Washcloth Crafts, Washcloth Crafts in the Classroom as an Art Project!

Baby Chick and Easter Egg Instructions are included in this book!

Washcloth Baby Chick

 TerryGami books are available in 

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 Welcome to washcloth crafts!
 Can TerryGami be used in a regular school classroom as an art project?

The answer is yes, with a bit a preparation in advance. We will know more as teachers experiment with the washcloth crafts over the next few years, but a lot will depend on the project chosen, on the age and maturity level of the children participating, and the size of the class.

For example, when choosing the project or critter, the hare has fewer legs to sew than the tortoise has and requires no stuffing. A one cloth project will cost less even though the cloths sold in bulk are pretty inexpensive ($4 for 18).  Also, given the constraints on time in the classroom, a little preparation can go a long way in making sure a project is completed in the allotted time.

I suggest that a teacher enlist a parent or two to do some prep work, especially if the children are young.  For example, if there isn't enough time to demonstrate how to make the critter, or the children are not old enough to have the dexterity to make them, then ask a couple of  parents shape the critters ahead of time. The children can always glue on the decorations and facial features. For additional tips, check out the Party
Tips on the side  bar on the TerryGami website for more ideas: www.terrygami.com or go to the link above.

If the main goal is to teach the kids to sew, prepare the basic body structures in advance and anchor body parts with rubber bands to hold it in place for sewing later. For example, if making the tortoise or hare, wrap rubber bands around the legs (use the tiny rubber bands found in drug stores), and then let the kids sew the legs in class.

Another option is to allow two days to complete the project. Let the kids shape the critters themselves, and have them cut out the facial features and decorations the first day, and then let them sew the critters and decorate them the next day.

When home schooling, it is quite a bit easier and can actually be a little more involved because there is time to allow the children to read the instructions and figure out how to make the animals on their own. They may need help with the first couple of animals, but after that it should be a breeze for them. Fortunately, learning to sew isn't that difficult, especially when using a wide-eyed darning or plastic needle. Teaching them to knot the thread and tie off the thread once they have finished sewing is the most difficult part.

Washcloth crafts are unique, because children are actually creating a toy they can play with, not just an object to be looked at and admired. The critters may take a little more time to make, but the children are learning several new skills in the process. The kids will be surprised when they realize that they can easily make stuffed animals themselves, which should open up a whole new creative world for their imaginations.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, The Tooth Fairy!

     Tooth Fairy II Instructions are available on Etsy.

Tooth Fairy Instructions are available on Etsy.

TerryGami books are available in 
the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe, too!

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Welcome to washcloth crafts!

Many stories and myths exist about the Tooth Fairy, whether she looks likes a fairy godmother or he looks like The Rock (Dwayne Johnson). 

There seems to be no set image of the Tooth Fairy, which is  why The Rock could play the role and wear a pink tutu for the movie. He had a great tailor because he actually looked great in the tutu!

Whatever the Tooth Fairy really looks like, he or she has soothed the fears of many children through out the ages. A child’s worry over loosing a tooth vanishes just at the thought of this magical creature who brings a cash gift or reward.

In  some cultures, a mouse exchanges a tooth for coins and in others the child’s guardian angel, a young dog, swallows the tooth to ensure that the new tooth will grown in straight.  The Vikings had a different take on baby teeth.  They believed their children’s teeth were magical and would wear them as necklaces into battle as a talisman.

According to the Multiculturalpedia online, the Japanese tradition is to throw a lower baby tooth on top of the roof, so the new tooth will grow straight up, and to throw an upper baby tooth under the house, so the new upper tooth will grow straight down!

Since there is no set image and no set tradition world-wide, except for placing the tooth under the pillow for retrieval, the washcloth versions of the Tooth Fairy (above) will help the tooth fairy find the baby tooth easily when he or she visits. Wrap the tooth in a tissue or make a little bag for it, and tuck it into the fairy’s tummy.  Place the washcloth fairy under the pillow or next to the pillow for easy retrieval. This will help the Tooth Fairy locate the tooth easily and should be a fun surprise.

The instructions for both varieties of Tooth Fairy are available at the TerryGami Etsy shop, and they also come with Tooth Fairy Certificates.  If you can’t decide on which fairy to make, let your child decide. 

By the way, the glittered foam board decorations and ribbon can be in any color, not just silver, so try pink or blue!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

P.S.  Also, ever wonder if there is a National Tooth Fairy Day?  Well, there is! It is celebrated on February 28^th every year, and since you may have missed it, you can celebrate it on August 22^nd.  I’ll have to get back to you because there seems to be some questions about the date, but the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, MD celebrates it on the 28^th of February.

Washcloth Crafts, Split the Cost with Friends!

          Washcloth Girl Tortoise

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 See the links below!

              Washcloth Boy Tortoise

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the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe, too!

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Welcome to washcloth crafts!

When starting out with washcloth crafts, why not share the cost with a friends interested in the craft, too?

The initial purchases for the craft can be split two ways and still give each person the ability to make many critters.  Here is a list of things that can be easily cut in half or split up:

Washcloths -- packs of 18 cloths -- cost $4

Different colors of sticky-back foam board, plain or glittered -- (a half of a board will go a very, very long way) -- cost $.99 or $1.50 a piece

Ribbon or Craft Trim -- (or use a skein of yarn you have on hand) -- cost $.99 or $2

Non-toxic and non-flammable fabric glue -- (you will need this even when using sticky- back variety of foam board in order for it to stick to the material)-- put half of it in a small, air tight jar -- $8 -$9

Look for the small packages of thread, which come in multiple colors at dollar stores -- (or check to see if you have the colors you need on hand) -- $1- $2

There are all kinds of rubber bands to choose from and you can even use the bracelet crazy bands to add a  little more fun to a TerryGami party. Lately I have been using the tiny rubber bands used for hair, which come in packages of 500 for about $2. Also, the elastics for hair, which come in multiple colors, can be used, too.  I like to match the rubber bands to the cloth when possible.

Of course, it is always best to pick the critters you want to make before you go to the store. 

The glue and foam board will last forever because not much is required for each critter. As you work, keep the glue covered so it won't dry up (very important especially with fabric glue). As far as needles go, I really like daring or yarn needles the best, but plastic needles do work well, too.

I also recommend the tubs of hole punches that have a variety of shapes, for example, small, medium and large round, and star and heart shapes are used the most.  The small round hole punches can be used for buttons on a doll's clothing and for wing decorations on the angels or tooth fairies. It is nice to have a variety on hand.

The different hole punches make it easy to turn a girl critter into a boy and vice versa. See the tortoise above.  Just use hearts for the girl critters, and circles and triangles for the boy critters. Note that the back of the tortoise can be decorated, and, also, that the tortoise can be a turtle, with a little modification of the legs, as shown in the instructions.

Craft hole punches used to be sold separately for $2 a piece, so sometimes you can just buy the one you need. Also, not all of the paper hole punches will work on foam board because not a lot of space is provided to slide the foam board into position, look before you buy, if you plan to use foam board. Of course, there are many options for the facial features and decorations to use instead of foam board, like acrylic gems, felt, buttons, etc.

Children's Fiskars scissors work really well for cutting multiple layers of washcloths and usually cost about $3 in discount department stores or online. While most TerryGami designs do not require any cutting of the terrycloth, the kids will need scissors to cut the thread. Blunt-end scissors are best when working with children.

What is nice about the initial cost of washcloth crafts is that most of the supplies seem to last almost forever.  The only thing you will need to keep in constant supply are washcloths, and this is  relatively inexpensive to do.  One package of washcloths can make 18 one-cloth projects, nine two-cloth, and six three-cloth projects. If there is a color in the pack you do not use, you can use it for cleaning, dusting, bathing, or washing the car.

Quite often, too, the things you need are already in your craft cupboard!

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Another Version of the Tooth Fairy

Washcloth Tooth Fairy

Washcloth Tooth Fairy

Instructions Coming Soon Online!!

 I plan to have the instructions for this version of the Tooth Fairy

 available online this week at my Etsy shop.

 

TerryGami books are available in 
the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe!

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Welcome to washcloth crafts! The Tooth Fairy has soothed the fears of many children through out the ages. The worry of loosing a tooth vanishes at the thought of this magical fairy bringing a cash gift or treat.
 
This version of the TerryGami Tooth Fairy calls for two washcloths, which means the wings of can be any color. For more generic fairies, make the wings in colors other than pink or blue. In any case, the fairy works the same as the first version, just wrap the tooth in tissue and tuck it in the tummy of the fairy.

This version of the fairy may appeal more to kids because they love color. Why not let them choose the which Tooth Fairy they prefer? Or make both designs and they can switch off.  If they prefer the first Tooth Fairy design, consider using color for the facial features and wing decor, rather than using silver or gold. See the blogs below for the original design.

Tooth Fairy Certificates will come with each set of instructions

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Washcloth Shamrock

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Welcome to washcloth crafts!
I have lots of St. Patty's Day items in the works and should have them available by next year, if not in a book, then online on my Etsy shop.

The holiday books are designed so there is at least one project in a book for each holiday, so the series all together, will have many options for any given holiday.  Some holidays will have more items just because there are more icons to choose from like Halloween and Christmas, for example.

While there are at least two more holiday books in the works, the next book will be on insects because kids clubs, home schoolers, and Scout troops need projects they can use year round and ones that can be incorporated into a lesson plan.

The critters often go through many changes before I finally decide they are done.  For example, I am on the third leprechaun and I think I like this one!  Let's see if he makes the cut.  I think he will. 

There are other creatures I am satisfied with on the first attempt. And there are others I should have spent more time on, but then I know that the crafter can take critter to the next level, if need be.  Everyone has their own idea of what looks good. Ultimately, the crafter and/or the kids get to choose what color combinations look better and what materials go well with terrycloth.

I like the glittered foam board for accents,because I love the glitzy sheen it provides, but I also like the acrylic gems. I guess I just like things to sparkle.  It is surprising to me, but everything seems to go well with terrycloth, even the neat new paper items that are out there. I am not sure how they will hold up, but if the item is not used a toy, it may stand the test of time, if stored properly.

I know I have said it before, but we are so lucky to have so many wonderful options to choose from now!  If you haven't been to a craft store lately, you are missing out.

The luck of the Irish to you!  It is a great day to start going green!

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Tooth Fairy

Boy Boo Boo Angel

Girl Boo Boo Angel

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EtsyWelcome to washcloth crafts!
It is difficult to tell how big the actual angels and fairies are so I thought I had better give you the dimensions:
                           Tooth Fairy is about 5" wide by 4 1/2" high. 
                            Boy Boo Boo Angel is 5" wide by 5" high
                           Girl Boo Boo Angel is 5" wide and 4" high

Consider accenting them with different colors other than silver and gold, because the glitter foam board and metallic pipe cleaners come in blue and pink, too. 

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, A Tooth Fairy for boys is in the works!

Washcloth Tooth Fairy Instructions on Etsy!

  Available in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia, too!

"TerryGami, Animals, Birds, and Gnomes"

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Welcome to washcloth crafts!
 Sorry to be so involved with Boo Boo Angels and Tooth Fairies these last few weeks, but one thing leads to another and I am getting more ideas for other critters as I work on these projects.  So, while you may not have a need for angels and fairies at the moment, other ideas are beginning to gel, which may be exactly what you need for your next troop or club meeting.

In the meantime, I have created another take on the tooth fairy, which is in the works.  The prototype is finished, but I need to work on the instructions and photo. This one will appeal more to boys, but girls may prefer one, too, made with pink wings, instead of blue. I will post both options on Etsy so you can choose between the Tooth Fairy above and the newer version.  I should have it ready by early next week, but I have company coming and most of you know what that means for me for the next few days.  

I like both versions of the Tooth Fairy, so I don't know which one I will be making as gifts. I suppose it would be good to let the kids decide or to make both fairies and let the kids alternate which fairy to use for each tooth. Once you purchase the materials, you will be able to make Tooth Fairies for all of their friends, too!
I am just amazed at what materials crafters have to work with these days! Kids today are so lucky!
For other critters, check out the new book!

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Slainte & Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Washcloth Shamrock

 

 

 

 TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Animal Projects for Crafters, Teachers and Children

  Available in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia, too!

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Slainte & Happy St. Patrick's Day!
My boys are part Irish, so this holiday has been on my mind a lot over the years.  I am half way there when it comes to the St. Patty's Day TerryGami lineup. If I don't have a book out with the new projects by the end of this year, I will post the some of the new instructions on Etsy by March 17th of next year.

The shamrocks are easy to make, and, if you cut down the washcloths or use baby washcloths to make them, you can hang them as decorations on a mantel or on a tree. (Some people have a tree for every holiday.)  Reduce the size of the washcloths the as in the instructions for the Easter Egg. It may be cheaper to buy the larger cloths and cut them down. When you make the shamrock, adjust the measurements accordingly, too.

