Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Wine Cork Keyring







Supplies:
· Wine Bottle Cork
· 2-Eye Hooks
· Buttons or Beads
· Stretchy Cord
· Ribbon for Decorating
· Key Ring




Directions:
1. Screw an eye hook in each end of the cork.
2. Put a key ring on one of the eye hooks.
3. Cut a 7” piece of stretchy cord. (I have used jewelry wire with older children. Crimping beads were used to keep the beads or buttons secure.)
4. Tie a knot on one end of the stretchy cord and start beading. Make sure to leave at least an inch of stretchy cord to tie around the eye hook.
5. Tie the beaded stretchy cord to the eye hook. Repeat as many times as you would like.
6. Tie a piece of ribbon around the eye hook for more decoration.
7. You did it! Great Job!
The beads and ribbon I used were from past craft projects that were broken. I saved the ribbon and beads and found great new projects for them. Reuse!!!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Caterpillar

















Supplies:
· Wool Sweater
· 8” piece of yarn
· Embroidery Thread (black)
· Poly-Fil
· Thread to match the color of the wool sweater
· Yarn Needle
· Needle
· Scissors
· Tape Measure






Directions:
1. Felt the wool sweater by washing it in the washing machine. The agitation will felt the wool together. If you want the felting to be tighter, dry it in the dryer.
2. Cut out a piece of felted wool 3” x 8”.
3. Fold the 3” x 8” piece of wool in half so it measures 1 ½” x 8”. Make sure that the right side of the wool is facing inward. With your matching thread and needle, sew along the bottom edge of the wool in straight stitch.
4. Turn the wool right side out. Sew one end closed by straight stitching around the edges and pull tightly. Knot to secure the sewing.
5. Put about a golf ball size of poly-fil inside the tube of wool. Push it to the end with your scissors.
6. Knot the end of the matching thread and pull through the bottom of the caterpillar to secure. Then wrap the thread around the wool where the poly-fil ends. Secure with a knot and repeat five more times.
7. Finish off the end by straight stitching around the edges and pull tightly. Knot to secure the sewing. Push the edges of the wool inside the caterpillar.
8. Use the embroidery thread and needle to make two eyes with a French knot. (For older children I have used black beads for the eyes.)
9. Use the yarn needle and yarn to make the antennas. Pull the yarn through the top of the caterpillars’ head. Knot the yarn on the ends and where it meets the wool. (For older children I have used wire and beads for the antennas.
10. You are done! Have fun playing with your caterpillar.