kiSS mY cRaFts

Rusty Tin Roof Summer Issue is HERE!

2010-06-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

YES! You can now download the newest issue of Rusty Tin Roof Ezine.
This issue is filled to the prim with articles, crafting tips and even free yes you read that right FREE Patterns!
I welcome you to read the entire ezine to find out about a new Marketplace that is just now taking new members!

Win! Win! Win!

2010-05-20T08:17:00.001-07:00

The first 5 people to email me a picture of the American Flag will win a FREE ad in the summer issue of Rusty Tin Roof!

Think of all the added traffic to your website and blogs!

email me at angie@djdoodle.com

please include the following

Name

Business Name

Business email

URL

special( we will edit if its too long so please keep it as brief as possible)

value of special

expiration date of special

GOOD LUCK!

Like to Make Crafts??? Why not open your own store online?

2010-04-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Do you like to craft and make things? Why not earn some extra money selling your handmade crafts. I love being able to use my own money that I earn from selling dolls and patterns to buy my fabric and supplies. You can do this too.

I just had to share this wonderful special going on right now. DJ Doodles has a Spring Spectular going on RIGHT NOW! YEP! Now is the time to get you very own website and sell those handmade crafts that are building up in your house.

Come by and Check out all You can get with the Spring Spectualar at the DIY Website Builder. Just click on the box at the bottom of the page or read on........
FREE Mini Setup PLUS FREE Craft Booth in SPRING Craft Show PLUS FREE Crafty Website Directory Ad in Rusty Tin Roof and... SPRING SPECTACULAR ~ $150 Price for 1 Year (that's Just $12.50/Month)!!

What is DIY Website Builder? The 1-Stop DIY Web Shoppe for Crafters and Small Businesses on a Budget! Offering Reliable web hosting services complimented by Daily server backups, and dazzling DIY customer support through our new Djdoodle Help Desk, along with Fabulous Features and Flexible Services designed with small businesses in mind.

AND I am very excited about a new function that has been added to the DIY Website Builder that no other hosting place has...YOU CAN HOLD YOUR OWN AUCTIONS FROM YOUR WEBSITE! This is called DIY Auctions! No exra fees to use this service and you hold your very own Auctions from your website. What do you do to bring in folks? Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Newsletters and just add your link to every email so folks know YOU hold your own auctions! This is an awesome feature that I know I will be using!

Now one quick note before I let ya go.... If you need a place to help ya with really good looking newsletters and About Me Pages on eBay you need to check out DIY Newsletters. Come by and check out all your can do with the DIY Newsletter to build your business or simply to stay in touch with family and friends. Not expensive either $5.00 a month or $50.00 a year. Tax write off if you are a small or large business owner.

Hope you can turn your love of Crafting into a Buisness! Can't wait to see what you do with your crafting so make sure to post your website links in the comments so we can see!

Fun Crafts for the Kids

2010-03-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

Spring break for many is right around the corner and what better time for the Rusty Tin Roof Spring Issue to be released. Inside this online free ezine (magazine) you will find articles, patterns and crafts for you and the some the kids can do too.
To download you copy just go to Rusty Tin Roof can click on the magazine cover like below.Check out the fun Doodle Cup Holders and Easter Egg Garland crafts. More to come tomorrow

Snow Snow Snow What to Do When it Snows....I know SEW!

2010-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but here in Texas we are having one rollar coaster of a winter! We had our first White Christmas (since my husband has been alive 1962) in December 09 then we had 80 degree days in Jan 2010. Now it seems winter is attempting to return. I know many folks all over the USA and the world are haveing ice and snow storms. I know the kids are home from school and after a while the tv and video games are just not enough. Well put those kiddies to work helping MOM get ready for the craft show season. Yes you read that right use that child labor...pay them in cookies and milk and get them stuffing.

I decided in honor of our rollar coaster winter, to make one of my Summer Time Annie Ornies a FREEBIE just for you. YES you heard that right. This pattern makes up 2 sizes of Shweet Annie Star Ornaments and is simply and easy to make. If you work in the primitive style you can even let the kids paint on the faces. Oh go ahead let them do some anyways for their own. You can stuff them with polyfill like in the pattern OR if you have some dried lavender or rose petals handy let them stuff some of the dried flowers in the ornies. Make the stars up in pink and lavender fabrics and tell the girls they are bedtime stars. The lavender will help them sleep on the nights it takes a while to settle down.

These stars can be created in just about any fabric you can imagine and leave the bangs short and no braids and guess what you have ANDY for the boys at home!
Have fun and we'd love to see some of your creations made up. Just pop back in and post a link to where you have your ornies.
Come on and grab your FREE Shweet Annie Star Ornie ePattern while they last.

Shweet Annie Star Ornies ePattern PDF

This pattern is the perfect ornie or ornament pattern to use all year long. You get instructions on ...

Price: FREE!

Were looking for some patterns...

2010-02-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

Are you a pattern designer?
Do you have a FREE pattern?
Are you looking for a place to advertise that free pattern for FREE?

Then look no farther! This is the place for you!
We will be placing a free pattern list on this very blog!
To have your pattern placed here, or if you know of one that available:
email the link or place it here
angie@djdoodle.com
We will include a link and a picture on our side bar!

Sooooo come on! Lets share those free patterns and maybe even draw some new clients your way!

The legend of Groundhogs Day

2010-02-02T08:53:00.001-08:00

The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year."
Every February 2, people gather at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Residents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong.
The ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret until 1966, and only Phil's prediction was revealed to the public. Since then, Phil's fearless forecast has been a national media event.
The groundhog comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and utters his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in "groundhogese." The representative then translates the prediction for the general public.
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner.
Approximately 90% of the time, Phil sees his shadow.
Phil started making predictions in 1887 and has become an American institution.

The FREE Fall edition of Rusty Tin Roof is now up!

2009-10-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Stop on by http://www.rustytinroof.com and download your FREE issue of the best online magazine around.
You'll find articles from some of the best crafters online as well as:
*crafting tips
*recipes
*FREE graphic downloads
*FREE e-patterns
*kids crafts
and tons more!
Come on by and see this incredible jammed packed issue today!

~~side note: I know with my computer, when I went to load this issue, I got a blank page. I let the issue download for a few minutes and then had no trouble reading it. You also need to make sure you have updated versions on Adobe Reader and Internet Explorer~~

HUGE SALE FOR DIY!!!!

2009-09-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Are you a crafter that has been thinking of starting your own website?

Have you been afraid of taking that step due to the price that most websites can cost?

Wellllllllllll friends~ Dj Doodle has come to the rescue!

For a limited time you can have your own DIY site for 1 entire year for the bargain price of $150!

thats just $12.50 a month or $2.83 a week or $.42 a day!!!!!

$.42 a day! Thats it!

For that you get the outstanding doodle service, 24/7/365 access to your site, tons of pictures, tons of pages annnnnnnnnnnd of course tons of sales!!!!

This is the sale youve been waiting for!!!!! Dont miss out!

Head on over to http://www.diywebsitebuilder.com/specials.html

Sellers on eBay you need to know this info

2009-08-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

I know you usually come in here to find fun crafts to do but today there is something happening soon on eBay that I want to make sure all sellers are aware of. If you are like me you like to dabble on eBay and we want everyone to be informed and given the chance to Say NO to eBay.
Here is the scoop:

Friends if you are like me you did not know that come August 31,2009 eBay can use any of your pictures they want to for any reason without your permission unless you go into your account and opt out!

Here is the info on this new eBay change.

I looked and I don't see anywhere that I received an email from eBay on this.

Thank heavens for other communities who help keep us ebayers in the know.

http://naamah-darling.livejournal.com/411410.html

Everyone needs to thank this gal cause she makes this process so easy to understand and opt NO too. If you have problems getting it to allow you to change log out and back in and it should work. It did for me. If you can't get the Opt NO to work email eBay or better yet CALL THEM.

Just working to keep everyone informed.

Come by later for more fun crafting for you and the kids

So you want to make Primitive things

2009-08-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

We have had folks asking about how to stain fabric and dolls so we thought we would post a little (really not to little) tutorial here for those who want to experiment with different staining methods.

Remember there are several ways to stain a doll and several things to stain with. Each person seems to do it differently too. These are the ways I (Sandi with Always Crafty 2 and Shweet Potato Dolls) stain and the products I use id: tea, coffee, walnut ink…

Tea Stain:

You can use any type of tea to stain instant or bag. I like to use tea in bags. You can use all types of tea from regular black tea to blueberry or even gingerbread. Different tea will give your muslin different stain colors. If staining a med stain add 4-5 tea bags to 1 quart of really hot water and let it sit in the water until the water cools. Reach a clean or gloved hand into the water and squeeze the tea bags once the water is med to cool in temp. If your water is not dark enough heat it up and add more tea bags. You can put your stain into mason jars and store in the fridge to use if you have left over. Make sure to mark the jar DOLL STAIN so no one drinks it. Teas like blueberry and gingerbread leave a soft scent to the fabric plus the stain too.

To stain your muslin or fabric (remember fabric will all take different stains differently....Not all muslins take stain the same way and even if the muslin looks the same it might not actually BE the same.)
If you want to stain a nice long piece of muslin before you make your doll, what I do is take a plastic mixing bowl (which I mark STAINING BOWL on the outside) and add your fabric and pour your stain on the fabric. I highly suggest using surgical gloves when staining or your hands and nails will turn the color of your stain...although stained hands are a badge of honor among primitive makers. You want to make sure all the stain gets to all parts of your fabric so get your hands into the bowl and move the fabric around to make sure all parts are getting stain. Leave your fabric in the tea stain bowl for a couple hours or over night.
When you are ready to remove the fabric lift it out over the bowl and sink and wring it out. You can then hang it on a clothes line outside to dry or lay it one a flat spot to dry. If you like the blotchy look leave it wrinkled as you dry it.

Coffee Stain:

I don't do alot of coffee stain as it looks like the walnut ink I like to use. BUT to make up coffee stain this is what I have used in the past and this stain is awesome for extreme primitives especially when it has sat for a few days.
2 Cups Dark Coffee (Hot)
1/4 Cup Vanilla Extract
1/4 Cup Dark Molasses (can leave this out if you don't have it)
Place the above in a glass mason jar (large) and shake up well. You can then use it like you did the tea stain or you can place in a spray bottle and spray away on your dolls or fabric. Remember to dry outside.

Walnut Ink Crystals:

I love this look because you can get it as light or dark as you want simply by the amount of crystals you use. I start with 2 teaspoons of walnut ink crystals in an 8 oz glass of HOT water. Hot water will help them to dissolve. You can add vanilla or fragrance oils but if using oils just a tad will do. YOU can then soak your fabric or spray it on. ADD more or less of the crystals to get the deserved color you want. You can find walnut ink crystals many places. I sell them on my Always Crafty 2 website, you can also find them on etsy and ebay and sometimes in craft stores.

Methods to dry: Outside is the easiest and here in Texas it doesn't take long to dry. If you live in apartment like I do or when it is not sunny or hot you can always place it in your dryer. NOT REMEMBER YOU JUST STAINED IT SO you have to run a cycle in your drier afterwards with another piece of fabric or something you don't mind getting stained as stain WILL be left in the dryer. First time I dried in the dryer I did not realize this and my hubby's undies were all primed the next time I dried. You can also dry in your oven just turn the temp to about 250 and watch it closely so it doesn't burn. I have also used my microwave to dry fabric but be warned fabric WILL Catch fire in the microwave very quickly. Trust me I know and the smell is not pleasant at all and hard to get out of your home.

You can stain whole pieces of fabric or you can trace your pattern pieces and sew them, cut and turn them right wide out and then stain them. Some folks stain dolls after they are stuffed. I actually do all of the above depending on the doll I am making and also me... I have a tendency to forget things so often I forget to stain until I stuff.

Spicing it up

Now once you made your doll or critter and say you want it to be a little more prim grab the spices out of your kitchen pantry like cinnamon, cloves, allspice etc. Spray your creation with your staining solution lightly and then rub in the spice of your choice. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WEARING GLOVES FOR THIS! Spice will stain you and they also can cause a reaction on your hands. Then let your creations dry using your drying method. One other word of warning: If you do use a spice or fragrance on your creation you need to add that to your listings if you are selling online and on the tag you include with your creation. Some folks are allergic and this will let them know ahead of time if they can live with your creation.

Remember you can use your stain and spices on this besides fabrics and dolls. I stain wood with my walnut ink crystals and I make a mixture of instant coffee, mod podge and spices and using a sponge brush grubby up plastic fruit and other objects. Make sure you dry them on wax paper and don't place dry creations directly on furniture.

Also use it on paper to make your own primitive cards for the holidays or thank you notes.

Hope this has helped a little...have fun! Soon you will be staining anything you can get your hands on :)

Nother FUN Craft for the Kids to Make

2009-08-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hello troops. Many of the kids are back in school or getting ready to head back to school and we wanted to come up with a fun but easy craft for them to make on the weekend and use for back to school. This can also be made up now and put away for gifts for the holidays. Just think how much fun this would be on your own desk at home or to give to your favorite teacher at school.

What are we making today????
Pencil Holder

Supplies Needed:
Well cleaned, empty juice can
1 skein yarn (thick yarn)
matching felt
Pencil
Scissors
Liquid Craft or white glue
Feathers, silk flowers, rickrack, beads, buttons, any kind of trim or decorations on hand

How to Make your Pencil Holder:
1. Place your can on the felt and draw around the base of the can with your pencil. Trace two circles this same way. Cut out the circles using your scissors. One circle you will glue to the inside bottom of your empty clean can. The second circle glue to the bottom outside of the can. Leave the can standing on the open end until the glue dries on the bottom.

2. Glue one end of the yarn to the bottom edge of the can and wind it around the can. What I did was take glue and a wide paint or foam brush and brush glue on the can about 1-2 inches wide. You want to only add as much glue to the can as you can wind the yarn around before the glue drys. Cover the can completely with the yarn and allow to dry,

3. Glue trim, like your feathers, rickrack, buttons etc on to the can to make it fun and exciting. If you are using white or craft glue you will need to glue the buttons or non trim one side at a time and let it dry. You can place the can on it side in-between 2 other full cans that are standing upright, this will keep the can from rolling while drying.

** There are so many fun things you can do to make your pencil holder unique. Mix the colors up of yarn you are wrapping around the can. You can use hemp or jute to wrap the can with and give it a manly rustic look. Add pictures or even little shells to make the pencil holder look earthy.

We'd love for you to show off your finished creations here in our blog. Just email us your picture and first name and city,state you are from. If you want to add your age that would be awesome!

Happy Crafting and See ya soon

More Fun for the Kids this Summer Time

2009-07-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

HOW much fun would it be for the kids to create Animal Cracker Pins to give as gifts to their friends or just to wear to school in the Fall.

This craft is so simple and easy to do.

First head to the store and buy a box of animal crackers. You can get the small boxes like we had when we were little that look like a circus train OR you can get a big bag of Grandma's Animal Crackers just make sure they are NOT iced!

You will need

Animal Crackers

Paint Brush

Varnish or Mod Podge

Glue

Pin Backs

Wax Paper

To make your pins

Line your table with wax paper.

Paint the front side of your animal crackers with mod podge and let dry.

Paint the back side of your crackers and let dry.

Do these steps 3 times... You want a nice thick coat of mod podge or varnish with it drying in between each coat.

When your cracker is dry glue on the pin back to the back side of your cracker.

Simple and easy and so much fun to make.

If you make some up we'd love to see them!

