ThriftyFun Crafts - October 28, 2009

Vol. 4, Num. 43, October 28, 2009 (Read It Online) We have been receiving lots of great entries for our Homemade Halloween Contest. If you are still working on a costume entry, we are accepting submissions until November 5th. Here is a link to the entries we have received so far. Homemade Halloween Costume Contest If you haven't been to the ThriftyFun homepage recently, you might want to visit. We have a redesigned site and new logo. I hope you like it. 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! Link to ThriftyFun.com 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: Halloween: Elevated Ghost Costume Craft: Recycled Halloween Windsock Craft Project: Faux Caramel Apple Craft: Mini Scarecrows Craft: Mosaic Stepping Stone Craft Project: Fall Candle Display Craft Project: Happy Halloween Card Craft Project: Pine Cone Halloween Scene Craft: Fun Star Crayon Craft Project: Straw and Bead Elastic Bands Tips: Making Christmas Cards Using Photoshop Requests: Instructions for Round Knifty Knitter Making Crackle Glass for Crafts Learning To Use Knitting Looms Making Doll "Ghosts" with Starched Linen Converting a T-shirt into Other Apparel Buying Wooden Hangers to Crochet Using Leftover Soap Pieces Pringles Can Craft Ideas Bending Silverware for Crafts Making Sock Monkeys Making Furniture Out of Wooden Clothespins Making Lighted Wine Bottles Crochet Yarn Weights Family Fun Magazine Craft from 2006 "Bingo Dauber" Halloween Costume Wine Theme Cross Stitch Pattern Thomas the Train Cross Stitch Pattern T-shirt Blanket Instructions Dollhouse Furniture Made from Popsicle Sticks Making Sock Long Johns Embroidery Transfer Pattern Books Making a Pirate Map Craft Ideas Using Specimen Cups Making a Baby Cradle from Towels Reusing Tea Lite Wax and Tins Making Fleece Scarves for Gifts Making Crochet Jewelry 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: Halloween: Elevated Ghost Costume Hi from Canada! Halloween is bigger than Christmas here in Quebec, Canada, and the costumes are wonderfully unique. For example, take one three foot kid and tie a light aluminum broom handle vertically to his back. Two strings should do the job holding the handle in place. One string wrapped just below the arm pits and over the shoulders like a school bag strap, the other string tied around at waist level. Duct tape a round beach ball or strong balloon on top of the broom handle. Now we are ready for our Ghost Sheet. Take one soon-to-be-discarded bed sheet and throw it over the ball, and tie it securely with tape or string at the throat of your ghost. Then paint on a pumpkin face. Use your imagination but make it as colorfully vivid as possible with bright paint. When someone opens their house door, the ghost face is what they should see first. You can also use a Halloween mask taped to the round face. Now your costume is almost ready. Cut out holes in the Sheet where your child's eyes will peek through and you have a six foot ghost with small hands at knee level holding a Candy Bag. Have Fun and Happy Halloween! Source: It is my concept. Happy Halloween! By Joseph from Laval West, Quebec, Canada. H7R 1M5 Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43893537.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft: Recycled Halloween Windsock Make a Halloween witch or ghost windsock decoration using recycled milk jugs, plastic bags, and stuff you have around the house! Super easy. Weather-proof too! By Kate from Darlington, WI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40235856.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft Project: Faux Caramel Apple This realistic looking caramel apple is beautiful on display. You will have everyone thinking it's the real thing. Approximate Time: 15 minutes Supplies: foam apple caramel craft paint cat litter modge podge wooden stick Instructions: Mix together Modge Podge and caramel color craft paint. Stir both and pour over foam apples. The nuts are made using cat litter, and, of course, I inserted a popsicle stick. Very fun, and so adorable sitting out on display. By CraftyMomma from Central, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91278030.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft: Mini Scarecrows I run an after school program. For a group contest we made mini scarecrows out of my two year old's clothes. The kids stuffed them with newspaper and used balloons for heads. I gave the students 20 minutes to make their team scarecrow By Jennifer from Dayton, OH Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20155361.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft: Mosaic Stepping Stone I titled this: "Success with mosaics." It is the picture of a stepping stone made with styrofoam letters and broken pieces of tiles used as the mosaic. The letters are made on a hotwire machine, glued into a form, and the mosaic pieces are glued in place as well. I use tacky glue so that it dissolves away after removing the stepping stone from the mold. You can use a purchased mold, a pizza box, or make a mold with pieces of lumber cut to size. For this stone, I made an octagonal mold from cardboard, then lined it with a piece cut from a plastic grocery bag. This way supply costs are minimal! The letters can be left in, or removed to give an engraved look. By Creativeman from Chatsworth, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10869811.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft Project: Fall Candle Display Fall candle holder made from every day items. Approximate Time: 1 hour Supplies: spray paint fake fall foliage hot glue and gun candle old dinner plate old saucer medium clay pot country crock butter bowl Instructions: First, glue the clay pot upside down onto the dinner plate, then glue the butter bowl bottom side down on to clay pot then glue saucer onto butter bowl. Spray paint the whole thing any color you want, I chose yellow. Let dry then decorate as you like with the foliage, any way you want. Put your candle in and enjoy. I added the spider I made from pom poms and pipe cleaners for that Halloween feel, LOL. By Sandy from Bluff City Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99935575.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Happy Halloween Card Create a quick, easy and fun Halloween card. Approximate Time: 15 minutes Supplies: White and black cardstock Patterned paper or plain orange paper/cardstock Black sheer and 1/8 inch satin ribbon Double-sided adhesive Scissors Pencil Corner rounder punch Hole punch Instructions: Fold 10x5 inch rectangle of white card stock to make a base card. Round the top left and bottom left with corner rounder punch or use scallop-edge scissors. Trim 4 7/8 inch square from patterned paper. Adhere in the center of card. Wrap black ribbon around the card front and tie into a bow. Print jack-o template/greeting onto white card stock. Cut out the template and trace it onto black card stock. Trim and then adhere to card. To make tag, cut out printed "Happy Halloween" greeting. Punch hole on one side and then thread 1/8 inch ribbon through the black ribbon. Click Here for the Happy Halloween Templates. By Maricel from Fairfax, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38537719.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Pine Cone Halloween Scene A Halloween scene made from wood and pine cones. Approximate Time: 45 minutes Supplies: piece of wood sawed from bottom of tree mini pine cones Halloween knick knacks hot glue and gun Instructions: Saw the wood from the bottom of a tree trunk. Glue the pine cones and the knick knacks in any position you like. You can also take leaves from your yard and sprinkle around. Use spray glue to hold them on. By Sandy from Bluff City, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90848734.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft: Fun Star Crayon By Stella Bui-Rivet Supplies: Old crayons separated by color Silicone star baking cups Exacto knife (optional) Instructions: Remove the paper wrappers on all the crayons. I used an exacto knife for speed, but if you have children helping with this project it would be best to do it by hand. Separate the crayons into color groups. Try throwing gold or silver pieces in with another color, this will put streaks of gold or silver throughout the other color. Play with your color combinations and see what happens. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Cut all the crayons into 1/2 inch to 1 inch pieces. Place enough crayon pieces into each silicone cup so that the bottom is covered. Each cup will be filled about 1/3 of the way up. Place the mold into the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. When the crayons have melted completely, take them out of the oven. Set the mold on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then place in the frezzer for another 15-25 minutes or until the crayons have re-solidified. When the crayons are solid, gently push them out of each cup in the silicone mold. Now you have brand "new" crayons. This is a very thrifty and fun craft! These can be made before your kids go back to school, instead of buying new ones, use the old broken ones. Your kid is sure to have the coolest crayons in the class. These also make great gifts for children and adults alike. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54313151.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: Straw and Bead Elastic Bands String beads and straws cut up to make a cute necklace or bracelet and head bands. Approximate Time: 15 minutes Supplies: straws different colors larger beads with big holes thin elastic-white or black scissors Instructions: Cut the straws up in different lengths or the same depending on the look you want. Cut elastic the size you want plus add 2 inches to allow for the tying off. Tie one end of elastic to an object so the straws and beads do not fall off the end. String in a pattern using beads in between if the straws are various sizes. Otherwise, they slip inside each other if you do not use the beads. If straws are the same size you probably do not need the beads. It looks prettier with the beads though. Tie the ends together using a loose knot at first. Try on for size. If it's the exact size you want, then tie the knot tight. Otherwise, untie and adjust the size. Very easy for children to do. By Little Suzy from Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43249505.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips: Making Christmas Cards Using Photoshop I used one of your readers ideas to make my Christmas cards for last year. I'm quite handy on Photoshop and wanted to feature my daughter Harriet in a fun way. I was so pleased with the result and so were everyone that received the card. Hope your readers get inspired to do photo cards as I need some more ideas for this year! By Janet from South Wales, UK Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65132501.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | 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: Instructions for Round Knifty Knitter I need instructions for the Knifty Knitter. I have the round ones and the purple one. I want to make some items for a craft sale. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28096463.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Crackle Glass for Crafts I have an old costume jewelry Christmas tree, framed on velvet. I would like to know how to crackle the glass or break up glass bottles for the tree. Any suggestions? By Susan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42928782.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Learning To Use Knitting Looms I need to get the directions on how to do the single knit and circular knit on the Knifty Knitter long loom series. By Diana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60906749.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Doll "Ghosts" with Starched Linen Once I saw the cutest little "ghosts" made out of white linen. The person told me they were put into laundry starch then formed over dolls in spooky poses (arms out like they were walking towards you). Very cute. Well, I got my hands on some laundry starch (free at a garage sale) so I am ready to make them. Does anyone know what else this recipe needs (the secret formula to make them firm and stiff and scary)? Perhaps one can even make scary hands reaching out or mummy masks for a costume. Thanks and Happy Haunted Halloween. By Donna from Sterling, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89576652.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Converting a T-shirt into Other Apparel What can I do with a t-shirt that is two sizes too small? I really like it and would like to turn it into something I can wear. By neo from Raleigh, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65603931.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Buying Wooden Hangers to Crochet I have been unable to find straight wooden hangers to crochet. One of the suggestions was Berryhill Heirlooms, but they didn't show any. Does anyone know where I can purchase these? By Graciella from Sudlersville, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46580884.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using Leftover Soap Pieces How do you recycle bar soap pieces? Thank you in advance. By Barbara from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf109281.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Pringles Can Craft Ideas Does anyone out there know about any craft activities for Pringles cans? I thought that someone once told me about a kaleidoscope that could be made with a Pringles can. Any suggestions or websites? Anything? My son would love to recycle them. Thanks. By Val from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65061884.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Bending Silverware for Crafts I am trying to figure out how to bend silverware for craft projects. Will I need a torch and will a torch be okay for silverplate? I saw the silverware handles, but can't find instructions on how to do this, and I want to bend them for more than that project. By Suzy from Merlin, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40628819.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Sock Monkeys How do you make sock monkeys? By Crystal from Bloomington, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22704175.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Furniture Out of Wooden Clothespins I saw pictures posted on ThriftyFun making doll's furniture from clothes line pegs. Can anyone help? Many thanks. Helen By h.arnott from U.K Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63338607.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Lighted Wine Bottles I went to a craft show and saw a wine bottle with lights, but the person cut the hole near the bottom of the wine bottle and inserted the lights so you don't see it from the top. What shop or place can I call on this as I already tried several glass shops. I already tried to do it myself with a glass drill bit. Any suggestions? By Mona from Torrance, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15847936.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Crochet Yarn Weights I am presently using weight 3 in the cotton yarn for crocheting a table scarf. However, when I go to purchase thread online, I run across weights that I am not familiar with. What is comparable to 3 weight? By Joan V. from Cedar Bluff, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60648898.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Family Fun Magazine Craft from 2006 Does anyone have the magazine "Family Fun" May 2006? I am interested in page 24, "Try These Bug Bites". By Sandy from Helena, MT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86260214.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | "Bingo Dauber" Halloween Costume How do I make a Halloween costume for a bingo dauber? By Whitney340 from ND Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86897374.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Wine Theme Cross Stitch Pattern I'm looking for a cross stitch pattern that has a wine theme (like a glass of wine with some grapes and/or cheese and crackers, etc. next to the glass of wine. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60429174.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Thomas the Train Cross Stitch Pattern I'm hoping someone has a cross stitch pattern for "Thomas The Train", because my grandson's name is Tommy and he's crazy about trains. Thank you. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58126779.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | T-shirt Blanket Instructions I'm looking for instructions for making a t-shirt blanket. Does anyone have any? By Angela from Waurika, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95943475.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Dollhouse Furniture Made from Popsicle Sticks Where can I get instructions for popsicle stick furniture? By Mazie from Langhorne, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf171303.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Sock Long Johns How can I make sock long johns using only one pair of socks? By Brenda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11373838.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Embroidery Transfer Pattern Books Does anyone know of a source for buying the old transfer pattern books for embroidery? I have looked for simple pattern books but have been unable to find any. Thanks for any help. By Janet from Brant Rock, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18637087.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making a Pirate Map I want to make an authentic looking pirate map, all aged and yellowed, and with burnt edges. Does anyone know how to do this? I looked online and saw the tea/coffee staining method, but I thought there was a way to do it using vinegar. All tips and methods are appreciated. I want my son's pirate costume to be complete with a map to find his hidden treasure! Thanks! By Stephanie from Mililani, HI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10022711.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Ideas Using Specimen Cups I've got a great question for you guys. About two weeks ago, a small clinic near my home had to close. I found out about it through one of the employees. At any rate, I do a lot of crafts and like to organize things. There was a half box of "specimen cups" with screw on lids and I was able to get them for free. Does anyone have any wonderful, knowledgeable, or crafty ideas for using them? Thanks. By Linda from NYC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67790492.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making a Baby Cradle from Towels I am looking for instructions for making a baby cradle out of towels. By Jacqueline from Dayton, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39284923.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Reusing Tea Lite Wax and Tins Does anybody know what to do with used tea lites? I keep thinking that there must be something I can do with the little bits of leftover wax. I am also sure there must be something to do with the little tin containers. Help? Please? Thanks. By Charlie Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10257800.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Fleece Scarves for Gifts Can you tell me how to make a fleece scarf? By Chris from Fall River, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23120376.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Crochet Jewelry Any crochet jewelry tips? By Linda from Orlando, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79364632.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