TerryGami, Washcloth Crafts: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Washcloth Critter Tips -- Miscellaneous Ramblings


Washcloth bat with raised wings.

Washcloth Snowman

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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

The washcloth bat can be a treat in and of itself, but you may want to add an extra treat inside of the critter’s tummy. Make the body of the bat a bit longer so you can hide a piece of candy or a plastic Halloween ring, like a spider ring, for example.

You can find all sorts of small plastic party treats at online sites such as the Oriental Trading Company or at party stores. If you are going to use chocolate candy, make sure it is wrapped well, especially in hot climates, or you may have a mess on your hands.

When making the pumpkin, you may want to consider some other options for the stem. It can be wrapped in yarn or twine, instead of jute .It can also be covered with a corner of washcloth, like the Teacher’s Boo Boo Apple is. At one time, I was an avid macramér, so I have always been partial to jute, which now a days can be hard to find. Raffia may be another option for wrapping the stem, or as the bow around the stem.

I like to use quilt batting to stuff the critters with because it can be cut into strips and placed easily between the rolls. As I have warned several times, kids can get carried away with stuffing the snowman, so either have plenty of batting on hand or be prepared to police the situation. The snowman can get pretty pudgy without supervision!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

It's time to make bats, pumpkins and turkeys!

Washcloth Bat

Washcloth Pumpkin or Jack 'O Lantern


Washcloth Turkey

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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

I had hoped to get the next book ready by this fall, but unfortunately, we have had a death in the family and various problems to contend with this summer. If you are looking for more in the way of washcloth crafts, I plan to begin working on the second book again very soon.

I have several more books in the works, too, which include more holiday icons and critters. I’ll keep you posted on its' progress, but in the mean time, I hope the first book will keep everyone busy for a while.

Remember, everyone can use the wide-eyed, blunt-end needles when working with terrycloth, including adults. It is so much easier to thread the needle. I use the darning needles.

Some of the items in the book will appeal to crafters for bazaar sales, some to group and troop leaders, and moms and dads who homeschool their children. The list of factoids should help make the project informative, as well.

It's time to make bats, pumpkins and turkeys. Just use foam board or felt to make the face of the Jack 'O Lantern. I really like the glittered foam board. Use non-toxic, non-flammable fabric when gluing to terrycloth. You really need to use it, even with the foam board or felt is sticky-backed.

Please check out the tips and ideas in the previous blogs, and please like us on Facebook, when you have the time.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Monday, August 29, 2011

Washcloth Angel !


Washcloth Angel


Washcloth Bat with a Little Glitz


Washcloth Snowman


TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects For Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

The TerryGami washcloth angel can be accessorized in many different ways to save money. For example, the halo can be made from gold or silver metallic pipe cleaners to reduce the cost, or even gold or silver cording can be use, especially if making multiple angels. Glitter or metallic yarn may even be a possibility, too.

Hearts and facial features can be made from gold or silver foam board, instead of sequins. Ribbon can be used instead of cord or lame’. The lame’ can also be used to hang the angel on the tree, just sew a loop through the head.

Discount department stores now have the packages of all white thin washcloths, and they can be found on line, too. The white cloths are great for the angel, snowman and Santa, and even for an albino bat. Note, too, that real buttons can be used on the snowman. Michael's sometimes has small, plastic canisters of buttons in their dollar section. A pattern for the snowman hat is in the book, but you may prefer the store bought version.

The book will be available online in the UK and Canada shortly.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Washcloth Reindeer -TerryGami


Washcloth Reindeer


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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

There are a lot of facts about reindeer and I list a few in the book to help leaders facilitate their group meetings. Did you know that reindeer have broad hooves that spread out to help them walk in deep snow? In some parts of Russia, the reindeer was domesticated and provided food, milk, and transportation.

The dimensions of the TerryGami washcloth reindeer can vary depending on the size of the washcloth. The usual 12” x 12” cloth yields a 6” x 8” reindeer. You can always cut down the cloth if you want a smaller reindeer, especially if you want a smaller ornament. The reindeer can also be used as a boo boo reindeer; just place an ice cube between the rolls of the chin.

The colors, of course, can vary, too, so experiment. A red and white reindeer or a red and green one may match your décor, if you are decorating a tree. Kids love to mix and match colors, so if you have a colorful variety of cloths, let them decide. Be creative with the facial features. I went with hearts for the eyes and nose, but you may have a much better idea!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Washcloth Snowman and Angel!


Washcloth Snowman


Washcloth Angel


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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Make use of all of those white washcloths available now in discount department stores or at least buy them now and save them for your Christmas craft projects like snowmen and angels. You can use the white cloths for bats and the Santa Ornaments, too. White Boo Boo Bunnies are great as baby shower favors, just use the theme color for the facial features and ribbons. Also, domesticated turkeys are white, so just dress them up with a red gobble and a pilgrim's hat.

If your theme or decor is silver and gold, use silver and gold glittered foam board for the facial features on your critter or ornament.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Colorful Washcloth Bats!


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

Washcloth Bat

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Washcloth crafts!
Here is a bat made with a purple washcloth with red foam board eyes or it could be a red bat with purple eyes. It could be used by a Red Hat Society for a Halloween party. Put a wrapped, chocolate treat in the tummy or a small bag of potpourri for a sachet.

The bats are pretty quick and easy to make. You should have plenty of time to make them for a classroom full of kids by Halloween. If you end up making white bats, glitz them up with glittered silver and gold foam board facial features. See the Albino Bat blog below. Also, for quick fangs, use the medium sized, white, glittered foam board stars -- just cut off the points of the star for the fangs. The stars might work better, especially when working with a group of kids.

Don’t forget to share the bat factoids in the book and in the TerryGami blog with the teacher. By the way, don't put any white noses on bats, though, that would represent a fungal disease that bats are contracting in the northeastern states during the winter months, while the bats are hibernating. Right now it is called the White-nose Syndrome and it has killed over a million bats. Scientist don't know exactly why yet. Sorry, not a happy factoid.

The soft cover version of the book should be out just in time for the holidays. It should be any day now. I have been checking and waiting anxiously for it to pop up online. Come on already!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Albino Bat Party Idea!

Albino Washcloth Bat

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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

I recall a certain pet detective was who was in search of a kidnapped albino bat, so why not make albino bats, or at least make one albino bat and use him for a drawing for a door prize at a Halloween party?

TerryGami washcloth bats can be a Halloween party activity and the party favor at the same time. However, if you decide to make the bats yourself to give to the children as a favor, why not let them pick their bats from a bag and the child that draws the albino bat gets a door prize. A simple paper bag decorated with bats can be the bag. Gather the top together so the kids can’t see inside, and then let them pick their bats at the end of the party. The door prize can be a Halloween book or Trick or Treat bag or how about a TerryGami book?! :)

The albino bat can have pink eyes and nose, and white fangs, but he can also have gold eyes and nose, and silver fangs. Just use glittered foam board to make the facial features, and then tie a gold ribbon around his neck. You can make the albino bat the door prize. Make his body a bit longer and place a candy or plastic treat inside his tummy. Older kids will be happy with money.

Remember, TerryGami bats don’t have to be only black. Try making orange, purple, green, and yellow bats until the linen companies get with the program and make some thin, black washcloths. Kids love colorful washcloths.

But if you really want black bats, see my blog on dyeing washcloths.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Monday, August 15, 2011

Washcloth Jack O' Lanterns and Pumpkins for Classroom Parties!


TerryGami Washcloth Pumpkin or Jack O' Lantern

TerryGami Washcloth Bat


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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

If you are making several TerryGami washcloth Jack O' Lanterns or Pumpkins, consider doing a few different colors besides orange like rust or yellow. Perhaps they can have different color leaves and stems, too.

If you want smaller, mini pumpkins, experiment with cutting down the size of the washcloths. Cut down the cloth in the same manner as in the first step of the TerryGami Easter Egg Instructions. The rough edges won’t matter on the orange cloths, just on the cloth for the leaves. Make sure to turn over any rough edges on the leaves about ¼ inch and sew them down for a more finished look. Experiment with 10” x 10” or 8” x 8” cloths to make mini pumpkins.

