Rubber Stamping On Slate

Description: I love the way the Rubber Stamping On Slate looks. I just don’t know what the finished project can be used for. Anyone have any ideas?

Craft Link : Rubber Stamping On Slate

Source : Trish Bee Design Studio

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Is Crafting A Frugal Hobby?

The Complete Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn, is my personal finance bible. So, when Amy advised switching to frugal hobbies, she got me thinking. Is crafting a frugal hobby?

The answer is a loud and resounding…maybe.

Here’s why -

- An everyday sweater, made from yard sale wool, is thrfty. A cashmere sweater, that was never finished, is not.

- Homemade orange peel candies are thrifty. Homemade chocolate truffles are not.

- Quilts made from fabric found in your scrap bag are thrifty. Quilts made from fabric bought at an upscale specialty store are not.

- Scrapbooking with acid-free paper and a lot of imagination, is thrifty. Scrapbooking with acid-free paper and store-bought embellishment kits is not.

- Creating mosaics from chipped Salvation Army dishes is thrifty. Creating mosaics from glass tiles purchased at the craft store is not.

Here are a couple of tips to ensure that your next craft project is thrifty…

Use free materials whenever possible. Outgrown clothing, discarded linens, or donations from friends can be made into wonderful finished projects.

Never buy full price. If you must pay for craft materials, try hard to save money. Check out your local thrift shop and yard sales. Shop ebay and Craig’s list. Comparison shop at online craft shops.

Make sure your crafts have a purpose. Before you start a new project decide what you will do with the finished product. Will it be a holiday gift? A knick knack for your living room? Will it actually be used?

Don’t take on more than you can chew. Unfinished projects are a waste of money. Be sure, before starting a new needlepoint, outfit or craft kit, that you actually have the time and skill to complete it.

In general, like most of life, crafting is what you make it. You can make the kind of decisions that make crafting an expensive and frustrating activity. Or, you can make choices that make crafting economical and enjoyable. You decide.

Read More : This And That or Home

Wristlet Tutorial

Description : This Wristlet Tutorial is full of clear, color pictures illustrating each step of the process.

Craft Link : Wristlet Tutorial

Source : Javajem Knits

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Stamped Greeting Cards

Description: Though these greeting cards look hand-painted, they are actually created with foam stamps and fabric paint.

Craft Link : Stamped Greeting Cards

Source : I love To Create.com

Read More : Rubber Stamping or Home

Bugle Clusters Bracelets

Description : A free, clearly illustrated, tutorial showing how to make gorgeous bracelets from very simple materials. Free sign-up required to access tutorial.

Link : Bugle Clusters Bracelets

Source : Bead And Button Magazine

Read More : Jewelry Making or Home

Spinach And Noodles

The following, with quite a few changes, is based on a recipe called Greens And Noodles from the Vegetarian Express Lane Cookbook. I changed the recipe to make it a little quicker and a whole lot more garlicky.

Ingredients

1/2 lb pasta, cooked el dente and drained

1 lb. chopped frozen spinach, microwaved and roughly drained

1/4 cup olive oil

5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 tablespoon butter

salt

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Stir the butter into the hot pasta.

Saute the garlic in the olive oil. When the garlic starts to turn brown, add the red pepper flakes and cook for another 30-60 seconds. Remove from the heat.

Add the spinach and pasta to the garlic and mix very well. Stir in the Parmesan and salt to taste.

Note: What does roughly drained mean? The spinach should have no visible pools of water but should still be quite moist. If a handful of the cooked spinach was squeezed, one or two tablespoons of water would drip out.

Get your own copy of Vegetarian Express Lane Cookbook: Hassle-Free, Healthful Meals for Really Busy Cooks at Amazon.

Read More: Cookbooks or Home