FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

Keep the Kids Entertained with 10 Paper Crafts for Kids!

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Hey paper crafters! You may be avid card makers and scrapbookers, but when it comes to your paper crafts, you want the kids far, far away. Merge your love for paper crafting with activities you can do with your children when you download the latest free eBook from us at AllFreePaperCrafts!

Paper Crafts for Kids: 10 Paper Toys, Printable Paper Dolls, and Other Kids Craft Ideas

Paper Crafts for Kids: 10 Paper Toys, Printable Paper Dolls, and Other Kids Craft Ideas

Paper Toys

Paper toys are fabulous paper crafts for kids because kids get to spend time making their project, and later they get to play with it! We have a great collection of paper toys included in this free eBook. Try making a super easy and fun backyard memory match game with your kids. Though the weather may not be ideal for backyard fun just yet, this craft works in a large family room or basement as well. Gather your mega-sized matching tiles and spread them out across the ground. This craft is easy to make and when completed, kids will get to be active as they race around trying to find a perfect match.

Mega Memory Match Game

Paper Dolls

Did you have paper dolls when you were growing up? Not only does this collection include a vintage-style printable paper doll with printable outfits, but it also includes innovative paper doll tutorials as well. For example, have you ever made a paper doll out of eggshells before? Help your kids make unique paper dolls that will be fun to play with or display.

 Elegant Eggshell Matryoshka Dolls

Other Kids Craft Ideas

Stained glass projects were some of my favorite crafts as a kid. Believe it or not, there are ways to get a stained glass effect with paper! The awesome Tissue Paper Stained Glass House is such a cool kids craft. Your kids can get their hands messy with the glue and tissue paper, and they will get to make a cool little house that their toy dolls can live in. Just look at how amazing it looks when the light shines through!

Tissue Paper Stained Glass House

 

Paper Crafts for Kids: 10 Paper Toys, Printable Paper Dolls, and Other Kids Craft Ideas

For a comprehensive collection of fabulous kids craft ideas, be sure to download this printable collection! Paper Crafts for Kids: 10 Paper Toys, Printable Paper Dolls, and Other Kids Craft Ideas is a marvelous free eBook that will inspire your family to craft and play together.

 

 

 

What crafts did you make as a child?

 

 

 

 

 

Link Love: Clothespin Crafts

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Who knew clothespins could be so valuable? I must admit, I don’t have many of these wooden clips lying around my home. Since I don’t line-dry my clothes and tend to use plastic froggy clips to keep my chip bags closed, I tend not to think about the importance on clothespins. Upon further research however, I’ve come to realize just how much I’m missing. Clothespins are cheap, versatile and so much fun to use for a ton of different crafts.

What’s great about clothespins is kids and adults can use them. Plus, you can use materials like markers, glue, tape and paint. so many materials to decorate them. One quick and simple clothespin craft I want to try Coffee Colored Vintage Clothespins. With spray paint, instant coffee and lace scraps, you can create a delicate design that looks like it’s straight out of Downton Abbey. Christmas is coming up, so now is the time to start working on those holiday projects. Use clothespins to make a tiny Clothespin Santa and Rudolph. Use easy-to-find supplies like google eyes and felt for this kid-friendly craft project. If you’re looking for a simple project to make after school, check out this tutorial for Cute Clothespin Bug Magnets. Stick these creations on your fridge – they’re both useful and adorable.

Gather up the kids or take the afternoon off and discover how many ways you can use clothespins. Who says you need to spend a fortune on craft supplies? Sometimes, you only need some simple, every day items to create the absolute best crafts.

  1. Clothespin Stars from Scissors and Spoons
  2. Felt Feather Clips from Wild OliveEasy
  3. DIY Washi Wooden Pegs from The Pink Doormat
  4. Bright Color Dot Magnets from Real Purdy
  5. Clothespin Candle from Isn’t That Sew
  6. Clothespin Wrap Dolls from This Heart of Mine
  7. Glittered Clothespins from The Proper Pinwheel
  8. Superhero Clothespin Wrap Dolls from Two-daloo
  9. Instagram Photo Prints Clothespins from Postal Pix

AllFreeSewing Book Giveaway: We Make Dolls!

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We’re always sewing clothes, accessories, bags and home dec projects. For a little change, I thought it would be fun to take a look at sewing toys and dolls! I know what you’re thinking; sewing dolls seems a bit juvenile. Is that really such a bad thing? I think we should embrace this opportunity to sew something created purely for the fun of it! If you have kids, these dolls make for a great little toys. Otherwise, some of the patterns found in We Make Dolls! are perfectly suited for adults.

Here’s a book for the truly unique sewist. If you’re looking for inspiration to create your next quirky plush doll or toy, look no further. We Make Dolls! delivers all kinds of fun ideas including characters unseen anywhere else. Meet Super Girl, Elly the Elephant, Mr. Grumpy and more. 10 individual artists came together to create We Make Dolls!, each reflecting their own personal perspective and sewing style.

Want to win a copy of We Make Dolls!?

 

Enter to win We Make Dolls! The giveaway period ends July 23, 2012. You can enter to win everyday so keep coming back to increase your chances! Enter to win today.

For some free doll sewing patterns, check out these ideas:

 

 

 

AuntyK’s Crochet Guyz

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Kathleen's Crochet Guys
Auntyk”s Crochet Guys from Wisconsin USA

AuntyK’s Crochet Guys originates from the brain of Kathleen Ward from Wisconsin. It’s so creative that one may look it and say “OH MY what is that?” to people like me thinking “OH MY… that’s so creative that it’s actually inspiring!” Either way, her crochet guys are stunning and create a reaction.

I’ve known Kathleen for a few months through Facebook. Kathleen is a creative artist with watercolors to crochet projects. She is also a proud grandmother. Her crochet guys have been around for about 4 years at this point.
 
Kathleen mentioned why create stuffed animals for your grand children that all look the same?
 
Why not create a special character that will be a lifetime keep sake? Something so special that it can’t be duplicated. Understanding the concepts of crochet and how it can twist and turn, she set herself on a journey of exploring crochet without patterns. The dolls take shape as she goes. Some dolls takes her up to 70 hours to complete due to the complexity of the yarn transitions.
 
She jokes how some of her designs come to her in dreams at night time. He brain is always processing 24-7. She is truly an artist!
 
Kathleen has stepped up to the Challenge with The Crochet Crowd at Creativ Festival this coming Fall. Two of her very special custom designed characters will be on display. Kathleen sells some of her creations on ETSY as well has sells many others are live crafting shows.
 
If you are ever interested in creating your own Amigurumee Characters, be sure to look up AllFreeCrochet.com to give you free patterns to follow. Once you get it, you two might be able to create your own special characters too!
 
 

Crafting in Miniature: Yay or Nay?

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When I was a kid, I was obsessed with making miniatures. My favorite exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago was the Thorne Miniature Rooms. I’d spend hours just marveling at the teeny tiny furniture! When my teachers assigned a diorama, I went all out and designed the most complex display I could. I received Tiny Treasures as a gift one year and I tried out all of the projects. It’s unfortunately out of print now, and I (even more unfortunately) donated my copy when I “grew up.”

You can craft in miniature without the help of a book though! I just compiled a list of 20 Mini Handmade Craft Ideas, many of which only take a few minutes to make. I love the Doll House Flower Pot and Mini Flower Bouquet, both from Flower Soft. They really do look like miniature flowers, and they’d be perfect if you wanted to make your own Thorne Minature Rooms!

The Mini Cupcake Pin Cushion combines my love of miniatures, cupcakes, and recycling crafts. Plus, this little cutie is a useful sewing accessory, and it would make a great gift for a sewing enthusiast.

I really can’t get enough of the Mini Spring Bonnets either. They’re so colorful and festive for spring and summer parties. This project is also a great recycling craft, and it looks really easy too.

You can see the rest of my picks for miniature projects in my article, 20 Mini Handmade Craft Ideas. And if you’re thirsty for more, here’s what I found around the web:

This is a miniature replica of the leg lamp from A Christmas Story, created over at Dollhouse Miniature Furniture. Amazing!

I could spend all day looking at her blog. I also found instructions on how she made the vintage sink in this photo:

If you’d like to make your own DIY dollhouse, I found instructions for that at Sutton Grace. I love the way hers turned out!

Don’t forget to check out 20 Mini Handmade Craft Ideas. And tell me: Have you ever crafted in miniature before?

Help a Reader: Sewing and Crochet Queries

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Every now and then, everyone could use a helping hand.  Ready to lend your assistance?   Below you’ll find a few readers in need.  If you feel you can help or have any suggestions, please post your answer in the comments. Please try to supply instructions and/or links.

Sharon asks,
Is it difficult to move a front zipper to the back in a womens’ pants pattern?

Rochelle asks,
My mother has a 25 inch doll (head to toe) that sits in a rocking chair and I would like to make it a dress. How do I know what size to make for it. I have seen some nice patterns in knitting and crochet but not for a 25 inch doll. Can you help?

Bonnie asks,
I am attempting to find a tool that is used to pull the thread from braid to braid as I construct a braided rug. Using a needle and thread is a very slow and sometimes painful way of attaching the braids to each other and I recall that there is another method of doing this. Will appreciate any information that is available.

Help a Reader: Knitting Conversions

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Every now and then, everyone could use a helping hand.  Ready to lend your assistance?   Below you’ll find a few readers in need.  If you feel you can help or have any suggestions, please post your answer in the comments. Please try to supply instructions and/or links.

Carolyn asks,
Do you have any how-tos for doll glasses–wire rims no glass?

Toni asks,
I want to make a sweater for myself, but I’m only 5’2″ tall, and the instructions say it is for a woman who is 5’6″ tall! Can you help me figure out how to taper this sweater for my shorter height?

Pamela asks,
I love the loom patterns for slippers but don’t have a loom. Is there a conversion available to use to knit them by hand?

Help a Reader: Dollhouse Crochet Patterns

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Dottie is looking for crochet patterns to decorate a dollhouse. She asks,

I would like to know if anyone out there has any dollhouse size patterns for rugs, bedspreads or anything else in crochet.

Can you help? If so, please post a comment in the blog. If you haved designed a dollhouse-sized pattern, we’ll publish it at FaveCrafts and credit you. Contact us.

Raising Breast Cancer Awareness with Bra Dolls

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Breast Cancer is such an unfortunate illness that many women and men pass from. Unfortunately, not many people know everything there is to know about this illness. This heart-warming couple Doug and Barb Keeling are helping to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Barb and Doug were TV soap opera actors and TV commercial actors back in their younger days. Barb was actually one of the original Charmin Girls with Mr. Whipple. After losing a childhood friend to cancer, Barb came up with this great idea of creating dolls using women’s bras.

“I was standing at her graveside and I thought let’s make some dolls by using a bra as part of the doll,'” Barb said. “Many people have had a great time making purses out of bras and decorating them with fantastic and silly embellishments to help spread the word of cancer caring.”

There are a variety of dolls that Barb made from the bra pads to the bra wiring, cotton bras, frilly bras, whatever you wish to use you can. You can find her bra doll pattern at keelingskrafts.com. Part of the money from the Bra Dolls Pattern is a donation to Cancer, given in the name of a friend Carrie Nisil who is going to do the 3-Day Walk in November. This 3-Day Cancer Walk benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Keeling’s are so pleased to help with Cancer Awareness with a doll making project that is “light hearted & fun” and a benefit to a very serious issue. They hope everyone will make one of the BRA DOLLS. The dolls make great “Get Well” dolls for a gift to someone who is working on recovery.

Barb wishes everyone would be creative and come up with something as neat as this to support a great cause. Barb said, “You only need about 18 inches of fabric and you can use stuff around the house — from kitchen drawers or your sewing basket — things that mean something to you.”

October is Breast Cancer awareness month, so be creative, make something of your own and support this great cause.

Dolls, Teddy’s and Amigurumi

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Make sure you check out the new categories we have on FaveCrafts. We have Dolls and Teddy Bears and Crochet Amigurumi. These are such great crafts you should really check out. If you like dolls and teddy bears than these crafts are perfect for you. You can relive your past with your dollies or you can create them to collect. Our Amigurumi section is quite the popular category. If you are unsure of what Amigurumi means, it is is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. Amigurumi are typically cute animals (such as bears, rabbits, cats, dogs, etc.). We have a great collection for you to check out. I especially love the angel. And don’t forget about our doll section. Make yourself a reborn doll.

angel-amigurumi bella-butterfly

We are always coming up with new and exciting crafts, so be sure you check back daily! We also have another new category called holiday jewelry.

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

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