Calico Ornaments- Christmas in July Fun

2009-07-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Summer is the perfect time to think ahead with the kids home towards the holiday season. Here is a simple yet fun way to create ornaments for your trees, wreaths or to hang on the outside of Holiday gifts.

Ages 8 and Up

Need:
Cardstock to draw your template shape

(Large Cookie Cutters)

Pencil

Calico Fabric

Polyfill

Glue

Crochet thread

Large Needle

Sequins, braid, bells, ribbons, rickrack

Step 1:

Draw a simple shape or design on your cardstock. If you have large cookie cutters these are perfect just trace around the outside of the cookie cutter onto the card stock.

Step 2:
Cut out the shape on your trace line

Step 3:

Fold your Calico fabric (can be any solid color or print) with the right sides together and lay your template on the wrong side. Trace around the template. This will be your sewing line.

Step 4:

Sew on the trace line all the way around your ornament. You can use a sewing machine or sew by hand using your crochet thread and makeing small close stitches.

Step 5:

Seperate the 2 layers of fabric by gently rubbing them in-between your fingers. Make a 1 inch cut through ONE SIDE of the fabric only.

Step 6:
Turn the ornament right side out through the slit you cut. The slit will be on the back of the ornament.

Step 7:

Stuff your ornament with polyfill. If you want scented ornament take a cotton ball and add a small amount of essential or fragrance oil to the cotton ball. Place the ball inside the ornament and add stuffing around it.

Step 8:
Whip stitch the slit closed with your crochet thread.

Step 9:
Add a 4" loop to the top of your ornament using your crochet thread.

Step 10:

Decorate it with sequins, bells, rickrack or braid if you wish. You can sew them on or glue them using a clear tacky glue.

If you have scented your ornaments place them inside a plastic baggie until the holidays to keep them nicely scented.

If you use a printed fabric you don't even have to add any extra decorations. Use your imagination. I made a reindeer and added dried tree branches for the antlers. Is your dad a hunter or fisherman?

Why not create dad a special tree for him with animal shapped ornaments? We made one for my hubby to take to work last year and all the contractors loved it. We scented ours lightly with cinnamon and Texas cedarwood and all the hunters went nuts.

The main thing is TO HAVE FUN!

Little hint for non sewers:

Don't sew then do steps 1-3.

Turn your cut pieces right side up and add a small amount of polyfill to the middle of the bottom layer. Run a line of tracky glue around the outside edge of the bottom fabric piece (it will be on the inside of the fabric). Place a loop of yarn 4 inches long and tied in a knot at the top of your ornament and add glue to the top and bottom of the knot. The knot should be INSIDE the ornament. NOW place the top fabric piece onto the bottom piece. Make sure the right sides of the fabric are facing outwards. Press them together and let them dry on wax paper. Once they are dry you can add your sequins and decorations.

These are fun for little ones to make as long as an adult does the cutting!

Have fun and we would love to see some of your creations. Send finished pictures to sandi@rustytinroof.com and we will show them off here on our blog.

Bingo Game about to Begin...Fun online Game with Prize

2009-07-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

Rusty Tin Roof a Great online Ezine is hosting an online Bingo game. If you have not downloaded the newest issue of Rusty Tin Roof ezine do so now. Make sure to check out the Rusty Tin Roof BLOG for updates on the next issue of the ezine AND for the BINGO words as they are called out.

Here is the scoop on playing the Bingo game with us.

Pick out 20 words from the BINGO LIST below.
Make sure you keep a list for yourself.
Send you list to sandi@rustytinroof.com.
Please put RTR BINGO words in your subject line along with your name and address incase you are the winner of BINGO.

YOU have from July 1 Til July 14 to send in your words.
BINGO words start being called in Rusty Tin Roof Blog here and also IN OUR COMMUNITY djDoodle Junction on July 15.

We want lots of BINGO players so get your words in NOW.
Check out the newest issue of Rusty Tin Roof Ezine to see the awesome prize donated by Angie with Angie's Raggedy Patch.

Summer Fun Bingo

Summer
Sun
HotHeat
Water
Beach
Sand
Swimwear
Rafting
Tubing
Diving
Swimming
Picnic
Ants
Fishing
Flippers
Beach Towel
Suntan Lotion
Shades
Sea Shells
Sea Shore
Star Fish
Gar
Bass
Trout
Marlin
Tuna
Squid
Summer School
Lightening Bugs
Moonlight
Lightening
Rain
Cookout
Camping
Mowing
Gardening
Tomatoes
Peppers
Squash
Green Beans
Roses
Daisies
Cookies
Cakes
S’mores
Candy
Cotton Candy
Ice Cream
Snowcones

Something Fun the kids can do to clean the house

2009-06-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Okay summer is in and school is OUT! For some of us school is out for GOOD. .... Well really not for good because even when High School is over we pray our kids continue to learn and go to college or trade school. I am very proud to say that my Kassy is now Officially going to Cosmetology School here in Dallas September 1!

So we were thinking of something fun we could do with our neice while she was here at the apartment the last couple days. Olivia is 7 and she "tested" our my new in the works pattern "Shweet Flying Fairies" and what do you think??? Pretty good for a 7 year old with just a little help from Aunt Sandi.

And we also made a "Coffee Filter Memory Book". Those instructions will be in the next Rusty Tin Roof Ezine. ( Tinkerbell sticker shown copyright owned by Disney)

And opened so you can see the inside where we used coffee filters....

Then we decided to try making carpet freshener for both our apartments. Here is the final recipe we came up with and my carpet still smells nicely fresh.

Carpet Freshener

2 Cups Baking Soda
1 parmesan cheese-type shaker we bought at the local Dollar Store
Essential oil (we used lavender, orange and patchouli )

How to make:

Pour the 2 cups of baking soda in a plastic bowl. Mix it around with a metal fork to make sure there are no clumps. Add essential oil til you get the scent you like. We added 5 drops of the lavender and orange essential oil and 3 drops of the patchouli essential oil. Now you want to gently stir the oils into the baking soda. You will know when it is all mixed up when you don't have any lumps in the soda.

To make spinkling easy on your carpet pour your baking soda mixture into a parmesan cheese- style glass container. We bought ours at the local Dollar Store. Make sure to screw the top on really good. Now you can use your carpet freshener.

How to use:
Sprinkle your carpet freshener on your carpet and wait 10-15 minutes. Then vacuum like normal. If you find that the scent is not strong enough just add more essential oil and mix into the baking soda well.

If you want to make a more primitive looking carpet freshener just add about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, cloves or all spice to your baking soda and stir really well.

One little note we found helpful: Cut a piece of cardboard or card stock the size that will fit inside the lid of your shaker container. Place this circle over the top before you put your lid on when storing. OR you can simply place a piece of the Glad Press and Seal over the top. This will keep the critters and buggies from wanting to crawl into the shaker.

Have fun! Mix different scents for different times of the year.
Here are some of Olivia's Scent Suggestions

Summer: Lavender, Orange and patchouli
Sweet Orange,lemon and citronella

In your bedroom for sleeping: Lavender and Marjoram

Holidays: Cinnamon, Allspice power scents with 5 drops of Fir Needle essential oil

Olivia asked me to remind you that she was using essential oils that Aunt Sandi has so you can mix up whatever you have on hand and just make sure you like the scent mixtures! And the most important thing is..... HAVE FUN Together!

Saying Thanks this Memorial Day

2009-05-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

Well the kids are out of school either for summer or like us for Memorial Day holiday. A whole lot of Parents are home too. This is the perfect time to spend some good ole family time together and also teaching our future WHAT Happened in our Past.

I know many of our children and even some of our young adults have no idea why we celebrate Memorial Day. Why do they get out of school, close the banks, offices and stop the mail? No it's not for that great start to the summer sale at the local Dept store. It is a time for each of us to STOP and reflect on those who gave their lives all over the world for our freedom.

Many folks spend Memorial Day in different ways. Some go fishing or on a picinic.One of my dear friends will spend the weekend at the local cemetery and collect donations this weekend for our soldiers and their families. No matter how you feel about war remember the reason you have the ability to have an opinion is someone at some point in our vast history fought for the right of free thinking.

This weekend why not show your support by hanging up some red/white and blue. One simple and fun way to do this is to go to the local discount store and pick up a couple spools of red, white and blue ribbon. If the ribbon is 1-2 inches it will show up right nicely. Then cut strips of ribbon about 4 inches long and tie them on the shrubs in your front yard.
While you are at the discount store you can pick up a pre-made ribbon and tie it to your front door or handle. I tied this bow onto a wood hanger that Keelee made me when she was in Middle School.

Remember the paper flowers we made back on May 5..Cinco de May. Why not make up some paper flowers in red, white and blue and place them around your front yard or take them to a local cementery or VFW lodge. No matter what you do or how you do it ....Just Please remember to thank a solider or person in uniform when you see them. YOU will never know how much it helps to hear one simple "Thank you". You will touch a life forever.

One last request...ON Monday please wear something RED while you are out and about. At 3pm wherever you are STOP and take a moment to Thank those who died so that you might be free.

Til tomorrow

This FREE Coupon Special Ends today MAY 22

2009-05-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

^*^*Super Summer Sizzle Savings Coupon Spectacular^*^* Is business down? Are you looking for any way possible to not only help out your customers, but also help out your sales? Then look no further! Rusty Tin Roof is here to the rescue!

Extended thru May 22! YOU STILL HAVE TIME - you can take part in a COMPLETLY FREE, money saving, summer sizzlin' show down at Rusty Tin Roof! This offer is open to all crafters from far and wide!

Offer your customers a COUPON for any items you sell. (We do ask that you give us a $Dollar$ value, as opposed to a percentage off. In other words, your coupon must read display the SALE Price of the item, or the Dollar amount of the COUPON to be taken off the regular price of the item.)
For example, if you have a line of Patriotic ornies this summer, why not offer a $5 coupon on the purchase of $25 or more? Another example, do you sell candles and have a new line of tarts? How about offering free tart with the purchase of a candle? Just make sure to let us know the value.

Your COUPON will be added to the SIZZLIN SUMMER Issue of Rusty Tin Roof ezine at NO CHARGE! Rusty Tin Roof is a Free downloadable Country~Prim Online Magzine, chock full of recipes, articles, free patterns, kids crafts, games and more, and we have Thousands of downloads each release! Think of the added exposure to your website, or blog!
Your coupon will be featured in the SPECIAL SUMMER SIZZLE COUPON PAGE and will be LINKED your website or blog AND you would also be listed in the ADVERTISERS directory -- and all for FREE!

But Wait - There's MORE LOL!
IN ADDITION to this FREE COUPON AD and listing in the Advertiser's Directory of the Summer issue of Rusty Tin Roof, for taking part in this offer, you will ALSO receive a coupon for YOU to use!
All djDoodle clients will receive a $20 coupon for any of our ONLINE MARKETPLACES or our craftshow, Country Craft Show Online, and anyone Outside of our Community who is not yet a Doodle will receive a $20 coupon for any of our ONLINE MARKETPLACES (http://www.djdoodlejunction.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=90),

Country Craft Show Online (http://www.countrycraftshowonline.com/)

OR their choice of 1 month FREE of DIY website builder (http://www.diywebsitebuilder.com/)

with their signup!!!

So that's a FREE COUPON for your customers, which means FREE advertising for your business and a FREE coupon for you to also PROMOTE your business with djDoodle!What's the Catch, you ask?
This is a 1-DAY-ONLY EVENT ~ on Tuesday, May 19th ~ First come, First Served ~Maximum of 100 Coupons will be given out, so be sure to tell all your country and prim friends, post about it on your blogs, add it to your newsletters, and just make sure to be there!

We'll be looking forward to seeing you at djdoodle JUNCTION, Craft Community Forum!!!****Hey there crafters!
If youre interested in this free offer, please email info@rustytinroof.com. with the following info
Your name:
Business name:
website/ blog URL:
Email addy:
coupon offer:
You must email Angie Tuesday the 19th to recieve this freebie!
Make sure to tell your friends!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

May your day be filled with love and special blessings!
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms out there who have made our lives so special!
A special little gift for you to create for your MOM all year round.
http://www.box.net/shared/4hcjhpk1no

Just click the link above to download this doodle and you can sew it up for that special mom in your life. Please give credit to Always Crafty 2 if using this doodle.
HAppy Mother's Day from one Mom to another!

Happy Cinco de Mayo (May 5)

2009-05-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

¡Cinco feliz de Mayonesa! ¡Tenga un gran día!

Some thing fun to do today with the kids or yourself...
Making Paper Flowers:
I loved making these as a child in Tennessee and when we moved here we found these fun flowers all over the place especially around this time of the year.
Step 1
Gather 10 to 15 sheets of colored tissue paper of varying sizes together. If you want to make colorful flowers, use multicolored sheets of tissue paper. On the top sheet of tissue paper, using either chalk or pencil, draw a flower pattern of your choosing. I usually draw a wavy half circle.
Step 2
Clip the sheets of paper together with paper clips, and using scissors, cut out your flower design.
Step 3
Stack the sheets of paper together, with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on the top. Using a sharp object (ice pick, skewer), poke a hole into the center of your flower petals.
Step 4
Gather the cutout petals from the bottom to make the flower and place the green pipe cleaner in the hole you cut. Don't have pipe cleaners??? No problem grab a wire hanger and un twist it. Using wire cutters clip it the length you want to make your flower and stem. Bend the end of the pipe cleaner so it doesn’t slip through the hole. Using the floral tape, tape the flower petals where they make a point at the top of the pipe cleaner.
We wrapped green tissue paper around the stem part and glued it on but you can leave it plain OR even leave off the stem.

We have made these flowers out of tissue paper and just about any thing you can imagine. Have fun and celebrate!

How to Make a Boxed Bottom

2009-04-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Being a self taught sewer and dyslexic to boot, sometimes what seems like the easiest instructions are very confusing. I read many tutorials on how to box bottom a doll so that she would sit nicely and finally came up with my own method. I thought I would share it with you. You can find this to download on my website http://www.alwayscrafty2.com/ under freebies as well as below.

How to make a Boxed Bottom for a Doll
Always Crafty 2

Sew the body all the way around. You will then need to cut a slit on one side of the fabric only. I choose to do this on the back side and make a slit about 2-3 inches. It needs to be large enough to make a boxed bottom (like the bottom of a paper bag) and also to add stuffing and gravel.

Don’t turn the body quite yet. You need to make a boxed bottom so your doll will sit nicely and stay.

Step 1:
To make a boxed bottom you need to place couple fingers inside the slit all the way to the bottom of the body. You want to have your index finger in the left bottom point.

Step 2:
Match up the bottom seam with the left side seam. Until you get used to creating boxed bottoms, I would pin it together before sewing.

Step 3:
You will sew a straight line from one side. You will want to make your triangle on the other side now. Once you have both sides sewn you will clip off the access fabric to the outside. The picture shown below has both sides sewn and one side the access cut off.

Step 4:
And turn right side out. This is how it will look once the bottom is boxed and turned.

All you need to do now is stuff the body and add gravel or Poly Pellets before stitching the stuffing/turn slit closed.

Creating a boxed bottom does take a little practice, but is well worth it. This will allow your dolls to be free sitting and folks really like that.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me alwayscrafty2@yahoo.com
This tutorial is FREE and not to be sold by anyone …anywhere.
©Always Crafty 2 www.alwayscrafty2.com

Sewing Saturday????

2009-04-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

DO you like to sew or does sewing OWN you? I personally am a self taught sewer. Don't get me wrong I took Home Ec way back in 7th grade, which was way to many years to count. I did not do so well in the sewing area but loved the cooking part. So when I became disabled I taught myself to sew to keep from going nuts. NOW it is something I do almost every day.

Today is my Sewing Saturday.... I plan to finish up a couple Shweet Potato Dolls and then work on a special graduation Annie for my daughter who is graduating in May. What about you? Love to hear what you are going to sew today?

This is the perfect time to work on some fall creations for your craft shows or home display. Here is a simple and easy pumpkin even the kids can create with a little help from MOM or Dad.

What do you need?
Pumpkins
Orange Fabric (plain or printed)
Crochet Thread (natural)
Cinnamon Stick or 1 inch tree branch
Glue
Polyfill
3 and 6 inch doll needles

HOW TO MAKE A PUMPKIN

1.Cut or tear a stripe of fabric (rectangle) 12 inches long by 5 inches tall
2. Fold the fabric in half long ways to make a 6 inch long rectangle. Make sure the right sides of the fabric are facing each other on the inside.
3. Sew by hand or sewing machine the open end of the 6 inch rectangle. If sewing by hand make small stitches so that the stuffing won't fall out later.
4. NOW you want to take your crochet thread and needed and I like to use double thickness of thread. So cut a long piece of thread and knot the end of both sides together. Using a in and out or gathering stitch ----- ------- ----------- -------- sew around one end of the 5 inch part of the rectangle. NOW once you have sewn all the way around and have met up where you started pull both ends of the thread and tie off. YOU want it to close up and knot it several times to make sure it will stay good and closed.
5. Turn this right side out. LOOK you have a closed bottom and side but open top. NOW remember how you sewed the gathering stitch at the bottom..... Do the same to the top but don't pull the strings yet, you need to stuff it.
6. Stuff the inside nice and firm. You can shape the way the pumpkin looks by how much stuffing you use and pushing it around. IF you want your pumpkins to be scented you can add a small amount of scented corn cob (I'll show you how to make that later).
7. Once it is stuffed like you like it gather up the ends and pull them tightly to close.
8. This is my most fun part of the pumpkin...making sections. I use a 6 inch doll needle I found at a craft store. You will want a double layer of crochet thread like before but this time make sure it is NICE and LONG. You will take your needle and go into the middle of the pumpkin at the bottom and up at the top. Swing your needle and thread around the outside and back into the bottom up to the top. Next time you want to swing your thread the opposite direction and go into the bottom out the top. You should be pulling tight each time to make the pumpkin sections. Do this as many times as you want. I usually do it no more than 7 times and no less than 4.
9. Take your cinnamon stick or stick from outside and add a small amount of glue on the bottom. Stick it into the middle of the top of the pumpkin where you tied off your gathers. Let it dry.
10. YOU are done unless you want to stain it. If you want prim pumpkins just spray your pumpkins with a mixture of walnut ink crystals, hot water and small amount of pumpkin pie fragrance oil. Let it dry in the sun. YOU can rub pumpkin pie spice on the pumpkin while it is wet to give it an even grungier look and also tie on a scrap of homespun to the stick.

Just have fun! These are great decorations for Thanksgiving and all Fall long. Make small ones to use as place holders at the Thanksgiving table and a variety of sizes and fabric prints for a centerpiece.

Scented Corn Cob Stuffing:
If you want to make some scented stuffing go to the pet store and get corn cob like you would use in the cage of a hamster. Take a mason jar and add corn cob about 1/2 way up. ADD fragrance oil to the degree you like it. NOT too much or it will be greasy even from inside the pumpkin. Put of lid and shake to mix up the corn cob and oil. I let it sit at least 24 hours to soak in nicely. Shake the jar couple times when you walk by it. You can use this scented stuffing in your punpkins, dolls and even to make Mug Rugs.

Just wanted to show you that you can also jazz up your pumpkins by adding handmade leaves or even the silk leaves you find at the craft stores.

Decorating Soaps for Mom, Dad and Gifts

2009-04-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Want a fun gift for Mom, Dad or that special graduate this year? Make it extra special and Make it YOURSELF!

It is not hard to do and you will look oh so crafty! You can use store bought or if you like to make soaps use your own handmade soaps. The soaps shown below are a mix of handmade Melt and Pour Soaps and even a Store bought Soap by Nuetrogena.

Let's Decorate Some Soaps!
What you will need
Soap
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Scissors
Stickers or Rub On Decals
Wax Paper
Table
Fan

Step 1
You will need to remove the soap from the wrapping and wipe it gently with a paper towel, just to make sure it is nice and clean. If you are using handmade soap make sure it has cured before adding the decals. Place the soap on your table that has a layer of wax paper covering it. You will need to apply a small layer of Mod Podge (I use matt finish) to the top surface of your soap. Use a sponge brush so you don't get bristle marks or loose bristles on the face of the soap. Let this layer dry. (You can place in front of a fan to dry faster but do not use hair dryer or heat.)

When your first layer of Mod Podge has dried ( you can no longer see it on the soap surface) you will apply a second layer of Mod Podge going the opposite direction. Now set that aside and let it dry.

