Dog Tuggie Toy

Dog Tuggie Toy from Recycled T-Shirt

Materials:

20 1 inch x 20 inch (2.5cm x 50cm) Recycled stretch knit 

from pants or tops in assorted colors.

This home made dog toy is perfect for tug of war games or fetch. It is so simple to make that even kids can put it together. It is a great project for fetes and fundraisers too.  You can use recycled stretch knit from old t-shirts or pants or if you like you can use new fabric.

Cut the fabric into 20 pieces that measure approx 1 inch x 20 inch (2.5cm x 50cm) for a large dog.  For smaller dogs reduce the length and quantity but not the 1 inch width.  
Lay your pieces together in 2 sections of 10. Twist the 2 sections together and tie a large knot at each end as shown in the picture. Your knot should be tight and secure.

There is no need for gluing or sewing.  
Alternatively you can plat your strands together or add extra knots depending on your dogs desire.

Photo Decorative Marbles

Photo Beads

Materials:

• Clear marbles (the ones with one flat side, can be found at any craft store) 
• Cardboard photo index cards 
• Clear Silicone or PVA (white)craft glue or modge podge.

These photo beads are a great way to use up the small photo index cards you receive with photo processing.

Cut a piece of cardboard or paper backing the size of your marble. Then glue your image onto the cardboard. Then Glue the marble to the top side of the picture so that you can still see the picture.  Let it dry.  When the glue dries you will be able to see the picture through the marble.  Then use these beads as magnets or jewelry pieces.  You can wire wrap them or adhere them to frames for some fun projects.

Tin Can Frankenstein

You will need:

• empty aluminum can  
• 1 sheet green felt 
• 1/2 sheet black felt 
• scraps of white and light green felt 
• 1 black skinny chenille stem 
• white craft glue 
• 2 small black pom poms 
• scissors
• 4 round magnets

Make this darling little Frankenstein out of felt, glue and a tin can. Fill him with lollipops for Halloween or use as a Halloween pencil holder for your homework desk!

Make sure can does not have any sharp edges around the opening. If it does, use a piece of sandpaper to sand them down.

Lay green felt on work surface. Lay the can down on to the felt. Roll the can up in the felt to see exactly how much you will need to go all the way around the can. Trim, leaving about 1/2" overlap. Leave about 1" overlap that will fold over the bottom of the can as well as a 1" overlap for the top (mouth) of the can. Glue the green felt around the can, glue the excess overlap to the bottom and inside the mouth of the can.

To create the hair, lay the black felt on the work surface and place the can on top like you did for the green. Roll can up in the black felt and measure about 2" down from the top of the can. Trim excess. Before attaching black felt, cut one side in a grass-like scissor cut for the hair.

Glue the hair in place, lining up the straight edge with the top of the can.

Cut out the patterns for the eyebrows from black felt and the eyes from white felt. Glue in place (see photo).

Cut out the pattern for the nose from the light green felt and glue in place.

Cut chenille stem into a 4" long piece. Bend into a squiggly mouth as shown in the photo. Glue in place.

Glue the black pom poms to the centers of the white eyes.

Place 2 round magnets on each side of the head for the bolts, no glue required! The magnets should stick through the felt directly to the can. You can glue them in place if you prefer.

Let him dry before filling with candy, pencils or anything else you can think of.

About the Author:
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine.