Crafts Inspire Me

What's Your Inspiration?

Forever Green

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Snow Covered Pines
What I miss the most during the colder months are the beautiful colors in nature. The winter sky is so gray, the trees are dormant, and the flowers temporarily disappear for a long winter’s nap. Evergreens defiantly retain their glorious shades of green regardless of the weather. To brighten your home decor, you can add a little evergreen and it will never need to be watered.

How to Paint Wooden Pine Trees

This painted craft is very easy to complete in a short amount of time and it’s great for beginners too!

Raw Wood Trees

As with all raw wood, a little sanding may be required, especially along the edges. The pre-drilled holes are for lights in a later step.

Supplies
Painted Tree Supplies
Supplies:
Wooden Pine Tree (17” high x 9” wide x 1/2” thick) (Base is 9” wide x 2” deep)
Acrylic Paints – green, white
Paintbrushes
Sandpaper
String of 20 lights

Apply Green Paint
Painted Green Trees
Paint each tree green, ensuring both sides, all the edges and the base are painted.

Define the Branches with Snow
Painted Snow Trees
In nature, snow gathers on the branches. To give these trees a more three-dimensional appearance, add patches of white paint to imitate Mother Nature.

Tree Lighting
Trees with Inserted Lights
Those pre-drilled holes were made to hold a strand of twenty white lights. The lights can only be pushed through from one side of the wood frame. You may need to secure the last light at the bottom with a piece of tape to keep it from pulling out from the weight of the electrical cord.

Finished Trees (with and without camera flash)
Lit Trees
All you need to do now is choose a spot to display your handiwork and plug in those lights. I place my trees in the living room windows to enhance the rest of the outdoor decorations. When the holidays are over, they can remain on display throughout the winter.

Pom Pom Alternative
Pom Pom Tree
As an alternative to lights, you can turn a simple pine tree into a Christmas tree by gluing on multi-color pom poms as ornaments.

I hope you enjoy this project and have fun decorating your home for the holidays.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Colors & Flavors of the Season

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Thanksgiving Day is upon us. People travel far and wide to visit and dine with family and friends. The beauty of autumn inspires the color palette and flavors of this vibrant and entertaining holiday. Let’s look at ideas for décor and food for Thanksgiving Day.

Seasonal Home Décor:
Welcome Flag

Pumpkins & Chrysanthemums

Pumpkin & Gourd Wreath

Fabric Pumpkins

Hand Blown Glass Pumpkin

Create bold contrasts to all the oranges & reds by using blues and greens.

Pumpkin Place Setting

Use a Sharpie marker to turn tiny pumpkins into seasonal place cards.

Pumpkin Paper Napkins

Besides using these for appetizers and dining, decorative paper napkins can be placed in bathrooms as disposable hand towels.

Cornucopia Centerpiece

Candles create a welcoming atmosphere, warm light and fragrance.

Seasonal Flavors:
Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Cranberry is a great option for beverages, baked goods and of course cranberry sauce.

Spicy Mulled Wine

Butternut Squash Soup

Turkey & Stuffing

Sweet Potatoes

Although these are usually served as a side dish, sweet potato pie is a delicious dessert.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Cinnamon Apple Pie

Pecan Pie

After Dinner Activities:
Relaxation

If you ever felt a turkey “coma,” you know a comfortable recliner can be your best friend. Of course, a wide-screen television for watching football is also a must.

Family Challenge – Let the Games Begin

If you have leftover pumpkins from Halloween, you could start a new tradition competing for prizes in creative pumpkin design and/or carving.

Thanks for Reading, Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Crafting!

Gingerbread Dreams

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Gingerbread cookies are a favorite treat any time of year. Decorating gingerbread is a great activity for the whole family. For a real challenge, why not try designing, building and decorating a gingerbread house? Before we look at some finished houses, let’s take a closer look at a few of the important details.

Decorating Gingerbread

Whether decorating cookies or building a gingerbread house, the first skill you will need is piping icing.

Piping is the Key
Candy CloseUp
From the smallest detail to the walls and roof, royal icing is the edible glue that holds everything together.

Candy Decor
Gingerbread Roof Close Up
Any type of candy will do. If you tend to nibble while you work, you might want to have extra candy on hand so that you don’t run out before the project is finished. (lol)

Architectural Details
Architecture Details
This budding architect has carefully defined the details: candy cane columns; stamped brick wall pattern; piped & candied landscaping, door and window trim; M &M roofing; and candy accents.

Festive Elf

Don’t forget to have fun with your creation.

Be Adventurous
Adorable Snowman
Let your imagination run wild. Come up with interesting details. This artist darkened the windows to add depth and carved wood grain into the door. Make your project as unique as you are.

Humorous Little Details
Rooftop Cat
Be sure to include the unexpected, such as this fondant cat on a snow-covered roof.

Miniature Gingerbread Houses
Cookie House
There’s nothing wrong with starting small. This house was made entirely from gingerbread cookies. It’s quick and easy to put together and can be used as ornaments, or as gifts for visitors. You could even pipe names on each one as edible “place cards” at the table.

Chalet
Gingerbread Chalet
Instead of candy, decorated gingerbread cookies adorn this simple A-frame house.

In the Doghouse
Gingerbread Doghouse
Icing is the main decoration on this adorable doghouse, with only a few candy accents.

A Bright Idea
Lighted Cottage
This cottage may be small, but it has two interesting qualities that make it really stand out: 1) LEDs provide a soft glowing interior. 2) The reflective high gloss tray resembles ice or water. As an alternative to lights, you could place sheets of fruit roll ups over the inside of the windows and doors to create a cozy glow.

Accessible Design
Decorating for Everyone
Holding a piping bag and defining tiny details can be difficult, if not impossible, for those with limited mobility. Decorating can be made easy by simply spread icing with a spatula over all the walls and roof. Place decorations wherever desired, and the icing will hold them in place.

Log Cabin Village

These gingerbread houses remind me of the colonial log cabins in Valley Forge National Park. Instead of candy, piped icing was used throughout the design, with a sprinkling of sugar snow.

The North Pole
North Pole Village
Leave it to Santa to create a quaint village, where even the North Pole is edible!

Cabin in the Woods

Like something from a fairy tale, this cute little snow-scene has a soft pink and blue color scheme complemented by a welcoming fire glow from inside.

Cozy Chalet

Almond cookies adorning the roof and chocolate door & chimney set this chalet apart.

Midnight Cabin

The contrasts between light and dark give this gingerbread house a spooky feel like something you might see in a dark lonely forest. The gumdrop posts appear to be glowing, while the almost obscured windows make you wonder what might lurk inside.

Gingerbread House Kits

You could make gingerbread houses from scratch, but kits, which include all the candy, walls, roof, and icing, are a great place to start for beginners.

A Grinchy Christmas
Grinchy Home
The Grinch gets an upgrade from his old cave home to this perfect gingerbread tribute to Dr. Seuss. From the whimsical tree to the asymmetrical door, the spirit of the story comes to life before our eyes.

Angelic Lace
Angelic Lace Cottage
Delicate lace-like patterns harmonize with tiny gold dragées, while mini string lights illuminate the tree as well as the interior. A very steady hand is required to keep the lines soft and fluid.

Guiding Light
Lighted Church
Gingerbread can be made into any type of building including castles, churches, and lighthouses. If you can imagine it, anything is possible.

Chocolate & Gingerbread Cottage
Chocolate Fairy Tale Cottage
You seldom see chocolate decorations on gingerbread, but this artist has done a wonderful job combining the two into an exquisitely detailed showstopper.

Feast for the Eyes
Wintry Dream
There’s a lot going on here, but it’s beautifully balanced. The snow drips from the roof and the evergreen tree is decorated with colorful balls and a star on top. The upright pinwheel candies make a lovely border, while the cheerful gingerbread man and his snowy friend are sure to please. Every detail in this sentimental gingerbread home was made with love to warm the heart.

Your Reward
Eating Gingerbread
What is the best part about decorating gingerbread? Eating it! After all that hard work, you deserve a tasty treat. If you don’t have the heart to munch on your creation, have a few decorated cookies on the side as a reward for a job well done. I hope you are inspired to give gingerbread building a try. Good luck and remember you can always eat your mistakes. (lol)

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

He’s a Real Swinger

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

With a title like that, you’re probably looking for a good time. And that you will have, but probably not in the way you were expecting. Lol Today we’re going to talk about skeletons and swings.

