Decorative Bottles Wrapped in Rainbow Yarn

Rainbow yarn wrapped bottle by my friend Carrie Ann

Here is a simple craft that I'm sure many of you already know how to do, but sometimes we just need reminded just how simple it is to decorate our home on a low budget.

Before you throw all those beer and wine bottles in the recycling after after your next party or gathering, consider all of the gifts you could make for friends and family!  Next time wash them out, tear off the labels, and follow these simple steps below:

What You'll Need:

-Glass Bottles such as beer and wine bottles
-Multi Colored Ball of Yarn from your local craft store
-Craft glue such as tacky glue or Modge Podge
-Scissors
-Paint Brush
-Soapy water for clean up

Directions:
-Cut a few long pieces of multicolored yarn anywhere from 2 feet to a yard long (Cutting pieces is not necessary, just easier to wrap the bottle in sections).
-Begin by painting the lower rim of the bottle with craft glue. Do not paint entire bottle as the glue may dry quickly.  Paint sections as you wrap...
-Begin wrapping the yarn gently around the bottom edge of the bottle, working your way up the bottle.  You may need to use your finger tips to gently press or align the yarn at times and to make sure it is hugging the bottle. When you reach the end of the tacky glue, paint on more glue and keep spiraling the yarn up the bottle.  Once you run out of yarn, take another piece and begin wrapping from where you left off.
-Trim the last piece of yarn when you reach the top rim of the bottle, and let it set to dry for an hour (or however long the glue takes to dry).
-Put your new colorful bottle out for display, present it as a gift, or use it as a vase by adding water and a fresh cut flower.

          Yarn wrapped bottles by my friend, Carrie Ann.  Thanks for sharing!

Cover Your Toilet Tank with a Bamboo Placemat

Treat your Toilet tank like a table top or alter top with candles and calming scents by covering it with a nice place mat, such as a bamboo place mat.  By turning the place mat so that it drapes over the front and back of the tank, it will look more like a peace of furniture.  Especially when dealing with a plain and small bathroom, a little detail like this can go a long way.

Drape the place mat over the lid:

And Voila!  Add some calming items to personalize your new surface.

Rotate out different place mats and items to keep your seasons fresh.

Earrings on Display

Any type of wire art such as this decorative birdcage can be hung from the ceiling for your dangly earrings to be displayed on.  Sometimes you can find crafty wire art like this at craft stores, bargain stores, or the home decor section of a departments store. Small wire baskets and wire pencil holders could make another nice alternative.  Hang the wire in a corner of a room and be sure to hang it low enough so that you can reach it and high enough that it is out of the way so you don't bump into it.  I hung this wire art in an empty corner of my bathroom, which created a nice focal point.  If you notice, I was also able to add my feathered hair clips to the wire.  I don't wear them enough, but at least I can appreciate them by keeping them on display.