ThriftyFun Crafts - May 16, 2007

Volume 2, Number 20, May 16, 2007 (Read It Online) We have a bunch of great craft projects, some tips for Saving Money on Clothing Patterns and some tips sent in by readers. Do you have a craft tip to share? Post a Craft Tip (You could win $25) Thanks for reading, Susan 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: Cocktail Ring Tea Cup Bird Feeder Beaded Hair Sticks Bucket from an Empty Juice Bottle Mini-Hats Sewing Kit "Daffodils" In Vases Small Broom Wall Decor Gazing Ball Ornaments from Argo Clay Tips: Pillowcase from Receiving Blanket Cat Safe Yarn Tip A Cheap Pocket Knitting Rake Saving Money on Clothing Patterns Threading a Darning Needle Muffin Tins For Sand Art Make a Quilt With Cartoon Character Socks Using Dryer Sheets When Quilting Many Uses For Terry Cloth Dish Towels Killing Insects On Natural Decorations Decorating Candles Use Crinkled Cardboard For Frames Baby Food Jar Candles Requests: Spider-Man Invitations Manual for a Coronado Sewing Machine (Model 05n5 45 4501) Converting a Crochet Pattern to a Knitting Pattern Swaddle Doll Pattern How To Stiffen Coffee Filter Flowers After Tie Dying? Gum Wrapper Purses Flower Pot People - Fun with Flower Pots Uses for Formula Cans 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: Cocktail Ring By Lisa Adams This fashionable cocktail ring is easy to make and looks great too. Your friends will all want one. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29530697.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tea Cup Bird Feeder This is a quick easy fun gift for mothers day, spring teas, or summer birthdays. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65813115.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Beaded Hair Sticks This is an easy craft suitable for gift-giving. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67899405.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bucket from an Empty Juice Bottle As the mother of a toddler, I have 8 million empty apple juice bottles lying around. So instead of tossing them, I decided to "recycle" them. This particular bucket was made by cutting the top off the apple juice bottle with an X-Acto knife. I then wrapped fabric around the bottle, securing with a hot glue gun and attached trim on the rim. For the handle, I punched holes into the side and attached another ribbon. You can attached any type of decoration you want onto the front. My daughter loves taking this outside to put her "stuff" in. By April from Albany, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91827015.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Mini-Hats These adorable little hats can be hung on the wall, added to wreaths, used as gift bag tie-ons, or as refrigerator magnets. You can also make a few to sell at a craft fair. They are easy to make and allow you to make use of all the bits and pieces of leftover craft materials you have lying around. The hats, themselves, are relatively inexpensive if you buy them at a craft store, but check yard sales for even cheaper ones. That's where I found mine. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88182217.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sewing Kit A sewing kit is a great gift for anyone leaving home. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87899780.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print "Daffodils" In Vases Here's a great craft for Mother's Day. I made these for the mothers in our church. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30844462.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Small Broom Wall Decor These 6 inch brooms can be made to match any decor, and made for your own use or as gifts, used as gift tie-ons, or sold at a craft fair. Although I haven't tried it yet, I'm thinking they might even be a cute addition to a summer wreath. My brooms were particularly cost effective to make as I purchased all of my materials at garage sales. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73716750.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Gazing Ball Have you ever wanted your own gazing ball to put in your yard? Well here's a much less expensive version. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34593136.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ornaments from Argo Clay I make Christmas ornaments out of Argo clay. I then fix a gift basket or bag with the ornament and paints. I also, include the ornament hangers. Kids love painting them. They can give them as gift or keep themselves. They last for years. Argo Clay Recipe Need: 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of Argo cornstarch, 1 1/2 cups water, saucepan. Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the mixture looks like mashed potatoes. If the mixture cooks too long, the finished ornaments may crack. Cover with a damp cloth until cool enough to handle. Then form clay into shapes (example snowmen, etc.) I also roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter to cut out ornaments. I place them on a cookie sheet for a couple of days. When they are dry, I package them. By Jean Related: PDF from Arm and Hammer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf521216.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips: Pillowcase from Receiving Blanket This child-sized pillow case was made with two of my daughter's old receiving blanket. Simply place them with right sides together and sew around three of the edges, leaving one of the short edges open. You can either hem this edge or attach a ruffle like I've done here. The ruffle is actually off of a pair of my daughter's pants that she outgrew! By April from Albany, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47478443.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cat Safe Yarn Tip Our cat, Tweets is very clever at finding a ball of yarn and can spend late hours unraveling it from one end of our two-story house to another. Bury it under a sofa pillow? She'll dig it out. Even while I'm using it, making pet carrier 'blankies' for pet carriers for our humane society, she loves to snatch it! I finally found the solution! First off, I give her a small ball of yarn to play with. I upended a plastic waste basket with open slots in the sides and thread the yarn in use though a slot, where I can easily pull it out as I use it. Tweets is frustrated, but this method works out very well for me! The yarn is hidden and unaccessible to Tweets and I no longer have to chase down and rewind the yarn as I work! By Janet from Conway, NH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14030228.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print A Cheap Pocket Knitting Rake The other day I saw a "pocket knitter", it's rake knitting-knitting with out needles and is often used as a first knitting project for kids. After looking at it, I knew I could get my own for a fraction of the retail price, and I did. I went to my local beauty supply store, and bought a wide tooth comb used for wet hair. The comb had 20 tines, they vary. It cost $1.50, then I went to my local craft store and bought a knifty knitter yarn pick for $1.00, I'm all set. You tie a loop on the end of your yarn and slip it onto the first tine, then you e-wrap every tine to complete 1 row. Then you repeat the e-wrap for a second row, making sure your loops are on the same side. Using your yarn pick, you slip the bottom loop over the top loop and off the first tine. Working one tine at a time, you complete the row, leaving 1 row of loops. Repeat the e-wrap to make 2 rows again, and again, slip the bottom loops over the top loops. Make a scarf, make blocks for a baby blanket, make potholders, you use your creative mind and go! By ficklephonebug from Bakersfield, CA Editor's Note: We published this tip a couple weeks ago and the original poster was nice enough to send in an image of the comb in action. Thanks ficklephonebug! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54294538.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Clothing Patterns Does anyone know where I might be able to find free or really cheap clothing patterns? New patterns are a bit expensive and, although some people can use a pattern several times, mine seem to fall apart after the first use. They are discounted sometimes, but only the most god-awful ones. Are there ways to extend the life of the tissue the pattern is printed on? Thanks! Squrl from California Here are the responses we received to this request. Iron Pattern After Using I am a seamstress by profession and the best way I know to preserve a pattern is to iron it before you put it back in the envelope and even before you use it for the first time. It will make storage much easier. I also store them in cheap zipper storage bags. By sewbluedog3 Spray Starch I heard spraying the pattern with spray starch will strengthen it. I have never tried it but it sounds logical. By Jennifer Attach Freezer Paper To Pattern I take freezer paper and iron to my patterns that I will be using a lot and have had some over 6 years now and they look new. By Dar in Texas Buy Patterns On Sale We have a Hobby Lobby store in our city. About every 3 or 4 months they will have all of their (in stock) Simplicity patterns for $.99! Then maybe 3 months later, all their McCalls patterns are on sale for $.99. I watch the Sunday newspaper for their sale ad. Eventually it shows up again! I plan ahead for patterns I will need and when they go on sale I stock up! I have purchased many expensive ($20.00) patterns this way. Unfortunately, they (Hobby Lobby stores) haven't "made it" to the state of California yet, but they're getting close! Perhaps someone can buy the patterns for you when they go on sale if you will just make a list of pattern numbers and sizes you want. If they have the information in their purse, it would be quite simple to go buy what you need! By Grandma Margie Newsletter Sign up for JoAnn Fabric's newsletter. They have their patterns discounted frequently. Many times, you can get McCall's or Butterick for $1, and Vogue for $3-4. By Rebecca More Deals on Patterns Watch for sales at places like Joann's, Hancocks, etc. Also Walmart carries "New Look" and another one for like $2. I've gotten good patterns on eBay. By susabelle Take Apart Clothing For The Pattern Go to "GOODWILL" or one of those type stores, buy a ready made item you want to make and take it apart! Surprise, a sturdy pattern. By Evily Buy Used Patterns I have bought patterns inexpensively at Goodwill, Salvation Army, and garage sales. But I usually need the smallest size, so I have an advantage in that even if the patterns are cut, they probably aren't cut too small. There is a chain called Hancock Fabrics in my area. Once in a while they will have all patterns of a certain brand on sale for 99 cents. I watch for those sales. I only buy patterns used or on sale for 99 cents. Otherwise there's no point in going to all the trouble of making your own clothes because they will cost the same in the store if you pay full price for a pattern. By Allison Trace Patterns For A Master Copy I retrace all the required pieces for a pattern onto tracing paper, vylene or even cheap greaseproof paper. That way I still have a master copy in case I need a different size the next time I use the pattern or if someone else borrows my patterns. Vylene is like interfacing and can be reused many many times. When I find a pattern I like, I tend to make several items the same, but I change things like the fabric or add a frill. A simple straight dress can look very casual in cottons but simply elegant in an evening fabric. I too have also taken patterns from favourite pieces of clothing that are no longer wearable, just unpick and iron your new pattern. Remember to label each piece with tape before you unpick if you are not experienced at sewing. This way you will know where each piece should go. By K from Oz Pattern Ease I always trace my patterns on Pattern Ease (I buy it at JoAnn's). I never cut the pieces out, just find the ones I need and trace. Also, I very seldom pay even half price for a pattern (JoAnn's and Hancock Fabrics, and even Wal-mart usually sell their patterns for half of what they are marked). Most of the time I wait for the sales and buy them for $.99, much more cost effective. By Bobbi Newsprint If it's a pattern I'm going to use again a bunch of times (like some of my husband's costumes), I trace it onto newsprint and cut it out. You can also use cheap muslin or dollar fabric from Walmart to do the same thing, although I have to use fray-check on the edges. I'm not sure why you're having so much trouble with patterns wearing out, I use them dozens of times and they still work great, and I don't iron them before I put them away either! LOL I'm just too lazy for that. I've been using the same vest pattern for my husband's costumes for at least 7 years, which means I've probably made 40+ vests from it, and it still is just fine. LOL By Susabelle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95429674.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Threading a Darning Needle One way to easily thread a darning needle with a large eye is to fold a thin, rectangular sliver of paper in half the long way, sandwich the end of the thread into it as you would a hot dog in a bun, then slide paper and thread through the eye of the needle. By Sharon Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf998012.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Muffin Tins For Sand Art I use muffin tins for sand for sand art coloring on pictures. My class has enjoyed doing sand pictures instead of using crayons. By Jane Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf199859.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make a Quilt With Cartoon Character Socks When my boys were small they loved wearing the character socks (Batman, Spiderman, Looney Tunes, etc.) As they grew older or wore out a pair, I saved them to make a quilt. I'm going to use the socks that don't have holes in them to make a "wheel" pattern and use solid fabrics as the background. The socks with holes I will cut and use the good parts, sew together, and use as the binding. This would work with baby's socks as well - the lacy ones would be really cute! By Susan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf579283.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Dryer Sheets When Quilting When quilting with thin, flimsy fabrics, use USED fabric softener sheets as an inexpensive backing. It gives it body and makes it a whole lot easier to work with. By Susan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf668861.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Many Uses For Terry Cloth Dish Towels Over the years I have accumulated many terry dish towels. My uses for them: coasters, napkins, bibs, doilies, covers for arms of chairs, cleaning rags, dust rags, pot holders/trivets, place mats. I made matching toaster and coffee pot covers out of dish towels. Cut some in half if necessary. Oh, can use to dry dishes too. Toss in washer as needed and they are ready to reuse. Though I haven't tried it yet, I think using the towels to make pillow covers or a quilt would be interesting too. Saves on paper towels. By Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf971367.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Killing Insects On Natural Decorations Whenever you bring any natural stuff like pine cones or twigs into the house to use as decor, put them on a foil lined baking sheet in the oven at 200-250 degrees for 30 minutes to kill any hitchhiking insects. By Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf866614.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Decorating Candles I love candles. When I am decorating for an event or a holiday, I like to use candles. I always have a bunch of cheap white candles lying around. I like to spice them up with some glue and glitter. I use white school glue and paint the sides of the candle with it and then roll it in different colored glitter, depending on what I need. It's cute and it looks good too! Great centerpiece! By Kiera Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf706482.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Crinkled Cardboard For Frames Use the crinkled cardboard sheets inside light bulb packages to help anchor a photograph inside a frame. Place the glass, followed by the picture, followed by the crinkled cardboard (cut to fit), followed by the back of the frame. By Darla Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf714823.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baby Food Jar Candles Make homemade candles with baby food jars. melt down old candles. Use metal washers for weights tied to toothpicks. By Fringella Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf608827.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | 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 and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! New Requests: Spider-Man Invitations I need to Spider-man print invitations and birthday cards. Anyone have any advice? Nilsa from Brooklyn, NYC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67583609.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Manual for a Coronado Sewing Machine (Model 05n5 45 4501) I have a Coronado Sewing Machine (Model 05n5 45 4501). I do not have a manual. Can anyone tell me where I can get one. Mary from Manistee, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24258602.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Converting a Crochet Pattern to a Knitting Pattern Does anyone know how to convert a crochet pattern to a knitting pattern? Thanks, Shirlee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55694824.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Swaddle Doll Pattern I am trying to find a a pattern to make the swaddle doll? Does any have the directions? Also am trying ti find the directions to make a daddy tool belt. Joanne from Holyoke, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25783737.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How To Stiffen Coffee Filter Flowers After Tie Dying? I have made flowers out of the coffee filters, but now due to me adding color the paper is limp. Does anyone know how I can stiffen the paper again? Thank you in advance for any advise you may have. Enza from Toronto, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35158763.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Gum Wrapper Purses How do you make gum wrapper purses? Roxanne from San Antonio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96435461.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Flower Pot People - Fun with Flower Pots How do you make the "Flower Pot People"? Nina from Bellefontaine, Ohio Editor's Note: I believe Nina is referring to the Flower Pot People pictured on the right. The photo was sent in by a reader, Walter S. Arnold, back in 2005. No instructions were provided at that time. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf786500.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Uses for Formula Cans I would like to use the formula cans for my son's first birthday but dont know how, any ideas? I don't have a theme yet. Gaby from Roswell, New Mexico Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf258397.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here