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Volume 2, Number 36, September 12, 2007 (Read It Online) This week we have an idea for Making a Pinata using a balloon as well and more tips and projects submitted by readers. Thanks for reading, Jess and Lewis
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Photos and Projects: Tips:
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If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
A duct tape bag with straps that go around your arms at whatever length you decide. Inside can be any color you would like, I recommend gray. Card board on back and bottom and holes for bow on top.
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Rate It: This is a great way to accent those mini lamp shades or even large ones. Approximate Time 30 minutes Supplies:
Instructions: To add some flair to a ordinary lampshade, take a pin and poke holes along outline of picture. This one was from the $1.00 store and had a print on it. If you can not find one you like, use decoupage to add a photo and poke holes around design. Looks better in person than in photo and you can make these for anyone. I put 30 minutes to do but it depends on size of lampshade and amount of holes needed. This is kind of like the punch tin effect but with the paper shades. By Carol from Massachusetts
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Rate It: Christmas Ornaments From Curtain Rings An old curtain rings made into a Christmas decor. First I washed them then let them dry (alternatively painted them) then sketch a design on it with glue and sprinkled with glittering dusts. Attach a ribbon formed in bowtie and glue with a pearl or button (alternatively twined with tube cleaner). Tie a silver, gold, a crochet thread so it is easy to hang on the Christmas tree or in windows.
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Rate It: This is a bonnet made from one bandana, a length of ribbon and some thread. I use a little fuseable web to help with the ribbon portion. (Tip: Hobby Lobby has tons of bandanas in many many different colors and themes. If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area.) Super quick and easy. Good beginner sewing project. Just straight lines.
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Rubber Band to Remove Excess Paint from Brush When painting, stretch a large, wide rubber band from the top to the bottom of the paint can so that the rubber band lays across the widest part of the opening. After dipping the brush into the paint, wipe it against the rubber band, instead of the lip, to remove excess paint. You'll be left with a clean can and the lid will be easier to replace. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24441174.tip.html
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Rate It: Donate Craft Items to Local Non-Profits Donate your craft items that you know you won't use to a local shelter workshop. Many shelter workshops do not have work for the clients to do on a consistent basis, yet they still need something to do while there. Before you discard broken crayons, compact disks, left-over yarn, scrap wood, or other items, call your local board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities or Homeless Shelters and see if they could use them. There's a good chance they can. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96324052.tip.html
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Rate It: Frugal Nickleback Band Memorabilia I love this band, Nickelback, but can't afford posters or anything. So today I decided that there is no reason why I couldn't make me something with Nickelback on it! So I got to brainstorming and thought about covering a piece of of cardstock with pictures. But then I remembered the day before my Nanny (Grandma) had given me a red notebook. Ah-Ha! I put those to ideas together and started creating and this is what I came up with! Photograph Notebook: Supplies
Instructions Step 1: Cut a piece of cardstock to fit the front of your book, glue down. Step 2: Arrange pictures how you want before glueing to help prevent mess-ups. Glue down all pictures. Let glue dry COMPLETELY! Step 3: Then cut contact paper big enough to cover front and back. Adhere contact paper and press firmly (if you are doing the back also, complete steps 1 and 2 BEFORE doing this!) Step 4: Enjoy your COMPLETELY UNIQUE book! Hope you like this! Sorry cant post pic! I printed my pictures off the internet but you can use family photographs! Do you have any other ideas on how I can make stuff? I can't afford to hop up and go buy supplies. Mackenzie from Tennessee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74222915.tip.html
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Rate It: Teacup Candles For Fundraising Here's a great fundraising idea that my Relay for Life team developed. We purchased 60 small teacups and saucers off ebay. We took the cups to a local candle making shop and had them put a wick and scented candle wax in the cups. (They gave us a discount since we were raising money for American Cancer Society.) We then glued the tea cups to the saucers, put them in cellophane bags and tied on a pink ribbon. We sold them for $10 each, with the proceeds ($400) going to American Cancer Society.
