TerryGami, Washcloth Crafts: September 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Kids! Create Your Own Collectibles!

Washcloth Snowman Size: 8 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Washcloth Reindeer Size: 6" x 8"


Washcloth Santa Size: 6 1/2" x 3 1/4"

Washcloth Angel Size: 8"long x 7" wide

The book is now available online in soft cover!

In the 1990’s, kids went crazy over small stuffed animals. I know my kids did. These toys became collectibles overnight and every child needed to have at least one of each kind or his world might come to an end.

With TerryGami washcloth crafts, kids can create their own critters for a fraction of the cost and they will be learning more than how to be a consumer. They can learn how to follow instructions, how to sew, and how to shape and mold washcloths into an animal or holiday ornament. It will help to foster their creativity and improve their dexterity to boot.

To make the project even more fun and unique, why not add a music button? They cost about a dollar online, which still keeps the cost way below the collectible’s price. With the Halloween and Christmas sales about to start, they may be even less expensive. It is an easy guess as to what Christmas songs to put in the snowman, reindeer and Santa! For the angel, how about "Angels We Have Heard on High"?!

By the way, to make smaller critters or ornaments, use smaller washcloths.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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

Washcloth Jack 'O Lantern

The book is now available online in soft cover!

Washcloth Crafts for Kids and Crafters!

Cut out a foam board or a felt face, or just add 'BOO" to your washcloth pumpkin to make a Jack 'O Lantern. I love the new glittered foam board letters! Cover the stem with jute, yarn, or with a piece of terrycloth.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Monday, September 26, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Get Cozy with TerryGami!

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


Firecracker Party Favor Box

Washcloth Bat

The book is now available online in soft cover!

Getting cozy is what fall is all about. It is easy to get cozy with TerryGami washcloth crafts because sewing a critter can be done while sitting on the couch and wrapped in a snugly blanket. A little needle, thread and a pair of blunt-end scissors and you and the kids can enjoy an afternoon in front of a fire on a cold, rainy afternoon. Take a break with a cup of hot chocolate and you have made a fun memory.

While I love origami, the kids probably shouldn’t take origami to bed with them. Terrygami washcloth crafts are soft and cuddly and the kids can take their handmade treasures into dreamland with them. Okay, I may be getting a bit much here, but you get the idea.

Please understand, to southerners, the whole idea of fall on its way is a big deal. Temperatures here are still in the 90s, and boy, that first hint of fall air thrills us. The whole idea of a blazing fire and something cozy and fun to do is what I would like TerryGami to be all about. That’s it! TerryGami, the cozy craft for kids! I like it.

I hope you and your kids do, too!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Make a Fever Boo Boo Bunny!


Washcloth Boo Boo Bunny

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

The book is now available online in soft cover!

Washcloth Crafts!
There are washcloth bunnies for boo boos, but why not have a fever bunny, too. Some rabbits have long ears and others have short, so why not shorten the ears on a Boo Boo Bunny to make the body longer, and then you can add several ice cubes to his tummy. (When measuring to fold the ears back, measure 3 inches instead of 5 inches.) Apply the Fever Bunny to a sick child's forehead to help reduce the fever and cheer his or her spirits. Get free Boo Boo Bunny instructions at the www.terrygami.com.

Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Friday, September 23, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Needles and Pins!

Washcloth Turkey

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

The book is now available online in soft cover!

Etsy

Washcloth Crafts!
As it turns out, teaching kids to hand sew using terrycloth is pretty easy. The wide weave of the material allows kids to use a variety of wide-eyed, blunt-end needles. They are easy to thread, and they are easy on the fingers, meaning no finger pricks.

For young children, I recommend plastic bag clamps, rubber bands, and spring clothes pins for holding the material in place, but safety pins are another possibility. Now saftey pins do prick when unhinged, so a lot of supervision needs to be available when using them. Perhaps a new type of blunt-end safety pin is in order; one that doesn’t prick. Or for that matter, blunt-end straight pins would work, too. I’m just thinking out loud here with all of the blood born viruses around, I would prefer no one get pricked, especially when teaching a group of kids.

I like to use the darning needles and the yarn needles. Plastic needles have a few draw backs. They may not glide through the material as easily, but they work and are less expensive. Four plastic needles come in a pack. Plastic canvas needles work, too. If you have experimented with a lot of crafts over the years, you may have some of these needles on hand.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Teaching with TerryGami Washcloth Crafts!

Washcloth Firecraker Favor Box

Washcloth Bat


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

The book is now available soft cover!

Available in the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia soon.

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

The TerryGami book can be easily used as a teaching tool or workbook. A wide variety of materials can be used to spark the imagination: colorful terrycloth washcloths and rubber bands, yarn, foam board, felt, glass gems, sequins,painted wood pieces and quilt batting if the critter requires stuffing. Be forewarned -- kids love to stuff them.

The children can start with the list of factoids in the book. They can then search for more interesting facts about a critter or holiday icon either on the web, at the library or just from the books and magazines you have at home.

Many subjects come into play with this craft:
     *History is involved: The factoid page list how a holiday icon came into being.
     *Science is involved: The factoids provide information about an animal's habitat, needs and characteristics.
     *Math is involved: Measuring is necessary when making a critter or holiday ornament.
     *Language is involved: Children have to read and decipher the instructions.
     *Fine motor skills are involved: Children have mold, roll, and shape the washcloths, and, also, sew or glue them.
     *Learning new a new skill is involved: Children will be able to create toys for themselves and others with just a few rubber bands or a piece of string and a piece of cloth.

Finding and purchasing supplies can be another avenue to explore for teaching. What materials do we need? Where do we need to go to buy them? Do we already have craft items on hand that can be used? How inexpensively can each critter be made and what price would it sell for at a craft show or on an online store like Etsy?

Have the children read the TerryGami instructions first and see if they can figure out how to make the critter on their own. It may seem like work to them, but if you make a game of it, they might find it fun to tell you how to make the critter. Teaching them to have enough patience to read through the instructions and figure it out themselves is a lesson in and of itself.

Teach the kids a little bit about terrycloth or the other craft supplies used like ribbon or yarn. From what I can find on the web, terrycloth has at least been around since the middle of the 1800s. The material and weaving technique was invented in France. The French used silk to weave this new, looped fabric, but later, Englishmen made the material, first from worsted (a wool yarn), and then later, from cotton. The Englishman Samuel Holt brought it to the United States, patented the looped weaving technique, and later sold it to a cotton manufacturer. The loops in the fabric make it very water absorbent. This is why washcloths and towels are made from this material.

Teaching them to sew is another lesson. Kids just learning to sew can get great results their first time sewing on terrycloth. If the thread matches the color of the washcloth, the stitches can barely be seen, especially if you instruct them to keep their stitches small. If you want to teach them to sew on buttons, use buttons for the facial features or make the snowman. He requires buttons down the front of his body and small buttons can be used for his facial features.

There are lots of ways to teach with the TerryGami book. However, you may just want to have fun with the kids and not make a chore out of it. There are plenty of projects to have it both ways!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Washcloth Craft, Possibilities!


Washcloth Halloween Firecracker to Fill with Treats


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

The book is now available

online in soft cover!

Washcloth Crafts!
I appreciate mixed media in art, so maybe this is why I like to experiment to see what types of materials can be used with terrycloth.

Glass or acrylic gems go well, as well as sequins, buttons, foam board, felt, and even natural or painted wood. Then there are the natural possibilities such as seeds, pods, and pinecones, etc. An exercise for kids would be to see what types of natural things can be used on the TerryGami critters. Indeed, some schools insist upon the use of all natural fibers and materials.

Another possibility is to use embroidery thread to make the critters’ faces. This is especially recommended when making toys for babies or toddlers. It is also something additional to teach kids to do. Use embroidery floss, tatting thread, or perhaps even yarn. If you are using the wide-eyed needles, yarn can easily be used.

I have not experimented with baby washcloths, but this is another possibility for baby showers. I have seen adorable Boo Boo Bunnies made from baby washcloths with flower prints. There are striped washcloths sold in bulk available at certain times of the year. You just have to watch for them. I am hoping for red and white striped cloths to appear on the market for Christmas.

I love the glitter phase we seem be going through in crafts. I hope one day soon we will have glittered washcloths for making critters and ornaments. In the mean time, I dust ornaments with fine white glitter. It sticks to the terrycloth well enough.

The possibilities and combinations are endless!

