Craft Tips and Hints

I thought that instead of an article this week I would post a bunch of handy craft tips. I came across a lot of these on the internet, but also added my own to the list as well. These apply to many different crafts, and I hope you can find something useful here. Please feel free to start a discussion if you think of more hints and tips!

Here goes:

Lids from margarine tubs are perfect for mixing paints on and can be used for cutting out stencils or patterns.

Dried watermelon or sunflower seeds, etc, can be glued on things for eyes or used as flower petals, or for anywhere needing texture.

To keep your yarn from getting tangled, cut the bottom off a 2 liter bottle and thread the yarn through the neck, then replace the bottom. Tape the two ends together, and your yarn will stay clean and it will keep that playful kitty away from your yarn!!!

Make matching gift tags using recycled card backs, paper or foil and decorate with dimensional paint, glued-on shells, beads or ribbon scraps.

And easy way to mark on patterns that you normally wouldn't be able mark on, slide your pattern or magazine into a top-loading sheet protector. This way you can mark it up and then remove it when done.

Old film containers make great holders for beads, pins, charms, etc.

Use a bar of soap for a wonderful pin cushion. This makes sewing easier and your needle will slide through tough material.

Use steel wool to fill your cushion. This will keep your pins and needles nice and sharp, ready for use.

A bar of soap works fine as chalk for marking seam lines.

Color pasta by filling up a baggie with macaroni and adding just a few drops of food coloring. Work it around til the pasta is evenly colored. Use a different baggie for each color and lay out overnight to dry. (Kids love this!)

Use aerosol hairspray to "stiffen" silk flowers. Use canned air or a cool blow dryer to dust them.

Use a straight pin to clear out the clogged tip of a fabric paint bottle.

To "tea-dye" or age fabric with a natural look, fill a spray bottle with leftover tea or coffee. Go outside and spray the article...spray randomly, so that the dyeing is fairly uneven and natural looking.

Use old buttons, charms, tinted macaroni, twigs, craft foam cutouts, yarn, and any leftover scraps to decorate a frame for that artwork your child creates.

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