Monday, December 15, 2008

Wine Cork Magnet


Items Needed:
-wine corks
-magnets (round or flat)
-glue, a strong glue like E6000 glue or similiar for a good hold
STEP 1: If you boil your corks, the original shape and color will return. You don't have to boil them long, so be careful and remove them from the heat once the water starts to boil. Let cool and dry.
STEP 2: Simply glue your magnet to your wine cork and let dry according to glue directions.
TIPS: This is a great party favor for guests attending a wine and cheese party or wine tasting party.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Christmas Lollipop Ornament

This cute ornament recycles a metal juice lid and a popsicle stick. The juice lid typically comes on the frozen cans of juice you buy at your local grocer. These ornaments make great gifts for ornament exchanges, party favors for guests, teacher gifts, neighbors, friends, and church teachers.
Items Needed:
-1 metal juice lid, washed and dried
-1 popsicle stick, washed and dried
-White and Pink acrylic paint
-Red paint pen/marker
-Black paint pen/marker
-1 round paint sponge, approximately 2 cm in diameter
-Piece of cellophane (recycle this from gift baskets you receive)
-Small piece of 1/4 wide holiday colored ribbon
-Small drill bit for hanger hole (a nail and hammer will also work)
-Needle and thin gold or silver thread
-Tacky glue
-Optional: Gloss Acrylic Spray
STEP 1: With your drill, drill a small hole at the top edge of the juice lid. You can also do this with a thin nail and hammer. Be sure to have a safe working surface before you do this.
STEP 2: Paint your lid with the white paint and let dry (front and back).
STEP 3: With your red paint pen, paint on the red, representing the peppermint stripes. Let dry.
STEP 4: Dip your round paint sponge into the pink paint, and paint on the pink cheeks. Paint a dab of white at the top of the circles. Let dry.
STEP 5: With the black paint pen, paint on eyes and a mouth as shown in the photo a the top of this scrap craft. Let dry.
STEP 6: Spray your lid, letting each side dry before turning, if you prefer to seal the paint with a glossy look. Let dry.
STEP 7: Glue your popsicle stick to the back of the lid and let dry.
STEP 8: Cover your lollipop with the cellophane piece and tie a ribbon just below the juice lid.
STEP 9: Thread your needle with the gold or silver string and run it through the cellophane, and through the hole at the top of the lid. Tie a knot in your string to secure the hanger.


ENJOY!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Drink Pouch Straw Star Christmas Ornament

We recycled drink pouch straws to make this simple star. Kids can make these, they are so easy. This ornament was named by my 12 year old daughter. It's a tongue twister that's for sure.

Items Needed:
1- 1 1/2 inch round Styrofoam ball
2-drink pouch straws, washed and dried
Tacky Glue
Scissors
Yarn or thread
Gold Glitter
Toothpick
Piece of thick Styrofoam used in packing


STEP 1: Push a tooth pick into the Styrofoam ball and paint glue on the ball with a paint brush (while holding it on the toothpick).

STEP 2: Sprinkle gold glitter over the ball until it's completely covered and let dry. Push end of toothpick in a piece of Styrofoam to hold it up to dry.

STEP 3: Cut 4 pieces of straw approximately 1 inch each, and 4 pieces 1 1/4 inches each.

STEP 4: Push the 4 larger straws into 4 sides as shown in the photo, with a dab of glue on the end that is pushed in.

STEP 5: Push the 4 smaller straws into the ball, in between the larger straws.

STEP 6: Tie a hanger on with yarn or thread. TIP: Before you push the top straw in, run a thread through it to make a hanger, then dab glue and push into the Styrofoam ball. Let dry.

ENJOY!

Champagne Glass Christmas Ornament

Although Champagne is not served with a straw, this ornament recycles a drink pouch straw and packaging shreds or old Christmas icicles strands. I found plastic miniature champagne glasses and pearlized shreds at a local dollar store.




Items Needed:

-plastic miniature champagne glasses
-packaging shreds or Christmas icicles
-washed and dried drink pouch straws or coffee stir straws/sticks
-tacky glue
-thin string for hanger
-versa-tool


STEP 1: Heat your versa-tool and melt a small hole in the top edge of the plastic glass to tie the hanger from.



STEP 2: Dab Tacky glue inside the glass, and press packaging shreds or icicles inside.



STEP 3: Cut a small piece of straw and dab glue on one end.



STEP 4: Place glued end of straw inside shreds and let dry.



STEP 5: Tie a string through the hole on the glass and hang on your Christmas tree.



Drink pouch straws are not recycable. Find creative ways to reuse your straws instead of throwing them in your garbage (which will head for the landfills).