By Noreen Doll. Do you need to sharpen a punch? Any kind of punch can be sharpened this way. I was punching holes around the edges of a Christmas card to make it into a sewing card for preschoolers. After punching a few holes, I noticed the punch was not punching cleanly, and it was leaving raggedy looking holes. You can punch aluminum foil to sharpen … [Read more...] about How to Sharpen a Punch
General Craft Tips
Cheap Laminating
By Noreen Doll. You can use packaging tape for cheap laminating if you don't have - and don't want to buy - a laminating machine. I make sure the tape I laminate with is completely clear. One thing it is really nice for is preserving recipe cards. I have a few old recipe cards written by hand by relatives who are long gone. And I think it's pretty special to be … [Read more...] about Cheap Laminating
Wax Paper Is Ideal for Crafting
By Noreen Doll. Wax paper can be found at the Dollar store or in the big box stores for a dollar or two. And it is extremely useful when you are crafting. I have always used Reynolds Cut-Rite wax paper because it seems to be a better quality than any other kind. Last fall I ironed colorful fall leaves between two sheets of wax paper to help preserve their color … [Read more...] about Wax Paper Is Ideal for Crafting
Crafting With Clothespins
By Noreen Doll. Crafting with clothespins is a necessity for me. They are one of the items I absolutely must have in my craft tool kit. They are so handy as a third hand when I don't have quite enough hands to hold a project. In this photo the clothespins are holding two things together while stitching around to attach them together. I always use spring … [Read more...] about Crafting With Clothespins
How to Remove Permanent Ink from a Project
by Noreen Doll. I love to use Sharpies for my craft projects! They have such bright colors and are so easy to use - much easier than a brush. They come with fat, medium or fine tips, so you can find the perfect size for your project. Sometimes, however, when I am deep into a craft my pen slips and I leave a blotch of ink where I didn't mean to. I've discovered … [Read more...] about How to Remove Permanent Ink from a Project
Craft with Cereal Boxes
by Noreen Doll. There are lots of clever ways to craft with cereal boxes. And one of the best things about using them is that they're free! Use cracker and cereal boxes for patterns. In order to be sure you always have a supply of cracker or cereal box cardboard, save all your boxes. To keep them from taking up too much space, open out the ends of the boxes and … [Read more...] about Craft with Cereal Boxes
How to Mark Dark Fabric or Paper for Cutting
by Noreen Doll. When you are trying to trace a pattern onto dark fabric or paper, it's often hard to find a medium that will show up but not leave a permanent mark. One of the things I like to use for this is a piece of white chalk. It shows up well on dark materials and can be wiped off when you are finished cutting. If the chalk mark is on fabric, you can just … [Read more...] about How to Mark Dark Fabric or Paper for Cutting
General Craft Tips
© by Noreen Doll. Here are some great craft tips to make your crafting easier and more fun! Crafting Surface. One of my best general craft tips is to cover a large piece of cardboard or a cookie sheet with sides with a piece of waxed paper. Pull it around the edges and tape it to the bottom. This gives you a protected work surface to craft, paint and glue … [Read more...] about General Craft Tips
