Magnetic Cups

Are you tired of your kids leaving a ton of cups around the house. Here's an easy way to keep things organized and clean: Attach a pair of magnets on each cup.

Source: http://adventuresinpinteresting2012.blogspot.com/2013/01/magnet-cups-for-fridge.html

Recycle Broken Watches

It may not be able to give you the time, but there's a way for you to recycle your old watch. Cut out a small picture to fit the size of the frame in your watch. Then, take apart the watch and attach the picture on the back of the frame. Click here to find instructions to help you get started.

Source: www.myhomefortheholidays.blogspot.com

New Year's Time Capsule

Just a few more days before the start of 2014...

It's time to reflect and look back at the good times and accomplishments from the past year. Get the kids involved and create a time capsule. Put all of your favorite memories and pictures inside the capsule and wait until the next year to open it. 

Keeps the kids busy during winter break and creates a lasting memory...

Source: www.meaningfulmama.com

New Year's Countdown

Here's a simple way to keep the fun alive as you countdown to the New Year with your family and friends.

Fill a packet with an idea or activity and label it with the hour that you want to do the activity.

Example:  9 p.m. - Tell your friends and family to discuss New Year's resolutions

Source: http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-years-packets.html

Christmas Tree - Resolution Tree

Get a little creative with the New Year and create/recycle a resolution tree.

Add some ornaments with your New Year's resolution. Or create a gift with an inspiring message for your family members to start the New Year. 

Source: http://secretsofasupermommy.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-2011-super-mommies.html?m=1

Cozy Hangers

It's been around for a while, but now it's gaining another round of momentum.

If you love to crochet, this is a craft to add to your to-do list. Below is a tutorial I found from Karen M. Anderson.

 

Sue Wilson,  program director/morning show co-host of 94.9 WQMX, holds a cozy hanger made by Hazel Marie in the 1970's.

 

Christmas Card Tree

This idea is similar to the 'Thankful Tree" during Thanksgiving. It's just another way to keep your Christmas and holiday cards throughout the year.

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/

Last Minute Gift Idea

The clock is ticking and you're still missing a few gifts for some important people in your life. No worries...

Try creating a special gift by adding a special touch. Add a pair mugs and a family recipe for one of your favorite drinks or dessert.

Source: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com

Easy Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Have an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party coming up? Don't worry about traveling to the mall to grab the ugliest sweater you can find. Try creating your own work of art.

Add a large bow by attaching it to an old sweater using a hot glue gun or fabric glue. You can even attach bows and a stocking to make a simple ugly sweater. Get creative! 

Source: Pinterest

The good news is if you're not a crafty person, this is the best craft to start with on your list! 

Fabric Wrap

Skip the normal wrapping paper and use some of the extra scrap fabric inside your home to create an easy way to wrap a small gift.

BuzzFeed.com posted a list of cool wrapping ideas - plus this one below:

Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com

Creative Gift Card Wraps

Get a little creative when giving a gift card to someone you love during the holiday season.

Try putting the gift cards in boxes that you already have in your home - like a medicine box or a gum container. They're easy to wrap and adds a little suspense when opening the gift. 

Source: http://simplyrebekah.com

Last Minute Christmas Centerpiece

You don't have to go out of your way to create a beautiful centerpiece.

Just take a large wine glass and turn it upside down. Just add a couple of ornaments inside the glass and place it upside down. Then, add a candle on the top (which is actually the bottom) of the wine glass. Repeat and add a row of the unique items along the dinner table.

Source: http://www.topdreamer.com/22-interesting-diy-wine-glass-centerpieces/

Start A New Holiday Tradition

Christmas cards. Gift lists. Letters.

These begin to pile up around the holiday season - so why not use it as a way to decorate the home. Just attach a piece of rope or wire on both ends to a wall in your home. Use clothespins to attach cards, letters, pictures or gift lists to the wire to create a holiday atmosphere and a great conversation to your home.

Source: http://www.babble.com/home/10-diy-christmas-decor-ideas/

Simple Christmas Tree Alternative

Here's an easy alternative to the original Christmas tree. Try decorating a ladder with lights and ornaments hanging from each step. This is also a great idea for big homes to add a second tree in a room or basement. 

Source: http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

Simple Thanksgiving Place Cards

A simple idea to spice up your Thanksgiving Day table!

Source: http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/slideshow/diy-thanksgiving-place-cards/

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Try some of these delicious leftover recipes for Thanksgiving!

Source: http://askannamoseley.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-leftovers-roundup/#_a5y_p=1074875

Source: http://www.thekitchn.com/thanksgiving-leftovers-recipe-133358

Source: http://www.girlversusdough.com/2013/11/20/thanksgiving-leftovers-nachos/

Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

Skip the pie shell and try something different. Phyllo shells are one of my favorite ways to entertain guests. You can find the miniature shells in the freezer aisle at your grocery store. Fill it with your favorite pumpkin pie recipe for the filling or try a pecan tart recipe (below).

Source: http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Mini-pecan-phyllo-tarts-351920?columns=4&position=1/36

Front Door Flowers

I came across this picture on Pinterest and I had to share. If your missing a vase or receive too many flowers over the holidays, use an umbrella to hold your flowers and hang on your front door.

Source: http://seasonalwonderment.tumblr.com/post/48785862512

Chalkboard Menu

It seems like I can't go one week without posting an idea related to chalkboards.

This adds a little spark to your dessert table. You can use chalkboard cloth to create a runner or tablecloth to label your Thanksgiving food items.

Source: http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2010/01/useful-table-runner.html

Muffin Stuffing

What a great idea! If you need to bring a side dish to your Thanksgiving dinner party, this is a simple yet enjoyable treat to take with you when you travel.

