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Mother’s Day 2012: Classic crafts with a twist
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Updated: May 11, 2012 11:03AM
This Mother’s Day, add a touch of nostalgia with “old school” gift ideas that have a decidedly modern flair.
Braided headband
Braided headbands have been a fashion staple for years, but DIY queen, Erica Domesek, of www.psimadethis.com, adds a fresh new twist by combining leather, colored cord and jeweled chains. The result is a mix between a headband and a tiara that looks great at the beach, at a baseball game or even at a black tie affair.
You need:
Hair elastic
Leather rope
Bright cord
Metal chain or string of fake pearls (available at craft stores)
Directions:
Tie materials (chain, rope and cord) to hair elastic.
Braid materials until headband is desired length (long enough to wrap around mom’s head).
Tie materials to the other end of elastic and trim excess pieces.
Light poncho
When I was younger, this was the type of gift I would’ve made for my mom, because it’s easy to make and cute enough for me to borrow! Thank you to Elsie at A Beautiful Mess ( abeautifulmess.typepad.com) for sharing this idea.
You need:
1 yard of fleece or light wool
Scissors
Chalk
Directions:
Fold fabric diagonally and then fold it again so there are four layers of material.
Make a neck hole by carefully cutting the tip of the folded triangle. Be sure to start small so the hole is large enough to be comfortable but not too large as to cause the poncho to hang off the shoulders.
Use chalk to mark where you want to cut the fringe.
When cutting the fringe, start at the front tip of the poncho and then work your way to the outer edges. Be sure to cut both layers of the material so there is fringe in the front and in the back of the poncho.
Blot fabric with damp cloth to “erase” chalk marks.
Your new poncho is now complete and ready for you to wear (I mean, give to your mom).
Paper clip necklace
Paper clip necklaces have come a long way since the days when I used to make them using metal clips and old wallpaper samples. These days, duct tape and contact paper come in so many different colors and patterns, the hardest part of this project becomes deciding which color and pattern to pick.
You need:
Large paper clips
Duct tape or contact paper
Scissors
Directions:
Connect paper clips to make a circular chain.
Wrap each paper clip with duct tape or contact paper so that only the tips of the clip are visible. Continue until necklace is complete.
Consider making a few different chains for a “layered necklace” look.
Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast Canapé
Serve mom breakfast in bed with a side of nostalgia with these sweet and savory canapés.
You need:
1/2 loaf brioche
2 fresh eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1 cup strawberry jelly
Directions:
Combine eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt in a blender.
Pour batter into a bowl and set aside.
Slice brioche into slices and cut into 1½-inch circles.
Dip brioche rounds into batter.
Melt butter in a skillet and toast battered brioche.
Brown both sides and remove from pan.
Dust with powdered sugar and top with peanut butter and jelly.
Thank you to Chef Opie for sharing this recipe, which will be one of a number of camp-themed treats served at the upcoming Campfire Ball (which raises funds to send kids with cancer to camp). For more information visit www.onestepcamp.org/events/campfire-ball-2012.php.
