Welcome to this week's issue of the ThriftyFun Crafts! This week we have more tips, projects and requests from readers to share. Be sure to check out Ellen's Make Your Own Butterfly Feeder project, it's very pretty.
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For many species of butterflies, flower nectar is the favorite entrée on the menu. If you want to take your butterfly garden to the next level, try adding a small feeding station that offers them rotting fruit. Red Admirals, Red-Spotted Purples, Commas and Mourning Cloaks all appreciate an occasional bite of rotting "fruit cocktail." Here are directions for an easy-to-make feeding station that will also add a bit of color and whimsy to your garden.
Many have been looking for how to make Clothespin Rocking Chairs. Thanks to Ray for sending in this pattern and pictures.
These would be fun to make for Christmas presents or for a doll house. These use the regular clamp type wooden clothespins. Take them apart and put together like the pattern. A little pillow can be put on as a cushion or fabric covered stuffing glued to the frame. This would also make a handy pin cushion.
For a larger version of the images, click on the image.
For a larger version of the images, click on the image.
I spray painted an old coffee can with white spray paint then sponged white acrylic white paint for a textured look. I painted on black eyes, glued on a button nose and drew on a smile. Using a sponge, I dabbed on a touch of red paint for rosy cheeks.
The hat and scarf were made from scrap fleece material. Sew or glue a seam on the hat and tie the top with a rubber band and cut in strips to the rubber band. If you want you can glue holly berries to the hat. I stuffed the inside with a present or cookies and gave as a gift.
It can be used each year a decoration or passed on and refilled with whatever will fit.
For people who knit, crochet or just need a lot of smaller storage spaces, go to a store that sells liquor and ask if you can have their empty liquor boxes. Depending on the available space, these boxes can be stacked on each other (on their sides) to give perfect little "cubbies" for your yarn. The colors can be readily seen and there's no tangling.
Place milk and vinegar in a double boiler. Cook on low heat and stir as curds form. Drain off liquid. Wash remaining mass with water until the vinegar smell is gone. Put in a clean bowl. Dissolve baking soda in water. Pour over curds and stir until a white paste forms. Place in re sealable containers.
This Link offers Free Software that can be used to make hats, shawls, bags, and slippers. It's great. The sewing instructions are included with it and it's all free. Even the other software that you can purchase is a good deal because you can use it over and over to make clothes that fit precisely your body or whomever you are sewing for. I even made my daughter's wedding dress with them and they were a real lifesaver. The link is:
If you misplace your needle threader, (as I did today) place a white index card behind the needle, and you will be able to see the eye of the needle more clearly, thus making it easier to thread.
It will also help greatly if you clip the end of the thread with the scissors.
When you have to stop carving or tooling on a leather project you are working on, put your project in a zip lock or other seal-able plastic bag and put it in your refrigerator.
This lessens the danger of the leather mildewing as well as keeping the leather moist so it won't completely dry out. Leather drying out and then being re-wet causes the leather to be tougher to carve.
I have really gotten into sewing purses in the last year or so. I use a lot of the Barbara Randle crazy quilting patterns. They call for a lot of embellishments. Just like having a fabric stash, I have a stash of various embellishments. Here are some storage ideas for these items.
I keep fancy yarns and the furry beaded trims in plastic stackable boxes or drawers. Any beaded fringe, I separate into the proper size zip lock bag and keep them in a plastic shoe box (that way they won't get tangled up with each other and can easily be seen). Once I have cut my strips of fabric for a purse, I place the strips in one of those plastic meat trays with the high sides so everything is in one location while I'm putting the purse together.
I have a junk drawer and I would think it would be great to use them to hold pens, pencils, loose paper for writing messages. Also, try it in your spice/cooking cabinet to hold things such as marinade packets,yeast packets, loose tea bags, small spice containers, etc.
Use it at Christmas time and wrap it with gift wrap or foil and present gifts with it. Your friends and family will enjoy recycling it over again themselves.
By Nicole
Small Frame or Shelf
I saw this idea on Trading Spaces. You can nail the box to a wall and tack the lid up so that it makes a small "shelf" or a frame. I think on the show they put votive candles in the boxes, but I don't think it would be a good idea to ever light the candles (fire hazard).
By Jill Z
Storing Craft Supplies
I store craft supplies in cigar boxes. To get the tobacco smell out of the box put a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a cupcake paper inside the box for a few days.
By Carol
Using The Wood
A lot of cigar boxes are made of balsa wood and are dove tailed together. You can take the boxes apart and use the wood in craft projects. My grandfather used to make me doll house furniture out of the wood.
Per the "trading spaces" idea, maybe a candle would be a bad idea, but placed on a wall would make it an excellent shadow box.
They may be useful for packaging gifts like a box of soaps, herbs, etc. The boxes can be covered or painted.
By Mickie
Stationery Holders
I've used cigar boxes two ways. Since I'm a stamper, I make sets of notecards for the women in my family every year. Last year I decorated cigar boxes to become stationery holders and tucked the notecards, pens, and stamps inside.
This year, my Christmas present is reproducing all of the family recipes. I'm converting appropriately-sized cigar boxes into recipe card files.
By Pat R.
A Treasure Box
When I was a child, cigar boxes were used as "treasure boxes". A good place for the storage of all of the special things I found or was given: a piece of glass polished by the ocean, a feather from a robin, a stone that looked like it had a face, a card that had sparkles and fuzzies on it from a favorite aunt or friend. It was universally known to be off-limits to parents. I painted a pirate chest on the top of one and sent it (with a less adult explanation) to the 3 year old son of a friend. He loved it, and still brings it to our home to show us his new "treasures". The original that I had was a cardboard cigar box, but you get the idea!
By Weatheredoaks
Cigar Box Guitars
I've started making cigar box guitars from them. They are cheap, strong, and the wooden ones resonate fairly well. As a finished instrument, they sound very similar to an Old Time banjo. They are a lot of fun to play too. (01/19/2006)
I have two table cloths that I would like to piece into a double-sided table runner (they are too short for my table). I am a seriously novice sewer, so I am not sure how to sew the edges together to make it neat, or if I should use a binding like cord. Also, because of the two fabrics, should I put quilt batting inside to retain shape? One side will be "visa" fabric in ivory, and the other is a cotton (india) print; rust color with ivory reindeer. I may put a floral embroidery patch (not handmade!) on the ivory side to use during non-holiday months or in spring/summer.
I am seeking a way to use all those lovely old sequined, lacy wedding dresses in thrift stores. They are just hanging there not being used for anything! What could be made of them, they have such grand beading, etc.
I have seen some really cute end tables with the top made from an old window. I wondered if anyone had instructions to make one or know where I could find them.
I am looking for directions to make a beer can wind spinner. You cut the sides of the beer can and squash them down to look like a chineese lantern. Three or four are strung together with a golf ball or something similar to weight the bottom.
Does anyone have an idea of how to use old chipped china platters? I have some plain ones and some beautiful ones that I don't dare serve on due to chips and discoloration. Thanks.
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Sponge painting is great because it is easy, fast, requires little paint and materials, and did I mention it was easy? It can be used on walls, furniture, and accessories, and can give instant facelift to dull objects.
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If you misplace your needle threader, (as I did today) place a white index card behind the needle, and you will be able to see the eye of the needle more clearly, thus making it easier to thread.
