Craft Planner – Printable

This helpful tool is great for planning crafts for your little ones, and best of all it’s FREE! You can download the CSAHM Craft Planner printable here: Download the PDF for FREE! I pray this printable is a great blessing to YOU!

Benefits of journaling, part 2

Journaling has been around forever but with our age of technology, it seems like a lost art.  Much of what we know about the last five hundred years of history comes from personal journals.  My article on journaling last Friday explored the use of journaling in the process of healing.  There are many other uses for journals but [...]

Edible Christmas Tree Ornaments

A long time ago people used edible Christmas tree ornaments when it came time to decorate their trees for the holidays. They used cranberries and popcorn for garland. They may have also baked cookies and placed them on the tree in lieu of store-bought ornaments. If you like the idea of making your own edible [...]

How to Make Paper Mache Ornaments

Christmas ornaments are usually lightweight so they don’t weigh the tree branches down. Paper mache is a perfect medium for making ornaments because they can also be lightweight. If you’ve never made paper mache here’s a simple recipe: One part flour Two parts water The ‘part’ can be anything – a cup, an empty soup [...]

How to Make Terracota Christmas Bells

To make these terracotta Christmas bells you’ll need a few supplies: Two 3-inch terracotta pots Acrylic paint (gold, silver, red, white or green are good choices) Soft-bristled paintbrush Heavy cord Large wooden beads Water-based polyurethane Start out by washing and drying the pots. This will ensure there isn’t any loose clay or dirt on them. [...]

Acorn Craft Ideas

Acorns can be used in a number of fall and winter crafts. With Thanksgiving coming up soon, you can use acorns to help decorate your holiday table. You can also create garlands and other items to decorate your home. An ‘Acorny’ Family Gather up a bunch of acorns from your yard or a nearby park. [...]

Teaching Kids to Crochet and/or Knit

Looking for a craft to teach your children? A craft which will result in quality, usable and functioning products? A craft which will teach them focus, goal setting and accomplishment as well as design planning and follow through? Sounds like a tall order, right? Nope, the answer is as simple as teaching them to crochet [...]

Scrapbook How To: Create Your Own Pearlized Flourishes

From crystals, to pearls to rhinestones and beyond, bling is hot in scrapbooking right now! However, bling can be expensive. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make your own pearlized flourishes for much less. Not only are these less expensive, but quick and easy to create as well as easily customizable. Supply list: [...]

Family Fun with Crafts

Sometimes it’s ideal to set the children down at the table, give them a craft to work on and then enjoy the focused peace and quiet that lasts for about five minutes! Other times, it’s more fun to have the entire family get involved in a craft project. Crafting creates a sense of togetherness, shows [...]

Emergency “Must Have” Craft Supplies

A well stocked craft closet can save babysitters, grandparents, and even parents when those two little words are uttered, “I’m Bored.” The words are enough to send children and parents alike into tears. Imagine having the ability to reach into your magic craft supply box and pull out a craft to keep your children busy [...]

Scrapbooking How To: Scalloped Flower

Supply list: scallop circle punch patterned paper adhesive (glossy accents by Ranger) brads, buttons, etc. (for flower center) Step 1: Punch Circles For this particular flower, you want your circles to be uniform in size. Using a punch makes this step quick and easy. Punch 8 scallop circles. You will also need a slightly smaller [...]

Everyday Stuff = Great Crafts

Children are fantastic when it comes to using their imagination. They’re also pretty great about the three Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle. Put those two ideas together and your children will have a ton of fun. Here’s how to get them started. Plastic Pop Bottles Butterflies – Grab a butterfly stencil, about four inches square [...]

Scrapbooking How To: Scrapbook Flowers – Rose

There are some gorgeous scrapbook flower embellishments available on the market today. But at $3.99 for a set of 6 flowers, your scrapbook project can get quite pricey. Here you will learn how to create your own flowers in two different styles. Vary the colors, sizes and materials used for infinite possibilities. Supply list: 1” [...]

Tissue Paper Flowers

What You Need Tissue paper in one or more colors Scissors Chenille stems or florist wire Instructions Stack eight pieces of unfolded tissue paper on top of one another, and cut them in half. Take one stack of the tissue paper and fold one of the shorter edges down ½ to 1 inch from the [...]

How to Choose Matching Colors for Your Quilt

A well-made quilt is a thing of beauty. When the colors are right and the sewing is done properly, the result is comparable to a work of fine art. This is one reason why handmade quilts make such wonderful gifts. Those who have never quilted often assume that all it takes is sewing skill. And [...]

Embroidery Quilting Explained

Quilting is a hobby that many crafters enjoy. They create beautiful quilts for themselves, their friends and their family members. Some sell their work, making extra money or even a full-time income. Embroidery is another beloved craft. It involves stitching elaborate designs into fabric. Embroidery is used in rugs, clothing, home décor and much more. [...]

How to Make Easy Patchwork Pillows

Quilters often use patchwork in their creations. It’s a great way to use up fabric scraps, and it creates a truly unique design. But quilts aren’t the only things you can make using the patchwork technique. Patchwork pillows add lots of charm to the rooms in which they reside. They can spruce up a nondescript [...]

What Is a Patchwork Quilt?

As a technique, quilting is believed to go back as far as the Crusades. It may also have been practiced in ancient Egypt. Today, quilting is a favorite pastime of many crafters. It is sometimes done on clothing, but more often the technique is used to make warm and beautiful quilts. The patchwork quilt is [...]

How to Create a Winter Splatter Painting

Painting is a great way for kids to express themselves. And just like many of the other activities they enjoy it can be quite messy! Splatter painting is especially messy, but it creates a very interesting effect. Splatter painting works very well for winter scenes. When you do the splattering with white paint, it looks [...]

How to Make a Wooden Spoon Angel

Angels are one of the most beautiful symbols of Christmas. Crafters often incorporate them into their projects for the holidays. Here is an angel project that is just adorable, yet it’s so easy that even a child can do it with a little help from an adult. What You Need Wooden spoon Pink or flesh-toned [...]

How to Make Your Own Paper Snowflake Cards

Paper snowflakes make lovely winter and holiday decorations, and they can be incorporated into a variety of other crafts, such as decoupage. Paper snowflakes also make great embellishments for Christmas cards. Here’s how to create a paper snowflake card that’s sure to be cherished for years to come. What You Need Plain white paper Construction [...]

Beautiful Color Dyes Don’t Have to Be Poisons – Natural Eco-Friendly Dyes Explained

Fabric dyes are readily available in any craft store, and in most grocery and discount stores. They’re convenient and easy to use, whether you’re tie dyeing a t-shirt or dyeing your curtains to match your new furniture. But did you know that they can be quite dangerous? Most dyes today are made from chemicals. They [...]

Buying a Weaving Loom

Sewing was once a necessary skill for the average woman. When mass production of clothing took off, it became optional. Today, it’s a hobby for some and an occupation for others. Weaving is also less common than it once was. This process is used to produce fabrics, rugs and tapestries. We can easily buy these [...]

Five Beginner’s Weaving Projects

When we think of weaving, we often envisage images of intricate rugs and tapestries. These are fine examples of what can be done by a skilled weaver. But for those who are just getting started, they look pretty intimidating. If you want to start weaving, there are plenty of projects available that can help you [...]

Basket Weaving 101

Baskets come in handy for all sorts of purposes. They’re great for packing a picnic. They can hold eggs and other goodies for Easter. And they can help us organize our homes while adding a decorative touch. You can buy baskets in most stores, from discount to high-end. But have you ever considered weaving your [...]

Be Aware of Poisons in Pottery

Creating pottery is fulfilling, but it can also be dangerous. Many of the materials used to produce those beautiful works of art are, unfortunately, poisonous. They are most dangerous in their raw form, but some can present a hazard even after the pottery is fired. Some of the most dangerous substances found in pottery include: [...]

Pottery: Apply Glazes Successfully

You’ve created a beautiful piece of pottery. You’ve painstakingly hand built or thrown it, and perhaps carved an intricate design in it. Now all that’s left to do is glaze and fire it. Glazing pottery can be accomplished in several ways. Here are the basics of each technique: Dipping – One of the simplest ways [...]

What to Consider When Setting Up a Pottery Studio

Some crafts require little or no extra space to participate. Pottery is not one of them. Depending on your technique and your attitude toward pottery, you could need a free corner in your home or an entire separate building. Here are some things to consider before you choose a space for your studio. Do you [...]

Crafting: Basic Pottery Tools

Pottery is a fulfilling hobby. The items you create can be very useful, or they can be beautiful works of art. Many pieces fit into both categories. There are catalogs filled with nothing but pottery supplies. To those who are interested in giving it a try, this can be rather discouraging. But you don’t need [...]