ThriftyFun Crafts - October 29, 2008

We have lots of new Halloween crafts this week. Thank you to everyone that has taken time to submit something. The next holiday coming up is Thanksgiving. If you have an crafts or decorations to share, please do. Also, if you make a homemade Halloween costume that you are proud, be sure to submit a picture of it. We will publish some the week following Halloween.

Happy Crafting!

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:

• Craft: Batty about Books!
• Craft Project: Bewitching Tomato Cage Ghost
• Halloween Popcorn Hand Party Favor
• Craft: Cheesecloth Ghosts In My House!
• Craft Project: Pumpkin Bats
• Craft Project: Halloween Skeleton Decoration
• Craft: Jade's Mending Jar
• Halloween Costume: Stick Of Butter Lady (Paula Deen)
• Craft Project: Halloween Scary Outside Monster
• Craft Project: Trick Or Treat Place Setting

Tips:

• Craft: Non Carved Jack-O-Lantern
• Reusing Thrift Shop Items for Candle Holders
• Use Bacon Plastic Sheet for Glue Gun Work Surface
• Black Flamingos For Halloween
• Homemade Holiday Cards
• Making Your Own Piñata
• Decorate Cheap Christmas Stockings
• Craft: Grocery Bag Tote
• Organizing Children's Artwork
• Uses for Leftover Fabric Scraps
• Thrifty Spoon Rest As Artwork

Requests:

• Fixing a Peeling Iron-on Transfer
• Christmas Carolers Made From Tomato Cages
• Looking For Yo-Yo Patterns
• Crafts Using Small Baskets
• Accessories For 1/24 Scale Doll House
• Personalized Santa Face Wreathes
• Extracting Citronella Juice from a Plant
• Purse Made From Tapestry Placements
• Free Christmas Stencils
• Pine Cone Centerpiece Without Candles
• Homemade Polymer Clay
• Crown Royal Bag Quilt
• Making Adult Cry Baby Costume
• Making Knifty Knitter Christmas Stocking
• Using Polyester Batting
• Wind Spinner Patterns Using Canvas and Beads
• Angel Christmas Tree Topper
• Lion's "Tree of Life" Afghan
• Crafts Using Pop Can Tabs

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

Craft: Batty about Books!

We made a clothespin into a magnet with some paper shapes. This can also be used as a bookmark without the magnet or a clip for chips or papers, etc.

By Wendy S from Coopersburg, PA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27569518.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft Project: Bewitching Tomato Cage Ghost

Large tomato cage covered with a sheet to make a Witch Ghost

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94136174.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Halloween Popcorn Hand Party Favor

Open glove and put a piece of corn candy into the tip of each finger. These are the "fingernails". Fill the gloves with cooked and cooled popcorn. Tie with colorful yarn and put spider ring on one finger.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95850359.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft: Cheesecloth Ghosts In My House!

Simple and easy and CHEAP! Blow up a balloon and dip a square of cheesecloth into fabric stiffener. Drape over balloon. Let dry and then pop the balloon. Add felt eyes or use a dark marker. Be sure to leave a flat bottom on a few edges of the cloth so the ghost has something to stand up on, but the other edges can be sticking out to give a "floating" look. Have fun!

By Donna from Kettering, Ohio

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27753691.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft Project: Pumpkin Bats

Mini pumpkins and a few other common materials are all you need to add a few bats to your Halloween decor for this cute craft.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69577883.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft Project: Halloween Skeleton Decoration
By Harlean Greathouse

These skeletons are great fun to make and hang around for Halloween. They can be made of wood 1/4 inch plywood. Easy to make from scraps. Or if you don't have the tools to do wood, you could make them with a sheet of art foam. I made mine about 17 inches tall, but you can reduce or increase the size to suit your wishes. My picture is of a wooden one.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43944459.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft: Jade's Mending Jar

This is Jade's Mending jar. Jade is my niece who has just left school, aged 16 and is now commuting to college everyday. She is studying to become a veterinary surgeon.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54849241.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Halloween Costume: Stick Of Butter Lady (Paula Deen)

For a fast and inexpensive costume that won't look like those at the store, why don't you go as Paula Deen? Or, as my husband affectionately calls her, 'The stick-of-butter lady' with the cooking show. Every recipe she makes seems to begin with a stick of butter, lol... so guys all seem to adore her recipes.

Just a couple days ago I saw a small photo of her with her head sticking out of the end of a stick of butter costume, and thought how easy that would be to make.

Anyone who can sew a straight line could cut out four rectangles of bright yellow fabric for the body of it. Just measure across the wearer's (either adult or child) shoulders and add 4 inches for movement and seams. That would give you the width of the rectangle. Measure from their shoulders to their knees for the length of the rectangle. Sew the 4 rectangles along all the long sides, and look in your fridge at your butter stick and use a felt tip marker to mark the tablespoon measurement lines down the front and write 'BUTTER' in huge block letters down one side, leaving room at the top for the arm holes to be cut later. The other two rectangles could be left blank.

You could turn up the bottom edges twice and sew around it as a 'hem'. To stiffen the shape, place four strips of clothesline rope inside the seams on all four sides, between the corners, before you sew the hem. It should then fall more squared.

As for the top, just measure a yellow square about the same width as the top of the rectangles to make the end of the butter where the head would stick out, and cut a center hole large enough for the head to go through. You could then pin and stitch the edges to the top of the rectangles. Now all you'd have to do would be cut a square piece of cardboard from a large box, the same size as the top, and make a matching hole for the head, and wear it inside the costume to hold it up and keep the top end square, then cut holes in the rectangles on either side of the 'measurement' front rectangle, just below the 'shoulder' area for arms to go through.

This would be easy to adjust for the wearer, to make sure arms would have plenty of room. All it really would cost would be some cheap yellow fabric, or if it's for an adult who won't outgrow it, make it a little more 'finished' by edging the arms and neck with bias tape so that you can re-use it from time to time and wash it.

The real kicker would be to wear a really fluffy white wig and big eyelashes so you're sure to be recognized as Paula, lol... but a new mop head instead of a wig, and some lines drawn up from the eyes with eyebrow pencil would do for eyelashes. Anyone who's ever watched Paula on HGTV would recognize this costume. :^)

Source: I'm pretty sure the little photo I saw was from TV Guide.

By Mary from Mountain Pine, AR

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15415869.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft Project: Halloween Scary Outside Monster

This is made of scrap wood, a scary mask, recycled children's clothes and shoes. It looks like a small child with a big mask.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76972378.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft Project: Trick Or Treat Place Setting

These cute pumpkins make perfect decorations for any Halloween party. They can be used as favors or as place setting gifts. Just remember to fill them full of yummy candy!

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56345851.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft: Non Carved Jack-O-Lantern

Decorate a pumpkin with construction paper. It's safer then a knife carving pumpkin. Then attach beads, etc., whatever you have, even yarn for the hair

By Joyceann from Danvers, MA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45031663.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Reusing Thrift Shop Items for Candle Holders

If you're like me, you love to make decorations for your home by items found in thrift shops and salvage yards. For homemade candle holders where the base isn't too large (like staircase balusters), just epoxy an upholstery tack upside down on the top and you have a place to secure your candle.

By Patricia1951 from Imperial, NE

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70349845.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Use Bacon Plastic Sheet for Glue Gun Work Surface

Does your glue gun make a mess on your work surface? I wash up the plastic sheet that comes under a pound of bacon and I place it under my glue gun and the drips will peel right off and your work surface will stay clean!

By Dianna from Derry, PA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30533546.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Black Flamingos For Halloween

When my pink flamingos faded I decided to spray paint them black for Halloween decoration. Sorry the picture is a little blurry.

By Karen from Bolivar, TN

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54333726.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Homemade Holiday Cards

I buy plain cards and envelopes and a stamp for my holiday cards. I use clear fixative on the stamp, stamp the card, sprinkle with glitter (usually silver) and then use a heat gun to set the design. I use a smaller stamp and do the same thing on the envelope. I have used a Victorian house stamp, a Nativity stamp, holly, garland, etc. and they all turn out very nice and professional looking. Everyone always enjoys getting these 'high-end' homemade cards! Give it a try - see what you think!

By Vickie from Phoenix, AZ

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21083327.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Making Your Own Piñata

For a children's party, make your own pinata and have your child help. Kids love busting open a pinata. When you make one at home, it won't look like all the others, you customize it to your theme, your child gets involved and learns a new craft, and you save a lot of money.

Store-bought pinatas are expensive, and you can make one for the cost of one balloon, old newspaper waiting to be re-used or recycled, a few cups of flour, and decorations that you probably already have.

There are lots of Web sites with instructions on how to make your own pinata. The key is to start about a week before the party, because it will take about 30 minutes a day for 3-to-5 days to allow for the layers to dry and decorate it.

By Britt from Boston, MA

Editor's Note: Here is an article on ThriftyFun about making your own pinata:

• Making a Pinata

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94987612.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Decorate Cheap Christmas Stockings

If you need Christmas stockings because you missed out on last year's after Christmas sales, you can make really fun ones without sewing and for a little cost. Just buy the cheapest red felt stockings you can find (try drug and discount stores) and sheets of felt at a craft store. Cut out shapes from the felt and glue! Last year I did stars, old-fashioned Christmas bulbs, a spotted dog with red bow, ringing bells, a Christmas tree, a snowman, snowflakes, polka-dots, mistletoe...all were very simple die-cut-like cut-outs and colorful, and they looked fantastic and unique hanging in front of the fireplace. For an extra fun flair, use non-traditional Christmas colors and shapes to glue onto the stockings - like pastel polka dots, stripes or spirals.

By Britt from Boston, MA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65897633.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Craft: Grocery Bag Tote

My daughter, Eryn, made and sold these bags to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. She used ordinary plastic grocery bags and fashioned them into a great tote. She added the colorful pink ribbon for a decoration. Recycling for a cause!

By Wendy from Coopersburg, PA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35096993.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Organizing Children's Artwork

I have two preschoolers who bring home lots of artwork and make their own creations at home. While their projects are my favorite, we've accumulated boxes of their paperwork that we don't look at or use. One afternoon, I spent a few hours photographing everything they did, downloading the photos to our computer, and uploading them to an online photo service to share with the grandparents. Next, I filed a few of my favorites in two cardboard magazine boxes, one for each child, and put the rest in the recycle bin. Now, at the end of each day, I gather all of their work and either hang it on the fridge or put it in the "art gallery" box. Once the box is filled, I photograph the work and go through the process above.

By Britt from Boston, MA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23843704.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Uses for Leftover Fabric Scraps

What to do with all your left over fabric scraps? Keep your pets warm. Make a dog or pet cage cover with matching place mat for food.

Laura from Newberry, FL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10147120.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Thrifty Spoon Rest As Artwork

I found this bargain name brand spoon rest at a thrift store. Put the photo on the front of a card and sent it to a long distance bargain hunter pal. She loved it.

By Christine from Lower Delaware

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47736535.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Fixing a Peeling Iron-on Transfer

Can you fix an iron on transfer that's peeling off of a t-shirt?

Stephanie from Wilmington, NC

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16498000.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Christmas Carolers Made From Tomato Cages

Has anyone the directions for Christmas carolers made from tomato cages and sweaters?

Gamapat from Up North, WI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16048755.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Looking For Yo-Yo Patterns

Does anyone have yo-yo patterns they would like to share? I have one for a Christmas Tree and a basket that can be put on towels. I am in the process of attaching yo-yo to form a Christmas tree to finger towels for Christmas presents. But I would be interested in other uses also.

Joan from Maryland

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77118008.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Crafts Using Small Baskets

Does anyone have a craft using small baskets (3 in. long and 2 in. high)? Thanks.

Cynthia from Lewisport, KY

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31007830.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Accessories For 1/24 Scale Doll House

I am looking for things to make and print out for my 1/24 scale doll's house. Any ideas?

Vera from England

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94158214.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Personalized Santa Face Wreathes

I saw a Christmas wreath at Minge's pumpkin fest. This wreath had Santa Claus or snowmen faces and each one had a family members name on it. It was very cute and looks easy to make. Does anyone know anything about making these wreathes?

Antoinette from Cincinnati, OH

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38382285.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Extracting Citronella Juice from a Plant

I know that citronella keeps away mosquitoes. I have access to lots of citronella plants. How do I make citronella juice or extract? I want to mix it with a regular bar of bath soap (how do I melt the soap?). I would also like to mix it with candles to make citronella candles? I hope the process of extracting citronella juice would be simple enough to make in my own kitchen. Thanks.

marangman from Malaysia

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88426128.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Purse Made From Tapestry Placements

I am looking for a free pattern for a purse made out of tapestry placements.

Cheryl from Lawsom, MO

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79305365.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Free Christmas Stencils

Where could I find Christmas Stencils? Preferably free.

Patricia from Stoney Creek, Ont, CA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97377051.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Pine Cone Centerpiece Without Candles

How can I use pine cones on centerpiece without using candles?

Casey from Edmonds, Washington

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72467745.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Homemade Polymer Clay

I read the recipe for making my own polymer clay and I'm excited to try it. However, when I mix the cornstarch and glue, will I be free to work and condition it? Does it need to be baked? And will it stay soft like the Sculpey clay (for later use) or will it dry out?

Leighann from Richmond, Virginia

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf681300.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Crown Royal Bag Quilt

Anyone making crown royal quilts?

April from Blackwell, OK

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79817899.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Making Adult Cry Baby Costume

I need easy ideas for making my own adult cry baby costume, or the adult in the high chair costume.

lillbitcrazy from Wauseon, OH

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34118758.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Making Knifty Knitter Christmas Stocking

I need help making the Large Christmas stocking. I got to the point where it tells me to wrap to the 15th peg Knit Off (I don't know what that means) and then wrap and knit back to peg one? Can anyone help me finish my heel in my sock

Karen

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10955530.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Using Polyester Batting

What can I do with polyester batting?

Liz from Dunedin, FL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91203802.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Wind Spinner Patterns Using Canvas and Beads

I am looking for any and all patterns for plastic canvas wind spinners.

Bonnie from Avilla, MO

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42708476.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Angel Christmas Tree Topper

I am looking for a pattern for an angel Christmas tree topper. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Linda from Hartley, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27746635.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Lion's "Tree of Life" Afghan

I am looking for the free pattern for the "Tree of Life" afghan, that Lion Brand offered on their blog this past spring. If anyone has it and would share it with me I would appreciate it, as I want to make it for a wedding gift. Thanks in advance.

Cheryl from Hessel, MI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62754624.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Crafts Using Pop Can Tabs

I would like to make some crafts with pop can tabs. What is a strong adhesive to use? I need something that is going to hold up.

Rettta from Mentor, Ohio

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf903122.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