ThriftyFun Crafts - May 13, 2009

Vol. 4, Num. 19, May 13, 2009 (Read It Online) Starting this week, contest winners are now picked by the ThriftyFun Community. The tips that get the most "Thumbs Up" ratings will win their respective categories. Since tips are published on different days of the week, we will use a 10 day total to pick the winners. The contest includes tips published from Saturday to Friday. We have marked the tips in this newsletter that are contest contenders, please take a moment to give a "Thumbs Up" to the tips and photos that you like the best! Do you have any craft tips to share? Feel free to submit them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml 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! 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Today's newsletter contains: Photos and Projects: Craft: Love Bug Diaper Cake Craft Project: Recycled Wind Chimes Craft Project: Remote Control Tote Craft Project: Magnetic Butterflies Craft Project: Bridal Favor Tips: Watch Garage Sales For Craft Supplies Yarn Pom Poms Link: Make Underwear Out of T-shirts Remove Adhesive from Fingers With Sandpaper Store Roller in Tray With Water for Painting Tomorrow Pop Can Tabs for Shower Curtain Grommets Use Your Scanner to Make Custom Scrapbooking Paper Take Your Own Creative Photos Requests: Uses For Wallpaper Patterns for Crocheted Necklaces Teaching a Child to Knit Making a Sippy Cup Bungee Restoring a Leather Trunk Inexpensive Feltable Wool Pattern for 50s Cat Eye Glasses Crochet Cabbage Patch Clothes Wire Coat Hanger Animals Articles: Plan a Green Nursery 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: Love Bug Diaper Cake This is my second diaper cake, a "Love Bug" cake. I made it for a friend at work. I used; 56 rolled up diapers, receiving blankets, baby rattles and such, washcloths, a love bug to top it off and lots of curling ribbon for color. She loves it. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37955590.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft Project: Recycled Wind Chimes Use up your old scrap pieces of wood and clay pots to create this summer wind chime to enjoy. I used a Sailboat theme with an old scrap piece of wood, little clay pots, white nylon cording for strings and added big washers for the chimes. Hand paint a theme of your choice. Drill a few holes in the wood for hanging at the top. Add your clay pots and washers and you're all set to enjoy both the visual beauty and sounds this wind chime will make. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26517135.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Remote Control Tote Handy tote to hang on the bedpost or doorknob so you know where to find your remote. I made one for my oldest grand daughter and now the little one wants one too. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28141196.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Magnetic Butterflies Another "buggy" spring craft! These butterflies are so cute and so easy to make. Show them off on your refrigerator for lot's of comments from admirers! View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22392605.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Bridal Favor Inexpensive, yet elegant, use the wedding colors to complete these simple little favors that take only minutes to make. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53082535.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips: Watch Garage Sales For Craft Supplies Garage sales are great. There is such an endless variety, and you never know what you will find. If you're into crafting the garage sale can be a goldmine. The goldmine is the joy you feel when you see a table full of fabric, a box filled with skeins of yarn, dozens of frames and pictures, and all priced from 10 cents to a dollar. I found these little frames 4/$1.00, in perfect condition. I could have put little pictures in them, but opted to place my pressed flowers in them and use them on top of gift boxes, in place of cards. It was a pretty touch, and cheaper than a card or a bow. By Deb H. from East Brunswick, NJ Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74282434.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Yarn Pom Poms Here's a really cute yarn pom-pom idea. My mother-in-law taught this to me so I wouldn't have to buy one of those pom pom makers from the store. (even though they are cheap!) Materials Yarn (as many colors as you want) scissors Thin cardboard (such as a box from a 12 pack of soda) That's all! Instructions Cut out two cardboard rings about the diameter you wish the pom-pom to be. Mark and cut out a smaller circle in the center of each piece of cardboard to thread your yarn through. Hold the two pieces of cardboard together and wind the yarn around and around the ring until the cardboard is covered. Tip: If you're using a multi-colored yarn, it may be hard to tell the difference between the top layer and bottom. I usually cut out another cardboard ring and place it in between, so I know when I'm finished with that second layer. With a pair of sharp scissors, cut between the layers of cardboard through all the yarn around the outside edge until the circle is separated. Thread a piece of yarn between the two rings and tie it into a tight knot to secure the center of the pom-pom. Leave enough yarn to attach your pom-pom to whatever it is you're putting it on. Now, slip that cardboard off and your pom-pom is finished! Tip: If you want your pom-pom to be more poofy, try taking a hair brush and fluffing it out a bit. By Elsee from Lakeside, OR Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56153956.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Link: Make Underwear Out of T-shirts I just came across an amazing website called SuperNaturale with instructions on making your own underwear out of t-shirts! It has detailed instructions and a pattern you can print out. I can't wait to make use of some of the cute t-shirts I have *cough* grown out of. Source: http://www.supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=70 By Kathleen from AB Canada Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87042748.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Remove Adhesive from Fingers With Sandpaper Rub your fingers on a sheet of sandpaper laid flat on the bench. This will get off all types of adhesives that you want to get off your hands before washing them. By Tony from Noosa, Australia Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12052955.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Store Roller in Tray With Water for Painting Tomorrow If you paint with a paint roller one day and plan to continue painting the next day, you can avoid washing the roller by placing it in the paint tray and filling the tray with water to cover the roller. The next day be sure to thoroughly squeeze and drain all the water out of the roller before using. You cannot leave the roller in the water longer than a day or it will fall apart, and you cannot leave the roller overnight in water again until it has completely dried out. By Amuck from Fairview Heights, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56416506.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Pop Can Tabs for Shower Curtain Grommets I needed to hang a shower curtain made from a bedspread I no longer used. I do not have a button hole option on my sewing machine nor did I want to spend money on grommets. I had been saving pop can tabs and with a simple zigzag I was able to quickly attach all 12 tabs across the top of the fabric. Worked like a charm and no one knows they are there. Source: My own invention. By norulesart from Florida Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83505514.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Your Scanner to Make Custom Scrapbooking Paper For custom scrapbooking paper line your scanner or copier bed with a sheet of clear plastic (to protect it). Next take anything you'd like to copy like shells, small stones, pasta, flowers, grass, cookies, candy, chocolate chips, crayons, sewing supplies, yarn, bubble wrap, lace and even birdseed or dried pet food. Place it carefully on top of the plastic liner sheet then scan or copy it. You will end up with some of the most amazing scrapbooking paper around! It looks totally real. Color usually works best, but some things (like lace) look wonderful in black and white. By Cyinda from near Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42326439.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Take Your Own Creative Photos We all love those great children's photographs, but who can afford to go to the photographer? Dress your kids (or Grandkids) for that special photograph. My Granddaughter loves to "Play Dress Up", and take pictures. Use your imagination, the results will be great! By vguy from Earle, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66108965.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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: Uses For Wallpaper A friend gave me a couple of wallpaper sample books. I'm trying to get some crafting ideas for using them. Thank you. By clutterfree from Charleston, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf250227.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Patterns for Crocheted Necklaces I am looking for a pattern for necklaces using Eros and Lion brand yarn. Does anyone have one? I saw some the other day that were crocheted and they are absolutely stunning. By NSheedy from Renfrew, ON, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23482940.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Teaching a Child to Knit I am looking for instructions books to teach a child to knit and crochet. Does anyone have any idea where I can find them? By Lynda (crabby) from Kearny, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77185575.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making a Sippy Cup Bungee Does anyone know how to make a bungee to attach to a Sippy cup? My grandson throws his cup and this way he can reel it in himself. By DonnA. from Garrison, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72861848.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Restoring a Leather Trunk I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of trunk this is? The whole outside is covered in dry leather. What is the best way to make it not so brittle? By KML3 from KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38332129.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Inexpensive Feltable Wool I need wool for a felting project. Apparently sheep aren't too common in my local area. Does anyone know of a no-cost or low-cost source for wool that will felt? I can pay to have the wool shipped, of course and can pay a reasonable fee for the wool. Please share any information or suggestions you may have. Thanks! By hellopf from McMinnville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45890788.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Pattern for 50s Cat Eye Glasses Where can I find a paper pattern to make 50s cat eye glasses? I want to save money and just make some foam frames to stick to my glasses. I just don't know where to find a pattern. I don't want to freehand it either. I want them to look nice and even. Thank you in advance. By craftymama Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99540800.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Crochet Cabbage Patch Clothes I would like to find crochet patterns for cabbage patch kid's clothing. By Krissyrae from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf537003.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Wire Coat Hanger Animals I'm looking for some other patterns for cats and dogs made with wire hangers. I was talking to a lady yesterday about wire hangers making good stuff. Please help. Carol Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83278688.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 Articles: Plan a Green Nursery By Debra Frick Ahh, you are expecting a new baby. Such a joy! Well by now you are well on your way to planning your nursery. Here are some ideas for keeping your nursery green, safe and healthy. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28741427.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |