This original Fourth of July craft was created for Daily Candy Kids. Welcome, Daily Candy readers!

I mourn sparklers. The City of Chicago banned sparklers in 2007 joining most other ousted fireworks.  Yes, I understand that sparklers can be dangerous especially for small children yet my nostalgia for dancing sparks runs deep. What’s a Fourth without them?

In the spirit of all things wavy and shiny here’s a craft for making safer spark-free sparklers personalized for your family’s Fourth of July celebration. And it all starts with an unused pair of wooden chopsticks…

This project can be easily adapted to making fairy and wizard wands, birthday party shakers or pom poms in your school’s colors.

Yankee doodle indeed!

WANNA MAKE IT? Free template, supply list and DIY step-by-step instructions for creating my Sparkless Sparklers for kids for the Fourth of July using chopsticks, ribbon and party garland after the jump –>

Supplies:

• Unused wooden chopsticks – the disposable kind you would break apart if using to eat; alternatively, an unsharpened pencil or a dowel rod
• White 3/4″ electrical tape
• Grosgrain ribbon in various widths (I used 5/8” blue, 3/8” red, 1/4” white and 1/8” tri-stripe royal all by Offray)
• Foil fringe multi-color party garland (mine was 15” x 20 feet at Party City for $6.99)
• Scissors

Please post a comment below if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!

Optional supplies to personalize your sparklers:

• 1-1/2” wood letters (comes in packs of 2)
• Colored markers or kid-safe paint
• Strong craft glue like Gorilla Glue

WARNING: This project contains potential choking hazards due to small parts. It is intended for ages 3+ and assumes parental supervision. Please decide if your child is old enough to use scissors; if not, parents should cut all pieces.

1. Cut your sparks.

Cut 10-14 pieces of grosgrain ribbon at varying lengths, snipping 45-degree angles on one end to make them pretty. I used four 8” blue, four 10” red, two 12” white, two 12” tri-stripe and two 8” tri-stripe.

Unroll the foil party garland.

Cut 1-1½ inches of silver, blue and red strips, keeping the connected base intact. Stack them into a pile.

You could substitute anything shiny here – leftover Christmas tinsel, curling giftwrap ribbon. Personally, I like using foil fringe garland because it’s easier and faster to work with and you get a range of colors in one package – red, blue, gold, silver, green and purple – that you could use for fairy and wizard wands or pom pom shakers in your school’s colors.

Be creative! Each child can have their own combination of sparkles and ribbon depending on how shiny or wavy they’d like their sparkler to be.

3. Bundle sparks.

Make two even stacks of ribbons, making sure the ends are even.

Place the foil stack on top of one of the ribbon stacks. The foil base is long so I staggered the pile so that the ribbon started 1/2” below where the fringe begins (or you can cut it but it works fine this way). Place the other ribbon stack on top. Your foil is now in a ribbon sandwich.

3. Attach sparks to your wand.

Unwrap the unused chopstick. Gently slip the ribbon and foil stack between the sticks, making sure to avoid breaking them apart.

Starting at the ribbon end, wrap the electrical tape around the wand.

Wrap the tape around ribbon until secure…

…then go down the stick by overlapping tape a bit on an angle, just like you would change a tennis grip.

Trim the foil pieces to various lengths so they complement rather than overpower the ribbon.

3. Personalize (optional)
Decorate your wooden letter using markers or paint.

Once dry, glue the letter securely to the base and allow to dry completely before using. Happy and safe Fourth of July, everybody!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this idea and project instructions for personal use. Contact me for any commercial use – this includes etsy sellers.

Please post a comment below if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!

Hearts is the theme of two easy Valentine’s Day gifts perfect for spoiling the sweet toddler and tween girls in your life.

First is a teeny pouch bracelet perfect for storing candies or tiny love notes.

You can make it with either heart-shaped velcro and button closures.

Next is a cute and simple mini-purse…

Like the bracelet the flap is actually a heart! Here it is shown open and turned over…

…and here it is open…

This is an easy and quick Valentine’s Day project.

Step-by-step tutorial and supplies list for the Valentine’s Day heart bracelet and mini-purse after the jump –>>>

Supplies:

• Kathy’s free template for the heart pocket bracelet and mini-purse for kids (PDF – this is for teeny toddler and tween wrists …to make this for larger wrists, just enlarge it on a copier or lengthen the straps)
• 1 square of red felt
• 1 square of dark pink felt
• Button (for mini-purse, optional for heart pocket bracelet)
• 6″ grosgrain ribbon for mini-purse handle
• Embroidery thread
• Good fabric scissors
• Thread
• Fabric glue
• Sewing machine (or you can just hand-stitch or use fabric glue)
• Velcro (for bracelet)

How to Make a Heart Mini-Purse
Cut out my free mini-purse bracelet template. Lay the rectangle pattern onto the felt and cut (you can pin the pattern to the felt first if you’d like).

Fold the rectangle together. Fold your ribbon in half and slip inside the layers on one side. Sew the left and right sides together using a zigzag stitch, leaving the top open.

Cut out the heart pattern and fold it in half. Place it on a folded felt square that’s slightly larger than the pattern. Cut and open your heart.

Notice the line on my heart pattern? The area above the line is the part that will be on the back of the heart. Put fabric glue onto the back of the heart above that line and affix to the mini-purse. Let this dry completely. I recommend putting it under a heavy book to ensure a good bond.

Cut a small buttonhole slit in the heart just large enough for the button to fit through. Careful, not too big!

Fold down your heart top and mark where the button will need to be placed to fit through the buttonhole. Sew on the button.

How to Make a Heart Pocket Bracelet
Download my free heart pocket bracelet template. Note that this pattern is sized for a 3-4 year old, so increase the size as needed by increasing the band size or enlarging the pattern on a Xerox machine before cutting. Pin onto the felt and cut out.

Fold the pocket in half, matching sides together. Sew the left and right sides using a zigzag stitch.

Cut out my free heart pattern. Fold the heart template in half. Fold the felt in half so that you just have room to fit the template. Cut out your heart.

Notice the line on my heart pattern? The area above the line is the part that will be on the back of the heart. Use fabric glue to affix the top of the heart onto the back of the bracelet. Let this dry completely. I recommend putting it under a heavy book to ensure a good bond.

Cut out hearts from your velcro. I fold the velcro in half and cut. Peel back the adhesive and place on the band of the bracelet.

You can sew a few stitches in the velcro heart like I did to ensure it stays secure.

Cut a small buttonhole in the heart flap.

Close the heart flap and mark where you should sew your button for the pocket to close. Sew the button and fill with sweet surprises.

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern template for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!

When Shane told me that he wanted to host our sixth annual Thanksgiving dinner I didn’t quite know what to say. Baby Elise was born on October 20th and I was crazy sore and beat.

Flash forward a month and we’re all starting to get the hang of things as a family. So what better way to celebrate than to have everyone together for Elise’s first Thanksgiving? Ah, once again Shane was right…

I saw this Dymo retro embossing label maker this summer and I just had to have it, not quite sure at the time what I’d do with it. It was just like the one I used to play with when I was a kid :)

Being none too mobile right now with the new baby I made these placecards out of materials I already had in the house — the embossing label maker, pre-cut placecards left over from our wedding, and pearlized copper shimmery paper that I got as a gift years ago.

Supplies:

• Kathy’s free leaf template (PDF)
• Retro embossing label maker
• Rubber cement or glue stick
• Pearlized copper shimmery (or other metallic) paper
• Thick black paper
• Pre-cut placecards
• Paper cutter

Start by spelling your guests’ names using your label maker. I used black label maker tape but it does come in several colors.

Using your paper cutter, slice squares of the bronze pearlized paper that are smaller than the pre-cut placecards. Don’t worry about making them the same size; it adds to the handmade feel.

Put a little rubber cement on the back of the pearlized paper and affix it to flush left on the placecard. There should be some orange on the bottom and the right side like in the above photo.

Use my free leaf template to cut leaves out of your black paper. There are two leaf shapes so you can either choose one or make a mix like I did. Be sure to put the trace lines face down on your final placecards.

Peel the backing off of the name stickers. You’ll be placing the names on the seam of the pearlized paper with a little overhang on the right like in the photo above.

Now before you stick the name down, slip a bit of the bottom of the black leaf under the sticker. Now you can stick it down. Notice that the rest of the leaf is loose; this is intentional and adds to the feel.

Happy first Thanksgiving, sweet baby Elise, from your family!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern template for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!

These no-sew felt napkin rings really brightened up Shane’s Fourth of July Birthday BBQ.

And yep, I realize I’m a bit on napkin rings kick …first the felt leaf napkin rings for Thanksgiving, then recycled napkin rings made from Saran Wrap cardboard tubes, and now these. But they just make such a statement on the table that I say, the more rings the better!

This time I made a variety of star shapes using star cookie cutters and various loose buttons. Here they are all piled up before setting the table…

You’re more than welcome to use this free project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below if you use the template so I can smile when I see that it’s being used.

Supplies:

• Metal star cookie cutters (or freehand your own star shape)
• Blue felt and Red felt
• Red embroidery floss
  
• Disappearing ink fabric marking pen
• Rotary fabric cutter (a DIY staple!)
• Clear fabric ruler
• Self-healing mat
• Good fabric scissors

Table

• White buffet plates
• Buffet silverware

Cut blue rings

Cut blue strips 6″ wide x 1.5″ tall using a rotary cutter, clear fabric ruler and rotary mat.

QUICK NOTE: In this case, I planned to use high-quality paper napkins and plastic silverware so I made the rings 6″ wide. However, if you’re making them for cloth napkins you should make them 7″ — or just roll up a test napkin (with or without silverware), measure around it, and add 1 inch. The good thing about making them 6 inches is that you can just cut strips and cut them in half (see below).

Fold each strip in half and cut with a pair of scissors to make two blue rings.

Cut ring slits

Measure 1/2″ from the left side and cut a slit halfway through (so your slit will be half of the 1.5″ tall). Repeat on the right side, but make sure the slit is opposite like in the photo above.

Cut stars

Trace your star cookie cutter or freehand your own star shape onto the red felt and cut out. Use disappearing ink pen if you can; I am lazy and used a Sharpie so I just cut inside the lines to make up for it.

Cut one star for each ring.

Attach stars to ring with button

Place your star in the middle of the blue ring. Place a small button on top. I like making the buttons and stars off-center because it gives it more energy.

Using a needle and red embroidery thread, sew through the button, star and ring to secure. Tie a knot in the back.

Place on napkins

Roll your silverware in a napkin and secure the tabs to close the ring. As mentioned earlier, I used high-quality paper napkins and plastic silverware for the BBQ, so if you’re using fabric or silverware then you may need to make larger rings.

This is what the back will look like. Bring on the burgers!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use the template so I can smile when I see that it’s being used.

While I’ve never been much of a Valentine’s Day girl, I’ve always been a big fan of coconut and chocolate. I made these special treats by modifying a recipe from an Australian cookbook.

Ingredients (for four treats):

• 1 cup coconut
• 1 egg white (buy pasteurized eggs if you can)
• 5/8 cup cream (just over 1/2 cup)
• 5 oz dark chocolate
• 4 large white paper nut cups (you could also try the mini nut cups if you’d like to make more, or package for smaller treats)
• Cacoa nibs for garnish (optional)

Other supplies:

• Heavy saucepan
• Good sharp knife
• KitchenAid stand mixer or hand mixer
• Copper bowl or stainless steel mixing bowl (if using hand mixer for whipping egg whites)

Lay out your ingredients. The photo shows enough for eight treats (I doubled the recipe above to make more treats). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Chop your chocolate into chunks (I love my knife!).

Place the egg whites in a bowl and whip until they’re frothy and start to form peaks. I used a hand mixer but you could also use a stand mixer. Add the coconut and fold in using a spoon.

NOTE: After I made this recipe, I read that egg whites should be whipped at room temperature for the greatest volume, and also ideally whipped in a copper or stainless steel bowl. The article recommends separating egg whites from yolks them while they are still cold because it’s easier, then bring egg whites to room temperature by putting them in a bowl and then setting that bowl in another bowl of warm water.

With wetted hands or a spoon, press the coconut mixture into the white paper nut cups, covering the base and sides to make a shell. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the coconut mixture gets nice and toasty brown.

While the coconut is toasting, make the filling. Place the cream in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until almost boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate, stirring until the chocolate has melted and the filling is smooth.

Ladle the chocolate filling into the coconut cups and sprinkle cacao nibs on the top. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or until the filling is set. I like them best at room temperature so once set consider letting it sit out a bit before enjoying. Serve to your sweetie.

Lately I’ve developed a bit of a hot chocolate habit during the mid-afternoon workday at the day job. After spotting a box of “homemade” marshmallows at Williams-Sonoma over the holidays my sisters and I decided to try to make a batch ourselves.

After finding bunches of online tutorials we settled on Alton Brown’s recipe and made a few festive variations. Man! They taste so much better than the ones from the store and my mom’s KitchenAid stand mixer made it a piece of cake.

Ingredients (from Alton Brown, directions slightly adapted)

• 3 packages unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup ice cold water, divided
• 1 1/2 cups granulated suga
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Nonstick spray
• Candy canes, crushed (optional)
• Chocolate (optional for drizzling on finished marshmallows)

Other supplies:

• Candy thermometer
• Parchment paper
• 9 x 13 pan, or two 9 x 9 square pans for thinner marshmallows
• KitchenAid stand mixer (recommended)
• Flour sifter (optional)

Assemble your ingredients. Crush the candy canes and put aside.

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a KitchenAid stand mixer with the whisk attachment along with 1/2 cup of the water. In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat. Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high.

It’s really cool how the mixture starts to turn snow white. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. You can either add the optional crushed candy cane pieces in the final minute of whipping, or you can use later as a garnish, or both. I made 1/2 the batch as plain vanilla and then mixed peppermint pieces into the rest.

Place a square of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan and spray lightly with nonstick spray. When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Spray a second square of parchment paper and place it on top of the marshmallows, oil side down, and lightly smooth the mixture. Allow the marshmallows to sit for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using kitchen scissors or a pizza wheel or dusted with the confectioners’ sugar mixture. Roll the cut marshmallows in the confectioners’ sugar mixture to lightly cover, or use a Flour sifter like I did. Optionally drizzle melted chocolate over the top. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks or place in sealed plastic gift bags.

While making these tasty lovelies in my parents’ kitchen, I snapped a photo of my mom’s latest grocery list on the black refrigerator door. My handwriting looks like dog food compared to this. Long live keyboards!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here’s a special holiday variation of chalkboard pillows complete with two new free ornament and tree templates to make your own 16″ x 16″ pillow for the season. The ornament in particular gives tons of space to write a fun daily countdown to the big day.

I used green cotton on the front for the tree, red polka dot fabric for the ornament, and 100% European linen in oatmeal on both backs and festive red zippers.

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being created. Craft and pass it on!

Supplies (for the 16″ x 16″ pillow):

• 16″ x 16″ pillow (I used 10/90 down-feather blend pillows)
• 17″ x 17″ fabric square for front
• 17″ x 17″ fabric square for back (I used lovel European linen)
• Two squares 17″ x 17″ heavyweight sew-in stabilizer (optional but highly recommended to add weight and crispness)
• Ornament template or Tree template (PDF, use if desired or cut your own shape)
• Chalkboard cloth (this stuff is super cool)
• Chalk
• Small piece of sandpaper
• 12″ or 14″ zipper
• Good fabric scissors
• Thread
• Rotary fabric rotary cutter, clear fabric ruler and self-healing mat
• Xacto knife set (optional but recommended to help cut the chalkboard fabric)
• Sewing machine

Create chalkboard front

Print and cut out one of my free templates or make your own shape. Cut your 17″ x 17″ front and back pieces and two pieces of stabilizer using your rotary cutter, ruler and self-healing mat.

Place the right side of the template face down on the wrong side of the chalkboard cloth fabric. Trace it using a black pen. Cut using good fabric scissors, using the Xacto knife on any tight corners.

Put one of your stabilizer interfacing pieces of underneath the front fabric square (it helps you sew a smoother applique). Center your cut chalkboard shape on the front fabric square, placing straight pins on the sides to mark placement. Zigzag stitch the shape onto the front fabric square. Remember to backstitch.

For the rest of the steps, just follow the free instructions in my original chalkboard pillow post. Special thanks to Susan Hodapp for letting me photograph them in her “bed and breakfast worthy” guest room. Let it snow!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being created. Craft and pass it on!

This is our fifth year hosting Thanksgiving in Chicago for the twelve members of our joint families. Each year we try to do something slightly different for food and table decor.

I constrained myself to come up with an idea solely using things here at home because (a) my craft closet is to the brim and (b) trekking to Joann Fabrics on a cold Sunday in Chicago is none too appealing.

So using a leftover pack of chocolate paper placecards from our wedding, extra felt from my campfire coffee cozy, and orphaned buttons, I came up with this easy and festive felt leaf concept for the table — no sewing machine required (yay!).

You’re welcome to use these instructions and templates for free for your own personal use. Anyone using the template simply post a comment below or email me to track its usage.

Supplies:

• Kathy’s free templates for leaf placecards in Adobe Photoshop (also available in PowerPoint) and felt leaf napkin rings (PDF)
• Chocolate brown felt and gold felt
• Orange embroidery floss
• Disappearing ink fabric marking pen
• 8 1/2″ x 11″ white or cream paper
• Rotary fabric cutter
• Clear fabric ruler
• Self-healing mat
• Pack of pre-cut chocolate brown placecards
• Good paper scissors and good fabric scissors (yep, you should own both)

Table

• White buffet plates
• Buffet silverware
• Wine glasses
• Water glasses
• Orange napkins
• Yellow tablecloth

Felt leaf napkin rings. Print out my free leaf template pattern. Choose one or more leaf shapes and cut out to use as a pattern.

Trace your leaf pattern onto the gold felt and cut out. Use disappearing ink pen if you can; because mine is dry I used a Sharpie and just cut inside the lines to make up for it.

Cut your brown rings 7″ wide x 1.5″ tall using a rotary cutter, clear fabric ruler and rotary mat. Measure 1/2″ from the left side and cut a slit halfway through (so your slit will be half of the 1.5″ tall). Repeat on the right side, but make sure the slit is opposite like in the photo above.

Place your leaf in the middle of the brown ring. Place a small button on top. Sew through the button, leaf and ring using orange embroidery thread. Tie a knot in the back.

Roll your napkin. Wrap the napkin ring around and slip the napkin ring slits together like so.

Placecards. Open my free template in Adobe Illustator or PowerPoint. Type the names of your guests. I used the Bell Gothic Standard font so if you don’t have it, switch to your desired font.

Print and cut out the leaves.

Cut a gold felt square; any shape will be fine. Layer the gold square on top of the placecard, then the leaf and the button. Sew through all layers using orange embroidery thread. Bring on the sweet potatoes and corn casserole!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use the template so I can smile when I see that it’s being used.

My friend Heather Crosby and I have creative chemistry. Whenever we get together we build on each other’s ideas until it becomes something totally original.

Heather came over for dinner last week toting stacks of Polaroid pictures that she’d snapped that weekend – bright yellow mums, pumpkin patches, rows of individual pies, Indian corn, orange marigolds, gourds, colorful fall trees against blue skies, and other Midwestern fall finds.

I took a look and immediately thought of turning them into an urban wreath to perfectly accent our Chicago city apartment door.

You’re welcome to use these instructions and templates for free for your own personal use. Anyone using the template simply post a comment below or email me to track its usage.

Supplies:

• Polaroid photos: Pack of five instant film takes 50 Photos
• Styrofoam wreath (I used 12x2x2; here’s one that’s 10X2X1-1/4)
• Scotch double-sided removable foam adhesive
• Burnt orange lightweight denim fabric
• Straight pins
• Raffia
• Wreath hanger

Measure 3 inches from the edge of the orange denim fabric and cut a small slit. Holding on each side of the slit, rip the fabric into a strip …just like they do at the fabric store. Repeat until you have three strips.

Take one strip and pin it to the styrofoam. Wrap the strips around, overlapping as you go around. Secure the ends of the strips with straight pins.

Select your Polaroid photos. We chose pumpkins, mums, gourds, Indian corn, mini-pies, marigolds and fall trees.

Tie one piece of raffia around the top to make a hanger. Lay out your photos onto the covered wreath, overlapping and layering them.

Cut the removable foam adhesive into smaller squares. Remove the backing from both sides and slip under the Polaroids to attach them to the wreath.

And there you have it: The Urban Wreath. While intended for covered apartment or condo front doors, I couldn’t resist hanging it outside over the beautiful 70 degree (!!) November weekend we just had in Chicago.

And in true Heather fashion, I love the back of this wreath just as much as the front.

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!

In the past five years or so, it seems like Halloween has gone bonkers in the DIY area. From costumes to cupcakes to candy, it’s a holiday ripe for creepy crafting.

The always stylish Rachel Pluto hosted a Halloween party for her 10-month-old daughter Maya and friends. Rachel delighted parents by making Emeril’s devil’s eyeballs, freezing them, and dropping them into apple martinis as creepy ice cubes. Now that’s what I call “Mommy’s juice.”

Eyeball Ingredients:

• 1 can of lychee nut fruits, pitted (Whole Foods carries them)
• 1 jar maraschino cherries
• Dark chocolate chips

Take off cherry stems. Insert a chocolate chip, point side in, into the middle of each cherry to make “pupil” of the eye. Stuff cherry into pitted lychee nut fruit with chocolate chip side out.

Place eyeballs on a small aluminum pan or plate, making sure none are touching. Place in the freezer until frozen solid.

Apple Martini Ingredients:

• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part apple schnapps
• Splash of lime juice
• Martini glasses

You could go non-alcoholic but why? Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Drop frozen eyeballs into martinis.

Rachel also served these super cute Halloween cupcakes and cookies.

The Pluto family dressed up as the Wizard of Oz: Mom Rachel as Dorothy, Jose as the Tin Man, and Maya as the Cowardly Lion …plus a costume change into Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

It’s supposed to be 67 degrees (!!) in Chicago for Halloween. My neighbor Susan and I will be on our front porch passing out candy and drinking wine. Boo!