ThriftyFun Crafts - September 17, 2008

We have some new craft videos post on the video site. You can view them here:

http://thriftyfun.magnify.net/

Also, our friends over and Craftster.org have completed their Creativity 350 contest and have posted the winners. You can view the winners of the contest here:

http://www.craftster.org/350/

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Photos and Projects:

• Garden Craft: Bentwood Arbor
• Craft: Rag Wreath
• Craft: Button Trees
• Craft Project: Single Crochet Potholder
• Craft Project: Scenic Window
• Craft: Decorative Gift Magnets
• Convert An Old Dresser Into A Bathroom Sink Stand
• Craft: Handle Pillow
• Craft Project: Easy Clay Pot Topiary
• Personalized Glass Baking Pans

Tips:

• Make A Fiber Art Bracelet With Fabric Scraps
• Link: Homemade Dryer Balls
• Craft: Shape Art

Requests:

• Rag Rug Won't Lay Flat
• Gift Ideas for Wash Cloths
• Pattern for Crocheted Chess Set
• Saran Wrap Christmas Card
• Dried Potato for Making a Dolls Face
• Uses For Cookie Tins
• Patterns For Barbie Furniture
• Sewn Rag Rug Patterns
• Making a Robe From Towels
• Tree Skirt Made With Old Christmas Cards
• Ideas For Using 3-Tiered Plate Rack
• Sports Team Themed Christmas Gifts
• Baby's First Christmas Ornament
• Crocheted Bed Doll Patterns
• Bulk Christmas Ornaments
• Making A Paper Pirate Hat

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.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Garden Craft: Bentwood Arbor

I made this arbor with benches over 10 years ago. I put planter boxes down both sides and then put benches inside. The planter boxes are lined with old tarps over plywood and then stick wood. The stick wood can be alder, cedar, fir, etc. I use all of the above, just make sure it's not rotten. I try to use fresh fallen trees or standing scrub trees. This is also a good way to get rid of old tarps, the tarps can protect your planter boxes not rot so fast. You can use three round logs with thick branches for the top as benches or treated wood. I have done both here. It's a great place to enjoy nature and small children really like playing in the arbor and eating treats. It's a fun project that you can share with your family, collecting thick branches and building the arbor.

Have a creative day!

By Cathy from Stanwood, WA

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Craft: Rag Wreath

This is a rag wreath and is so simple to make! Take a hanger, leave the hook on, and shape the hanger into a circle. Cut your material into 1x6 inch strips. Simply tie the strips onto the hanger sliding them tightly together as you go. When you cannot squeeze any more fabric strips onto the hanger you are almost done! Fluff the strips to make the wreath full. For the hook, take a half inch strip of fabric, about 16 inches long and tie one end to the hook and wind the rest around the hook to cover it and fabric glue the end to stay put. Top off with ribbons or any other embellishment you wish and voila!

By Andrea from Radom, Illinois

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Craft: Button Trees

I love buttons! I also save lots of things you might consider JUNK, which I re-use to make beautiful household items and jewelry, like my button and earring trees.

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Craft Project: Single Crochet Potholder

If you can single crochet, you can make this heavy double thickness potholder.

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Craft Project: Scenic Window

Make your own scenes outside your "window". If you don't have a window, just paint one! I love beach and lighthouse scenes. So, I made my window looking out at a lighthouse.

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Craft: Decorative Gift Magnets

I love making people little things and then giving them gift baskets. One of the things I make are magnets. Magnets can be made from all kinds of thing. The ones I am submitting are the small photos on the backs of calendars. I simply use Dollar Tree sealing tape, the 2 inch wide kind. I then cut a piece of cardboard the same size at the photo, and cover the photo with enough tape to wrap around the back, securing it to the cardboard. Then, using hot glue or tacky glue, I put a flat magnet on the back.

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Convert An Old Dresser Into A Bathroom Sink Stand

When I bought my house, it needed extensive updating. I had to keep costs down, so I bought a dresser at an auction to use as my vanity. I tried crackling it but did not get the desired effect so I stenciled a leaf pattern on and then sanded some of the paint away to get a shabby chic look. My son installed it but had to cut a hole in one drawer to make room for the sink. I am pleased with the results.

By Elaine from Iowa

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Craft: Handle Pillow

A quick present to make is a "Handle Pillow" You can use whatever fabric you want, or recycle a favorite shirt or dress. Cut 2 pieces 6x 8 inches and another piece of fabric 3 x 6 inches, this will be the handle. Take the handle fabric and fold in half, ironing it, then open up this piece and fold the raw edges toward the center to the ironed line. Iron this in place. Stitch on each side of the handle to form a solid piece. Take your 2 large pieces of fabric and place right sides together and pin. Go back and insert your handle on one of the long sides. Sew all around leaving an opening opposite the handle side so you can stuff the pillow. After sewing turn pillow right side out, stuff pillow, then sew opening closed. You now have a pillow the child can hold on to in their carseat or anywhere for a nap.

By Molly from Box Elder, South Dakota

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Craft Project: Easy Clay Pot Topiary

This quick and easy clay pot craft uses a green pom-pom and fake flowers to make a decorative topiary bush. A great kids craft that can also make a cute addition to any Barbie/Bratz home or dollhouse.

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Personalized Glass Baking Pans

Never lose a pan at a pot luck dinner again. This was a BIG hit among friends and family last Christmas. I gave everyone 9x13 inch baking pans that had their name etched into the bottom of the pan.

First, find a font on the computer that you like. Print it out almost as large as the full bottom of the glass pan. Thicker letters look great. When you print it, print it backwards, like you would for an iron-on transfer. Take a piece of contact paper, smooth it on to the outside bottom of the pan, tape the font paper over the contact paper. Use an X-acto knife to cut out the letters of the font. Make sure you press hard enough to cut through the paper and the contact paper under it. Then, pick out the contact paper letters. You will be left with a perfect stencil on the bottom of your pan. Remove the extra paper. Use Glass Etching Acid (available for under $5 at any hobby store). Paint it on, let it sit for 4 minutes, and wash it off.

I etched over 50 pans last Christmas with total cost of each gift less than $8.00. Pyrex does not etch well. Look for glass pans that do not have a lot of trademarks or writing on the bottom. Anchor-Hocking sells a 9x13 inch at Walmart for under $6.50. It etches beautifully. The Anchor-Hocking set of 3 pans has too much writing on the bottom to etch well.

Source: My Friend Jennifer was playing with Glass Etching Acid. She came up with the idea to do pans

By Amateur Parent from Plano, Texas

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Make A Fiber Art Bracelet With Fabric Scraps

What to do with scraps of fabric and yarn? Make a fiber art bracelet. Take any old plastic bangle and start wrapping your scraps. Knot each piece all over till you get the feel you want. You will be such a fashion plate.

Source: I am a recycle artist and I sell mine at http://www.funkyluke.etsy.com. I just wanted to share some thing fun!

By Laura from Newberry, Florida

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Link: Homemade Dryer Balls

Make your own dryer balls! I ran across this cool how-to for all my DIY chums. This is so easy!

• http://howtomakedo.net/154/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls

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Craft: Shape Art

Besides using their fingers or a paint brush, give kids another method of painting. Put a little bit of paint on a plate and use items with different shapes to make a masterpiece. In this picture, my daughter used a toilet paper tube and a plastic fruit cup to make the shapes on the paper. We also made another paper with triangle shapes. We used different sizes of cut cardstock paper folded in three and taped together to make triangles. See what other shapes you can find around your house to use. I'm sure you can find squares, rectangles, etc.

I like to frame some of the artwork my daughter makes, but when you get too much, I have another fun idea. Cut out samples and attach to blank cards to send to family and friends as greeting cards, thank you notes, etc.

By Jayme from Harrisonburg, VA

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Rag Rug Won't Lay Flat

I have just taught myself the basics of making a rag rug using a knotted method, rather than crochet (because I'm not really sure how to do that) but for all the fabulous instructions I've found, there is nothing that tells me how to make it lay flat, without making the outer stitches huge. How do I make it flat and keep the stitch continuity?

This was the link I used and the basics were really easy to understand (except for that whole laying flat thing).

• http://whimfield.com/?p=4

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Gift Ideas for Wash Cloths

I am looking for a cute but useful idea to use pretty wash cloths as small gifts. Any ideas? Thanks.

baublynn

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Pattern for Crocheted Chess Set

Does anyone know where I can get a FREE crochet pattern for a chess board and men?

Kathy from Orlando, FL

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Saran Wrap Christmas Card

I once made a card from recycled a magazine picture, saran wrap, napkin, paper towel and iron. Does anyone have directions?

KC from Idaho

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Dried Potato for Making a Dolls Face

Has anyone ever dried a potato to use as a face for a doll? Does anyone know of any raw material that can be used after drying for a doll face other than apples? Any help would be great. Thanks.

Denise from Mcrae, GA

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Uses For Cookie Tins

What can I do with those left over cookie\candy tins? I know that there have to be some type of crafting I can do with them but I need ideas!

Sheila from NC

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Patterns For Barbie Furniture

I am searching for free patterns for Barbie furniture to make for my granddaughter. I would like crochet and plastic canvas patterns.

Kathy from Orlando, FL

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Sewn Rag Rug Patterns

Directions for a 'rag rug' (not braided) made with several 1in x 3in cloth strips sewn on canvas or burlap backing.

Hazel from Arizona

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Making a Robe From Towels

Does anyone know how to make a robe from bath towels? If so, I would appreciate the instructions. Thanks.

Betty from Redding, CA

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Tree Skirt Made With Old Christmas Cards

Does anyone have instructions to make a Tree Skirt using old Christmas Cards? I had this pattern years ago and have lost it. Any replies are appreciated. Thank you.

Oleeda from Louisville, Ky

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Ideas For Using 3-Tiered Plate Rack

Anyone have any creative ideas for a 3 tier plate rack other than plates? Thanks.

Debbie from Jeff City

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Sports Team Themed Christmas Gifts

I want to make most all of my Christmas gifts myself. I am looking for crochet, sewing or knitting patterns that have something to do with the following: NY Yankees, NY Giants, or Dallas Cowboys. Or any other craft ideas! Thanks in advance.

Linda from Lower Adirondack Mtns, NY

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Baby's First Christmas Ornament

I have 5 new babies that were born to friends and family this year and I want to make a special "1st Christmas" ornament for all of them. There are 4 boys and 1 girl. Any ideas? I'm fairly crafty and willing to try any type of craft.

Amy from Murfreesboro, TN

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Crocheted Bed Doll Patterns

I am looking for Crocheted Bed Doll patterns. I hope someone can help.

Laurie from Portland, OR

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Bulk Christmas Ornaments

Where can I find plain Christmas ornaments in bulk so I can paint them? I definitely want balls, but will also like to have others.

Megan from Bailey, NC

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Making A Paper Pirate Hat

I've been trying to remember how to fold a pirate hat out of newspaper. We used to make them as kids and I wanted to share with my niece and her playmates. Any simple instructions appreciated. Thanks.

Peggy from Cortland and San Antonio

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