Edited to say they also double as napkin rings very well.

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Originally posted by tamarwallace:
Okay, I know that it's been a while since you all taked about and made your glass marble magnets, but I have a question. I want to cover up the back of the magazine picutes before I put the magnets on so it will look nicer. Does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking about just cutting out cardstock and covering the whole thing, or maybe painting the whole back. Has anyone tried either of these? Also, my marbles seem to have scratches and nicks all in them... does that turn out okay in the end or is there any way to buff them out? I'm pretty new at actually making the crafts that I buy all of the supplies for. I usually just have big dreams and then leave everything in the closet.

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I am just getting down to figuring out my Christmas gifts for this year. I am going to make ornaments out of felt: stuffed and blanket stiched little mittens, with snowflakes/stars embroidered on them. Cheap!

I will probably make more stuff, including a couple of knitted items. I owe my granny a tea cosy.

I started making a striped scarf out of different thicknesses of yarns that I've gotten at thrift stores. Usually two skeins (one of each type of wool) is enough for a fairly long 8"-10" wide scarf. Just knit it in garter stitch (knit every row, front or back) with largish needles to produce a slightly lacy look in the thinner wool. Very chic looking, so far, but I don't know if I'll be able to part with it.

Here are the wine charms I think you are talking about, at Not From a Box. Great company!

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Originally posted by jumpinmonkies:
Hmmmm... very cool! I was thinking that I'd seen some of those round tin containers with glass tops to them at a scrapbooking website. Scrapbookers tend to use them for eyelets and beads and such. I think you can buy a set of about 10-15 of them for $10 bucks or so. I was thinking about buying some just for little odds and ends. I found some pretty inexpensive ones at ebay by doing a search for "scrapbooking tins".

Here's an example of what I'm talking about: LINK.

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Jumpinmonkeys contributed this link to the magnetic spice rack thread. These tins would be perfect for the glass rings.

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Originally posted by LimaEchoPapa:
Y'all...

I've got so many crafty things for my mom and sister, but virtually NOTHING for my dad lined up...

What are you all making crafty for Dad?

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The only crafty dad gifts (and uncles and brother in law) I have come up with so far are the layered soup mix in a jar. There are also recipes for cookie and brownie mixes in jars.
http://soup.allrecipes.com/directory/3258.asp
http://cookierecipe.allrecipes.com/directory/571.asp

A few years ago my dad bought this thing that would probably be easy to make if you sew and he has lots of tools. It is similar to this: tool organizer .

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Originally posted by Librarygirl:
There are also recipes for cookie and brownie mixes in jars.
http://soup.allrecipes.com/directory/3258.asp
http://cookierecipe.allrecipes.com/directory/571.asp

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Decoupaged tiles with clothespin backs (and a popcicle stick for stabilization) to be used for memos, photos, recipe holder, etc. I made a couple and the high gloss modge podge on the tile makes it look really sharp. Mander fell in love with one I made and so it's already wrapped for her!

Album cover purses. I ripped this idea off of a cool site I can't recall now. Just make a box out of the album cover, line and make a handle. voila. The first one done is a Bobby Vinton album and is too cheesy for words. I think I'll further embellish with shrinky dink charms and such.

With the albums I'm making clocks (one for dad, good guy gift I figure). I am putting a layer of gesso on the album and then decoupaging on top. The clock mechanism fits through the whole and is so cheap! For one I'm using marbles without the magnets for the numbers.

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Originally posted by crowjoy:
Album cover purses. I ripped this idea off of a cool site I can't recall now.

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It was probably HotGlueMama's site.

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Originally posted by crowjoy:
Album cover purses. I ripped this idea off of a cool site I can't recall now. Just make a box out of the album cover, line and make a handle.

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Those are so cool! I saw them on HotGlueMama's site. So, how did you actually put the purse together? The ones on the website look like they were punched with grommets and laced together, but I was wondering if you did something different. Also, what did you line it with and how did you attach the lining? I'm making all sorts of goodies this year (magnets, bath stuff, etc.) and I think it would be fun to make some album cover bags to put the gifts in.

Oh, and I absolutely love the album clock idea, too!

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Originally posted by crowjoy:
You're probably right, I love her stuff. I feel bad for the idea theft but just can't afford to get gifts like that for folks.

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If you sell them, though, or claim credit for the idea, or sell "your" concept to Tommy friggin' Hilfiger and make a bazillion dollars, then I add you to my voodoo doll collection. Hope you don't have any sudden.....BACK PROBLEMS! (sticks in pin, twists it around a bunch)

I just used some antique buttons for the wine wrap idea...just plopped them on the wire and then twisted the wire willy-nilly around the stem. I wasn't up for making anything really elaborate for my party next weekend in terms of wine tags, but then I remember I had all these random buttons. So...if that sprouts any ideas...go for it. Oh, the 4.99 wire was 70% off, my only cost!

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Originally posted by HotGlueMama:
I generally don't mind people taking the idea for album cover purses and then doing their own thing with it - especially if it's just for personal use or a gift or something like that.

If you sell them, though, or claim credit for the idea, or sell "your" concept to Tommy friggin' Hilfiger and make a bazillion dollars, then I add you to my voodoo doll collection. Hope you don't have any sudden.....BACK PROBLEMS! (sticks in pin, twists it around a bunch)

BWAH HA HA!!!

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No fear! I'm long past motivation to sell my stuff. I'm relieved you don't mind the gifting though because it would be bad karma to give along with such a cool thing. The ones I've made have come out SO cool! I did a Loverboy cover with gold velvet inside, black trim and a black boa. It looks so great. I'm just building up to making my own with these swank ladies from the 50's, wheeee!

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Originally posted by crowjoy:
I did a Loverboy cover with gold velvet inside, black trim and a black boa.

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Originally posted by kena:
Now I just have to find inexpensive blank cards.

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Michael's sells white and cream ones, 20 in a pack, for about 5 bucks for the small size (I think it's A4). I've bought them in bulk like this at JoAnn's, too, but the quality wasn't as good. If you're willing to pay more, Strathmore sells some, as well as some other company that has fancy schmancy ones. You can get them all at the craft store.

as for mounting them, only spray the back of the photo!!! Spray mount is sticky stuff, and it will ruin the paper if you over spray. I always use a newspaper, and after each spray, you throw away one sheet of it.

I thought about using photo corners, but the paper is so soft and floppy (it's almost like kitchen roll or really thick loo paper) that I thought the photos would probably pop out every time the page was turned. I probably should have bought books with stiffer paper, in hindsight, but these were just so pretty with the pink petals and everything.

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Originally posted by Sophie:
What are these sticky squares, though? Are they by 3M? do they enable you to lift the photo off quickly if you position it badly on your first go?

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I LOVE those photo-mounting squares. If you're careful with them, and don't press down on the photo until you're sure of the placement, you can lift them off... however, I've never tried this on really delicate paper, so your mileage may vary.