Crafts from unexpected objects? Need help, please!

[rosesnivy]

Hi,

I'm in charge of coming up with a craft for a ladies retreat in October. Unfortunately, so far my ideas aren't too thrilling.

Here's what I need:

a frugal craft for all skill levels that can be done quickly (80-100 women rotating through in an hour);

decorating theme is Victorian and "vessels" (ie. containers of all shapes and sizes);

I'd like to steer away from "smelly" crafts that use essential oils and the like;

Someone suggested finding a craft that uses a common household object in a new way (ie. decorated clay pot for a bouquet of ink pen flowers).

Any ideas or places on the internet that would have ideas for me? Thanks a bunch...I need all the help I can get...and quickly!

[LaughingHyena]

This looks like a great way to use up some fabric scraps, although I guess you would have to send everyone home with the instructions for sticking them to the wall
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2...xperiment.html

and how about some folded fbric flowers to fill the vase with
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index...Btopic=25125.5

finally here's a blog I;ve been finding christmas insporation from, maybe you will find something too
http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_c...l-toppers.html

hmm, I wonder if you could use the same technique to decorate jars to make vases or candle holders.

[Noelle C.]

Take an old vase or milk bottle. Use a foam brush to cover it with a mix of half white glue and half water. Cover it with torn paper with Victorian prints and paper doilies, using more glue as needed. A quick spray with spray shellac of a coating of a quarter white glue and 3/4 water and you're done. Bonus if there's some angel-dust glitter to sprinkle on. Takes minutes. Decoupage was big in those days as it was a way for them to use fabric and paper scraps, and the Victorians were surprisingly industrious.