Paper Mache Sailboat

I love the whimsical, romantic look of this little boat made using paper mache. It is something anyone can make, and would look absolutely beautiful (and expensive!) hanging in your house, or as a centrepiece on a table.

Click here for the tutorial.

Cardboard Castle

A cardboard castle would be such a fun project to do at home, especially for kids, and you can make it as simple or as advanced as you like. You can even put people and decoration inside so you can look through the windows and see the detail!

Go here for photos.

Gocco Tutorials

I've always wanted a Gocco printer, because it's the only really efficient and economical way of making multiple professional-looking prints at home. Alas, they have been discontinued (which has caused a massive fuss with Gocco fans - and even a petition!), so there aren't many new ones left so your best bet is buying second hand on places like Ebay.
The list below contains a place to buy equipment, tutorials on how to use them, some print examples and some useful techniques:

http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/07/01/going-gocco-a-printing-session-with-kristen-chick/

http://flickr.com/photos/kurioso/sets/72157594280967071/
http://flickr.com/photos/marissandrew/sets/72157604646119803/
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/search/label/gocco
http://feltcafe.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-print-with-print-gocco-pg5.html
http://laracameron.com/index.php?p=tutorials#gocco
https://blog.etsy.com/en/2008/gocco-printing-a-how-to-video/
http://gluegunannie.com/?p=138

Juggling Balls

This is a great re-use of tennis balls, and all you need to do to transform the tennis balls into juggling balls is fill the balls with caulk! I'm going to have to do this one since my brother has taken my juggling balls to uni with him (the meanie!)

Here is the tute.

Log Dome Display

These gorgeous displays are made from wooden log sections, a wood burning tool and stemless wine glasses, perfect for displaying your little precious possessions.

Window Stickers

This page introduces you to a service which allows you to have large stickers made from your own graphics - so, for instance, you could use a vintage style advert (like shown above) or your favourite quotes to create a unique window decoration.

Felt Zombies

Who doesn't want a zombie post on Christmas day? In fact, it should be a tradition.

So to get your zombie fill this fine day, click here to see some amazing zombie heads made from FELT! I already have plans for a full-size zombie clone...

Illuminated Brooms

This idea is so cool - and so simple! Just wrap brooms in fairy lights for a cool garden decoration. It reminds me of beach weddings for some reason?

Clay Conifers

These gorgeous display pine cones and acorns are made from white clay and make a beautiful centrepiece. To find out how you can make them, go here.

Unique Baubles

This is a classic idea of filling clear baubles with all kinds of things, which can be unique to you. You could fill them with typed quotes, travel souvenirs, beads, confetti, sequins, pencil sharpenings, or maybe turn them into mini astronaut helmets or goldfish bowls (complete with paper fish!)

I have some on my tree at the moment which are filled with irridescent cellophane strips, and are some of my favourite decorations.

The photo is from here.

Argyle Applique

This warm and cosy argyle design applique is displayed in an embroidery hoop, and would look great hung on any wall - and I think that if you made a set of 3 in different (but complimentary) colours, it would look even better! Go here for the instructions.

DIY Gift Ideas

For some fab DIY gift ideas, go here for men's gifts, here for women's gifts, and here for kid's gifts.

A lot of the gifts won't take much time either, and handmade gifts are always more thoughtful, so don't be afraid to give them a go!

Doily Print Bag

This how-to shows a technique used for printing a sophisticated everyday tote bag by using a doily as a stencil - genius!

Vinyl Record Gift Tags

These gift tags are such a neat idea, they're a gift in themselves! They are mini LPs, and you can find the graphics you need here. This idea could also be used for unique greetings cards too.

Candy Stripe Cookies

I love recipes which require a bit of skill, artistry and creativity, and that's what these candy stripe cookies require - you make very thin perfect rectangles, pipe red lines on, bake and then roll up the rectangles to make the pretty cookies. And you could always dip one end in chocolate or fill with spray cream for an extra flourish!

Find the recipe here.

Xmas Wall Hanging

This is such a pretty wall decoration made with fabric Christmas trees and decorative paper. Find the how-to here.

Snowball Ornaments

These pretty snowball ornaments are perfect for the Christmas tree, and are made simply with Styrofoam balls and fake snow flakes - go here for the tute.

Xmas Centrepiece

This is a glitzy centrepiece for Christmas, which is made so easily from twigs and sparkly baubles - find the tute here.

Thread Bird's Nest

These bird's nests are made simply from thread and embossing powder (although you could use glue), and they would make very cute little decorations, or mini gifts and present toppers.

Felt Ball Wreath

Such a funky take on the festive wreath - covered in multicoloured felt balls!

Go here for the tutorial.