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Rate It: Tips for finding and using old tablecloths as fabric as posted from the ThriftyFun community. Look At Garage Sales If you sew, a great way to find cheap fabric is to look at garage sales for tablecloths. Even if they have a stain or two, there will be plenty of good fabric for you to use for other projects. Tablecloths come in a variety of thicknesses, sizes and patterns so you can find fabric for a variety of projects. Look For Linen I buy old linen tablecloths. I cut them into four pieces. Then stamp them and embroider. Hemmed, they are a great Christmas gift. Make Aprons If you find lovely old tablecloths with bad stains or holes, get them anyway. The fabric from "vintage" tablecloths is better than anything you can buy today and you can make a beautiful full or half apron for yourself or to give as gifts. By Jess Other Fabric Recycling Techniques I have a 3 year old granddaughter and have made some of the finest clothes for her from a bag of my old clothes that I was going to donate to the thrift store. I've recycled buttons of course, but also taken expensive lace from my nighties and the like to use in the making of pretty dresses for her as a baby and now as a 3 year old. I may even use the top neckline or keep the button front intact in my old garment to make sewing her garment easier. You can use the bottom portion of an already hemmed dress so you don't need to hem the dress you are making for your child. This makes sewing an outfit for your child just that much faster! I had one long floral gauze dress, and from that one dress, I made 3 different outfits for her! Two dresses and one cute lacy top. Three beautiful outfits all made from just one recycled dress ready for the "junk pile". Don't throw out your unwanted clothes without using your imagination to rethink these clothes into children's clothes. You only need basic sewing skills & a good imagination. It's so easy to scale down adult dresses for babies & little girls. Simply take your old dresses or tops & lay a top of her size (or a pattern her size) onto the one you're using for fabric this is your "pattern". For boys, why not recycle your old jeans and sweatshirts to make jeans and sweatshirts for them. Keep the front and back neckline ribbing intact and just cut it down to his size. With the price of fabric these days, it's well worth the effort and if you make a mistake, well you were going to throw it out anyway, so there's no loss. It's fun to see what you can come up with and some of my granddaughter's favorite outfits came from my old clothes! Waste not - Want Not. By Cyinda Make Sure Clothing Doesn't Look Like a Tablecloth Many years ago one of my college classmates made a project of sewing a new wardrobe over the summer. She received or purchased at a substantial discount a large number of lovely floral tablecloths. Every time I saw her, she looked like she was wearing a tablecloth. This was not a reflection of her prowess as a seamstress, but her choice of fabric pattern. Long story made short, you don't want to be walking around wearing a tablecloth. Ask a disinterested party what they think of your choices. By Cookwie Post your own uses below.
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Rate It: How do you make a piñata? Suggestions from the ThriftyFun community. Piñata Directions
Materials
InstructionsBlow up a large balloon and tie the end. Mix the flour and water together until it makes a smooth paste. Cut the newspaper into long 1 inch thick strips and dip into the flour/water mixture. Carefully place the strips on the balloon until it is covered, leaving a hole at the top. Set aside and let the balloon dry. Place another layer of newspaper dipped in the mixture over the balloon and let dry. Repeat with one more layer, making sure you leave the hole at the topWhen dry, pop and remove the balloon. Paint your pinata with different designs and colors. If desired, hang colored crepe paper from the sides and bottom. Punch 2 small holes in the top near the opening and string a large piece of string through the two holes. Fill your pinata (through the hole you left at the top) with candy, toys, or any other fun surprises. You should also fill with strips of newspaper so the surprises are not all in one location Tie your pinata in the air with the string and have fun! By Autumn Balloon Humpty Dumpty Try blowing up a balloon and covering it in papier mache. Cut a bit out of the side to put in the goodies. Thread strong string through the top to hang it by. Paint it like Humpty Dumpty and attach concertina arms and legs. By Carline, Mersea Island, UK Post your own tips below!
