Home - 30 Minute Crafts

No Sew Minion Finger Puppets

July 10, 2015 by Carolina 2 Comments

The new Minions movie came out in theaters today. I had the opportunity to see an early screening with my family earlier this week. We wore our Minion Goggles over our 3D glasses – be sure to get your own Minion Goggles printable here. Minions is a cute film taking you back to the origin of the Minions, and following them on their journey to find a villainous boss. Much of the movie is devoted to the journey Stuart, Kevin, and Bob take, and you get to know these three Minions much better. My 6 year old loved the movie. He was giggling throughout the film, and I loved seeing him happy, though the movie wasn’t quite as roll-in-the-aisles funny for me. Though, I’m sure we’ll be adding it to our video collection… I have two young boys, and this film was made for kids like mine!

To celebrate the opening of Minions, I created these No Sew Minions Finger Puppets. They are super simple to make, and I whipped up all three in about 30 minutes. I made my three look like Kevin, Stuart, and Bob… but you can make more generic Minions if you like, they are easy to customize.

To make these finger puppets I used Oly*Fun. You can find it in crafts stores like JoAnns and Michael’s, and in any WalMart that carries by-the-yard fabric. It is as thin as regular fabric, but acts like felt – it doesn’t fray and is awesome for crafting.

You’ll need:
Oly*fun in Yellow, Black, Grey, and White
Hot Glue
Scissors

Start by cutting out your pieces. For each Minion you’ll need:
Two body pieces the same size – a rectangle with one end rounded off
A black strip for the goggle strap
1-2 Grey circles for goggle eye pieces
the same number white circles, a little smaller
the same number small black circles
small black curve for the mouth
optional – skinny black strips for hair

Glue the two yellow pieces together.

Glue on the black strap – don’t worry about the ends sticking out.

Glue on the Grey circle, the white circle, and the black circle.

Cut off the strap pieces. Then glue down the mouth.

To add hair, you can add it in the first step when you’re gluing the pieces together…

Or you can add it afterwards, by adding a dab of glue to secure the pieces in place.

These Minions are so fun to make, you might find yourself making handfuls!

Enjoy making your own Minions! If you like this Minion Craft, you’ll also enjoy my Video on making a Minion Necklace Charm, and my Minion Goggles.

Filed Under: 30 minute crafts, easy, fast and cheap, kids Tagged With: movie, no sew, olyfun, puppet

DIY Pencil Toppers

July 10, 2015 by Carolina Leave a Comment

Making your own Pencil Toppers is a simple back-to-school craft. These pencil toppers are completely customizable, like lunchbox notes that last the whole day… or week! As long as the pencil is being used, your child will have a fun reminder. These pencil toppers make easy and inexpensive gifts for an entire class, or can be doled out one at a time to your children as they need a reminder or a pick-me-up.

These DIY pencil toppers are the last project in this week’s Back to School Craft Lightning. All week long, my Co-Host Angie from the Country Chic Cottage and I, along with our Guest Host Laura Kelly, have been sharing 15 minute or less back to school crafts, and we’ve had lots of our crafty friends join in… be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to check out their projects.

Supplies:
Pencils
Paper
Marker
Digital Cutting Machine
Cut file for Sizzix eclips2 or SVG cut file for all other machines

Start by cutting out the pencil toppers.

Write your messages on the pencil toppers. You can draw doodles instead, if you like.

Slip the pencil toppers on your pencils.

It is that easy!

Check out these other fast and fun back to school crafts:

With her new line of papers, Jen Gallacher created these fun school lunch treat bags.

Make staying healthy fun with these Printable Germ Juice Labels from Cute as a Fox.

Make Life Lovely shows you how you can make cute apple bean bags in 15 minutes.

Over at Fireflies and Jellybeans you can find out all about making these personalized water bottles.

One Krieger Chick made these adorable special message dishes – what a great way to start the day!

Learn all about these fun wood burned pencils over at Bumble Bree.

Happiness is Homemade whipped up these simple Washi Tape Pencils and Desk Cup.

