ThriftyFun Crafts - August 15, 2007

This week we have Uses for Cupboard Doors and more tips and projects sent in by readers. Hope you enjoy them.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Photos and Projects:

• Little Dress Clothspin Bag
• Knit Cable Headband Pattern
• Tin Can Wedding Flower Holder
• Popsicle Stick Tree Ornament
• Sunflower Tiebacks

Tips:

• Memory Quilt from Childhood
• A Gift Frame For Earrings
• Recycled Yarn Tote
• Making A Patterned Rug With Clothing Dye
• Pet Toy From Old Socks
• Warning About Lights in Jars
• Inexpensive Home Decor Idea
• Save On Wedding Supplies With Craft Store Email Coupons
• Decoupaging Fridge Magnets
• Kids Art Bricks For The Garden
• Uses for Cupboard Doors

Requests:

• Making Inexpensive Wall Hooks
• Taper Candle Molds
• Doll Cradle From Clorox Jug
• Frugal Outdoor Garden Gift Ideas
• Tote Bag Pattern Ideas
• Ideas For Making Inukshuks
• Framing Pressed Wild Flowers
• Dinosaur Foam Mask Templates
• Advice For Making Clothes From Duct Tape
• Crocheted Double Wedding Ring Afghan

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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.

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Little Dress Clothspin Bag

I found this in a very old magazine that I bought at the Goodwill store and made a cardboard pattern out of the pattern in the book. I made lots of these clothespin bags which I gave to friends and family as gifts. These were made from fabric scraps, lace, etc. that I had from leftover projects but you can use whatever you like to make them.

I received lots of compliments on how cute they were. They are very easy to make and I love to make anything easy.

Another way to make these if you don't have a pattern is to use little girl's dresses and sew up the bottom, works best with a "V" neck so you can hang it up with a wire or plastic hanger.

Use a simple dress and take it apart,make a pattern so you can make lots of these clothespins bags.

Hope you enjoy making these as much as I did. Thanks!

By Marian from Danville, VA

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Knit Cable Headband Pattern

This is a very basic knit headband with cables. It is a great beginner project.

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Tin Can Wedding Flower Holder

Cute and inexpensive decoration for a country themed wedding is my tin can art. Just clean ordinary tin cans and hot glue a square of styrofoam into the bottom, adding whatever silk flower you choose. Wrap a length of ribbon of choice around the outside and hot glue overlapping ends, bowtie some raffia around the lower part of can and let hang. Take a length of ribbon and hot glue end to the back of one can and the other end to the back of the other can. This is your hanger.

By Robin from Clyattville, GA

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Popsicle Stick Tree Ornament

Here's a cute tree ornament that is made from buttons, popsicle sticks and a little ribbon.

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Sunflower Tiebacks

Quick and easy way to make attractive tie-backs to suit the decor in any room.

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Memory Quilt from Childhood

This is a tip for people into quilting, or just into family heirlooms. When my son was about two years old he wanted to build a tent. I got out an old white sheet and hung it between two chairs. We used this same sheet to be his tent for many years, and eventually we began to color, draw pictures, make designs, or write sayings or just whatever, with permanent fabric markers on the sheet. Everyone had to sign their drawings and date them. All the grandparents, friends and relatives drew on the sheet over the years. In fact, it kind of became a tradition.

Before the sheet got too old, we took it and had it made into a quilt top. My son is seventeen now, and this quilt is one of his prized possessions. Now that all of his grandparents and great grandparents have passed, he can look back at the pictures he drew with his "best friends" and he can still even recall some of the stories that went along with some of the drawings. The quilt is priceless to me as well. I love reading some of my parents and grandparents quotes and wishes to my son for his life, seeing their drawings and signatures and recalling those wonderful times we all had together.

By Delene from Portland, TN

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A Gift Frame For Earrings

A friend will be celebrating her birthday soon and I wanted to give her a pair of earrings but in an interesting way. So I decoupaged a frame, added the velvety paper and glued on a large chunk of cork, stuck the earrings into it and wah la! I placed the glass and paper from the frame behind the velvet paper so my friend will be able to use the frame as a frame later on. I work a lot with frames and find them an interesting 'canvas'.

By Lisa from Thessaloniki, Greece

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Recycled Yarn Tote

I made a yarn tote from an empty container of pretzel mix, you can too. I bought the full container for $3.00 and knew just what I would use it for.

After I emptied it and washed it, I drilled 3 holes, spaced evenly on the top of the lid, 2 for the handle, and one for a rubber grommet that I bought at my local hardware store. I used a recycled plastic handle that I savaged from another item. But you can use some rope, twine and old purse handle, braided fabric, what ever you like. I fit the grommet in the hole, it has a lip that holds it in place with out glue of any kind.

Instant yarn tote, and it came with a snack!

I'm not just Fickle, I'm thrifty too.

By Ficklephonebug from Bakersfield

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Making A Patterned Rug With Clothing Dye

I had an old off white throw rug size 5x10 feet. I took 3 spray bottles. I filled one spray bottle with green RIT dye and a tablespoon of salt, and a tablespoon of laundry detergent. I then took another spray bottle and used RIT blue dye with the salt and laundry detergent. In the third bottle I used RIT brown dye and the salt and laundry detergent. I used a piece of wood 1 inch wide and a half inch thick and 6 feet long.

I did the stripes in the 3 different colors, alternating them so they worked: first brown, then blue, then green and repeat. I did 10 inch lines, then 5 inch lines, then 10 inch lines, then 5 inch lines, using the brown, blue and green alternating them. The spray bottles makes the color of each strip even. I also labeled each bottle with the color so I didn't mix up the pattern.

By Beth from Cambridge, New York

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Pet Toy From Old Socks

Use this link to recycle socks and make a simple snuggle for your pet. My children made this for a furry friend and she loves it.

• http://www.abc.net.au/creaturefeatures/make/sockbed.htm

By Robyn from Australia

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Warning About Lights in Jars

ThriftyFun recently had an article about using glass jars

• Uses for Recycled Glass Jars

Notice the wires that were taken out of the glass vase. They are discolored due to the heat produced inside the glass. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it and to check on any crafts they have made like this. Some people still are not aware of the danger.

By Great Granny Vi

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Inexpensive Home Decor Idea

Here's a great inexpensive home decor or gift idea. It's a collage made from magazine pictures, brochures, Internet pictures, etc. Just glue the pictures onto an 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper and frame in an inexpensive 11 x 14" poster frame purchased at the dollar store for $3. My daughter made some to decorate her bedroom. She also made these for her dad, grandpa, and uncles for Father's Day and tailored them to each one's jobs and/or hobbies. They were a huge hit. The possibilities are endless.

By Angela from Wilkesboro, NC

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Save On Wedding Supplies With Craft Store Email Coupons

Sign up for your local craft store's weekly newsletter via email. Stores like AC Moore not only send you the newsletter but also send a weekly coupon. You can use these 40-50% off coupons to purchase your wedding supplies.

By Gina from Port Orange, FL

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Decoupaging Fridge Magnets

I buy packages of metal fridge magnet frames at the euro shop and decoupage them. I cut out matching pictures from magazines to put into the frames to make them fancier. These make wonderful little gifts. I have also sold these at Xmas and Easter bazaars.

By Lisa from Thessaloniki, Greece

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Kids Art Bricks For The Garden

Let your kids' or grandkids' art showcase in your garden! Let them each have a brick and a variety of colored chalk and let them decorate the brick! Then, if you like, go over the art piece with paint - going over each line with it's respective color!

They can be as proud of their finished work as you can! What a lovely way to keep you reminded of them when school starts and the beautiful garden days are over again until next year!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Uses for Cupboard Doors

Uses for old wooden cupboard doors from the ThriftyFun community.

Table Top

Depending on the size and durability, what about adding some legs and making a really cute little kids table. You could paint it in a dainty pattern for girls or in a rough and tumble way for boys.

By Tupperangel

Folding Screen Or Blackboard

Hinge them together and make a folding screen or turn them the other way, paint them with black board paint and make a two sided blackboard.

