Easy Hands on Crafts

Turn mismatched socks into easy-to-make puppets.

Elevate everyday objects with easy, hands-on craft projects. You don't need expensive supplies -- just a desire to reuse a few everyday items and a bit of know-how. Turn a paper plate into a keepsake wreath, a swatch of fabric and a stone into a practical door stop and a mismatched sock into a child's toy.

Handprint Wreaths

Cut the center out of a paper plate and set it aside. Trace hands on construction paper, cut out the drawings with a scissors and glue them around the paper plate rim with the fingers pointing out. Attach a ribbon for hanging. A variation of this is a painted, handprint wreath. Draw a 9-inch circle on a square of fabric. Brush paint on the palms and fingers of one hand and press it on the circle with the fingers pointing out towards the edge of the fabric. Continue making handprints all the way around the circle. Allow to dry. Glue a paint stirring stick along one of the back edges to keep the fabric stable. Staple a piece of ribbon to the stick for hanging.

Sock Puppets

Sew a button to the toe of a sock. This is the nose of your sock puppet. Cut eyes from felt and glue them on or use plastic wiggly eyes. Sew or glue strips of felt, lengths of ribbon or pieces of yarn for hair.

Decorative Door Stop

Make a door stop that matches your decor and won't scratch the floor. Wrap a piece of fabric around a brick or large stone, bunch the excess and tie it with a ribbon. Place this fabric-wrapped stone in front of a door to hold it open.