By the way, the TerryGami book should be available online in the UK and Europe after October 1^st. I am still working on Canada and Australia.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Monday, September 19, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Bats! Purple, Green, Black and White!

Green Washcloth Bat

Orange Washcloth Bat


Purple Washcloth Bat

White Washcloth Bat

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

Black Washcloth Bat

The book is now available online in soft cover:

Washcloth Crafts!
It wasn’t until I watched kids in action at a TerryGami birthday party that I realized that my worries over what color washcloths were available stopped. The kids made yellow, pink and purple tortoise and hares. Before the party, and in my limited way of thinking, a bat needed to be black. Since black wasn’t readily available in cheap, thin washcloths when I wrote the book, I dyed the cloths black. Later, I expanded upon the idea that an orange bat would be okay for Halloween, but after this party, the kids showed me how much they love color, so I came to realize that the TerryGami critters can be any color and the brighter the better. I was the one with the narrow, and not particularly creative, vision of how things should be. So, if you are looking to take the Goth out of Halloween, make pink, yellow, blue, and green bats. Bats can be any color in the rainbow!

Note: The wings can be made raised or just leave them in a straight out position or pointed down. There are many ways to adjust and arrange the wings. Sew the crease lower on the head for the wings to point upward. With the thinner cloths, the wings turn out thinner. It’s the exact same pattern, just not quite as bulky.

And, yes, I have a thing about using sparkle foam board. Remember, if you have any white, foam board stars, use the points for the fangs. The bat can also be a Boo Boo Bat, a treat holder, or a sachet for Grandma's dresser drawer. Just tuck an ice cube, a plastic ring or candy, or potpourri in the tummy. For older kids -- how about money! :)

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Tips for Teaching Kids to Hand Sew


Washcloth Bat

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

The book is now available online in soft cover!

Washcloth Crafts!
Teaching kids how to hand sew may seem like a daunting task, but it really isn't. If you can spend a half hour or so showing them the basics, I think you will find that it isn't as difficult as you may think. It is so easy to thread the wide-eyed needles, and the blunted ends of darning needles or yarn needles eliminate possible finger pricks. Check out the websites below to help out beginners.

I suppose the hardest part is showing them how to tie a knot in the thread, but that can be found online as can everything else these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM5n_gmpIrY. I am guilty of stabbing at the eye of the needle with a long piece of thread! Is it any wonder I like the wide-eyed needles! Here is a video on how to tie off the thread when they are finished sewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UccJCUjTSJA.

As illustrated in the book, sewing on terrycloth is a little more complicated because the knot will go straight through the wide weave of the material, especially a tiny knot. You have to anchor the thread first. After you tie a knot in the thread, pull the needle through a tiny pinch in the material, as it the last video. Before you pull the knot all the way to the end, pull the needle through the loop created by the double strands of thread, and then pull the thread through all the way through the loop until the thread is anchored.

For younger children, if they are having trouble holding and sewing the material at the same time, try using small bag clamps or spring clothespins to hold the material in place as they sew. Sometimes rubber bands work well, too. Any snags caused by the rubber bands can easily be trimmed off the terrycloth.

Keep the stitches small and the seams will hardly be noticeable at all. It is easy for kids to get good results when sewing on terrycloth because of the nap or pile in the weave.

What is nice about sewing, instead of gluing the TerryGami critters, is that, if a mistake is made, it can always be rip it out and you can start again. In fact, knowing how to rip out the stitches is an important lesson to learn in sewing. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Decorate Washcloth Bats, Firecrackers, and Jack 'O Lanterns!


Washcloth Bat

Washcloth Firecracker Favor Box

Washcloth Pumpkin


Washcloth Jack 'O Lantern


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

The paperback version is now available!

The books are available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

Walk into a craft store today and you can go nuts looking at the various supplies available to create anything imaginable. For me, I can’t help but wonder what neat things will go with terrycloth. For example, I wonder how the wonderful paper cutouts for scrap-booking would work on terrycloth. I don’t think they would be as durable as foam board, so I haven’t experimented yet, but my goodness, what beautiful possibilities there are!

Fortunately, the foam board cut out companies are trying to keep pace with the paper items. Even felt is giving a shot at cut outs, and there is even glittered felt now. The Halloween cutouts are perfect for decorating the TerryGami firecracker and party poppers. They have spiders, pumpkins, bats, black cats, and witches on broomsticks. There are other possibilities, too, to use on terrycloth: beads, buttons, acrylic gems, and sequins. You can mix and match them, too.

