Store Bought Candy Dressed Up!!!

Everyone is looking for inexpensive gifts to give this holiday season. Why not pick up some packaged candy and wrap them up in cleaver ways to give as a quick affordable gift this holiday season. 

Supplies:                                                                 
Candy Packages
Holiday Paper, Gift Wrap
Pipe Cleaner or Wire
Beads
Ribbons, Embellishments
Velcro - optional
Adhesive Tape





Directions:
1. Measure Paper or Gift Wrap to fit around candy of your choice.
2. I folded mine to look like a purse on the truffle packages and they worked great. I just wrapped paper around candy bars and added embellishments.
3. Once the paper is cut and folded to fit around the package, you are ready to add a handle if needed and embellishments.
4. I found using pipe cleaners works great for the handle if you have beads that will fit on that thickness.
5. I just punched small holes in the top fold and then taped the handle ends to the inside of the flap.
6. I had Velcro circles, so I added them to keep the flap closed on the truffle packages.  You can use tape if you don't have Velcro. 
7. I place some adhesive tape to the bottom of the package help hold it in place.

You can try this with all different types of packaged foods and they are great quick gifts.  I found the Lindor Truffles at Wal Mart, the small ones were only $1.00.  A great idea for a little something to leave on someones desk during the holiday season.

Glitter Box Gift Bags

This is a great way to recycle boxes and make great gift bags while you are at it. I love to fill these with goodies and give then out at the holidays. They make great gifts for teachers, co-workers,babysitters, etc.

Supplies:
Empty Cardboard box
Modge Podge
Foam Paint Brush
Glitter
Clear Acrylic Spray
Fur/Trim
Hole Puncher
Wire
Beads

Directions;
1. Cut box to the size you want.
2. Brush Modge Podge over one side of box and then poor glitter over the glued area.
3. Repeat this on all four sides and bottom.
4. Let it dry over night.
5. Spray with several coats of acrylic spray. Let each coat dry before adding the next coat..
6. Punch holes in each side of box for handle.
7. Cut wire to size wanted for handle and add beads.
8. Attach handle to box.
9. Glue on trim to top of box - I used a glue gun.

Fill with goodies and you are ready to give this gift to that special person.

*** Sometimes I paint the box first with the same color paint as the glitter.  This helps to make sure you can't see the print on the box!!!!

Large Note Holder

 Supplies:

• Wooden Close pin
• Paint
• Decorative Papers
• Embellishments
• Adhesive
• Paint Brushes
•                                          

Directions:

1. Paint your Close pin selected color.

2. Add any decorative paper cut to size.

3. Add any embellishments you have on hand.

4. You are DONE!!!! How easy it that!!!

This project is so easy and it's a pretty cheap gift. Great for teacher gift, music teacher, Sunday School Teacher, remember  your office staff!

You can find these close pins at just about any craft store for under $3.00  I got mine at Hobby Lobby for under $2.50

French Fry Treat Basket

This is a great goodie basket to make for classroom parties. It's easy to make and they fit perfect into a cellophane bag after they are finished. If having a Halloween Party, it's a great party favor to take home.

Supplies:
Orange Card Stock or Orange Poster board if you are making several.
Black Marker
Scissors
Green Pipe Cleaners
Hole Puncher
Double Sided Tape or Glue Gun
Pattern of French Fry Container. I just traced one from my favorite fast food place.

Directions:
1. Trace your pattern onto the orange cardstock.
2. Draw on Pumpkin Face with Black Marker.
3. Cut out pattern and make folds were needed.
4. Use Double Sided Tape to hold the sides in place. Use a glue gun if you don't have double sided tape.
5. Use hole punch to makes a hole on each side for the handle.
6. Attach the green pipecleaner to use as handle.
7. Fill with goodies and you are done.

*** I like to place in cellophane bags so the kids don't drop any of the goodies.
*** If making several, I would make a stencil of the face and then just trace it onto the orange cardstock.
*** If you don't want to make a Pumpkin Face, just use decorative card stock.
*** You can find different french fry container patterns on-line at some of the craft sights.

Tuesday Tools - Fiskar Micro Tip Scissors

These scissors are a must for any crafter. They work great on paper as well as fabric, yarn, and many other medias.  The small size and nice pointed tip make theses great for working on cutting those hard to cut items. The are sold individually or you can find them in special packages of two in these great colors.

Personalized Wooden Letters

These letters can be found at many different craft stores. They are easy to make and you can often find the letters for around a dollar.  This is a great group project!  Great for Girl Scouts or Birthday Parties.

Supplies:  Wood Letter
                Paint - I used crackle paint to give it a different look.
                Photos - as many as you want
                Colored Paper - use behind photos
                Words - of interest for that person - printed on the computer
                Embellishments
                Ribbon or trim
                Adhesive
                Wide Popsicle Stick -  if needed as a base for your letter

Directions: 
1. Paint the wood letter the color you have picked out.
2. Start deciding where you want things to be placed. - I do this before I glue anything.
3. Once you decide your design placement, I usually glue down ribbon first, followed by photos and then embellishments. I like to add paper behind the photos to add color and interest.
4. If needed add a Wide Popsicle Stick to the bottom of the letter to help it stand up better.

This is so easy to make and you can add as much or little as you want!!

Tuesday Tools - Fiskar Eyelet Setter Kit

I have to say I was very surprised with how much I liked this tool.  No need to have a hammer to set your eyelets, there is a spring in the center of the tool that allows you to pull the tool back and set the eyelet without having to drag your hammer out.  This is great if you head out to crops and want to transport as few tools as possible. The kit has three different sizes and I have to say I have not used my old eyelet setters since I got this set.  I found it at Jo Ann Fabrics, Archivers, and Hobby Lobby.

Candy Bar Cake

This is a great little something to make when giving someone a gift card.  I love to make these for the kids when they are going to someones Birthday Party.  It makes the gift card even more special.

Supplies: Styrofoam Circle.  4" wide x 2" high
               Fun Size Candy Bars - 12
               Hershey Kisses -  16
               Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
               Masking or Painters Tape
               Ribbon
               Candles - optional
               Paper Plates & Small Cup for Cake Stand




Directions:
1. Pick out what type of candy bars you will use. About twelve usually works.
2. Add small pieces of tape to the backside of candy bars.
3. Using your glue gun on low heat, put a dab of glue on the tape on the backside of the candy bar. Press all the candy bars onto the sides of the Styrofoam circle. MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALL FACING THE SAME WAY!!!!!
4. Place very small pieces of tape on the bottom of  approximately 16 Hershey Kisses. Using the glue gun again on low heat and glue the kisses to the top of the Styrofoam circle.
5. Tie your ribbon around the cake and form a bow for the front of your cake. If you can't make a bow, glue on a pre-made one from your leftover Christmas stuff. I always save white bows!
6. Use a pencil and make small holes in the top of the cake for your candles. Push the candles into place, glue with a dab of glue if needed.
7. If you want a cake stand, glue 3-4 small paper plates together then glue 3-4 small plastic cups to the bottom of the plate. Glue cake to plate if needed.

Your cake is now ready for giving to that special someone. !!! Adults like this as much as the kids!
Try making a larger one with full size bars!!!!
You can also make this for Holidays as well. Check out my Halloween Cake.

                                                                            

Tuesday Tools - Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Purse

This tool is great for making embossed papers. You run embossing plates through the machine and can get embossed paper up to 4 x 5 inches. This is great for card and tag making.  It's a great way to use up leftover pieces of paper that you have in that scrap box.  You can even emboss envelopes.  They look so cool with the matching card.

This machine will emboss more than just paper, you can use it with foil and even cut up soda cans.
 I wrap the foil around card stock before putting through the machine to get the best embossed look.
This machine runs around $29.99 and I got mine at Archivers with my 30% off coupon.  Going to go back and get one for a special crafter I know.

Let me know what great things you make with this machine!!!!

Post It Note Covers

These Post It Notes are so easy to make, they are a great little gift.  It's a wonderful way to use up those odd shaped pieces of paper you have left. I add then to gift baskets all the time.

Supplies: Post It Notes
               Decorative Paper
               Card Stock
               Adhesive Runner
               Bone Folder
               Paper Cutter/ Scissors
               Ruler
               Embellishments






Directions:
1. Take your card stock and cut a strip. I made mine a bit wider than the Post It Note. Mine was 31/4 x 7 inches. Measure up 31/4 inches from the bottom and make a fold. This will make a 31/4 inch square. Measure up another 1 cm and make a fold. See the photo for supplies to see example. Make any adjustments if needed so it fits your Post It Note.
2. Now that you have the card stock at the proper size, you are ready to cover it with your decorative paper. I use my adhesive gun the cover the decorative paper and it sticks really well to the card stock        
3. After you have the decorative paper in place, put your adhesive between the two fold marks and wrap the cover around your Post It Notes. Hold in place for a minute to make sure the adhesive holds.                  
4. Now you are ready to add embellishments to your project.
5. That's all it takes and now you have your covered Post It Note ready to sit on your desk, or on your kitchen counter, or give as a gift.  Give it a try!

Canvas Photo Art

These are very easy to make and great gifts to make for family and friends.  You can get canvas in all different sizes. They are fairly inexpensive and you can find them at local craft stores, art supply stores and even at some discount stores.

Supplies: Canvas
                 Photos
                 Colored Paper
                 Ink Pads or Chalk Stamp Pads
                 Ribbion
                 Adhesives
                 Stickers, Embellishments, anything you want to add

Directions: 
1. Use your ink pads to cover the canvas. You can dab the ink pads onto the canvas, you can rub them on, you can drag them across the canvas. You can use more than one color. You can use a brush to soften the look. You can even you paint if you want. There is no right or wrong.
2. After the canvas is colored and dried, you can add ribbion around the outer edges if needed.
3. Now prepare your photo or photos . I usually add colored paper behind the photos to add interest.
4. Decide where you want your photo to go on the canvas.
5. Attach your photo with a good adhesive. I often use glue dots with this project.
6. Now add your embellishments, these can be anything from stickers, to brads, flowers, keys, whatever works for you.
7. Sometimes I just keep adding things for a day or two until I feel like it's done.
8. I often display these on stand up plate holders.They are cheap and easy to find.
9. You also can use scrapbook paper to cover the canvas if you don't want to use inks or paints. Take a look at a few samples I have below.

CHECK OUT THE $1.00 SECTION AT YOUR LOCAL CRAFT STORE FOR SMALL CANVAS SQUARES. THESE CAN BE MADE INTO GREAT ORNAMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS! ADD THE CHILDS SCHOOL PHOTO AND A RIBBION TO HANG IT BY!!

Tuesday Tool - QuickStik Scrapbook Tool

This tool is perfect for all kinds of crafting projects. You can use it for any of those small items that are hard to place in just the right spot. No more having those small pieces sticking to your fingers, with this tool, placement is so easy. It retails for around $7.00, but I got mine at Archivers and was able to use my 30% off coupon. Money well spent if you are a crafter! It picks up paper,beads, tiny brads, embellishments, etc.

Soda Can Desk Organizers

These organizers are a great way to group your supplies together.  They work really well for pencils, pens, paint brushes, etc. Great activity for kids. You get the cans ready and then they can decorate them. 

Supplies: Soda Cans - empty and cleaned out
               Scissors
               Duct Tape
               Paper
              Adhesive - I used a tape runner
              Ribbion, trim, embellishemnts - it's up to U
              Wire
              Beads
              Hole Puncher
              Stapler

Directions:
1. Using your scissors, cut the top off the two soda cans. Cover the tops of the can with duct tape to cover the sharp edges.  Then you are ready to wrap your cans in the paper you have picked out. I measure the can and then mark the paper to the size needed and cut out. Make sure the paper wraps around a bit to cover the seam.
2. Now you can add any ribbion or trim to the tops of the can ( Do this before you staple the two cans together).

3. Now putting the seams facing towards eachother in the middle, staple the two cans together. I usually put in two to three staples.
4. Now you can use the hole punch and punch holes on each side for handles.
5. For the handle, I like to cut a piece of wire and thread beads onto it. Pipecleaners with beads also works well.
6. Attach the handle to each side, twist wire around the handle a few times to make sure it stays in place.
7. Now you are ready to add embellishments such as buttons, ribbon, rick rack, photos, whatever you have!
8. Fill with your supplies and you are now ORGANIZED!!!

Glitter Pumpkin Totes

                                          
 
  Do you find yourself with several of those pumpkin totes that the kids used to Trick or Treat with.
  My kids are older now and they were just sitting in my basement collecting dust.
  So I desided to give them a new use. By covering the totes with glitter, they became great holiday planters.
  They are so easy to make and they are a Great Hostess Gift!

Supplies : Plastic Totes
               Glitter - I used black and orange on this one.
               Modge Podge - this is your adhesive
               Clear Acyrlic Spray
               Paint Brushes - a variety of sizes
               Box or container to work over.

Directions: 1. Start with the face on the pumpkin and using a paint brush, cover the area with Modge Podge.
                 2. Pour glitter over the area that you covered with adhesive.
                 3. Let the face dry for 30-60 minutes before switching colors.
                 4. Now work in small sections when applying the Modge Podge. It dries fast!!!

                5. Continue to work in sections putting down adhesive and then covering in glitter.
                6. Once the entire tote is covered in glitter, let in dry for 24 hours.
                7. Now you can spray the tote (in well vented area) with clear acrylic spray.
                8. Item will be tacky to the touch until it dries. I usuall give it 2-3 coats to keep the glittter in place.
                9. Once it is dry you can fill the tote with whatever you like. I added a bow with my Mum Plant.

*** This can be a bit messy, but the glitter vacuums right up and a damp cloth will clean up your work table.

                                          

Tuesday Tool - Create-A-Sticker

I can't say enough about this tool. You can turn anything that is flat and no more than 11/2 inches wide into a sticker. This means you can put all those hard to glue items in this machine make them into stickers and now you can easily place them where you want them.

It is great for ribbon. No more searching for the right adhesive to use use on your ribbions, this works great. You also can make these stickers ahead of time and use them whenever you want.

Think of what you could do for Birthday Parties!!! Personalized stickers look great on the back side of your envelopes when sending out cards and invitations.

The Xyron Create-A-Sticker can be found at craft and discount stores all over and on-line at many on-line stores.  You can get the refill cartridges in Permenent and Repositionable Adhesive.

A great gift for those young crafters around 9-10 years old that love to make things by hand.

ID Tag Photo Albums

These are very easy to make. You can make the cover with any type of heavy cardboard - I even use cereal boxes! The are the perfect size for all those wallet size photos we get.

Supplies: ID Tags - Usually 12 in a package at discount or office supply stores.
              Binding Rings ( 2)
              Cardboard
              Decorative Paper
              Adhesive
              Hole Puncher
              Embelishments

Directions:
1. Cut 2 pieces of cardboard for your book covers - make them just a bit bigger then tags.
2. Use the tags as a guide to line up the hole for your binding rings. Punch 2 holes in each piece, for front and back cover.
3. Pick out the paper you want for front and back. Scraps work great. I used glue stick to cover one side of cardboard and placed it in the middle of the back side of paper. I folded the sides over and used adhesive to keep them in place. Punch holes through the decorative paper. Add another piece of paper to the otherside of the cover to give it a nice finished look.
4. Now you can decorate the front and back with any embelishments you like.
5. You can now put your book together. Stack back cover with number of tag ID Pages you want ( you can always add more). Place cover on top and add your binding rings to the holes.
6. You can decorate the rings with ribbon or beads.

**** Next time you print photos from an event, get them printed in wallet size and make a book to remember the event.  Makes a great gift after a special party.

Candy Wrapper Jewlery

Supplies Needed:
• Candy Bar Wrappers from small size bars.
• Straws – any size or color
• Glue
• Clear Scotch tape
• Stretchable Cord
• Beads
• Small Paintbrush

1. Take empty candy wrappers and trim them down, cutting off the ends and leave the logo of the candy to show.
2. Brush a light coat of glue on the backside of the candy wrapper.
3. Roll the wrapper around a straw. If there is too much wrapper, trim away the extra.
4. Cover the seam with clear scotch tape. This helps keep things in place as it dries.
5. Repeat this several times as you will want several beads to make your jewelry pieces.
6. Once the glue dries, this takes a few hours, you can cut the straw into tiny pieces. The pieces can be whatever size you want your beads to be.
7. Now you can start to place your candy wrapper beads and other decorative beads on your stretchable cord.
8. Once you have the length you want, tie the cord into a knot. ( I usually tie a few knots).
9. Your jewelry is now ready to wear.


***With Halloween coming, this is a great way to use up those candy wrappers.
*** You can also use leftover scrapbook paper to make beautiful beads.