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Just had a thought on another source of "patterned paper" - I don't think we've mentioned maps, have we? If you buy a new street map to update an old one (or you rely on your sat nav!), the old one should find its way to your craft stash! Great for guy cards!
Sometimes you can even manage to personalise a project this way - the recipient of the attached postcard lives in the area shown on this section of map.
Great for envelopes, as well. Usually sturdy paper and we get the giant size atlas, so it's pleanty big enough.
Just had a thought on another source of "patterned paper" - I don't think we've mentioned maps, have we? If you buy a new street map to update an old one (or you rely on your sat nav!), the old one should find its way to your craft stash! Great for guy cards!
Sometimes you can even manage to personalise a project this way - the recipient of the attached postcard lives in the area shown on this section of map.
Great for envelopes, as well. Usually sturdy paper and we get the giant size atlas, so it's plenty big enough.
While not precisely "making do", I do keep rolls of shiny gold & silver wrapping paper in my craft room (bought on clearance, naturally!). I mostly use them for backing cut out punches. Look at the bookmark here:
and you'll see what I mean- the gold is behind the punched out design on the ends, and it looks fabulous! (OK, well I think it looks fabulous, anyway!) I have a bunch of emaginations punches that are great to use like this.
I love using maps. It's such a beautiful background. Have you all seen the new SU mini and the gorgeous masculine stamps? Map papers would be stunning with those new sets of stamps.
Oh, I love wrapping paper. I am always scouring for new and different kinds to use.
I just saw on another thread here in the General Stamping forum about a video on You-Tube of how to make your own Bakers Twine with a texta/copic marker/sharpie etc. and crochet cotton. I just watched it and it looks fabulous in the video. So I thought I would share the link here to the video on You Tube. I am definitely going to try this and use my Bic Mark-Its.
Some people are just so clever, aren't they?!!
I tried it yesterday, works great, here are my results;
Thank you to everyone on how to make your own baker's twine link. Lindsay, your baker's twine is beautiful. (love your blog). I love baker's twine but can't justify spending the money because I couldn't just pick out one color. Thank you, thank you!!!
My girlfriend used map pages for her son's wedding scrapbook. The wedding was out of town and she used the map for the route to the wedding. Looks great!
I have cut up one of those Hawaiian leis I had bought at the two dollar store for a school concert. It is amazing how many floral embellishments, in so many colours, I am able to get from it.
I had a garland with purple flowers in my living room as a window treatment, and last week I took it down and took all the flowers off to put in my "box-o-flowers" I keep for papercrafting. "reduce, reuse, recycle" lol!
Love the map idea, too!
I could use some of my outline stamps on the maps, and cut out the images for an effect other than colouring.
The maps would also look interesting torn and layered.
I've just thought that old recipe books would also make great background papers. Could be used to stamp outline images, too.
I'm also going to use up the last of some spray paints and wall paints I found in the garage to make some background papers. I've got some punched stars to put on the paper to mask some colours and see what effects I can get.
I am and always have been a frugal (I'd say more of a tight-wad, but frugal sounds so much better). I try to make my own embellishments because then I can spend money on things I can't make.
I always get the foam mounting squares from Dollar Tree (64 to a pack). I have turned my neighbor onto them and a few others. I always use them. They are already cut and if you need a smaller size, you can cut them. Peel off the paper on the top, and you have a dimensional or pop dot. Now don't all run to Dollar Tree in Chandler, AZ to get them. lol. When I first started, I would use fun foam and put adhesive on it, but soon found the Dollar Tree deal instead.
I cut shanks off buttons. My friend went to an antique store and found mason jars of buttons. Next time she is in that town, I'm sending her with money to get them for me. Also, sheet music, etc. Old books.
You can use textured wall paper. Cork.
You can unravel material or fray it. Or unravel ribbon for fringe.
Those do look great.... I have a hard time finding folders I think will be versatile enough to buy, so I like these ideas a lot.
I imagine it has already been mentioned, but I saw a card the other day using the metal tape from the hardware store - I think it's for repairing metal ducts or something like that. They stuck it on CS, used an embossing folder on it, then colored it with alcohol inks, ending up with a cool embossed metallic BG. I will see if I can find an example...
You can also put punched shapes in it between the cs and metal tape. The shapes stay in there. Cover with ink for a neat look.
Hi folks,
Even though I have more supplies nd tools than anyone actually neeeds I still find myself scrounging through the recycle bin for supplies. I made a video on my fave {free} crafting tips/techniques onn my blog: Happy Earth Day! � Thefrugalcrafter’s Weblog
I hope someone will find it useful!
Here is the card made from recycled stuff in the video:
Thank you to everyone on how to make your own baker's twine link. Lindsay, your baker's twine is beautiful. (love your blog). I love baker's twine but can't justify spending the money because I couldn't just pick out one color. Thank you, thank you!!!
thanks! I wonder if we coould use watercolor paint for coloring (like I do my crochet flowers) and save wear and tear on out markers...I'll let you all know when I try!
Most fabric stores/craft stores sell the nips to cut the shank off of buttons. I think I got mine at JoAnns years ago....they don't cost much and give you a whole new design element.
