Christmas Countdown Blocks

(from Little Birdie Secrets)

Christmas Countdown Blocks Tutorial

What you'll need:

*2 wooden blocks (ours were 2"x2", but 4"x4" would be a great size for this project)
*Sandpaper (if needed to smooth out block)
*Acrylic paint
*Foam brush
*Patterned paper
*Mod Podge or other decoupage medium
*Number stickers or die cuts in a size that will fit on your block (we used the Slice to cut ours). You could use paper or vinyl. Or a Sharpie marker to write them on.

1. Sand and paint your blocks. Allow to dry thoroughly.

2. Cut your paper down to a size that is just smaller than your block. Ours was about 1 and 7/8". We cut 6 different papers so each side of the block was a different pattern. We used paper from the Eskimo Kisses 6x6 pad from Basic Grey. These paper pads are a great way to go because the designs are shrunk down from their original 12x12 size so you can see more of them on the little blocks.

3. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to one side of the block. Smooth paper on block, ensuring there are no air bubbles. Continue covering all sides of both blocks. Allow to dry.

4. This is optional, but we like to sand the edges of the paper to make them "one" with the block. Use a downward motion going away from the paper's edge to avoid tearing the paper.

5. If you're die-cutting your numbers, cut them to fit your blocks. Ours were 1.5" high. Be sure to use a 6 that can be flipped and used as a 9, too. Cut the following letters, or get these stickers out:
*Block 1 - 0,1,2,3,4,5
*Block 2 - 0,1,2,6,7,8

6. Adhere your letters to the blocks--use more Mod Podge if you die cut paper letters like we did.

7. I haven't done this yet, but you can also apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the entire block to seal it.

8. On December 1 (or would it be November 30?), put your blocks out with 2 and 5 facing out. Then each day turn the blocks to count down one day until Christmas!

Ornament Topiary

(from Better Homes & Gardens)
What You Need:
Spray paint (in a complementary color)
5-inch-diameter foam ball
3/4-inch-diameter dowel, cut to 16 inches long
Blue, green, and silver glass Christmas ornaments in varying sizes
Glue gun and hotmelt adhesive
Rhinestone florist's picks (commonly used for wedding bouquets) or other tiny prewired filler
1-11/2-yards double-faced satin ribbon
Clear tape
Scissors
Vase or container
Modeling clay, such as Crayola Model Magic
Flat decorative marbles


How to Make It:
Spray-paint the foam ball; let dry. Insert the dowel into the foam ball. (If desired, cut one end of the dowel to a point to make it easier to insert.) Remove caps from ornaments.
Cover the neck of an ornament with hot glue, then carefully press the ornament into the foam ball. Repeat with the rest of the ornaments, turning the foam ball as you work to determine the best placement of various colors and sizes. (Work in a random pattern rather than trying to work in rows, or cover one side of the ball first.)
When the foam ball is covered, fill in tiny gaps with rhinestone picks or other prewired filler. Tape ribbon to the top of the dowel. Tightly wrap ribbon around the dowel, stopping about 3 inches from the bottom and taping the end to secure.
Tie a separate piece of ribbon around the top of the dowel, leaving two tails, each about 7 inches long. Notch the ends of the ribbon tails.
Fill a vase or container halfway with modeling clay. (If you plan to reuse the clay, cover the top with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out.) Insert the dowel into the clay. Cover the clay with marbles.

No-knit Scarf

(From Marthastewart.com)

Here's a cozy yet speedy project. Cut 12 pieces of bulky-weight yarn to about 1 1/2 times the desired length of the final scarf. (We used 140-inch pieces to make an 86-inch scarf.) Divide yarn into 4 bunches of 3 strands each. Tie 2 bunches together with a square knot, leaving 6 inches of fringe at end; repeat with remaining bunches. Pin the knots to a piece of foam board. Knot inner 2 bunches of yarn together, spacing knot about 1 inch from existing knots, then knot left and right bunches together. Alternate knotting the inner bunches and the left and right ones, spacing knots evenly apart, until about 6 inches of yarn remain on the end. Finish so that final knots mirror opposite end, and trim to even the ends.

Salvaged Drawer Shelves

(from CraftyNest)
Supplies
•primer
•2 coordinating paint colors
•decorative or wrapping paper (I got mine at Paper Source)
•découpage glue (I used Mod Podge)
•drywall screws
•wood filler
Tools

•paintbrush
•drop cloth
•scissors or craft knife, straight edge, and cutting mat
•tape measure or yardstick
•brayer (optional)
•drill
•sand paper
•vacuum or tack cloth

1. Fill the drawer-pull holes with wood filler. Let dry. Sand the rough edges and vacuum off the dust, then paint one coat of primer.
2. Paint the outer sides one color. I used Ralph Lauren Aged Mint (IB25).
3. When dry, paint the inner sides the other color. I used Infinity Edge of Wedgewood (no longer available). To achieve a clean edge where the two paint colors meet, pull your paintbrush toward the edge. No taping necessary. Let the paint dry for several hours.
4. Measure and cut the decorative paper to fit in the bottom of each drawer
5. Insert the paper to make sure it fits. Trim as necessary.
6. Paint a layer of glue onto the wood, then place the paper on top. I found it easier if I poured a thin line of glue onto the surface, then spread it with my paintbrush. Flatten the paper with a brayer or your hands. Smooth out the air bubbles before the glue sets. Let dry.
7. Then spread another layer of glue over the top of the paper. Wipe off excess glue on the sides before it dries. Let dry.
8. Affix each drawer to the wall with a drywall screw. Pre-drill into studs or use a drywall anchor or molly bolt.

Lightswitch plates

(from ModPodgeRocks.blogspot.com)

Adorable Necklace

Creativeyarn




Necklace:
Ch77, sc in second ch from hook and in the next 3ch.
Ch76, sc in the 4th ch at the beg of previous ch loop, and in next 3chs, ch1, turn.
Sc in first sc and in next 3 sc, ch80, sc in the 4 sc at the beg of previous row, ch1, turn.
Sc in first sc and in next 3 sc, ch84, sc in the 4 sc at the beg of previous row, ch3 and sl st on the other side of the same closure piece to make a button hole.
Sew a button on the opposite closure piece of the button hole.
Make a flower of any kind (mines are just improvised!) to embellish the necklace, and sew it on the four chains strands.

Baggie Pouch

(from: http://indiefixx.com)