Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Lake Street Penny Rug


Oh my goodness! Is this penny rug ever cute in person! Sometimes I tickle myself at the cuteness of a finished project, and this is definitely the case with this one. A very simple project taken step by step, I hope you will be inspired to make one of your own.



LAKE STREET PENNY RUG

SUPPLIES: 1/2yd white felt, 15" lt. blue felt, miscellaneous small pieces of felt in colors of your choosing. Same color floss to match felt, 1 skein white, lt. blue, small amounts remaining colors. Scissors, pinking scissors, needle, pencil, iron.

ABBREVIATIONS:  BS=Blanket Stitch, OS=Outline Stitch, TS=Tacking Stitch, TKS=Tacking Knot Stitch, FK=French Knot


FELT:  I have used woolfelt which I order online from Joggles. Regular craft felt works just as well and can be found by the yard at JoAnne's.

CUT: Pattern pieces as many as directed. I hand cut triangle beaks for bluebirds and circles for flowers. Center circle was traced with pencil using a standard 10" dinner plate OR trace pattern 4x. Cut two white center circles, cut one blue. Using pinking scissors cut 1/2" from edge to form blue border.

FELT PIECES:
Eye:  Position bluebird on one white circle, slipping beak under edge as reference for eye position. FK eye with darker shade of blue through both layers of felt. Repeat 15x.
Bluebird: Stitching from L to R beginning at point above eye, BS edge of bluebird catching beak. Repeat 15x.
Beak:  From beneath, TS beak without penetrating top layer of yellow felt. This technique is used when you do not want stitches to show. Repeat 15x.
Circle: BS beginning where white meets blue felt from L to R. When you come to blue felt, keep needle behind blue felt. Stitches will only show on back of white felt. Repeat 15x.



Roof: TS white trim to red roof, set aside. Trees: TS pink roses, set aside. Window: TS  bottom edge of  white window shade, set aside. Door: BS heart to door, hidden TS doorknob. BS door to house. TS window to house as well as window box.


Blue Sky: Position tall green trees and yellow house. Use pencil to draw puffy blue sky. Use 3 strands darker blue floss and OS. Your pencil line will not show.
Cottage: Position tall green trees and yellow house tucking sidewalk under door edge. Use 1 strand floss and long running stitches to hold pieces in place. BS Trees lifting edge of house as you go. BS House hiding stitches at bottom door edge.
Walk: BS walk STOPPING 1/2 inch from bottom. You will finish walk after sewing lt. blue border in place.
Roof: BS top edge of  roof, TS bottom edge under white scallop.
Miscellaneous: BS heart and bushes. TS flowers in place.


Blue Border. Using 2 strands floss, TS between every other valley of pinked inside edge. BS around outside edge. Center of rug is now complete, time for the MAGIC!!!

IRONING: This is my most favorite step in making a penny rug! Truly what you think is already cute will become wonderful after ironing. Using a steam iron at about a 4-5 setting,  iron THE BACK of rug with iron directly on felt using medium pressure. Iron until no visible wrinkles are present. FROM THE FRONT KEEPING IRON SKIMMING SURFACE OF FELT LIGHTLY until piece appears flat and free of any wrinkles. The pieces will "felt" themselves together creating the most beautiful effect! LOVE this part!!!


ASSEMBLING:
Using 3 strands floss, BS white center circle back to center circle front.
Using 2 strands floss, slip needle between center rug circle, catch BS thread from bluebird circle and center circle and take a TKS. Repeat this 3x. Do not cut thread.
Slip needle between layers of bluebird circle coming out at tip of lt. blue felt. Hold a second bluebird circle with lt. blue points matching and take 2 TKS.
Needles again slips between bluebird circle layers to top center where you will take 3 TKS to center circle.
Repeat with each bluebird circle added.


FINISHING:
From the back again steam with medium pressure until piece is flat. From the front, skim the surface with the iron until piece appears without wrinkles.



 









35 comments:

  1. No words..Just Beautiful!!!!!!

    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  2. I think this is the cutest thing I've ever seen! So cheerful too - I bet Sandy will love this thoughtful gift. :-)

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  3. Elizabeth,
    I am so tickled witht his! I know right where it is going to go in my room! My very own Creative Breathing Penny Rug! I know how very special this gift is, and I feel very loved!!!!! Talk soon....:)

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  4. Oh Elizabeth, this is just adorable! Who wouldn't love something so sweet and I am sure Sandy will love it~especially so knowing it was made just for her. I do think I will have to make one. I wish I could find felt in some more pastel colors. I would love an aqua and a light green. No aqua to be found and the only light green is more flourescent green, ugh! Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my heart and little house. They mean so much coming from you. I need lots of practice on my embroidery but I am working on it. You are such an inspiration.

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  5. You have outdone yourself on this one. It's truly wonderful. I love the cottage and the colors. I never knew about ironing it when you are finished. Thanks for the great tip. Now I have to go back and iron my pennies! I'm sure Sandy will love it!

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  6. Goodness gracious Elizabeth! You've done it again! This is so completely adorable. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  7. Sandy is going to be one very happy lady to receive this. The little cottage is so sweet, but the blue and white birds put it off the chart ~ the cuteness chart that is. Maybe some day I will get brave enough to try making one. Thanks so much for providing the instructions.

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  8. Pure cuteness! Every time you post one of your projects I say "I'm going to do that one!" They are all so lovely! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!

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  9. Elizabeth - this is as cute as can be! I am going to make one as my first craft of the new year. Thanks for the pattern.

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  10. Oh my goodness! I want to make this - and I hope I can. It's so cute E. You are sooooo clever, and as aways, your generous heart is bright for all to see. That is the thing I hope to copy this year - your giving heart! Hugs, Patti

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  11. We are all tickled at the cuteness too! You know I love the house and those flowers on the sidewalk= Sweet!
    I see pink pom poms in the near future. I packed away the Christmas decorations today and organized a bit. Now bring on Valentine's <3 is it too soon to decorate with pink, white, and red? I did leave some snowmen out to keep with the season.
    OH and Sandy is one lucky gal!
    Hugs
    Julie

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  12. LOoooooog sighhhhh! The penney rug and the artist - amazing! xo Nancy

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  13. Really, each one out does the other...beautifully cute!

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  14. How adorable!!! I'll be downloading this pattern for future reference!!!
    thank you for sharing this Elizabeth!

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  15. This is the cutest penny rug I have ever saw, what a great job. Your blog is wonderful.

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  16. You are so amazing Elizabeth..this penny rug is so adorable..too cute for words and such a sweet thing to do for someone!

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  17. E, this is the cutest ever! You are so sweet to make this. Thanks for being YOU! Nan

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  18. Your work is so beautiful. Love everything about this penny rug. I don't know Sandy but I am sure she will be so happy to look at this every day and remmber that you cared so much to make this just for her. You are a really good person E.

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  19. Dearest E,

    Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Sandy will truly love it. She truly treasures everything about you, as do I. Your support and caring have been an extreme boost to her at this time. Thank you for being you and for being there for her at this time.

    Love ya'
    Meri

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  20. Such a delightful creation!
    Jane-Jacksonville

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  21. Just as cute as can be as only you can do! Blessings and best wishes, Tammy

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  22. Adorable! Simply adorable! That is going on my "to do" list, even though I have no idea how to do half of the stitches ... maybe I should call it my "dream (about doing) list"!

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  23. Oh my gosh this is beyond adorable! Thank you so much for sharing! I just came over from Craft Gossip and would love to link to this if you didn't mind.

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  24. I have just discovered your blog by stumbling here from craft gossip. I don't know how I have managed to miss you this long! I simply ADORE your site! With all the projects and eye candy, I can see that I will be spending lots of time here! Thank you for sharing this charming project with us!

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  25. Thank you for this sweet pattern. I learned of it from Craft Gossip. Although I haven't made a penny rug yet, I want to make this one. Happy New Year.

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  26. oh how adorable! the little bluebirds round the edge are so sweet. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. complimenti, sei davvero brava... casetta deliziosa, romantica ed accogliente....bravissima!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  28. Where can I find the pattern? This is adorable!

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  29. My warm congratulations on your site! It helped and pleased me a lot, especially since all your shares are interesting. Long life to your site. Above all, never be discouraged; your blog is really on top!

    voyance gratuite par mail

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Your kind words mean so very much to me. Thank you for your visit! Elizabeth