Halloween is a skeleton’s favorite holiday.

Love at first sight does not require sight. Even after death love lives on.

They like to lounge around on Sunday afternoons.

Skeletons can be silly and have a playful sense of humor.

What could be more fun than riding a swing? The idea of skeletons and swings inspired our next project.

How to Make a Skeleton Swing:

Halloween Sidewalk Edging – (lightweight plastic)

I bought this at the dollar store. It is supposed to be used as spooky edging along your front sidewalk or to serve as a perimeter fence around a Halloween graveyard display. This works great as a seat swing, and I kept the stakes for their menacing appearance.

Large Link Chains – (lightweight plastic)

This dungeon-like chain also came from the dollar store. A note of caution, these fake chains are only for show and cannot hold any weight. Compensate for this by using heavy twine, as you will see in the following steps below.

Assembled Swing

Tie chains to each side of the seat using heavy twine. As mentioned above, you will need to add support, and this depends upon the type of skeleton you choose. To prevent the chains from pulling apart: tie heavy twine to each side of the seat and weave it through the chains to the top and then tie it together so it can be placed over a branch or slid onto a wall-mounted flagpole.

Human Skeleton on Swing

Human skeletons have a loop at the top of the skull, which will support the full weight. He will appear to be riding the swing if you clasp his hands upon the chains, allowing the seat to simply lean against his backside. You may need to adjust the chain length to accommodate his height. For a humorous touch, you could add a baseball cap or a fashionable scarf around the neck.

Dragon Skeleton on Swing

Here’s another skeleton option, and as you know I love dragons, so I returned the human skeleton to the store and chose this dragon instead.

Finished Dragon Swing

To protect the dragon’s animatronic eyes, jaws and sound effects, I opted to keep the swing indoors and hung it from an existing plant hook in the ceiling. To reinforce the swing to hold his weight, I attached additional twine to the four corners of the seat. I also tied his feet to the seat to ensure he stays firmly in place. Everybody loves this new addition to our Halloween décor. I think he likes it too!

I hope this project will inspire you to think outside the box with your Halloween decorations. Please let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments.

Thanks for Reading! Happy Crafting! And I hope you have a very Happy Halloween!

Non-Traditional Valentine’s Day Gifts

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Flowers and a heart-shaped box of candy are the traditional gifts for Valentine’s Day. While there’s nothing wrong with that, let’s see if we can find more creative ways to express love.

Floral-Themed Gifts:
Rose Cake Pops

Cake pops are often dipped in chocolate and covered with sprinkles. In the photo above, the rich chocolate cake center was wrapped in modeling chocolate, creating edible roses.

Glass Flowers

Each delicate petal in this stunning centerpiece was skillfully handcrafted with glass.

Floral Digital Art

Digital flowers provide infinite possibilities. A frame is the perfect finishing touch.

Fresh-Cut Rose Lilies Centerpiece

Are you familiar with rose lilies? These colorful, fragrant blooms have that wow-factor and are much less expensive than roses.

LED Floral Garden Lights

No green thumb is required for these pretty blooms. When the sun goes down, imagine the surprise of seeing a magical glowing flower garden.

Floral Painted Glass

One of the challenges of stained glass is working with sharp wire and glass, causing cuts in your hands. With painted glass, the problem is solved. You can have the look of genuine stained glass and none of the pain. Yeah!

Silk Chrysanthemums Centerpiece

Silk flowers have come a long way. These fool-the-eye chrysanthemums will look divine long after the typical roses have faded away.

Heart-Themed Gifts:
Hand Blown Glass Heart

Glass blowing is an age-old art, and each is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Nature’s Valentines Photography

Heart shapes appear everywhere in nature, including seashells, rocks, and animals too.

Twig Heart Wall Art

Whether you prefer hiking through a forest or walking on the beach, the treasures you collect along the way can be incorporated into unique and meaningful gifts.

Glass Mosaic Heart

Mosaic art can be created with glass, ceramic tiles, stones, seashells, etc. These intricate designs adorn walls, furniture, jewelry, or anything else you imagine.

Wood & Glass Heart Box

Painted, stained or decorated wood crafts make great gifts.

Papercraft 3D Wall Art

Wall art, scrapbooking, and origami fall under the papercraft category. There was a time when paper was limited to matte or gloss finish. Today, there are metallic, iridescent, painted, and decorative papers to bring your design to life.

Writing:
Musical Composition

Compose an original song.

Calligraphy

Heart-felt words of love are sure to be appreciated.

Write Poetry

Whether you write a single poem or a book, sharing your creative writing makes a thoughtful, memorable gift.

Miscellaneous Gifts:
Paper Sculpture

If paper could make a wish, I suppose becoming a sculpture would be the ultimate dream come true. If you prefer digital art, a similar sculptural effect can be achieved using AI software.

Take a Class

Instead of flowers or candy, you and your loved one could take a class in flower arranging or candy making. As an alternative to expensive restaurants, learn how to cook a delicious dinner and mouthwatering dessert. Spending time together is a gift too.

Thanks for Reading, Happy Valentine’s Day, & Happy Crafting!

Crafts for Every Holiday

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

I couldn’t resist this photo of a kitten swatting a clock just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Time flies so quickly. I don’t think this little guy could catch it, but that won’t stop him from trying. There are so many creative opportunities throughout the year. Let’s look at some of the possibilities for each of the major holidays:

New Year’s Eve/Day – Specialty Drinks

New Year’s Eve/Day – Homemade Zodiac Chocolates

Chinese New Year – Lanterns & Decor

Valentine’s Day – Homemade Candy & Cookies

Valentine’s Day – Flower Arranging

St. Patrick’s Day – Flower Arranging, Jewelry, & Sewing

St. Patrick’s Day – Cookies

Easter – Dyed Eggs & Wood Crafts

Easter – Cookies & Ceramics

Cinco de Mayo – Hat Design, Beading & Embroidery

Cinco de Mayo – Costume Design, Sewing, Embroidery & Beading

Mother’s Day – Flower Arranging & Jewelry

Mother’s Day – Painting

Mother’s Day – Portraiture

Father’s Day – Wood Sculpture

Father’s Day – Craft Beer

Father’s Day – Illustration & Digital Art

Independence Day – Cake Design

Independence Day – Homemade Popsicles

Halloween – Cosplay Costume Design, Makeup, & Props

Halloween – Cookies, Candy, & Baked Treats

Halloween – Nail Art

Thanksgiving – Centerpieces, Candle Making, & Specialty Lighting

Thanksgiving – Ceramics

Hanukkah – Candle Making

Hanukkah – Jelly Donuts

Christmas – Cupcakes

Christmas – Hand-Painted Nutcrackers

Christmas – Hand-Painted Ornaments

Kwanzaa – Candle Making, Candleholders, & Centerpieces

Whether you make these holiday-themed crafts for yourself or give them as gifts, they are all wonderful ways to express your creativity. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You may discover talents you never knew you had.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

The Christmas Mouse

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Years ago, when my brother and I were kids, we added an extra animal to our mother’s cherished Nativity scene, which was proudly displayed on the buffet in our dining room. We wondered how long it would take her to notice. Much to our surprise she liked it! In fact, it became a family tradition every year. We’re lucky to have such a cool mom!

Original Mouse

Now we are adults, and that same adorable critter is in the display, but the years have not been kind to him. His hair is thin and there are some bald spots too. His tail is twisted and torn. This little guy needs some TLC to restore him to the cute furry mouse he used to be.

The Solution – The Hair Club for Mice

Sometimes a mouse’s best friend is…a cat. Lol

Supplies

For this project, we will need gray fur, Elmer’s Glue and white felt.

Partially Repaired Tail

Cut & glue a piece of felt to underside of the tail. The original tail was so fragile, it broke. I glued it on top of the felt, making it stronger and easier to handle.

Repaired Tail

Apply Gray Fur

Apply glue to the top of the tail and push small pieces of gray fur along the entire length. Don’t worry about trimming, which will be done in a later step. Now apply glue to the body and press hair into it to fill the gaps. I also applied hair to the face, which was worn smooth. I allowed it to dry overnight. The next day he looked great, but in desperate need of a haircut.

Trim Fur & Tail

Carefully trim the hair as needed. New eyes were created using black 3D fabric paint.

Restored Mouse

Ta-da! Here is our new and improved mouse. Before the makeover, he looked like a well-worn toy, but now he looks very realistic. Should we try to scare our mom with it? No, she’s always three steps ahead of us. Lol

Our cats have their toy back (shown in first photo) and once again our Christmas mouse proudly sits in the Nativity scene. You never know where new traditions may come from or what you might do to keep it going for generations to come.

Togetherness

Thanks for Reading, & Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving Table

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Crafts Inspire Me

Thanksgiving is celebrated by everyone across the United States. It is a time of family gatherings and delicious food. Planning is the key to preparing a feast for a crowd, which can be a daunting task. There are so many decisions to be made, starting with the dining table.

Traditional Dining Room Table

Is there enough room for your guests and the food? Should you serve a sit-down dinner or buffet style? How can you create a festive atmosphere?

Contemporary Dining Room Table

Just as artists are faced with a blank canvas, what can you do with an empty table? Let’s look at a few options…

Tablecloths & Placemats:
Tablecloths

Placemats

Centerpieces:
Table Runners, Candles & Flowers

Cornucopia with Seasonal Produce

Seasonal Accents at Varying Heights

Ceramic Pumpkins & Leaves

Place Settings & Glassware:
Formal Place Setting – Neutrals

Formal Place Setting – Bold Jewel Tones

Casual Tropical Place Setting

Buffet-Style Place Setting

Glassware

Food Presentation:
Charcuterie Boards

Spreading Knives

Bold Contrasting Colors & Materials

Decorative Platters & Artfully Arranged Food

Thanksgiving Themed Desserts

Homemade Cakes & Candy (Edible Décor)

Lighting:
Firelight & Candlelight

Fairy Lights

Specialty Lights & Floral Garland

Thanksgiving Day:
Dinner is Served

Celebrating with Family & Friends

I hope these suggestions will inspire you to come up with creative Thanksgiving décor in your own unique style. Wow your guests on this memorable occasion. If you have any family traditions you would like to share, please do so in the comments.

Thanks for Reading, Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Crafting!

Happy Easter 2024

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Crafts Inspire Me

Easter is quickly approaching and dying eggs are part of the fun.

Decorate with lots of cute bunnies.

Enjoy delicious Easter-themed cookies.

And devour lots of chocolate. What’s the best thing after Easter? The after-Easter candy sales! Lol

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I wish you a Happy Easter, Happy Spring, and Happy Crafting!

The Art of Napkin Folding

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Crafts Inspire Me

We have all admired table settings at restaurants and weddings. Napkins play an important practical as well as artistic role in the dining experience. Napkin Folding is a special art form, which anyone can learn. We will start with napkin rings, followed by beautiful examples of napkin art, and conclude by making one of our own: a Christmas Tree Napkin. Let’s get started…

Napkin Rings:
Metal Napkin Rings

Beaded Napkin Ring

Engagement Napkin Ring

Folded Napkins:
Rolled Napkins

Fanned Napkin

Artistic Napkins

Ocean Waves Napkins

Easter Napkin (this design can also be a shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day)

Iris Napkin

Flower Napkin (with a fresh cut bloom)

Shirt Napkin

Swan Napkins

How to Make a Napkin Christmas Tree:

Place a Large Square Napkin on a Table.

Fold It in Half.

Fold It in Half Again to Form a Square.

Turn It Toward You. (loose edges at top & folded sides at bottom)

Fold a Small Triangle at Bottom.

Peel Down One Layer Toward Bottom

Fold Another Triangle Overlapping the First. (leave about an inch of the bottom layer exposed)

Repeat Process for Each Layer

Last Layer Completed

Fold Left Side Back to Form Half of Tree

Half Finished Christmas Tree

Finished Christmas Tree Napkin

Adjust the top of tree and folds as needed. Congratulations! You have successfully completed your first napkin folding project. Preparing for a wedding or a large dinner party? Only 199 napkins to go. lol

There are lots of how-to videos online or challenge yourself to come up with an original design. Have fun with it. What is the best folded napkin design you have ever seen? I loved the birds of paradise napkins at a Hawaiian restaurant. Please let me know your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

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