Cereal Box Tote!

Fishing for a new carryall? Grab an empty cereal box and create a one-of-a-kind design.

Materials

• 1 empty cereal box, any size
• Scissors
• Assorted decorative paper, such as construction paper or scrapbooking paper

• Paintbrush
• Mod Podge matte sealer

Instructions

1.  Cut off the box's top flaps.
2.  Draw a 4- by 1-inch oval centered on the front and back of the box, about 1 inch from the open end. Cut out the ovals to create the handles.
3.  Tear your paper into various shapes.
4.  Using the paintbrush, apply a small amount of Mod Podge to the back of a piece of paper, then smooth the paper onto the box. Spread more Mod Podge over the paper to help seal it in place. Repeat until the entire box is covered, folding the papers over the edges of the box where necessary. Let the sealer dry, about 20 minutes.
5.  To help the tote close easily, use the tip of the paintbrush handle to score a line down the middle of each side of the box, then bring the edges together as shown to crease the fold.

No-Sew Pillowcase Skirt

Materials

• Pillowcase
• Yardstick
• Tailors' chalk or a pencil
• Scissors
• Small paintbrush

• Washable fabric glue (available at craft stores; we used Fabri-Tac glue)
• Clear nail polish
• Safety pin
• 45-inch cotton drawstring

Instructions

1. Decide on the length (one way is to measure the length of a skirt your child likes). Add 1 1/2 inches for a casing to that measurement. Use that total to measure from the open edge of the pillowcase (which will be the hem) and use tailor's chalk or a pencil and a yardstick to mark a straight line across the case. Cut along the line. Discard the closed end of the pillowcase. Turn the skirt piece inside out.
2.  Iron (adult supervision recommended) down 1/2 inch along the cut edge.
3.  Along the same edge, iron down an additional 1 inch.
4.  Place cardboard under the pillowcase to protect the ironing board from potential glue spills. Lift the casing and use a small brush to apply washable fabric glue (adult supervision recommended) along the 1/2-inch edge of the casing. (Tip: This is easy if you drape the skirt around the ironing board and rotate it as you go.) Fold the glued edge back down to form the casing. Use your fingers to press it in place. After the glue dries, turn the skirt right side out.
5.  At the center front of the casing, apply a line of clear nail polish (supervise younger kids). Let it dry and reapply.
6.  When the second coat is dry, cut a slit for the drawstring. Be sure to go through just 1 layer of fabric, and stay within the boundaries of the polish.
7.  Attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring and feed it through the casing. Knot the ends of the drawstring, and the skirt's ready to wear.