  These make great towels for younger children (especially boys you like to use them as super hero capes), and they also make fun gifts.  You can also make them very personal by adding names, birthdates, etc.  Pick your towel and the color you want and get moving.
 Hair Scrunchies.  Any and every girl can appreciate a hair scrunchy.  And you can’t ever have too many hair accessories so find some cheap fabric at the store, or just use some of the leftover fabric you have around the house.  All you need is fabric strips, sewing elastic, pins, masking tape, a hot glue gun and you’re on your way.  Use them yourself or give them away as gifts.  They take less than an hour to make and there are endless possibilities.
 Washcloth slippers.  Who doesn’t love wearing terrycloth?  Well have you every thought of making yourself a pair of terrycloth slippers.  Just think, you pick the washcloth material you like and can walk around in heaven all day.  These make great gifts too so while you’re making some for yourself why not whip out a pair for some of your friends.
 Fabric covered journal.  For those of you who love to scrap book here is a great way to dress up your books.  This can be done on any kind of book; scrapbook, journals, poetry books, etc.  All you need is thin batting, some cardboard, a hot glue gun, and some cute fabric to cover your book with.  You might be surprised at how different a boring old book can look after dressing it up with some cute fabric and fun embellishments.  Just cut your fabric to the size of your book and away you go.
 Miniature wall hangings.  You can also create some very cute wall hangings using fabric.  You can make them for all sorts of special occasions, babies, teenagers, family members.  If you can think of it, you could probably make it.  You choose the colors, embellishments, and how big or small you want or need it.  What a great way to dress up your home.
 Grocery bag holder.  Have you ever wished you had somewhere to store all those grocery bags you come home with after you’ve gone grocery shopping?  Well now you can use the fabric in your house to make a grocery bag holder.  In the shape of a cylinder and elastic on both ends you can fit a ton of grocery bags into just one of them.  Sew a small ribbon to one end and hang it up so that all those grocery bags are hidden, yet accessible.  This is a very practical way of using your fabric.
 Ornaments.  With Christmas just around the corner why not make an ornament out of fabric.  Cut out your shape, sew, and wrap.  Everyone loves getting new ornaments for the tree each year.

Obviously this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fabric craft creations, but hopefully this will give you some craft ideas for fabric crafts.  Good luck and have fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Beading tree skirts for Christmas

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

Bead jewels are very pretty and are a unique introduction to the Christmas season. Whether you need to cover an unsightly tree stand or want a unique picture with your Christmas tree, a beading tree skirt can add that very special touch to make everything seem right. A beading Christmas tree skirt is going to add elegance, uniqueness and variety to your Christmas décor. The shape, size and design of the beads on your tree skirt will be the talk of your visitors, friends and family.

The Christmas tree is usually the centerpiece of the Christmas holiday celebration. Christmas tree skirts are a much needed accessory that who has a Christmas tree everyone should have. Whether your Christmas tree is large or small, the use of a tree skirt is simply a wonderful addition to your holiday décor and it’s a very bright idea. You can make your tree stand out with all the beautiful unique Christmas ornaments and surround it by the most unique one of a kind tree skirt loaded by the most distinctive designs with beads. This is truly a very unique way to wrap your Christmas tree and to attract plenty of attention and compliments. Sure, you can find a large variety of beautiful Christmas tree skirts at your local stores but beading tree skirts are simply unique and elegant. You can make the tree skirt yourself or find someone who can make one for you. 

In addition to providing beauty to your Christmas décor and style, tree skirts help keep things neat and uniform as well. If you are the type of person that prefers a live Christmas tree to artificial ones, then you absolutely must invest in a skirt. Not any kind of tree skirt can add beauty and uniqueness but beading your Christmas tree skirt can brighten the place where your tree is and can be an eye catching for anyone who visits your home. Tree skirts are most often used to protect the floor from the needles that real trees constantly shed. They also help guard against water spills and sap stain from tree stands. The tree skirt is extremely useful to keep things clean around your tree and for cleanup once the holiday season is over.
But of course, artificial Christmas tree are very popular in homes these days as well and having a tree skirt surround the bottom of the tree is equally a great idea and will only enhance the appearance and beauty of your tree.

