How to make an easy and adorable recycled cork mushroom

I think most people if they drink wine they keep the corks so that means…recycled cork projects! And here is a fun mushroom craft that I can’t stop making. I thought I’d share the easy tutorial here that features adorable fabric available at The Craft Gossip Shop! The “Our Store” button is at the far right along the top of the blog.

I don’t think there is a fabric in the Craft Gossip Shop’s Fabrics that this project doesn’t work with.

There are tiny prints and big adorable animals to choose from!

How to make the fabric and recycled cork mushrooms:

Cut a circle of fabric 5 1/4 inches.

Stitch a running stitch around the edge while turning the fabric under about a quarter of an inch and gather a bit.

Cut a circle of recycled cereal box cardboard about 2 1/4 inches.

Then cut three slits in the center.

Poke the cork though the cardboard.

Cut a circle of batting the same size as the cardboard and place it on top of the cork.

Place the gathered fabric over the batting and cardboard and then gather tight.

Knot the thread and make lots more!

Ever stumbled upon a piece of decor that instantly transports you back in time? That’s exactly how I felt when I came across Cindy’s tutorial on transforming a vintage milk can into the most delightful outdoor side table. It’s one of those projects that blends nostalgia and functionality in a way that just makes your heart smile.

Cindy starts the tutorial with a bit of backstory on old milk cans—those heavy-duty relics of rural life that once carried fresh milk from farm to table. It’s kind of poetic, turning something that was once a workhorse on the farm into a centerpiece on your patio.

The steps she outlines are clear and totally approachable. You’ll need a vintage milk can, a wooden round (for the tabletop), a few basic tools like a drill and wood glue, and your favorite paint. What I appreciated most was how she kept the instructions flexible. Her husband welded a steel bar to the can to hold the tabletop in place (which is super sturdy), but she also offers a no-welding alternative that uses a snug-fitting piece of wood inside the opening. Perfect for folks like me who aren’t exactly on a first-name basis with a welder.

The painting part is where things get extra fun. Cindy uses mineral paint for the base and a whitewash technique on the wood top, finishing it off with some gentle distressing. It gives the table this lovely worn-in look—like it’s been part of your porch for years. I could practically see it next to a rocking chair with a pitcher of lemonade and a good book.

One little thing I personally loved? The fact that she didn’t over-polish the final look. It’s clean, yes—but still has that imperfect, charming farmhouse appeal. Like something your grandmother might have owned, but cooler.

If you’re into DIY with a heart and a healthy respect for vintage charm, this project is 100% worth trying. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and lets you bring a little slice of the past into your modern-day life. Now if only I could get my hands on a milk can…

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