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Vol. 4, Num. 30, July 29, 2009 (Read It Online) We have more craft tips and project this week. Hope you enjoy them. Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick contest winners. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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:
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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:
Personalize Kids Pillows With Printed Faces Make kids a pillow of themselves. You can put any fabric through an inkjet printer by ironing it to freezer paper. Make sure to first wash it to remove any sizing. OR you can buy the fabric that's made for printing. It comes in 8x11 inch squares or in long banner rolls at any fabric or craft store. They sell silk as well as cotton. You simply print their pictures on to the fabric with your inkjet printer, then cut and sew all around their faces or you can sew smaller pictures along with other fabrics into a quilted throw pillow. You could even make totes with their pictures (or even pictures of their pets) printed on them. What a fun gift! By Cyinda from near Seattle Contest Contender!
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Craft: Toy Food From Felt Scraps I have tons of felt scraps from various felt projects and couldn't bring myself to throw them away. So. using only scraps, I made a variety of felt food for my daughter, using basic doll stuffing as filler for some of the "puffier" food. Any type of food can be made, depending on the size and color of your scraps. Fabric scraps can certainly be used too. The simpler the better when it comes to children. By April from Albany, Ga
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Craft: Granny Square Wheelchair Lapghan Here is my second wheelchair lapghan I just finished. The approximate measurements are 36 inches wide by 48 inches long. Both 30 inch cords can be removed before washing. This also was another one of my creations, and didn't follow any pattern. I saw my neighbor out in his wheelchair early this afternoon. I asked if he would stop over so I could estimate and see if I made it long enough. The only thing left to do was to crochet the scalloped edging and make the two ties. Crochet Hook - Size G Source: My Own Pattern By MCW from Lewiston, NY
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Craft Project: Summer Pinwheel Kids will enjoy making and playing with these pinwheels. They are very quick, easy and inexpensive.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46746485.tip.html
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Rate It: Craft Project: Jar Lid Pincushion Handy little pincushions made with quilt batting, fabric and a jar lid or small metal can.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43745588.tip.html
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Rate It: I get these wonderful shoe bag hangers for cheap at thrift shops. When I wanted to organize all the bigger skeins of yarn in my craft room, I began to save 2 liter bottles. I then cut the bottom off, just above the fluting. You stick the skein in, feeding the tail through the soda top, and place the bottle bottom back on. If the skein is a bit too long, a bit of tape helps to keep the bottom on. Then, you simply place the soda bottles in the shoe part. You can keep them there till you need them, or work from the lower ones in the middle, moving the colors up and down that you need. This is a simple and almost free project that will help you keep your yarn clean, organized, and handy. N-JOY! Source: My own need to stay organized. By Poor But Proud from Salem OR
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This terracotta lighthouse is just 2 large plant pots cemented together and painted, with a lantern on top. By patanthar
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Rate It: This heavenly kitchen angel makes a nice little gift for family and friends. I have made several of these and they were a big hit. You could also make several to adorn your tree at Christmas or use to adorn packages.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49973407.tip.html
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Rate It: Craft Project: Recycled Baking Pan Trays Old baking pans or cookie sheets can be decoratively painted to match your decor and used for all kinds of things. Here a cake pan was transformed into a hot beverage service tray for home or office.
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Make yourself a quick and sturdy bird feeder by poking or cutting round or "X" shaped holes in a large 2 litter plastic pop bottle then hang it from a rope to a tree branch. You'll need a funnel to help fill it with seeds. You can also run a stick or dowel straight through the bottle if you want the birds to have a place to perch. If you want a cover for the feeder, you can use an old burner drip tray (from an electric stove top). This will sit over the top of the bottle. Simply thread the hanging rope through the hole in the center of the burner tray. Recycling at it's best! By Cyinda from near Seattle Contest Contender!
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Make Pet Blankets from Recycled T-Shirts A great way to use T-shirts that are no longer wearable is to make a pet blanket or throw. Just cut the center out of the T-shirt and sew each square together. Fold the outside edges under to hem. Donate these to a local pet shelter. They can use them for bedding or drying animals or most anything. This recycling idea keeps those T-shirts outa the landfills, and also helps much deserving animals. By Bittyfrog from Tupelo, MS Contest Contender!
