Blog Posts by Country Living

These pretty projects are perfect for Valentine's Day. Make them for your sweetie, your friends, your kids, or yourself!

Plus: 7 more craft ideas for the romantic holiday »

1. Sweater


Wear your heart on your sleeve. Transform any sweater into a romantic fashion statement by tweaking store-bought elbow patches. See our easy 3-step instructions »


2. Homespun Pincushions


This nifty project pairs up fabric scraps and heart-shaped cookie cutters to make custom pincushions any seamstress will love. To make, see our step-by-step directions »


3. Snappy Bow Bracelet


It's a cinch to craft this arm candy from a strip of leather. Download, print, and cut out our bracelet templates, and start crafting!


4. Custom Jewelry Box


Follow our three easy steps to bring personality and purpose to a plain craft-store box. Give the personalized jewelry box to your mom, best friend, or daughter--and maybe stash something sparkly inside!


5. Paper Airplane Love Notes


Give your love notes a lift, and take

These fun and simple projects will not only give you something fun to work on, they'll also help declutter your life!

Plus: 10 practically free craft ideas »

1. Profile Bulletin Boards

profile bulletin board
Give utilitarian bulletin boards personality by disguising them as artful silhouettes. To make, see our step-by-step instructions »


2. Almost-Instant Message Board

message board
Repurpose a painted metal tray as a magnetic message board. Simply attach a sawtooth picture hanger to the tray's back with superglue, hang the tray from a nail, then add magnets-along with any must-try recipes or shopping lists.

3. Sewing Kit

sewing kit
An egg carton, fabric, and elastic are all you need to make this adorable sewing kit. See how we made it in just a few easy steps »


4. Sink Skirt

sink skirts
Instantly brighten your bathroom and create extra space to store linens with a simple sink skirt. You don't need to be a super savvy sewer-just follow these how-to steps »


5. Storage Shelf

storage shelf
Jelly jars attached to a shelf provide extra storage space and a

We'll show you 12 ways to avoid a fumble and score major points with football fans at your Super Bowl party.

Plus: 38 tasty Super Bowl party food ideas »


DO: Vary Your Drink Options

wine bottles
Beer may be synonymous with football (we blame the beer ads that play during every commercial break), but it isn't everyone's first choice. Make Orange-Ginger Margaritas or Passion Fruit Mojitos by the pitcher and be sure to have a few bottles of red wine on hand.


DON'T: Forget to Prepare for Spills

wine spill
Cheering can get rowdy, so booze and food are bound to fumble onto the couch or carpet at some point. Create a preemptive strike against stains by removing rugs to expose hardwood floors, which are easier to clean. In case of a stain, try one of these cleaning solutions.


DO: Stock Up on Classic Sports Snacks

chips
Peanuts, pretzels, and chips are practically mandatory on game day. Upgrade the basics with these Spiced Nuts and Crispy Rosemary Potato Chip recipes.

DON'T: Skimp on Hearty Foods

food

From walls to towels to grout, here's how to keep the whites in your home looking their best.

More: See our 6 white decorating lessons »

1. Sheets

White Sheets
Only wash white sheets with other white (or very lightly colored) items. Launder with detergent in warm water, but skip the chlorine bleach. "The last thing you should use is chlorine bleach because it breaks down the fiber," says bedding stylist Steven Whitehead. Instead, he recommends using an oxygen-based stain fighter like OxiClean to keep whites light and bright.

2. Walls

Walls
To remove wall smudges, first try the gentlest method, which is plain water and a soft cloth. If that doesn't work, move on to a solution of water and liquid dish soap, says Carl Minchew, director of product development at Benjamin Moore. If the spot remains, use more aggressive cleaners, like Fantastik or Formula 409, and gently rub the surface.

3.Towels

Towels
If it's safe to use chlorine bleach on your towels, do so with care. Read the bleach label and use the correct

From the best straighten-up strategies to the right way to vacuum your sofa, here's how to keep your house in tip-top shape in the New Year.

1. Sweep Steps

sweep steps

Most household dirt-75 to 80 percent-is tracked in from outside. Keep the mess outside by regularly sweeping driveways, porches, sidewalks, and garage doors. Then, add a doormat to both the inside and the outside of every door.

More: Declutter your life with these 15 craft projects


2. Clean Door Mats

clean door mats

Vacuum or shake entryway rugs and mats when you clean the rest of the house, and give them a good wash once a month.

3. Remove Your Shoes

remove shoes

Keep grit and scuff marks at bay by asking family members and guests to remove their shoes when coming into the house. Keep a basket of slippers by the door for guests to borrow.

More: Get organized with these 12 weekend makeover projects

4. Vacuum Upholstery

dust-free fabric

Vacuum your couch and upholstered chairs regularly, even if they don't look like they need it. When invisible dirt and dust are left on

Cocktail experts Greg and Shelley Lindgren, co-owners of San Francisco's A16 and Rye, share the best spirits you need to always be ready for a celebration. Cheers!

THE BOOZE



Greg Lindgren recommends having a quality mix of liquor on-hand. The good news? You don't always have to spring for top-shelf.

Scotch
Spring for a good-sipping single malt. Lindgren's pick: Bruichladdich 12-year Second Edition.

Bourbon
Opt for the budget-friendly choice to save a few dollars since you can barely taste the difference. Greg suggests the affordable Four Roses.

Vodka
This is the most popular alcohols, but the least likely to be consumed straight. Translation: You'll want lots of it at a not-too-fancy grade. Greg recommends the budget-friendly, but reliable Polish brand, Sobieski.

Tequila
Margaritas benefit from pricier tequila so this alcohol is worth the splurge. Try one made from 100-percent blue agave, like Tequila Ocho Añejo.

Gin
Though cheap gin can be awful, top-shelf isn't exquisite. The

The Times Square celebration may draw the most attention, but the Big Apple's crystal ball is just one of many objects towns across the country drop at midnight. See 7 of the wackiest ways to celebrate 2012!

See more from CountryLiving.com:

9 makeovers you can do in a day (or less!) »

Decorating projects you can finish in a weekend! »

55 living rooms you'll love »

10 things you should DIY instead of buy »

6 new uses for old things »

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Keep the little ones entertained before, during, and after the big holiday dinner with these cheerful crafts and kid-friendly activities:

1. Make Tic-Tac-Toe Cookies



Finally, kids can play with their food at the table! Make this tasty game yourself-including the cute H and O pieces-using our simple sugar cookie recipe. (ABC Cookie Cutters, 3", $1.95 each; thecookiecuttershop.com)

Get the recipe for Sugar Cookie Dough »

2. Create Holiday Crayons


Give new life to your stubby leftover Crayons by transforming them into fun holiday shapes. Let your kids help make them, then, when it's time to eat, cover their table with a paper tablecloth so they can use their fun new creations throughout dinner.

Get the step-by-step how-to for Holiday Crayons »

3. Set Out Photo Booth Accessories


Prop the table with fun disguises, like these from Paper and Cake, that can be used in a "photo booth," as featured on the blog Hostess with the Mostess. The kids can entertain themselves while Mom and Dad enjoy