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Simple Crafts Projects for Budget Decorators

© L.C. Dumke

My fascination with crafting began ten years ago when a neighbor showed me how to decorate a basket with fabric and fabric stiffener. I went home and experimented, making several large baskets with big, pretty bows stiffened perfectly into place. I filled the baskets with magazines, toys -- anything that needed to be contained. I received so many compliments on these simple creations that I made a few and gave them away as gifts.

Over the years, I delved deeper into the crafting world from decoupage to rubber stamping to beading. I found many ways to create unique crafts that would enhance the decor of my home, typically for a small financial outlay. Rather than filling my empty spaces with store-bought knickknacks, I made my own creations to fit the personality of my family and my home.

If you're interested in using crafting techniques to decorate your home, here are a few ideas for simple projects:

Rubber Stamping - For years, I created handmade cards using my extensive collection of rubber stamps and inks. Then I realized there was more to stamping than just cards! Now I use stamps, inks and sheets of paper in various sizes and colors to create collages. (I like to show them off in recycled frames, which I purchased at yard sales or thrift stores then paint in interesting ways.) My favorite method is to buy several stamps from a single manufacturer (Acey Deucy is my favorite, and you can purchase their stamps online at Eloquent Expressions), purchase a multi-colored metallic ink pad, and create a layered collage of images. (My most recent creation had a background that looked like old fashioned script handwriting - stamped on lightly - with goddess images applied right on top.) Best of all, I'll use the same stamps and ink pads for many other projects, so these stamps were a very cost-effective investment.

Topiaries -- I discovered topiaries years ago and fell in love with them. Then I discovered the price tag -- yikes, more than $25 for even small, plastic ones! So I thought I'd try to make my own. For my first topiary-creating adventure, I purchased a cone-shaped Styrofoam form and a small terracotta planter. I applied spray glue to the form, rolled it in dried parsley and glued the finished cone into the terracotta pot. The project turn out okay, but I found an even better way. I purchased a Styrofoam ball, sprayed with glue and applied small sections of sheet moss. I attached the moss-covered ball to a straight, sturdy branch I found in my backyard (can't

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