Use Press and Seal for Keeping Jigsaw Puzzles TogetherI was talking to a lady about table puzzles. She said she likes to shellac them on the back, once she's got a puzzle put together. She said she used to have trouble turning over a completed puzzle, but she has finally conquered that problem.
Hair Flat Iron for Wrinkled RibbonHere is a way to dewrinkle ribbon using a hair flat iron. Just pull the ribbon as you iron. I use my foot to hold the ribbon down. Use a water spray bottle if wrinkles are tough.
Alternative Dye for ProjectsWhile looking on Pinterest, I find cool bath bomb recipes, body scrub recipes, etc. They all had something in common, they required some kind of dye. Either soap dye or food coloring. I didn't have any of that, and so I thought of what I could use instead. I came up with the idea of cutting open a marker and using the ink out of that!
Nose Bridge for MasksHave you and your friends save the metal closures from coffee bags. I use them for my masks. Works wonders when wearing glasses.
Creative Lighter CoverGet a good eyelet fastener and eyelets which can be found at JoAnn Fabrics, 100 cost around 5 dollars. I used the protective material around a big fancy light bulb to make this, but you can also use craft foam.
T-Ball Water Bottle LabelsI created a fun design for my T-ball boy to have on his own water bottle for games! I used a Cricut to cut out the vinyl.
Bath Poufs for Craft RibbonsI found this lovely holiday bath pouf on sale for a dollar. I love the color green and the gold edging that sparkles.
Cool Comfortable Sissy BarI made a sissy bar alternative with foam. Now I thought to decorate it more of a biker theme. I used black gorilla tape and printed patches from online on paper then cut them out and affixed them with glue and clear tape to secure. I took a piece of fake jewelry chain to add a more biker look.
Stencils and Crayons for Making EtchingsStencils make beautiful additions art! I have found that putting the stencil between two pieces of blank paper, and using a crayon over the stencil, makes a beautiful decoration for scrapbooks or art journals. This is also a fun activity for kids to do when they feel like being creative.
Make a "Fix Me" Box or BasketI recently moved. All in all, I didn't lose much but for the things I did, I made this. Gather all the broken things: cups, earrings and magnets that need their backings, little odds and ends that are worth saving but you don't have time for.
Identify Old and New Felt-tip MarkersI had an older broad tip marker in my craft supplies. I am going to make some pumpkins with markers, but knew this one was half spent. When I got two new ones, I wanted to make sure I could tell them apart. So I marked the older one with a "minus" and the two newer ones with "pluses".
Quick Bookmark for Book Club MembersIf you have ever joined a book club, you will know that the first time getting together might be a bit awkward, as the members do not know one another yet, and the conversations might seem a bit strained. Here is an easy craft to use as an introductory exercise to get the book club going!
Sharpen Scissors with SandpaperSharpening scissors is one of my problems. Since I have a kindergartener and a grade 3 kiddo, projects are always under way in school. Of course, I have to assist them on their school projects. And because scissors are often needed, using them for a long time makes them dull.
Store Scissors Inside FridgeScissors have one of the most important roles in crafting and are also used in the kitchen and the garden. I have a special storage place for my craft and kitchen scissors to keep them sharp for a long period of time. Simply place the scissors inside the refrigerator. Keep them there when you are not using.
White Glue to Add Shine to Your CraftWhite glue can be an alternate to clear varnish. A varnish is applied mostly on pieces of furniture to make them shiny. In crafting, it can also be used to make small crafts and artworks shine.
Mason Jar for Colored PencilsIf you want a cute way to store your colored pencils, use a mason jar. They can be easily purchased at Walmart or your local store and they are really cute! They are also easy to paint and customize.
Inspirational RocksThis is an inexpensive yet meaningful project you could do for yourself, a friend, family, or even pass out to strangers as a thoughtful gesture. This inspirational rock can serve many purposes - as a meaningful rock you can put in your purse to decor for your home, garden, desk, or as a paperweight.
Mardi Gras Mask Door HangingI found this mask for .59 at my local thrift store. The beads are from the dollar tree so the whole thing was 8.59. It could be cheaper if you have your own beads and just get a cute mask from the dollar tree, but I couldn't find any beads anywhere but new.
Duct Tape Message Board for Sticky NotesThis is a darling little message board. Duct tape comes in so many cute colors now. This little message board is a series of strips of duct tape put into a square on the wall. This covers up an imperfection in our pine paneling.
Doily StencilsI am always looking for ways to spice up my thank you and birthday cards. I cannot stand to send out boring ones! Stickers are great, but sometimes I want something more elegant. Paper doilies work very well to provide that extra element.
Making a Sharing JarMy friend teaches 4th grade and she says the line of students at her desk in the morning that want to tell her something is practically out the door. To avoid this she created a sharing jar.
Temporary Tattoos on PlasticThose temporary tattoos go well on recycled plastic crafts. If you have any old tattoos, you can use them to decorate your plastic recycled projects.
Super Tip about Removing Super GlueYesterday, I was working with Super Glue and I wasn't wearing gloves so I got some on my fingers. Today, I was painting with a latex paint, another job without wearing gloves. At lunchtime, I washed the paint from my hands and the Super Glue came off too.
Restuffing a Throw PillowMy Laurel Burch cat pillow was starting to get really lumpy. I didn't want to throw it out, so I decided to repair it. I bought a replacement fiberfill pillow form at JoAnn Fabrics using a 40% off coupon and got to work.
Wind Yarn with a Hand MixerI love this because I have a tendency to somehow have loose yarn from my projects all over the place and cannot sit still long enough to ball them back up by hand.
Binder Clip Yarn BowlThere are a lot of options for decorative yarn bowls out there, but I have never wanted to invest in one until I knew I would use it. I saw this tip to make a quick yarn bowl using a binder clip attached to the edge of a bowl. It works really well and couldn't be easier to make.
Message Board for TeenagersAs our kids have gotten old we have needed to find new ways to communicate with them to avoid the arguments that can become common with teenagers. Our family counselor suggested that we have a message board in the house and write down things we wanted them to do, no more than 3 things at a time.
Pink and Gold Themed Locker DecorMy daughter bought a few of these decorations at the store, but the rest were made by us in part to save money but also to have them fit her locker better.
Yogurt Containers for CraftingI have been doing a lot of paper gluing and then covering the objects with a solution of glue and water. The yogurt containers are perfect for mixing the glue with water in small amounts.
Ceramic Plate for Glue GunDo you use a glue gun when you craft? If you are looking for a way to catch all of the excess glue that oozes from your glue gun, why not use a pretty plate from Goodwill!
Scrap Yarn BallThis is a ball of yarn made from scraps that would otherwise be tossed. It's a great way to use up all those extra tid-bits of yarn that would otherwise be useless to create another project. I will be posting a couple of fun and easy projects that you can create with your new yarn.
Bragging Rights at the FairThis year, I won Second Place for my "Birthstone Butterfly" submission, and Third Place for my crochet hook tower and my chain necklace. It was a fun fair this year with lots of talented people.
Ribbon Roll For Drying Decorated PensWhen I deck out an ink pen, I need a place to stand them up to dry. I place the round ribbon roll in a plastic cup. In the small hole on the ribbon roll, I place the pen where it could stand up to dry.
Wicker Plate Holders for CraftsThere are quite nice wicker plates that are made to hold paper plates. I have found lots of them at yard sales, and never pay more than 25 cents each for them. I use them for craft projects, but of course, they work well for their original purpose.
Cutting Chipboard with A Circular SawTo stop chipboard edge splitting when cutting with a circular saw, put masking tape on both sides of the edge before cutting. Mark the cutting line on the masking tape. Peel of the masking tape shortly after completing the cutting and discard.
Un-du Adhesive RemoverIt's actually spelled oddly: 'Un-du'. They also have it on Amazon, and their search will find it even spelled correctly.
Clothespin out of Maple Tree BranchThis is a branch that is cut and then cracked in two. Where it is cracked in two, I put duct tape on the top. It will hold clothes. They would really be pretty if they were all covered in duct tape rather than just the top.
Making Clothespin Bags From Recycled Childrens' ClothingYou can easily make clothespin bags from recycled childrens' clothing. Use a piece of clothing that opens in the front (dress, shirt, or romper). I find that short sleeves work best.
Memory JarA lot of times when I am cleaning, I find little items that the children like, but don't want to really play with. In that case, I will take whatever jars I have, and fill them up with the little jewels and treasures!
Decorate Mini Clay Pot and Lid Using Nail PolishI made these little items separately. Only later did I notice they go together perfectly. On the inside is a sweet message to my daughter.
Duct Tape Bookmarkers Don't SlideHere is a duct tape bookmark my daughter made for me for my reading.
Costume Jewlery DisplayTake a small extension rod that will fit snugly between two moldings on the wall. Use S hooks to hang costume jewelry over the rods. I have 5 rods with various widths in between them to hang the different lengths, as well as bracelets.
Making a Rubber Band BallI have always been tempted to buy the rubber band balls at the office stores. They seem like a decent way to store extra rubber bands and honestly just seem like a fun thing to play around with too!
Jigsaw Puzzles TipsAs you may already know, the first thing you do when putting together a jigsaw puzzle is to go through and sort out all the flat border pieces by putting them in a separate box.
Use Press'n Seal For Storing Super GlueI have tried many of the ideas to keep Super glue from drying up, but they have not have worked for me. I did find a solution to this problem, by accident.
Use Envelopes For Goody BagsWe cut envelopes in half with craft scissors, then fold the envelope along both sides and the bottom then straighten out like a bag. Put your goodies in and glue on a thank you tag. Using a hole punch in the top, punch hole. Put a coloured ribbon through the hole and tie.
Use Leftover Yarn As StuffingDon't throw away those yarn tails and left over small amounts. If you have an extra skein of yarn laying around, it makes great stuffing instead of the polyester stuffing.
Harley-Davidson Diaper CakeMake your basic diaper cake and decorate it using faux leather over the receiving blankets. I used black zippers to make it resemble a leather jacket. I used a Harley plush pig for the top. I personalized it for the baby and added some scrapbook stickers.
Painted Clothespin Bag ClipsBuy new clothespins for this craft as they come in contact with food stuff.
Money BraceletRemember the bracelets you made as a kid from gum wrappers and candy? Well these bracelets are the same principle, but made using money instead.
Store Glue Sticks In FreezerKeep glue sticks in the freezer until ready to use.
Use Dryer Sheets To Clean Glue GunWe can't live without glue guns, but they can certainly can cause problems. When you are finished with your gun, let it cool to the touch. Then take a dryer sheet and wipe the tip and also the gun itself.
Polar Fleece Dish ClothIf you love to work with polar fleece, like I do, you'll have plenty of scraps. I cut them into 9 inch squares and use as a dishcloth. I was so surprised at how absorbent they are.
Saving Money on CraftingI keep a running list of things I am almost out of and things I need for crafting. After every holiday I go by the different stores and pick up bits and pieces of things on my list. I put it all in one area and mark it general crafts.
Headband and Bangle BraceletRecycled headband and bracelet can be reborn with a little imagination!
Fill Small Bottles with GlueI have some mirror pins to make, and the E-6000 glue came out in too large an amount to control it.
Working with Glitter or Embossing PowderGlitter and powders can be messy. To keep a clean craft surface, first place a large scrap paper on the table under project. After sprinkling powder on project fold project paper in half and aim at a clean paper plate while tapping gently on back.
Bequest Craft Supplies In Your WillHas anyone ever thought about what will happen to all of our craft things when we die? It's kind of a morbid thing to think about, I know, but has anyone ever thought about it? I did, and actually put it into my will what I want done with it.
Make Your Own Blackboard PaintAll you need to make your own blackboard paint without buying a whole can and having all that left over is two ingredients: acrylic paint and unsanded tile grout powder, which you can buy in a small sack.
Shop Thrift Stores For Craft SuppliesSave on craft supplies by shopping at thrift stores. If you like to craft or have just a single project to make, you can't go wrong by checking out some thrift stores before purchasing new supplies.
Make a Planner Into a PurseI recently decided I was sick of not having a simple pen and paper when I was out and about. So I went from a wallet to a planner. After a couple of days, I found that sticking it under my arm was not only annoying, but easy to lose.
Use Emery Particles for Pin CushionSewers will love this creative idea. You can buy emery particles for about $6.00 a cup and make your own needle and pin cushion to keep your needles and pins sharp.
Reuse Metal Guitar Strings for Craft WireHubby plays the guitar, and I found some of his discarded metal strings in the trash. I thought - hmm! I could use the wire for my craft projects, especially the jewelry I am putting together, so I kept it for future use!
Yarn Storage TipsWhen using yarn from a skein, you mostly use it from the center of the skein. That is the "norm". When you are winding yarn into a ball, use any button and tie it to the end of the yarn that becomes the middle of the ball.
Cereal Box Liners For PatternsYou can use cereal box liners for tracing patterns and cutting sewing patterns. When cereal box liners are empty, carefully pull them apart to flatten at the seams. If done slowly, they won't tear.
Recycling School SuppliesWhen I was art director for Bible School, I would setup boxes in the schools with the request they ask parents before donating, and they would dump their old supplies in the last day of school.
Fabric Covered NotepadI like to get remnants from Walmart and cover little notebooks and notepads and keep them in my purse. I love fabric remnants, and I have this piece of fabric which has covered a simple notepad that I keep in my purse.
Magnet to Pick up Dropped PinsI always keep a magnetic bar on hand to pick up pins, needles and other metal items. They are cheap and very easy to use. They take the hunt out of finding dropped pins or needles.
Free Clay Paper PulpAs I picked a cup carrier to toss it out, an urge to toss it in warm water over came me. Honestly. I made a very sweet Gothic cross from the soggy cup carrier and the center I spared from the water.
Make a Flag MagnetIf you still get phone books that have the magnets stuck on them from businesses, save them! You can use them to make cute magnets.
Keep Yarn in Tissue BoxIt may not be the time of year for knitting and crocheting gifts, but if you're like me, you are currently working on projects to get ahead for the holidays and cold weather.
Save Lids for Craft OrganizingLids of jars work well to hold beads, straight pins, sequins, etc. I especially like the lids from peanut butter jars.
Prevent Glue Caps From StickingTo prevent stuck on children's glue caps, spray the inside of the cap lightly with WD-40.
Removing Spray Adhesive From HandsI have been using spray adhesive for some different crafts lately. I have noticed once it gets on your hands, it is stuck quite well. You can't use rubber gloves, because all you'd do is stick to your project.
Weigh Yarn to Ensure You Have EnoughSince I am so thrifty that I purchase all my yarn at thrift stores, I don't usually get full skeins. After being disappointed by running out of yarn during a project, I finally pulled out my food scale and now I weigh my yarn to make sure I have enough for my project.
Save Patterns For Future UseWhen I make something, I always save a pattern; whether it be hard copy or computer copy. I may want to reuse it later and it will be easily accessible filed away in a filing cabinet or on my hard drive.
Hairspray To "Fix" ArtworkHere's a nifty use for hairspray. Lightly spray a bit of hairspray (aerosol, not pump) onto charcoal, pastel chalk, or lead pencil art work to "fix" the medium in place until you can get it framed, stored, or permanently fixed with a commercial product.
Smoothing Rough EdgesLots of crafts have to have smooth edges. We cut glass and smooth edges. We cut plastic and other items and have a smooth edge. How do we do this? We simply take a piece of sandpaper and run the bottom at an angle along the ends, and like magic it is all smooth.
Save Old Makeup for CraftsDon't throw away any old or unwanted makeup and nail polish that you may have. They are a wonderful alternative to crayons, paint markers, or coloring pencils. I use mine when making cards with stamps. The eyeshadow blends very well in place of colored pencils.
Baby Wipes Containers to Store Craft ItemsCrafting can be a wonderful hobby, but you need so many different things to use. In order to try to keep some of my smaller items organized, my husband put up shelves and I used my collection of baby wipe boxes for holding different items.
Dye Lace with Food ColoringHave the wrong color lace for your project? No problem if you have food coloring. I often use different colors of lace in my projects. If I don't have the color I need, I just put it in a disposable cup with water and several drops of food coloring.
Polymer Clay RecipeMake your own "polymer clay' that is self-hardening over night. Take 1 tablespoon of white glue, add a few drops of acrylic paint or India ink for color, if desired. Mix in a tablespoon of corn starch and 3-5 drops of vegetable or mineral oil.
Wax Paper For Stubborn Paper PunchesLubricate craft punches before using them by punching wax paper first.
Binder for Organizing Craft ProjectsFor organizing craft projects, I use binders for project ideas with protective sleeves. I also keep a list of items needed to finish a project. So in one sleeve would be the pattern for a cross-stitch project and a list of items for finishing the project.
Discard Old Needles Inside Prescription BottlesWhen you are all done with a prescription bottle, save it to discard old craft needles or small knives in. Throw out the entire container. Wide containers also will hold a rotary cutter blade to dispose of.
Make Circle TemplateBeing an avid crafter, I often make projects that require a circle cut from something. I would search through the house, finding an item that was the correct size circle, such as a can of soup.
Craft Uses for Nail PolishWhen making crafty things such as cards, instead of glitter I always use clear nail polish with glitter in it. You can get it at any dollar store and it makes no mess. You just paint it on where you want the glitter and you'll have a pretty craft with no mess!
Keep Yarn in Tissue BoxWhen knitting or crocheting, put your skein/ball of yarn in an empty tissue box. It keeps the yarn in place, and helps keep it from rolling around and getting tangled. It also keeps it cleaner, since it won't fall on the floor.
Contain Glitter With a Dryer SheetWhen using glitter, teeny weeny beads, or even sequins, I find they fly around because of static electricity. If you take an ordinary dryer sheet (softener) and wipe everything that will touch the glitter "except" the item you are glittering, nothing will stick or fly away.
Buy Fiberfill After ChristmasFor those of you who use polyester stuffing to make animals or pillows, look in the Christmas section after Christmas when they put all of it on sale. I got bags of polyester fill for 75% off last year.
Pillow Case as Sewing Machine CoverFor an inexpensive sewing machine cover, purchase a good quality pillow case from the thrift store or yard sale. Cut and shape the bottom, fancy open end to fit your sewing machine.
Medical Gloves to Protect Delicate FabricWear fingers of medical gloves to keep from snagging delicate fabrics with rough fingertips when sewing or crafting.
Reclaim Yarn at Thrift StoresTo save money on small knitting or crochet projects, purchase small crocheted or knitted throws from the thrift stores or yard sales. Launder the yarn items and allow to dry. Once they are dry, you can proceed to "reclaim" the yarn by unraveling the pieces carefully.
Use Lint Brush To Clean Cutting MatI do a lot of quilting. When I square up my blocks, I always have a lot of lint and little fabric pieces left on my cutting mat. I use a lint brush to get the mat fuzz free again. I also use both sides of my cutting mat.
Plastic Paper Clips as Alternative to Straight PinsThis, as with most of my tips was born of necessity. I am too old to be crawling around on the floor with a flashlight trying to retrieve straight pins that I have dropped. I laid the tee shirt dress I was making for my granddaughter on my folding cutting board.
Put Lotion on Hands Before Using Super GlueApply lotion to your skin before using super glue. It will peel off easily if you get any on you.
Storing Rotary CutterA handy holder for a rotary cutter is an old glasses case that is closed on one end and open on the other. Insert cutter into case, roller edge first, and it keeps your cutter out of the way of small hands.
Freeze Glue SticksGet tired of the stringies when using your glue gun? I keep my glue sticks in a plastic shoe box in the freezer. This really reduces the stringies when working on a project.
Use Bird Stand for Craft TableWhen sewing or crafting, use your bird stand for a roll-around table, to hold your supplies. You can easily wheel it around from place to place where you are working, without having to transfer all your supplies from one place to the other.
Dimensional Paint RecipeTo make dimensional paint, you'll need 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4-1/2 cup water and food coloring. In a small bowl, mix the salt and flour. Start out by adding 1/4 c. water and stir well.
Transfer Patterns with Vinyl TableclothUse dollar store plastic or vinyl tablecloths to transfer sewing or craft patterns onto. They last a lot longer by doing this.
Check Hardware Store for Craft SuppliesI was making over 200 tiny angels for a ladies' retreat and needed something affordable for halos. The hardware store provided a wonderful solution. I used washer rings! They were just the right size. A hardware store is a great source for craft supplies.
