ThriftyFun Crafts - November 11, 2009

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Today's newsletter contains:

Photos and Projects:

• Craft: Straight Pin Storage Jar
• Crocheted Chain Craft Ideas
• Craft Project: Yo Yo Turkey
• Uses for Old Christmas or Greeting Cards
• Craft: Biscuit Quilt
• Craft Project: Mitten Desk Buddy
• Craft Project: Raised Note Cards
• Craft Project: Wallpaper Bookcase
• Craft Project: Crocheted Dress Towel Hanger

Tips:

• Recycle Tank Top into a Bag
• Recycling Unrecyclable #6 Styrofoam
• Craft: Quick Pincushion

Requests:

• Costume Jewelry Christmas Tree
• Making Norwegian Nisse (Elves) Out of Yarn
• Block Layout for a "Blooming Nine Patch" Quilt
• Empty Pop Bottle "Fish"
• Vinyl Record Bowl
• Spray Fixative for Glitter
• Crocheted Purse Barbie Furniture
• Fixing or Replacing the Elastic on Fitted Bed Sheets
• Craft: Crocheted Plarn Rug
• Threading a Precision Sewing Machine
• Pom Pom Pillows
• Christmas Elf Pattern
• Plastic Canvas Hershey Kiss Ornament
• Reindeer Face From Wooden Spoon
• Child's Snuglet Pattern
• Braided Chair Pads and Rugs Using T-shirts
• Dollhouse Furniture and Decoration
• Free Dog Clothing Patterns and Dog Treats
• Making a Turkey Decoration from a Baby Bottle

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.

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Craft: Straight Pin Storage Jar

Make a decorative magnetic straight pin holder made from an empty recycled container. Mine is made from an empty plastic facial cleanser pad jar. Simply glue magnet strips or a recycled advertisement magnet cut to fit into the top of the jar lid. Cover the jar labeling with contact paper or scrapbook paper or wrapping paper etc.

A small bit of printed measuring tape doubled on top, wide enough to make a small heart. I used mostly tape to secure the edges which is strong enough to suit my own needs.

Source: Idea sprung from someone else I'm sure!

By melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO

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Crocheted Chain Craft Ideas

I didn't realize it till this weekend, that several of you have asked for ideas for making things with a ball of crocheted chain. I apologize for not keeping up to date with you and for that, all I can say is better late than never, right? So, here goes.

When you have made your chain, you simply have to get a hook bigger than you did the chain with and pick a project. For instance, for a hot pad (don't make a pot holder as the gaps between the stitches are too large to keep your hands protected), make a chain the size of the work you want to do, in an even amount, then make a single crochet in the second chain from the hook, chain one, and make a single crochet in every other stitch.

You may have to redo it by adding one chain to the work if you end up with your last single crochet not in the end stitch. It should be in the end stitch on the chain, or the actual "first" chain on the hook before you turned. Keep going till you have a square, cut and bind off.

For a place mat, make it about 14 inches long and keep going until it's as tall as you want it.

For a basket, chain 3 and work about 12 double crochets in the first chain by the hook. Join that circle and chain 3. Make one double crochet in each of the previous row, but in every 3rd one, make two. this will help keep your basket base flat. Join, chain 3 and make two double crochets in every 2nd and 1 in every other. By the time you get this base done, you should have something about 6 inches in diameter, but if you don't, don't worry. Everyone has different tensions when they crochet, and if your base yarn in bulky, your chain yarn will yield something even bulkier.

For the rest of the rows, chain 3 and make one double crochet in each of the previous row, and your basket will begin to 'bow' and stand up on the sides. Your size of basket will depend on how far up the sides you go, but keep in mind that a lower one is more sturdy and you can keep some cool things in it. like balls of yarn or crocheted yarn. What a concept, huh?

When you make your chain, just keep in mind that you are basically just creating a thicker medium to work with. For the most part, any pattern you work with will work, but it will be much bigger and thicker.

These crocheted chains make wonderful plant hangers, can be wrapped and hot glued around hangers, work well for rugs, are great for the casserole carriers you see, make wonderful bags if you keep it single crochet and nice and tight, and more.

I hope this helps. Your late friend, Poor But Proud

Source: Update from a craft idea I submitted in 3/09.

By Sandi from Yorktown, VA

Editor's Note: Sandi's original post is archived below.

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Craft Project: Yo Yo Turkey

Here is another easy yo yo creation. A little turkey that would make really cute place "cards" for your holiday table.

Approximate Time: about an hour

Supplies:

• Approximately 1/4 yard of fall design print fabric (I used a corn kernel print) for turkey yo yo body
• Scraps of solid fall colored fabrics for turkey tail
• 1/2 inch tan pom pom
• Small black beads for eyes
• Scrap of orange felt for beak
• Scrap of brown felt for tail base
• 3 small red pom poms for turkey wattle
• Scrap of brown foam sheet for feet
• Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks
• Ruler
• Cardboard
• Compass
• Needle and thread

Instructions:

1. With a compass, make circles on cardboard of the following sizes in inches: 6 1/2, 6, 5 1/2, 5 and 4 1/2.

2. Cut circles out and use as templates on fabric cutting one circle of each size. You will have 5 circles.

3. Sew each circle about 1/4 inch around the edge with a basting stitch, pull up and gather thus forming a yo yo. Tack thread in the middle to secure gathering. Do this with all circles.

4. Now starting with the 6 1/2 inch yo yo on the bottom, stack the other circles over the big yo yo (gathered side up) ending with a 4 1/2 inch yo yo on top. Run a double thread up through the center of the yo yo stack and secure.

5. For turkey tail, cut one piece each of the following sizes: 2x6 inches, 2x5 inches, and 2x4 inches of solid color fabric in each color (3 all together).

6. Fold each piece in half lengthwise and slightly gather raw edge at bottom forming a fan shape.

7. Hot glue each strip to one fan shaped piece of brown felt (see picture).

8. Now using your glue gun and the picture as a guide, assemble the turkey cutting pointed feet from the brown foam sheet.

By Jan Lee from L.I. NY

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Uses for Old Christmas or Greeting Cards

I save my Christmas cards each year and recycle them by cutting gift cards from the front of the cards. It's amazing what unique and beautiful gift cards you can make. Just be sure there is nothing written on the inside of the card on the left side. You can use a hole punch to attach ribbon to the gift card or you can tape it to your wrapped gift.

These are also beautiful to use as gift cards for homemade goodies. It's so much after the rush of the holidays to sit down and look at the cards again and then see creative I can be in cutting my gift cards for next year's presents. No one else will have gift cards like these either!

By GG from Greenville, NC

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Craft: Biscuit Quilt

Here is a picture of a biscuit quilt (crib size) I made for a friend whose nursery was brown and greens. They are so fun to make! Just cut your squares (great use for scraps)! The top one should be about 1 inch larger than the bottom square.

For instance I made mine 4 1/2 inches for the top individual squares and 3 1/2 inches for the bottom ones. Pin one top square to one bottom square making a pleat in all four sides. Pin. Then sew around as for a pillow leaving space for turning. Remove pins, turn and stuff with a bit of polyester fiberfill. Don't stuff too tightly, you want it nice and "squishy." I find this very relaxing to do while sitting down watching TV or on a road trip.

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Craft Project: Mitten Desk Buddy

Pen or pencil holder made from single mitten.

Approximate Time: An hour or less

Supplies:

• 1 small mitten 5 inches long
• 1 1/2 inch styrofoam ball
• 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch piece of stretch cloth for hat
• 1 by 16 inch piece of plaid for scarf
• 1 inch orange pipe cleaner
• 2 purchased eyes or black buttons
• 1/2 cup rice
• Small bit of fiberfill stuffing
• Glue gun
• Needle and thread
• Black felt pen

Instructions:

1. To make face, glue eyes in place about half way down the Styrofoam ball. Poke pipe cleaner in place for nose. Use felt pen to draw a dotted smile.

2. To make hat, fold the stretch material in half width wise and sew it into a tube using one quarter inch seam allowance.

3. Fold back one edge to create a small cuff.

4. Glue hat to head with seam at the back. Tie the top of the hat closed using matching thread.

5. For body, pour the rice into the mitten. Fold back the cuff and stuff remainder of mitt with fiberfill.

6. Glue the head to the body.

7. To make arm, use matching thread to tack thumb of mitt in place.

8. Tie scarf around neck and tuck pen or pencil into crook of arm.

By preserver from Manitoba

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Craft Project: Raised Note Cards

Beautiful cards you can use for holiday notes or as gift tags, and they're easy to make!

Approximate Time: 30 - 45 minutes plus drying time

Supplies:

• Metallic cardstock
• craft glue
• paint
• paint brushes

Instructions:

1. Cut cardstock into rectangles. Note cards will require larger rectangles than gift cards. Fold the rectangles in half to turn them into cards.

2. Decorate the front of the cards with glue designs. The designs can be seasonal, holiday, or simply abstract, if you're not feeling too artistic. Allow the glue to dry.

3. When the glue dries, you will have a raised design. Paint over the entire front of the card, any color you choose. You will notice the raised glue design gives the card a 3-D effect.

4. Allow the paint to dry, and your cards are ready to use.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Craft Project: Wallpaper Bookcase

A "fool the eye" bookcase made from wallpaper borders.

Approximate Time: Two hours or less

Supplies:

• Leftover wallpaper borders featuring book design
• Leftover wallpaper borders featuring wood grain design
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Bowl in which to wet the wallpaper borders

Instructions:

1. Depending on the size you want your bookcase, cut the border featuring books into pieces of equal length.

2. For the "shelves", cut the wood grain border into narrow strips.

3. Glue the book strips to the wall with the shelving strips in between.

4. For the casing, measure wider pieces of wood grain border and cut to fit, mitering the corners so as to look like woodwork.

By Preserver from Manitoba

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Craft Project: Crocheted Dress Towel Hanger

Towel Hanger in the shape of a dress.

Approximate Time: 1.0 to 1.5 hours

Supplies:

• Kitchen towel (from Dollar tree or ?)
• 4 ply yarn, two colors or more
• Size 5.5 mm hook
• Needle and matching thread to the last color
• One button

Instructions:

Chain 27, join as a circle. Chain 3 and turn.

Row 1: Make 2 double crochets in each of the stitches, for a total of 54 around. Slip stitch in 3rd chain from first chain 3 and chain 3 for next row.

Row 2: Make 1 double crochet in each of the stitches for another 54 around, working in the back of the stitch. Break off this color and work in tail.

Row 3: With new color, chain 3, make 1 double crochet in same stitch, chain 1, make 2 more double crochets in same stitch for 1 cluster. Continue around, skipping 3 stitches between each cluster. You should have 14 sets when you join at the beginning again.

Row 4: Lay the work you have done down as a semi circle , showing 7 clusters on each side. Join the first color again, or another color, in the center chain 2 section of the 3rd from either side. Make the same kind of clusters as the last row, but make three clusters and then when you make the fourth, run the hook through both the front and back clusters, securing the "flat" effect that you will need.

Make another 3 clusters in the back, then your 8th cluster will be to run the hook through the cluster again the same as the first one.

Once this is done, you will not need to worry about this step again.

Row 5: Repeat the former row, making a cluster around each one for a total of 8.

Row 6: Repeat the former row, but in this one, make 3 double crochets in each side of the cluster and a chain 2 between each side, giving the dress a flair.

Row 7: Repeat row 6.

Row 8: Add alternate color or another color, and make a single crochet around edge of the former row, joining and working in tail.

Fold the towel in so that half the towel shows toward the front, the other two 1/4's in the back. Sew the towel to the dress hem.

On the collar, join the original color yarn and chain 18, then make a double crochet on the 3rd chain from the hook, skip one and chain one (button hole) and finish with a double crochet to the collar base. Break off and tie in the tails. Sew on a button to loop over the towel rack and button in front.

Run the alternate color through row 2 and tie a bow or use ribbon to match.

N-JOY!

By Sandra from Yorktown, VA

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Recycle Tank Top into a Bag

I go through my closet and dresser drawers at least once a year to weed out the clothing items that need to be discarded or given away. Well, I came across a couple of tank tops that I know I would never wear again, and considered giving them to the Goodwill or Salvation Army but I paused thinking, "Hmm, turn it inside out and sew up the bottom of it!"

For simple sewing time, I'll now have two new free green bags! :-)

By Deeli from Richland, WA

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Recycling Unrecyclable #6 Styrofoam

I cut out the logos from the syrofoam cups and cover them with see through plastic. I then glue them to a sheet (e.g.) a poem I made up and give as gifts. Or use as a scrapbook page.

Jewelry can be made out of #6 styrofoam too. Shapes can be cut out for children to color and paste. Patterns can also be traced on #6 and cut out. The original pattern can be saved because you traced it on to the #6 sheet of styrofoam.

Small tear in clothes: Cover with foil covered styofoam and jazz up your outfit. Sew this on with clear nylon thread. Beautiful!

Use empty egg containers to grow beginning seeds or have kids cover empty/clean coffee cups (#6) with construction paper. Have them color it and paste on to the coffee cup. They can grow a small plant and give as a gift.

Small shapes can be cut out of #6 styrofoam to be used as knitting markers when hand or machine knitting. Book markers can also be made out of #6 sheet styrofoam. Letters can be cut out of #6 white styrofoam and colored, glued, different color glitter! Makes great artwork for a project.

Jewelry/earrings can be made out of #6 styrofoam and you can add beads to jazz up the jewelry. You can embroider on top of the styrofoam for embellishment.You can cut out shapes with the #6 non recyclable coffee lids too!

The non-recyclable styrofoam #6 actually becomes recyclable.

By lizzy9 from Missouri

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Craft: Quick Pincushion

My friend loves canned frosting, so I keep the cans for all kinds of things. If you have a big sewing project, but don't have a pincushion, or just want a larger and better one, try this.

You simply grab a ball of yarn that you no longer need, and stuff it into a container like this frosting one, an old mug, a coffee can or Crystal Light tube. Voila! Instant pin cushion.

Yarn is great for pins, as they slide through the fibers so easily. You can even keep smaller knitting needles in there, as there is plenty of room for the tips and won't make the cup fall.

N-JOY!

Source: My own frugal mind who needed something I couldn't run out and buy.

By Poor But Proud from Yorktown, VA

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Costume Jewelry Christmas Tree

I am trying to locate a pattern for a costume jewelry Christmas tree. I have spent hours on the web and still cannot find one. Can anyone help me?

Thank you.

By Carole from Monterey Park, CA

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Making Norwegian Nisse (Elves) Out of Yarn

Does anybody have the directions for making Norwegian Nisse (elves) out of yarn wrapped around cardboard like for making tassels? I used to have this, but have lost them.

By Joan

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Block Layout for a "Blooming Nine Patch" Quilt

Does anyone have a "blooming nine patch" pattern?

By Sheila from Milton, FL

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Empty Pop Bottle "Fish"

I would like to know how to make fish out of plastic pop bottles.

By Pat from Dunnellon, FL

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Vinyl Record Bowl

How do you make a chip bowl using an old vinyl record?

By Jen from Suwanee, GA

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Spray Fixative for Glitter

I'd like to know if there's a spray that I can apply over my cards to set glitter that I have applied over glue. Seems like even after the glue dries, some of the glitter rubs off.

Thanks for any advice.

By Mary from Payson, AZ

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Crocheted Purse Barbie Furniture

I a looking for instructions for a crocheted purse that when you open it, it turns into Barbie furniture.

By Joyce from Birch Run, MI

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Fixing or Replacing the Elastic on Fitted Bed Sheets

I need to replace elastic in some queen sized fitted sheets. Does anyone know how much elastic I will need per sheet? The sheets are perfectly good, but elastic has perished after being in storage for some time. Thank you.

By Nancy from Sydney, Australia

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Craft: Crocheted Plarn Rug

I am interested in finding out how to crochet plastic rugs.

By Marilynn

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Threading a Precision Sewing Machine

I recently acquired an older all metal sewing machine named Precision Sewing Machine Deluxe - Dressmaker. It has all the parts, but I don't know how to run the thread through the tension thing. I hope someone has one and can walk me through it. It's not like any I have seen before. Thank you in advance.

By Terry from Las Vegas, NV

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Pom Pom Pillows

Does anyone remember how to make yarn pom pom pillows? What I remember is that you use a homemade wooden frame with nails and you wrap the yarn around the nails. To make the pom poms you tie the yarn, but I can not recall exactly how to do it. This craft was popular in the 70s.

By nss from PA

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Christmas Elf Pattern

Does anyone have instructions for making a Christmas elf?

By Dorothy from Battle Creek, MI

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Plastic Canvas Hershey Kiss Ornament

I'm searching for patterns for Christmas ornaments that are made from plastic canvas and hold a Hershey Kiss inside. I've seen a Santa and a reindeer. They are great gifts for kids or to use as a decoration on packages.

Does anyone have the patterns that they could share?

By Darlene from Minneapolis, MN

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Reindeer Face From Wooden Spoon

How do you make a reindeer face out of a wooden spoon?

By Susie from Millersville, MD

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Child's Snuglet Pattern

I would like a free pattern for a child Snuglet, can anyone tell me where to go online to find one? Thank you.

By Mary from Traverse City, MI

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Braided Chair Pads and Rugs Using T-shirts

I have a lot of new long sleeve t-shirts (with logos from disabled vets) and would like to know how I can use them to braid (chair seat pads). I've used them to make pillows, and mats, but now want to know if anyone has used jersey t-shirt material to braid rugs and chair pads. Thanks.

By Alicia from South Hadley, MA

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Dollhouse Furniture and Decoration

Hello, again TF members. I am making a dollhouse for my granddaughter. I am making the furniture out of wood and cardboard boxes, but I am stuck on the sofa and bathroom. The doll is about 5 inches. Would anyone have any instructions or pictures that they could help me with this project? Once again many thanks.

By H.arnott from U.K

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Free Dog Clothing Patterns and Dog Treats

I am looking for free downloadable patterns for small dogs.

By Joyce from Benson, NC

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Making a Turkey Decoration from a Baby Bottle

We're having a Thanksgiving and Baby Shower this year at the same party. Does anyone have an idea how to make a turkey decoration out of a baby bottle?

By JillyD from Sacramento, CA

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