26 Creatively Thoughtful DIY Items to Craft and Donate to Your Local Nursing Home

1. Create handmade stationary.

Seniors who are stuck in nursing homes do not have a whole lot of options when it comes to staying entertained. So anything you can do to provide them with what they need to fill some hours of the day is helpful. Many elders enjoy writing detailed letters to family and friends who they do not get to see while they are in the home. But letters are always more special when they come on unique stationery, so one great gift to donate to a local nursing home is a set of handmade stationary. Check the link for an easy project.

Tutorial and Instructions: abeautifulmess

2. Create a DIY address book.

The second idea which is related to the first is to handcrafts address books. Anyone who writes a lot of letters to family and friends is going to be a frequent user of an address book, so this is a fun and handy item to craft and donate to a nursing home or assisted-living community.

Tutorial and Instructions: ollieandco

3. Make a unique journal using bookbinding techniques.

While a nursing home resident may spend a lot of time writing to loved ones, he or she may also want to write personal memoirs. One wonderful craft that you could donate would be a set of handcrafted journals. There are many different methods you can use for bookbinding at home. Click on the source link for a detailed tutorial on a versatile technique.

Tutorial and Instructions: tortagialla

4. Build a cute organizer.

Anyone who likes to keep a journal or write letters needs somewhere to keep all of their supplies. Another idea for a craft you can donate is a mini desk organizer. In the video below, you can find out how to make one with bright colors and fun designs, sure to brighten up any room.

Video:

5. Make an Alzheimer's sensory stim blanket.

If you are looking for a handcraft idea for donating to a memory care unit, one great project is a sensory blanket. Patients with Alzheimer’s develop restless hands, and as a result need some sensory activity which they can use for stimming. At the source link, you can find a project for creating a sensory blanket which takes care of this need.

Tutorial and Instructions: sewmanywayskimi

6. Create a set of bookmarks.

One super easy project to consider is handcrafting bookmarks for nursing home residents. Many seniors love to read, and bookmarks are something you can make quickly in bulk. In fact, the project at the source link is incredibly easy, because it uses a clever supply—paint chips!

Tutorial and Instructions: jos2ndact

7. Up-cycle old sweaters into warm, fuzzy socks.

As mentioned earlier, it can be difficult for nursing home residents to stay warm and comfortable. For that reason, simple gifts like warm, fuzzy socks to make excellent donation items. Here is a project for turning old sweaters into insulated socks which are as warm as they are soft and cozy.

Tutorial and Instructions: ecouterre

8. Sew a warm poncho.

Like warm socks, ponchos are also good items to donate. Because they have a loose fit, they can work for residents of all sizes, and they can provide plenty of warmth for cold days. Watch the video for an easy sewing pattern.

Video:

9. Make an infinity scarf.

Another warm and versatile garment that you can make is an infinity scarf. There are so many different ways you can wear infinity scarves. At the source link, you can find instructions for simple infinity scarf project which you could donate to seniors in need at a nearby nursing home. Looking for more patterns? Find 26 of them right here.

Tutorial and Instructions: sewcanshe

10. Prevent slips and falls with grippy socks.

Elderly nursing home residents who have difficulty getting around safely can benefit from wearing socks which are not slippery. You can make these yourself at home, which is more cost-effective and fun than purchasing them ready-made from a department store. Find out how at the link below.

Tutorial and Instructions: brownthumbmama

11. Donate handmade walker caddies.

A walker is of course supposed to help you get around when you can no longer do so on your own. Unfortunately, using a walker requires you to use both hands. This makes it impossible to carry around glasses, notebooks, remote controls and other items if you do not have handy pockets. This is where a walker caddy becomes very useful. Donate a few of these to a nursing home, and you could greatly improve quality of life for residents in need.

Tutorial and Instructions: mellysews

12. Keep nursing home residents warm with a handmade lap quilt.

If you enjoy quilting, here’s a project which is perfect for nursing home recipients. Because nursing home residents are not very active, they can end up with cold hands and feet. Create a lap quilt with flannel-lined pockets, and residents who use the quilts will always be able to keep their hands warm.

Tutorial and Instructions: http://www.homesewnbycarolyn.com/lovie-lap-quilts.html

13. Making dressing gown out of an old duvet cover.

Many nursing home residents may spend the majority of their time wearing pajamas or dressing gowns, because it is no longer easy to get dressed for the day. Did you know that it is easy to make dressing gowns to donate using nothing more than an old duvet cover? The linked tutorial will show you how.

Tutorial and Instructions: karimascrafts

Delicious Ham and Cheese Puffs – A Snack Made In Heaven

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a good appetizer. Even if I'm not serving them before dinner, appetizers are the perfect anytime snack and I'll even enjoy them for lunch on occasion. You can imagine how happy I was to find this delicious ham and cheese puffs recipe – it truly is a snack made in Heaven. Not only is it fast and easy to prepare, it's filled with delicious ingredients that make it the perfect appetizer or lunch choice.

First of all, aside from the ham and cheese, this flavor filled pastry has spinach. I'm just going to tell you that I love just about anything that has spinach in it. Have you tried my spinach and bacon frittata? It's quickly become my family's favorite breakfast food. So, these ham and cheese puffs have spinach and a ton of other tasty ingredients with nutmeg, parmesan, and grainy mustard, they're a great appetizer for any meal and they're really great as a snack or quick lunch.

It will only take you about half an hour to make these and keep in mind that there's dough baking in that time. You're getting freshly baked pastry filled with delicious ham and cheese. What more could you ask for in a snack? These may even beat Hot Pockets in your house – they have in mine. My kids love these and actually beg me to make them, even with the spinach in them! If you have trouble getting your little ones to eat spinach, you really need to give these a try. You could reward them for eating their spinach with a piece of this amazing blueberry pie.

I know you're going to love this recipe. It's quick and easy and gives you an appetizer that is simply filled with deliciousness. You get four appetizers out of one recipe so there's enough to go around for everyone. Or, just make it and keep it as a quick lunch – you can freeze it after it's made to make a fast and easy lunch or snack.

Puff pastry, spinach and other ingredients give these puffs wonderful flavor.


Cook spinach with milk and other ingredients to make a creamy base.


Layer ham, cheese, and spinach mixture onto puff pastry.


Fold up edges to hold in flavorful ingredients.


Baked to golden perfection and enjoy.

Fat

5 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

Vanessa Beaty

Serves 5 oz (150 g)

Delicious Ham and Cheese Puffs – A Snack Made In Heaven

15 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

35 minTotal Time

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Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 2 cups of milk
• ¼ tsp. of ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. of butter
• 1 ½ tbsps. of flour
• ½ cup of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• ½ cup of ham, cut into cubes
• 1 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp. of grainy mustard
• 1 egg
• Fresh parsley for decoration

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200 C (400 F).
2. Start with spinach béchamel. Heat oil and butter in a pan and add flour. Stir to incorporate, then start slowly pouring milk while whisking vigorously. Add a pinch of salt and nutmeg. Cook for 5-7 minutes and mix with 2/3 cup of cheese and drained spinach.
3. Roll puff pastry sheet about 3 mm (1/8-inch) thick. Cut into four rectangles.
4. Place about 1 ½-2 tbsp. of spinach béchamel into the center of each pastry sheet. Sprinkle with leftover cheese and some cubed ham.
5. Pinch each corner to form a little border, brush with egg.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until brown and crispy. Serve with fresh parsley.

Cuisine: American | Recipe Type: Appetizer

7.5

41

http://www.diyncrafts.com/24760/food/recipes/delicious-ham-cheese-puffs-snack-made-heaven

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How to Make a Charmingly Rustic DIY Barn Door Nightstand {Free Plans}

There is something about the rustic decor trend which is all the rage right now which I just can't get enough of. Maybe it's the beautiful textures and muted colors which I love … or maybe it's the fact that rustic décor reminds me of a simpler time. Or it could just be that I'm a country gal.

In any case, I've done a lot of my home over in this style using projects like these for farmhouse furniture and decor (while you're at it, you should also take a look at these super cool rustic log projects). But I haven't been able to do a whole lot with the bedroom yet.

So I was super excited when I found this video from Shanty2Chic on YouTube! In it, these talented ladies create a beautiful rustic nightstand with a sliding barn door. How awesome is that?

Video

You can read more about the steps they used to create the nightstand in their post here.

Most importantly, you can download the FREE PLANS to create a sliding barn door nightstand of your very own right here.

If you check out the original post on Shanty2Chic, you'll notice a really cool rustic light fixture right above the nightstand. That is something else you can learn how to make over on their site—I highly recommend checking that out along with the rest of their incredible projects.

Okay, I could sit here raving about the nightstand for ages … but then I wouldn't get any construction done! It's off to the shed to start working on my own barn door nightstand. I hope you build one too!

This is an Unbelievably Beautiful Transformation for a Backyard Pool

Ever since we moved into a house with a big back yard, I've made it my personal mission to transform our yard in every way I can into an amazing place to relax and have fun.

Some of the projects I've tackled have been relatively easy, like this one to make tiki torches for mood lighting. But other projects have been insurmountable. I fell in love with this idea to make an all-natural swimming pool for example, but it just seems overwhelming given the specifics of our yard. P.S you can find 70 Summery Backyard DIY Projects to pick more awesome ideas for you.

Plus, I can't really afford a huge overhaul in the back yard. But I still really, really want a pool.

So we were thinking about buying one of those plastic ones—you know, the blue ones that look quite hideous. But I hated the thought of it disrupting my carefully cultivated back yard—just one hideous eyesore in the middle of all the beauty I've created.

But then I found a post on Facebook which inspired me! Check out what this guy managed to do with one of those ugly plastic pools.

As you can see, it is your standard plastic pool, nothing great to look at.

You can see the framework going up around it in this shot.

And here is the finished pool! Check out those amazing stairs. I love the beautiful patterns formed by the wood as well. Take a look at some additional angles:

So there you have it. An outdoor above-ground plastic pool doesn't have to be hideous. It can in fact be incredibly beautiful! This is an inspiring project to save money while beautifying the back yard even more. I've finally gone ahead and bought a plastic above ground pool of my own … I can't wait to try this. The kids are going to love it!

This Gorgeous DIY Recycled Pallet Planter Erupts With Color

I get so excited at this time every year. Finally that bitter wintry chill is gone, and there are some warm, sunny days to go out in the garden and work. Each year I start out with a new vision for my lawn and garden and set out to make it happen!

In the past, I have stumbled across some very cool ideas for planters, like this project to turn simple terracotta pots into whimsical artistic planters, or this one for planting strawberries. But this year I am more excited than ever, because I think I have found the ultimate cool gardening idea!

Tutorial Video:

Video by HerToolBelt‘s Youtube channel.

It starts out looking like this:

Not too exciting, right?

After a few months, it looks like this:

It's a kind of fake bush of flowers!

How do you do it? We show the basic steps for detailed plans and other mind-blowing projects like this visit HerToolBelt.com Projects, Her tool belt pallet planter box.

Here is the cut list (you can disassemble a pallet for this):

4 – 2″ x 4″ x 40″ – legs
2 – 2″ x 2″ x 15″ – bottom support
4 – 1″ x 4″ x 36″ bottom
1 – 1″ x 1 1/2″ x 36″ bottom
40″ long pallet slats as needed
16″ long pallet slats as needed

1. Attach the legs together.

2. Attach the bottom pieces.

3. Add pallet slat pieces to form the sides.

4. Drill holes for the flowers.

5. Have gaps? Fill them with weed guard.

6. Plant the flowers row by row, using Styrofoam for filler as needed (so you don't use more soil than necessary).

You'll end up with this. It doesn't look to amazing, but this is just the beginning:

7. Wait for your flowers to grow, watering and caring for them as needed as the months go by. Then watch in amazement as your planter transforms!

You can find the full plans here. This is just astoundingly beautiful! Imagine a whole row of these!

How to Make a Stunning Flowery Wreath Out of Nothing More Than Paper

I still remember when I first was introduced to origami as a child. I was so thrilled that you could make literally anything you could imagine out of paper! My love for paper crafts has never faded; it's only grown.

In the past, I've shared some very cool projects with you, like DIY paper lanterns and DIY paper dahlias. Now I have something really awesome for you, a DIY & Crafts exclusive video which teaches you how you can make a beautiful "wreath" out of paper. It looks a bit like a large, elaborate flower. You can hang it up as décor (it's great for a party with its festive look), but there are other things you could do with it too, like use it to top a large present.

Video tutorial:

Materials:

Paper in two or more colors of your choice

• Scissors
• Pencil
• Drafting triangle
• Glue
• Cardboard circle with a diameter of 16 cm.

Instructions:

1. Start by cutting out the circle from the cardboard with a diameter of 16 centimeters.

2. Cut 66 squares out of one color of paper (orange in the video). Each should measure 5 x 6 cm.

3. Cut 17 pieces out of the other color of paper (blue in the video). Each should measure 3 x 5 cm.

4. Roll up the squares of paper and glue their edges to make them all into little cones.

5. Starting around the edges of the cardboard circle, begin gluing the orange cones.

6. Continue to work your way toward the center of the cardboard. Once you use up all the orange cones, you will be ready to start gluing on the blue cones in the center of the wreath.

 

When you are finished, your wreath will look like this:

Attach a string to it and hang it somewhere to display:

… Or find another way to display it. This is a very versatile decorative item, and you will discover there is so much you can do with it! It is relatively easy to make, and when it is completed, it looks very dramatic!