Don't forget about the foam board letters, if you want to put "Luck of the Irish" or "Erin Go Bragh" on them. There are glittered, white foam board letters available in craft stores and sometimes discount department stores.

If you reduce the size of the shamrock, you can make them as sachets for dresser drawers or to hang in closets. Wrap the stems with decorative cording for a little extra pizazz.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Boy Boo Boo Angel

Washcloth Boy Boo Boo Angel

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Welcome to Washcloth Crafts!

The Boy Boo Boo Angel Instructions are now available on Etsy, too!  Add an ice cube to sooth a child's boo boo or use him as a sachet or Christmas ornament.

Once you gather the materials, the Tooth Fairy and Boo Boo Angels take less than an hour to make. (If you are teaching kids to sew, it probably will take a little longer.) They are pretty easy and would make a wonderful party or group activity because they only require one cloth. Packages of white washcloth or utility cloths are usually available in discount department stores in packs of 18 for $4.



Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Tooth Fairy Instructions are Available on Etsy!

Washcloth Tooth Fairy Instructions available on Etsy

Links for the TerryGami books:

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Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts! 

The TerryGami Tooth Fairy Instructions are now available on Etsy! Matching Tooth Fairy Certificates come with the instructions for both the loss of the first tooth and certificates for teeth that follow.  Be prepared to print out one for each tooth!

Just wrap the tooth in a tissue and tuck it in the Tooth Fairy's tummy. Place it by the child's pillow.  If she wants to, the Tooth Fairy can even put the cash in the tummy, too!

The Tooth Fairy only requires one thin, white, borderless washcloth.  Use glittered foam board for the facial features and decorations-- a sheet usually costs about $1.50. Pre-cut glitter crowns are available in foam board, too, but I have provided a simple crown in the instructions in case you want to do a color other than the silver or pink, which are available in the packages.

At first, I wanted a different color crown, but discovered that the silver glitter foam board looks great on the white terrycloth. Remember to use non-toxic, non-flammable fabric glue to secure the foam board to the fabric, even though it is sticky-back foam board.

Also, tiny acrylic gems can be found in craft stores. They, too, have sticky backs, but you will need to use fabric glue on them, as well. Ask someone if you can't locate the tiny gems.  I found hearts and stars in tiny gems, but they are not near the bagged gems.

Once the Tooth Fairy's duties are done for a while, tuck a bag of lavender in the fairy and place near the child's pillow for sweet dreams.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Tooth Fairy Instructions on Etsy!

Books are on sale at Barnes & Noble

Washcloth Tooth Fairy II Instructions sold on Etsy!

Tooth Fairy made from one thin washcloth!

 TerryGami books are sold online. See the links below.
They are vailable in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia, too!
Check out the TerryGami Etsy shop for individual instructions.
 

Links:

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Etsy
Welcome to washcloth crafts!

 Fortunately, the tooth fairies go together pretty quickly.  If you decide to make several, I always recommend the assembly line method.

I really like the silver glittered foam board on white! I was a bit upset when I found that the pre-cut foam board crowns were only available in pink or silver. I wanted gold, but the silver looks great against the white terrycloth. I was surprised. There are several sizes of crowns to choose from in one package. Also, some may want to make the fairy with pink accents, and blue glittered foam board is available, too. I provide a pattern for the crown, so it can be any color. 

Fairies also wear wreaths of flowers on their heads, if you don't want to use a crown. Remember to use non-toxic, non-flammable fabric glue even on sticky-back foam board items.

The Gathering Basket Instructions are on Etsy, too. It can be used for many purposes. Crafters should find some uses for packaging their wares like soaps and lotions. It can also be made with dishcloths and filled with dish detergent, sponges and other supplies to give as a house or apartment warming present. Kids can use it to collect Easter eggs, too.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Start Your Kids on Washcloth Crafts Now!

 

 Available online in hard and soft cover.

Available online in soft cover.

Washcloth Mushroom

Available in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia, too!

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Welcome to washcloth crafts!

It’s National Craft Month – a perfect time to introduce kids to a new craft!

Crafts have saved many a poor soul!  It's true!  Many of us would have landed in the loony bin if it wasn't for the crafts in our lives. If something is missing in your life or you often find yourself bored, find a craft to help fill the empty space. It is hard to despair when you are creating something, especially if it is for someone else. If kids learn this early in life, they will be ahead of the game.

It is so wonderful when a craft project turns out especially well. Let's admit it, it is hard to stop looking at it! A stained glass teacher of mine admitted that very thing to me, which helped me feel a little less peculiar. There is just something magical and satisfying about manifesting your idea. When the sunlight shines through a stained glass piece, and it lights up with the colors you have chosen, it is heavenly!  It is magical! It is your idea of perfection!  Kids know this when they are very young, but soon grow out of creating things with their hands especially when they out grow coloring and modeling clay. 

Start kids out early with a hobby or craft because, if you wait too long, crafts become UN-cool!  When I was a teenager, my mother did beautiful crewel pieces for years, but it never interested me until I saw how my college roommate was so obsessed with it. She would walk in the door, and before you knew it, she had a hoop and needle in her hand.  She highly recommended it to unwind. I guess I never considered it as a stress reliever. After I finished my first crewel piece, I became hooked on crafts for life. 
 
Right now, there are plenty of TerryGami washcloth items to choose from for girls and boys alike. Holiday ornaments, birds, gnomes, and animals of all kinds can be made into sachets, party favors, stuffed animals or items to soothe a child's boo boo.
 
The TerryGami critters can even be the party or group activity. Wide-eyed, blunt-end needles can be used on terrycloth because of the open weave, so any fears about pin pricks or difficulty threading the needle should vanish.

Also, terrycloth is very forgiving because the stitches blend right in with the material, so kids can usually be proud of their results the first time around. Be forewarned though, kids usually want to make more than one critter. Whatever your craft, pick up some supplies this week and make something that awes you.

New TerryGami Projects are available on Etsy now.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Happy National Craft Month!

Sold  online in both hard cover and soft cover.

Sold online in soft cover only.

For a smaller shamrock, try using baby washcloths.

Available in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia, too!

Links:

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Welcome to washcloth Crafts!

Happy National Craft Month!
This March, it is so nice to be able to say that I have two craft books available for sale because there was a time I was going to give up on the whole project out of sheer frustration. 

The path to getting this far has been a bit rocky, to say the least.  Originally, I wrote all of the instructions in long hand and typed them. I didn't want to read the instructions myself, so I decided the kids wouldn't either.  Through trial and error, I learned how to draw on the computer so I could add illustrations to the instructions. I decided, too, to add factoids. When I presented the new instructions to my critter vetting crew, they insisted that I redo all of the instructions! They didn't like the fact that the instructions were all on one page because they said it would too difficult for children to decipher them.  Dutifully, I enlarged all of the instructions and put them on several pages. I knew it would be more costly to print, but I wanted the instructions as kid friendly as possible.
 
I was so excited when the crew came back to vet the instructions again, but my hopes were again quickly dashed when they insisted that the text and the numbers be enlarged, and for the text to be positioned above the illustrations instead of below them, and to add a line separating each step.  Oh brother!  The idea of revamping the instructions, really for 4th time, was almost more than I could take!

However, by this time, I had years and years of work developing the prototypes (some of them several times) and the instructions. I couldn't just let it all go. This also meant the instructions would have to be on even more pages! Oh, for crying out loud!!!  I decided the book would have to be divided into a series because the printing cost would be impossible, especially since the instructions are all in color.

The TerryGami books are designed to be used as workbooks, so you might as well buy the soft cover, which is cheaper. Barnes and Noble often has the books for less. Once the kids are taught to sew by hand and how to make a few critters, they should have no trouble figuring out how to do the rest. The factoids in the books are to help make each project informative, especially if you are providing a group activity for the Scouts or a kids club. I hope moms and dads who home school will find the books particularly helpful when looking for fun projects that also teach something new.

So there you have it. After years of setbacks, only time will tell if it has been worth it. There are many more projects to come, but some just can't  wait for a whole book to be written. I am putting some of the newer projects up on Etsy so you won't have to wait. The Boo Boo Angel is already available, but I decided there needed to be a Boo Boo Boy Angel for all of my friends who have boy grandchildren. There needed to be a Tooth Fairy, too!  The prototype gave me a fit, but I believe I finally have managed to come up with a cute one. I hope you like the new projects and the new book!

Happy Crafting!
~Terry