Vol. 4, Num. 40, October 7, 2009 (Read It Online) This week, we have some great Fall crafts in today's newsletter. Please send in any craft tips or photos that you may have. You might win $25.00 in a future contest. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team Send to a Friend! Submit Craft Tips (You could win $25) Submit Photos of Your Crafts (You could win $25) Submit a Craft Request New! Crafting for Fun and Money! Link to ThriftyFun.com 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: Craft Project: Spool Christmas Ornament Craft: Fabric Pumpkin Craft Project: Daisy Purse Card Craft: Gourd Decor Craft Project: Painted Halloween Jars Craft Project: Sparkle Necklace Craft Project: Cheerful Fall Placemats Tips: Instant Reproduction Artist Link: Free Pumpkin-Carving Stencils of Favorite Dog Breeds Requests: Craft Projects Using Paving Blocks Making Yarn Necklaces Making Paper Halloween Decorations Adjusting Sewing Machine Tension Complimentary Color for Gold in a Painting Beginners Pattern for a Large Afghan Making Doll House Miniatures from Recycled Materials Olfa Rotary Cutting Mat Warped Building a Cat Condo Drilling Glass Craft Uses for Paper Towel Rolls Crafts Ideas Using Boa Feathers Recovering Throw Pillows Without Sewing Need The Right Kind Of Glue Cheap Quilting Materials Repairing an Iron-on Transfer Personalizing T-shirts Repairing a Ripped Fitted Sheet Drying Okra for Crafts Today's Sponsor: 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 Photos and Projects: Craft Project: Spool Christmas Ornament Start now and make ornaments for your tree. A lovely way to use up your empty thread spools! Works equally well with plastic or wooden spools, big or small. Great to use as package decorations or to give as gifts to friends/co-workers! Approximate Time: 10-15 minutes Supplies: Christmas Gift Wrap Paper empty thread spool glue chenille stem/pipe cleaner ruler scissors small Christmas ball ornament Instructions: Cut a strip of Christmas gift wrap paper wide enough and long enough to cover the body of the spool (the area where the thread used to be.) You can also use scrapbook paper or ribbon if you prefer. Glue the paper strip to the spool overlapping the edges Sit the thread spool upright on the wrong side of another piece of your paper and trace around the spool end. Cut out two circles of paper and glue one to each end of the spool. Cut a tiny opening in the bottom circle of the spool covering. This will be made at the location of the spool hole. Put a little glue around the top of the small ball ornament and stick it into the spool hole. (I used hot glue for this part so I wouldn't have to wait for the ball/spool connection to dry.) If regular glue is used, allow ornament to rest on its side until ball/spool connection is fully dry. Cut a chenille stem to 6 inches (longer or shorter if you prefer) and bend in half. Put glue on the stem ends and insert into the top circle of the spool covering at the location of the spool hole. You can feel the hole if you press on the end of the spool with your finger. (You can also use a ribbon or other type string as a hanger.) These ornaments are super cute and very lightweight. Use your imagination to create truly unique ornaments. By Pam from McMinnville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27239112.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft: Fabric Pumpkin This craft is very simple! You'll need cloth, twine, cotton (I used the stuffing from an old pillow), a small stick, some leaves and hot glue. Cut a fair sized bit of cloth, fold it in half and glue the edges (make a pocket). Stuff the pocket with cotton. At the top, fold and glue the remaining cloth. This doesn't need to be perfectly round. Wrap the twine around the 'pumpkin' as you would when putting ribbon on a gift. Hot glue leaves on the top, insert a stick in the center. By Tracy from Matheson, Ontario Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49284226.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft Project: Daisy Purse Card With left-over papers, flower and ribbon you can create a pretty purse card. It makes perfect gift for birthdays. Materials: Floral Patterned papers Daisy flower Purple with silver edges ribbon Foam adhesive Scissors Pencil Approx. Time to complete: Less than 15 minutes. Instructions: Fold floral pink patterned paper. Place the purse template to the center of the folded card. Use the pencil to draw around the shape. Cut out. Trace the flap into light floral patterned paper. Cut it out. Then cover the card using foam adhesive for dimensional effect. Adorn with daisy flower. Tie a bow using purple ribbon around the folded card. Note: The patterned papers used are thick enough to stand up. Click Here for the Purse Card Template. By Maricel from Fairfax, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93465997.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft: Gourd Decor I enjoy raising and decorating gourds. The one here is one of my favorites. It only required tan leather dye, a skill saw with a fine blade and a drill and bit along with a little sandpaper and leather lacing. Source: I have looked through many, many book and magazines for my ideas but nothing I do is copied exactly. By Irisbird from Lillington, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41829279.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft Project: Painted Halloween Jars These are scarecrow and pumpkin decorated electric tealight holders. They could also be made as decorative treat jars Materials Recycled jar and lid Spray paint (see instructions for colors) Raffia, flowers and other decorative elements, as desired Clear sealer (optional) Electric tea light Instructions Wash and dry a jar of any size. Remove labels. Spray paint jar and lid (flesh, beige for Scarecrow, Terracotta or orange for pumpkin). Allow to dry. Glue lid (inside facing upward) to top of jar (I used E-6000). If you desire to use these as treat jars, do not glue lid to top of jar. Decorate face as desired using paint pens or craft paint. Spray lightly with a clear sealer to keep paint from scratching For Scarecrow, glue raffia around brim of hat, trim for bangs. To make hat, decorate a straw hat with artificial flowers, buttons and ribbon to your liking. I painted a wooden triangle to resemble a crow! Attach hat to lid (I again used E-6000) Place electric tealight on lid. Because of the raffia and straw hat this is extremely FLAMMABLE, I recommend using an electric tea light instead of a regular candle. Made in a variety of shapes and sizes, these look adorable on a mantle or porch. And can be used year after year! By Diana, Louisville, KY Editor's Note: This project should never be used with a traditional candle flame, it is very flammable. Only battery operated tealights or other non-flame candle substites should be used. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20904257.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Sparkle Necklace Try this fun necklace your child will love to make and wear, made from things you already have on hand. Approximate Time: 30 minutes Supplies: cardboard aluminum foil tape paper punch paint wax paper white glue toothpick(s) paint brushes yarn Instructions: Cut a simple shape from cardboard and cover it with aluminum foil. Tape the ends of the foil to the back of your shape. Use a paper punch to make a hole at the top of your shape. Choose paint colors for your design and make a few little pools of paint, one for each color, on a piece of wax paper. Add a little white glue to each pool of paint, and use a toothpick to mix the glue with the paint. Use paint brushes to paint a design on your foil shape. Allow the paint to dry. Thread a length of yarn through the hole at the top of your sparkle shape and knot the ends of the yarn together to make a necklace. By Marie from West Dundee, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61952849.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Cheerful Fall Placemats These placemats will be perfect from September to November. The bright clean fall colors will go great with any natural centerpieces or you can find beautiful silk mums and fall leaves this time of year. I have a centerpiece I made that I bring out this time of year that is a silver apple bowl filled with mums and daisies and has a cute dollar store scarecrow stuck in the center. Even just a bowl of apples for a centerpiece would be nice. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did. It is a very simple pattern that works up very quick and can be made by the beginner. Time to complete 2 hours Materials: 1 skein of Super Saver ombre yarn fall colors 1 skein of Super Saver wheat colored yarn or off white 1 I crochet hook Instructions Chain 77 First two chains count as first dc crochet, skip two chains, dc, chain, dc, skip two chains, dc chain dc repeat until end of row. Chain 3 turn. Row 1 Dc, chain 1, dc in the center of each V across, dc in last stitch, Chain 3 and turn. Row 2-21 Repeat row 1. Edging: Starting at top edge slip stitch into first stitch, Chain 5, skip two chains, slip stitch, chain 5, slip stitch across, continue in pattern all round evenly spacing the chain 5 scallops along each side. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37545688.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips: Instant Reproduction Artist Want to be an instant (Oil/Watercolor) artist? Remove the glass from a new picture frame and tape the glass down over the picture image you desire. Get oils or watercolor paints and paint the picture on the glass; using the picture as your 'copy guide (better than 'by the numbers'). When finished, let dry and insert it in the frame with non-painted glass surface on the exterior. Now you have an exact reproduction and you did it (who is to know that it is a 'mirror image'). :) By cajun62234 from Collinsville, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88458637.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Link: Free Pumpkin-Carving Stencils of Favorite Dog Breeds Templates for dog breeds pumpkin carving for Autumn decorating can be printed and photocopy for the size that you want for the pumpkin to be carved with your favorite canine friend(s) My dog Jess is a Jack Russell/beagle, and since her face looks more like a beagle, the beagle template looks the most like her for carving. There are lots of other templates, and the author of the templates will also ask others for more ideas for dog breeds as well as she will do cat ones too, though it looks like there will be more templates for next year ready, not this year. Some of others here can probably make their own templates for their pets too, and this would be a great place to add into Thriftyfun.com for templates for carving pumpkins! Free Pumpkin-Carving Stencils of Favorite Dog Breeds Source: my friend sent this link to me this morning on Facebook By Kathi from Grand Rapids, MI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65166175.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners, 2 photo winners (1 photo and 1 pet photo) and 1 recipe winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! New Requests: Craft Projects Using Paving Blocks I am looking for craft projects using paving stones. One year we did a snowman. I am looking for other ideas for my Pioneer group which is for children grades 1st through 8th. Thank you. By rlischka from Juneau, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13694674.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Yarn Necklaces I want to learn how to make necklaces with fancy yarns. Does anyone have instructions for no knit or crochet necklaces, please? By cgladybird from Goose Creek, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26603465.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Paper Halloween Decorations How can I make good Halloween decorations with just pens, paper and scissors? By broke butterfly from Hilo, HI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66474668.