Recycle crafting with free ebook

If you’re looking for some cool craft projects that you can make from stuff you’d normally put out for collection in your council recycling bin, you should check out this free ebook from FaveCrafts — there are some great activities in it to do with the kids.

Here’s a peak at what’s inside:

Section 1: Paper
Learn how to use junk mail to make paper beads

Section 2: Paper Making
Use paper, magazines and greeting cards to create different kinds of crafts

Section 3: Metal
Use tins and cans to create little critters and luminaries

Section 4: Plastic
Use those old bottles, cans and containers to create household items and decor

Section 5: Glass
Don’t break those old wine bottles, create coasters out of them

Section 6: Clothing
Sweaters and belts don’t have to be clothing items, they can be made into bracelets

Section 7: Miscellaneous
Take those old CD’s and turn them into ornaments

You can download the Recycling Crafts: 42 Ways to Recycle ebook here.

Tags: Recycling

Be part of the Guardian Angel charity knitting drive

Itching to do some knitting, but there’s not really anything you need? Well, why not get your needles clicking for the benefit of the less fortunate.

From May 1 to July 31, knitters are being asked to create warm clothes, blankets, scarves and other garments for the 2010 Guardian Angels Knitting Project.

In its twelfth year, the charity knitting drive helps Australia’s poor to stay warm during the winter through donations of knitted garments to the Salvation Army.

Knitters who wish to participate can pick up a free book of suitable patterns from their local Guardian Pharmacy and completed garments can be left there to be passed on to the Salvation Army for distribution to the needy.

You can find your nearest Guardian Pharmacy here.

Tags: charity knitting, free knitting patterns, Guardian Angels Knitting Project 2010, Guardian Pharmacies, Salvation Army

Make cool pincushions from fabric scraps

If you like to sew, you’ll know just how indispensable a good pincushion is.

So, why not kill two birds with one stone: get a yourself a cool and unique pincushion and use up your old material scraps at the same time?

You’ll find over 20 ideas for crafting pincushions here and you’ll be able to utilise even the smallest scraps of material in your stash.

I guess this can be a two-edged sword, though; while it will use up scraps you can’t bear to throw out, you could be tempted to feed your hoarder side by saving even more and smaller scraps, because you know you can do actually something with them later.

The pincushions pictured here will also be a great project for beginner patchworkers, because the buttons will hide a multitude of sins when your corners don’t quite meet!

If you have  friends who sew, these make great and inexpensive gifts, and they will appreciate that you took the time to make something for them yourself.