By Thriftmeg

I just this week took an old cupboard door, primed it, then painted the outside molding an off white eggshell finish. I then antiqued it with glaze and brown paint. I covered this molding with paper and painters tape and sprayed the inside of the door with chalkboard paint. It now proudly hangs by my door going to the garage and we use it as a reminder board. As in "don't forget your lunch", etc.

It looks "beautiful" if I do say so myself.

Use As A Canvas For Artwork

I drew a picture of my cat and burned the edges of it. Then I decoupaged it on a cabinet door. It has always hung over a prominent doorway in all the homes I have lived in. My girl has been an angel in heaven for many years now but I always have her near me, she's right above my right shoulder now.

By Lily 59

Paint a favorite saying on it.

By RealtorRose

Large Scrapbook

Hinge together and make a large scrap book or photo album for large portraits.

By Lzygranny

Three Great Ideas

• Glue on sheet of cork and use as a bulletin board

• Decoupage inside and paint the 'frame' and you now have a picture to hang on your wall.

• Use as base for mosaic making/paint and decorate edge then glue on an old mirror.

By Lisingreece

Extra Storage

I had a friend who had an old farmhouse kitchen, plenty of room, no storage. She had a lot of shelves, which she put up on one long wall then bought - at a 'going out of business sale'- a group of cabinet doors to cover and ended up with plenty of storage! So much so that she bought extra baskets for her dishwasher and just popped them onto a shelf full of her clean dishes.

By Sheilamay

Feel free to post your ideas below.

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Making Inexpensive Wall Hooks

I am looking for a way to make fairly inexpensive and unique wall hooks rather than using the typical store-bought ones. An example of this would be the hand models used for displaying jewelry (expensive, even on eBay!) Any ideas?

Martha from Pittsfield, MA

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Taper Candle Molds

I am looking for 1/2 inch taper candle molds. They must be 1/2 inch on the bottom, and can be any length. Thank you.

octoberbabye from Bradenton, FL

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Doll Cradle From Clorox Jug

I am looking for a pattern. White Clorox gallon jug cut out on top to make a doll cradle. It had a draw string skirt so it could be closed to look like a hand bag? Any help out there?

Diana from Boise, ID

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Frugal Outdoor Garden Gift Ideas

I want to make a gift for my Aunt who is coming to visit in a week. Does anyone have any quick ideas for something that is useful or outside ornamental that doesn't look artificial such as silk flowers or plastic. Not that there is anything wrong with silk flowers she just wouldn't care for them. My Aunt would love outdoor garden things, nature things etc. The more creative and frugal the better. I just can't think of anything that would be fast and that I wouldn't have to spend money on. Thank you.

Dorothy from Kingston, NY

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Tote Bag Pattern Ideas

Our church ministers to residents of a nearby nursing home. We are looking for a pattern for a tote bag with compartments that can be placed between the box springs and mattress.

Betty from Mesa, AZ

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Ideas For Making Inukshuks

I would like to make small inukshuks, which are stone sculptures the Inuit in Canada create to mark trails, for my husband's Canadian family. They have round or flat pieces to make the legs, body and head and some longer flat pieces to mark the start of the body and the arms. I'd like to use frosted glass, sea glass, etc., but I'm having trouble coming up with the materials. Any ideas?

Toni from Burlingame, CA

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Framing Pressed Wild Flowers

How do you dry and press wild flowers for framing? There are so many wild flowers in my area, that I thought how could I preserve them into making nice gifts by putting them in frames. Thanks ahead!

Amy from Camden, NY

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Dinosaur Foam Mask Templates

I saw some dinosaur foamie faces at the party store. So, where can I find a template or stencil to use to make our own faces for a birthday party?

Christy from El Paso

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Advice For Making Clothes From Duct Tape

How do you make duct tape clothes?

Desi from Seattle, WA

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Crocheted Double Wedding Ring Afghan

Does anyone have a crochet pattern for a wedding ring afghan? I have 2 weddings this fall and I think this would be a great gift.

Lynne from Syracuse, NY

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