Cereal Box Lacing Cards

Made from common household materials, these lacing cards won't cost you a thing. Change them up by making them into different shapes and decorating the centers. Perfect for beginning sewers of all ages!

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

You will need:

1. An empty cereal box
2. Yarn
3. Standard hole punch
4. Scissors
5. Scotch tape

Cut desired card shape from cereal box.

Use hole punch to punch holes around the outside of the card.

Tie one end of the yarn though a hole in the card.
Tape yarn end to back of lacing card.

Wrap loose end of yarn with scotch tape.
Trim tip.

Note: For younger children, use a shorter piece of yarn so it's easier to manage and less likely to get tangled. Keep yarn long for practicing more complicated stitches.

Mini Doll Books

Made from scratch paper and recycled cereal boxes, these mini doll books are as earth-friendly as they are fun! Just cut, prep, staple, and you're set. Make several at once so your child can write a thrilling series for their dolly friends to read.

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

You will need:

1. An empty cereal box
2. Scratch paper
3. A stapler & staples
4. Rotary cutting supplies

Not pictured: ruler for rotary cutter, rotary cutting mat

From cereal box, cut book cover  to 3" tall x 6" wide.

To score book cover, use rotary cutter as you usually would, but only press blade through the surface of the cardboard. Do not cut all the way through.
Score book cover at 2 1/2", 3", and 3 1/2".

Cut scratch paper to 10 pieces measuring 3" tall x 2 3/4" wide.

Fold book cover at center (3") scoring line.

Sandwich paper in between book cover, making sure all edges are aligned along open sides.

Embroidered Heart Magnets

Made from recycled cereal boxes, these sweet little heart magnets are both easy and economical to make. Stitch up a handful and share the love with your friends and family.

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

You will need:

1. An empty cereal box
2. 2" circle punch
3. Hot glue gun & glue
4. Magnet
5. Corrugated cardboard
6. Thumbtack
7. Scratch paper
8. Scissors
9. Embroidery floss
10. Embroidery needle

Not pictured: scotch tape

Using the circle punch, cut one circle for each magnet.

Cut a small heart from scratch paper.
Center heart over a circle and place on top of cardboard.
Use thumbtack to poke holes around the outside of the heart.

Choose embroidery floss and thread onto the needle. Do not tie a knot.
Tape one end of the embroidery floss to the back of the circle.

To sew heart, poke the needle up through the second hole from the bottom.
Send needle down through the hole at the base of the heart.
Bring needle back up through the third hole.
Send needle back down through the second hole again.

Continue to sew, sending the needle up through the hole in front and back down through the hole just behind it for the rest of the heart.

Mini Magnet Quilts

Half the fun in sewing a quilt is deciding how to arrange all the pieces and with this fun mini magnet quilt, you can rearrange the pieces over and over again to your heart's content! It stores easily in a recycled mint container... or on your fridge! These mini quilts are perfect for gift giving too!

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

You will need:

1. adhesive business card magnets
2. fabric scraps
3. dark thread*
4. paper
5. pen
6. empty mint tin
7. small bit of stuffing

Not pictured: sewing machine, sewing scissors, rotary cutting supplies

*Sewing through the magnets makes the thread a little dirty. Use a darker color thread and it won't show.

Use rotary cutting supplies to cut magnets into the following pieces:

• 1" x 1" squares (cut 13)
• 1" x 3" rectangles (cut 4) 

Peel paper off magnet and fix the sticky side of the magnet onto the back of a fabric scrap.

Trim fabric around magnet.

With fabric side up, sew around magnet using an 1/8" seam allowance, making sure to backstitch as you stop and start.
When you finish sewing, there will be a slight bump next to the backstitching.

Valentine's Day Bubble Tags

These festive bubble wands make great sugar-free valentines to give to friends. And personalizing them is quick and easy with this free printable.

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

You will need:

1. "Happy Valentine's Day!" bubble tag free printable (click HERE to view and print)
2. Small bubble wands
3. Pen
4. Glue stick
5. Scissors or paper cutter

Follow link above to print bubble tags.
Use scissors or a paper cutter to cut tags apart.
Fold each tag in half.

Mixed Media Confetti

Made from bits of photographs and craft paper, this confetti is quick and doesn't cost a thing! So grab those hole punches and get ready for a party!

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

You will need:

1. 1/8" hole punch
2. Standard hole punch
3. Glitter
4. Card stock
5. Old photographs

Punch holes from a variety of card stock and old photograph leftovers.

The Woodsman Peg Doll Tutorial

Little Red Riding Hood is in trouble! Lucky for her, this handsome woodsman is well equipped to come to her rescue.

Note: I originally published this tutorial in my portfolio, but over the next little while I'll be working on re-publishing these tutorials here just to simplify things and keep it all together.

 You will need:

1. A wooden peg person (1" wide x 2 1/2" tall)
2. White ribbing (2 1/2" wide x 3/4" tall)
3. Lightweight flannel (4" wide x 1 1/2" tall)
4. Khaki (3 1/2" wide x 3/4" tall)
5. Brown ribbing (1 1/2" wide x 1 1/4" tall)
6. Brown thread
7. Leather scrap (1 1/4" wide x 1/4"-1/2" tall)
8. Twine (4")
9. Bamboo skewer
10. Aluminum foil (5" wide x 2" tall)

Not pictured: hot glue gun and glue sticks, sewing machine and thread, sewing scissors, rotary cutting supplies, paper scissors

Draw a line of hot glue down the wrong side of one short (3/4") edge of the white ribbing and attach to doll from the neck down.
Pulling slightly, wrap ribbing around doll body, add hot glue to the remaining end, and glue in place.

With the glued ends of the undershirt at the back of the doll, add glue to the back of the beard and attach beard to doll face.