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This “job” is so rewarding sometimes; though I always rush to say it’s not work. I love what I’m doing and feel very blessed that God has led me to this crafting path for my third career.

When Margene wrote looking for patterns to make useful items for the residents of her local nursing home, I had a few to share but lacked patterns for such things as armchair holders, lap robes, walker caddies and wheelchair tote bags.

Less than a month later, I was delighted to hear of another reader’s charitable crafting.

After her son returned from his overseas deployment safe and sound, Kris decided to get involved with Soldiers Angels. She now knits and crochets lap blankets for vets in wheelchairs.

As I looked into Soldiers’ Angels in order to alert my readers of this opportunity, “what to my wondering eyes did appear” but patterns for several of the items on Margene’s list. I promptly sent her the information.

The pattern for a Small Wheelchair Tote Bag Pattern has a lovely story behind it.

It came from “Geneva in Florida, whose quilt guild, the Creative Quilters of Citrus County, made 735 of these for “Make a Difference Day” in 1997 to give to nursing homes in their county”.

You are free to use the patterns for yourself or some charitable endeavor, but may not use them for profit. Fair’s fair.

Look into it. Perhaps you can “Make a Difference” today.

Wishing you all a lovely crafty spring and Easter!

Eileen

What’s New on The Artful Crafter this Month

Easter Crafts

Decorated Eggs – The Easter Bunny worked like crazy all month to bring you some unique ideas for decorating eggs this Easter!

• Dyed Sticker Egg
• Glittered Egg
• Decoupage Egg
• Marker Egg
• Gold and Silver Leaf Eggs
• Waterslide Decal Egg
• Rub-On Decal Egg
• Heat Embossed Egg
• Rhinestone-Studded Egg
• More Easter Egg Ideas

Easter Bunny Tower of Treats – How to make a tower of Easter treats that looks like the Easter Bunny himself! I’m sure you’ll agree that this is simply adorable.

Easter Potted Egg Centerpiece – Here are instructions for some darling potted Easter eggs. This went on site in February; but I’m mentioning it again just in case you missed it ;-)

Mother’s Day/Spring Crafts

Pretty Pot of Pens for Mom – Add a little glam to Mom’s desk with this lovely and handy penholder filled with flower-topped pens.

Decoupage/Collage

Vintage Look Decoupage – How to mount a vintage look poster using decoupage and gold leaf techniques.

Decoupage a Collage on a Picnic Table – This initial question from Trudy started a long chain of correspondence as the artsy picnic table progressed. Trudy promised to send final photos and let us know how the auction to raise funds for her school went.

Craft Recycling

Dumpster Diving for Craft Supplies – We all want to be “green” and save money wherever possible these days. I think you will enjoy the story of the lengths I went to in order to snag some free craft supplies. ROTFLOL

Crafting for Profit

Fabric Painting Business - Can one make money with hand painted fabric items? Yes, and I’m living proof.

Hello Artful Crafter: Is Anyone There?

I would love to send out immediate replies to all the readers who write in, but it’s just not humanly possible. It makes me feel bad that you may think I am ignoring you, when actually you are on my mind (conscience!) constantly until I get my entire mail box cleaned out.

That rarely happens anymore because more and more crafters are finding The Artful Crafter and writing me – which is wonderful! So don’t think I’m complaining or that I’m ignoring you.

Here’s how I handle my mail:

• Check in-box 3 or 4 times a day for reader questions or comments.
• Answer any that only require a link to an article already on The Artful Crafter.
• Answer any that can be done in a paragraph or two.
• Copy any that remain to separate Word documents and file them in a folder titled “Pending: Reader Questions” on my desktop.

This is where my system kind of falls apart. I work on the Pending Reader Questions whenever I have a few spare minutes – which means they can languish there for a week or two :-(

Does anyone have a better system or any suggestions for me? I’m drowning in mail and could only be happier if I could clone myself to respond to everyone within a couple of days:-D

Reader Letters of the Month: SAHMs Get Creative to Bring in Extra $$$

Hello,

My friend and I were thinking of starting an online business creating our own photo cards etc ...

I noticed that you sell your own cards and I was wondering what you can do legally to create cards from a software like Print Master and then sell them. Is that legal?

I would appreciate your help!

Thanks!

~Two Stay at Home Moms Trying to Make a Little Extra Income! ------------------------------

Hi Jenny,

The short answer is, “No, that would not be legal.” Plus, to put it in a nutshell, I would say, “Do unto other [artist]s as you would have them do unto you” and “Always read the Terms of Use”.

However, you would be amazed at how often I get this question. So I’ve posted a pretty comprehensive answer in my blog. I think you’ll find all you need to know here.

If not, please write again. And good luck with your work-from-home venture!