Letter Cupcakes

letter cupcakes

Description : Use Letter Cupcakes to spell out a name, special message or just for random fun.

Craft Link : Letter Cupcakes

Source : Hobby Craft

Read More : Cake Decorating or Home

Reversible Apron Tutorial

reversible apron tutorial

Description : Print out the files to create a full size pattern to go along with the Reversible Apron Tutorial.

Craft Link : Reversible Apron Tutorial

Source : Warehouse Fabric Inc

Read More : Sewing or Home

Spending Money On Your Business

money

During hard times, there is always an overwhelming inclination to spend less. This makes sense in most areas….food, clothes, entertainment.

But not in your craft business. Craft businesses often requires small expenditures to continue running efficiently. The key is to make sure the expense is actually going to increase your income, and not just an excuse to spend money.

I want you to get comfortable with another idea. That spending on your business is a financial investment.

One with potentially much higher yields than even the best money market account.

For example, I can take $50 in materials and $100 in labor and turn that into $450 of product. That’s a 300% return on my investment. In one day.

Or I can spend $2,500 on a trade show booth and write $10,000 worth of orders. Or you could spend $300 on advertising and sell $1,000 worth of products. You get the idea.

To continue this article, read Spending On Your Business As An Investment.

Read More : Craft Business or Home

The Complete Tightwad Gazette

the complete tightwad gazette

I’ve been a fan of the Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn, for ten years. Over the last decade, this book has helped me to save thousands of dollars on our housing, transportation, food and clothes. Almost every sentence, in the massive 788 page tome, is a gem.

Recently, I’ve started rereading tightwad gazette with an eye to crafting and cooking. Though these aren’t the main topics of the book, Amy has included some surprisingly good ideas on saving money in these areas. To varying degrees, the Tightwad Gazette touches on sewing, quilting, decorating, woodworking, baking and creating gifts of food. Though these sections are short, they are packed with great ideas.

My favorite story is a detailed accounting of how Amy made a $1.00 quilt for her daughter’s room. Amy designed her own pattern, gathered coordinating fabrics from free or inexpensive sources and set about making a simple but lovely quilt. All done, in her usual frugal way.

What were some of the take-away tips in Tightwad Gazette?

Consider building twig furniture for your outdoor furniture needs
Wood can be recycled from curbside throw-aways to create new and useful items
Sew with the fabrics already on hand, rather than running to the store for new fabrics
Adult size clothing can be cut down to make clothes for kids
Learn to cook and bake from mix-and-match recipes that allow you to take advantage of the cheapest foods (recipes included)
Make your own patterns for simple items of clothing like vests (how-to’s included)
Remove buttons, elastic and zippers from clothing before throwing out. These items can be reused.
Clothes can more easily be refurbished by taking away the more dated and garish elements, than by adding new embellishments.

These tips, plus plenty more, make Tightwad Gazette a very worthwhile read.

Note: There are several versions of the Tightwad Gazette. Be sure to pick up the last and most comprehensive volume, The Complete Tightwad Gazette.

Amazon Affiliate Link: The Complete Tightwad Gazette

Read More: Book Reviews or Home

Yarn From Recycled Newspaper

yarn from recycled newspaper

Description : Making Yarn From Recycled Newspaper and use it to create rugs, curtains, upholstery and more.

Craft Link : Yarn From Recycled Newspaper

Source : Green Upgrader

Read More : Recycled Crafts or Home

Adventures In Creativity

Description : Adventures In Creativity, a podcast by Ruthann Zaroff, is my newest guilty pleasure. Since I first discovered the blog, two weeks ago, I have devoured every photo, recipe, tutorial and download on the site. Highly recommended!

Craft Link : Adventures In Creativity

Read More : Craft Videos or Home

More Free Printable Bookmarks

Here are four more free and original printable bookmarks for yourself or gift giving.

Feel free to create multiple copies of the printable bookmarks as quick and frugal stocking stuffers for the holidays or slip into holiday greeting cards as an added little gift.

Directions: Right-click on one of the two sets of bookmarks. Copy and paste special to Wordpad. Print out each set of two bookmarks on one page of heavy cardstock. Cut around the edges of each bookmark using a sharp scissors.

bookmark 175b