Think Crafts by CreateForLess

Since moving into my new house I have been on the look out for budget friendly decorating tips. I’ve been scouring antique malls for solid inexpensive furniture and searching the internet for inspiring tutorials to personalize and refurbish my furniture finds. Decoupage with favorite fabrics and card stock and Mod Podge seems like one of the most inexpensive, fun ways to make over furniture. Here are some of the best tutorials for projects I’m excited to try out.

I was reluctant about setting up my office and filing system until I found this great tutorial on making over metal file cabinets. What a brilliant idea, and a great way to inspire me to keep up with  my paperwork.

 Decoupage out of Control – Sunflowerlin

This step by step tutorial offers valuable expertise and excellent tips for mastering the art of Decoupaging Furniture. I’d like to re-make a table like this one for my little niece who is just learning to read and write and loves crafting!

How to Decoupage Furniture – Refunk My Junk

I can’t wait to try the techniques used to remake this chest of drawers.  The process is a bit involved, but the tutorial is easy to follow and the end result is stunning!

Bow Front Bird Chest – LindyCottageHill

I’m always finding fabric and saving it for when I’ll know how to use it, but the idea of actually ‘reupholstering’ furniture is completely out of my league, that’s why I love this craft! What a great, inexpensive way to use garage sale chairs and fun fabric to redecorate.

DIY “Upholstered Chair” – All Things Thrify Posted by Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body

Here’s another in depth tutorial on how to Decoupage Furniture. This one shows how to decoupage an entire chest of drawers. Now that I’ve seen this beauty, I need to find some pretty blue and white paper and/or fabric for my own furniture finds.

 Using Decoupage – Poppytalk

This tutorial uses Tin Foil to decoupage a nightstand. What a brilliant way to use what you have to create a much sought after style.

Tin Foil Nightstand – Vintage Revivals 

Wait – where did January go? Can you believe it’s already the last Free Stuff Friday of the month? Let’s get right to our latest prize, enter to win a beginner’s sewing prize pack!

This week’s pack includes 2 Threads Industry insiders DVDs and a Signature Threads cone and bobbins pack!

Every Friday we’ll post a giveaway on Think Crafts and all you have to do is comment on the blog post answering the question of the week. We’ll pick the winners and contact them via email. Deadline is midnight tonight and the winner will be announced Monday. One entry per person please.

Question of the week:  What is your favorite homemade meal?

If the comment box is not below, scroll to the top and click “comments”

Decorate your home with everyone’s favorite Valentine’s Day candy this season. This garland will brighten up your mantel or doorway with fun phrases and lovely pastels! Look up some of your favorite conversation heart phrases to add to your garland, or create your own to personalize for your Valentine.

What You Need:

• Air Dry Clay or Salt Dough
• Rolling Pin
• Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter
• Letter Stamps
• Pastel Colored Acrylic Paints
• Baker’s Twine or Ribbon
• Large Flat Paintbrush
• Small Detail Paintbrush

How to Make It:

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By Sewing Contributor Courteney from the blog Crafting with Court.

Was one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get more organized?  It is definitely a great resolution.  Why not start with all the cords in your living space and use up some of the scraps of fabric you’ve been hoarding at the same time?  We all have tons of electronics and it seems like everyone has a different cord.  I can easily take over multiple drawers.  Make this Cord Keeper Roll-up and get all those cords organized!

Materials:

• Cotton Fabric
• Ruler/Tape Measure
• Fleece or Batting
• Pins
• Thread
• ¼” Elastic

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By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds

From Peg’s Crafting Corner

It’s time to start planning for Valentine’s Day!  I know, many of us are still recovering from the holidays that have passed, but the new ones are quickly approaching and it’s time to honor the ones we love with a special card this Valentine’s Day.  This Love Notes card is perfect for a man or woman and is easy to make using the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board.

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If you have a creative child around, there are many great craft supplies to keep them busy, and keep you worry-free. Keep the right supplies on hand, and crafting with your kid can be fun and help you build memories that can last well into their lives.

There are many creative ways to incorporate science and education into your crafting time. Awe-inspiring projects with household products are the perfect way to add a little excitement to learning with your children. Here are some great ways to craft and learn at the same time!

Easy Bird Treats

These recycled bird feeders will be done in no time with plenty of opportunities to learn about local birds. The wintertime is especially great to teach kids about the availability of food during the colder months, and why it’s important to help out our feathered friends.

Dancing Oobleck – Housing a Forest

Oobleck is so much fun alone and can teach about different states of matter, but putting it on top of a subwoofer can also help kids learn about sound waves!

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It’s Monday again, and the best part is just about to happen, it’s time to announce our Free Stuff Friday Winner! Congratulations to… Susie! Enjoy stitching to your heart’s content.

This pack includes 5 boxes of embroidery floss- 120 skeins in total, and a 3 pack of Aunt Martha’s Tea Towels!

The winning answer to “What do you like to do when you’re stuck inside?” is…

“When stuck inside I like to pull out one of my many notebooks and do some creative journaling.”

Every Friday we’ll post a giveaway on Think Crafts and all you have to do is comment on the blog post answering the question of the week.  Check back on Friday for your chance to win!!