Get free digital scrapbook elements delivered to your inbox

While doing some work on my tech site, I came across this Google ad that is currently displaying there, which may be of interest to the digital scrapbookers out there.

If you enter your name and email address you can sign up to receive a free digital scrapbook kit. The kit is delivered to your inbox via daily instalments — papers, alphas, embellishments, word art — until you have the whole kit.

If you like the free download, you might want to upgrade to a paid membership. You’ll find the details here.

Check it out the free service first: the price is right!

Digital Scrapbook Experts free digital scrapbook kit

Tags: Digital Scrapbook Experts, digital scrapbooking, Scrapbooking

Use up all those craft scraps

A vase made from an old milk carton

Is it just me, or are all crafters hoarders?

Mind you I have no trouble doing regular clean-outs of my wardrobe, my linen press or the kitchen cupboards, but I’m loathe to part with even the smallest material or wool scrap — I just know they’ll comein handy one day and will be just what I’m looking for!

If you’ve got loads of bits and bobs like me that are piling up quicker than you can repurpose them, check out the Easy Projects with Caft Scraps feature.

The 27 projects on offer  include a funky Vase made from an old milk carton and paper scraps, ribbon-embellished notebooks, a cute baby mobile (this one is on my to-do list as I have a new grandchild on the way!), a cool messenger bag made from fabric scraps, a peg board stationary organiser and more.

Hopefully, some of these projects will make a dent in my craft stash, even just a wee bit!

Tags: craft scraps, Recycling

Free beading ebook

One of my favourite craft sites at the moment is FaveCrafts.com. I dabble in a wide range of craft and this site covers all of them and then some.

Apart from the great articles, projects and how-to videos, one excellent feature of the FaveCrafts site is its free downloadable ebooks — you can view the latest ones here and you’ll find more in the individual craft categories.

The beading ebook really caught my attention and if you’re a beader, you’re definitely going to want to download it. It contains instructions for beaded jewellery sets, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and home decor projects.

You can also sign up to have the FaveCrafts newsletter delivered to your email inbox or keep up-to-date with new additions to the site via RSS.

You can download your free beading ebook from here.

Tags: Beading, FaveCrafts.com, free ebooks

30 craft projects that recycle

A throw rug made from old jumpers

Still on the topic of recycling, the US Better Homes and Gardens site is currently featuring 30 great craft projects using items that you would otherwise throw out in the rubbish or things to make that will save on adding to the world’s landfill.

Projects include a snazzy tote bag that will replace those plastic bags when you go to the shops, a throw rug made from old jumpers, and several ways to make a style statement with old cans.

You’ll find all 30 projects here.

Tags: Better Homes and Gardens, crafts, Recycling

Make beads from junk mail and magazines

I must admit that I am a bit of a ‘greeny’ and I try to leave as small a carbon footprint as I can.

And one of the cool things about being a crafter is that you can often use lots of stuff that you would ordinarily throw out, thereby giving it a new life instead of assigning  it to landfill.

If you want to do your little bit for the planet, save some money and get a craft fix at the same time, you should consider working recycled materials into your crafting, and there’s a way to do it for just about any craft.

One way for beaders to get into recycling is to make their own paper beads. You’ll find lots of how-to videos on making your own beads from old magazines and junk mail on YouTube including the one below, and you can check out lots more here.

There are a variety of bead shapes you can make and the appearance of each bead will be determined by the type of paper and the print colours you choose, so your beads will be different to everyone else’s. You’re only really limited by your imagination.

I’ll post links to other ways you can repurpose no-longer-wanted items as I come across them.

Tags: Beading, paper beads, recycle, repurpose

I’m baaaack!

Well, if you’ve been wondering where I’ve got to, a whole lot has been going on in my life since I last posted — getting into the swing of working from home after the best part of 40 years working in one office or another, a death in the family, a new grandchild and bathroom renovations.

For any crafter out there with a bit of a tech bent, head to my consumer technology site Gail on Tech to see what’s been occupying me besides my freelance technology writing for Australian PC User magazine and the aforementioned collection of distractions.

However, I’m looking to the new year as a motivation to get back in the saddle with this site.

Anyway, I plan to not be so slack on the craft front in 2010. So, let’s see how I go.