ThriftyFun Crafts - October 21, 2009

Vol. 4, Num. 42, October 21, 2009 (Read It Online) If you have any Halloween tips or entries to our costume contest, be sure to get them in as soon as possible. We can still post submissions for Halloween if they are received no later than Monday. We have some Thanksgiving and general autumn craft tips but look forward to any new tips or photos you might have to share. To see the entries for the Halloween Costume Contest and to vote for your favorites, follow this link: http://www.thriftyfun.com/Special Contests_Halloween Costumes 2009 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: Rubik's Cube Costume Craft Project: Scarecrow On A Bench Craft: Shell Soap Dispenser Craft: Egghead Clown Craft Project: Dog Crate Cover Craft: Refrigerator Caddy Craft Project: Halloween Candy Box Craft Project: Crocheted Baby Afghan Tips: Reusing Mylar Balloons Craft: Halloween Tunic Top Requests: Making a Barbie Doll House LifeSavers Candy Man Making Vintage Dolls (Southern Belles) Making Underwear Out of Recycled Clothing How to Make a Beer Cap Table Crochet Baby Pants Pattern Recipe for Papier Mache Clay Making Wire Snowflakes Pattern for Nylon Bath Scrubbers Cleaning Ocotillo Branches Crocheted Blanket Edge Knitting Pattern For Shirt Dickie Vintage 1940s and 50s Style Iron-On Transfers Make a Christmas Tree Out of Recycled Materials 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: Rubik's Cube Costume By Stella Bui-Rivet Supplies: Square cardboard box: big enough to fit your body through 9 pieces of red construction paper 9 pieces of blue construction paper 9 pieces of yellow construction paper 9 pieces of green construction paper 9 pieces of white or orange construction paper Scissors Glue Box Cutter Black Spray Paint or poster board kids paints Yard Stick or tape measure Pencil Instructions: Note: On all box costumes you will need to secure the box shut with tape (preferably from the inside, tape on the outside will interfere with the paint). Then cut the holes you need for your body parts to come through. Step One: Cut each of the pieces of construction paper into 8 1/2 inch squares or smaller depending on the size of your box (you will need to fit 9 squares on each side of your box with space on all sides in between each square). Step Two: With the box cutter, cut a hole in the bottom of the box big enough to fit your body through. Step Three - Easy: If you have black spray paint. Spray paint the whole box black, let dry. Glue 9 squares evenly in 3 rows to each side of your box, excluding the bottom. Cut a hole in the top of the box big enough to fit your head through. Cut holes in the sides for arm holes. Step Three - More Difficult: If you have poster paint. Measure the length of your construction paper squares (a) and multiply by 3 (b). Measure the length of one side of your box(c) Subtract the size of your box (c) by the length of your 3 squares(b), which will equal (d). Note: If your box is not a perfect square subtract the size of the square by and width and then do it again by the height of the box. Divide (c) by 4 equaling(e). (e) is the amount of space you will have on the sides and in between each piece of construction paper. On the end of one side of the box, make a mark the length of (e) in from the edge. Ex.: If number (e) equaled 1 inch, you would make a mark one inch in from the edge of the box. Next, starting from the mark you just made make another mark on the box the size of the square piece of construction paper (a). Then, from that mark make another mark the length of (e). Continue until you have reached the edge. This should mean you have 3 spaces the length of (a) in between the length of (e). Note: When you make your marks on the edge make them go over the edge to the other side of the box. This will save you time and will help the lines match up at the corners. Flip the box and do the same as you did in step 5. Flip and repeat until all sides, except for the bottom, have the marks (e)(a)(e)(a)(e)(a)(e). With the yard stick connect the marks parallel to each other and make a line across to connect them. Do this to all the marks. This will leave you with a grid on all sides of you box except for the bottom. Paint all the spaces that have the width of (e) and leave all the spaces that are the size of your square sheets of construction paper (a) blank, let the paint dry. Once the paint is completely dry glue the construction paper squares into the spaces in between the black lines. You can glue one color on each side like a solved Rubik's Cube, all the colors in a row the same color but each row a different color, or all mixed up. With a box cutter, cut a hole in the top for your head and holes on each side for your arms to stick out. Key: (a)= Length of square sheets of construction paper. (b)= Square sheet of construction paper multiplied by 3. (c)= Length of square box (d)= Length of construction paper subtracted from the length of the box. (e)= Size of space between square sheets of construction paper - (d) divided by 4 Now you have finished your Rubik's Cube costume! Slip through the hole in the bottom and put your head through the hole in the top and dazzle people as the world's all time favorite puzzle toy! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71306170.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Scarecrow On A Bench Materials landscape timber little scarecrow fake leaf garland fake pumpkins and gourds wood glue Instructions Cut the landscape timber as follows: 3 - 7 inches long, 1 - 17 inches long, and 2 - 14 inches long. Glue the 2 - 14 inch on each side of the 17 inch piece. Glue the 3 - 7 inch pieces together, then glue the 3- 7 inch one onto the front of the other 3. You can decorate as you like. You can use mine as a sample or you can use your own thoughts. Use a glue gun for this. By Sandy Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49338649.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft: Shell Soap Dispenser I thought up this idea last night as I was looking around my house and seeing all these hand sanitizer bottles I have sitting around. As I am known for not liking to display commercial labels, I decided to get my supply of seashells out and decorate the outside of the bottles. I took the labels off first and hot glued the shells, adding a few pearls, etc. If you put a label made from wood or laminated paper, you have a beautiful hand sanitizer bottle to display with a touch of class. It can be refilled very easily. It also makes a great gift with an extra full bottle enclosed. Source: my own idea By Virginia from Evington, VA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92217340.