AllFreeCrafts Newsletter May 2, 2008

New Craft Projects at AFC May 2, 2008 
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Newsletter Highlights
  • So Sew!
  • Bird Feeders and Bird Baths
  • Spring Gardening Tips
  • Crafty Grab Bag
  • Share the Love of Crafting

    • AllFreeCrafts News:


    Free Crafts, Craft Projects and Patterns

    girlflr (2K)This week, we have some lovely new sewing projects, including a tutorial for making soft toys, in the form of a sweet little platypus, plus instructions on how to sew denim bathroom accessories or make a great recycled denim scatter rug.
    tn_bird (1K)
    Spring gardeners can welcome the birds by making a bird bath, or setting out simple bird feeders made from milk cartons or a coconut. We also have valuable gardening tips to save you time and money.

    Finally, a grab bag of my favorites from around the site. I hope you enjoy them all!

    So Sew!


    Make your sewing machine hum with new sewing patterns and our sewing tips.
    platypusmed (1K)Soft and Cuddly Platypus
    Step-by-step photos, a printable pattern, and detailed instructions to introduce you to the art of sewing soft toys.

    Choose the Right Sewing Scissors    		denimtoiletlidmed (2K)Denim Bathroom Accessories
    Turn old blue jeans into denim bath assessories, including a toilet lid cover, toilet tank cover, striped rug, valance and denim-trimmed towel.

    Choose the Right Sewing Thread    		denim-rugmed (1K)Recycled Denim Rug
    Make a denim scatter rug from lots of scrap rectangles cut from thinner denim fabrics, plus a pieced backing made from old blue jean denim.

    Choose the Right Needle

    Spring Nature Crafts


    Make your own simple bird feeders or bird baths.
    cartonfeedersm (1K)Milk Carton Bird Feeder
    How to make a bird feeder from a milk carton.     		coconut feederCoconut Bird Feeder
    Turn half a coconut shell into a bird feeder.    		bbathsm (1K)Birdbath
    Simple bird bath ideas, plus placement and care tips.
    See more Nature Crafts.

    Spring Gardening Tips


    Good advice from the University of Vermont Extension
  • pots (2K)Since clay pots dry out faster than plastic, use plastic pots set inside clay pots to help hold in moisture. Grouping pots together will also help to reduce moisture loss.


  • seedling (1K)Harden off indoor-grown seedlings before setting out in the garden. Skipping or rushing this process can result in chill damage to tender growth. Acclimate plants to outdoor conditions over the course of at least a week, and preferably two, by gradually increasing the amount of time you leave them outdoors.
  • rosesm (1K)Cut back dead canes of roses to healthy tissue, and remove spindly branches. Make a slanted cut angling up toward an outward-facing bud, starting one quarter inch above the bud. New canes will then grow outward, improving air circulation and reducing the risk of black spot.


  • barrel (2K)Don't fill large containers, like half barrels, totally with soil; a depth of one foot is usually enough. Set plastic pots upside-down in the bottom of the barrel, cover with a false bottom of plywood, then add soil. Alternatively, fill part way with mulch and top with soil.
    • See more gardening articles in our new Gardening section.

    Crafty Grab Bag


    Fave craft projects and patterns from around the site.
    cameossm (1K)Decoupage Jewelery
    How to make decoupaged earrings, pendants or charms.    		crochetpocketbook-tm (2K)Crocheted Bag
    Make a handy drawstring bag from granny squares.    		rice-puddingsm (1K)Sugar-Free Instant Rice Pudding Mix:
    Rice pudding with a light twist; you won't miss the fat or sugar!    		float (1K)Cookie Cutter Candles
    Make floating candles from recycled candle stubs, molded with cookie cutters.

    Share the Love of Crafting

    jane_avatar (5K)mother's day cardsNext week, we'll be focusing on crafts for Mother's Day. However, you can get a head start by checking out our Mother's Day Craft Index, or free Mother's Day printables, which include a choice of five printable cards with envelopes, Mother's Day bookmarks, or miniature coupon books.

    As always, you are invited to join the Allfreecrafts Yahoo Group, to share the joy of crafting with other crafty people from around the world.

    Kind regards,
    Janesign (2K) news@allfreecrafts.com
    http://www.allfreecrafts.com
    http://www.allfreeprintables.com
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