Step 2
Now this is the fun part for me. Get creative. I decided to use different stickers and run on decals and see if there was any difference. They both worked great BUT you have to cut out around the image on your rub on decal and use it as a sticker. It will not rub onto the surface of the soap. I will tell you how to do both ways.
Rub On Decals
Cut around the image as directed on the package. Leave on the back protective sheet. Gently cut around the image as close as you can to the actual image. Remove the back protective sheet from image. The reason I leave it on as the back of the image is sticky and will "gun" your scissors. If your scissors end up sticky simply rub a little Glue Gone or Rubbing Alcohol on the blade carefully until the sticky is removed.
Now you want to apply one layer of Mod Podge on the surface of your soap. IF you remember which direction your last layer was applied , apply the new layer in the opposite direction. While the Mod Podge is still wet lay your cut out decal on the surface of the soap and gently press down. You want to start in the middle of the decal and work out to the edges so you have no air bubbles. I use the stick that came with the Rub on Decals. Let this dry. Once it is dried you need to apply 2 more coats of Mod Podge...Remember to go in opposite directions and dry in between each application.
Your soap will look something like this before it is dried.

Stickers
I found that I loved using stickers. They are not expensive and you can go to your local dollar store and get a wide variety. You will have already primed your soap with 2 layers of Mod Podge. Now decide on where you want to place your stickers. Remember when you put them on the soap surface they are there FOR GOOD. If you remove them they will pull up the Mod Podge and you will need to start all over. Place your stickers on the surface of you soap. Great! Looks awesome right...

So now you just need to apply 2 coats of your Mod Podge, going opposite directions and letting each coat dry in between layers.
Step 3
Your Soaps will look something like the picture below until they are fully dry. (This is after 2 layers, opposite directions, drying in between each layer.)

NOW you will want to place your final soaps in on a piece of wax paper in front of a fan. Leave the fan on for at least 6 hours. It will help cool your place and it also will make sure the soap surface is nice and dry...not tacky or sticky. This is important as you want it non sticky to wrap your soaps to give as gifts.

When your soaps are no longer tacky or sticky to the touch you can wrap them for gift giving. You can place them in cello bags and tie the top with a piece of fabric or get a little fancy and wrap them with fabric scraps and tie off with string.

Just remember a couple of little rules and you will be fine.
1. Make sure the surface of the soap is NOT sticky or tacky.
2. Make sure to label your soaps with the Ingredients. If you make your own you already should do this. IF you are using a store bought soap simply remember to cut off the Ingredient label from the packaging and include it with your decorated soap.
3. Make sure to add the weight of your soap on the label. (If it is store bought it will say it on the front of the package. If you are handmaking your soap, you should already know to add the weight to the front of your soap packaging.)
4. Have fun!

We'd love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or two.

The creator of this tutorial is not responsible for human error. Please do not reproduce this tutorial and give away or sell it as your own. This tutorial was created by Sandi Ramirez, Always Crafty 2 for Kiss My Crafts and remains the property of Always Crafty 2. YOU may refer others to our blog to use this tutorial.

SPRING has Sprung!

2009-04-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Spring has Sprung at Rusty Tin Roof Country~Prim Online Magazine!
Chockful of Craft Articles, Projects, Patterns and $250 of Crafty Coupons and Much, Much More! Grab a cuppa coffee or tea and stop by Rusty Tin Roof to check out our new SPRING Issue which is now available for viewing and/or Free download!!!

Do you like e-patterns????????

2009-03-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

IN this day and age of I want it now e-patterns are the perfect way to find what you want, buy it and start creating right away. DJ Doodles has a brand new epattern marketplace where you can find wonderful prim and not so prim patterns. It is so simple to come by the shoppe http://www.epatternshoppes.com/ , find the pattern you want, click and buy it now. pay and then download. ALL within a couple minutes. YOU have instant gradification!

NOW if I could make the creations so easy and quickly!

Here are our pattern designers
Always Crafty 2
http://www.epatternshoppes.com/shoppes/epsac2patterns/ (New patterns due out soon)

Ashlawnfarms Rag Quilt Creations
http://www.epatternshoppes.com/shoppes/epsashlawnfarms/

Crows in the Attic
http://www.epatternshoppes.com/shoppes/epscrowsintheattic/

Frogs to Fairy Dust
http://www.epatternshoppes.com/shoppes/epsfrogstofairydust/

JD Digi Patterns
http://www.epatternshoppes.com/shoppes/esjessica/

IF you sell e-patterns and are intersted in a new and upcoming shoppe to sell your e0-patterns from this is the place for you! Come over and check us out. For membership info http://www.epatternshoppes.com/info.html

HOPE to see ALL OF YOU SOON!

kiSS mY cRaFtS the place to come for fun crafts and more

2009-03-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all! So excited to tell ya what you will be finding here at kiSS mY cRaFts... Everything doodle and Crafty will be going on in here! You will find lots of fun crafting ideas, marketplaces to shop, online craft shows to visit and join as well as lots more. We'd love to have you follow us and see where we go.

I just have to share a couple places with you. Grab you a cup of coffee or tea and come by the Spring Fling Country Craft Show Online. Make sure to look on the home page for the games and contests. Check out the coupons and specials from the vendors. This online craft show is open 24/7 every single day of the year. The booths change with the seasons and they are always open for new vendors and visitors.
http://www.theneverendingcraftshow.com/

Check out the prizes http://tiny.cc/ImSIX you can win by playing the games. There are soaps, dolls, ornies, gift certificates and more....

One of the Special Offers
Craft From My Heart http://tiny.cc/eEPBg
Bunny Wall Decor

We hope you will come take a stroll thru our shoppes. See ya soon