Backyard craft materials

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Radio interview source: Kaelin Zawilinski, associate editor, BHG.com

I collect the pine cones from our big, old pine tree at the end of the lane and give them to a friend who makes and sells wreaths at Christmas. I have another friend who weaves baskets, and she's always on the lookout for twigs in unusual shapes to use as basket handles.

Instead of scanning your property for the next chore, cast a creative eye on it. You might be surprised at how many craft materials are in your backyard. Fallen pine needles can be braided together, then sprayed with an adhesive to hold their form. Dried flowers and berries have a number of different applications. Gourds from the garden make terrific birdfeeders or fall table decorations. Even birds' nests can be preserved and used for wreaths or doorway arches.

Kaelin Zawilinski is the associate editor of the crafts channel at BHG.com. She's a fan of using "found" objects.

"I personally like to use a lot of old objects that you may find out laying in your yard or in the barn or wherever," Zawilinski says. "You know, old signage can be really cool to then kind of create something around, or old baskets which then can be embellished and placed around your house as well."