The type of tree skirt that is perfect for you will depend on your personal taste as well as the size of your tree. Many local online stores offer large quantities of tree skirts of all shapes, colors and styles. However, designing and creating your own custom tree skirt using beads of different shapes, sizes and colors will seriously leave a lasting impression on most of your visitors. The sparkle beads on the tree skirts are certainly going to strengthen your reason to celebrate this very special holiday season and will keep you happy throughout the holiday season as well.

If you decide to go shopping for a tree skirt, you’ll find there are lots styles, colors and fabrics available. Try to find a beading tree skirt for your Christmas tree. Choose one crafted from smooth velvet material with beautiful designs detailed with glitter and luxurious beaded accents, many of which are imported for a more classic Christmas charm that will last for years to come. Beautiful tree skirts decorated with brightly colored beads and sequins and embellished with a colored velvet material would for sure complete any tree for the holiday season.

 

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Great kid crafts for birthday parties

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

So you’re looking for some fun ideas for your son or daughter’s birthday party?  There are some great kid crafts for birthday parties out there but in order to narrow your search down there are some things to help you create that perfect birthday bash. 

Step #1
Choose a Specific Theme.  The easiest way to figure out what kind of craft you (or your child) would like to do at their birthday party is to sit down and figure what kind of theme you want to use.  Here are some great suggestions, but in all reality the possibilities are endless.  If you can think it, most likely there is a craft for it.
 Holiday Themes- If your child has a birthday that falls on some sort of holiday then finding a birthday craft will be fairly easy.  For example, if your son or daughter has a birthday during the month of October try finding a craft that has to do with Halloween.  Or if your child’s birthday has a birthday during the month of February, go with something that has to do with Valentines Day.  You can find a celebrated holiday during almost every month of the year.  February is Valentines Day; March is Saint Patrick’s Day; April is Easter; May is Mother’s Day; June is Father’s Day; July is 4th of July celebrations; September is Labor Day; October is Halloween; November is Thanksgiving; and December is Christmas. 
 Seasonal Themes- If you are not wild about doing crafts that go along with the celebrated holidays then try focusing your party around the seasons.  Fall, Winter, Spring, and Fall.  There are plenty of fun things to make for each season of the year. 
 Movie/ TV Characters and Themes- These themes tend to be the most popular.  When movies come out kids go crazy over them and what better way to make your party fun finding some great crafts that have to do with the movie them.  You can also find some fun crafts for Disney TV characters. 
 Favorite Toys or action heroes.  The best person to ask about this is obviously your child.  They’ll tell what they like and don’t like.

Step #2
Find your craft.  There are endless amounts of craft ideas.  Here are just a few great kid crafts ideas to use at birthday parties. 
 Christmas and winter theme birthday parties 
Christmas Reindeer- All you need for this simple craft is a candy cane, some googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.  Glue the eyes on the curved part of the candy cane and wrap the pipe cleaner around the top for antlers.  Kids can shape them any way they want.

Snowman craft- for this simple craft you will need two marshmallows for each child, some toothpicks.  Place the marshmallows together and stick a toothpick through the middle.  Then place two marshmallows in the side for arms.  Decorate it any way you choose.

 Door Hangers- You can purchase cheap door hangers at the dollar store along with some very cute foam stickers.  Depending on the time of year you can find, Halloween stickers, Christmas or winter stickers, Easter, Fourth of July, etc.   Give each child a door hanger and let them decorate it with whatever foam stickers they choose.

 Party bags- Kids love this idea.  They can decorate their very own party bag with a white paper bag some markers, and some fun stencils.  Very easy, cheap and can be used with any theme you choose.

 Party wreathes made with hand prints- Before the party trace your child’s hand on white paper.  Take it to a store that makes copies and make the copies of your child’s hand in red, white and blue.  All you have to do for the birthday craft is let them choose the colors of the hand they want and glue them around in a circle to make a wreath.  You can also make this wreath with other colors and for any other party theme.

 Party Hats-  You may have to do a little work find the template you want, but once you do you can make party hats for any birthday theme from blues clues, to pirates.  Simply trace the hat, cut it out and put it around their heads.

These are just a few ideas you can use for your birthday party.  With very little search you can find a number of other ideas.  Remember to narrow your search by deciding on what you want your theme to be.  Good luck.

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