More Cuddly Trees

It definitely seems that soft, cuddly trees are in vogue recently - they're everywhere! Not that I'm complaining, the cone trees are one of my all-time favourite makes, and the felted sweater trees pictures above look so squishy I just want to dive right in there!

To see how to make them, go here, and to find the tutorial for the more traditional trees shown below, click here.

Dying Lace Trim

You don't often find lace in such bright, funky colours, so of course the solution is to dye your own plain lace - and look at the gorgeous array of colours you can produce! Dying lace trim yourself means you can match it to any colour you like as well - great!

Click here for the how-to.

Polymer Clay Pendants

This how-to outlines the technique involved in making stamped clay pendants - and it actually looks straightforward!

Danish Pastries

 Click here for a fantastic and yummy-looking collection of different types of Danish pastries..mmmm...

Light-Up Christmas Cards

With the magic of LEDs, you can create some very effective light-up card designs - they're a present in themselves!

Go here for the tute.

Cushion Ornaments

This tutorial shows you how to make these super easy ornaments - and you can printed them with any design you fancy!

Xmas Foodie Treats

For 3 mouth-wateringly gorgeous recipes for Christmas (shaped cookies, Winter cherry brownies and Champagne sorbet), go over to Design*Sponge. Mmmm..mmm

Felt Baubles

These pretty little hanging ornaments are made from felt and ric-rac, and the instructions can be found here. For the wavy 3D baubles shown below, click here.

Printed Fleece Scarf

These scarfs are the perfect Winter make because they are useful, cosy, they require no sewing, they are cheap, they look fabulous, they can be personalised, they are super easy to make, they make great gifts, and they are perfect as a first printing project - what more do you want?!

Find the how-to video here.

Felt Ruffle Wreath

I love this Wintry yet cosy wreath made by making loads of ruffles of felt and attaching them to a Styrofoam wreath form - go here for the tutorial.

Acetate Card

I love the modern look of acetate cards, and if you follow this link, you'll see how to stamp the acetate with snowflakes, and attach the message in the centre :-)

For another Xmas card tutorial go here.

Yarn Christmas Trees

I LOVE the textures and colours of these yarn Christmas trees - and you can find out how to make your own by clicking here.

Christmas Ornaments

You can find ideas and how-tos for Christmas ornaments (such as the beautiful floating ornaments shown above), here, here and here.

Layered Felt Trees

This idea for decorative trees is so cool - you cover foam cones (used for floral arrangements) in layers of felt, and then attach a pom-pom on top - ta daaa!

Wooden Reindeers

These reindeer are made from tree branches and would make a really fabulous, rustic addition to your garden this Christmas season - and you can see how to make them here.

Paper Doily Angels

These adorable little angels are great for all ages to make, and would look so cute hanging up this Christmas!

Building a Treehouse

Treehouses are fabulous things. Just by putting something which is basically a shed into a tree, it becomes a magical place full of adventure. For a bit of inspiration, have a look here, and for some instructions on building a treehouse, try here, here, here, here and here.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Beautiful and ornate salt dough shapes to hang on your tree! Go here for the how-to.

Twine Snowmen

These fabulous, classy Christmas decorations are made with stacked balls of twine, as well as twine wrapped around wine bottles, and (to make the fancy shapes) twine simply wrapped around wire - easy peasy!

Encaustic Wax Painting

Painting with encaustic wax creates some interesting patterns, and looks like a fun skill to learn. Have a look here to see how the wax is applied with an encaustic iron.

Junk Mail Beads

This project consists of making beads from junk mail and then painting them in fun colours and patterns. I think these would be great strung together and wrapped around your Xmas tree!

Silk Flower

Click here to learn how to cut and fold your way to your own gorgeous lotus flowers made of silk...great to adorn hair clips, bags and clothes!

For a tutorial on making fabric roses, go here.

Another Giveaway!

Sadie's Wardrobe is a really fab fashion blog, and they are having a £10 giveaway this week for my jewellery shop - so enter quick!

Decoupage Baubles

These instructions show you how to cover polystyrene balls with decorative paper to make pretty Christmas baubles.

Yarn Basket

I like the technique used for these little yarn baskets, and I reckon they would be very cute for keeping sewing reels and bits 'n' bobs in. See the tutorial here.

Mounting Embroidery

This page outlines a great corset-style technique for lacing embroidery at the back to mount it on a wooden block - very handy!

GHD Hairstyles

If you have some pro hair straighteners like GHDs, then you can follow these hairstyle video tutorials to create everything from classic ribbon curls (as above) to casual flicks.

DIY Tripods

This list of instructables showcases several ways of creating your own DIY camera tripods, from using a tennis ball, to modifying a Coke bottle!

Cardboard Christmas Tree

These Christmas trees are made from recycled cardboard and come in different colours.

I personally think they're especially great for kids because they can colour them, paint them or throw glitter on, and basically let their creativity run wild!