I almost forgot. You can also use the wood pieces, just paint them. They have circles and triangles which are great for facial features. There are also square pieces that can be used for the owl's graduation hat. All of these items work well for accents or facial features on the TerryGami critters. Shop online for the Halloween versions of each of these items, if you can’t find them in a store. Kids and crafters must be having a ball creating these days.

Check out the Teacher's Boo Boo Apple in the book for modifying the pumpkin and the stem. Also, you can use the apple as a pumpkin, the face will be smother and you will only have green leaves, or use the pumpkin instructions and only modify the leaves according to the apple instructions. Use ribbon, yarn, rope, raffia, or rawhide to decorate around the stem. I am sure you can create a much cuter Jack 'O Lantern face than I have offered here. I need to work on that! Use the Jack 'O Lantern side of the pumpkin for Halloween, and the other side for Thanksgiving.

Note: If you want to look ahead a bit, pick up the scull and crossbones now because these cutouts will go on the parrot’s pirate hat in the next book. Better to pick them up now than have to buy them online later. By the way, I am not working for the foam board industry, but these items are too cute to pass up, especially if your kids are into pirates.

Also, save those dark brown washcloths in the packages of 18 cloths because they will be perfect for the monkey in the next book. I mention this because I would be inclined to use them as dishcloths and later regret it. I have learned to save all colors, even the wimpy, pastel ones. Save light yellow or cream for the monkey, too.

Don't forget to fill your firecracker up with treats!

Happy crafting!

~Terry

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Halloween Possibilities: Orange Bats and Firecracker Favors!


Washcloth Bat with Raised Wings

Washcloth Halloween Firecracker Favor

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!

TerryGami washcloth crafts can be incorporated into your Halloween festivities as party favors or as a craft activity. You can prepare them in advance and let the kids decorate them before they leave to trick-or-treat.

Wonderful sparkle foam board bats, cats, spiders, pumpkins and witches are available at craft stores. There are also beautiful paper possibilites, too, but I prefer the more durable foam board pieces on washcloths. Sequins work well if you are making a lot of favors. Halloween sequins are available on line I recommend that you use non-toxic, non-flammable fabric glue to secure the sequins and foam board pieces.

Another tip is to punch out stars and circles to help spread out the larger foam board pieces. In fact, you can get away with only one cat or bat per favor, just use stars and poke-a-dots to decorate the rest.

I am trying to enjoy the process and the journey of expanding this craft, but I have to wonder what it would be like to have a staff to help!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Friday, September 9, 2011

TerryGami Book is in Soft Cover Now, Too!

TerryGami Gift Basket

Washcloth Snowman

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

Just in time for the holidays and at long last, the soft cover version of the TerryGami book is now available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

I like the hardcover version of the book for gifts because it is more durable and substantial, but you will save $8 on the soft cover. Both can be put in a gift basket along with a package of washcloths and a sewing kit (free instructions for the sewing kit).

The fun about making a gift basket is you can embellish it anyway you want for the greatest effect. As a teacher’s gift, you may want to make the Teacher’s Boo Boo Apple for his or her classroom. In a Christmas gift basket, an ornament like the snowman nestled by the book might make a splash.

There are many TerryGami critters to come. I had hoped to have another book out by this fall, but I doubt that I will happen now without a miracle. However, I do believe in miracles! :)

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Creating Storybook Characters with Washcloth Crafts!


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

Washcloth Owl

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!
Someone asked if TerryGami can be used to make a storybook character. I can say for sure that some of the critters in the current book and in the upcoming books can be changed to resemble different famous storybook characters, but for legal reasons, I probably shouldn’t say which ones. If you have a character in mind, try to do a little tweaking on the critters because it can be done.

I will say that in the next book, the hare can be made into a lop-eared bunny, and in this book, the owl can be made into a famous young wizard’s owl. You should be able to pick up a bundle of 18 thin,white washcloths at a famous department store right now!

So, use your imagination and consider the possibilities when looking at the TerryGami critters. The reindeer and the snowman also have possibilities when Christmas rolls around.

I hope a lot of fun can be had by all with TerryGami!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Teaching kids to follow instructions using TerryGami!