Most fabric stores/craft stores sell the nips to cut the shank off of buttons. I think I got mine at JoAnns years ago....they don't cost much and give you a whole new design element.
I got mine in the jewlery aisle at walmart and they are so handy and well made I went back and got another (one for jewlery only and one for odd things like buttons and framing wire) they stay sharp and are only $4. They are called flush cut plyers and had a green handle
I made some of this beautiful twine, too. Thanks from me for sharing the idea and the link. I used #10 white crochet thread and colored it with Sharpies. You can't tell it from the real deal! How exciting to have any color I want, any time I want.
I didn't have a ruler wide enough to wind the thread on, so I made one from a piece of cardboard and covered it with packing tape.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
What do you use to cut the shank off of buttons? I have been meaning to try it.
In most drug stores you can find flat front nail clippers. They are half the price of wire cutters and work wonderfully.
__________________ Louise Bergmann DuMontAuthor, Speaker, Serious About Her Coffee, Lover of all that is Chocolate...Worshiper of El Shaddai (The All Sufficient One)
I've been trying to save interesting little cardboard boxes or packages from make up, craft items, foods, Easter eggs, etc, etc.
I carefully open the box or package out completely, flatten it, and I have a terrific little template to copy from, or trace around, on my own cardstock and papers.
How to make crochet flowers (beginner video tutorial)
Hi Stampers,
I'm going to post this in acouple of threads here because it is fun, easy and cheap I love crochet flowers (you know, they sell them in the SU catty for big bucks) and they are really easy to make. I made a video to show you how to make them. You do not need to know how to crochet already to make these. Here is the link: Video Tutorial: Easy Crochet Flowers! � Thefrugalcrafter’s Weblog
Also I have a list of links to patterns and crochet basics so do not be afraid to try this Here is a card I made with my flowers, stamps are by Stampin Up:
I save all the clear transparency things i can find...report cover like material. I use them for die-cuts or make 4x4 squares and make stamp-a-ma-jig images for each set as I need them. Stamp with stazon and keep them right in the clamshell
Love this idea, who'd have thought it? (Clearly not me!)
Should have added, I save the drawstring from the top of my cosmetic cotton wool discs to use as white cotton twine. Looks nice tied through a button, or wrapped around just like bakers twine.
I've been trying to save interesting little cardboard boxes or packages from make up, craft items, foods, Easter eggs, etc, etc.
I carefully open the box or package out completely, flatten it, and I have a terrific little template to copy from, or trace around, on my own cardstock and papers.
Great idea! You know, I have never thought to do this. I save these little boxes/packages to use, but didn't think to open them out to use as a template. That's what is so good about this thread - gets my old brain thinking outside the square. Thanks to everyone who has been contributing their ideas and tips.
Gotta confess, I am a tin addict -- Altoids (from before they made the tops all bumpy :-( )tea tins, chocolate tins, cookies, you name it. I have a shelf full waiting to be recycled into desk organizers and gift packages!
Gotta confess, I am a tin addict -- Altoids (from before they made the tops all bumpy :-( )tea tins, chocolate tins, cookies, you name it. I have a shelf full waiting to be recycled into desk organizers and gift packages!
Wee too, I never met a tin I didn't like, often I buy a products (like a set of 10 teas that came in tins at the christmas tree shop, it was $7 for the set, the tea was nasty but I love those tines...actuclly I bought 2 sets LOL!) for the packaging!
I love Altoid tins. I use them for all my bits and bobs. I was looking at my tin stash the other day and I had a panic attack that I was running low, lol. I save all sorts of interesting containers, jars, lids, boxes, etc... I know some of you are screaming "HOARDER!" Trust me if you knew me I am not a hoarder, lol. I have panic attacks, literally about hoarding. I go through a lot of my "recyclables" and I weed through them often.
I save all the interesting bits from cardboard and packages. It's not uncommon for my DH to start laying empty packages on my desk and I am cutting out anything useful like the acetate, interesting patterns on the package, etc... Those items cost a fortune in the craft stores.
Would it be awful of me to say I have been tempted to buy the wine just for the label??? That's my story....I'm gonna try it on DH and I'll let you know if he believes me, LOL!
Another way is to have a craft exchange with friends. Then you can get rid of the stuff you don't want or have way too much of and get some "new" supplies.
Another way is to have a craft exchange with friends. Then you can get rid of the stuff you don't want or have way too much of and get some "new" supplies.
What a great idea. Do you exchange based on the number of items exchanged or on price point?
Would it be awful of me to say I have been tempted to buy the wine just for the label??? That's my story....I'm gonna try it on DH and I'll let you know if he believes me, LOL!
I am not a big drinker so wine bottles are hard for me to get. I keep bugging all my friends for their wine bottles and labels. My Mom recently find three beautiful 1940's liquor bottles at a city wide garage sale for only a quarter each. She snagged them up for me. They are in mint condition. Yes, they were empty.
Would it be awful of me to say I have been tempted to buy the wine just for the label??? That's my story....I'm gonna try it on DH and I'll let you know if he believes me, LOL!
I have a gorgeous unusual asymmetrical purple wine bottle, that I absolutely did buy for just the bottle. Didn't stop me from consuming the contents, lol! Waste not, you know!