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Adjusting Sewing Machine Tension How do I go about adjusting bobbin tension on a Singer sewing machine? By Lee542 from Easton, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54282301.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Complimentary Color for Gold in a Painting I have done a painting with gold and silver objects. Now I would like to add one flower. Which color will compliment the gold? The background is reddish-brown. By rinab from Cape Town, RSA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16477029.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Beginners Pattern for a Large Afghan I want to knit an afghan large enough for my Queen size bed. I would like to knit it in long strips so it is not so hard to hold. Does anyone know where I could find a FREE pattern? Also the pattern needs to be easy as I am just a beginner and I can't do color changes yet. Thanks to all for your help. By MrsJim from Lakeland, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39768949.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Doll House Miniatures from Recycled Materials I make doll house minis and wonder where to get scraps of material that are no longer wanted? I will recycle in a new way. Any ideas where to find some? I am looking for them by the inches instead of by the yard. I sell the minis for a dog rescue charity where I got my 2 fabulous dogs; this one is Toby and he thinks he can sit on my knee. By Susielou from Doncaster, UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92053098.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Olfa Rotary Cutting Mat Warped I have a Olfa rotary mat which has warped. The official Olfa site says it cannot be repaired. Has anyone tried to repair one of these rotary mats to make it flat once again? By bpsmith from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72397994.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Building a Cat Condo How do you build a large cat condo? By Linda C. from Camby, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51007180.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Drilling Glass How do you get the hole started with the glass hole drill bit? By bhines38 from Princeton, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84773496.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Uses for Paper Towel Rolls Does anyone have any crafty uses for toilet paper or paper towel rolls (that are empty?) By STOUTunicorn from North Platte, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf518068.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Crafts Ideas Using Boa Feathers A week or so ago someone gave a suggestion on a few ways to use the long feather boas from the craft stores. Could you please submit those ideas again? By Dottie28 from Dansville, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49987650.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Recovering Throw Pillows Without Sewing I cannot sew, but would like to recover some old throw cushions I have on my couch. Can I glue the fabric together and just stuff the pillow inside and if I can what type of glue should I use? Thanks. By DustiRose from Sunset, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53387809.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Need The Right Kind Of Glue I like to use spray glue/adhesive in various arts and craft projects. But I was wondering what would be the equivalent glue in a liquid or spreadable form? Would be much cheaper and be usable in situations where you wouldn't want to spray. By Creativeman from Chatsworth, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf472510.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cheap Quilting Materials A couple of friends and I make kids quilts for the hospital. We have been buying our fabric at Walmart which is less than half the price of other fabric stores. We have found out that Walmart is discontinuing fabric in all their stores. We are all on Social Security and cannot pay $7-$8 a yard for it. Does anyone know where we can find cheaper material, or a place that might donate some. We are heartbroken over Walmart's decision to phase out fabric. By Jeannie44 from Buhl, ID Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf992883.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing an Iron-on Transfer I ironed a picture on material, but the edges came out with some missing areas. Also, the picture looks like it has lines going through it. How can I fix this? Any ideas will be welcome. Thank you. By Newfiedove Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73646477.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Personalizing T-shirts What is better and cheaper, professional personalized t-shirts (if so where) or do it yourself? And what would be a good saying for the back of the shirt? By Katie C from Danville, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81622241.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing a Ripped Fitted Sheet Over the past 5 years I have enjoyed the "luxury" of Egyptian cotton bed sheets. I have always bought them on sale, but they are still not a cheap item. The fitted bottom sheet has ripped and is a bit on the thin side. (My husband's side of the bed of course.) The rest of the sheet (3 years old at least) is still in fantastic condition. I don't want to throw it out and wonder if a patch would be uncomfortable. I would love to hear from any of you clever people out there with any suggestions. By hyslop from New Zealand Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63390669.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Drying Okra for Crafts Do you blanch okra before putting it in the oven at a low temperature for ten hours to dry it for crafts? I am going to make okra angels and the okra has already been picked off the vine. By hallie123 from Jasper, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50164532.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here