3 Simple, Stunning DIY Winter Crafts

Let’s be honest, for those who love a good DIY project, there is no wrong season for crafts and creativity. Still, there is something about the blustery winter months that calls for a mug of warm tea and a satisfying craft project. After the holiday decorations come down, many of us are left with bare spots on our shelves, walls, and end tables. It’s too early for the spring summer decor, but we’re so over pine trees and Santa – so how to fill in the gap?

To help you solve this home decor conundrum, we’ve highlighted 3 DIY winter craft projects perfect for whiling away a chilly afternoon. Enjoy!

Pinecone Door Hanger

Looking for winter crafts that can grace your front door once the holidays are behind you? This pinecone door hanger fits the bill perfectly. For this project you’ll need large 8-12 large pinecones (available in your backyard or at your local craft store), ribbon, and a hot glue gun.

Cut 8-12 pieces of ribbon (1.5 - 2 inch width) into 2 foot long strips before gluing each piece to the top of a pinecone. Allow the hot glue to dry completely and then gather your ribbon up, pulling the pieces to varying lengths to give your door hanger a layered look. Tie your ribbon into a tight double knot before hanging on your front door.

String Heart Yarn Cards

These adorable heart cards are a great way to keep your kiddos busy while getting their valentines crafts done early. As an added bonus, this project also helps your kids hone their sewing skills. All you’ll need for these heart cards is yarn, thick cardstock, a threading needle (large and blunt for little hands), a heart cookie cutter, a pencil, and some fun markers if using as a Valentine’s Day school card.

Trace around your heart, and punch holes around the shape before erasing your pencil marks. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end, then let your kids criss-cross the heart with the yarn, filling in the shape. Once all the holes have been filled with colorful yarn, tie off and finish up. If you want to, write “Happy Valentine’s Day” in marker for your kids to use as cards at school. These winter crafts also look adorable in frames and make great gifts for grandparents.

Yarn Pom Wreath

No winter crafts list is complete without a yarn pom project, and this creamy, white pom wreath is the perfect decor piece for the winter months. This DIY craft is easy, fun and worthwhile as the large, full wreath makes a statement on both walls and interior doors.

For this project you’ll need both white and cream yarn, a pom maker, a wreath form, and craft glue. Make your poms by wrapping them around your pom maker, regularly laying them out on your wreath to estimate how many you’ll need. You’ll want to tie on a loop of white ribbon or twine for hanging before gluing your poms into place. Be sure to vary the cream and white yarns for a layered effect.

Other DIY projects we love include making homemade soap with essential oils, or preparing for Valentine's Day early be hand-crafting DIY Valentine's Day cards for your loved ones.

What’s your favorite way to craft away the chilly winter days? Share your best winter crafts and DIY tips with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

6 DIY Flower Pot Decorations

You know what’s almost as fun as planting a garden and watching it grow? Making a DIY flower pot, and watching beautiful things grow out of it! It’s actually quite simple, nearly anything can be made into a DIY flower pot… even shoes! Read ahead for some cool ideas to decorate your home or use as a memorable gift for someone special in your life.

The Hanging Colander

This hanging DIY flower pot gives you the perfect excuse to hit the kitchen section at your local thrift store. Extra points if you can find a colored colander, if not, just paint it yourself! Line the colander with coffee filters (or you can use burlap) to keep the soil in, while still allowing it to drain. Next, add a little soil and your flowers. Hang it with a small chain, or opt for twine if you prefer to tie it up instead.

Is that a Flower in Your Boot?

This is the cutest way to give some old boots, new life. It’s even cuter if you incorporate a different size boot from everyone in the family (mom, dad, sister, brother). After you’ve chosen your boots, just remove the inserts and drill drainage holes in the bottom of each, using a large drill bit. Fill the boots about halfway with potting soil and add your plants. Fill in the gaps with more soil, and voila, a super cute DIY flower pot (boot)!

Chalk About a Cool Planter!

What did crafters ever do before chalk paint was invented? It is a literal dream come true for DIY projects. Make a cute gift for your child’s teacher or a leave a special message for your sweetie when they get home. Just hit the dollar store (or the thrift store) and load up on plain ole flower pots and turn them into your own masterpiece. Chalk paint can be found at just about any hardware or craft store.

