Happy New Crafting Year
Whew! Another holiday season has come and gone. As I put away the Christmas decorations this year, I'm making a wish list of craft projects to complete in 2007. I guess you could even call it my New Year's crafting resolution. I can't let another year go by without finishing the projects that have been percolating in my head.

So far, my list includes making a three-dimensional mixed-media painting, a baby's first year scrapbook and remodeling the faux stained-glass windows in my living room. It's a bit of a daunting list, but if I don't write it down and commit to it, then I'll never get my projects done.

I'd love to hear your crafting resolutions. Fill out my feedback form and let me know what projects you're planning to work on this year.

Transforming the Ordinary
While browsing at one of my favorite antique stores recently, I noticed a bin of small glass insulators. In case you aren't familiar with them, insulators are used on electrical and telephone lines and have become quite collectible. A sign on the bin said "make your own garden candleholders."

You turn the insulator upside-down and place a candle in the opening. What a simple, fun idea! This started me thinking: What other ordinary household items could be transformed into clever decorating solutions? Here are a few ideas.

• Take apart old costume jewelry and suspend the pieces from beading wire to make unusual vintage sun catchers or ornaments.
• Make a whimsical bird feeder by drilling holes in the bottom of a teacup and saucer and using epoxy to attach it to a long pole.
• Stacked vintage suitcases serve as conversation pieces and hidden storage.
• Table linens can be used to make interesting window valances, pillow covers, photo mats and more.
• I attended a retail seminar once where the speaker said that anything under glass immediately gets more attention. Use large glass flour canisters or upside-down cheese domes to highlight favorite items in your décor.
• Old paned windows make interesting surfaces for painting or collage. Or, mat special photos and place them behind the panes.
• As a Creativity reader shared, you can make your own last-minute napkin rings from the center of a paper towel roll. Cut the cardboard tube into 1 1/2" pieces and cover the rings with pretty ribbon.
• And let's not forget the ever-popular sock monkey! My husband and I used to frequent a restaurant that incorporated their extensive collection into the dining room's décor.

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Place Mat Does Double Duty
Sharon Reinhart used a beautiful patchwork place mat to create this elegant pillow. Talk about a wonderful way to repurpose an ordinary household item! Whether you choose to stitch the trim or follow the no-sew option, this project can easily be finished in an evening. It's a quick way to update your décor.

Orient Pillow Create designer pillows without designer prices by using beautiful place mats. Use fabric glue to attach the trim. Time to complete 0:45 Materials Decorative fabric place mat (see Project Note) Polyester stuffing 14 1/2 inches of decorative ribbon trim Permanent fabric adhesive Hand-sewing needle Coordinating sewing thread Fabric-marking pencil Project Note Choose a place mat with double layers of fabric that are adhered around the edges only. Instructions Using marking pencil, lightly mark center on back of place mat. Draw a straight 6- to 7-inch vertical line down this center line. Separate layers and cut along line through back layer of fabric only. Stuff place mat through opening like a pillow, adding stuffing first to corners and continuing until desired fullness is achieved. Hand-sew opening closed. Glue or hand-sew decorative trim over stitched seam, first folding end under 1/4 inch and sewing or gluing it to secure. Begin at top edge of pillow and continue to bottom. If using glue, work with a 2- or 3-inch section at a time until all trim is attached. Fold under end 1/4 inch and glue or stitch. Copyright © 2004 Make it in Minutes. All rights reserved. Click here for printer friendly pattern page.

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Town Square Magazine Update
Several readers have asked about subscribing to Town Square, the new publication about small-town life that debuts in January 2007. Go to TownSquaremagazine.com to find out how.