Archive Category: 'Crafts'

• Crafters Medley: 20 Neat-O Projects To Make (July 2009): li>Crochet Soap Saver Sachet: Make one of these to stick bitty pieces of leftover soap in. T-shirt Pillow: Stuff an old t-shirt and voila! fun pillow for the rec room. Make Flower Fairy Lights: These flower fairy lights create a gentle, rosy glow. While they create a great visual impact, they’re incredibly simple to make. Tutorial: Photo Magazine [...]
• How To Make A Sun Jar: DIY: Today’s feature is from Lifehacker with Create Your Own Sun Jar: Lifehacker Edition: Here’s a step-by-step guide to building sun-capturing jars that create outdoor lighting at a fraction of the retail cost. Our searches for retail sun jars turned up prices ranging from $30-60 per unit. We were able to create all four sun jars for $44. If [...]
• Super Duper Kitchen Sponges: Crochet Pattern: Today’s feature is from Sylver Designs with this free crochet pattern for Super Duper Kitchen Sponges: Over the years I have been trying to perfect the crocheted kitchen scrubbie. My latest version uses nylon thread to add a “scrubby” effect on one side, and takes advantage of tunisian crochet’s Knit Stitch (the wrong side) for a [...]
• Bath Towel Apron Pattern: Vintage: This vintage goody was suggested as a gift for new mothers, a pretty bib apron made with a bath towel and trimmed with chintz. This apron will not only help keep mom dry during baby’s bath time, but will also be soft against baby’s bare skin. Supplies are very basic and with some clever cutting of [...]
• Pretty Scrapbook Papered Bucket: Repurposing: Today’s feature is from Anything But Normal with this Scrapbook Papered Bucket: Take an old laundry bucket that you would normally discard or use outside… …mod podge scrapbook paper around. I used 3 full 12×12 sheets. (NOTE: a pattern that is up and down will allow for your seams to look better!) Whip up a liner for the bucket [...]
• Teacup Bird Feeder Project: How To: This project will not only add a touch of charm to your garden, it’s a great way to use those pretty china teacups and saucers you picked up at thrift markets and garage sales. I love how the teacup holds the birdseed while the saucer makes a convenient perch for the birds (and catches stray [...]
• All-In-One Picnic Tote: Quick Sewing Project: Today’s feature is from Home Made Simple with Easy Instructions For Creating A Picnic Tote: blockquote>Make an impromptu picnic with friends even easier with an all-in-one tote for your picnic essentials! The picnic tote looks like an ordinary blanket when unfolded, but it also has pockets for all the supplies you need for your picnic. Once [...]
• How To Make Oilcloth: Crafty Idea: Today’s feature is from ModHomeEcTeacher at Curbly with Real Oilcloth and How to Make It: blockquote>Why do they call it “oil”cloth? Probably because the recently advertised “real oilcloth” that is all the rage is made from cotton fabric covered with a petroleum based coating. However, genuine oilcloth, the real thing grandma had on her kitchen table [...]
• Flossy Touches: Embroidered Borders {Vintage}: You can add to your needle-and-thread versatility with a repertoire of the basic embroidery stitches. You’ll find no limit to their usefulness, from making a patch ornamental, a handkerchief more personal, a guest towel more inviting, to giving your wardrobe and your house furnishings, in general, a more precious look. Here are several examples of attractive [...]
• How To Make A Teapot Lamp: Today’s feature is from Country Living with this sweet & clever project–Make Teapot Lamp: blockquote>Stylist Paul Lowe amassed an assortment of vintage china from his many flea market jaunts hunting for props. After seeing a photograph of a lamp made from a single teapot, he decided to create his own more elaborate variation. The first step is [...]
• Charming Outdoor Chandelier: How-To: Today’s feature is from Sunset with Make an outdoor chandelier: blockquote>Create an enchanting retreat in a corner of your yard with a chandelier you can make in an hour. All you need is a wire basket, a few jam jars, and some pretty crystals. If you think this project sounds a little intimidating and maybe a bit complicated, [...]
• Seed Packet Printables & Templates {Free}: Here is a lovely collection of free seed packet designs and template printables I’ve found online, use these to collect and organize your seeds and to give the seeds you’ve harvested from your garden as gifts. A few of the sites offer more than one design (I’ve noted those in the descriptions). Free Seed Packet Printables *Click [...]
• 3 Decorative Pillows: Quick & Easy: Today’s feature is from Threads Magazine with Quick to Make: Great Pillows 1, 2, 3: Featuring classic button details and an intriguing contrast of translucent silk organza and earthy, textured linen and silk, these three easy-to-sew pillows resemble the $200 variety available from fine stores and interior designers, but at a much lower price. You don’t [...]
• Paper Mache: Recipes & Tips: You can make all kinds of crafty items with paper mache (not just the school volcano project): Decorative paper mache masks, bowls, ornaments, Halloween & Christmas decorations, you name it–you can likely make it with paper mache. It’s a very economical craft and with a little practice, you can create some pretty amazing pieces! Here’s [...]
• Double Oven Mitt: Vintage Sewing Pattern: Material: 1/2 yard plain or printed percale or gingham 2 yards (same or contrasting color) percale bias trim or a bias strip cut from fabric 1/2 yard cotton batting or scraps of heavy woolen fabric Directions For Cutting Pattern No. IV: 4 pieces of fabric, 2 pieces of cotton batting or several thicknesses of woolen fabric. Pattern No. V: 2 [...]
• 4th Of July Centerpiece: How-To: Here’s a quick & easy project from Woman’s Day with this Fourth of July Centerpiece (which is easy enough to customize for your country if you’re not from the U.S.): blockquote>Create this easy 3-step craft for a festive finish to your table. Dying to decorate for the Fourth of July holiday, but low on party supply cash? [...]
• Punched Tin Garden Lanterns: How To: Today’s feature is from Fine Gardening with How to Make Garden Lanterns: blockquote>I’ve made candle holders from antique tea cups found at thrift shops and from inverted garden cloches hung with twine from tree branches. My favorites, however, are my punched-tin lanterns. They add a folk-art touch to the garden and are fun and easy to [...]
• 35 Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make: Free Patterns: **Updated List** Sure you can buy some trendy brand name shopping bags, but why not make your own bags for cheap (and even free!), they can be as chic and cool as you like (and original too)! Here’s a bunch of free patterns and tutorials to get you started, I have them sorted in three sections: [...]
• Quick & Easy Summer Library Tote: School’s out, summer holidays have begun and that means plenty of library trips for the kids, here’s an easy dishtowel tote for them to haul their books around in style. oday’s feature is from Anna Maria Horner with Dishtowel Library Totes: Two girls + 4 dishtowels + lots of trips to the library = something even [...]
• Kitchen Designs For Dish Towels: Complete Set: For handy reference, here is the list of all the patterns in the Kitchen Designs For Dish Towels set: Cherries & Silver Pattern (scroll to the bottom) Tomatoes & Pots Pears & Dishes Cherries & Glass Tomatoes & Pans Pears & China You’ll find the pattern instructions are on the first design listed (Cherries & Silver). More Vintage Pattern Sets Bluebird Days Of The [...]
• Kitchen Designs For Towels: Pears & China {Embroidery}: Here is this week’s vintage pattern freebie from the Kitchen Designs For Dish Towels series. This pattern is for “Pears & China” and features a half dozen pears surrounding pieces of china. Pattern Download: You can get your copy here: Kitchen Designs For Dish Towels: Pears & China. Printing Instructions: Save the pattern to your desktop first (right click, [...]
• Design Your Own Lampshades: How To: Today’s feature is from Notebook Magazine with Lampshade Makeovers: blockquote> We bought two lamp bases from second-hand stores and transformed them with a little paint and shades sourced from Freedom and Target. We then embellished the shades with simple and achievable methods. Lamps are OFTEN an overlooked part of home decorating. However, the right piece can enhance your [...]
• Crafters Medley: 23 Neat-O Projects To Make (June): li>Fun Ways To Welcome House Guests – DIY Chalkboard Tray: (As seen in picture) Have family and friends coming to visit this summer? For just a few dollars, you can make a sweet chalkboard tray to welcome them with a personalized message. Crochet Hook Roll Tutorial: This project is perfect for any fat quarters you have, [...]
• How To Make A Flower Pot Bird Bath: Here’s a project that will get your creative juices flowing, today’s feature is from Patricia’s Pots with How To Make A Terra Cotta Flower Pot Bird Bath: blockquote>You’ve seen them in magazines, on television and in books. Many of you have written to me for instructions. Well, hunt no further, here are complete instructions for you [...]
• Kitchen Towel Designs: Tomatoes & Pans {Embroidery}: Here is this week’s vintage pattern freebie from the Kitchen Designs For Dish Towels series. This pattern is for “Tomatoes & Pans” and features fresh plump tomatoes from the garden with a selection of cooking pans. strong>Pattern Download: You can get your copy here: Kitchen Designs For Dish Towels: Tomatoes & Pans. Printing Instructions: Save the pattern to your [...]