Christmas In July - July 18, 2021 - CRAFTS!!!
Welcome to Christmas in July CRAFTS week! I am Jaime (AuntJamelle) and I live in northern Indiana, not too far from Chicago. I am an avid crafter - jack of all trades, master of none! Well, maybe of some, but there is just NEVER enough time to devote to all the wonderful things that can be made!
One not so pretty “secret” of crafting is that it can quickly get expensive!!! Especially if you are new to a particular type of crafting endeavor. Christmas and crafting go hand in hand. But Christmas also matches up with needing to spread our dollars as far as possible. So with those thoughts in mind Day One of this week has a focus on all things FRUGAL when it comes to crafting. I’ll be sharing some ideas and links but also looking to all of you to throw your ideas out as well! Anything is fair game!
One of the nice things about sites like MHH and communities like ours is that we are stronger and smarter as a group! I have learned SO much over the years from so many - here on MHH - and from Organized Christmas forums before that. I can never show my gratitude enough!
Among other things, I’ve learned many tips and tricks along the way on clever shortcuts, repurposes, savvy buying strategies and more. I’ll throw some ideas out there and I’m looking forward to hearing additional ones!
Crafting covers such a wide variety of areas - you can craft gifts of course, but also decorations, cards, tags and more! It is IMPOSSIBLE to even look at the myriad of ideas out there online. However I “believe in 6 impossible things before breakfast” so I keep trying!!!
FRUGAL CRAFT IDEAS FOR GIFTS AND/OR DECOR:
The links below were chosen in an attempt to target crafty creations that springboard off of low cost or free items. Not all may dovetail with everyone’s interests, ambition or resources. But they are fun to look at!!!
PineCone Firestarters - This should be pretty low dollar! Only the cost of wicks + Wax (or use leftover candle bits instead) + Essential oil scent
https://somethingturquoise.com/2014/12/12/diy-pinecone-fire-starter-favors/
Plan walks with the kids to gather pine cones - from your yard, neighborhood or a local park. If you chop up , melt and reuse leftover candle bits your cost for the project should be reduced to the wicks. Use leftover paper scraps for the tags. Buy baker’s twine on Clearance. To save your pots and pans, pick up a used pot at a garage sale or use a clean empty metal coffee can set in a larger pot. Fill the larger pot with water until it’s about ⅓ to ½ way up the side of the coffee can and heat slowly to melt the candle wax.
Snowball Bucket Ornament
https://www.creativegreenliving.com...ore-snowball-christmas-ornament-tutorial.html
Picture Magnets - Made from baby food jar lids!
Fabric Covered Hangers
Fork or Spoon "Trees" - This link leads to a brilliant idea for using Dollar Store supplies to make unique fork or spoon trees - which are a super cute idea for the kitchen or on a party buffet table. These are so cute that you could easily decide to make them as gifts!!!
https://hip2save.com/2016/12/08/pla...easy-dollar-store-christmas-centerpiece-idea/
Mason Jar Ring Coasters - These are super clever! Simply choose a different theme of paper napkin to modge-podge on to make these any theme/color you want! I don’t reuse my jar rings or lids for canning but I do save them for all sorts of things, including crafting!!!
https://intelligentdomestications.c...p8ITfoOek_10snteKMx6bVMoMLuQJ5nnZJjoMmmkd6TAE
Ribbon Paperclips - I’ve made these a few times! I have such a stash of ribbon in Christmas colors/themes that the cost of the paperclips is all I’ve had to spend. Although the thinner type of ribbon tends to be pretty darn low usually. These are nice gifts for co-workers or school staff, for example.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734186590739/
Check out this link to see several simple ideas made from scrap wood! Some of us may either have access to a person with power tools - or much more impressive - be comfortable with using them ourselves!
https://www.amodernhomestead.com/10-great-gifts-that-cost-zero-money-to-make/
We'll focus on a different crafty thought each day this week:
Sunday, July 18, 2021 = Frugal Crafting
Monday, July 19, 2021 = Food Gift Crafts
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 = Sewing/Embroidery/No Sew Gifts
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 = Knitting and Crochet
Thursday, July 22, 2021 = Jewelry
Friday, July 23, 2021 = Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts
Saturday, July 24, 2021 = Misc.
I’ll post back later with some random frugal crafty thoughts! But now I really want to hear from all of YOU! Share links or photos or stories of ideas - ones you’ve tried or you long to try!
Where do you feel it is "worth it" to be frugal when it comes to crafts? And where is it NOT? What is the best frugal find/purchase you've made? Do you garage sale? Either in person or on line? OR use sites like Craigslist or Ebay?
How do you make your crafting dollar stretch father?