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Vol. 4, Num. 35, September 2, 2009 (Read It Online) We hope everyone is having a wonderful end of summer. If you have any Autumn or Halloween craft ideas to share, please submit them on the contest pages. For those in the U.S., enjoy your Labor Day weekend. 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:
Tips:
Requests:
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:
Craft Project: Recycled CD Notepad These cute little notepads are quick, easy, and fun to make. Reduce, re-use, and recycle by putting all of your unusable compact discs and scrap paper to good use! Approximate Time: 1 hour Supplies:
Instructions:Step 1: Drill two holes for binder rings in one of the compact discs approximately 1/2 inch from the edge of the disc and 1 1/2 inches apart (see example ) using the 5/32 inch drill bit. Mark holes for second disc by placing already drilled disc on top and marking drill spots. Drill holes for binder rings in second compact disc.Step 2: Trace a compact disc on scrap paper and cut desired amount of paper for notepad in circles slightly smaller in size than the compact discs. Mark holes for binder rings by placing an already drilled disc on top of paper and marking drill spots. Drill holes through paper using 3/64 inch drill bit. *Don't forget to cut extra paper, your groovy new notepad is refillable! Step 3: Embellish compact discs as desired. Be creative, use paint, paper, glitter, or even buttons! To cover with scrap booking paper (as shown in example photograph) trace compact disc on paper, cut out, and glue to compact disc. Step 4: Insert binder rings to complete notepad and enjoy! By Dominique S. from Kalamazoo, MI
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Rate It: Tired of those orange clay pots? Buy some acrylic paints and give them some color. Add a plant, and you can use them in-doors or out, plus have the enjoyment of a hobby. I did not take classes, just start experimenting, its fun and creative. By gardener10 from Santa Barbara, CA
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Craft: Plastic Canvas Crochet Trinket Box I wanted to see if I could crochet on plastic canvas without any sewing and ended up with this trinket box made on 5-mesh plastic canvas. I used a size D crochet hook so it would fit through the holes and worsted weight yarn. The whole thing was done with nothing but crochet-type slip stitches, including joining the pieces together. It was easy to do and much faster than regular plastic canvas. The finished box looks nothing like plastic canvas, does not look like crochet, but looks the most like knit stitches. Something fun to play around with. By Fortunately
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Wall masks made from plastic jugs. Approximate Time: Depends on details added. Supplies:
Instructions:Cut tops off jugs as shown in photo. Make a hole at top center and make a string loop for hanging. Protect surface with newspapers where you expect to spray and then spray using textured spray paint, available in paint departments of most stores. Let dry before hanging.Kids will have fun adding plastic eyes, loop earrings, yarn hair etc. Another idea would be to hang a number of them vertically in a row to make a pretend totem pole. By preserver from Winnipeg MB
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Rate It: I enjoy making and giving homemade gifts for showers, birthdays, baby showers and I've found how easy it is to make "no sew" cut and tie fleece blankets! It's so simple: 2 pieces of fleece, 2 yards in length each and a pair of sharp scissors: cut out a 4x4 square off of each corner, then measure and cut 4 inches wide by 4 inches deep for the ties on each side, then simply tie them in knots! I've never spent more than $10 to make this gift! What is wonderful about this craft idea is how customizable it really is! You can pick the size, color and pattern of the fabric to suit the purpose. The most recent blanket was "Winnie the Pooh" on one side and a coordinating color on the other. My friend absolutely loved it and it was the hit of the shower. By Carrie029 from El Paso, Texas
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Garden: Painted Strawberry Rock A number of years ago I found (possibly on this site) how to craft a strawberry. My daughter and I had some paint, found a huge rock, took our time and fashioned our very own strawberry. It still sits in my front yard today. By Karyn01
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Make a Trivet From Tile and Wine Corks Go to Home Depot or Lowe's ceramic tile department. Choose a tile that is one color but has a design in it. Take 6 corks, cut them in half as evenly as possible. Glue them to the underside of the tile. Turn over and paint the tile, following the design, using ceramic tile paint, available at Michael's. Let dry and you have a trivet for the table. Fun for all ages! By Marthann from Natick, MA Contest Contender!
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I had a lot of yarn laying around the house so I made a pom pom rug out of it. I got the idea from Lions yarns but, of course, I could not afford their yarn. I did not use their directions either. I just made 24 large pom poms and sewed them to the back of an old rug that was in the kitchen.
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Craft Project: Drink Mix Pencil Tote A nifty storage container made from an empty drink mix container. A great way for kids to carry or store pencils, pens or markers. Also a neat idea for storing craft supplies, small toys, sewing accessories, crochet hooks, etc. Approximate Time: 25 minutes Supplies:
Instructions:Remove label from plastic drink mix container. You can also use an empty Pringles chip container for this project. The chip container will obviously hold more items as well as taller items!Punch 2 holes on each side of the container approximately 1/2 inch down from the top edge. Use a paper punch if the container is paper or pierce the side of the container with the point of a nail or sharp scissors. Measure the length of the container as well as the circumference. Cut a piece of paper or fabric according to these measurements. Apply glue to the outside of the container and attach the paper/fabric covering. Be careful to smooth out any wrinkles before the glue dries. The paper will have covered the punched out holes so you will need to re-punch the holes by sticking a nail back through the opening. Once the holes are open again, insert the string, cording or ribbon through the hole. Best to insert the cording from the outside in. Tie a knot to secure, the knot will be on the inside of the container. Thread the loose end of the cording through the remaining hole, again from outside in and tie another knot. Place items inside the container and place the lid on top. The outside of the container can be labeled as to content or a child's name can be put on the outside to personalize. These containers also can be used for the giving of small gifts. Cover with holiday gift wrap and place a bow on top! An inexpensive yet charming way to give a gift. By Pam from McMinnville, TN
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Rate It: Craft Project: Jean Pocket Notebooks Create a pocket on a notebook to hold pens, pencils, notepads, etc. Kids will enjoy personalizing the pockets. A great way to recycle old jeans/pants pockets too! Approximate Time: About 20 minutes Supplies:
Instructions:Cut the back pocket from a pair of old jeans or pants. Decorate the pocket as desired by gluing on appliques, foam letters, etc. Using hot glue gun, run a bead of glue along sides and bottom of pocket, leaving only the top open. Press pocket into place on notebook. fill with supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, notepads, etc.By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
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Rate It: Craft Project: Stone and Grass Decoration This natural and artistic piece is a great way to add some dimension and class to a room. The round stone base and graceful grass top create a unique planter looking decoration. Approximate Time: 1 hour Supplies:
Instructions:Wax serrated end of knife. Cut 1 inch off the bottom of the ball so it stands flat on a table. P>Paint entire ball with an even layer of the brown paint and let dry. Push plants into middle top of the ball. Remove the plants from the ball. The hole to place the plants in is now made, and should not be covered with stones. Use glue gun to glue stones to painted ball. Press stone into Styrofoam as you glue them. Keep the stones close together, using the different shaped stones to fill in the empty spots or odd shapes. Cover the ball with stones everywhere except the plant hole. Let dry. Push grass into hole, pushing the stem in completely. Push cattails into ball, in front of the tall grass, pushing the stem in completely. By Aysha from Boise, Idaho
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This was the picture we used for our son's first Christmas card! It was so much fun and he was such a great sport! Luke was 5 months old in this picture. Source: Came up with the idea myself. By Elaini from Ormond Beach, FL
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Cut Down Winter Pajamas for Summer If you have kids and you know their winter pajamas won't fit them next season, cut them down for the spring/summer. Cut the pants into shorts and the shirt into short sleeves or even tanks. Just make sure that you cut the shorts just a tad longer than you actually want, as the pants tend to 'spring up' and you'll be left with a "cheeky" situation! The excess material can be used for scrapbooking or my favorite, dust rags, or if you're a sewer, the sky's the limit! By Mom81402 from Bayville, NJ Contest Contender!
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Keeping Cross-Stitching Hoop Tight I have always had a hard time when I am cross-stitching when my hoop won't keep the material tight. I put a heavy rubber band around the bottom hoop and now I have nice and tight fabric. By Patricia from La Pine, OR Contest Contender!
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Use Jewel Cases For Storing Small Craft Items A new use for CD jewel cases: I was trying to figure out what to do with all the empty jewel cases I had lying around and I noticed that if you removed the spool it leaves enough room for paper quilled pieces made with 1/8 inch or smaller paper strips. I use them to protect pieces during transport or when they're on display. By ALANTAIN from Sault Ste Marie, ON Contest Contender!
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I keep my fresh flowers longer by putting them in stones I've collected at the beach. The jar is decorated with rub on decals. When flowers die, I clean off rocks, add shells and leave it. By Moonseekerjade from Onset, MA
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When using size L hook to make the net scrubbies, what is the size of the netting you use for the small and large sizes that you make? Thanks in advance. By bbledsoe from Oak Hills, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf192070.tip.html
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Rate It: "Babies Don't Keep" Cross Stitch Pattern Looking for the pattern kit or pattern of "Babies Don't Keep". Help. Sheila D. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83124678.tip.html
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Rate It: Help. I just found myself with a splint on my foot. Now I'd like to find a crochet pattern to make some socks to fit over it. Most of the patterns I've found were for a specific foot size or shoe size, and I need much much bigger than that. By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41416673.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can I go for affordable sewing fabric over the internet? By Kay from Lock Haven, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55853329.tip.html
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Rate It: Preventing Pine Boughs From Leaking Sap How can I stop pine sap from getting on everything when I use pine tree cuttings for decorating this fall? By judyboody from Ashburn, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92836375.tip.html
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Rate It: Why is my bobbin thread bunching up? I have a 1934 Singer Featherweight. It has been a very reliable machine, but the bobbin thread keeps bunching up on the back of my piece that I am sewing. By cednana from Greenville, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23085594.tip.html
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Rate It: Has anyone made towels into curtains with grommets? I would like a spa looking bathroom and I have two windows above my corner tub. It is a large bathroom and the kids do come in at times and like to play in the big tub. I do not own a sewing machine, but I could borrow one to do this. I have not found what I have been looking for in the ready made version. I thought if I could add grommets to a ready made luxury towels that I would have an instant look that gave me privacy. By louise@home from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93096522.tip.html
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Rate It: Household Tools for Wood Burning Project I want to do a one time project of burning letters into wood. Does anyone know of any household items that might burn into wood? By carla from Greensboro, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19781542.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have any patterns for tole painting? By marcysco from Wilmington, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95385668.tip.html
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Rate It: Men's Crocheted Skull Cap Pattern My hubby will be having Deep Brain Stimulation surgery next month. After the surgery, he will have to wear bandannas or skull caps on his head to help keep the surgery spots clean. I would like some men's skull cap crochet patterns I can make for him. I've checked some of the sites with crocheted caps, but most of them have caps for women. The kind I'm looking for are the ones like you sometimes find on websites for military skull caps. Thank you so much. By DiJones from Wilsonville, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61635634.tip.html
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Rate It: I am trying to glue sand onto a wood block, but the sand won't stay. Any ideas how to maybe create an almost cement out of the sand so it can be molded to wood, harden, and still appear to be sand? By rubes22 from Boston, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83695077.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Picture Frames from Log Slices How can I make picture frames from log slices? By leavelle from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33745683.tip.html
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Rate It: Becoming a Professional Craftsperson How does one become a "professional crafter"? By ticapet20 from Boynton Beach, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16526176.tip.html
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