Recycled gift card bookmark - Mustache man...or is it a bald eagle?

Or am I a bald eagle?

I read a lot of books.  As a result whenever someone decides to give me a gift they usually opt for gift cards so I can choose my books.  I load them on my computer, iPad or kindle app and then they are done.  Throw them away? I just can't bring myself to add something to the trash that will remain there long after I am dust!  So what to do?  There are lots of things one can do with used gift cards.  Since they were originally for books I figured why not make a clip type bookmark. And that, dear readers, is how the Mustache man bookmark came to life...or is it a bald eagle?  You decide with this fun optical illusion style clip. You can make one too.

Click on the link to download and print the pattern, then follow the easy steps to create your own Mustache man!

Mustache man pattern

You will need:

·      Glue gun and glue sticks

·      Used gift card or junk mail card (The kind they send with “your name here”)

·      Mustache man pattern

·      Small pointed scissors

·      Tracing paper

·      Pencil

·      White pencil to mark on dark felt

·      Sharpie marker

·      Ruler

·      Stiffened felt in dark brown/black and pink

1.     Make sure you clean off all of the glue from the back of the gift card.  If you can’t remove it easily, spread a bit of peanut butter (Yes I said peanut butter) on the sticky part, wipe it off and wash it.  The glue magically disappears!!

2.      Download the mustache man patterns and print.  Trace the mustache pattern onto the brown or black felt and cut out.  Trace the head and nose patterns onto the pink felt and cut out. 

3.     Follow the guide to mark the cutting lines on light colored back of your gift card with a sharpie marker.  Use the pointed scissors to start an opening and carefully cut all around using the guidelines. 

4.     Use the glue gun and glue sticks to layer the head on top of the mustache piece.  Fold the nosepiece in half and glue the two sides to the headpiece. 

5.     Cut a 1” x ¼” strip and angle the ends.  Glue under the mustache. (Lips)

6.     Glue on two google eyes. 

7.     Attach the entire head and mustache to the top of your gift card clip with hot glue and let it set.  Use the clip to attach papers up to 10 pages of papers or as a fun bookmark!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Tree Wine Bottle Hostess Gift

How do you wrap a wine bottle to give for a hostess gift?  Well, you can put it in one of those wine bottle sized bags or round bottle boxes, but what if your wine bottle is one of those big ones?  They don’t fit in a bottle box…I tried, and a bag is so yesterday.  So I figured why not decorate the bottle itself to look like a Christmas tree?  I found the little plastic stars for a dollar at Target and a container of green sparkle garland for $2.  So the cost to decorate the bottle is less than a bottle box and your gift will be one of a kind.

You will need:

Small plastic heart for the top of a tiny tree

Glue gun and glue sticks

12 inches of 16 gauge wire

Wire cutters

25 feet sparkle garland

Drill or I used a wood burner tool to make two holes in the holder end of the star

1.    Gather your supplies.  Make two holes in the holder end of the star parallel to each other.

2.     Cut a piece of 16-gauge wire 12 inches long with the wire cutters.  Thread it through the holes in the star with equal amounts at each side and twist around the top neck of the bottle.  You can add a little bit of hot glue to make sure it stays secure at the top. 

3.     Start to attach the garland at the bottom of the bottle tightly.  Wrap around upwards towards the neck.  It is really easy if you turn the bottle as you wrap. 

4.     When you reach the neck wrap around and down holding the ensuing loop with your fingers all around.  Twist the wire to hold securely in place. 

5.     You can take this project even further if desired by gluing on some small pom poms or lightweight trinkets all down the bottle, or just leave it plain.

Christmas personalized memory book ornament

Every Christmas is different in it’s own unique way.  So why shouldn’t your ornaments be as special as each family member?  These little books have pages where you can write a date, a thought, a memorable gift or blessing and hang it on the tree.  Then every year you can add to it. The mini books have ten little pages but you can add more if you’d like.  Personalize them by embellishing them with each family member’s initial and a bit of flair.  They are sure to be a fun tradition for years to come.  This is a great kid's Craft too!!

You will need:

·      Lightweight cardboard or poster board

·      Felt in desired color (Felt even comes in sparkle)

·      All purpose computer paper

·      Ruler

·      Scissors

·      Stapler and staples

·      Tacky craft glue

·      Gold or silver cord

·      Felt or fun foam letters

·      Felt or fun foam small Christmas motifs (Snowflakes etc.)

1.     Gather your materials

2.     Cut a piece of lightweight cardboard or poster board 2 ½” x 4 ½”.  Cut five pieces of all-purpose computer paper 2 ¼” x 4”.

3.     Fold the cardboard in half width wise.  Stack the paper on top of the cardboard.  Center so that the border is even all around.  Fold the paper and cardboard in half again.  Use the fold line to place two staples right down the center.

4.     Turn the book to the back.  Cut a piece of gold or silver wire 8 ½” long, fold in half and glue to the back cover leaving a loop at the top for hanging.

5.     Cut a piece of felt 2 ¾” x 4 ¾”.  Spread some tacky glue on the entire back cover and attach the felt making sure it is even all around.  Let dry. 

6.     Use tacky glue to attach a letter to personalize and add some extra motifs if desired.

7.     Write the date on the first page and add to the book as desired.

Recycled Wine cork key chain tutorial

Which stocking on you list is the hardest to fill?  I bet it’s the man in your life.  Men are just hard to buy for sometimes, and stocking stuffers are a real stumper.  Oh you can buy some cologne or aftershave and maybe a razor or two but if you want to make something special for them, you come up empty.  You can make this keepsake key ring in just a minute or two with just a few supplies. (I’m not kidding) Use a wine cork from a special occasion and this stocking stuffer becomes a memory as well!  I bet you can’t do that with a razor! 

Note:  An added benefit is that this key ring will float!

You will need:

·      Recycled wine cork

·      Masculine type charm from the craft store

·      Large jump ring (My charm had one already attached)

·      Small screw in eye hooks

·       Two flat beads

·      Key ring (You can even get ones in fun colors)

·      Needle nosed pliers

·      Tacky craft glue

·      Needle tool or small nail

1.     Gather your supplies.

2.     Spread a bit of tacky glue on the back of a flat bead and attach to the end of the wine cork.  Repeat for the other side of the wine cork.  Use a needle tool or small nail to make a hole right through the center of the cork end with the bead attached. Repeat on the opposite end.

3.     Add some glue to the screw end of the eyehook and screw into the wine cork with the bead attached.  It should screw in easily since you made a pilot hole. Repeat for the other side with another eyehook.

4.     Let the glue dry for a few minutes.  Use a needle nose pliers to open the jump ring by twisting rather than pulling apart and add to one end with an eyehook.  Add a key ring to the eyehook on the other end.