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft: Egghead Clown Materials cardboard tube from bath tissue white paper marker glue poster board or cardboard plastic egg fabric trim or crepe paper streamer shredded paper or yarn pieces pom poms - one larger than the other wiggle/google eyes small ball Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour Instructions Cover the cardboard tube with white paper for the clown's body. Draw and cut arms and hands from white paper. Decorate these with marker. Glue the ends of the arms to the back of the clown's body so the hands stick out to the sides. Draw and cut clown feet from poster board or cardboard. Glue the clown's body to the feet. Glue a plastic egg inside the top of the clown's body for the head. Glue a fabric trim or crepe paper streamer ruffle to the clown's body just below the head and just above the feet. Glue a few pieces of shredded paper or yarn to the top of the egghead for hair, and glue the larger pom pom on top of the hair for a hat. For the face, glue on the small pom pom for a nose, a piece of fabric trim for the mouth, and wiggle eyes. The mouth and eyes can also be made from paper. Allow all glue to dry completely. To play, stand your clown up on a table, stand back, toss a ball at him, and try to knock him off his feet. How good is your aim? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48268944.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Dog Crate Cover This is a cover for my dog's cage. I made to help keep him warm and also for privacy. It has a flap in the front you can tie up or let it down to have the cover closed yet allow him access to go in and out. Approximate Time: 45 minutes Supplies: fabric-amount depends on size of cage sewing machine scissors thread tape measure Instructions: First measure each side of the cage and cut pieces big enough for all areas (top, front and sides but not bottom) to be covered. Allow an extra 1 inch for seam allowance. Sew the four sides around the top piece. Keep fitting it over the cage to be sure they are the correct size. Leave the front flap unsewed. This will be used as a door so the dog can walk through and go in or out as he pleases. Or you can attach a tie to the top of the cover and tie it up if you wish to have it open. Hem the bottom of the cover. Put a hem in the 2 pieces that make up the flap. Cut some strips of fabric about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide to use as ties to hold it to the cage. Sew 2 ties in each corner. Wrap around the bars of the cage and tie to prevent the cover from moving around. These will hold it securely. Let Rover inspect it and enjoy! By Donna from Millbury, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89060059.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft: Refrigerator Caddy I came up with the idea because my counters were always cluttered. I simply used prequilted cotton fabric measured to fit my refrigerator and added the pockets much like you would make a shoebag, but of course, the pockets are smaller. I sewed double fold binding all the way around. The base fabric hangs evenly on both sides of the fridge and the other side can hold anything you want, medicine bottles (if you don't have children in the house), often used recipes, more utensils, etc. I'm putting this under decorating because it sure did make my kitchen look better. 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/tf49130422.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft Project: Halloween Candy Box Painted wooden box to put your Halloween candy in. Approximate Time: 1 hour Supplies: acrylic paints colors black white silver copper yellow purple Halloween foam stamps wooden box foam brush water tiny screwdriver paintbrush Instructions: Use screwdriver to remove screws from hinges. Not a necessary step but makes it so much easier to paint if you do this, then you don't have to worry about keeping paint off of them. Of course you can choose your own colors, and stamps. I painted the box black, using a brush, and let it dry, I didn't paint inside because I am putting candy inside and don't want it on the painted box. I dipped my foam brush into the water and squeezed all the water out. i dipped it into the paint and then used to put the paint onto my foam stamps and then put them onto the box how i wanted it. Clean the foam brush in between colors. When I have everything on there like I liked it I then painted it with mod podge to seal it. Make sure you clean your foam stamps with a little soap and water and let them dry thoroughly. Add Halloween candy and makes a sweet gift for someone. The stamps I actually won but they were only 99 cents, the box was $1.99 at Hobby Lobby and had the paints so this was a very reasonably priced craft. I was able to make three for only 6 bucks. By micksgirl from paducah, ky Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29638261.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Crocheted Baby Afghan Measures approximately 30x36 inches. I used a random color and stripe pattern. Pattern was found on the back of the yarn package. Approximate Time: 2 weeks Supplies: 1 6 oz. skein pink Bernat sport weight Tricot leger yarn 1 6 oz. skein white baby yarn Crochet hook size G scissors Instructions: Chain 196 sts Row 1: 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc in next ch,* skip 3 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, rep from * to last 4 ch, skip 3 ch, 1 sc in last ch. TURN. Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in first sc, *skip 3 dc, 1 sc in first ch of ch-3, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in next sc, rep from * ending skip 2 dc, 1 dc in top of turning chain. TURN. Repeat row 2 until afghan measures 36" or as long as you wish. Each time you change colors tie off at the end and continue with new color on the next row. Sc around the edge and tuck in all loose ends. Fasten off. By Donna from Millbury, Oh Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68707217.