Indian Corn Thanksgiving Decoration

Indian corn makes a wonderful Thanksgiving decoration, especially for outdoor decorating.  I purchased Indian corn at my local farmers market. 

To make my decoration, I used three dried corns and tied their husks together with a Bowdabra bow.  Super simple Thanksgiving decor!

I hung my Indian corn decoration on my gardening shed.  The leaves are changing (and falling!) here in New Hampshire and this Thanksgiving decoration just fits in perfectly!

The tutorial for making the bow can be found on the Bowdabra Blog.  I made the same style bow in my cornucopia tutorial.

Q-Tip Skeletion Kids Halloween Craft

I have been searching for fun kids crafts this Halloween.  Specifically, I was looking for a quick, no mess craft that I could do with my daughter's fourth grade class.  We have lots of activities planned for their classroom Halloween party but I thought a simple craft would also be nice.

I loved the Q-Tip Skeleton, craft project, that I found at Fun Family Crafts.  The craft seemed simple enough and, best of all, inexpensive.  I knew that I could easily purchase supplies for 20 children and it would cost me less than $10.00 for everything!

However, I was concerned about a few things.  I didn't want the children to have to cut the Q-Tips in half for the skeleton's feet and hands.  When I tried to cut the Q-Tips it was a little difficult.  Also, more often than not the Q-Tips went flying when I cut them.  I also noticed when gluing the Q-Tips the only way they stayed was if they had glue on the soft cotton part of the Q-Tip - making layering of the Q-Tips difficult.  Lastly, I didn't want to also have to provide white paper for the skeleton head. 

Here is my variation of the Q-Tip Skeleton:

 Materials: 
13 Q-Tips
RoseArt Washable School Glue
RoseArt White & Colored Washable Chalk
Black Cardstock

Instructions:
To begin with I laid out the Q-Tips and formed the skeleton shape.  Before gluing down the Q-Tips I drew with white chalk the skeleton head and the spine.  Next, I glued the Q-Tips to the black cardstock.  (To glue the Q-Tips place the glue on the soft cotton part of the Q-Tips).  Once, I had glued the Q-Tips I used chalk to create the bones for the hands and feet.  Lastly, using colored chalk I added some pumpkins and BOO.  

Hand-Stitched Small Fabric Flowers

Learn how to make these hand-stitched small fabric flowers using double wide bias tape.

I designed this tutorial a couple of days.  I have had really bad back pain and have been limited on how long I can be stand.   While sitting on the couch the other day, I started experimenting making these little flowers.   I am really happy with the results and so thankful for crafting!  Projects like these little fabric flowers have kept me from going stir crazy!  And, almost made me forget how bad my back hurts! 

Materials Needed:
12" of Double Wide Bias Tape
Thread
Sewing Needle
White Beads
Ruler
Dritz Fray Check

Instructions:
1. Begin by gathering double wide bias tape - choose colors that you would like for flowers.  You will only need 12" to make this small flower. 

2. Once you decide on the colors cut 12" of bias tape to make your first flower.  Seal the end with Dritz Fray Check.

3. Position the bias tape so that the opening is on the bottom.  Fold down the top to form a triangle.

4. Using matching thread knot the front tip of the triangle.

5. Fold down the other side.  Keep the material close together but not overlapping.

6. Fold the left triangle in.

7. Knot the ends together.

8. To make your next petal fold the bottom to form a triangle.

9. Fold the triangle up.

10. Fold down the other side.  Keep the material close together but not overlapping.

11. Fold the left triangle in and knot them together.

12. Continue making petals - make a total of 9 petals.

13. Trim away excess bias tape, you will have about an inch leftover.  Use fray check to keep it from fraying.  Stitch the beginning petal and then ending petal together on the underneath of the flower.

14. Stitch the opening of the flower closed.  Use a running stitch to pull it tightly closed.

15. Use a bead to cover your stitches.

16. Leave the petals tightly closed or "do what I did" push on the points to open them up.

17. Make several small fabric flowers following these instructions.  Use for hair bow centers, add a collection of flowers to a barrette or headband, or sew them onto clothing.

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DIY Rustic Flower Vase

It is fall here in New Hampshire and my yard has an ample supply of twigs and sticks in the yard.  Of course, I also have pine cones, acorns, and lots of leaves but they will have to wait for another day.  Mother Nature is kind enough to share her resources each fall.  And, I intend to use some of them!

I designed a tutorial at the Bowdabra Blog on how to make a twig and stick square flower vase.

I drink loose tea and it comes in square metal containers.  I have five recycled tea containers and I have been wanting to use them in a craft for a long time. 

Crafting with Nature: Twigs and Sticks Handmade Flower Vase via Bowdabra Blog (http://bowdabrablog.com)

 I love this style for either fall decorating, Thanksgiving table centerpiece, or even a rustic fall wedding!

Primitive Turkey Embellishment

Design a primitive turkey embellishment that would be perfect for hair bow centers, headbands, or even cardmaking and scrapbooking.  Create the turkey using hemp rope, add fabric feathers using bias tape, and finish with baby ric rac and mini buttons.

Materials Needed:
23" of hemp rope
6.5" of yellow double wide bias tape
7" of red double wide bias tape
7" burnt yellow double wide bias tape
1" burnt yellow double wide bias tape (for beak)
9.5" of orange double wide bias tape
red baby ric rac
yellow baby ric rac
Dritz Fray Check
mini buttons
hot glue gun
Thread

Instructions:
1. Begin by cutting 23" of hemp rope.  Roll 12" of the hemp and hold it in place with hot glue.  This is the body of the turkey.

2. Roll the other end, holding in place with hot glue.  This is the head of the turkey.

3. Glue on the turkey face.  Add mini buttons, a fabric beak (use Dritz Fray Check to keep it from fraying), and a ric rac snood.

4. To make the feathers begin with 7" of burnt yellow.  Fold the bias tape in half, at the crease mark fold the ends of the bias tape into the double fold.

5. Sew it in place.

6. Cut 7" of red bias tape and 6.5" of yellow bias tape.  Fold the ends in and sew in place.

7. Cut 6.5" of orange bias tape and an additional 3".  Sew the two loops together and add a third at the top.

8. Glue the burnt yellow to the back of the turkey body.  Notice the placement of the loops the curve is at the bottom.

9. Glue the red onto the body the curve is at the top.

10. Glue the yellow with the curve at the top.

11. Glue the three orange feathers to the top.

12. Add yellow ric rac feet.

13. Your primitive turkey embellishment is complete.

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Handmade Piano Card Sets

Sweetly Made Just For U is an Etsy shop full stunning handmade gift items.  Etsy storeowner, Emilee, a fellow Bowdabra Designer and craft friend, WOWS me with her crocheting talents.  What I didn't realize until recently is that she is also a very talented cardmaker!

Check out, Emilee's Handmade Piano Cards Sets.

Piano Card Sets by Sweetly Made Just For U

These adorable handmade cards come in a set of 6, each is finished with a beautiful bow with rhinestone center.  The inside of the cards include a stamped sentiment.

Piano Card Sets by Sweetly Made Just For U

While at Emilee's store visit her other items.  I am seriously crushin' on her crocheted stocking advent calendars.  Amazing right!

Stocking Advent Calendar by Sweetly Made Just For U

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation to write about Sweetly Made Just For U.  My opinions are honest and my own.