Pour Me Some Flowers

An old pitcher makes the perfect home for an eager plant. Simply drill drainage holes in the bottom, line it with some small rocks and fill it halfway with potting soil. Add your plant and fill in the gaps with more soil. If you want to keep your pitcher planter inside, use a saucer underneath to catch any excess water.

Got Shells?

What do you do with all those seashells the kids collected at the beach this summer? Duh, you make a super cute DIY flower pot out of them! This adorable seashell planter will take a little longer than some of the others, but will always provide great memories of your summer vacation. Just use a plain terra cotta pot, and glue the shells to the side using a hot glue gun. Line them in a pattern, or just get crazy with your design. Hey, it’s your pot – you do you!

Never Tired of Flowers

Have you ever looked at an old tire and thought, I bet there is something I could do with this? There is, you can make a really cool planter out of it! You can leave it black, but it’s way cooler if you paint it (spray paint plus primer). Start by making your drainage holes (at least six) using a heavy duty drill. Line the bottom of the tire with fabric weed barrier and maybe some small rocks or packing peanuts to keep the soil from caking. Fill with potting soil and plant away! The tire can be hung on a wall or on a shepherd's hook in your garden.

Do you have a great DIY flower pot idea? Share it with us in the comments below!

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Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

DIY Summer Craft Projects

Summer is a time for lounging by the pool and basking in the sun, but it’s also the season to get busy tackling creative, DIY craft projects. With this in mind, we’ve collected a fabulous list of DIY summer craft projects designed to enhance your summer living and entertaining. Our list includes projects that will inspire and entice both beginning and expert crafters alike! Keep reading for some creative ideas you’ll want to put to use this season.

Try These 5 Summer Craft Projects

Bohemian Inspired Vases

Summer is the season for colorful blossoms and who doesn’t love to place a vase of hand cut flowers in the center of the table? Use this craft project from HGTV.com to add a little style to your plain vases with a few simple geometric shapes and an oil-based paint marker. Simply draw your designs on your vase and jar and allow time for it to fully cure before filling it with water and flowers from your garden and neighborhood.

Tea Towel Table Runners

Even if sewing intimidates you, this craft project from MarthaStewart.com is one that you can pull off and feel great about. Start by purchasing or gathering some of your favorite tea towels in colorful, coordinating prints or solids. Press your towels flat before sewing to ensure your stitches are even and lay flat. Next, line your tea towels up and overlap them by an inch, sewing on the overlaps until you reach the right length. Hint: You can lay them across your table in one long stip lengthwise or multiple smaller runners across the width of your table. 

Wood and Neon Lanyard Jewelry

Add some color and bling to your summer wardrobe by designing your own wood and neon jewelry. All you’ll need for this Martha Stewart-curated project are brightly colored lanyards, unfinished wooden beads, and scissors. Start by selecting a desired length for your necklaces and then thread the beads with an alternating backstitch to secure them. Finish your necklace with a basic double knot and you have a versatile summer accessory you’ll reach for again and again.

Foliage Wall Art

With this HGTV-curated craft project you can preserve summer and hang it on your wall to keep you hopeful when the weather turns nasty. For this project you’ll need three 12x12 frames with mats, three 8x8 canvases, spray paint, a drop cloth, and some leaves and foliage with interesting textures. Place your canvases on a drop cloth and arrange your leaves until you’re happy with the look. Spray paint in layers until your canvases are covered. Once they are fully dried, place them in a frame and hang as desired.

Shadow Box Bird Feeder

Transform a simple shadow box into a rustic bird feeder with this simple summer craft project from CountryLiving.com. For this project, you’ll need a 15” solid wood shadow box, epoxy, 4 inches of ¾ inch diameter dowel rod, a terra cotta planter dish, several feet of twine, and a metal screw hook. Start by screwing your hook into the center, top portion of your box. Next, epoxy your dowel rod to the center, bottom portion of your box so that it sticks up and allow the epoxy to dry for at least 24 hours. Finally, use the same epoxy to center your dish on the top of your dowel, allowing it to dry according to package instructions. Once your new bird feeder is dry, use your twine to hang it and fill the dish with seed for your feathery neighbors. 

What summer craft projects are you working on? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!

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Photo by Victoria Bilsborough on Unsplash