Albino Washcloth Bat


Black Bat with Washcloth Raised Wings


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

The book is now available online in soft cover!

The book is available at:

Does anyone really like to read instructions? I am not even happy at the sight of a long recipe. I have to make myself a cup of tea and sit down to prepare myself for the task of deciphering it. I would much rather have the information directly downloaded into my brain, so don’t be surprised if I am the first to have a Matrix or Borg-like attachment in my head, if the technology ever becomes available.

Craft instructions are no different to me. If I can just look at the pictures or illustrations to figure it out, I will. This is why I have made the illustrations in my book as easy as possible to understand. Even the print in the book is large, because the site of long paragraphs of microscopic print has always been a huge turn off to me.

However, as we all know, but hate to admit, it is always better to read through the instructions first. Doggone it anyway! This is a lesson everyone should learn early. I suppose I have fought it all my life, but it’s true.

If using the TerryGami book to teach this important concept, have the children read through the entire set of instructions first. The illustrations will help them visualize as they go through the assembly of the critter or ornament. If you can, let them put their feet up and have a cup of hot chocolate or something to make the experience pleasant. Well, maybe this is going too far, but this should cut down on the questions to mom or instructor, and hopefully, will prevent them from ever becoming as instruction phobic as I am.

Think about what is like to finally figure out how to assemble something. For me, once I know what I am supposed to do, I can hardly wait to get started. Hopefully, the idea of making a cute critter will serve as a catalyst to inspire the kids to complete the project. The TerryGami washcloth craft instructions are designed so the crafter can just glance back at the illustrations to find their place in the process. Check out the free Boo Boo Bunny instructions on the TerryGami website for an example of the instructions.

If you are making bats for a classroom or a large homeschool gathering or a Scout troop meeting, start working on them now! By the way, you can always let the kids put on the eyes, nose and fangs. Classroom time is often so limited these days, so plan ahead. By the way, you can also glue the bat with non-toxic, non-flammable fabric glue, but apply the glue with a toothpick to avoid any messes.

To the lucky homeschoolers who are using the fall as their off time (a neat idea if you ask me!), TerryGami can be a fun way to sneak in a little learning without the kids realizing it. You can teach them how to sew and how to follow instructions at the same time! Don't forget, you can use wide-eyed, blunt-end needles with terrycloth. Oh, and you will be teaching them how to make a washcloth critter, too!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Friday, September 2, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Try something new with Washcloth Projects!


Washcloth Owl


Washcloth Santa


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

Washcloth Easter Eggs

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

With all of the creative people out there, many crafters will be experimenting with the faces on the TerryGami critters. Please do! Mix and match the projects within the book to suit your own creative sensibilities.

For example, at the time it didn’t occur to me to put eye glasses on the Graduation Owl, but if you have bead wire, try to use the Santa’s spectacles in the book on the owl. Improvise a bit and make the nose bridge and the rims of the glasses a little wider. Use a fat sharpie to increase the size of the spectacle’s rims, if need be. Also, the Santa can be made with other color cloths, to match your decor.

Also, the owl, with a few modifications, can be a favorite young wizard’s snowy owl. This may be a fun activity for a Halloween or birthday party. Just use a black fabric marker to make the black markings on the owl. Make the body of the owl in advance, and then let the kids put on the facial features and the markings. Fortunately, there are packages of white cloths available now, 18 to a package. Stock up on white now for the snowmen, angels and the Santa, too.

The apple and the pumpkin can be interchanged, too, with a little modification. For example, make the apple with an orange cloth and you will have a smoother face for a Jack ‘O Lantern. Use brown yarn to cover the stem, instead of jute or rope or cover the stem with a corner from a brown washcloth, as in the apple instructions.

Think outside of the box; kids do! I haven't experimented with it yet, but the Easter Egg could be a football, if made with a brown washcloth with white felt and yarn sewn or glued on to make the threads and markings. Wide-eyed needles can easily be threaded with yarn. To hide the knot in the yarn, gently pull the knot through the material, and then leave the knot on the inside of the football. Make each end of the egg as pointed as possible. Making the Easter Egg into a football didn’t occur to me until the children who were helping to vet the instructions started to throw the egg around like a football! Well, of course they would think of that; they're kids!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry