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Volume 2, Number 43, October 31, 2007 (Read It Online) I hope everyone is having success with their crafting endeavors. This week we have lots of projects and tips including some ideas for Craft Uses for Paper Towel Rolls. Do you have any homemade Christmas present ideas to share? Please submit them on one of the contest pages. Thanks for reading, Susan
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:
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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: Funnel Pumpkin Candy Holder I saw this awhile back and I just loved it. Easy to make and great for Halloween parties.
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Rate It: Craft: Cute Buckets for Trick or Treating Here is a cute alternative to bags. Make these trick or treat buckets made from beach pails.
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Rate It: Great for kids classmates or special kids that you see on Halloween. Also great for craft shows. Great halloween party loot bag.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92774165.tip.html
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Rate It: Glass Photo Christmas Ornaments You can buy four packs of clear glass ornaments at Hobby Lobby. These are the kind that have the little metal top you can pull off. Note what size you get, 4 inch, 5 inch, 3 inch, etc. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68678609.tip.html
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Rate It: Halloween goodie box. Made from paper, ribbon and stickers. Purchase plain wood boxes at Michael's or other craft store for $1.00 and decorate in any theme. Great for teacher gifts.
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Rate It: Craft: Ice Cream Stick Pumpkins A door or wall decoration made from ice cream sticks.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83098839.tip.html
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Rate It: If you have a oak tree on your property or can get to one, here is a cute man made from the acorns.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42651065.tip.html
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Rate It: Take a milk jug and cut holes on two sides. Poke holes in bottom for rain drainage, one below each large hole and one on each side of top. Put wire through top holes for hanger and a skewer through side holes for perches. I have painted these and also decoupaged them with fabric. They do very well outside with a finish coat of clear spray paint from Walmart (about a $1 a can.)
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Rate It: I am getting ready to put my scarecrow in the front yard. You can make your own for so much less money, plus you can use your creative side, or in my case my grandson's help to assemble the scarecrow. Here is what you will need. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72301737.tip.html
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Keep Kids Amused With A Hole Punch Invest in several deco hole punches and keep some of your nicer junk mail that is a pretty color or nice texture. When the grandkids or neighbor kids come over, put them to work "helping". Let them have a few of the pieces they make. While you visit and drink coffee, the little ones aren't up running around getting into things and getting into trouble if they have "a job"! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81484658.tip.html
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Rate It: Mystery Halloween Tin Can Craft Photo Here is a very cute craft photo of some tin can pumpkins that we had uploaded to ThriftyFun but we didn't receive any information about them. If you are the person who submitted these, please leave us some feedback so we can give you credit. These would be great with tealights running up a driveway or in a window for Halloween.
Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98566152.tip.html
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Rate It: Attach Magnet to Sewing Box for Needles I have a large sewing box and was always pricking my finger on loose needles! So to solve this problem I hot-glued a large magnet to the top that I had received free from a local business. Voila! No more needle mishaps and they are always where I can see them. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89339370.tip.html
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Rate It: Make a dollhouse from recycled items, have fun and wow the kids! Don't believe it's possible? See more photos of FoundHaus at By Daria from San Diego, CA
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Rate It: Hand Sewing Tip - Wax Thread to Stop Knotting To stop getting knots in the thread when you are hand sewing, pass the thread through bees wax. You can purchase a bees wax notion at fabric stores. This just works wonders! There will be no wax residue left behind. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53825666.tip.html
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Does anyone know where I can get pictures or designs to paint onto blank pottery plates or platters? I buy the fired bisque plates and then paint pictures with ceramic paint and get them fired. Fruit and vegetable or floral ideas are effective. Maybe some ideas for Christmas? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43889123.tip.html
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Rate It: How to Make a Reading Lamp From Books I want to make a reading lamp out of old books. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89644350.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you make octagon soap? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25504255.tip.html
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Rate It: Dress Made of Crown Royal Bags I am looking for instructions on how to make a Dress out of Crown Royal bags? I saw a girl with one at a Halloween party! She said it was a toga but it looked like a dress.
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Rate It: My son wants to make something from old bread tags. Does anybody have any good ideas? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84891765.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting Christmas Tree Lightbulbs Does anyone know how to paint on Christmas light bulbs? I have an assignment and that is to paint on Christmas tree light bulbs for Christmas decorations. Thank you. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39931484.tip.html
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Rate It: Transferring Cross Stitch Patterns to Aida Cloth I like to do larger cross stitch patterns, but find myself getting frustrated by losing count on these. Has anyone tried to transfer counted cross stitch patterns to aida cloth? If so does it help? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56723548.tip.html
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Rate It: Instructions For Making Coat Hanger and Green Tulle Wreath I'm looking for instructions to make a wreath from a coat hanger and green tulle. My grandmother and I did this years ago, now I'd like to teach my grandkids. I remember you have to tie strips of tulle onto the hanger. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27748501.tip.html
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Rate It: Pattern For Amish Prayer Bonnet I am looking for a pattern for an Amish Prayer Bonnet. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28718086.tip.html
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Rate It: How Much To Charge For Glass Block Decorations? How much do the Glass Block Christmas Decorations sell for and does the price matter on how big the craft fair is? Like if there are only 30 tables, do you lower the price of the blocks? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73092755.tip.html
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Rate It: Anyone have fun craft ideas using egg cartons? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75485495.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a purple purse and I would like to know if you dye leather and bake the dye into the purse so it does not come off. The shoe maker place told me you have to bake the dye to make it stay from coming off. I want it dyed black. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13875229.tip.html
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Rate It: How to make your own magnetic pin cushions? I am always sewing and using straight pins for patterns etc. While I have plenty of fabric pin cushions, I find I am always dropping the pins and finding them later when I get stuck with them painfully. I have seen the magnetic pin cushions in stores that cost $10-$15 each. I would like to know of a way to make my own even in different sizes, so I do not have to keep up with the pins so much. If anyone has any ideas for making these magnetic ones I'd love to hear about them! :) Thanks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63927220.tip.html
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Rate It: Transferring Pictures to Fabric I recently got married and I want to make a memory quilt. We had everyone sign fabric swatches, but I'd also like to include pictures as well. How do I transfer pictures to fabric? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13874026.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for a crochet afghan shell stitch pattern that begins by one shell stitch which is in the corner of the square and grows to a full size afghan. I think the original pattern was in an early workbasket magazine. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf171068.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Keeping Paper Flat When Painting With Watercolors Advice for keeping the paper flat when working with watercolors. Post your own tips here. Use Water First First of all, water color paintings are going to "pucker" or curl a bit because of the use of water. My art teacher in high school had us wet the surface that we painted on (not sopping but perhaps with a sponge or wet cloth) and then lay down the water color sheet to be painted. This sort of equalizes the paper, water on bottom and water on top. This helps the paper not to move around, also. By Luvyabye Stretch Paper And Get Good Quality Paper Most watercolor artists stretch their watercolor paper on a frame to avoid this happening. Stretching reduces the "puckering" you're talking about. Also, there are many grades of watercolor paper, some are COLD pressed, & some HOT pressed. watercolor paper comes in many price ranges. Below is a website called "Daniel Smith", they are a high quality artists' supply. They will send you a free catalog and happily answer any questions on their 800 number if you'll just contact them: By Cyinda Dunk And Staple Before Painting I usually dunk the whole sheet of paper in a dish pan of water, then staple it to a to a board, let it dry (it will shrink just a little). When it is dry, you can paint on it, while still stapled to the board. Eliminates a lot of the wrinkling. By sundaeskies Lightly Soak Paper Yeah, lightly soak the paper, than paint on it. By mommamoody Expert Advice For Cheaper Paper Watercolor painting can be a challenge, and 'stretching' paper may seem just 'too much' before getting to get right to what you want, painting! With just a few minutes prep-time, you can have a great surface to paint on which will give you better results. With lower grade paper, (lower weight per sheet), soaking (yes, sloppy wet soaking)of the paper works best. Soak the paper for a few minutes submerged in water, lay it out over a wooden board and stapled the paper every few inches around the sides, starting from the center edge of each page, then the corners, then in between those staples. Let the paper dry and wha-la! 'Stretched paper' that won't buckle on you and pool your paint where you don't want it. Practice makes perfect--let me know if this is helpful to you. :) By Kerra
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Rate It: Craft Uses for Paper Towel Rolls Craft ideas for empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls as suggested from the ThriftyFun community. Protect Delicate Roots I use mine as bio-degradable plant pots for sunflowers and sweet peas that don't like root disturbance. By Erryl Napkin Rings Cut them into 2 inch rounds and make napkin holders out of them. Cover in pretty scrap fabric and decorate with ribbon, flowers, etc for that special touch. By DDSS2000 Use as Gift Wrap You can put little toys, candies or whatever in them. Then roll up in colored paper and tie the ends with ribbon. A gift! By Trish A Sword Make a "Star Wars" sword. Take 2 or 3 rolls together and cover with wrapping paper, or whatever design you want. Add a plain color to the bottom of the "sword". By Crystal Favors They can be used to make individual place favors. Our UMW group did this for a holiday meeting. Fill a toilet paper cardboard tube with cosmetic samples, sample sized lotions, candy, etc., Next, roll neatly in a tissue paper "square" that is 2" longer on each side than the length of the cardboard. Then roll again in a colorful netting that is the same size as the tissue paper. Twist each end of the tissue paper and netting and tie with a scrap of pretty ribbon. We did ours in holiday colors with gold ribbon and the cost was minimal but the impact was huge! Everyone loved them, and I have kept mine so I can replicate them in the future. By Ronsan Electrical Cords I use toilet tissue and paper towel rolls for many things. But the one I use most, is putting different size electric cords-curling irons, hair dryers, irons, extension cords in them. You can cover them with contact paper to make them a little firmer or leave them plain. When they get soft or lose their firmness, get a new one. By DEE Nutcracker Ornament My friend, Mary Lacaze, made this cute nutcracker ornament for Christmas from a paper towel roll, a tongue depressor (for the nose), round clothespins for the arms some scrap sewing trim and fake fur. You can set it up to display, or if you have a large tree, hang him on the tree. Make a Castle You can glue them together with other cardboard to make a castle! Kid's Binoculars Use empty paper towel rolls to make fun binoculars for kids. By Michelle Editor's Note: Here are some directions for making Safari Binoculars. Egg Cups Cut into 2 inch sections, paint in bright colors, cover with sticky backed plastic and use as egg cups! (They are exactly the right size for an egg to sit in!) By Julie UK For Exercise Nursing homes use sturdy empty paper towel holders for various patient assists with physical therapy. One is have everyone in a circle and they can bat balloons around and exercise they don't ordinarily get in their wheelchairs. By Angellface Megaphone As kids, we used empty paper towel rolls for megaphones. We had to take turns with it, or we'd fight for it. Which usually ended up tearing it up. Same goes for the empty rolls that rolled Christmas paper came on. These can also work as a paddle, we learned the hard way with! loll Very cute Nutcracker! I also loved the idea about putting the samples inside the rolls and wrapping as gifts. Clever! By Badwater Rain Sticks I use them to make rain sticks! Just take some aluminum foil, make a long snake like shape, as long as the roll, by twisting the foil. Take some paper and trace around the end of the roll, do this twice. One for each end. Tape or glue the first side on, put in the aluminum coil, add some rice or small beans, glue the other end on, cover the stick with paper and then decorate! My daughter really loved this craft and it was fun making it! By Jennifer Snowmen I use them to make snowmen. Cover with white felt. Glue on eyes, nose and mouth using felt pieces or wiggle eyes. A piece of fleece (make a tube)or top of sock can be put on the top as a hat. Just tie one end together, fringe or turn inside and cuff up bottom. I use pipe cleaners stuck into sides for arms. I have also seen angels, leprechauns, toy soldiers, etc made out of them. Just use a ball of some type for head. I don't use the ball heads on the snowmen, just make their faces right on the tube. And add the extras out of scraps. Wings, etc. By Lazisuzi Holiday Treat Holders I rubber stamp on paper then wrap around to make cute holiday holders for treats. By Pearl Fire Starters and Other Ideas Fill with dryer lint, shredded paper, etc, fold the ends in and roll in melted wax (you can add a piece of rolled paper or thin strip of cotton cloth for a wick) and you have a fire starter that works just as well as wax-coated pine cones or egg cartons. I also cut a slit up the side of a toilet paper tube and use it as a collar when I plant tomatoes, peppers, etc, in my garden to keep cutworms from reaching my plants. Since they are biodegradable, there's no need to remove or dispose of them. You can cut them into 1/4 inch circles, glue in different arrangements to make snowflakes. Spray paint them white, add glitter, and hang for some great Christmas decorations. If you flatten the tube, you get shapes that are easier to cut and make the snowflakes more interesting. I've even seen them cut into 1/2 inch rings and glued into wreaths (you can layer them for depth and interest). Spray paint different colors and decorated. They are amazingly simple to make and are really pretty, but best of all, they're a cheap craft. Oh ya, when you glue them together, use clip clothespins to hold until they dry. By Susanmajp Kids Kalediscope Kalediscope, I did it yesterday for two 4 year olds. Used plastic wrap and put confetti on it with tape on top to hold confetti down. Placed plastic wrap over one end with the confetti in the middle. Then cover papertowel holder with paper, stickers and look at it on a bright and sunny day. By Nicole in MN Party Favors With toilet paper roll cut it in half (could be in a zigzag) wrap in tissue paper with extra at each end. Put in goodies could be small toys or candy etc., then tie each end and you can break it open as a party favor. By Cindy Bird Feeders When my kids were little, we coated the tubes with peanut butter and then rolled them in bird seed and hung them by the windows. They loved to watch the birds. You need to keep it up, tho - don't do it once or twice and then stop. The birds will begin to rely on it. By Marlene Clothing Hangers And Organization Slice them just on one side all the way down, place over a wire coat hanger. Helps with not letting your clothes have crease lines on them. The bathroom paper ones work great on kids hangers too. Can also use the bathroom ones the same way on just one side of the top the wire or plastic hangers and write on them with a sharpie marker the size of your clothes. This is great tip for any clothes you are selling in yard sales or for your kids clothes, so you are not always having to look at the labels to see the size. Children Craft Ideas My ideas are mostly just ways children can reuse those paper towel tubes to play and have fun.
By Mr. Thrifty Post your own tips here!
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Rate It: What is the best way to store rubber stamps? Tips for storing rubber stamps used in craft projects as submitted by the ThriftyFun community. Box Picture Frames Try acrylic box type picture frames. They can be bought just about anywhere. You can stack them and label them by subject. They work great. By Mary File In Ziplock Bags The best storage advice I have EVER heard came from an episode of Carol Duvall. She showed gallon sized ziplock bags with stamps laying flat in them to fill the bag. Then stand the bag up in an appropriate size box. When you need a stamp, you go to that box and flip through the ziplock bags (like leafing through a file cabinet) till you find the one that contains the stamp you need. Hope you can use this idea! By GrammySheila Drawer Cabinet I store mine in a wheeled drawer cabinet. I first sort into small boxes and keep like stamps together. For example: I have a Christmas WORD box, flowers, get well, etc (I use checkbook boxes). I also write on the wood the name of the stamp for quicker identification. Always clean your stamps (I use a baby wipe) before putting back into storage. Happy stamping! By Diana Keep Away From Cardboard Avoid storing them in contact with cardboard, it will cause the rubber to dry out more rapidly and reduce the life of your stamps. Plastic baskets, plastic shoe boxes, and plastic silverware organizers are good for using in drawers to protect your stamps. You can also use a tackle box, the depth of the drawers is ideal for most stamps, and you can remove dividers by scoring them with a blade to make more wide open drawers. Post your own ideas below!
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