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I-craft

Free Patterns

Stitch Guide

Making Friends

Nostalgia Needleworks

Reynaissance Needlework Designs

Free Craftz

Handcrafters Village

World Wide Quilt Page

Better Homes and Gardens

Martha Stewart

Woodburner

Classic Carving Patterns

Refdesk.com

A good quality Persian rug which contains one million knots in every three square inches can last as long as 500 years.

A person uses more household energy shaving with a hand razor at a sink (because of the water power, the water pump and so on) than he would by using an electric razor.

As you may imagine from my previous statements, my favorite pastime, when I'm not writing on the computer that is, is needlework. My mother started me early with sewing, embroidery and cross-stitch, and then we began crocheting, knitting, and tatting. Through my life, I have made many items from each category. I've tried other artistic endeavors as well, such as, drawing, watercolors, oil painting, and have even done a couple of woodburning projects. Of course, all these things have come in phases over a sixty year period, and I've enjoyed each project from start to finish. Now, however, I limit myself to cross-stitch and crochet because, for me, each takes little effort.

Surfing the internet, I've found lots of sites to find new projects, some to buy, others where you can get free patterns and even step-by-step instructions. I thought I'd share a few with you.

At I-craft Senior Center, these no-sew-pillows looked quiet easy. To check it out, just click on the pillows. I-craft is not just for seniors, you'll also find: General crafts; Kids corner; Craft stores; Craft library; Teacher's Zone; and more. But remember, to come back click the back arrow or history on your browser.

Another good site is Free Patterns. Here you can get patterns with a materials list and instructions for: crafts; crochet; cross stitch; knitting; plastic canvas; quilting; tatting. These Tatted Candlestick Frills and Napkin Rings would make a beautiful gift to add to that new bride's table, and there are lots more. Just logon, sign-up, its free, and find what you need. You can also download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader on this site, you'll need it to view the patterns.

And at Stitch Guide, you can view videos to guide you through the learning process of each type of needle work listed above.

At Nostalgia Needleworks, owned by Teresa Reynolds, a world renowned crafts designer, you will find cross stitch, cross-stitch, x-stitch, needlepoint, petit point, embroidery, and more. They have new free designs every month to download, charts, kits, needlework accessories, and other craft accessories to buy, & ideas for words and phrases to personalize your own creations. This a UK based website and among their special designs are: Celtic designs, Diana Princess Of Wales designs, and Oriental art designs.

Nostalgia's sister site is Reynaissance Needlework Designs where Chinese designs, among others are the specialty. At both site, there are many additional links that you'll find interesting.

This great Santa decorates the top corner of a door or mantle, and is found at Free Craftz it includes: a pattern to download, materials list, and instructions. This site offers free patterns & projects include: angels; Christmas blocks; Christmas signs; Santas; Snowmen; Nativity; Gingerbreads; Easter designs; pumpkins; Raggedy Annies; and scarecrows to name only a few. They will also email you daily craft tips on request.

Handcrafters village offers items that include: kid’s crafts; jewelry; holiday crafts; recycled crafts; rubber stamping; needle crafts; memory albums; decorative painting, and tips and techniques; plus some free crafting supplies, and a free craft e-zine on request.

There is a wonderful how to's page at World Wide Quilt Page that includes instructions on: block piecing; foundation piecing; rotary cutting; speed piecing; diagonal corners; applique; hand quilting; machine quilting, plus many more how to’s on quilting. Check it out.

There are many sites that deal with crafts and needle work, among them are Better Homes & Gardens which features craft ideas, projects, chat and forums, children's projects, tips and techniques, and Martha Stewart. Just use the keyword 'crafts' and discover the ones that are right for you.

Here is an easy project for you and your children or grandchildren. I found it at Making Friends--Computer Crafts for Kids. At this site there are craft projects for kids, featuring patterns, project, and craft recipes you can print for dozens of activities.

The Woodburner is for the novice or those advanced in pyrography. On this site, you'll find a tool outline, downloadable patterns, a bookshelf, complete with reviews of each book, as well as, a tutorial that you can view on line or download elessons for home use. There is also a message board to exchange questions or opinions, and a gallery where students can display their results. It a site that I highly recommend, this to leads to many other sites on the subject of woodburning and woodcarving.

Another great woodworking site is Classic Carving Patterns here the owner L. S. Irish says, "Woodburning can greatly enhance your carving project. Used to create fine line detailing or sepia tones of shadowing, with just one tool and a few basic strokes this craft will open a new dimension."

This how to's page would not be complete without noting one of my favorite research pages, Refdesk.com. From their how to area are, among other thing, candle and soap making, designer stencils, and gardening.

The useless fact in the sidebars of this page are also found in the multitude of information at Reference Desk.

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Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history. Spades - King David; Clubs - Alexander the Great; Hearts - Charlemagne; and Diamonds - Julius Caesar.

How valuable is the penny you found laying on the ground? If it takes just a second to pick it up a person could make $36.00 per hour just picking up pennies.

It takes a plastic container 50,000 years to start decomposing.

John F. Kennedy's rocking chair was auctioned off for $442,000.

Mosquito repellants do not repel. They hide you. The spray blocks the mosquito's sensors so they do not know you are there.

The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words.