Today I have a beginner’s sewing project for you. There is really no sewing involved, but it pertains to sewing. The materials call for a jar with a lid and a band, so I used a small candle that I had on hand. When the candle is used up I can clean up the jar and put buttons or sewing needles inside.
Here is what you will need to get started:

A fabric scrap of your choice
A jar with a lid and a band
Cotton balls or fiberfill
Card stock
A glue gun

Using the lid of the jar, cut out a circle the same size …read more

If you are anything like me, you love to have candles all over the house. I don’t always have them lit up; I just like the way they look and the feel that they give to a room. For this project you can use a regular pillar candle, it doesn’t have to be white. It can be any color you choose.
Here is what you will need to get started:

A white pillar candle (again, you can use any color – I used white)
A thanksgiving paper napkin with images
Modge Podge or white glue thinned out with water
Sharp, fine pointed scissors
A paint brush
Rubbing …read more

Cathie Filian:
Cathie is holding a charity dog costume & book auction. All the costumes were handmade by Cathie and featured in her book Bow Wow WOW! The proceeds benifit the Humane Society.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has tutorials on how to make two punk rock scarves one with yarn and one with fabric, info on participating in the Good Mail Day Challenge, One Person’s Oddity and a Polaroid Postcard design, a bunch of mixed element jewelry and tips on laying a pattern out on plaid fabric.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy talks about …read more

I have a couple of young friends whose mother passed away from brain cancer a few years ago.  I didn’t know her as well as I know her sons, because I’ve traveled and worked with them on youth group trips for years.  Knowing what fine young men she raised, I feel that she was an exceptional woman, one of the many whose legacy will live on through her children.
Her youngest son, Nick, founded a non-profit organization in his mother’s memory, the mission of which is to help fund the basic needs of children in developing countries.  He calls it Cling.
That …read more

By Guest Blogger Kathy Zengolewicz
If you’re anything like me, then you need to have a small gift to give your host/hostess when you are invited to visit. Whenever I go to a friend’s home, whether it’s a planned visit or if I know that I’ll be in the neighborhood and plan to call and see if I can pop in, I always like to take a little something with me to give to that person. It doesn’t have to be something big, or expensive. I like to spend time working with my crafts. It helps to …read more

About Family Crafts:
Find out how to can make a story sack for the book, and soon to be movie, Cloudy With a Change of Meatballs.

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen’s created a quirky copper bird pin,,,,stop by and check it.
Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa revisits and reconnects with a craft from her childhood
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has a sneak peek into the soon to be released book; Who’s Your Dada? Redefining The Doll Through Mixed Media, free graphics of good angel/bad angel birds with a tutorial for using them as T-shirt iron-ons, how-to’s …read more

Then a moment comes when every part has found its definite relationship and from then on it would be impossible for me to add a stroke to my picture without having to paint it all over again.
~Henri Matisse

To me a work is finished when all parts involved communicate themselves, so that they don’t need me.
~Hans Hoffman

How do I know when a work is finished? When it has taken away from me everything I have to give. When it has become stronger than myself. I become the empty one and it becomes the full one. When I am weak …read more

The Impatient Crafter:
Madge transforms a Kraft paper lampshade from Target into a sophisticated accent piece for a teen’s room in this post for I Love to Create.

About Family Crafts
Do you paper mache? Share your projects and stories!
Aileen’s Musings
This week Aileen’s been busy altering cabinet cards. Check out her newest funky cabinet cards and download more freebie images for you to alter yourself.
Cathie Filian
Cathie and Steve spoof their love of Mod Podge in their latest video.
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has a fun mixed-media cupcake jar topper …read more

By Guest Blogger Kathy Zengolewicz
You’ve heard of diaper cakes, well today I’m going to show you how to make a diaper wreath. I made one for my daughter’s friend who was having a second baby after 14 years and she loved it. It’s kind of funny how gifts, favors and decorations change over the years. She keeps her diaper wreath hung on the baby’s bedroom door with a regular wreath hanger.
Here is what you will need:

10 inch styrofoam ring
Approximately 15-20 disposable diapers. (make sure they are all the same size diaper)
A pack of small rubber bands or clear pony tail …read more

The Artful Crafter:
Eileen blogs about learning photography – one frame at a time.

The Crochet Dude
Drew is giving away all his latest designs that are included in his new line of patterns that just launched nationwide! To enter you just leave a comment on his blog!
The Impatient Crafter
Make a super cute pair of flip flops with your kid or teen for your end of summer vacation! Madge shares the 411 in this post for I Love to Create
About Family Crafts
Hurry on over and submit your photos and ideas! Sherri is now accepting Halloween …read more