I used this simple pattern that makes a nice scalloped border without having to crochet around the edge. You can find the pattern here.  I was able to get two dishcloths from 1 ball of Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn.

Package with a nice bottle of soap and you a really useful gift! By the way there is free shipping today at Mrs. Meyer's Soap.

Don't forget to check out other handmade gift ideas.

My boys are giving you the chance to win one of their birdhouse kits! Leave a comment before Friday at midnight for a chance to win.

They are simple to put together, requiring only 8 nails. The unique design of this birdhouse allows for easy cleaning.  Each kit includes everything you need (except a hammer) to build a wren birdhouse.  My boys will ship immediately so it is not to late to make a unique and useful gift for someone special. The birdhouse kits come in a fabric bag, so the kit itself would be great gift for anyone on your list that likes to build!

Supplies:

1 1/2" wood ball knobs
acrylic paint
acrylic primmer
acrylic polyurethane
bottle corks
gorilla glue or hot glue

Lightly sand wooden ball and then wipe with a damp cloth. Once ball is dry ( a minute) prime the ball with acrylic primer.  When the primer is completely dry  give your ball a base coat of color and then begin painting your design.  I stick a wooden dowel or the end of a paint brush in the hole of the ball so I have something to hold onto while I paint. The wooden dowel can be stuck into a piece of styrofoam so the ball can dry. Once your painted design is finished and dry, give your ball two or more coats of polyurethane. Allow polyurethane to completey dry between each coat.

I have tried many brands of acrylic polyurethane and I am partial to this one.

Glue the ball to a cork.  Be careful if you use Gorilla glue, it can be messy but it is strong!

To make this doormat you need a carpet sample , ours were free from our local store. Since we repeat this craft all year round he knows us! He didn't have the rectangle size (or texture free) we like so these square ones had to do. It is best to try to get the regular pile-not Berber, shag or textured carpet.

We made our own stamps by cutting shapes out of foam sheets and rubber cementing them to a bock of wood.

Each stamp needs two layers of foam, so be sure to cut two for each stamp you make. Once you have the foam shape glued to the wood, put something heavy and flat on top of your stamp while the glue dries. This keeps the foam from curling.

We paint (we use acrylic) the paint on the stamps with a foam brush. This is easier than dipping and keeps the area around the stamp clean---which is very important. Use a lot of paint.

This is probably the only time that rocking and jiggling your stamp is okay. You are trying to work the paint into the carpet. I suggest asking for one extra carpet sample and give a few practice runs to get the feel of the amount of paint, pressure and jiggling you need to do. Kids love to use both hands and press really hard (an important reason you want to keep the surrounding wood of the stamp paint free). An adult probably needs to give the stamp a final press --depending on the age of the child.

If your print comes off light, simply take your foam brush and work a bit more paint in those areas.

Once you are finished the stamps can be rinsed off with water. Allow them to dry completely before storing.

If you don't want to make your own stamps you can always use the large foam die-cut sponges found at craft stores.  Make sure to dampen your sponge and then dip into paint.  You will find an especially nice selection of these sponges around Halloween.

I have asked for 25 carpet samples at one time (give the carpet store some notice so they can collect them for you) so we could do this for the craft at a holiday party at school with 1st and 5th graders. It actually worked out beautifully. I was able to die-cut the shapes out of foam so I had plenty without me having to cut them all . I had parents each with their own stamp and color of paint and walk around the room allowing the children (who stayed at their desks) to stamp their carpets. The parents would paint the stamp each time. We set the carpets out in the hallway to dry. We did this at the very beginning of the party so they had time to dry before heading home (on the buses -oh my I am sure I was popular with those drivers that day!).

Paint Glycerin soap with acrylic paint. One side of the soap needs to be non-imprinted, so you have a nice area to paint on.

Melt paraffin in a double boiler situation. I used a metal measuring cup set in a pan of water. An old food can could also be used. Wax is highly flammable so it is best to melt it in water. DO NOT allow any of the water to get into the wax!

Brush a thin coat of melted wax over your painting. Do not paint the sides or bottom of your soap. The wax must be very hot to give a clear coat. It is probably best for an adult to do this step while wax is still at the stove so it remains very hot.

When you use your soap the wax will protect your paintings.