Source: www.insidebrucrewlife.com

Need a creative recipe to tag along with this idea. Try my favorite Thanksgiving recipe for corn bread stuffing.

White Pumpkin Decor

Keep the love for pumpkins going through Thanksgiving. Instead of keeping the pumpkins orange, paint the outside white and string along a vine or a strings of branches around each pumpkin. This can create a wonderful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Capture A Thankful Photo

My obsession with chalkboards continue...

Let you guests write what they're thankful for this Thanksgiving on a chalkboard. Then, capture each thankful thought with a picture. To add a "right now" element, use a Polaroid camera.

Source: www.etsy.com

Thankful Placemats

I love personalized decor to add a little spice to your next party or event. If you're looking for creative ideas to add to your Thanksgiving dinner table, try a thankful placemat.

You can use construction paper or scrapbook paper to create the placemat. Let your guests write what they're thankful for before dinner begins. It's a great conversation piece.

Source:creativepartyideasbycheryl.blogspot.com

Scary or Sweet?

Here's the question: Is this scary or sweet. In the spirit of Halloween - I had to share this!

Show your love for someone and create a personalized stuffed animal. Some think it's a little scary, but some think it's the perfect gift idea.

Quick and Easy Halloween Crafts For Kids

Keep your child busy today for Halloween with easy crafts...

Source: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/47397/easy-halloween-crafts-for-kids

Halloween Dinner Ideas

Get creative for dinner today! A Halloween surprise for your guests or kids...

Source: http://blog.hwtm.com/2009/10/creative-halloween-dinner-ideas/

No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas

Source: www.realsimple.com

No mess and no hassle. Here are some great pumpkin ideas without using a carving technique. If you can't decide what kind of design you want to do, try some chalkboard paint to change up your ideas.

Source: www.realsimple.com

Source: www.realsimple.com

Delicious Apple Rings

Delicious! Here's an interesting spin on an old onion ring recipe. Just use apple slices, cover in batter and fry. That's it. Top it off with some caramel sauce or powdered sugar!

Click here for the full recipe.

Source: http://diethood.com/2013/10/04/apple-rings/

Pumpkin Cooler

Need I say more?

Source: http://www.pinterest.com

Scary Food Ideas

Who knew there are so many ways to create a scary feast. Click here to view instructions for each of the scary ideas below...

Source:http://www.pehpot.com/2012/11/halloween-party-th-birthday-party.html

 

 

 

 

 

Source: http://www.pehpot.com/2012/11/halloween-party-th-birthday-party.html

Candy Corn On The Cob

You can find just about anything on Pinterest and this little gem is no different.

Thanks to my good friend, Dan Deely, for sending me this picture. If you're looking for a creative way to spice up your dessert table, try making candy corn on the cob. Simply stick the ends of the candy into a banana. A fun way to surprise your guests!

Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Candy-Corn-on-the-COB/


 

Eyes In The Bushes

Genius!

Make the outdoor area of your home a scary trip for trick-or-treaters. Cut out eye-shaped holes into toilet paper rolls and put a glow stick inside each roll. Simply place the rolls in different areas outside your home and "wow" your visitors!

Source: http://www.thriftycraftygirl.com/2011/10/31-days-of-halloween-eyes-in-bushes.html

Creepy Ice and Bones

Make your drinks a little extra creepy! Place gummy worms or candy bugs inside of an ice cube tray and fill with water. Great idea for the kids!

Source: http://seaofsavings.com/spooky-spider-ice-cubes/

How about some bones? Take some stick pretzels with two marshmallows on each end. Then...dip in white chocolate!

Source: http://www.foodmayhem.com/2009/10/halloween-bones.html

Easy Costume Ideas

Don't have enough time to build your costume? Check out some of these ideas!

Source: www.realsimple.com

Easy Way To Carve Pumpkins

Use cookie cutters to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween and the fall season. Use a mallet to hit the cookie-cutter in the desired area of the pumpkin. You may need to cut around the cookie-cutter to loosen it in order to pop it out.

Click here for step-by-step instructions: 

Source: http://builtbykids.com/carving-pumpkins-with-cookie-cutters/

Chicken Wire Ghost

Here's a spooky way to dress up your yard. Shape chicken wire and use a glow-in-the-dark spray paint to cover the material. Looks great during the day or at night.

Source: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/halloween-decoration-how-to-make-human-size-ghosts/page-3.html#step5

Jenga Guestbook

Get a little creative for you next party or wedding. Use those old Jenga pieces as guestbook!

Source: http://www.theknot.com/weddings/photos/creative/guest-book

 

Pumpkin Vase

If you're in the holiday spirit, try something new to brighten up your home. Simply clean and carve the inside of a pumpkin, just as you would if you are creating a scary pumpkin to set outside. Then, set a glass or cup in the middle of the pumpkin, fill it with water and place your favorite flowers inside.

This is a great way to get the kids involved in the season.

Source: http://www.flowerduet.com/newsletters/newsletter-october-2012.html

Rock Love

This is wonderful gift I made for a special friend. Take a vase and fill the container with large rocks. Family and friends can write a personal message on each rock using a permanent marker. A lasting memory with a personal touch...

Recycled Book Keepsake Box

Hide your personal items inside your favorite book. Just glue the edges of the book and cut a rectangle inside the pages, about 1 inch from the outside edge. A great keepsake and memory of you favorite book.

Source:http://www.bhg.com/christmas/gifts/cute-and-practical-handmade-christmas-gifts/#page=30

Perfect Graduation Gift

Here's a way to save money and create a valuable gift! If you know someone who is expected to graduate in a few years and you're hoping to surprise them with a useful gift, set aside $20 (or any amount) every month and put it in a photo album. Once your done, you can add some pictures and hand the gift to your graduate to help them get started!

This picture was found on Pinterest: