What's yur pleasure this week? Will you try making felt flowers, an altered book, a clay pendant, or one of the other projects found on these crafty blogs? Make sure you take a moment and help Connie out by sharing how you use up your left-over ans small pieces of embroidery floss and then get to crafting!

• Cross Stitch at About.com - What do you do with odds and ends of embroidery floss? Read these ideas and share your own.

• Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love - Vickie's 10 Craft Tips for Busy Parents!

• Crafty Princess Diaries - Have you thought of starting your own craft weblog? Here is why crafting rocks when it comes to niche blogging.

• Aileen's Musings - Aileen gives you a sneek peek at some felt banners she's making for a swap, and tells you how to make easy rolled felt flowers to use as embellishments.

• The Artful Crafter - If you’re a polymer clay beginner or just want a quick professional looking project, use molds!

• Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world - This week at Craftside there is the latest episode of Look, Learn & Create featuring the fabulous cloth doll artist, Patti Medaris Culea, a fun vegan recipe for Frushi (fruit sushi), a how-to on making a tennis ball training tool, and an Illustrator tutorial to make a digital word ATC and as always a bunch of questions that if you answer you are entered to win a free book!

• Mixed Media Artist - Do not fear...making altered books will not cause lightning to strike you!

• The Impatient Crafter - Madge shares the 411 on how she made a gorgeous crystal, rubber and exposed wire collar inspired by African jewelry.

• Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery - Dada Mosaic, or is it surreal? You be the judge.

(Graphic is courtesy of morgue.com)

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I think we had a nice variety of projects this week, how about you?

• How to make Alphabet Blocks - Use this printable template and follow these directions to make your own alphabet blocks.

• Frog Craft Foam Visor - This little frog will help keep the sun out of your eyes next time you are hopping around outside!

• Egg Carton Jellyfish - There is nothing sticky about these cute ocean dwellers when they are made using egg carton cups, and with the variety of fancy yarns available you can make some unique jellyfish.

• Cupcake Earrings Craft - Elizabeth shared this fun project made using shrink plastic. I think these are adorable!

• Tin Can Luminary Craft - Find out how you can create a beautiful luminary by recycling a tin can!

• Suncatcher Collage - This project is a great way to let even the youngest kids explore collage without having a gluey mess.

• Instant Noise Maker Craft - Follow these directions to make a fast and simple noise maker for any occasion.

Enjoy, and remember, if you complete any of these crafts, take a few moments to send me a picture and it can be featured here too!

(Photo Submitted by Elizabeth)

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I think these pinatas are great, how about you? Wendy Hall submitted this picture of two pinatas she made for a friend's niece.
RELATED:
- How to Make a Pinata
- How to Paper Mache
- Spongebob Squarepants Projects

(Photo submitted by Wendy Hall)

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Try your hand at the art of tie-dye. You can create your own colorful t-shirts or other articles of clothing. You can also make matching sheets, pillowcases, and curtains if you like. It's easy... Here are basic tie-dye techniques, supply lists, and easy projects you can do.
RELATED:
- More Tie-Dye Resources
- Make Wearables and Accessories
- Submit a Craft Photo

(Photo © 2009 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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As a parent, one of the biggest crafting dilemmas you may face is what to do with all the wonderful masterpieces your child creates. How do you display each piece so it gets the attention it deserves? I share several creative ideas to help you with this dilemma. I am hoping you will also take a few moments to share your ideas and read how others display their kids' arts and crafts!
RELATED:
- Creative Ideas for Displaying Arts and Crafts
- Storing and Organizing Your Craft Supplies
- Stocking Your Craft Cupboard

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Browse through this collection of craft kits that are perfect to use outside. Especially popular right now is the Crayola 3D Sidewalk Chalk pictured here. Read more about this product and more...
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- Outdoor Craft Projects
- Product Reviews
- More Top Picks

(Photo courtesy of Crayola)

Check out this post on the Family Crafts Forum made by a visitor named Janet3676:

"In the 60s and 70s, as kids, we used to make dogs (about 2 feet tall and about 3 feet long) out of empty cigarette packages. I'm looking for anyone who might have (or remember) the instructions..."

Do you know anything about this 'retro' craft? I have never seen anything like what she is talking about, but I will do some searching. If you can help her out, please take a moment to read the entire post and post a reply.
RELATED:
- Post on the Family Crafts Forum
- Dog Crafts
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So many crafy options this week, where shall we start?

• Aileen's Musings - Ever wonder how to get that cute copyright symbol or better yet, how to put one on your artwork or photographs? Aileen offers a easy tutorial using PSP.

• Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world - At Craftside there is a bling-tastic video on hand lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht, from the new book The Crafter's Devotional a how to make a leather book cover and flag cuffs made from a book cover, an "actual size" silver heart using PMC, and a fun snack recipe.

• Crafty Princess Diaries - Tammy shows off her cool new sewing cabinet that was surprisingly inexpensive.

• Cross Stitch at About.com - Why no knots in Counted Cross Stitch? Find out why and how to secure your floss in alternate ways.

• Mixed Media Artist - Cyndi reports on her experiences with using the new CopprClay. This stuff rocks!

• Naughty Secretary Club - Thinking about starting up your own craft business? Jen has a few suggestions of things you might consider first. Plus learn how you can take a Crafty Business Seminar with Jen from anywhere in the world!

• Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery - Old plastic bead necklaces go under the knife (and in the toaster oven) to make Melted Plastic bead Star Earrings perfect for the patriotic holidays.

• The Artful Crafter - Eileen suggests you go shopping for craft supplies in your jewelry box and closet. Make an old accessory into something new and fresh.

• The Impatient Crafter - Madge shares the clip from her recent appearance on Lifetime TV's The Balancing Act for Beadalon.

• Cathie Filian - It is summer and that means beach & pool time! Visit Cathie Filian's blog to learn how to stotch up a terry beach throw.

• Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love - Learn how to finger knit with Vickie's step-by-step how-to, featured on the CRAFT website!

(Graphic is courtesy of morgue.com)

Happy Independence Day everyone (at least to all of those that celebrate), and a belated Happy Canada Day to all my friends to the north. Hope you enjoy the weekend and these crafts.

• Shining Star Necklace or Ornament - This is a great craft for any season. For Independence Day, simply paint the star red, white, and blue. For Christmas paint it red and green. How about making it for a camping trip or night spent outside.

• Patriotic Treat Can - This fun coffee can craft makes a wonderful tabletop decoration if you fill it with flowers and flags, or it can even be filled with treats and given as a gift.

• Maple Leaf Necklace - Follow these directions and discover how you can make a maple leaf charm necklace.

• 3-D Fireworks Picture - Instructions for making a 3-D fireworks picture using glue and glitter. A perfect craft for American Independence Day or Canada Day!

• Red, White, and Blue T-Shirt - Find out how to create a patriotic t-shirt design using Simply Spray fabric dye and tie-dye techniques.

• CD Space Ship Craft - Kathryn explains how she created this great space ship using two CDs and a few other supplies.

• Mouse Ears Headband Craft - Instructions for making a headband that looks like mouse ears.

Enjoy, and remember, if you complete any of these crafts, take a few moments to send me a picture and it can be featured here too!

(Photo © 2009 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

Print out these free Independence Day coloring pages and create your own Independence Day related coloring book! Find free, printable fireworks, flags, and other Independence Day themed pictures. A great way for kids to pass time! These free color pages also make great last minute craft projects and Independence Day theme patterns to use for other projects!
RELATED:
- Patriotic Safety Pin Crafts
- Independence Day Crafts
- Printable Crafts

(Photo © 2009 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)