Christmas in July - May Theme Crafty-Mama!

The May theme for the Holiday Handmade Crusade was "Crafty-Mama." We honored our mum's in May by using a little extra Mother's Day crafty mojo to make a gift for the winter holidays. Participants were free to expand the theme to craft for their grandmothers, stepmothers, new mothers, any woman that is special in their life. Crafting for the kiddos was A-OK too! Because without kiddos, would there be crafty-mamas???

Mother's Day has long passed now, but maybe this post will inspire you to make something for your mom over the summer...

First off, Craftster user Loulabear has been making gifts all year long without a specific intended recipient. It's good to stockpile!

She made these awesome recycled magazine gift bows:



And some eco-themed stamped stationary:



Craftster user Christephi made gifts for her grandmothers...a walker bag,



and a seriously cool recycled denim apron!



Detail shot



My favorite entry for May was sent in by Pam aka Gingerbread Snowflakes , who submitted her entry via e-mail. She writes "My Mom loves and collects dragons so I made her a sea dragon ornament using punched tin!"



Pam has a few great posts on punched tin such as, How to Make Punched Tin Butterflies, Embellishing Your Beautiful Punched Tin Butterflies and Punched Tin Inspiration and Ideas.

If you would like to learn more about the Holiday Handmade Crusade, visit this post. Otherwise, join me for more Christmas in July goodness tomorrow!

Christmas in July - April Theme Eco Friendly Crafting

The April theme for the Holiday Handmade Crusade was "eco-friendly crafting." The challenge was to re-use, revamp, recycle and upcycle! It was a bit of a slumpy crafting month for the crusaders, so I only have one favorite project to share today. It's a brilliant one though! Hope this inspires you to hit up the Goodwill instead of the mall this Christmas!

Okay, ready to fall off your chair in a fit of cuteness overload?

MUSTACHE MUGS!!!



Craftster user LrsChic writes: I made mustache mugs for my Dad, myself, and either my brother or my boyfriend. I can't decide which of them would enjoy this more. Yes, I did say there's one for me! I love these mugs.

I found the mugs at the dollar store, already with the black circle around the top. I thought some black mustaches would look wonderful on them. Since Michaels craft store was having a sale, the ceramic paint pen only cost me $1.99. Hooray!

The adorable action shot:



Project variation: Awhile ago, on Craftster, I saw a fun project where the crafter had personalized mugs with a ceramic paint pen by putting the recipients coffee preferences on it. For example if I were making one for myself I would write: Milk only, no sugar.

There are so many coffee mugs waiting to be embellished at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army for 50 cents and up. This idea is eco-friendly, affordable and unique! Thanks LrsChic!

If you would like to learn more about the Holiday Handmade Crusade, visit this post. Otherwise, join me for more Christmas in July goodness tomorrow!

How to Make a Recycled Stationary Set

In honor of Earth Day and April's Holiday Handmade Crusade Theme, eco-crafting, I completed two Christmas gifts this month. My recycled magazine sets are for my two teenage nieces, but they would make a perfect gift for a letter-writing fan of any age.



This project is cheap, because it uses common found materials, earth friendly, because it is made from upcycled junk that is totally recycle-able and the finished product is just plain cute. What's not to love?

Materials

• An envelope. I think the one that I used was 4"x5"


• Paper with fun imagery on it. Think magazine pages, junk mail, old catalogues, etc.


• Paper with a clear enough surface to write on. Think recycled office paper, lined paper, graph paper, etc.


• Glue Stick


• Writing Utensil

Tools

• Scissors


• Pinking Shears (Optional)

Step One: Make the envelopes.



Take your envelope apart carefully, and unfold it. Use your unfolded envelope as a template to create your recycled envelopes by tracing around the template envelope onto your fun paper with a writing utensil of your choice. Fold in the appropriate tabs and glue with your glue stick. Careful not to glue the top tab shut, or you won't be able to use your envelope! Repeat for however many envelopes you would like per set. I made five envelopes per set.

Step Two : Making the Stationary Flats

Use more of your fun paper. Choose one side to be the "party side" of your flat. Use your scissors to cut the paper down to a size that will fit into your envelope.



Decide how much of a margin you would like on the "business side" of your paper. Cut your writing paper to reflect that margin, and glue to the business side of your flat. Trim around the edges with pinking shears if you like.



Repeat for however many flats you would like to have in your set. I made ten flats per set.

Your recycled stationary is now ready to use!