my mayflower

Okay so maybe my Mayflower isn't architecturally accurate or structurally sound or even historically correct, but it will make a dang cute centerpiece for my Thanksgiving table!

If you'd like to make your own Mayflower, you will need a cereal box, tape, scrap paper, modge podge, paint, hot glue, X-acto blade, an old bedsheet or some other fabric, some twine and dowels and a few notions like buttons and wooden beads.

Directions:

Cut the silhouette of the hull of the ship from the cereal box. I just free handed my shape. Look at ships online to get ideas. Cut another to match.  Tape the ends together. Bow the sides out to make the ship as wide as you want and trace the bottom onto more cereal box cardboard. Cut a second bottom shape.  Tape one of these to the bottom. Cut some rectangles from the cardboard and tape them vertically inside the hull of the ship to create "ribs" for stability.  Lay the second bottom shape on top of the ribs and tape into place creating a "deck".  Tape over any places on the ship that are open that you want closed. Masking tape or scotch tape both work for this project.

Modge Podge pieces of scrap paper all over the entire ship.  Do one layer, let dry, and do a second layer. Let it dry over night.

Paint the hull of the ship as you desire.

Use an X-acto blade to cut crosses into the deck of the ship to fit the dowels down into.  Pump hot glue down into these holes before you place your dowels. This will help secure the bottom of the dowel to the bottom of the ship.  Use smaller dowels to create the cross beams that will hold your masts.

Look on the internet at the different masts found on ships and decide how many you want. Decide if you want to add decorative elements to the masts. Cut your masts and sew a hem on the top to case the cross beams.  Use twine to secure the masts to the tall dowels.

Glue wooden balls onto the top end of each tall dowel. Run twine through the corners of the masts and around the ship in various places.  Use buttons to secure twine ends.

Fill the hull of your ship with treats! I used root beer barrels.

Remember, this is just for fun! You don't need to worry about making your ship perfect. Improvise and make it up as you go along. Handmade is what it's all about!

For place names, I sewed little linen flour sacks and stamped them with Staz-on ink.  I filled them with nuts and goodies.

sweet nothings

You know, Thanksgiving is really all about the details.  It's the little things you do that make your guests feel special.  Sure they might remember how delicious the stuffing was, but mostly, people remember events by the emotions attached to them.

I love place cards.  They let your guest know that you were thinking about them and planning for their visit.  They also get rid of last minute confusion as to where everyone will sit.

I created some place card printables and made them candy wrappers to sweeten the deal.  One is for a large candy bar the other for a smaller one.

The smaller wrapper doesn't have a designated place to write your guests name so it can also be used as a little gift or hand out.

Click on the graphic and print it out full size.

i felt like it

I love wool. Truly I do. It's one of those things that is so versatile that it belongs in every craft room.  Raw wool is known as roving and can be made into any shape the heart desires.  Felt comes in every color you can imagine.  It can be thick enough to use for making coats and hats and thin enough to make bookmarks.  Wool yarn makes the warmest sweaters and afghans, not to mention uber fluffy pom poms.

This holiday craft  idea was inspired by wool and it's many uses.  These Thanksgiving napkin rings double as wrist corsages.

Here's the how to:

Supplies needed:
felt
acorns
roving
ribbon
yarn
snaps
snap setter
hot glue

All supplies can be found at a craft store. You may have to hunt a little harder for roving but you can always find that online as well.  I happen to know of an oak tree where I collect my acorns but you can probably find them at a craft store as well.

Step one:
Cut your felt into 2 X 10" strips. I used thinner felt for this project and layered it with a contrasting color.  You can use pinking shears or hand cut a decorative edge. If you are using more than one color,  glue the pieces together.

Step two:

Use the yarn to create a pom pom. I use a pom pom maker but it isn't necessary. There are many online tutorials on how to make a pom poms with your fingers or piece of cardboard.

Step Three:

Pull off a piece of roving in your desired color and wrap it into a ball.  Over the sink or a dish, dip the wool into soapy water and start to roll it between your palms. Keep rising and rolling until all the soap is out and the wool has formed a tight ball.

Hot glue your felt ball into the top of an acorn.

Step Four:
Arrange your pom pom and acorns on the felt band.  Decide were you want your ribbon.  Tie bows or make loops.

Step Five:
Using hot glue, start to glue down all the components of the corsage.  Make sure each item is firmly affixed.

Step Six:
Make a mark where you want your snap to go. ( The  average size bracelet is 7 1/2 inches) Use your snap setter to set the snap and then trim off the rest of the excess felt to finish off the corsage. If you don't want to bother with snaps, you can always glue ribbon between your felt layers and the corsage can close with a tie.

You might want to make boutonnieres for your guests of the male persuasion. This is done by using an oval of felt instead of a strip.  Glue a pin back, (found in most craft stores) onto the back and pin it to a felt loop.

Expect your guests to be thrilled with an unexpected gift at their plate. When they thank you profusely just shrug your shoulders and say, "It's no big thing. I just felt like it."

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!

1. Art-Full Horizons http://art-fullhorizons.blogspot.com
2. Tammy Inman http://tammyi.com
3. Nan Paturzo http://scrappynan.blogspot.com
4. Robyn Weatherspoon http://herebygrace.typepad.com/
5. Mykle Parker http://scrapbohemia.blogspot.com
6. Sherry Mendoza http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/
7. Robin Redd http://robinredd.typepad.com
8. April Meeker www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com
9. Erin Bassett www.erinbassett.com
10. Jennifer Clark http://jenspartyof5.blogspot.com
11. Sweet Pete http://agirlnamedsweetpete.blogspot.com/
12. Jennifer Edwardson http://frommypapercraftstudio.blogspot.com/