Storage Containers

With 3 little girls wandering around the house and building their curiosity I really needed a way to contain all the kid "stuff".  Here was my low cost solution:

Supplies:

1. Scissors

2. Cardboard box

3. Wrapping paper & tape OR Contact paper

4. Box cutter (if you have one, otherwise scissors will do)

I used different size cardboard boxes, according to what items I needed to contain.  First I figured out where I wanted the opening & cut that part off of the box with a box cutter or scissors.  Second I wrapped the outside in wrapping paper for decoration.  You could also use contact paper, this would be great because it is already sticky.  I used all the same wrapping paper so that even though my boxes are different sizes, all of them together would have look cohesive.  Also, I labeled the boxes after wrapping them, but obviously this is not a necessity.  My daughter was 4 when I made these & she was starting to read, so it was fun for her to have simple words around her to practice.  

For the handles on the Diaper's check this out!

Cardboard Dresser

Moving into a house with almost No Furniture called for a little creativity.  A new friend gave me the idea to use cardboard boxes with plastic drawers, so I took that idea and ran with it!

Here is what I came up with:

to keep the drawer on the top I made "supports" from cardboard and taped them inside.

Here is the finished product in use:

Update:  Since making and using these for awhile, the support for the shelves came 'un-taped'.  Now I use the drawers inside of our current closet at the bottom to organize folded clothes.  And I use the larger outside for storage because 1 fits inside the other like a large drawer...pictures coming soon.

Christmas Decorations ...on a budget.

These are some of the crafts that I made last year (at least the ones that turned out well) with supplies needed lists.  I wanted to share some Very nice looking ideas when you have only a few supplies on hand. 

Old Book Pages Wreath

This is one of my favorite / most proud crafts at the finish!  I was able to find old books for FREE at the church library here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  

Here is the You Tube video for a tutorial.

And here is my finished product!

Supplies Needed:

1. Old Book Pages

2. Uhu glue or Glue gun

3. Stapler & staples

4. Cardboard

5. Ornaments/decorative "something"

I put some cheap Christmas tree ornaments that I had bought at the store randomly in the middle of the wreath.  I think what I like best about this wreath is that it has character because of the age of the pages. 

Fabric Balls

This one I was a little bit skeptical of because I just couldn't believe that these fabric squares would actually stay being just "pushed" into the Styrofoam balls.   And It DID Work!

Supplies needed:
Fabric 
Scissors
Crochet needle
Styrofoam ball


1. Cut the fabric into squares, I think mine were 3-4 inches.  Note About Fabric: The nice aspect of this craft is that you can use scrap fabric that you have extra.  I had this red and white lace-y fabric and the green silk-y fabric to use for scrap...but even though it DID worked I would suggest NOT use a "slippery" fabric.  

2. Take a square of fabric and put the non-hook end of the crochet needle in the middle of the square and push it into the Styrofoam ball about 1/2 inch.  Pull needle out and the fabric should stay in the ball.  

3. 1 by 1 push each square into the ball, work in a line around the ball.  Working in lines help keep the ball looking full.  By the end you will be just filling in a few "holes".  

Here is the You Tube video where I learned the technique.

And here is my finished product...

3D Snowflake

Lastly this has been a great craft for the past few years for me.  Last year it was a great one for creating snow here in warm Thailand!

Supplies Needed:
1. Paper (any thickness & any color)
2. Scissors
3. Stapler & staples
4. String to hang it

Even though mine is a plain white, you can be so creative with this one because of using any color/pattern paper and making them any size from large like mine or smaller!

Here is a You Tube video to learn how to make this.  

HAVE FUN & HAPPY CHRISTMAS CRAFTING!