We have lots of craft requests this week. Please look them over to see if you have any advice to offer. Also, if you are planning on submitting holiday craft projects you'll need to do so quickly to get them published before the holiday.
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A simple decorating idea. Select a round or square glass dish. Place as many crystal or silver candle holders as will fit (3 or 5) in the container. Place inexpensive glass ornaments (perhaps pair shaped from the Dollar store) around the candle holders -- all going in the same directions. Add red candles to the candle sticks (or the color of your choice), stick a little piece of evergreen or bush from your yard and berries to add color and you have a lovely certerpiece for your table.
This is a cute, unique Christmas door decoration that can be made without too much bother or artistic ability. It recycles that empty bleach bottle, too. I've gotten lots of comments about how cute he is.
Add a little sparkle to your holidays with gift tags you can make in a jiffy. They can also be used as package tie-ons, or you can get your kids involved, let them make their own, and glue a craft stick to the back of each to make holiday puppets.
I bought the boxes at the dollar store and thought to myself that even though they were pretty I thought they could use some sparkle. I had some leftover beads from making Christmas ornaments so I decided to sparkle up my boxes.
These are super easy to make and only cost about $12.00. I purchased the letters, pre-primered and with holes in the back to hang them, at Target.
I just covered them with some scrap pieces of paper and tied a few ribbons. I added a few rhinestones stickers.
Everyone I have shown them to say they want a set for their own rooms. You can spell out whatever you want. The longer the word the more costly though.
Keep spools of thread out of the way but in plain view by making this easy wall organizer. Cut a piece of plywood to the desired size and attach wall hangers on the top of it. Then cover the plywood with 1 1/2 inch headless nails (finishing nails work great). Position the nails at an angle so the thread spools don't slide off. Draw a grid to space the nails evenly.
Instead of pretty (but impersonal) store bought wrapping paper, you can use brown paper bags cut to size. Then draw on them, or use stickers of the recepient's favorite character (i.e. scooby doo, peanuts--and you can find those at dollar stores).
Also, if you can find it, butcher paper not only makes great wrapping paper, but wonderful coloring paper for kids.
An elegant (but transparent) wrapping idea is to use the tissue you find in boxes. Then place holiday stickers at strategic points.
For the funky teen, use alunimum foil with gold bows.
Kris from NC
Newsprint
I have gotten free "end rolls" of newsprint from the local newspaper. It is similar to the white butcher paper except it is not so thick and is cream colored. You can decorate it any number of ways: potato print stamping, kid's handprints in paint, kid's crayon coloring, a fancy gold pen and write the recipient's name over and over, sponge painting with craft paint, or a small foam roller with a design cut with scissors.
Over time, particles of dust, pieces of thread and other debris can buildup inside your sewing machine and cause it to run poorly. Remove the thread, bobbin and face plate and vacuum out the inside of your sewing machine periodically.
Another easy and cheap garland is a popcorn garland. String popcorn together using a large needle and thread (or fishing line). You can add a little color by mixing in some raw cranberries.
Here is a link where you can print out a letter from Santa for your child. You just have to furnish 4 things that are used to personalize the letter, and then you print it out. It also includes a cute background behind the letter. You just need to give them:
The child's first name
What they have done to be good this year, example: cleaned my room, helped do the dishes.
Looking for Christmas garlands that cost little or no money? Make a paper chain garland using the funny pages from the newspaper or colorful gloss ads. Just cut paper into strips, tape or staple the loops as you chain them together.
Have Saucers Without A Cup? take the saucers and cut a family picture to fit and glue it in the middle. Decorate around the picture in some form and let dry. Then give it a coating of decoupage. Let dry and re-do. Slip it in a decoupaged box, decorated by you. Add a pretty bow.
Do you have some styrofoam packaging peanuts lying around? String them together using a large needle and sturdy thread (or fishing line). You can even spruce them up a bit by painting the peanuts in Christmas colors.
I am having difficulty finding fabric stores that carry "travel knit", both in the garment district and online. Any ideas? The stores I have found it in usually have 1 bolt of 1 color - which I already have.
I bought 2 used American Girl dolls for my daughter, they both have slightly frizzy hair. Does anyone know of a way to improve the hair so it will be less frizzy?
I was directed to your site when I googled styrofoam disco balls. I'm having a retirement party for my husband with an oldies theme. I need to make centerpieces for 6 foot round tables and thought that I might incorporate styrofoam based disco balls into the centerpiece. How would I create these balls?
I have a bunch of different recipes to make hand ornaments with my two year old. Rather than trying all these out and seeing which one works the best, I would like to know what ones you try and would recommend. Feel free to post a picture.
I am having a baby shower and my invitation has a little boy playing with blocks. Don't know what to do for centerpieces. I was thinking of using blocks. Any ideas?
Is there a forum for beginners using sewing machines?
Suzanne from UK
Editor's Note: Hopefully someone has a great discussion list or forum to recommend to you, if you have any specific questions, feel free to post them on ThriftyFun.
I purchased 8 x 10 wood frames with no glass, matting or back and was hoping to do some decorating with them. Does anyone have any ideas and tips to use them? Thanks.
My friends and I have to make something for each other that is Christmasy. I wanted to make her a card that is really nice and has either her picture or just decorations on it. If you can help me with an idea that would be great. I just would like to make her a christmas card. We are young (13) so I don't want it to be too fancy, just simple.
Thank You, Madeleine from Vaughan, ON
How can I make the cutest christmas cards for my friends? They need to be cheap.
I am planning a college graduation for my husband. He is majoring in entomology (insects) and I need ideas for centerpieces without creeping the guests out! The party is being held in a small local restaurant. Thanks!
Does anyone know what I could use for fake snow on glass Christmas balls? I need it to be permanent and frugal as I'm making several dozen. I'll post a pic when I'm done with them, IF I get done LOL. Please help!
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Once I attended a family reunion which wasn't as entertaining as it promised to be. Sitting with my aunt and my mother-in-law we found that we spent most of the early afternoon figuring out how everyone was related to us. After dinner one of us took out a pen and began to scribble a family tree onto the paper tablecloth. It was quite an extensive oak when we were finished, and we had many missing branches.
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These socks are great as an extra layer while moseying around the house and also make a great gift.
Add a little sparkle to your holidays with gift tags you can make in a jiffy. They can also be used as package tie-ons, or you can get your kids involved, let them make their own, and glue a craft stick to the back of each to make holiday puppets.
I bought the boxes at the dollar store and thought to myself that even though they were pretty I thought they could use some sparkle. I had some leftover beads from making Christmas ornaments so I decided to sparkle up my boxes.
