114 comments

1. 

   When you find a piece of craft paper you like make a note of where you bought it, the name, designer and supplier on the back of a small square of the paper. Put this in a slip in photo album so you can see both pattern and notes and you’ll be able to re-order whenever you run short. You could do the same with any other crafting items such as wool, thread etc with a small sample and notes kept on a small piece of paper alongside.

   Rach J // October 19, 2011 3:50 pm
2. 

   That’s a good one, and a speedy response as well

   Thanks Rach

   George Terry // October 19, 2011 3:59 pm
3. 

   When making your own cards and invitations or any kind of stationary, take them to a local printing shop to have them cut to the size you want. This will give your cards a finished, professional look at a great price, plus it will save you a lot of time, effort, backache and papercuts doing them yourself! =)

   Chrissy // October 19, 2011 5:03 pm
4. 

   Go for a mix of liberty-style, detailed flowery prints to make unique cards. Cut your fabric scraps or paper into hearts or simple shapes (cookie cutters are great templates) and scatter them across blank cards. Fabrics shapes, wrapping paper, newsprint, even maps will look effective.

   bridget // October 19, 2011 5:04 pm
5. 

   Always wanted to make a china plate cake stand but scared you will crack your plates. First of all use a tile drill bit (on a cordless drill)-these wont crack your plates. Secondly put a little bit of water on each plate before you drill. This will stop the china getting too hot.
   For a detailed guide take a look at my blog http://talesfrombettybeetowers.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-make-vintage-china-cake-stand.html
   You will be creating vintage inspired cake stands in no time. Perfect for Christmas gifts.
   Im so excited that Kirsty is on the TV tonight. I absolutely adored her last series. I would love to win the hamper but would especially love to win her book.
   Betty Bee
   x

   Betty Bee // October 19, 2011 5:23 pm
6. 

   When starting a new knitting/crochet project, wrap & knot a small length of yarn around the ball band. If you need any more in the future you’ll easily be able to remember the type & shade you’ve used.

   Cara Donovan // October 19, 2011 6:17 pm
7. 

   My tip would be, never be afraid to try a new craft, there are lots of fantastic tutorials out there on the internet and in magazines, some with fantastic photos or videos to show you ‘how to’. Crafting is all about you putting part of your soul into something that you make. And don’t worry if it doesn’t turn out the way you’d like first time round its a voyage of discovery. Isn’t that the fun part? Having something beautiful that you’ve made has to be the most satisfying feeling. Go on try it!

   Emma // October 19, 2011 6:22 pm
8. 

   There is nothing worse than discovering that your scissors or your cutting wheel is suddenly blunt… and yes, it is always a sudden discovery.

   So is there anything that you can do? Go straight to your larder, pull out the roll of tin foil, fold it over several times, for your scissors cut through the foil at least 20 times. If it is your cutting wheel, fold the foil and run through it (away from your body) on your cutting mat 20+ times. This will revive the cutting wheel so that you will be able to cut your fabric once again.

   RosMadeMe // October 19, 2011 8:10 pm
9. 

   I am very confused that this has been posted on 19/10/11 but says that the closing date is 14/10/11. Anyway, I’m hoping it’s still open!

   My craft tip: get a beautiful tall vase with a wide neck and wide base and use it to store your knitting needles in. Much easier to keep them at hand than in a needle roll and easier to see what you’ve got and what you need.

   Ros // October 19, 2011 8:25 pm
10. 

    If you want to make curtains in a hurry. Take a throw, blanket or quilt and a number of small buldog clips. Place the clips at regualr gaps and bring the arms up to make a loop. Measure out curtain wire slightly less than the width of a window as it will stretch. Attach one end, then loop the clips through the wire and attach the second end. Curtains in a jiffy that can be easily changed.

    Tamsin // October 19, 2011 9:21 pm
11. 

    Always keep scraps of fabric, card and anything pretty. You never know when you will have a “I wish I kept it” moment.

    Nicola // October 19, 2011 9:44 pm
12. 

    Keep old knitted jumpers or look out for them from charity shops/boot sales to make some funky cushion covers.

    Michelle H // October 20, 2011 9:18 am
13. 

    My latest fave tip is something I saw Kirstie doing on the 1st programme last night and never thought about despite having made cakes for ever – to roll out the icing on a piece of cling film, so it can be lifted and remains smooth when placed on the cake. I’m trying it out today for my son’s birthday cake!

    Lace hearts // October 20, 2011 9:23 am
14. 

    If you prick your finger whilst sewing and bleed onto your fabric, dab a little of YOUR saliva onto the mark. It will remove the blood completely as your saliva breaks down the enzymes in your blood!

    Gaynor Marshall // October 20, 2011 9:27 am
15. 

    Morning guys! Some great responses here, and for those of you that were wondering about the competition dates, the competition closes on the 04.11.11.

    Thanks for getting involved

    George Terry // October 20, 2011 9:27 am
16. 

    Never be afraid to try something new – you can adapt ANY craft technique or materials to suit your own preferences or requirements.
    Look around nature for inspiration!! http://makingstuffpretty.wordpress.com/

    ‘I cannot count my day complete, ’til needle, thread and fabric meet’ anon

    ‘I like making a piece of string into something I can wear’ ~ anon

    ‘Veni, Vidi, Velcro. I came, I saw, I stuck around’ ~ anon

    ‘I got a sewing machine for my husband! Good trade, huh?’ ~ anon

    And remember – the only place where housework should come before needlework is in the dictionary!!

    mariszka lime // October 20, 2011 9:50 am
17. 

    The CD cases with transparent pockets, intended for carrying your CDs around in, make great craft storage – you can use them for Nestabilities die sets, clear rubber stamps, embriodery threads or ribbons. Everything is kept together neatly in one place and you can see it all at a glance.

    Oh, they’re quite handy for storing CDs in too! Craft CDs, of course.

    Jane Willis // October 20, 2011 2:59 pm
18. 

    My crafty tip is to not be afraid to use your imagination – try new things and if they don’t work, never mind. You will gain the most satisfaction from designing something completely yourself.

    Jessica L // October 20, 2011 3:00 pm
19. 

    Mine would just be to enjoy yourself and have fun!

    Ashleigh // October 20, 2011 4:07 pm
20. 

    Never throw anything away! yes, I’m a hoarder. I keep all sorts of stuff – bits of ribbon from chocolate boxes, fancy buttons from old clothes, even old clothes if there’s unworn pretty material – especially embroidered cloth which is re-usable in so many ways.

    Maryom // October 20, 2011 4:55 pm
21. 

    Local haberdasheries and fabric shops often have offcut/samples bins to rummage through which are cheap and great sizes for making small projects like fabric coasters, drawer scenters, bunting, patchwork etc, alternatively ask if they have offcuts or samples in the back you can look through.

    gem fletcher // October 20, 2011 4:59 pm
22. 

    My tip is not only keep all the odds & ends that you have left after a project. Keep any craft projects you love the look of in magazines in a folder, then when you are looking for say a Christmas project, you can refer back to it.

    Amanda @gidders1 // October 20, 2011 5:11 pm
23. 

    Hey guys, these entries are great!

    Hopefully by the time we finish we’ll have a mini craft book of our own right here in the comments

    George Terry // October 20, 2011 5:16 pm
24. 

    My tip is …don’t throw out your old knitted jumpers & cardis – they make fab cushion covers, especially brightly patterned ones. Simply cut to size, hem three sides & use Velcro to fasten the opening side. You can customise the cushion cover more by sewing on large sequins. A fab new look for your sofa all at a bargain price! What are you waiting for?? Raid that wardrobe!!!

    Caroline Elmhirst // October 20, 2011 5:46 pm
25. 

    Charity shops often have button tins where you can get unusual buttons cheap. Use them to add interest to cushions or customise clothes, they look great sewn onto socks.

    Sue Turner // October 20, 2011 10:26 pm
26. 

    When filling soft toys with plstic pellets (or any ‘beanie babe’ type fillings )- place the filling into a baby’s bottle and cut the hole in the teat to a size where the filling will flow through easily – this can now used to fill small items easily and puts a stop to beads spilling.

    Barbara Daughtrey // October 21, 2011 6:00 am
27. 

    At charity shops and boot sales I buy beaded dresses and jumpers for the beads.When I receive presents,cards etc with bows,ribbons etc I keep these for further decoration.

    linda spevick // October 21, 2011 7:03 am
28. 

    collect coloured cellophane and coloured foil from sweet wrappers and use them for window art/decoration etc.

    elaine dale // October 21, 2011 8:22 am
29. 

    Halloween’s coming. Get the kids involved and have fun. Pumpkins, cakes, decorations – so many possibilities. Subscribe to Pinterest for constant inspiration.

    Suzanne F // October 21, 2011 10:05 am
30. 

    Use large clean coffee jars to store bits ‘n’ bobs. You can see exactly what is in each one.

    Heather // October 21, 2011 1:05 pm
31. 

    Always keep craft tools/materials neat, clean and tidy

    becky // October 21, 2011 1:42 pm
32. 

    My tip is, NEVER THROW ANYTHING AWAY (even those buttons on an old cardigan will come in handy for something)

    Wendy Jones // October 21, 2011 2:05 pm
33. 

    Never throw away jam jars – I use them for table centre pieces with tea-lights in them and a cinnamon stick tied round the top with string – simple but so effective and the cinnamon smells delicious. Also great for BBQ season, again out tealights in them and fill with shells or whatever you fancy. Of course you always need the jars for all the homemade jams and chutneys!

    Aynslie McKeith // October 21, 2011 2:23 pm
34. 

    browse around charity shops for fantastic vintage fabrics, even clothes that can be cut up and made into bags and little purses. I often find doilies, lace, and tableclothes with fancy patterns that are great to use for your own designs and craft projects. cut buttons off of old garments too as you never know what they may be useful for at some stage.

    sharon griffin // October 21, 2011 2:46 pm
35. 

    Always use short needles for knitting – it puts less pressure on your hands

    Fiona // October 21, 2011 2:48 pm
36. 

    Any old clothes that I will recycle/throw away (rather than charity) I always cut off the buttons and save for crafting. I have 3 girls and their clothes always seem to have colourful buttons in unusual shapes – they really cheer up a crafting project and they are free!

    abby bookham // October 21, 2011 3:19 pm
37. 

    Play glue is really handy for temporarily sticking down fiddly bits of applique while you sew- keeps them in place and comes straight out in the wash.

    Lux // October 21, 2011 5:06 pm
38. 

    Keep even the smallest scraps of paper – useful for cards. A dressing up box of clothes is good for children to use on rainy days. Tests their imagination too.

    Steph Armstrong // October 21, 2011 6:40 pm
39. 

    Save the foil wrappers found on Easter eggs to use in making Christmas cards and decorations.

    Jan Richards // October 21, 2011 7:45 pm
40. 

    You can obtain great craft supplies at minimal price at your local scrapstore. Most cities and large towns have one, and they take useful waste from local businesses e.g. blank CDs, fabric scraps, bottle tops etc, and sell these at minimal prices to schools, groups and usually the public. At our local one in Oxford (Orinoco scrapstore) you can fill a bag of ‘scrap’ for £1. The stock is ever changing and you’ll always find something useful for craft making.

    Christine R // October 21, 2011 8:26 pm
41. 

    Always keep left over scrapes of wrapping paper. They are always handy for craft project to cut out and use for decorating cards etc

    Jane Morfett // October 21, 2011 11:05 pm
42. 

    Use fabric cut-offs from haberdashery to wrap your Christmas gifts, they are often cheaper than glamorous wrapping paper and can look very effective and can be initialled with your bits and bobs so you remember who they are for!

    Isobelle Forde // October 21, 2011 11:49 pm
43. 

    Invest in a good pair of pinking scissors you may think some of them awfully expensive but there is nothing worse than using an inadequate pair and hacking through a lovely piece of fabric and leaving it in a worse state than you started.

    Angela Moore // October 22, 2011 6:49 am
44. 

    Use leftovers of fabric from the haberdashery to create wrapping for your special gifts, they are usually much cheaper than luxury wrap and can be personalized with fabric flowers,buttons,ribbons, whatever you have in stock!

    Isobelle Forde // October 22, 2011 11:28 pm
45. 

    Keep an ideas book full of photographs, magazine clippings, fabric scraps etc – anything that you like and can use to inspire you when your crafting muse has momentarily gone. Works every time!

    Angela Felstead // October 23, 2011 10:29 am
46. 

    Build a mood board to inspire your creative ideas and keep your craft bits and bobs in colour co-ordinated jars.

    Torie Jayne // October 23, 2011 9:30 pm
47. 

    Keep stuff!!

    I hoard bits of wrapping paper and ribbons from presents, bits of prettiness from packaging, odd buttons, magazine pages all sorts which come in handy one day!

    Liz Burton // October 24, 2011 10:59 am
48. 

    Morning all,

    I can’t believe what a great response we’ve had over the weekend – a great way to start the week

    We’re considering anthologising all of your entries and creating a sort of mini-craft manual. What do you guys think?

    George Terry // October 24, 2011 11:03 am
49. 

    Chewing gum foil makes an ideal blanket for a hypothermic ant.

    Tina Hubbard // October 24, 2011 12:10 pm
50. 

    wrap threads and ribbon scraps round pegs, the peg clamping shut stops them unravelling… simple yet brillaint

    steph smith // October 24, 2011 6:40 pm
51. 

    I’m not sure if this is craft related but when I buy new clothes for myself or my children I always cut the ribbons out (that are supposed to help with hanging but end up peeping out when you wear them!). I then use them for tying around cake pops, making into little bows to attach to the front of cupcakes or threading through gift tags!

    Lynsey Wilson // October 24, 2011 7:20 pm
52. 

    Some of the best kinds of fabrics can be found in charity shops & car boot sales. For example, wool skirts make excellent fabric for stuffed animals!

    Lorraine Gaw // October 24, 2011 8:41 pm
53. 

    Never throe anything away you never know when those small pieces of card or paper or ribbon will come in handy.

    Belinda Matthews // October 25, 2011 6:54 am
54. 

    Many items of clothing nowadays have lovely coloured ribbons inside the shoulders to keep them on the hangers. I always carefully snip these out and use them to thread through my hand made gift tags. x

    melissa cannon // October 25, 2011 9:27 pm
55. 

    I have got into the habbit of asking people for their Birthday/ Anniversary cards after they are done with them. This way I collect variety of bits off them, like jewels, bows, ribbon (and even the patterned insides) in order to “upcycle” them into the cards I make.
    People have even started sending me Birthday cards they have spotted will make good recycling!

    Emily Hilditch // October 25, 2011 9:43 pm
56. 

    If you come across any old keys, don’t throw them out. you can use them to decorate picture frames or boxes, or to make cards with. Or you can use them like a stencil

    Kim Dillon // October 25, 2011 9:48 pm
57. 

    Never forget that its important to start children off crafting at a young age. My best tip is to collect pine cones whenever you see them, you can make lots of brilliant gifts using a pine cone and some paint

    claire // October 26, 2011 11:34 am
58. 

    I cut up old Christmas and Birthday cards to make gift tags. These can be packaged in sellophane and sold at craft fairs too.

    Sylvia Dyer // October 26, 2011 11:40 am
59. 

    I haven’t started crafting yet its always something I have wanted to do. We do cut up old Christmas cards using different edged scissors to make present labels for the following year.

    wendy // October 26, 2011 12:25 pm
60. 

    If you’re hand-sewing and want a knot in the end of your thread, after threading the needle, wrap the long end of the thread round the needle several times and pull the needle and length of thread through the wraps (hold them in place with your other hand). You’ll end up with a neat knot at the end of your thread.

    Anna // October 26, 2011 2:18 pm
61. 

    When rewinding wool, ensure you wind the wool over your finger (or two) between the wound wool ball and the winding thread. Every time you change direction, remove your fingers and start again. That way, the wool won’t be stretched in the ball you have made.

    Carole Lewis // October 26, 2011 2:36 pm
62. 

    My fav tip is to keep all the kids artwork during the year and then use as ‘designer’ wrapping paper and labels for birthdays and christmas:)

    wendy stanger // October 26, 2011 2:49 pm
63. 

    save all your bits and bobs

    iain maciver // October 26, 2011 2:55 pm
64. 

    My favourite crafty tip is follow your heart and do what you love even if that means taking up a new/foreign craft.

    The great thing about so many crafts is they are forgiving and the learning curve isn’t, generally, a steep one!

    Danielle Mansell // October 26, 2011 2:59 pm
65. 

    Invest in a daylight lamp or bulb these are invaluable especially with the nights drawing in. They let you see the true colour of your craft at any time in the day!

    Mike Felstead // October 26, 2011 3:28 pm
66. 

    Never throw any scraps of paper, ribbon, wallpaper or fabric away! You can make some brilliant things. I use ribbon scraps, and paper to make cards and fabric scraps for proggy mats and patchwork art! Recycle, recycle, recycle!!

    Ailsa Ryder // October 26, 2011 7:15 pm
67. 

    My tip is keeping a craft journal, which in itself can be a craft a you like scrapbooking. It’s nice to see the things you’ve made for family and friends. I have a page for each thing I’ve made with supplies, suppliers, cost, how long it took, hints and tips, pictures, who I made it for and why, where I got the idea/pattern, whether or not i’d attempt it again (the 10 by 10 cross stitch of Bob Marley and the Wailers on 32 count linen, beautiful but never again) (the animal motif crochet blanket, i’ve made three), I also like to put in a picture of the person I made it for, even if it’s me

    Yvette // October 27, 2011 2:37 am
68. 

    Buy a roll of brown paper and and plain tags, and get the kids to make Christmas wrappings by using stamps and finger painting in gold and silver. Messy but lovely.

    Claire Simmonds // October 27, 2011 12:23 pm
69. 

    my tip is get the kids to do it because my daughter is amazing when it comes to crafts

    laura stewart // October 27, 2011 1:48 pm
70. 

    If you use a lot of tube glue when you’re crafting with the kids or for yourself, make sure to clean it before you put it away and put a little bit of vaseline on the nozzle or round the lid cap. If any leaks out while it’s stored, it’ll be easy to wipe away and keeps fluff and old glue from sticking so there’s no need for impatient fingers to wait next time you get arty. If you’re down to the twist part of a stick glue,or the very last of a tube stand it in some warm water in a cup and use little brushes to get it all used up.

    helen doherty // October 27, 2011 4:21 pm
71. 

    A good supply of pewter to make pewter key rings etc is to go to a charity store as they always have tankards for sale and they are much cheaper to buy than new.

    Richard Priest // October 27, 2011 9:01 pm
72. 

    Keep it simple,if unsure,use newspaper, scrap paper,cloth,food packinging. Above all have fun

    carol coldicott-stirmey // October 27, 2011 11:33 pm
73. 

    To delay the decay of pumpkins after you’ve carved them, spray all open surfaces with bleach. After bleach application, blot again with the paper towel to catch any residual moisture, then start smearing a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the interior, the cut-out spots, and the lid. The jelly provides a barrier to keep bacteria from reaching the flesh.

    Claire C-S // October 28, 2011 9:59 am
74. 

    If you are feeling poor and can’t afford any new fabric, then have a rummage through your wardrobe. Chances are there is an old top, or skirt you haven’t worn in yonks that could easily be given new life!

    Fran // October 28, 2011 10:40 am
75. 

    When cross stitching on Aida and you have fractional stitches in your patter have a pin handy – use the sharp pin to pierce the centre and then you will be able to get your blunt embroidery needle through much easier and switch to a sharp need to keep your back stitching looking crisp

    Clare Porter-Carey (@LitlemouseLilly) // October 28, 2011 11:51 am
76. 

    Involve children in any craft that you do – It’s amazing what they can achieve with a bit of encouragement even from a very young age. Fun, imaginative play with something to keep forever or give as a gorgeous gift – Plus it teaches them lifelong skills

    Boo and Me // October 28, 2011 2:18 pm
77. 

    I’m only just getting into ‘crafting’, I’ve always enjoyed making my own cards for peoples birthdays and things, but I’ve just redecorated my bedroom and my old cushions (as lovely as they are) just DON’T GO!

    So my craft tip is, when you have old cushions that don’t go, take the covers off, put them away for future use, and then make new cushion covers, really cheap! I buy plain fabric for £2.50 a metre, and a square of felt for 80p! You can make beautiful cushions SO easy!

    Linda Parnaby // October 28, 2011 3:38 pm
78. 

    My tip is buy a cheap pack of pens or felts and stamp extra images so your youngsters can join in with crafty time (also saves your good crafting pens) and glitter glue, all the sparkle – less mess

    Tracey // October 28, 2011 6:30 pm
79. 

    Make a memory patchwork quilt/cushion from items of clothing or other materials that bring back memories of who wore or used them.

    Lisa Newton // October 28, 2011 7:21 pm
80. 

    My craft tip is to always save wrapping paper at Christmas and reuse in imaginative ways, such as individual Christmas cards the following year.

    Sara Friend // October 29, 2011 6:11 pm
81. 

    I love reusing anything so all my old wool is made into squares, then sewn or crochet together to make blankets which can be used for the unexpected guest, or donated to a local hospital or sent to one of the many disaster areas. So many people can benefit from such an easy and enjoyable past time.

    Bar Lucas // October 29, 2011 6:40 pm
82. 

    If clothes are being thrown out and not recycled, cut off any buttons. Use them as embellishments on cards or other crafts. I still have a button box belonging to my nother with some beautiful old buttons.
    @01592_katie

    Kate Cunningham // October 29, 2011 11:48 pm
83. 

    if u are using old jam jars for tea lights, try to use the ones that are in a hexagonal shape – they give off a MASSIVE amount of light as they bounce it around. I have painted some up with glass paint and stuck gem stones and shells around the top.
    I also knit plastic bags that veg, bread, frozen fruit etc come in, into baskets and bags. U can check out how to cut them if you google ‘plarn’ but be warned, it’s compulsive!

    jane graham // October 30, 2011 9:05 am
84. 

    Don’t throw away old woollen knits that have shrunk in the wash. Keep hold of them until you have a pile and then cut them into squares and sew together to make a felted woollen patchwork blanket. If you don’t have enough woolly jumpers then trawl charity shops and car boot sales for jumpers you can deliberately shrink in the washing machine – just make sure they are 100% non-washable wool and then wash on a hot wash in your machine to shrink.

    helenlp // October 30, 2011 9:59 am
85. 

    save all old buttons and use on cards etc, equally they look great on xmas tags

    jenna hague // October 30, 2011 5:13 pm
86. 

    Keep a button box. Not only can you have fond memories of clothes once worn but you can use them to decorate a new t shirt for example. The can also be used as a craft task for children on half term. Try making two pom poms (one for the body and one for the head) and string lots of buttons together on four strings to make individual button people using the strings as arms and legs.

    Joan Ainsworth // October 31, 2011 11:11 am
87. 

    Ribbon can look lovely on scrapbook pages or cards, but can be difficult to attach in a straight line. Use narrow double sided sticky tape, place it on the card or page, then lower the ribbon onto it.

    Maranda Thomson // October 31, 2011 3:04 pm
88. 

    If clothes are going into the recycling be sure to take all the buttons and any trimmings off that can be used for other projects.

    Hazel // October 31, 2011 10:21 pm
89. 

    Making a simple rag doll with material taken from a child’s old clothes, especially best loved ones, is a wonderful way of preserving a lasting remnant of childhood and makes for a great gift and even family heirloom. My teenage daughter loves her dolly even though she is now 19.

    Annette Dye // November 1, 2011 9:35 am
90. 

    Always buy the best scissors you can afford – cheap scissors blunt easily or don’t cut cleanly and can ruin a craft piece so easily.

    Mary Baldwin // November 1, 2011 10:55 pm
91. 

    Look around your local charity shops for offcuts of fabric and baskets of leftover wool – it’s amazing what you can find and you can save a lot of money too.

    Carol Sadler // November 2, 2011 5:33 pm
92. 

    Join a local club to make new friends while you create your crafts – for instance, there’s a knitting club at my local library on Sunday mornings!

    Carol Sadler // November 2, 2011 5:37 pm
93. 

    Old, chintzy cups are great for creating beautiful, handmade gifts. This year several of my friends & family will be receiving teacup candles or pincushions that I have made them. Alternatively, plant a hyacinth bulb in the centre & add some lovely ribbon for a beautiful Xmas gift.

    Jo Turner // November 2, 2011 7:01 pm
94. 

    The best crafty tip i can give is NEVER throw anything away! it’s so satisfying to see old things reinvented (I’ve just made a giant spider for Halloween from a black broken umbrella and an old pillow and the people i gave it too love it)

    Joanne Woods // November 2, 2011 7:16 pm
95. 

    Before you throw any worn out clothing away check for buttons & other fastenings that can be used again, or made into embellishments.

    Kirsty Frisby // November 2, 2011 7:18 pm
96. 

    As a photographer I need my business cards to stand out so i put a punch hole in each one and tie a ribbon around them. This makes them unique, memorable and stand out. I use different ribbons depending on the client, my mood, the seasons etc. My clients love them and so do I !

    Lya Thomas (peonies76) // November 2, 2011 7:27 pm
97. 

    Use old cds as deterants for birds in the garden in the summer – get the kids to decorate them and attach string to hang from trees etc.

    kirsty salisbury // November 2, 2011 7:29 pm
98. 

    Read the instructions TWICE before starting anything!

    Nicola Bulmer // November 2, 2011 7:33 pm
99. 

    Visit craft fayres and gift shops for inspiration, and never be afraid to give it go even if its something you’ve never done before.

    Helen Francis // November 2, 2011 7:36 pm
100. 

     The best craft tip I ever learnt is to use all plates and vintage glasses, of different shape, size and colour to make a beautiful, cheap bespoke cake stand. Mine looks fab, everyone asks where its from and no one else will have the same. better than buying the non original ones from the internet.

     Samantha Dick // November 2, 2011 9:34 pm
101. 

     To make inexpensive and personal pictures. Buy cheap blank Canvas’s, smother with polyfiller and then make patterns, designs or drawing using sticks or knives or plastic cut to shapes (margarine pots work well). You can get some super design ideas from the Internet. Once dry paint using acrylic paints – there you go! Your own personal art work. A talking point and you can design and paint to suit whichever room or theme you like. I have a beautiful large pollyfiller canvas in my lounge with square designs, flowers and a dragonfly painted in beautiful copper and gold metallics – everyone asks about it and are alway totally stunned that it cost only a few pounds to make.

     Amanda marman // November 2, 2011 11:20 pm
102. 

     If you like cross stitch or needlework, keep old birthday & Christmas cards. Use a hole punch to make4 a row of holes on the long edges of the card & sort your threads out, putting a different colour through each hole. You can then label them & draw the pattern key next to the colour. Recycling AND craft tips!

     Lorraine Cooper // November 3, 2011 7:10 am
103. 

     Maybe people do this anyway- I’m pretty new to crafting, but I find it really useful when I’m starting a crochet project to do a handful of extra stitches in my first chain, so that if I go wrong in my second row (which I think is the most difficult) I have space to add the required number of stitches. If I manage to get all of my second row of stitches in the right place (rare!), then I can just unravel the extra stitches in the first row when I’m done.
     Thanks for all interesting tips.

     Jen Trzeciak // November 3, 2011 7:13 am
104. 

     My granny always said the most satisfying thing about crafting is making something beautiful from something you no longer want . she never throws anything away if shred thinks its “reachable” her sewing room is my favourite place on earth, a treasure prove of buttons and material just waiting for inspiration xx

     Linda ashworth // November 3, 2011 8:45 am
105. 

     never throw away broken crockery or tiles, especially the bright and vibrant ones, they always come in handy for decorating things, have just rescued an old wooden table using some and it looks fab.

     Mark Whittaker // November 3, 2011 10:40 am
106. 

     My favourite craft tip of the moment is printing photos and text onto tissue paper (loosely tack it to normal printer paper with masking tape) and then glue it to canvasses. The glue dries clear and you are left with a gorgeous photo canvas or pieces to incorporate into mixed media canvases or journals. This is not my idea but something I found on Pinterest and have been using to make Christmas presents Love it.

     Carmen Wing // November 3, 2011 11:04 am
107. 

     I would suggest keeping a large box, and keeping old greetings cards, wrapping paper, etc, anything you find pretty in it, then when you have some spare time experiment making things. I saved last year’s Christmas cards, cut out some of the smaller pictures glued them onto a larger piece of brown paper (cut from brown envelopes) and then glued that onto a plain card to make this year’s Christmas cards, simple but pretty and cheap to make.

     Lynne Dexter // November 3, 2011 1:58 pm
108. 

     I love lots of crafts but find that it can be an expensive hobby. Charity shops are my best friend, I look for old pillow cases and sheets for my patchwork passion. I also pick up odd balls of wool to use in crochet, buttons and pieces of jewellery which I take apart to reuse.

     Sue // November 3, 2011 2:44 pm
109. 

     Greeting cards with ‘middles’ can be recycled by
     tearing the original ‘middle’ out and replacing it with your own…either hand written or printed by computer.

     jen shaw // November 3, 2011 7:31 pm
110. 

     I use pretty packaging bags, paper bags to re-cover empty cardboard boxes (Joules have gorgeous packaging bags), they look really stylish, make great storage boxes for little bits and bobs and cost virtually nothing!

     Tessa // November 3, 2011 7:40 pm
111. 

     If, like me, you love having wicker baskets all around the house, but find them a bit too expensive, you can try making your own by recycling some old magazines! Simply roll the old paper into long, thin tubes, and then follow the instructions from this bilingual blog: http://ukathryn.blogspot.com/2010/04/papierowa-wiklina-paper-wicker.html

     Aggie Sady // November 3, 2011 10:10 pm
112. 

     I buy my crafty bits and bobs on a budget(Poundland have some great things) or recycle for free (ribbons from packaging, press flowers from the garden)

     Kay Abbey // November 4, 2011 12:43 pm
113. 

     Make your own large glue dots. I use clear contact paper (or shelf paper), but you could use the double sided adhesive sheets for this. I use the contact paper because you can get a large roll that will last forever for just a few pounds. xxx

     Rebekah Jones // November 6, 2011 11:39 am
114. 

     Who won then? x

     Tina Hubbard // November 24, 2011 12:10 pm