The Jack O' Lantern can be made into a Boo Boo Pumpkin for the classroom, too, just like the Teacher’s Boo Boo Apple, just leave an opening at the bottom of the pumpkin for an ice cube. Perhaps mini Boo Boo Jack O' Lanterns can be made for party favors. Or for a classroom party, make bats for favor for the kids and a Boo Boo Jack O’ Lantern for the teacher. Use glittered foam board for the facial features to jazz up the project. To make the facial features for Jack O’ Lantern, just cut out a felt or foam board face and glue it to one side. Save the other side to be used for a Thanksgiving pumpkin.

Remember, if you are using thin cloths; stuff the pumpkin with strips of quit batting. Kids love to stuff things! You may want to make sure the stuffing doesn’t get out of hand. :)

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Bats! Another Perspective for the Factoid List!

Washcloth Bat with Raised Wings

Washcloth Bat

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

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

The bat in some Native Indian cultures symbolizes rebirth. A few years ago, a Cherokee spiritual woman read my animal totem, which is said to represent the animals that walk with us on our life's journey. The bat is one of my totem animals. Having lost a loved one recently, bat has shown up for me in unusual ways to remind me that no one ever dies and that there is only rebirth; something I like to believe and need to remember.

Animals are said to appear in one manner or another whenever there is a need and whenever one is receptive to the message. For example, an animal may appear in "person” or on a TV show, in magazines or on billboards or in dreams, etc. They are here to tell us or to remind us of an important message, which is embodied in the medicine each animal carries.

It isn’t October yet, and I am seeing bats almost everywhere. Of course, I have been writing about bats in my blog because Halloween is the upcoming holiday. While researching bats for the blog, I learned that bats are big in Austin, Texas. Austin actually has two bat parades every year honoring the bat!

The other day, I flipped through the TV channels and discovered a nature show on bats. And then on the news later that week, there was a bat flying back and forth in an airplane cabin. If he really did end up down the john, he no doubt met an untimely death; or was he just reborn?! In any case, bats have definitely showed up for me in the last few weeks. Here’s the link to the bat on the airplane: Bat on Airplane.

Today, a friend posted a picture of a painted cow from the Austin Cow Parade. Austin seems to have a lot of parades of one kind or another! Of all the painted cows that could have been posted, this one was covered in bats: Painted Cow.

To the Native Indians, bat can also symbolize “a time of change or a time to change one's perspective.” Well, one perspective to change is that bats have to be black. As I have said before, kids love color, so try orange and purple bats, too.

Whenever I see a bat now, I think of rebirth, which can be a healing message for a heavy heart. Consider adding these some of items to your bat factoid list.

Happy Crafting.

~Terry

Friday, August 12, 2011

Bats! Washcloth Bats in Every Color!


Washcloth Bat Orange Bat


Washcloth Jack O' Lantern or Pumpkin


TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy or Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Bats! Washcloth TerryGami bats can be made with any color thin washcloth: black bats, orange bats, purple bats, green bats! How about an albino bat?! In a kid’s world, bats can be any color. Adults want black bats, but from what I have observed, kids go crazy about color and about making their creations unique. Thin, black washcloths are currently not easy to find. See my blog on dyeing washcloths, if you really want black bats. Also, note that the thinner cloths make for thinner wings.

Hang the bats around the house or the front door for Halloween or give the bats as a party favor. Actually, the kids can make the bat as the party activity and the bat can be the party favor, too. Make the body a little longer and the bat can be a boo boo bat for young children. Just place an ice cube in the tummy and apply it to the child’s boo boo.

The washcloth pumpkins are versatile in that you can place a foam board or felt face on one side, and then leave the other side plain. When Thanksgiving rolls around, just turn the pumpkin around for the holiday.

There are so many different color glitters available now; you can glitz your creation up a little by dusting them in glitter and by using glittered foam board for the facial features. There is probably even glittered yarn to use for the pumpkin stem and to hang up the bats with. Craft stores are booming with new glitter products. There is even glittered felt!

Once I discovered the glittered foam board, I wished I had used it for all of the facial features on the critters. It dresses them up considerably and gives them a festive sheen.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry