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Vol. 4, Num. 41, October 14, 2009 (Read It Online) Halloween Costume Contest Entries Stella is also posting several clever Halloween costumes using everyday materials. We are still looking for your Halloween crafts and decorating ideas and it isn't too soon to start thinking about Thanksgiving too. 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: Lego Costume
Supplies:
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. Cut holes in the sides top and bottom of the box so that your head, arms and legs can stick out. You may just want to cut out the entire bottom for easy movement for your legs. Paint the box and the tin cans in the color of your choice, let dry. With the marker write LEGO on the bottom of each can. Lay the front of the box (one of the the longest and widest sides) down face up. Evenly space the Legos on top, 3 cans parallel to the other 3 cans. Use a Lego for reference. After placing the cans in their perfect spot, with a marker, the same color of the paint, draw a circle around each can and place the can aside. With the box cutter, starting 1/8 inch inside the circle, cut all the way around. After cutting out each circle, place the cans through the holes. You may need to force them in a bit, if it is too tight cut a little more around the inside of the circle. Pull the cans through so that they are all at the same height and so that the height of the cans are to scale with the size of the box. On the inside of the box, tape each can to the side of the box to secure it in place. (Optional) You may want to draw the underside of the lego to the back of the box. Now slide the box over your head and put your arms through the holes and magically you are transformed into a building block! Now get out there and build! This costume could be used for couples by making one costume the same as just described and the other with the open part of the can sticking out of the box. This makes you "stick together."
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Rate It: Craft Project: Coke Bottle Reindeer Create this fun Reindeer decoration using an old vintage Coke bottle. Collectors of Coke memorabilia will love this red nosed icon, as well as those who enjoy decorating with antiques. Approximate Time: A few hours Supplies:
Instructions:Place the Styrofoam ball over the top of the bottle and press down. You want the neck of the bottle to penetrate about one inch. Remove the ball and paint around the hole and the bottom half using brown acrylic paint. Apply craft glue to the rim of the bottle and replace the ball on the neck. Note: Do not apply too much glue, you do not want it to drip inside the bottle where it can be seen. Finish painting the remainder of the ball brown. Paint a 1/2 inch wood plug using red acrylic paint and allow it to dry. Press the plug into the center front of the ball for the nose. Remove the nose. Apply craft glue to the indentation and reinsert the nose. Use a stencil brush to lightly pounce the cheeks with the red paint. Dip the eraser end of a new pencil into black acrylic paint. Dot two eyes a 1/4 inch above the nose and a 1/4 inch apart. Allow the paint to dry. Draw a 1 inch leaf or tear drop pattern on lightweight cardboard for the ear shape and cut out. Lay the pattern on tan craft foam and trace around it. Do this twice for two ears. Cut the ears out. Use a fine line black permanent marker to make stitch marks around the edges of the ears. Fold the brown chenille stem in half. Pull the sides apart, forming a "V" shape. Form the antlers, one side at a time. Measure 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the "V" and bend the stem down. Measure another 1 1/2 inches and bend up. Measure another 1 1/2 inches and wind the remaining end of the antler around a pencil. Repeat for the other antler side. Insert the blade of the table knife in the top of the head and cut it from right to left, creating a 2 inch slit. Rock the knife slightly to widen the slit. Apply craft glue to the bottom center of the antler "V" and the bottom of each ear and insert into the slit, using the picture as a placement guide. Cut the eyelash yarn in half. Cut 4 inches from one 18 inch length and set aside. Wrap the remainder of the piece around three fingers. Carefully slide the yarn off your fingers and tie the 4 inch piece around the center to create a tassel. Apply hot glue to the top of the head, between the ears and antlers. Set the tassel in the glue. Hot glue a jingle bell to the end of each antler. Hold the remaining eyelash piece and the 18 inch red satin ribbon together. Wrap around the neck of the reindeer and knot. Tie the gold wired ribbon around the neck and tie into a two inch bow. By Cyndee from Winfield, Kansas
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Rate It: This is a safety pin doll my wife used to make and sell at craft shows. It is constructed with gold safety pins and acrylic beads. By Carl from Brodheadsville , PA
Contest Contender!
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Halloween: Boxasaurus Dinosaur Halloween Costume
Supplies:
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.
Now slide the box over your head and give your mightiest rawwr and you will be suddenly transformed into a prehistoric beast!
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Rate It: Craft Project: Recycled Halloween Treat Cup A cute recycled crochet treat cup for Halloween that measures 3 inches wide and 3 inches tall with 9 inch handle strap. Supplies:
Instructions:Rnd 1
Rnd 2
Rnd 3
Rnd 4
Rnds 5-9
Handle: Using yarn still attached from last round, chain 17 for handle. Attach with a Sl St into opposite side so handle in centered and matches other side. Turn and working back up chain with a Sc around the chain evenly. (Approx. 23 sts) Finish with a Sl St into base of handle at other side. FO and weave ends under. Cut and trim any loose ends too. Edging: Attach orange yarn in st near handle along the top edge, *Ch 3, Sl St into next st*. Repeat between * - * along top edge of cup holder. Finish with Sl St into base of beginning Ch 3. Cut triangle eyes and mouth out of orange construction paper. Use craft glue to paste on to holder as shown. Insert cleaned yogurt cup inside and stretch as needed to make fit inside the cup holder you crocheted. Fill with treats! Abbreviations:
By Cindy from MyReycledBags.com
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Rate It: Craft Project: Crocheted Seat Cover This is a stool seat cover I made using leftovers from my rag rugs. Approximate Time: 1/2 hour Supplies:
Instructions:I also made chair seat covers for all my kitchen chairs. I used new fabric though. This is made out of old rags I got at an auction.Measure the stool seat to see how big it needs to be. Chain 4. Join with a slip stitch forming a circle. Crochet 12 double crochets in the circle. Join with a sl st, ch 3 and turn. 12 dc. Crochet 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st, ch 3 and turn. 24 dc. Crochet 2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 in next st, 2 in next st. around. Join with a sl st, ch 3 and turn. Crochet 2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next and 1 dc in next 2 st continue around. Join with a sl st, ch 3 and turn. Crochet 2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next and 1 dc in next 3 st continue around. Join with a sl st, ch 3 and turn. Crochet 2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next and 1 dc in next 4 st continue around. Join with a slip st, ch 3 and turn. Follow in this pattern (increasing at regular intervals) until it is the correct size. Fasten off and tuck in ends. By Little Suzy from Ohio
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Rate It: Cut a branch. Spray paint both an old bleach bottle and the branch with fast drying black spray paint. Place one small set of white Christmas lights on the branches and hang hollow plastic pumpkins found in the dollar store. It is best to fill the plastic bottle with water or sand to keep it from tipping. By Elaine from Constableville, NY
Contest Contender!
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Craft Project: CD Wall Hanging A recycled CD and flower makes a pretty wall hanging. Approximate Time: Half an hour Supplies:
Instructions:Using a glue gun, glue the lace to the back edge of CD so just the ruffles show on the shiny side.Glue the strand of seed pearls around the front edge of CD just inside the lace edging. Glue leaves and flower at center. Make a loop out of string or ribbon. Glue to back of CD for hanging it up. These would also look nice edged with small seashells instead of lace. By Preserver from Winnipeg MB
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Rate It: Craft Project: Beaded Christmas Ornaments Lovely beaded Christmas Tree ornaments or package decorations. Great for reflecting the many colors from your Christmas trees lights and very easy to assemble. Start now and have enough to share with friends and relatives. Approximate Time: 20-25 minutes Supplies:
Instructions:Cut wire with wire cutter/old scissors (6 to 12 inches is usually long enough depending on the shape ornament you want to make).Bend the wire into a small circle at one end to keep the beads from falling off as they are threaded on. Thread beads one at a time onto the wire. Alternate colors and bead shapes to your liking. If making a straight ornament, make another loop at the remaining end of the wire to keep the beads on the wire. If you plan on making a circular (wreath-shaped) ornament, take the two ends of the wire and twist them together. Leave enough free wire at one end to fashion a small loop for the ornament hanger to slip through. Spiral shaped ornaments are made like a straight ornament and then wrapped around a marker, pencil or other cylindrical object. Slide the ornament off the object gently to maintain the spiral shape. Ribbon can be added to the top or bottom of the ornaments if desired. Hang ornaments on your tree or attach as an accent to packages wrapped for gift-giving! A good source of beads for this projects can be found by purchasing strands of beaded garland. Take the garland apart and use the individual beads to make ornaments. Be sure the garland you buy has individual beads with a hole and is threaded onto a string. The bottom picture is an example of beaded garland. By Pam from McMinnville, TN
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Rate It:
Storing Your Paint Brush Between Painting To keep paint brushes moist between painting, put in a ziplock bag and put in the veg bin in your fridge. my mother does a lot of painting and gave me this useful tip. By darlooney from Carriere, MS Contest Contender!
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I have been trying to find tobacco string in my area and I can not find it anywhere. Can you help? By Alice O. from Green Bay, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67922299.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a Power Ranger helmet that came with a Power Ranger costume. The helmet is split into two parts, the front and the back, and they attach with Velcro. As it isn't an expensive re-creation, the helmet itself is relatively thin plastic that I'm scared might tear at some point. I would really like to reinforce the entire helmet somehow, but I have no idea how to go about it. The reason being is that I'm hoping this costume can last me a couple of years, and I'm a pretty big Power Ranger fan. My only idea was to duct tape the inside lining of each part of the helmet, so that least it could prevent a tear from starting. I was just wondering to find out if there are any other ideas of what I could do with it so it could last me a while. By Mike from FL
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Rate It: Making Vests With Pre-Quilted Fabric I have a quick question for everyone and anyone that sews. I have about 3 yards of 3 different pieces of quilted patterned material. Originally I was going to make quilted totes, and then changed my mind. Now I would like to make a couple of quilted vests, since the weather is beginning to change. My problem is this: How do I finish the raw edges on the quilted material, without winding up with bulky seams? Any assistance you guys can give will be much appreciated. I am kind of excited in beginning this project. Who knows, if they come out nicely, might be cute x-mas gifts. Have a glorious rest of your week. By Linda from NYC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65719268.tip.html
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Rate It: Remove Printed Labels from CDs How can I remove the ink from one side of a CD. I get all of those free CDs in the mail and I use them for many different things but I really need to find something to remove the ink from the one side. Does anyone have any ideas? By Christy Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96792215.tip.html
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Rate It: Decreasing Stitches on a Knifty Knitter I am looking for a video that shows how to decrease stitches on the Knifty Knitter. By Marlene from Las Vegas, NV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68947744.tip.html
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Rate It: Do wine corks need to be boiled to remove the smell before using them? I am hoping to make a couple of trivets. Thanks. By Anna from Honor, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59352850.tip.html
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Rate It: I just shortened 2 sets of mini blinds and have lots of extra slats. Does anyone know of a way to use these? By Louise from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75360833.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for instructions or a pattern for crocheting leg warmers. Karen D. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf290817.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Doll Furniture From Household Items I am looking for ideas for making doll's furniture out of items in the home. By H.Arnott Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94836713.tip.html
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Rate It: Creative Uses for Scrap Lumber I've got a ton of scrap lumber, and I'm looking for some creative uses for it. By decksbydave from Milton, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86725043.tip.html
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Rate It: I would like some ideas for crafts I could do with a serger. Nothing hard. I am not interested in making clothes, just crafts. By Lisa from OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55337563.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Centaur Halloween Costume Does anyone happen to have any suggestions or directions on how to make a "centaur" (half man/half horse), costume? My 8 year old grandson would absolutely love to be one for Halloween. Thanks. By Laurie from Des Moines, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21967331.tip.html
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Rate It: I need to purchase 40-50 teal blue 7.5-9.5 inch mason jars for table centerpieces. Where could I find these other than on eBay where the shipping costs $40.00 alone for 1? By Stacey from Mission, British Columbia
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Rate It: Where can I sell my crafts online besides Etsy, and eBay? By Monique R. from Creighton, SK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33300348.tip.html
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Rate It: Has anyone ever made curtains out of comforters? By Mary from Moncton, NB, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50634152.tip.html
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Rate It: I lost my pattern for making little mice. They were about 4-6 inches high and had a round bottom. Their body was cone-like and felt. They had hands, feet, a tail, ears, button eyes and a button on the tip of the nose. I would love to find this pattern to make nursing home favors. Thanks. By Jeanne Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22953650.tip.html
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Rate It: Red and White Baby Bootie Pattern I was wondering if anyone has a pattern for crocheted baby booties: the red and white ones from the 80's.
By crochetfantasy from Lubbock, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56303139.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for a pattern for a quilted drawstring bag to put a pan of homemade dough (bread) in to let it rise. It also has a verse with it. It may say something like "a cozy place to keep your dough warm". The pattern could be called a "dough cozy" I'm not sure. Does anyone have the pattern and know where I can get it? By newfiedove from NL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62710368.tip.html
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Rate It: New SewWare Cartridges for Singer Sewing Machine #6268 I am trying to buy the SewWare cartridges for a Singer Model 6268. How do I contact someone regarding purchasing same? Willene P. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90629035.tip.html
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