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Decorative Piecrusts
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Decorative Piecrusts

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: Martha shows us that it doesn't take a degree in pastry arts to turn a homely piecrust into a showstopping dessert.

Piecrust How-To
Framed Handkerchiefs
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Framed Handkerchiefs

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: Martha is a master at grouping everyday objects into elegant displays. Here, handkerchiefs found at a vintage-clothing store are transformed into pieces of art. Our site members have used this technique with heirloom textiles and doilies, as well.

Framing How-To
Bunny-Fold Napkins
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Bunny-Fold Napkins

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: Holidays call for cloth napkins, but that doesn't mean you can't be playful, too. With a few simple folds, you can turn your Easter table into a warren of welcoming bunnies.

Napkin How-To
Seam-Binding Lampshade
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Seam-Binding Lampshade

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: What happens when you take a common sewing notion like seam binding and decorate an inexpensive white lampshade? You create a charming and unique focal point for any room.

Lampshade How-To
Scented Sugars
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Scented Sugars

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: It couldn't be easier to turn a pantry staple like sugar into a delicious addition for coffee and baked goods. Simply add scented geranium leaves, rose petals, dried orange and lemon peel, or vanilla bean.

Sugar How-To
Faux-Bois Dresser
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Faux-Bois Dresser

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: Nature has always been an inspiration for Martha -- as has revisiting decorative techniques. Here, the art of faux-bois (wood grain) finds new life on a simple, inexpensive dresser.

Dresser How-To
After-Dinner Mint
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After-Dinner Mint

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: Sometimes the simplest ideas leave a lasting effect. Frozen chocolate-dipped mint leaves make a refreshing post-meal treat.

Mint How-To
Enameled Vases
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Enameled Vases

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary:It would be wasteful to discard a glass bottle when you can transform it into an elegant -- and useful --vase. We simply coated the bottles shown here with glass enamel paint.

Vase How-To
Candy Wreath
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Candy Wreath

Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: A big bowl of candy is de rigueur at Halloween. A wreath made with the sweet stuff is simply inspired.

Wreath How-To
Freezer Labels
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Freezer Labels

Practical and Thrifty: Frozen food won't go to waste using this labeling system, which identifies package contents and freeze date. Additional ideas for this printable template come from our site members: Use for dry foodstuffs, like homemade biscuit mix; give as a wedding shower gift; use regular paper instead of adhesive and slip the label inside the freezer bag.

Label How-To
Coffee Cubes
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Coffee Cubes

Practical and Thrifty: You can keep your iced coffee cold and strong when you make ice cubes out of leftover brew. And you'll avoid waste -- a Martha pet peeve.

Coffee Cube How-To
Hose Stand
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Hose Stand

Practical and Thrifty: Martha believes the best solutions are often the simplest and least expensive. Here, a simple bamboo pole elevates a sprinkler, so each plant in your garden gets its fair share of water.

Hose Stand How-To
No-Waste Dressing
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No-Waste Dressing

Practical and Thrifty: Martha takes a no-waste approach to cooking. When there's just a tiny bit of mustard left in the jar, toss in a few ingredients, and shake up a tangy Dijon vinaigrette right in the container.

Dressing How-To
Herb Centerpiece
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Herb Centerpiece

Practical and Thrifty: When your herb garden overflows, turn the extra yield into a fragrant centerpiece using a bowl, a jar, or whatever container you have on hand.

Centerpiece How-To
Ribbon Organizer
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Ribbon Organizer

Practical and Thrifty: Martha's organizing ideas are the stuff of legend (and inspire many imitations). Here, gift ribbons stay untangled and ready to use by easily fashioning a simple storage box.

Organizer How-To
Rinsing Vegetables in the Garden
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Rinsing Vegetables in the Garden

Practical and Thrifty: When you rinse your vegetables outside as you pick them from garden, you avoid dirtying the kitchen sink and your garden gets an extra drink.

Rinse How-To
Wallpapered Glass Coasters
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Wallpapered Glass Coasters

Practical and Thrifty: Decoupaged to glass squares, leftover wallpaper or other decorative paper becomes customized coasters.

Coaster How-To
Maximizing Counter Space
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Maximizing Counter Space

Clever Problem-Solvers: In the kitchen, where counter space is at a minimum, every inch helps. Martha's solution: Use your favorite cake stand as a base for your go-to cooking items such as olive oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
Onion-Cutting Trick
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Onion-Cutting Trick

Clever Problem-Solvers: To avoid tearing up while chopping onions, cut them near an open flame. The gaseous sulfur compounds released from the onion will burn off before they can irritate your eyes. Gas burners works best, but if your stove is electric, try lighting a votive candle near your chopping board.
Closet on Wheels
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Closet on Wheels

Clever Problem-Solvers: your clothing just won't all fit in your closet, you could buy a wardrobe or chest -- or you could use Martha's DIY solution, which doesn't take up one more inch of space. These under-the-bed bins are made by attaching casters to a wooden box, a drawer from a chest, or a wine crate.

Closet How-To
Herb Sachet
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Herb Sachet

Clever Problem-Solvers: Fishing a bouquet garni out of a simmering soup or stew can get messy -- unless you tie your flavor sachet to the pot handle. Simply brilliant.

Sachet How-To
How to Fold a Fitted Sheet
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How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

Clever Problem-Solvers: Solving age-old dilemmas is a Martha specialty -- folding fitted sheets, for instance. Most often, it's stuffed in a ball on top of the neatly folded flat version. This easy-to-follow technique brings order to the linen closet.

Sheet How-To
Knee Pad
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Knee Pad

Clever Problem-Solvers: Martha knows how to make a taxing task a bit easier. Here, a DIY pad made from fabric and buckwheat or flaxseed filling gives your knees a gentle cushion while weeding in the garden.

Knee Pad How-To
Paper Cherry Blossom Display
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Paper Cherry Blossom Display

Clever Problem-Solvers: Cherry-blossom season is brief at best, and not all of us are fortunate enough to live in a region where these trees flourish. The next best thing: Craft your own paper blossoms for a year-round display.

Cherry Blossom How-To
Stain Chart
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Stain Chart

Clever Problem-Solvers: Martha has always sought out expert advice to solve vexing problems. Her iconic stain chart brings an army of stain professionals directly to you -- just print and hang in the laundry room.

Get the Stain Chart
Herb Pot Labels
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Herb Pot Labels

Clever Problem-Solvers: Label your herb pots and you'll never snip the wrong sprigs -- or lose the markers -- again. It's as simple as writing the name of each herb on the rim of a terracotta pot with permanent felt-tip marker.
Flower Flat Carrier
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Flower Flat Carrier

Clever Problem-Solvers: After hauling countless flats of flowers in hand, Martha devised a better way to transport flowers: Refashioned paper shopping bags.

Carrier How-To
Frozen Vodka
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Frozen Vodka

Form Plus Function: This isn't a more beautiful way to keep your vodka ice cold than to encase the bottle in a frozen layer of flowers and fruit.

Frozen Vodka How-To
Double-Duty Bookcase
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Double-Duty Bookcase

Form Plus Function: Make use of the space at the back of a bookcase by installing a cloth-covered bulletin board. You'll add a burst of color to the room as well as a valuable storage area.

Bookcase How-To
Pet-Food Tins
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Pet-Food Tins

Form Plus Function: Here's a Martha idea that took off like wildfire: A one-step feeding solution that's both attractive and practical.

Food Tin How-To
Framed Bulletin Board
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Framed Bulletin Board

Form Plus Function: A schoolroom staple gets a stylish makeover, thanks to a little ingenuity. Hardware-store framing and a cheerful fabric quickly and inexpensively elevate this to something you'll be proud to hang in any room.

Bulletin Board How-To
Ice Bowls
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Ice Bowls

Form Plus Function: Creating beautiful objects that are also serviceable is a Martha Stewart tenet. Here, an ice bowl adds sparkle to your table as it keeps foods chilled.

Bowl How-To
Mint Chandelier
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Mint Chandelier

Form Plus Function: Hanging plants are beautiful, but few can provide a refreshing garnish for summer drinks like mint can. This living chandelier conveniently keeps the herb within arm's reach.

Mint Chandelier How-To
Teacup Lights
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Teacup Lights

Creative Repurposing: Here's an ingenious way to make use of teacups that have lost their saucers. Turn them into pretty gifts and decorations by fitting them with candles.

Teacup Candle How-To
Leaf Centerpiece
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Leaf Centerpiece

Creative Repurposing: Martha loves to think unconventionally. Here, the centerpiece is not restricted to what the name implies -- a single piece placed in the center. Instead, an assortment of leaves runs the length of a table set for dinner.

Centerpiece How-To
Pillowcase Bag
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Pillowcase Bag

Creative Repurposing: It seems like Martha can turn just about any old item into something useful and attractive. In this case, she transforms an orphaned pillowcase into a bright tote bag with a few simple stitches.

Bag How-To
Easy Batik
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Easy Batik

Creative Repurposing: To make these batik-style table linens, go to the laundry room and get your bleach pen. Genius!

Batik How-To
Napkin-Folded Pillowcases
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Napkin-Folded Pillowcases

Creative Repurposing: Ready for a classic "Why didn't I think of that" idea? These cheerful pillow covers, made from patterned cloth napkins, are a breeze to make and care for.

Pillowcase How-To
May Baskets
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May Baskets

Creative Repurposing: Everyday household containers, such as tin cans, jelly jars, and cocoa tins, make these May baskets an affordable and one-of-a-kind gift.

May Basket How-To
Candy Cornucopias
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Candy Cornucopias

Creative Repurposing: This clever ending to the Thanksgiving meal turns sugar ice cream cones into cornucopias filled with jelly beans.

Cornucopia How-To
Menswear Mouse Toy
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Menswear Mouse Toy

Creative Repurposing: Worn or outgrown suits and shirts are the perfect material for these chic DIY toys for your feline.

Mouse Toy How-To
Eggshell Votives
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Eggshell Votives

Creative Repurposing: Everything is reborn in spring -- even Easter eggs, which can be transformed into votives for your table.

Votive How-To
More Great Ideas from Martha Stewart
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More Great Ideas from Martha Stewart
Start Over
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cando02840

15 May, 2012
Great idea for shop owners who use paper bags with their logo on them. Rececycle bag and advertise!!!!

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More Great Ideas from Martha Stewart

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