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I volunteer at a local nursing home and do crafts with the residents a couple times a month. The residents enjoy the following crafts: Rubber stamping: Myself or a helper ink the stamp for the individual and place it on the paper. The resident pushes it down to make the stamped image. Most of the residents are able to push on the stamps. We have used the stamps for pictures, and then colored them in using craft chalks and eyeshadow applicators), to make greeting cards. They also enjoy making cards and pictures using stickers. The helper removes the sticker from the sticker sheet and the resident places it on the craft. Last week we made foam door signs with the resident's pictures on them (I ordered these from the Oriental Trading Company craft catalog - about $5 for a set of 12). The craft kit included self-adhesive letters and shapes. I took my digital camera and printer to the nursing home and we put the photos on the door signs. The residents really liked them. They also enjoy making jewelry using pony beads or large wooden beads. My helpers are my son and his friends. The kids enjoy the crafts as much as the residents do, plus the residents enjoy seeing the kids.
By KimberlyJ from Redford, Michigan Contest Contender!
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Link: Ladies Book of Knitting - 1886 For all you knitters out there! I just know you'll enjoy this PDF which you can save and/or print for your own use. I just came across this and it's an awesome archival from the Harvard College Library donated from the estate of Edwin Hale Abbot in 1931. It's the 1886 print of "The Ladies Book of Knitting" complete with patterns and a few photos and drawings. My favorite is the drawing for the 'drawers'. Even if you're not a knitter be sure to scroll through it all and especially the library 'stamps' at the very end. Enjoy! :-) By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender!
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I saw my foster kittens were entranced by an empty Juicy Juice box that had a hole cut in the box and both ends taped shut and covered with paper, to where it made a box that looked just like a tissue box. A ping pong ball got stuck in it while it was on the table. They spent lots of happy moments batting this around, it was so cute. I also use a plastic large waste container that will hold 30 or more gallons trash bags and use it for storage and invert the top and put something soft for them to lay on and look out the windows. They like it a lot, I also use it for storage of things around the house and will make a cover to fit over it and turn it into a table. The table idea I got from a person who told me to use these as storage and put a wooden topper on it, then a pretty tablecloth, for storage. I loved the idea. The cats have adopted these plastic trash cans to lay on, they love it. By Robyn Fed from Hampton TN Contest Contender!
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Where can I buy foam pumpkins? They use to be available at Michael's, but now they have different ones that I don't like. By Whitney_15545 from Frederick, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23697301.tip.html
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Rate It: Drilling a Hole in a Wine Bottle How do you put a hole in the bottom of a wine bottle without breaking it? By Dianne8897 from Wooster, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57578277.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know if there are instructions out there to make a cat out of yarn that is almost life size. My grandmother use to wrap the yarn around cardboard and then take a needle and stitch through the yarn and slide it down a string after cutting it. It created a pom pom on a string. I have seen instructions out there but they just don't come out the same. By Kimba1 from Orange Park, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10398795.tip.html
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Rate It: Help With Crochet Instructions I am also having trouble with the instructions for the Crocheted Double Wedding Ring pattern from Leisure Arts. I am having difficulty with the "ova" instructions. Can anyone offer an alternative to this pattern? Or even to this portion of the pattern? I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, however, I have never worked in the free loops of my beginning chain before. Any suggestions? By sbrown1587 from Chambersburg, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76543495.tip.html
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Rate It: Green Cleaner for Oil Paint Brushes How do I safely rinse brushes with oil paint. I used to love painting with oil paint, and still have my brushes, paints, palette, etc. I would like to start up again, but I am not willing to use mineral spirits (highly flammable and bad fumes) to rinse/clean my brushes. I also do not want to use bar soap on the brushes, letting oil paint go down the sink, without knowing what I am doing. Is there a way to safely use my oil paint and brushes that will still keep the brushes in good condition? How do I rinse/dispose of oil paint rags safely if I no longer have access to a paint studio? Or is this the end of my painting days? By davidicdancer from Spokane, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61971251.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm interested in recovering a paperback book with either fabric (stretchy knit?) or contact paper. Any hints or patterns out there? By JJinyancey from South of San Antonio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20945726.tip.html
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Rate It: I remember my grandma having bed dolls, where the clothes were made with felt and embroidery thread. The skirts were really full and long and made out of felt cut into circles and then folded some way and sewn with the embroidery thread to make little bows. Does anyone remember these dolls? The dolls themselves were just fashion dolls (not Barbie). I would love to see a photo and get instructions and a pattern to make one for each of my daughters. By Dare2bme71 from Lynchburg, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70833744.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you make the giant snowflakes out of plastic soda rings? By gramoke from S Hadley, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22273706.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for instructions to make acrylic water, using a catalyst and resin. By tj*23 from Walker, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34990161.tip.html
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Rate It: Instructions for Making a Tank Top I have been searching everywhere for a good tutorial on how to make a tank top out of a t-shirt but none of them are what I have in mind. The tank top I want to make is open on the sides and has a wide stretchy band at the bottom. It's a racerback and has a regular scoop neck. Like the blue one in the picture. I would truly appreciate it if anyone could post a link to a good tutorial or if you have any tips or instructions to offer. Thanks! By MariaFlo from FL
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Rate It: Crafts Using Plastic Coffee Creamer Bottles I was looking for a craft to use recycled plastic coffee creamer bottles and came across a great snowman one. Thank you. As a Girl Scout Leader I am always looking for new ideas and I have literally 100's of these bottle in my house. By Karen-scoutlady from Madison Heights, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82438724.tip.html
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Rate It: I want to make a bean bag holder for my Tom Tom. Any thoughts? By clutterfree from Charleston, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16678507.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for "No Sew" Hemming Adhesive I need help with a product name. My daughter told me about a type of adhesive tape that she bought at Walmart to use to hem her pants instead of sewing, but can't remember the name of it. Our local Walmart has done away with the entire Sewing Center; therefore, I can't look there. I'd like to try to purchase it online, but don't know what it's called. Thank you for any help you may be able to offer. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20695474.tip.html
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Rate It: Pillow Case Style Dress for Adults I have seen the little girl's "pillowcase dress" patterns, but I need one for an adult. I know a pillowcase will not fit me, but I am looking for another way to make it look like the little girl's dress. By tallblondenurse from Troy, MT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25876926.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Swan from Netting and Coat Hanger Does anyone have the pattern for a swan that is made with netting material on a wire coat hanger? By Ladymort56 from Woodbridge, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96152864.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a Beginner Quilt Pattern Someone posted a pet quilt project. I have never made a quilt, do you have a pattern for a very easy one? Thank you. Mrs. Jim Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93996981.tip.html
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Rate It: Native American Quilt Patterns I am looking for quilt patterns to make an American Indian quilt. By Aunt Phyl Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27142944.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Jacket from Old Jeans Does anyone have directions for making a women's jacket from a pair of denim jeans? By Judygale from Auburn, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49032825.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I cut off and re-hem pants with a V cut on the outside of pant's legs? Thank you. By Dahlink from Brentwood, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf252474.tip.html
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Rate It: Can you make your own bras? I realize I'm still a beginner to sewing, but bras drive me crazy. They're expensive, and I have so much trouble getting one that works. Is there a way to make my own underwire bra? That way I could adjust it to what I need where I need it. If not, how do you make more support in the bottom part of the bra, and keep yourself in when you bend over to do work? By Davidicdancer from Spokane, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92779505.tip.html
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Rate It: A month or so ago, we decided to try to recycle a bad candle (too big, would extinguish itself). We boiled it down (*always use double boiler method) and used washed juice containers (the ones for frozen juice) for the molds, with leftover waxed linen cord for the wick. They turned out fine, but what surprised us was, when they cooled, the middle sunk in. This happened throughout. Can you please explain why this happened, and how to prevent it? Do all candles do that, and they just cut off that part? I don't have a digital camera, but it looks like a small volcano with the sunken center. Thanks for the help, we're interested in this phenomenon. By Davidicdancer from Spokane, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44287991.tip.html
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Rate It: Cross Stitch Pattern for Babies I'm looking for a Cross Stitch pattern for a newborn baby girl. I'd like to have bears, balloons, or any cute baby design for the top of the picture. I'd like to stitch her name, birthdate, weight, and length under the design. By jmju from MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40654106.tip.html
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Rate It: Making EZ Stretchable Hair Combs Does anyone have instructions to make EZ Combs, the stretchable combs for hair like those available on TV? I have particular colors I would like and plenty of seed beads. I am not sure what to use for the stretch (the plastic jewelry stuff, wrapped hairband rubberbands, something else?) or how to best attach them to the combs. Anyone out there tried these? Do you like using them? Thanks all. By melodybh from Oak Ridge, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37640343.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I fold towels into animal shapes? By Elizabeth Iris from Athens, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35909850.tip.html
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Rate It: Converting Screwback Earrings to Pierced Does anyone know how to convert old fashioned screwback and clip earrings to pierced? By creeker721 from Stony Creek, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77727370.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Clothing Pattern Larger How can I make a dress and a top pattern larger? By tallblondenurse from Troy, MT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53399157.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I make a Hummingbird feeder? By playa from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14702085.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Craft Project: Painted Eyeglass Lens Here's a great way to recycle old eyeglass lenses.
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