Archive Category: 'Crafts'

• Vintage Apron Bonnet Pattern: Earlier this week I promised a unique vintage apron pattern and here it is. It’s from Women’s Household Magazine, July 1968–nearly 40 years old! It’s something I haven’t come across before. It’s an apron with two pockets. Or you can use it as a clothespin holder. Or you can button it up into a bonnet. I think [...]
• Exploding Craft Box Tutorial: Today’s feature blog is Crafty Daisies and their Exploding Scrapbook Box Tutorial: I got the idea for this from the cricut.com messageboard, but you don’t need a Cricut to make it. What you do need is 3 pieces of 12×12 cardstock, one piece of 6×6 cardstock and matching paper and/or embellishments you want to use. Start by [...]
• How To Make A Dishtowel Apron: Today’s feature is a great tutorial for a Dishtowel Apron: I decided to break out one of my Martha Stewart dishtowels and make a “Mommy’s Little Helper Kitchen Apron”. My initial goal was to make it to fit Aubry but it turned out closer to a size to fit an 8-11 year-old girl instead. If you want [...]
• Tips for Beginner Sewers: Here are a few basic but helpful sewing tips for beginner sewers: Pressing each freshly sewn seam as you are sewing your project truly does make a difference in the finished piece. Iron out all the wrinkles of the pattern pieces before pinning to fabric. This makes the cutting job more accurate as well as much [...]
• How To Make A Hotpad: Today’s featured tip is from Anna’s blog: Pleasant View Schoolhouse. She has an easy-to-do hotpad tutorial: Okay, ladies, this is really simple! Just cutting, pinning, and straight-line sewing. There are probably *better* ways to sew up a hotpad, but this has got to be the easiest. I love projects like this because a) they’re useful and [...]
• 12 Ideas for Recycling Shower Curtains: Before reusing shower curtains, first clean and de-grime in a tub filled with vinegar and water or bleach and water–soak for an hour or so then rinse well and hang to dry. If the shower curtain can be laundered–just toss it in the washing machine. Recycling Shower Curtains: Ideas Cover table tops and floors for protection against messy [...]
• Free Boo Boo Bunny Pattern & Instructions: BooBoo Bunnies are popular gifts for baby showers and fillers for new baby gift baskets (good item for the diaper cake too. Here are free instructions and pattern I came across for making them: Boo Boo Bunny. Very easy to make! The idea is to stick an ice cube in the middle of the bunny and [...]
• How to Make a Diaper Cake – Free Directions: This is the cutest instruction set I’ve found for making a decorated diaper cake, she did quite a nice job! Diaper cakes are given at baby showers and normally contain items such as baby blankets, toys, washcloths, socks and diapers. They’re quite a gift for the lucky new mom! Find the instructions here: Diaper Cake / Nappy [...]
• How To Make A Flannel Board: Materials Needed: Thick piece of cardboard in the size you want (or a piece of wood sheet, foam board, pizza box works as well) Flannel to cover board as well as fold over at least 2″ on back along all sides Felt pieces in a variety of colors Directions: Wash and dry the flannel first before using. Cover cardboard with flannel [...]
• How To Make A Microwave Heating Bag: Instead of using electric heat pads & blankets or hot water bottles for your aches and pains, these microwaveable bags are just the ticket! They’re known by a few different terms such as: bed buddies, stress busters, magic bags, corn cozies, rice bags–but they’re basically all the same thing. These bags serve a dual purpose as [...]
• 10 Homemade Playdough Recipes: A little bit of everything here from basic cooked, non-cooked, glitter to koolaid to jello. Homemade Playdough Recipes Plain Old Playdough Recipe #1 Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1 cup water 1/2 cup salt 1 TBS cream of tartar 1 TBS oil food coloring Directions: Heat all ingredients in a saucepan, slow to medium heat. Stir continuously. Once dough is at the consistency you want, remove [...]
• 10 Ideas for Recycling Old Towels: Cut down to size for washcloths, dishcloths and hand towels. Either serge ends or hem. Pack some in the car too, great for cleaning up spills or wiping down the dash while you’re stuck in traffic. For very thin towels, you can double up the towel. Make yourself a spa headwrap, pattern: free spa headwrap pattern Whip [...]
• Crochet & Needlework Tips: Photocopy the pattern page and insert into a plastic sheet protector. No more ratty patterns! Store threads and yarn in ziploc bags when travelling or picking up while your waiting during errands and appointments. You can open a corner of the bag to let the thread through when your doing your needlework. This helps keep your [...]
• How To Make A Clove Apple: This is an article I found in a copy of the vintage magazine The WorkBasket, 1959. It describes how to make a decorative clove apple. Did You Ever Make A Clove Apple? E. B. Dykes Beachy If you were fortunate enough to have an old fashioned grandmother or great-grandmother, you may remember the time you were permitted to [...]
• Homemade Bookbinders Paste: Recipes: Bookbinders Paste Recipe #1 8 cups water 1 cup ice cold water 1 cup corn starch In a bowl whisk the cold water with corn starch Put the 8 cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil Once the water is boiling, slowly pour the cold water/corn starch mixture in Mix well Remove from heat and let cool (uncovered) Remove skin [...]
• Teacup & Saucer Pincushion: Free Pattern: Forever lost but now found on the web archive: Teacup & Saucer Pincushion Items Needed: Teacup & Saucer 3 inch Styrofoam ball 1/4 yard lilac & white cotton gingham fabric 1 yard of 1′ satin wired ribbon (20) 3′ long steel pins Directions: Cover foam ball with fabric Pin fabric to foam on the underside Generously glue pinned side of ball and place [...]
• How To Make Potato Baker Bags: Perfectly baked potatoes using a microwave and a fabric bag? Cute idea! This simple bag creates a “just right” baked potato in your microwave. The inside is well done, yet moist, and the skin remains tender. The bag will cook one to four medium sized potatoes at once. Simply wash and dry your Potatoes. DO NOT [...]
• Fabric Tissue Holders: Free Patterns: Great idea for Christmas and they’re adorable! Here are a few links to free patterns and tutorials for tissue holders and cozies: Tissue Holder Tutorial Travel Tissue Holder Tutorial How To Sew A Tissue Holder Tutorial Here’s one for a crocheted tissue holder: Pretty & Feminine Purse Tissue Holder Anyone have a link to a knit pattern? I’ll include it [...]
• How To Make Pine Cone Flames And Firestarters: Pine cone flames or firestarters are burned in fireplaces or fire pits to make colored flames. Many recipes or instructions include a dipped wax method but that’s too fussy and messy–this is the easiest preparation method I’ve found. Careful: Do not mix chemicals together when preparing. Also some advise not to mix colors when burning. How To [...]
• Flower Preservative Recipes & Instructions: Interested in preserving flowers from your garden? Here are two different recipes & methods you can try. How To Preserve Flowers Materials Needed Fresh Flowers Floral Wire Airtight Container Plastic Bag Borax Soft Brush Flower suggestions: daisies, mums, pansies, roses, sweet peas Instructions: Remove the stems from the flowers with wire by running it through the throat of the flower and twisting it. Take the plastic bag [...]
• Faux Stone Dough: Recipe: Materials: 1 cup flour 1 cup used coffee grinds 1/2 cup salt 1/2 cup cold leftover coffee Blend all ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly. Once mixed well, place the dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth. You can store the dough in an airtight container or plastic bag 5 to 6 days. Once the dough dries, it will have a [...]
• Bookbinding Glue: Recipe: Materials: 1 packet (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin 3 TBSP boiling water 1 tsp vinegar 1 tsp glycerin In a small glass bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water. Add the vinegar and glycerin and stir. To use, apply a thin layer of glue with a brush while it’s still warm. Store glue in a sealed jar. It will keep for several [...]
• Newspaper Clipping Preservative: Recipe: Materials: 1 quart warm club soda 1 milk of magnesia tablet *Makes approximately 1 quart Directions: In a large bowl, drop the milk of magnesia table into the club soda and let it dissolve and sit overnight. Stir thoroughly before using. Using a deep sided cookie sheet, pour the preservative mixture carefully. Place the newspaper clippings in the liquid one layer at a [...]
• Homemade Decoupage Paste: Recipe: Materials: 3 parts white household glue 1 part warm water Jar with lid Directions: Mix glue and water in the jar. When using the decoupage, brush a thin layer of the glue on the front and back of the pictures. For the final top coat, layer 3 to 4 coats of paste. Make sure to dry thoroughly between each application. For glossier finishes, [...]
• Homemade Transfer Ink: Recipe: Materials: 2 TBSP soap powder (like Ivory Snow) 1/4 cup hot water 1 TBSP turpentine Directions: Add the soap powder and turpentine to the hot water, making sure to dissolve the soap. Pour the liquid into a sealed container for storage. How To Use: Simply brush this liquid (your homemade transfer ink) over the picture to be transferred. Wait approximately 10 seconds. Next, place [...]