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Most decorative boxes that you buy come lined or cushioned so that delicate contents (such as glass) won’t get scratched by the box’s interior surface. But what if you make your own boxes? Shouldn’t they be lined too?

Here’s the method that I use for a simple, fitted box lining.

Supplies:

Pencil or Pen

Scissors

Measuring Tape or string for measuring

Spray Glue, or glue and brush

Scrap Paper larger than your box

Felt

Pins (optional)

1. Lay the scrap paper on a flat surface.

2. Place the lid of the box on the scrap paper and hold it still with one hand.

3. With the other hand, use the pencil or pen to trace as closely to the lid as possible.

4. Use the scissors to cut the lid shape out of the scrap paper, cutting slightly INSIDE the line.

5. Repeat 1-4 using the box itself.

6. Wrap measuring tape or string around the box. Cut string to length or write the length on a piece of scrap paper. Measure the height of the box from the inside. You may repeat this step for the lid if you wish, but be careful that the lid will still close when you’re finished as most lids are made to fit tightly to the box.

7. Cut a piece of scrap paper to fit along the inside wall of the box.

8. Lay the pieces of scrap paper inside the box and lid to make certain they’re the correct size. Adjust where necessary.

9. Use the scrap paper as patterns or templates to cut the felt. It will work better if you pin the paper to the felt, but it should work fine without pinning it.

10. Lay the felt pieces in the box and lid where they’re supposed to go to make certain that they fit properly.

11. Remove felt from box and lid and lay on more scrap paper. Spray glue to the back of the felt (if not using spray glue, spread the glue directly on the box and lid with the brush).

12. Quickly place felt in place and smooth to the edges before glue dries.

 Follow the directions on the glue bottle/can to make certain that it’s thoroughly dry before you try to close the lid or place anything in the box.

I love pens.  I mean, really, you set me down in the middle of an office supply store and I’ll be happy for hours just looking at the pens, notebooks, and post-its.  I’m what you might call obsessive. 

I like my pens to have a bit of personality, but I also go through them really quickly so the only options to me are: pricey pens with refills, or make my own.  Yarn pens are particularly nice because in addition to being attractive, easy to make, and comfortable to write with, they’re dirt cheap to make given the price of the materials!

Supplies:

Pen/s

Charm

Yarn

Craft double stick tapeScissorsElmer’s or other craft glue 

1. Slide charm onto the end of the yarn. Tie this end into a loop with the charm in the center and 1/2-1″ of yarn extending from the knot.

2. Cover pen shaft in double stick tape. It’s better to overlap with tape than to leave spaces. Make certain to cover the end of the pen. Remove protective cover from tape.

3. Set the knot of yarn (bottom of the loop) into the center of the end of the pen. Press knot tightly against the tape and drape yarn end straight down pen shaft. Press tightly onto tape.

4. Working in spirals, wrap the long end of the yarn around the pen, starting at the knot, until entire pen shaft is covered.

5. Cut yarn just past the final wrap. Put a drop of glue on your finger and smooth yarn end against the bottom yarn wraps. The glue helps to prevent the yarn from unraveling.

Alternative- You can make the loop first, then add a charm using a split ring.

Attractive notebooks often cost as much as $5 in a box store, and are mass produced.  Not only do you have to pay so much for a nice looking notebook, but many of us are afraid to use them knowing that we won’t be able to buy the same design again.

However, if you buy a cheap, plain notebook (how about at the Dollar store?) and use some attractive craft paper, you can make your own designer notebook for half the cost. And you always know where you can get another one.

Supplies:

1 Spiral bound notebook
Scrapbook paper, heavy wrapping paper, or other decorative paper
Exacto or craft knife
Spray glue
A large piece of scrap paper, cardboard, or an opened paper bag
Hole punch or ballpoint pen
Pliers

1. The spiral of your notebook will likely be bent at the very ends to keep the spiral from coming off.  Take your pliers and unbend both ends.  You should be able to simply twist the spiral out of the notebook- if the spiral is getting stuck, use the pliers to make the wire spiral the proper shape to smoothly travel through the notebook holes.  A slightly curved shape works best.

2. Spread the scrap paper/cardboard/paper bag over your  work surface and place the notebook covers on top of this.  Make sure that the outside side of the covers are facing up.

3. Coat the covers with spray glue.  Make certain that the edges of the notebook covers are coated well since you don’t want the covers to come off.

4. Lay the decorative paper over the glued covers and smooth well.  Remove the covers (complete with decorative paper) from the gluey surface, and allow to dry upside down for an hour or as long as stated on the glue can.

5. When dry, use the exacto or craft knife to trim the excess craft paper away from the notebook covers.

6. Use the notebook cover’s holes to guide your holepunch.  You want your punched holes to exactly match the holes in the notebook so the spiral binding will fit smoothly through your new covers.  If you don’t have an appropriately sized hole punch, use the tip of your exacto to punch a tiny hole in the center of the notebook holes.  Use the ball point pen to push through the paper to make the holes.

7. Line your decorated notebook covers up with the holes on your notebook paper.  Make certain they fit properly. 

8. Re-insert the spiral binding, twisting it through the the notebook holes the opposite of the way you twisted it out.

9. Re-bend the ends of the spiral binding to prevent the spiral from coming out again.

Tip: You can use the excess paper to decorate your own matching pens

 Want to have a pen that’s so uniquely you that none of your co-workers would dare steal it?  A cool, funky pen that your classmates will try to steal it?  Or maybe a gift for a writer friend? 

Here’s a great, easy craft that you can do with leftover craft or wrapping paper, a pen, and a glittery pom pom.

Supplies:

Pens
Craft double stick tape
Scrapbook paper, heavy wrapping paper, or other decorative paper
Scissors
Pom Poms
Ribbon- optional

Tip: Pens that are the same width the entire length of the pen work best for this project.

1. Cut a rectangle of paper the length of the pen (allow room for finger grips or for the cap- the back end should be flush with the end of the pen), and wide enough to wrap fully around the pen shaft.

2. Run double stick tape along one side of the pen and over the “top” of the pen (where the pom-pom will go). Run a second piece of double stick tape along the backside outer edge of the craft paper. Remove protective coating from the tape on the pen.

3. Line the untaped side of the craft paper up to the tape on the pen. Make certain that it’s straight before pressing down since you likely won’t be able to shift it once it’s been stuck. Wrap remaining paper around the pen shaft. Once you’re positive the paper is straight and fits properly, peel protection off the double stick tape on your paper end and press into place.

     3a. Optional: To cover seam or for decoration, run another piece of double stick tape up the side of the pen, remove protector, and press ribbon into place. Trim to sit flush with paper and pen shaft.

4. Press pom-pom onto the end of the pen.

Tip: Try making matching designer notebooks

Here’s a quick and easy craft you can do to use up excess wrapping paper, or to cover up those embarrassing “Ben loves Jen” scribblings.

Supplies:

Scissors

Double stick tape

Heavy wrapping paper

Ribbon

Other accoutrements of your choosing

  #1- Using scissors, cut 2 pieces of wrapping paper approximately the size of your notebook covers.  Leave 1-2” extra around three edges.#2- Place a strip of double stick tape near the spiral binding of the notebook and peel off the protective layer.#3- Place the side of the wrapping paper that does not have extra length on it against the double stick tape.  Try to keep it straight, but the ribbon will cover the edge, so perfection isn’t necessary.

#4- Open the notebook so that you can see the inside of the cover.  Carefully fold the wrapping paper around the edge of the cover and place double stick tape where the edge of the wrapping paper ends on the inside of the notebook cover.  Remove protective cover from tape, and press wrapping paper onto tape firmly.  Ribbon can be added to cover paper edges.

#5- Close notebook.  Place double stick tape along spiral spine of notebook covering the edge of the wrapping paper.  Remove protective cover from tape and place ribbon on top of tape.  Press down firmly, and trim to fit.

#6- Add accoutrements as you see fit.  Name tags and bows fit the theme as do many scrapbooking supplies.

This Christmas craft idea was meant to be an ornament, but would work well for a winter display. If you enlarge the tree, glue multiple cinnamon sticks together to make an appropriately sized trunk.

Supplies:

1 Cinnamon stick (more for a larger project)

1 Sheet green craft felt

Needle

Thread or narrow yarn

Scissors

Cotton or fiberfill

pom poms (or crystals, beads, etc)

Glue

Ribbon (optional)

Embroidery Needle (optional)

1. Cut out two matching Christmas tree shapes from the green felt. I prefer freehand, but you can use a template if you prefer. Layer the two trees so the edges match up.

2. 

3. Whip stitch around most of the outer edge of the tree leaving a 2-3″ gap at the middle of the base of the tree.

4. Fill the tree with cotton stuffing or fiberfill. Try to distribute the stuffing evenly.

5. Insert the cinnamon stick up the middle of the tree. If it’s difficult to push the stick through the stuffing, push it up along the back of the tree, behind the stuffing but in front of the back panel of felt.

6. Finish whip stitching across the base of the tree. When you reach the cinnamon stick, only draw your needle through one layer of felt so that the thread is between the felt pieces. Then draw the needle through other felt piece on the other side of the cinnamon stick. Continue whip stitching until the entire tree is closed. Tie off the thread and snip.

7. 

8. Glue pom-poms, crystals, or other accoutrements to represent ornaments onto the front of the tree.

Optional: To make a loop to hang as an ornament, poke a small hole near the top tip of the tree through both pieces of felt. Thread an embroidery needle with narrow ribbon, and run the needle (with ribbon) through the holes. Snip the ribbon off at an appropriate length and knot the ends.

 Here’s an easy Christmas ornament craft that you can make with your kids.  All you need are a few pom poms and glue or a needle and thread.

Supplies:

1 Large pom-pom

1 Medium pom-pom

1 Small pom-pom

Needle

Thread

Scissors

1. Thread needle. I recommend knotting the ends together to make your stitch double strength.
2. Push needle through the middle of the large pom-pom. Draw thread through.
3. Push needle through the middle of the medium pom-pom. Draw thread through.
4. Repeat with small pom-pom.
5. Repeat all three in reverse by pushing needle and thread through all three pom-poms. First the small, then medium, then large. However, leave a loop of thread above the smallest pom-pom for hanging on the tree.
• Tip: For hanging on a hook, you can slip your finger through the loop of thread before you tighten the thread. For hanging directly on a branch, you’ll want to keep a much larger loop.
6. Knot off and trim thread at the bottom of the snowman.
7. Adjust pom-poms by sliding them along the thread. Hang on tree.

Tip: If you don’t wish to hang the snowmen (such as decorating a wreath), you can use Glue Dots or double stick tape rather than a needle and thread. Additionally, the ornaments can be made with Glue Dots or double stick tape, and a loop made by stringing a needle and thread and running it only through one side of the smallest pom-pom.

Making mini Santa hats is a quick and easy way to add festive cheer to your year round decorations.

Supplies: 

Red craft felt

Needle

Thread

Scissors

Cotton stuffing, cotton balls, pom poms, ribbon, garland, buttons, or other trim

1. Measure the head of your toy/statue. I use a bit of ribbon or thread and wrap it around the toy’s head where I want the bottom of the hat to be and snip the ribbon/thread where it over laps. You can also use measuring tape, or any other method that will accurately measure circumference.
2. Fold ribbon/thread in half, or halve the measurement that you took with another method. Fold felt so that it is a double layer.
3. Use the half-length ribbon/thread to measure out the bottom of the hat onto the felt. Be sure to leave a little extra room on both sides for seams.  Mark the edges where you plan to cut.
4. Determine how high you want the hat to be. Mark the felt at just above that height (remember, you’re leaving room for seams) directly above the middle of your “bottom line”.
5. You should have marks in the shape of a triangle. Use your scissors to cut in straight lines along the outside of these marks through both layers of felt. You should now have two identical (or nearly identical) triangles of felt.
6. 
7. Whip stitch along the two long sides of the hat. Knot off and trim thread. Do not stitch along the bottom sides. You should now have something of a flat cone.
8.   Turn the hat inside out so that it’s a full cone.
9. Add a pom-pom or other decoration to the tip of the hat. You can do this by:
   1. Take your needle up through the inside of the hat and out through the tip. String pom-pom, cotton, button, or other decoration onto the needle. Run needle and thread back through the tip of the hat. Repeat three or four times, knot off and trim thread.
   2. Use glue. Depending on the glue, it may not last as long as stitching, but it’s much quicker. Particularly if you use Glue Dots.

If everything is sewn on, you can simply set the hat on your toy’s head. If anything is glued, allow to fully dry before using.