If you are having trouble reading this newsletter or if links don't work, click here.

This issue of The Artful Crafter Digest marks our 5th Birthday. Thank you for joining us to celebrate.

It’s our birthday, but we have a present for you! Buy one of Eileen’s Original Patterns and get one (of equal or lesser value) free. This special birthday present from us to you, will be available until September 10. (Send us an email or add your request to the PayPal form.)

I get a lot of requests for kid and teen crafts, so I drew a little icon to indicate which projects listed below are suitable for kids to make, or which are designed especially to appeal to youngsters. Hope you like her ;-)

See you next month. In the meantime, please read on for what’s new on The Artful Crafter this month.

Eileen

What’s New on The Artful Crafter this Month

Fall and Winter Holiday Crafts

Halloween CD Ghost – Let the kids make several of these to hang from the trees and sway in the breeze.

Glitter Glue Ornament – This impressive-looking Christmas ornament is surprisingly easy to create.

Live Christmas Tree Place Card Holder – Here’s a quick and “green” place card holder idea for your winter holiday dinners.

Fashion

Feathered Headband – DIY and save money on some feathered bling! Feathered headbands are very popular but nice ones cost $50 and up.

Feathered Hair Clip – Feathered hair clips like this cost upwards of $15; but you can make your own for just a couple dollars.

Décor Crafts

Magazine Page Desktop Organizer – Recycle colorful magazines into handy desktop containers.

Clay Dot Flowerpot – This pebbled look flowerpot makes a perfect teacher gift, as well as a great kid craft for a rainy day.

Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts

Out of Bounds Photos – These OOB photos are way cute – if I do say so myself. Whether you’re a paper or digi-scrapper, OOBs add a really special look to your layouts.

Digital Scrapbooking Journal - Part 24 – This is one of my personal favorite layouts. It’s of my niece and her daughter: “Maire, Always remember to smell the flowers.”

Scrap Girls Challenge Fun – If you have a hard time keeping up with all the photos you want to scrap, try a Scrap Girls challenge. You’ll get feedback on your efforts and might even win a prize!

Post-It Note Holder – This design for a purse-size Post-It note holder was selected as the December Project of the Month by the makers of the Scor-It paper scoring tool. You can download my illustrated instructions from the Scor-It Project Gallery.

Choosing Greeting Card Stock – Some things to consider in choosing paper for your handmade greeting cards.

Decoupage

Decoupage on Bathroom Tiles – Some tips on decoupaging tiles that will be exposed to moisture.

Fabric Decoupage – A reader asks if you can decoupage fabric. My answer: “Absolument!”

Your Homecoming Mum Go-To Guide

It’s (get ready for) Homecoming time. Across most of the south, that means it’s (get ready for) Homecoming Mums!

If you live in Texas, Oklahoma and other parts of the south and are in junior high or high school (or know anyone who is ;-), it’s time to get started on your homecoming mums. Go team!

The Artful Crafter doesn’t sell the mums or supplies to make homecoming mums, but we tell you how to make them and where to find everything you need. We even have several illustrated how-to articles on some of the most popular love chain weaves.

Visit our award-winning Homecoming Mum Section or see our comprehensive article published on Google Knol ™.

Reader Letter of the Month: What’s the Best Sewing Machine?

Hi,

I am so excited about your website. I just found it now and haven’t explored yet but I know it's going to be helpful.

I have been contemplating pursuing my passion for arts and crafts, even on a part time basis. I’m a full time internal auditor – I particularly like your section about profit making in crafts business.

Well, I’m digressing a bit, but my question is: What is a good sewing machine? I’ve been meaning to buy one but don’t know where to buy the kind that I need.

I’m thinking of sewing duvets, pillows, girls dresses and office skirts (for me). I don’t know which machine I should buy.

Please give me tips.

I will surely be back at your site. I have put it in my favorites.

Thanks in advance!!!

Emy

Hi Emy,

Thank you so much. You’ve made my day!

I may not be the best one to ask that question. Though my most profitable product line has been sewn items that I designed myself (shown in the Rock You slideshow above), I’m not a fancy seamstress. So I’ve only needed the basics as far as a sewing machine goes.

The machine I have now is a Kenmore Ultra-Stitch 6. I bought it from a friend who bought it at a garage sale for $70! It’s probably 40 years old. LOL.

However here is an excellent article on How to Choose a Sewing Machine by Mary Wilkins, owner/editor of the website Sew-What’s-New.

Regards, Eileen