I’m sure this is no surprise to any other crafters out there, but over the years I’ve collected many (many!) issues of Martha Stewart Living. When I say many, I mean jam-packed shelves worth. While most magazines find their way to the recycling bin within a few weeks, it’s a different story with the Martha’s. I flip through them again and again for inspiration because, let’s face it, nobody does it quite like Martha. And while blogs and Pinterest offer much inspiration, there’s just something about a glossy page, with well-considered typefaces, color, and texture that make me swoon.

Despite my adoration, as a professional crafter I’m up to my ears in supplies and space is at a premium. The time has come to part with some of my magazine collection. Luckily, I think the pages are firmly ingrained in my memory for eternity.

Because I couldn’t bear to just recycle them, I had an idea to incorporate pages of Martha’s crafts into crafts of my own. Her crafts are all so beautifully done that they can be turned into totally new show-stoppers in just a few steps.

Here are three simple holiday crafts you can use to recycle the magazines you love!

1. Garland

What you’ll need:

• Magazine
• Scissors
• String
• Hot Glue Gun

Cut out a series of images of roughly the same size (we used the awesome cookies from the Living December 2013 cover) and attach them to the string with a dot of glue on the back of each!

2. Cork Board Ornaments

What you’ll need:

• Magazine
• Scissors
• Silver String
• Acrylic Paint
• Paintbrush
• Round Cork Coasters/ Cork circles of various sizes
• Glue Stick
• Glue Gun

Paint cork coasters in festive colors, and let them dry. Meanwhile, cut out images from magazines that will fit, or can be trimmed to fit, cork circles. Glue image to dried cork and hot glue a loop of string on the back.

3. Mini Gift Boxes

What you’ll need:

• Magazine
• Scissors
• Marker
• Glue Stick
• Gift Boxes

Trace the top of the box onto a magazine image, cut out, and attach with a glue stick. That’s it!

Does this get your creative wheels turning? Leave a comment with ways you would repurpose beautiful magazine photos!

Why should your kids have all of the holiday crafting fun? We’ve found crafts that are as much fun for the giver to make as for the giftee to receive. Don’t be surprised if you start to feel especially generous this season!

For the Co-worker with a Cubicle in Need of Cheer

1. DIY Face Planters

These adorable planters from Oh Happy Day are made with the classic craft staple, sculpey. Give the friend who sings to her plants a face to focus on.

For the Friend Who Likes to Keep her Kitchen Ship-Shape

2.  DIY Finger Knit Rope Trivet

These nautical trivets couldn’t be simpler to make – your kids can even help! All you need is rope, a pair of scissors, and your fingers. Follow the instructions from Flax and Twine to make your own in half an hour.

For the Friend Who Likes to Wear Her Art on her Sleeve 

3. DIY Abstract Embroidered Sweater

Let this sweater reflect your friend’s personality by including all of her favorite colors. Sugar and Cloth shows you how easy it is to create a masterpiece.

For the Sibling Who Refuses to Accept Winter 

4. 30 Minute Terrarium

No matter how cold and snowy it is outside, keep a piece of summer alive with this glass terrarium. Instructions from The Lovely Drawer include a how-to for the clever stand made from Vinyl paper and a jar lid.

For the Friend Who Makes Even the Routine Glamorous 

5. Gemstone Soap DIY

This is definitely a gift you won’t want to stop making. Let out your inner scientist as you experiment with color combinations to create just the right jewel. A Beautiful Mess shows you how.

For the Stylish Upcycler

6. DIY Leather Box Handles Using Thrifted Belts

Give new life to the forgotten belts in the back of your closet by turning them into modern handles. These multipurpose boxes from Idle Hands Awake  are as pretty as they are functional.

For the Foodie Who Likes to Keep It Simple 

7. DIY No-Sew Waist Apron

Don’t let your lack of sewing skills stop you from making the perfect apron. The instructions from Almost Makes Perfect  are so easy you can make one for all of your favorite chefs (while still letting them think they’re #1).

For the Neat Freak Who Prefers Her Paperclips in Gold 

8. DIY Gold Bar Acrylic Tray

Though they’re probably missing from your supply box right now, acrylic sheets might become your new favorite material after making this tray from Lovely Indeed. It’s sure to add some serious polish to whatever surface it sits on.

For the Friend Who Likes Traditional with a Twist 

9. DIY Fall Flowers Cross Stitch Napkins

Kittenhood makes a classic embroidery pattern feel fresh by using unexpected colors. Follow their example with a fall floral, or put your own spin on another traditional design. If you’re new to cross stitching, this article from DMC outlines basic techniques and helpful hints.

For the Hostess Who’s a Kid at Heart 

10. DIY Animal Dishes

We can’t get over how cute these dishes are! Though the instructions are in Dutch, you can still use Show Home‘s whimsical image as an inspirational jumping off point.

I think pretty much any craft project can get a holiday makeover. I recently went through my books and selected a bunch of ideas to give little updates to, and the Tooty Fruity Wagon was the first one that I was excited to make!

Plus, my friends over at the Etsy blog were also excited and asked me to write up a post for them. So head over there for the full how-to with photos! And don’t forget to print out the template for the wheels. You can get that right here.

I’m a big fan of the holiday decorations that can be stored, damage-free, from year to year. This one is super simple to make, plus it can take a licking and keep on keeping on from year to year.

I made these with upcycled sweaters, but you can use green felt or even tissue paper.

Here’s what you need:

• styrofoam cones
• green fabric or old sweaters
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• colored brads

1. Cut the sleeve off and begin to wrap it around a Styrofoam cone.

2. Hot glue sweater to the cone, folding the ends in the back to create a seam.

3. Press colored metal fasteners (or brads) through the sweater and into the Styrofoam to create Christmas ornaments.

This craft was originally published on Ebay.com.

Are you in the market for a NEW menorah craft this year?

I’m crazy in love with the one I made for FamilyFun Magazine this year, using colored sand from Sandtastik. Check out the simple how-to over on Parents.com! And those candles? They are just silver paper straws with a piece of yellow grosgrain ribbon shoved in there. Easy and safe for kids to “light” themselves!