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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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Well here it is; another of my cousin Kerrie’s scrumptious creations.

INGREDIENTS:

4 egg whites

¾ cup of caster sugar

¾ cup of brown sugar

1 tblsp of cornflour

1 tspn of white vinegar

Cream, whipped

Chocolate, grated or shaved

METHOD:

Beat sugars and egg whites until it forms just firmer than soft peaks. Fold in cornflour and vinegar. Spread the mixture to form a circle onto baking paper on a baking tray, then pop it into the oven at 120°C (100°C fan-forced) for about 2 hours.

Let the pavolva cool in the oven with the door open.

To serve, top the pavlova base with whipped cream and shaved chocolate (or anything else you fancy).

And here’s how it looks when served: crunchy on the outside; marshmallowy and yummy on the inside.

The pavolva base can be stored in an airtight container until later if you want to make it ahead of time or have it on hand to impress unexpected visitors.

As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Here’s my cousin Bartholomew giving it his seal of approval.

At a recent family morning tea, Kerrie had baked up a storm and we are still trying to work off the extra inches —but hey, was it worth it!

Here’s the first instalment of the recipes she so kindly consented to share. These chocolate tarts are absolutely devine.

Stay tuned for more goodies in coming days!

CHOCOLATE TARTS

(Makes 18 tarts)

INGREDIENTS:

Tart bases:

1 cup wholemeal flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup ground almonds

(also nice to add some crushed walnuts if you have them)

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

125g melted butter

Grease standard-sized muffin tins. Mix all ingredients together and press mixture into the base of each muffin tin hole and up the sides.

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 180°C (160°C  fan-forced).

Chocolate custard:

½ cup caster sugar

2tblsp cornflour

300ml cream

100g dark chocolate

4 egg yolks

METHOD:

Grease standard-sized muffin tins. Mix all the base ingredients together and press mixture firmly into the base of each muffin tin hole and up the sides to form a tart case.

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 180°C (160°C  fan-forced).

Combine caster sugar, cornflour and cream in a saucepan. Cook, stirring  constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens. Reduce heat and stir for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in egg yolks and chocolate. Stir until the  chocolate melts and is smooth. Spoon the chocolate custard mixture into the tart shells (each tart will hold about one-and-a-half tablespoons of chocolate custard).

Return the filled cases in the muffin tins to the oven for 10 minutes.

Stand for about 10 minutes, then pop the muffin tins into the refrigerator to set completely.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You will have 4 egg whites left over, which is perfect for making tomorrow’s recipe: a small caramel pavlova!

Thanks, Kerrie!

My mum, who has successfully battled cancer on three fronts over the years, couldn’t get to the event today, as she has the ‘flu, but I was there to fly the flag for her — or wield the knitting needles, at least. However, she’s going to be knitting up a storm at home for the cause.

If you , too, couldn’t make it to the event today, but would still like to be a part of this good cause, you can knit squares for blankets at home, plus scarves, wraps, hats or any other garments to help alleviate the chill sensations experienced by patients as they undergo chemotherapy treatment.

To give you an idea of what is needed, we knitted 10-inch squares today using 9mm needles and 8ply wool — you’ll need to cast on around 30 stitches if you’re a knitter with average tension.

All completed items can be sent to the following address up until July 1:

New Idea Knitting Event
Pacific Magazines
35-51 Mitchell St
McMahons Point NSW 2060

This site also has other great free projects, plus the pay-to-download recipes are very reasonably priced.

You can sign up to to the site here to receive free email notification of new additions to the site, plus beaded jewellery tips and tricks, and you can join in the community forums with other beaders.