Katie at a Sweet Berry crafted this clever “My First Day” frame.

Though you’re probably more excited about the kids heading back to school than they are, enjoy these last days of summer with this Summer Countdown Calendar from Angie at The Country Chic Cottage.

Keep school supplies organized with these fun DIY School Supply Containers from Laura Kelly.

Learn how Laura Kelly made these cute Apple Beanbags, and then eleven ways to use Beanbags in the classroom.

If you’re looking for a cute school snack, Angie from The Country Chic Cottage made these fun pencil pops.

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, paper Tagged With: back to school, cutable

Back to School Boxtops Card

July 9, 2015 by Carolina 3 Comments

Does your child collect Boxtops for their school? My son does, and we’re lucky to have a Grandma, Oma, as well as Aunties who collect Boxtops for us as well. If you are looking for a fun way to get family to help collect Boxtops, you can print out this fun back-to-school card asking family to save boxtops for your child and their school.

This project is part of our Craft Lightning Back to School week. Together with my co-host Angie from The Country Chic Cottage and our Guest Host, Laura Kelly, we’re each sharing a new 15-minute or less back to school craft each day. And so are some of our crafty friends from around the internet. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to check out all their great projects.

This post isn’t being sponsored by Boxtops for Education, or any of the brands that put the Boxtops on their packaging… my son enjoys collecting the boxtops and bringing them to his school, and I wanted to share a fun way to ask for family support.

You can grab the card printable here. You can have you child color it in using whatever method they like.

Send it off… then start checking the mailbox, hopefully your family will be sending more boxtops your way soon!

Check out these other fun and fast back to school crafts:

Dolen Diaries is planning an event for moms after the kids go back to school, and has made this cute Back to School Garland as decoration.

Nobody will mistake your child’s pencils as theirs with this washi tape pencil tutorial from My Craftily Ever After.

If you’re looking for a fun craft to do with the kids before they go back to school, these DIY Erasers from Redo Mom are awesome, and kids will love playing with the eraser “dough”.

Mornings are tough, especially after weeks off for summer vacation… make your mornings go a little smoother with this Morning Clothing Organization from Here Comes the Sun.

Occasionally Crafty made this fun and simple decorative cork board.

Laura Kelly whipped up these simple Back to School Teacher Notes.

And Angie from The Country Chic Cottage made an adorable back to school picture frame.

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, paper Tagged With: back to school, box, Card, Printable

Simple Pencil Wrap

July 8, 2015 by Carolina 1 Comment

This simple pencil wrap is like a pencil case, but with no buttons or zippers, making it a very easy to sew project. Tweens and teens can sew their own back-to-school pencil wrap using two pieces of fabric and some simple straight-line stitching. They can make extra pencil wraps as gifts for friends, too!

This pencil wrap project is part of this week’s back to school Craft Lightning series, which I’m Co-Hosting with my friend Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, and our friend Laura Kelly. Every day this week we’re sharing a different 15 minute (or less) back to school craft, and we’ve asked some of our crafty online friends to join in… be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for more fast and fun back to school craft ideas!

You’ll need:
2 fabrics (a quarter yard or fat quarter of each)
Ruler and Rotary Cutter or Scissors
Pins
Bodkin or large safety pin
Sewing Machine

For all steps, use a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Start by cutting your fabrics. You’ll need a piece 8.5 x 12 from both of your fabrics, and a piece 2.5 x 12 from one.

Place the two larger pieces right-sides-together. Sew down one of the 8.5″ sides, leaving a 3″ gap in the center. This means you’ll stitch about 2.5″, then leave a gap of about 3″, then stitch the rest of the way down the side.

Stitch down the other 8.5″ side. This time stitching all the way across.

Tuck the fully stitched side in about 3″. Finger press the folds flat.

Pin the sides in place.

Stitch down the sides, making sure to stitch back-and-forth at the beginning and end of the seam to lock the stitches. Clip the corners.

Turn the pouch right-side-out using the hole from the first seam.

Fold the 2.5″ strip in half, stitch down the long side to make a tube.

Use the bodkin or safety pin to turn the tube right side out.

Tuck the raw edges in on one end, and top stitch to secure. Put the other end into the hole left at the top of the pouch.

Top stitch along the top edge of the pouch, closing the hole and securing the strap in place. Your pouch is done!

Tuck pens, pencils, markers, or whatever into your pouch, roll up, wrap with the strap, then tuck the strap into itself to secure.

So easy to make, and a great simple sewing project for kids.

Looking for more fast and fun back to school crafts? Check out these projects:

Over at DIY Inspired you’ll find these printable lunch box notes:

It Happens in a Blink has a fun idea for a Duck Tape Clipboard.

The Pampered Teacher has a handy clothespin-pushpin project.

Mrs. Greene made a Teacher Appreciation card.

Have a hard time getting your kids to open up about their day? One Artsy Mama made this fun After School Snack Chat game.

My Very Educated Mother made this Zippered Pouch.

Albion Gould shows you how to make a back to school Smash Book page.

Beth Watson has this fun back-to-school frame.

Over at Frog Prince Paperie you’ll find out all about this fun back to school Schultute.

Laura Kelly posted this Teacher Communication Journal.

And Angie from the Country Chic Cottage has this fun Teacher Appreciation Gift idea:

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, fabric, kids Tagged With: back to school, pouch, Sew

Homework Door Hanger

July 7, 2015 by Carolina 4 Comments

Getting kids to sit down and do their homework can be a struggle. Make homework a no-interruption time with this door hanger that reminds everyone else in the house to give your child the time and space they need to get their homework done. And, it serves as a reminder to your child that their time should be focused on homework, not other activities.

The Homework Door Hanger is part of a week long back-to-school crafts series. All week long I’m sharing 15 minute or less back to school crafts as part of Craft Lightning Week, along with my Co-Host Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, and our Guest Host, Laura Kelly. Be sure to scroll down to the end of this post to catch their projects, and the fast back to school crafts from other crafters on the internet.

To make your own door hanger, you’ll need:
Wooden Door Hanger
Black Paint
White Paint Pen
Paintbrush

To get the chalkboard look, start by painting the door hanger black.

Once it dries, use the white paint pen to write on the door hanger.

It is that easy to make the door hanger!

Check out these other great back to school crafts!

Jen Goode designed these great Lunch Note Love Treat Bags.

Make your own back to school jewelry with this tutorial from Duct Tape and Denim.

Busy Mom’s Helper made this Back to School Decor.

Simply Kelly Designs will show you how to make this bright Washi Tape Notebook.

Our Guest Host, Laura Kelly, stitched up these awesome chair pockets – great for homeschool or traditional classrooms!

And Angie from the Country Chic Cottage, my Co-Host for the series, made this adorable pencil gift bag!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more fun and fast back to school crafts!

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, fast and cheap, kids, paint, simple Tagged With: back to school, door

DIY Reusable Lunch Sack

July 6, 2015 by Carolina 4 Comments

A plain brown lunch sack is often an easy option for carrying a lunch to school – but this colorful and reusable version is a much more fun way to pack a sack lunch! It takes about 10 minutes to make… almost as fast as packing up the lunch that will go inside it.

This project is part of a week of fast back-to-school crafts for this week’s Back to School Craft Lightning. All week long, my Co-host Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, and our guest host Laura Kelly will be sharing fast crafts perfect for Back to School, along with our crafty friends… be sure to check out their fun and fast back to school projects at the bottom of this post.

The lunch sack is made using Oly*fun, which is like felt, but as thin as fabric. It is as strong as fabric, but with more structure, and won’t fray. Perfect for quick crafts! To make the lunch sack you’ll need:

Oly*fun in your choice of color
Ruler
Rotary Cutter or Scissors
Sewing Machine

Cut a piece of Oly*fun 16×22″. Fold in half to 16×11, and sew along one short side and the long side. Use a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Make sure to stitch back-and-forth at the beginning and end of your seam to secure the stitches.

Match up the side seam and bottom seam to poke out a corner.

Make a line 2″ from the corner. Stitch on the line, again stitching back-and-forth at the beginning and end of the seam.

Cut off the excess on the corner.

Repeat with the other side. Turn right-side-out. Your lunch sack is complete!

Customize your folders by covering them with fabric using this tutorial at Tikkido.

Artistic Endeavor 101 helps you get your day off to a good start with this Good Morning Checklist.

This 15 Minute Lanyard from 365 Days of Crafts is perfect as a Teacher Gift or for a child old enough to let themselves into the house after school.

4 You with Love made a Minion Notebook that will get kids excited about heading back to school.

These Folded Magnetic Bookmarks from Try it Like It make great back-to-school gifts for friends.

Get geared up for back to school with a button craft from Laura’s Crafty Life.

Silly Pearl made great storage for dull and sharp pencils.

Mother Ship Scrapbook Gal made a teacher gift wrapped up in a cute fry box.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for more fun and fast back to school crafts!

Filed Under: 10 minute crafts, 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, fast and cheap, kids Tagged With: back to school, low sew

Inside Out Movie Craft: DIY Memory Spheres

June 19, 2015 by Carolina Leave a Comment

Disney Pixar’s Animated movie comes out today: Inside Out. I had a chance to catch an early screening of it, and loved it. The movie takes place largely in the head of a young girl. She is growing up, and her family moves across the country. The emotions in her head: Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust help her cope with everything that comes her way… in every way they can. Inside Out does a great job of tackling emotions and memories. One of the concepts is that memories are captured onto large marble-like spheres. At the end of each day, most of these spheres are sent off to long-term storage. The spheres are different colors, depending on the emotion surrounding them. Happy memories are yellow, sad ones are blue, angry ones are red, fearful ones are purple, and ones associated with disgust are green.

I created these fun memory spheres as a craft project to do with my kiddos. I can cut out a “sphere” (they’re not really spheres – trying to cut a true sphere out of paper would be much more difficult!), and have my children draw on the different pentagon-shaped-sides. Then I can put the ball together, and they can have a “memory” of a day to put on a shelf. I can cut a white memory sphere so they can color each side based on the image they draw, or cut a whole ball one solid color, so they can express a single emotion in one place.

I used my Sizzix eclips2 to cut out the shapes. The eclips2 has a scoring feature – it does a true score on all the folds instead of a dashed line! If you have access to an eclips2, use it! If not, I’ve added the SVG file with dashed lines so you can use whatever cutting machine you have available. If you don’t have a cutting machine, there is also a PDF so you can cut out your sphere by hand (or allow your kiddos to cut their own).

You’ll need scrapbook paper or cardstock, a hot glue gun (I find that a low-temp gun works best for paper projects), and a long stick to help push everything together. I used the end of a skinny paintbrush.

Here are the cut files:
Sizzix eclips2 cut file
SVG cut file
PDF printable to cut by hand

Once you have cut out your shapes, fold on all the score lines.

Add a line of glue to one flap, then adhere to the opposite side.

Secure the sides together, making two halves.

Then secure the two halves together.

All done!

Make more to represent all the emotions!

Enjoy making these memory spheres all summer long to capture memories with your kids – trips, vacations, or just days hanging around the house. I hope that most of them are happy yellow… but a few other emotions mixed in isn’t a bad thing, either!

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, paper, printable Tagged With: cutable, Disney, disneyside, sizzix

15 Minute Ring Pillow

June 19, 2015 by Carolina Leave a Comment

You can make this simple ring pillow in just 15 minutes – and customize it to your wedding! If you’re making your bridesmaid dresses (or having them made), you can use leftover fabric to make a ring pillow that matches your wedding perfectly. Or you can bring in a swatch from bridesmaid dresses you ordered to find the perfect color fabric and ribbon to whip up your own wedding ring pillow.

This is the last in a 5-part series on fast and easy wedding crafts. I’ve co-hosted this fun week of Craft Lightning fun with my friend Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, and our friend Katie from Sweet Rose Studio. They have both shared a 15 minute or less wedding craft on their sites each day this week. We’ve also asked some of our crafty friends to join us… you can check out their projects by scrolling to the bottom. Make sure you do – there is a lot of awesome wedding craftiness down there!

To make the ring pillow you’ll need:
Fabric (I used Essex Linnen, but you can use what you like)
1″ Ribbon (I used a sheer white ribbon, but use a ribbon that works with your wedding colors)
2″ Ribbon (I used a satin ribbon the same color as the pillow)
Rotary Cutter and Ruler or Scissors
Sewing Machine
Pins
Needle and Thread
Polyfil Stuffing

Start by cutting your fabric. You’ll need two squares 10.5″x10.5″. If you want a bigger or smaller ring pillow, you can change the size, but this is a nice size.

Fold one square in half, and in half again to make corners. Press in the center, then unfold.

Cut two pieces of 1″ ribbon, about 8″ each.

Find the center of a ribbon piece, fold into thirds, then stitch down on the one folded layer, using the folds as guides. I placed my ribbon about 1″ down and 1″ over from the center, into the bottom right quadrant.

If your fabric has printing on one side, make sure to stitch this to the printed side (the “right” side) of the fabric.

Stitch down, going back and forth a couple times to secure.

This is the top of your ring pillow.

Repeat with the second ribbon, placing it in the top left quadrant.

Cut a piece of the 2″ ribbon the width of your square (10.5″ if you’re following my sizing). Pin across the middle of the square, using pins on both sides. If your fabric has printing on one side, make sure to pin this to the printed side (the “right” side) of the fabric.

This is the bottom of your pillow. The ribbon will act as a strap. The ring bearer can place his hands under the pillow, with this ribbon under his hands. That will help it stay in place as he walks down the aisle.

Place your top piece, right side down, on top of your bottom piece, right side up. The right sides of the fabric, and the ribbons, should be in the middle, facing each other.

Pin all the way around. Make sure that the ends of your top ribbon are tucked safely inside so they won’t get caught in the stitching.

Stitch on the sewing machine, almost all the way around. Leave yourself a hole at least 4″ along the middle of one side. Remove all the pins.

Clip the corners. This reduces the bulk in the corners. Make sure to leave a couple threads between the stitching and where you cut.

Turn right-side-out through the hole you left in the stitching.

If your fabric is wrinkled, press it with an iron. Be sure to use the iron setting for the fabric you’re using. If your fabric is synthetic, you may want to use a pressing cloth and a very low setting to keep the fabric from melting or scorching. Linen is easy – you can use a high heat setting.

Stuff with Polyfil. I kept mine lightly stuff. You can stuff with whatever firmness you like.

Pin the opening closed.

Hand stitch closed with a needle and thread. To close it invisibly, use a ladder stitch.

Tie the rings onto the pillow, and you’re ready to head down the aisle!

Check out these other great wedding craft ideas:

Cyn over at Creative Cynchronicity made these simple wedding centerpieces:

These Mr. and Mrs. wreaths from Katie at A Sweet Berry are super cute!

Heidi at Happiness is Homemade made this great gold foil wedding decor:

I love these Vintage-looking wedding favors from Busy Mom’s Helper.

Learn how to make these fun wedding signs over at Fireflies and Jellybeans:

Jen Gallacher made these gold foil wedding favor boxes.

Ask your bestie to be your bridesmaid with this fun printable from Play Party Pin.

These mini flower pot wedding place card holders from Yesterday on Tuesday are so cute!

Our Guest Host for this series, Katie from Sweet Rose Studio, made these fun floral wedding table numbers.

She also whipped up a Super Fast Favor Tag (I’m not the only one who is all dressed for the wedding, only to realize I still need to wrap the gift… right?)

My Co-Host Angie from The Country Chic Cottage made a Paper Flower Centerpiece.

She also made this great guest book map and sign:

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, fabric, fast and cheap, simple Tagged With: pillow, ring, Wedding

DIY Wedding Favor Boxes

June 18, 2015 by Carolina 5 Comments

Making things yourself can really cut down on the cost of a wedding… but it can increase the time it takes to make it all happen! These DIY Wedding Favor Boxes can be made in advance, ready to stuff with favors closer to the event. You can fill them with hard candies a month ahead of time, or with fresh cookies the night before… it is up to you!

This project is the fourth in a 5-part Craft Lightning Wedding series. I’m sharing fun and fast wedding crafts, along with my Co-Host Angie from the Country Chic Cottage, and our Guest Host Katie from Sweet Rose Studio. We also have crafty friends from around the internet sharing their fun and fast wedding craft ideas, so be sure to scroll down to see their projects!

Supplies:
Hot Glue
Scrapbook Paper
Wedding Favor Box Silhouette Cut File

Fold on all the dotted lines.

Glue down flaps.

If you like, you can glue cellophane to the inside to cover the heart shape.

Fill your wedding favor box with a favorite treat!

Check out these other fast and fun wedding craft ideas:

I love these DIY vow books from Happy Go Lucky

This ribbon table runner from Silly Pearl is perfect for a guest book table!

Laura Kelly whipped up this adorable placecard with a button accent!

Based on a wedding gift that was special to her, Simply Kelly Designs made a foiled Honeymoon Fund jar.

How awesome are these floating photo centerpieces from My Craftily Ever After?

You can make an upcycled centerpiece using these ideas from Scrappy Chick 101.

This Birdcage wedding card holder was customized by Crafting in the Rain in such a cute way!

This Printed Burlap Wedding Gift from Cute as a Fox can double as wedding decor as well.

This printable wedding banner from Sweet Rose Studio is a great way to celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs.

And Angie from the Country Chic Cottage shows you how to make the easiest ever map-lined envelopes!

Filed Under: 15 minute crafts, craft lightning, easy, paper, silhouette, simple Tagged With: box, favor, gift

Flower Girl Headband

June 17, 2015 by Carolina Leave a Comment

Many bridal parties include a flower girl or flower girls. A fun way for a younger family member to be a part of the wedding. This flower girl headband is the perfect hair accessory for any young gal preceding the bride down the aisle, and you can customize it with your own wedding colors! The flower headband is would also work for any other dressy occasion … or just to wear to school on a Wednesday!

This project is part of Craft Lightning Week – this week my co-host Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, and our Guest Host, Katie from Sweet Rose Studio and I are 5 days of fast and easy wedding craft ideas, along with other crafters from around the internet. Be sure to scroll to the end of this post to check out all their fast and easy wedding craft ideas!

To make the Flower Girl Headband, you’ll need:
Plain Headband
Wide Lace/Ribbon trim
Small Faux flowers (in wedding colors)
Faux Pearls or Rhinestones
Hot Glue Gun
Scissors

Start by gluing the ribbon trim to the headband, one section at a time so that the glue doesn’t cool before the ribbon is in place.

Gently pull the flowers off of the stems. We just need the petals for this part, so discard the rest.

Put a dab of hot glue on the back of one petal set. Put onto the headband. I find that the headband looks best when the flowers are placed asymmetrically (just on one side of the head), but use your own judgement.

Glue a pearl or rhinestone into the center of the flower.

Repeat, adding multiple flowers with pearl or rhinestone centers.

Your flower girl headband is complete!

Check out these other fun and fast wedding craft ideas:

Over at My Daylights, you can learn how to foil your own napkins – great for any fancy party!

Do you love wrapping beautiful gifts? Over at 100 Directions, Jen shows you how easy it is to wrap a beautiful wedding gift.

If you’re planning a summer wedding, you’ll want to check out these Fan Wedding Favors from My Very Educated Mother.

These wedding crackers from Frog Prince Paperie are super fun, and add a great pop of color to the wedding decor.

Get your bridal party together for an evening, and you’ll have all your wedding placecards done in no time, using this tutorial from Tikkido.

These bride and groom flower pots from Albion Gould could be wedding decor, or you could use them to decorate for a bridal shower… or save money and use them twice!