Inexpensive Father's Day Photo Frame Crafts from Recycled Materials

Need a cheap (as in cost, not quality) gift for Father's Day? How about a free one? Even better, right? So make photo frame crafts from recycled materials. Personalize with special pictures of you and dad. Here are simple photo frame crafts made by decoration plain picture frames. Collect plain wood, plastic or metal frames. Watch clearance sales, garage sales, rummage sales, even junk piles for photo frames to refurbish. Now read on Easy, Inexpensive, Green Mother's Day / Father's Day Photo Frame Crafts

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Back-to-school bash, Crafts Lollapalooza

Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday. It's a time of summer endings and fall beginnings. Why not start the school year off on a fun note with a back-to-school party? Here's an easy and cheap kids' party plan for students in preschool to middle elementary.

* Choose a positive theme. This gets kids excited about school. Make it a shoe theme with the slogan "We're putting our best foot forward." Or do a football theme--"Kicking off a great year."  Throw a back-to-school bash for your kids

Free Printable Stencils, Patterns for Crafts, Painting

Stenciling is a heritage craft that had it's zenith in Victorian times with the arts and crafts, prairie and revival architecture periods. There are dozens of craft projects that employ stenciling, especially holiday crafts. Here are free printable stencils and patterns for stenciling. Use these stencils for wall border painting, fabric and canvas painting, sewing, quilting, applique, drawing and design.

Trace these stencils onto Mylar plastic or recycle old plastic containers and trace the stencil patterns onto flat surfaces. You can also make sturdy, reusable stencils by tracing patterns on recycled cardboard boxes (flattened cereal boxes work very well). Tape the edges to strengthen them and make the stencils last longer.

For links to printables, visit free printable Martha Stewart craft patterns to make many amazing crafts. This craft guru literally has crafts, recipes and printables for every holiday, theme and occasion. Whatever holiday is coming next is featured on the homepage. There's a timeline of holidays along the banner menu, so you can scroll through and find printable craft patterns and templates for past or upcoming holidays. What do I mean when I say "every" holiday? Okay, hold on, here are some.

New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Epiphany (Three Kings Day, Twelfth Night), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Chinese New Year, President's Day, Valentine's Day, Purim, St. Patrick's Day, Passover, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Shavuot, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Sweetest Day, Summer Solstice, 4th of July, Labor Day, Sukkot, Grandparents' Day, Rosh Hashanah, Columbus Day, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Diwali, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa--to name a few!

Plus there are seasonal printable crafts for winter, summer, spring fall, Plus there are all occasion crafts: baptism, new baby, anniversary, wedding, bridal shower, bat and bar mitzvahs, birthday, graduation, retirement and more! What kind of free printable crafts can you get from Martha Stewart? There are greeting cards, invitations, party planners, decorations, party games, banners, cut and paste, children's activities, gift crafts and more. Did I mention there are scads of printable holiday recipes, too?

Martha Stewart has all the free printable craft stencils, patterns and templates you need to make lots of cute stuff. I'm quite taken with the adorable vintage Father's Day cards and patriotic Memorial Day paper lanterns. Oh, and parents (grandparents, daycare providers) if you have to occupy youngsters, why not have them make the party crafts? You provide the craft supplies and they will reward you with hours of blissful productivity. Teachers, why not use these free printable crafts in class?

For more free printable craft projects and holiday decor, visit my blogs Green Crafts, Free Printable Holiday and Free Printable Lesson Plans.

Lenten Church, Religious Education or Family Devotional Craft

One of the symbols of the Church is the image of a family gathered at table for a meal. We partake of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity or Our Lord as He instructed us. The whole family can relate to the elements of a family meal. From the food to the dishes, vessels and even the tablecloth. We use different table linens to reflect the different seasons in our life. In the summer, we might have a light cloth with images of sun and water and fun. In spring, our table will reflect plants, growing, flowers, etc. At Christmas, the red and green decorates our table. When the table is set, we know that good things will come and we will be nourished.

So many years ago, I decided to make a Lenten tablecloth to focus our thoughts upon the Passion of Christ. It was a family activity that we all could share in and have a part. You can make on just as easily with your family, classroom or religious education class. Read more at Lenten Church, Religious Education or Family Devotional Craft

Creative Girls Craft Club Review

Creative Girls Club: Mail Order Craft Venue I am a member of Reward Port, which offers points and gift cards for reading emails. Most offers don't interest me, but I did find one online venue that I think is worthwhile to bring to your attention. Creative Girls Craft Club. Read more

Inexpensive Fathers Day Gift Crafts

Fathers Day or Thank-You Gift Craft--Quick, Easy and Inexpensive
Complete guide to three easy, inexpensive craft projects in which children of all ages can participate, just in time for Father's Day.Perfect activities for teacher thank-you gifts, scout leaders, grandfather, too. Click here

Recycled Gift Crafts

Recycled Gift Crafts, Earth Day seed planting Green, inexpensive Mothers Day gift craft. Paint a recycled jar. Plant a seed or flower. Ideal craft activity for Arbor Day, Earth Day, religious education, scout troop, VBS, science class or summer camp. Makes a great gift for teacher appreciation, bus driver, mail men, day care providers, grandma, babysitter. Read on

Craft Clean Up Made Easy with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers!

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Crafts mean messes; spilled paint, glue, and other gooey stuff! Nobody wants their good table ruined, right? Any crafter needs Mr. Clean Magic Erasers! These dense little sponges can clean up almost any mess you can make! Here's a comprehensive list of the many uses for this craft clean-up product! View more »

DIY Wall Repair~ Beautiful Wall Decor in no time!

How to Fix Ugly or Damaged Walls
How-to guide to refurbishing damaged, scuffed walls using paint, borders and appliques. Easy, green, diy, inexpensive and fun! You'll love your new walls! And you can feel proud to know you did it all by yourself!
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Homemade Flower Pens, Decorated Vase

Cheap Homemade Crafts Recycled Flower Pens Bring beautiful seasonal colors into your crafts. Create blossom or leaf pens and pencils! Design a cheery vase to hold your bouquet of flower pens! View more »

Gift Crafts For School, Home, Scouts

Gifts Kids Can Make For The Holidays Great math lesson in a craft! Reusable! Renewable resources! Great gift for mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, teacher, friend! A tried and true family favorite! All the kids can get involved whatever their ages! Inexpensive, attractive and useful! Works with student groups as well! Make at home, nursing homes, school, church, 4H, scouts, day care. View more »

Art Deco, Mosaic, Tiffany or Stained Glass

How to Create Art Deco Tiffany Glass Designs on Glass Tabletops and Lamps We DIYers can find ways to duplicate these lovely works of art in our own homes. Granted our DIY stained glass will probably not be displayed in a museum. But we can create our own pieces. View more »

Homemade Fall Decor with Leaves

Create Wall Decor: Falling Leaves Scene Simple DIY design technique to create a falling leaves scene on any interior wall. View more »