Author name: Julie Finn

I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now. Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.

Avatar photo

Five No-Pattern Potholder Projects

While you’ll have to wait until after the holiday season for my own favorite nine-patch potholder tutorial (there’s only so much craftiness I can do while spending Christmas ten hours away from my sewing machine), here are five more potholder tutorials that you’re going to love. Some are scrappy, some are sturdy, some are cute, and none of them even require so much as a pattern to sew–how much easier could you get?

Five No-Pattern Potholder Projects Read More 👉

How-to: Pretty Packaged Mason Jars for Gift Giving

If you give a lot of homemade gifts, you’re probably well aware of the versatility of the Mason jar. Perfect for everything from spice mixes to cranberry granola, party mix to cake in a jar, Mason jars get passed around between me and my crafty friends and family like the holiday version of hot potato.

The only thing about Mason jars is that..well…they look all the same. Sure, they’re lovely enough, but so uniform! Fortunately, with a little fabric, some thread, and a bit of upcycled cardboard, you can package your Mason jar gifts for the holidays, personalizing them by gift or recipient or just making them look nicely festive.

How-to: Pretty Packaged Mason Jars for Gift Giving Read More 👉

How-to: Painted Popcorn Garland

Popcorn garlands are a kid-friendly, easy, and fun holiday craft that the whole family can make together. Edible, natural popcorn is a great environmental choice, especially since you can simply take it outside to compost or leave for the birds and squirrels to enjoy after the holiday, and if you’re looking for a food craft to do, then popcorn is also a great choice for everyone’s tummies, since you won’t have to worry about all that candy, meant for gingerbread houses or sugar cookies, that somehow ends up in your mouth!

Of course, since I’m from the South, a plain white popcorn garland isn’t nearly gaudy enough for me, so read on and I’ll show you not only how to easily make a great popcorn garland, but also how to easily paint it to match (or NOT match!) your holiday decor.

How-to: Painted Popcorn Garland Read More 👉

Five Upcycled Crayon Crafts

Ah, crayons…such versatile, waxy, brightly pigmented goodness! My little girls have a couple of nice boxes of unbroken, new-ish crayons reserved for schoolwork and special art projects, and a giant bin of broken, half-wrapped, stubby, old crayons, gathered here and there and everywhere, that we use for everything else.

Old crayons may seem like a nuisance to have underfoot, but they are incredible art supplies, and you can make some surprisingly sophisticated creations with them. Here are five projects, from canvas art to kid crafts, to get you started

Five Upcycled Crayon Crafts Read More 👉

How-to: DIY Mosaics–No Kits, Just Concrete!

You know those adorable concrete mosaic kits that they sell in all the big-box craft stores, the ones with all the stuff that you need to make one concrete mosaic, handprint optional, to put in your garden path in the spring? The ones that look really fun to make, and you’re pretty sure that the grandparents would just adore one made by your kids?

Yeah, you can make dozens and dozens of your own concrete mosaics for the same price as one of those mosaic kits, and even more cheaply, if you use found and natural objects for the mosaic tiles, and recycle plastic packaging for the concrete molds.

How-to: DIY Mosaics–No Kits, Just Concrete! Read More 👉

Star Gazing: Nuno Magazine’s Fall Issue

Nuno Magazine is published seasonally, with all its projects tied together under one theme, yet with a broad variety of crafts to choose from. The fall Star Gazing issue includes cool weather projects, such as the hat and a crocheted cowl, autumn crafts, such as sweater pumpkins and a bat mask, and crafts that use everything from felted wool to newspaper to tin cans to mimic the stars in the night sky.

Star Gazing: Nuno Magazine’s Fall Issue Read More 👉

Make an Upcycled Cardboard Leaf Garland for Autumn

As long as recycled cardstock or cardboard fits my color scheme (and painting counts!), I like to upcycle it into temporary holiday garlands to decorate those last bits of uncluttered surface in my house. Read on to see that my red Valentine heart garlands (made from Target photo processing envelopes) and my yellow and green autumn leaf garlands (made from Crayola boxes) are easy to make, and would look pretty great in your house, too.

Make an Upcycled Cardboard Leaf Garland for Autumn Read More 👉

Five Handmade Alphabets that You Can Craft from Recycled, Upcycled, or Natural Materials

Whether you have a child who’s learning her letters, or you simply recognize the decorative potential of a lovely font, a handmade alphabet can be simple to make out of a wide variety of eco-friendly materials. If your green crafting ethic prefers upcycling, or if you choose to use only natural materials, read on for a variety of ways to craft your own handmade letters.

Five Handmade Alphabets that You Can Craft from Recycled, Upcycled, or Natural Materials Read More 👉

Here's a cute way to decorate a nursery or playroom:

How-to: Sew a Stuffed Fabric Alphabet from Upcycled, Recycled, or Natural Fabrics

As a children’s toy, a holiday decoration, or a wonderful present (a child’s name? A couple’s first monogram? How fun!), stuffed fabric letters are a way to show your personality and use up just about any kind of fabric in your stash. Neatly sewing up those letters with holes in them can be very tricky, however, but let me show you how, and you’ll be off and running.

How-to: Sew a Stuffed Fabric Alphabet from Upcycled, Recycled, or Natural Fabrics Read More 👉

Start typing and press enter to search

Scroll to Top