Paper Penny Rug

Autumn Paper Penny Rug

2012-11-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a paper penny rug made with metallic thread and paper. Small little 'mouse' shapes and orange pumpkin shapes are hand stitched to the paper (brown card stock). It makes a cute little decoration around Halloween and Thanksgiving.

It's been a cute story starter for my kids when they hold it and take a close look at it... they get really imaginative and creative with their stories - I guess it's like a creative writing prompt.

Penny Rug Inspired Key Chain

2012-11-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking this post is more of a tip or a "hey, you can do this" easy craft idea... quick project and can be a gift...Here's a how to or a craft tip on making a quick handmade key chain. Needed: Needle (tapestry or embroidery needle) thread (can be hemp, cotton, wool, as long as it has the thickness of embroidery thread) Jump Rings (the size depends on your own preference, I'm using a small and a larger one for this key chain) Felted Wool Ball (Michaels Craft store sells 100% wool and wool felted balls if you don't have or make your own) Wool circles Beads (I'm using beads for added decoration) I just realized that the supplies fit in the palm of my hand!

I'm using green thread instead of the brown in the pic.

Really little wool circles (easy to cut from a small wool square - these are about the diameter of a pencil. All you need is to blanket stitch a few little circles to the wool ball, and then to your key.

Add a bead or two to the top with your tapestry needle and anchor it to the first small jump ring. Then you can add it to the larger jump ring...

2008 Penny Rug Wrist Warmers

2012-11-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

These were a product of a felted wool sweater (or one that was accidently tossed into the washer/dryer) back in 2008 and I thought I'd share them here since in NY, it is that cold time of year & quick & easy crafts are fun ;) wrist warmers...

view on craftstylish

Paper Penny Rug

2012-11-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

I always think "early Americana" when I see crows in rugs... Paper Penny Rug

Quick Crochet Coaster

2012-11-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

So when you find yourself with lots of odds and ends... or in crochet terms - squares, circles, stars... flowers... like I did with these cotton pieces, I decided to make a heavy blanket - It probably won't be that big and it definitely will not be finished any time soon! I get easily distracted - or bored of the same, so I guess that's why I've decided to just start putting this blanket together. Knowing me, it will likely turn into something else. But for now, here are my supplies.

In the meantime I lost my embroidery needle... so I'm hooking the loose yarns of the circle and then the star on top of the circle with the loose yarns from each piece. I know this can be much simpler, but I don't want to cut anymore yarn at time time, since I really just want to see what it will look like together, as a flat piece.

So I stick the crochet hook through the back and catch the yarn & then pull it through.

I will do the same with the crochet star piece.

Here is what the finished "heavy" square will look like... So... the title of my blog post is not Crochet Heavy Blanket! It is Quick Coaster... well, that's because I have to get working on 50 or so more pieces to accomplish that & for now, it's a completed project - a quick coaster. I needed one anyway for my coffee cup! I do love heavy blankets... so maybe I will continue...

Time again for Fingerless Gloves

2009-09-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

Click here for the craft tip

Big Belly Blue Bird

2009-04-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

This little bird has filled her belly and is ready to rest on a hall table with a few flowers in a vase atop it. I used a felted sweater (OK, I laugh out loud here because another wool sweater in the wash... oops...) Then I feel bad though for wasting a sweater?! Well, it's not wasted, but - to avoid wasting any of it anyway, I'll use as much of it as I can and then showcase the extra birds online - I guess on ebay or etsy. I LOL again because I do not usually 'sell' online; however, I do showcase on those sites ;)... I'd love to use ebay for the missionfish.com connection, which easily allows for donating a % to a cause...

This bird is basically a big canvas waiting to be embroidered and decorated...

Natural Wool Single Egg Holder Tutorial

2009-04-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tutorial on creating a Wool Display Single Egg Holder.

This tutorial is a really great craft tip because the end result can be used for so many things - egg holder, little display, napkin holders...

My favorite it to use the eggs as table settings/placements... you can write each guest's name right on the egg... It really seems more of a craft tip than tutorial to me, because it is really so easy and fun! Enjoy!

Materials Needed:
cotton thread, 5 one-inch wool circles,
embroidery or sewing needle (large eye needles are great)
a pair of scissors

Step 1:
Thread the needle with 3 feet of thread (or an arm length). Use one single piece of thread doubled - tied at the end (it looks like you have two strands of thread).
Poke the needle through the side, going through the diameter of the circle. Leave at least 5 inches of thread out of this first circle (you will be using this again in the final step).
The wool is thick enough to hide the thread as you go throughout the diameter, so be mindful that you are pulling the thread through the wool to hide the thread within the wool. Thread through all five circles.

Step 2:

When you've threaded through the diameter of all five wool circles. It will look like a garland. Bring the last sewn circle to the first sewn circle, and tie a knot.

Step 3:

Re-thread through each diameter back to the beginning. And then Snip the end closely to the wool to hide and fringe.
(Remember, you've already tied a knot, so your work will not unravel).

Step 4:

Thread the loose thread from the first circle though the diameter of each circle to hide that extra bit of thread. (see below picture)

Step 5:
Squeeze each wool circle in half to help mold the wool giving the egg a little more support.

Now you are finished with your little single egg holder!!! For Jumbo eggs, use 6 one-inch circles ~ and have fun! Your circles can be embellished before or after you've completed this, using beads, embroidery thread... limitless possibilities...

http://www.PaperPennyRug.com
Tutorial by L. Mitchell, 2009 all rights reserved
Have fun making these!!!

I bought the wool circles for this project from a wonderful etsy seller ragamuffin2006.etsy.com
& they were nicely packaged with a little extra surprise too! I love the butter yellow color!

Mixed Media Paper Penny Rug Card

2009-03-29T06:26:00.001-07:00

Cardborad squares, wool circles, thread and metal circles.

White paper to write a few lines...

Mixed Media Paper Penny Rug GREETINGS!

2009-03-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

These are made with cardboard squares, wool, crochet and hand hooked cotton on wool circles...

Just enough paper to write a little note & send the whole ensemble.

Single Egg Cup Paper Holder

2009-03-22T19:55:00.001-07:00

Fingerless Gloves Craft Tip

2008-12-31T09:31:00.001-08:00

Made from an upcycled sweater, these fingerless gloves are almost finished! I can left them black, but I am going to decorate these with wool circles. so far this sweater has provided me with wrist cuffs and now these! Oh and the main sweater now has short sleeves, and which was once a woman's medium, fits a 4 year old! How cute?!

First you'll begin with your wool sweater - wash it, dry it, basically shrink it (felt it).Next grab your sharpest scissors for a nice clean cut.

This is what you'll have to cut.

Then cut a circle in the side about one inch down - this is for your thumb.

Now these are ready to decorate. I am going to add wool circles, like the ones I added to the felted sweater and to my wrist cuffs. So you can leave them as is, or add to them! I'll post the finished product later!

Yay for Craftstylish dot com

2008-12-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

I posted this how-to make upcycled wrist warmers on craftstylish.com. I love that website because you can post your own creations, give tips (if you desire), basically promote your crafts/art and have fun interacting with other crafters... It is really good advertising for your crafts too! I say "yay" to craftstylish for their welcoming website and friendly craftmosphere.

Here is a great tip for making wrist cuffs or wrist warmers:
Intentionally or accidently wash a beautiful merino wool sweater (or other wool) and dry it in your dryer, then use your nicely shrunk (felted) sweater to repurpose. Use the sleeves by cutting them to your desired length, then decorate, embroider, add circles, and you have cool cuffs! Wow - so fun and easy too!!!!!!

Wool on glass & linen

2008-12-27T12:24:00.001-08:00

I am sharing a project that I am working on which includes wool, glass and linen.
Here are some samples. I love the ease of the threads through the wool and linen. This piece was backed with cotton batting, which isn't as easy to thread, but just as enjoyable and natural to feel.

Speaking of Circles

2008-12-09T14:23:00.001-08:00

Wool Pennies

2008-12-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

I just can't wait to start my next project (most likely a simultaneous project) using these wool pennies (circles) - I bought these from a great etsy seller ragamuffin2006.etsy.com

The Brass Collection

2008-11-26T06:24:00.001-08:00

I created this mini tote & business card holder with brass mesh and stainless steel & brass washers, I used Coats & Clark red metallic thread, and wire. My process for achieving this includes threading metallic thread though the mesh and washers. The tote was sewed together with a very fine gauge stainless steel wire.

2008-10-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

Autumn has fallen...

2008-09-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

I am sharing my Harvest Moons Paper Penny Rug with you to kick off the season.

Paper Penny Rugs

2008-07-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Moon Bird Paper Penny Rug, handstitched paper pocket stationary.

Below is Brown Bird Paper Penny Rug, handmade Mini Greeting Card