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips: Reusing Mylar Balloons I have a few ideas for the shiny metallic-looking Mylar balloons that would otherwise go to a landfill: Crochet Cut them into one long continuous strip about 1/2 inch wide, and use them to crochet throw rugs, place mats, thermal cup & drink can holders, dog bed liners, potted plant coasters, bathtub mats, even window shades (these would probably hold in and/or reflect heat and light, too). Placemats Sandwiched between two pretty pieces of fabric and stitched together, you would have a place mat which keeps the plate warm a little longer! Cut a slit in the round upper part and you have a thermal dish taker-just fold over the end you slit, and tape it or tie it with ribbon. Flowers Cut the balloons into squares and use to make "tissue paper" flowers for a shiny bouquet reminder of the day. Hot glue-tack them onto a piece of mat and place in a picture frame with a photo of the recipient on their birthday or other occasion;(another reminder); or glue onto a cheap wooden picture frame to cover it and spray with clear polyurethane spray. Donate You could always find someone at a Senior Citizen center who would be glad to have the strips to crochet or knit with. A day care center, Headstart or Kindergarten class could use the uncut colorful part for art projects. Contact your local school's art teacher. Fuse Together You could use a seal-a-meal or other heat source to join together big squares-thermal quilt for games, etc.! Thermal Shades If they would stand up to laundering, they could be used in the lining of a quilt or sewn in between two blankets,the large squares could be joined and hung over a window with the shiny side facing out toward the sun and the printed side hidden behind your curtains. Instant thermal and blackout shades! Have fun! By Dollyslaffn from Darien, GA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf983163.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft: Halloween Tunic Top This Halloween bib was less than a dollar and with a couple of snips, it became the front pocket on my daughter's tunic shirt. I simply cut off the top portions and sewed around the edges. By April from Albany, GA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33552284.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: Making a Barbie Doll House I am trying to make a barbie dollhouse and furniture for my granddaughter. Does anyone have instructions or photos? I am not having much luck with my efforts. I am using tips from ThriftyFun members using household products. Many thanks. By h.arnott from U.K Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39994812.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | LifeSavers Candy Man I am looking for pattern for a candyman made with Lifesavers. By Kathi from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf911460.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Vintage Dolls (Southern Belles) Does anyone remember the dolls with crocheted dresses, hats, etc. (Southern Belles)? I need to know a source for the plastic heads, to finish one someone else started. Many thanks. By CINNY from Lady Lake, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92680403.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Underwear Out of Recycled Clothing I don't have a sewing machine. But I want to recycle some old T-shirts and scarves into underwear for my self. My problem is that I am having trouble finding a pattern that I like, and that I can use easily. Most of the ones I have found so far I don't like or they don't give me the directions I need. What I know about sewing I had to teach myself, so I don't know most of the terms that are used. Thank you. By Dee from Mooresville, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72324260.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | How to Make a Beer Cap Table I am looking for instructions to make a beer bottle cap table. By Zack from Palmer, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65848102.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Crochet Baby Pants Pattern I was wondering if anyone has an easy crochet pattern for baby pants or knows of were I can download a pattern. I'm just a beginner at crocheting and I really like it. Thank you. By R.M. from ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73127278.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Recipe for Papier Mache Clay Does anyone have a recipe for papier mache clay? By Vickie G. from Earle, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62466351.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Wire Snowflakes I would like instructions for snowflakes made with wire. By Jody M. from MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45884416.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Pattern for Nylon Bath Scrubbers I see the pattern for pot scrubbers to crochet. I was wondering if anyone has a pattern for bath scrubbers to crochet? I use one to take a shower with and I guess I'm hard on them because the ones I buy fall apart so fast that I buy 3 at a time. If I could find a pattern so I can crochet them it would save me money. They would also make good Christmas gifts. Thank you! By Lisa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79801929.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Ocotillo Branches How do you clean or prepare Ocotillo branches to use for decorating? By Margaret from Wickenburg, AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87980854.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Crocheted Blanket Edge How do you crochet around a blanket edge? Do you have to hand sew around it first? I just want to make a very light weight blanket. They are all so heavy. I'd just like to use a soft double piece of flannel or something similar. By Phyllis from Fort Madison, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84975215.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Knitting Pattern For Shirt Dickie Does anyone have a pattern for a knitted dickie? The only pattern I can find is knitted from the neck down and this makes it quite a loose fit. By Kathrine from Coventry, United Kingdom Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59416235.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Vintage 1940s and 50s Style Iron-On Transfers I am looking for vintage iron-on transfer pictures. They are probably around 1940's or 50's style. Like the old baby decals on baby furniture. I have uploaded a picture to help me explain. Thanks again. By Sharon from Midland, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67744128.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Make a Christmas Tree Out of Recycled Materials Does anyone have the instructions for how to make a Christmas tree out of empty plastic water bottles? By Ruth Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79422293.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