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Rate It: How do you cut craft foam at home? Here are tips posted from the ThriftyFun community. Electric Knife Whenever I need to cut a piece of upholstery foam for chair cushions or a craft project, I use an electric knife instead of scissors or a regular knife. Makes this job so much easier. By Truerblue Mark Your Cutting Line You can cut foam with an electric knife. Be sure and mark your cutting line before you start. I recently did this for a window seat cushion and it worked beautifully. By Barbaralee Circular Saw A few years ago, we made cushions for a bench/bed in our van from a 6 inch thick foam mattress. We cut the mattress into 4 cushions to use on the benches with a table that converted into a bed. We used a circular saw to cut the foam. Made for a quick and clean cutting job. Large Kitchen Knife Use a large, very sharp non-serrated kitchen knife and cut in long strokes. Makes a nice clean and straight edge. By Feemayl Use A Serrated Edge I have used both an electric knife (which has serrated blades) or, with less success, a regular serrated knife By Claudia-MD Do you have any more ideas? Feel free to post them below. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34282558.tip.html
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Rate It: I do a lot of crocheting. I put my patterns, graphs and charts in those plastic sheet protectors, then into a loose leaf binder. When I'm ready to crochet, I pull out the pattern I want, and have it right there with me while I'm working on the project. I don't have to worry about spilling anything on it (or my cat doing it for that matter!). I also use dry erase markers to keep my place or make notations when working on the pattern. When I'm done all I have to do is wipe off my marks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf663498.tip.html
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How do you make frugal lampshades or recover them? I have an old one I would like to recover but the bottom ring has come off can I still use it. If so how or what would I use as a bottom ring I have fabric and a string of sequins glue craft paper and little dolls(to glue on the base). Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40492496.tip.html
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Rate It: Homemade Body & Facial Scrubs For Baby Shower Favors I want to make homemade body and facial scrubs to give out as favors, to my baby shower party I am hosting. Any recipes out there? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25324961.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a pom and I am looking for a sewing pattern for one of those dog carriers you wear in front with 4 leg holes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91740365.tip.html
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Rate It: Simple Stuffed Teddy Bear Pattern I like to watch craft shows on TV and recently saw 'Quilt In A Day'. She made a very simple stuffed teddy bear. It was only the body, head, ears, legs and arms. I have tried to find a pattern on the internet, but they all require joint pieces and foot pads. The one I am looking for had the bears ears on the top of his head instead of the sides. The pattern was not on the TV shows website or at least I didn't see it. Can anyone help? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14176004.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you make hair bows, especially spider hair bows with curled ribbon legs? Thanks for your help. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59706936.tip.html
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Rate It: Pattern for Knifty Knitter Bag Pattern for Knifty Knitter bag I bought the knifty nitter and I love it but where is the pattern for the bag. You know the one on the cover. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54152474.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Trivets From Liquid Plastic How do I make plastic trivets with liquid plastic? I would like to embed pictures of the family. Thanks for the help. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11277976.tip.html
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Rate It: Suggestions For 4-H Craft Project Hello everyone! My oldest daughter has joined the local 4-H group. She will be doing an arts and crafts project and then a presentation about it in February '08. We have no experience with 4-H and are hoping someone on this site could suggest some really good project ideas suitable for the program. She is very crafty and artistic, so even a difficult project would be a possibility. I hear 4-H is great and we are looking forward to learning all about it. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64169470.tip.html
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Rate It: Homemade Cover For Baby Wipe Case How to make a cover for baby wipe case? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99221298.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know how to decoupage fabric to a glass block light? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78108842.tip.html
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Rate It: We use these cylinders at work, to hold on our solder. Can anyone think of an idea for these? I get these for free and I just don't have a clue.
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Rate It: Clear Or Frosted Glass Block Lights? I am interested in making glass block lights, but I am not sure which type is the best to use. I read clear is the best but then I also read that the frosted is the best. Do any of you have a suggestion? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15553339.tip.html
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Rate It: Use for Crystal Light Canisters I am on Nutrisystem and using Crystal Light like it is going out of style. Any ideas on what to do with the containers? They are a nice weight with a lid and other then storing little things in I just can't think of something else to do with them. Perhaps some craft ideas? I sew, do machine embroidery and a lot of crafting, so can tackle most anything. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf506204.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
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