Make Your Own Easter Party Bags

Aren't these Easter party bags the cutest? And the best part is, you can make it yourself. They are totally easy and fun to make. Fill them with candy, chocolate covered pretzels, chalk, crayons, or anything else you can think of.

Here are the links to the different digital kits

• FREEBIE 1
• FREEBIE 2
• FREEBIE 3

To claim the free gift, you will need to create an account at the MyMemories website. Then you just click "add to cart" and you'll be able to download from your "my downloads" page.

The easiest way is to have the MyMemories Suite Scrapbooking software. If you do, you can easily install it directly to the software. If you don't have the software, you can still use the free digital kit. Just choose the download option for general use. It is suitable for software applications such as Adobe Photoshop & Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro, etc....  

For the tutorial, just click here.

p.s. If you are in need of fun Easter games for your party, check out these printable games.
Save 20% on orders $15 and up this Easter! Use 'EASTER20' at checkout. Offer ends 31st March 2013.

Paper Tulips For Your Wall

Recently, my church held a district conference for the Relief Society sisters. My branch was put in charge of decorating the hall and we were asked to put up tulips. Well, we ended up making paper tulips and this (the picture above) is how the walls ended up looking.

Some sisters commented that it felt like they had walked into a garden of tulips. It really turned out very nice indeed.

Anyway, at the end of the event, many of us took the tulips home (including me). So now they nicely decorate the walls of my children's room. They really do brighten the room.

The tulips are very easy to fold. You'll find the instructions here.

I know in the U.S. right now, the days are starting to get cold and winter will be setting in soon. When the days start to get dreary, maybe you could do this lovely craft with your kids to brighten up those winter days. If you live in a country where the sun shines the whole year, these paper tulips will look great in your kid's room anytime.

So, what do you think? Will your kids love this craft?

Make your home glisten with sparkling new holiday craft ideas

(ARA) - Time to deck the halls, don that holiday spirit and prepare your home for festivities.

But do your tightened purse strings have you saying "bah humbug?" Luckily, creating exquisite holiday decor can be fun and cost-effective when you do it yourself. Here are a few amazing holiday craft ideas that are simple and sensational.

Glittered holiday pinecones
Create a beautiful centerpiece with items that you might find in your backyard - all in less than an hour. Here's what you'll need: pinecones, Krylon Primer and Krylon Glitter Blast glitter spray, fishing line and a drop cloth.

Make sure that the pinecones are clean from dirt and dust, then tie fishing line around the stem of the pinecone. Hang them from above so that all surfaces are accessible with the drop cloth underneath. Next, simply spray a coat of primer and let dry and then spray with your favorite glitter color of Glitter Blast. Soon, you'll have pretty pinecones ready to spruce up any table.

Colorful cones
Decorate your home with a festive holiday cone. Let your imagination run wild with these cheerful creations. Here's what you may need: various sized foam cones, Glitter Blast glitter spray, scrapbook papers, self-adhesive foam sheet, sequins and pins, ribbon, paste and acrylic jewels.

To start, thoroughly spray the cones with your favorite colors of Glitter Blast and allow to completely dry. Then, follow these guidelines to create three unique versions.

Polka dot cone. Punch out a variety of sizes and colors of circles from scrapbook papers and foam sheets and attach in random patterns to the cone using the paste. Start with larger-sized circles and gradually adhere smaller sizes on top. Finally, pin on 1-inch glitter sequins.

Ribbon cone. Spiral ribbon around cone, anchoring in place with craft glue and craft pins. Cut small snips in the edges so ribbon will lay flat. Glue and pin sequin trim in between the ribbon spirals.

Beaded cone. Using straight pins, pin sequins at random all over the cone. Then use paste to attach flat-backed acrylic jewels in and around the sequins.

To complete the look of each uniquely designed holiday cone, make a hole in the very top of the cone with a pencil point. Press the neck of a small tree ornament into the hole and secure with a drop of glue. Now you have three beautiful and original cones for a creative and colorful arrangement.

Original ornaments
You may have had sticker shock the last time you shopped for holiday ornaments - but luckily with some inspiration from renowned crafter and author, Mark Montano, you can update your tree for almost free when you design your own. Here's what you'll need: eight wooden clothespins, cardboard, scissors, glue, spray paint, large rhinestones, hot glue gun and glue sticks, fishing wire and loose glitter or Glitter Blast glitter spray.

To start, take the clothespins apart and arrange the wood pieces in a starburst pattern with the fat ends of the pieces touching in the center and the skinny ends forming the points. Cut out two 2 1/2 inch cardboard circles. Glue a cardboard circle in the center of the clothespins and let it dry. Flip your starburst over, glue the other cardboard circle in the center and let it dry. Next, spray paint the entire ornament in a color of your choice. Cover the cardboard and about half an inch of the surrounding clothespins with glue and sprinkle glitter on top - or use Glitter Blast glitter spray. Flip the starburst over and repeat. When dry, use hot glue to adhere a rhinestone in the center of both sides. For the hanger, fold a 10-inch piece of fishing wire in half and hot glue the ends to one of the clothespins. Once dry, hang on your tree and enjoy.

For more holiday craft ideas from Krylon, visit www.yourholidaystyle.com; for craft ideas from Mark Montano, visit http://markmontanoblogs.blogspot.com/.

Candy Flowers

Mother's Day is next Sunday and the primary children at church usually hand out a gift to the women folk. Well, my primary president wanted to give out chocolates and I suggested making candy flowers to make it look more presentable. So, she got me the stuff and this is what I crafted.

I hope the ladies will like it. If you want to learn how to make this, I've got the instructions here: How To Make A Candy Flower Bouquet

Easter Ideas For Your Family

2 weeks ago we did our Easter party for the children. Almost every year they do egg coloring. This year, the Primary president wanted to do something different and asked me for some ideas. I suggested we put chocolate eggs into a decorated container along with an Easter message and pass it out to friends. So she got some small plastic containers and the children stuck stickers onto it. We put in some colored crepe paper that had been shredded to make it look like a nest. Then added the chocolate eggs on top.
Another craft we did was a lollipop flower. Here is what it looks like:

You can write your messages on the petals making it a more personal gift.

Click here for more instructions on how to make a lollipop flower. You can make this for lots of occasions, not just Easter. I made these for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and even Teacher's Day. If you are more adventurous, you could try making Candy Bouquets.

Need more ideas for Easter Sunday? Grab these free quick 'n' easy Easter ideas!

No Sew Fleece Blankets

Image via WikipediaMy mom called me a few days ago and told me she just fixed her very, very old sewing machine for RM200. This is the kind of sewing machine where you need to move the leg pedal up and down. Yup, not the fancy, schmancy electric ones these days. I remember learning to sew on that ancient machine of my moms. So many times it would start going backwards and mess everything up. There were many "urgh" moments. It takes practice to get it right.

Well, today I have an electric one. BUT my DH will attest to its underusage. Heck, he is still waiting for me to make some adjustments to his pants... and he passed it to me a year ago (shameful me).

Well, that is just typical me. I just hate the idea of dragging out the sewing machine. BUT I get all wide eyed when I see beautiful sewn crafts made by others.

Good news! Here is a fantastic craft idea and you don't have to make one stitch: No Sew Fleece Blankets.

Ah yes, fleece: warm, soft, comfy. This is a timely idea coz' it will make a "heart warming" Christmas gift. You could get fleece material with Christmassy or winter pictures. I think it's great for someone having a new born baby too. All you need is fabric and scissors. Just cut and tie the edges. Simple right? Even your children can help you. This is definitely a must try for lazy sewing bums like me.