Friday, March 18, 2016

DIY "Pretty-as-a-Pinny" Clothespins ~ A Tiggy-winkle Tutorial


"Lucie ran on, and on... THE path ended under a big rock. The grass was short and green, and there were clothes-props cut from bracken stems, with lines of plaited rushes, and a heap of tiny clothes pins..."

If you please'm! Dear Mrs. Tiggy-winkle has one more tutorial to share with you all on this "Fun Friday" spring series. She says this is a very versatile project that everyone can get involved in! They are her "Pretty-as-a-Pinny" clothespins. These darlings could also be used as "bag clips" in the kitchen. If you glue a magnet to the back, they can hold photos and papers on the refrigerator. If you string them on a line in the house, they can display your children's artwork. They would also make sweet party favors. But as for this author, she simply likes to use them the old fashioned way, on the clothesline!


There are many ways to decorate your clothespins but the first thing you will need to do is paint them (if you choose). The easiest way to achieve this is on a clothesline or temporary string hung outdoors. Attach your clothespins (give them some distance apart so that you can get in the nooks and crannies and sides) and spray paint them the desired color. We weren't concerned about them being perfectly painted as it adds to the charm. Children may enjoy hand painting them themselves but it is more tedious. 


Once dried, they are now ready to embellish! You can use scrapbook paper (or magazine clippings, old maps, old book pages, music sheets, etc.) and cut pieces down to size (I measured out the dimensions and cut straight lines using a paper cutter). You could also use fancy scissors on the ends to give the paper a different pattern. Finally, affix your pretty paper with a glue stick (or craft glue) and once dried, apply a layer of decoupage glue or some clear spray paint to finish them off. 


Another way (and much simpler!) to decorate the painted clothespins is with stamps. My daughter has a large "Faded Text Background" stamp that I applied directly to the painted pin. With a final coat of decoupage glue or clear spray paint, the project was quickly done with no need for measuring, etc! The stamp even looked nice on the plain un-painted clothespins (shown in photo next to pink ones) and I am now eager to make a few sets of these for instant gratification and for gifts. 


You could also embellish with pretty beads and jewels if you want to make a designer clothespin (these are my daughter's creation). You can use tiny stickers or clip art. You can use permanent markers and draw designs. You could also custom paint each clothespin to make your own masterpieces if you are artistic (think chevron strips, polka dots, pinstripes and flowers). Just make sure to seal your finished product with the decoupage glue or clear spray paint.


While mama prepares her "pretty pinny's", the children can decorate theirs with all their craft supplies (fearless mothers can even give finger paints to toddlers to decorate the pins with). I must admit that Mrs. Tiggy-winkle was right, my daughter and I really enjoyed making these together and fussing over them and exclaiming to one another how cute the other person's pins were! We had a delightful time!


Summary of Steps:

1. Paint clothespin (if desired) and let dry.
2. Decorate clothespin.
3. Apply a layer of decoupage glue or clear spray paint to "seal" them.
4. Enjoy your finished "pretty-as-a-pinny" clothespin!



Mrs. Tiggy-winkle suggests that these shouldn't be left on the clothesline overnight with the dew or during a storm as it will diminish the quality. 
"And she hung up all sorts and sizes of clothes—small brown coats of mice; and one velvety black moleskin waist-coat; and a red tailcoat with no tail belonging to Squirrel Nutkin; and a very much shrunk blue jacket belonging to Peter Rabbit; and a petticoat, not marked, that had gone lost in the washing—and at last the basket was empty!"

"Pretty-as-a-Pinny" clothespins would also make a nice gift! You can prepare a laundry basket with some handmade detergent, stain remover, fabric softener and a clothespin apron. You might also want to include this "Wash Day Prayer"Visit here for more wash day inspiration or you may even want to view the complete Collection of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle Tutorials, if you please'm!

70 comments:

  1. These will make a sweet tuck-in gift.

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    1. I think so too! My daughter gave some as a gift and attached the pins very prettily to a piece of card stock and placed a plastic bag around it with a ribbon. Very lovely it was! :)

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  2. Looks like a very lovely project to me! Maybe doing the laundry would become so much more fun ;o)

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  3. Thank you Jes! These are so pretty, I simply must try my hand at making some of these!

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    1. Oh you should! We had a blast making them!!! It can be a bit addicting! :)

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  4. Those pins are so pretty! I already use a few of my plain pins for closing bags in the kitchen, but I do it with a niggling regret.
    Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. You should try making some -- very therapeutic and relaxing! :) Plus it is a craft you can use after which is the kind I like. Pretty but practical! You too, have a lovely weekend my friend! :)

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  5. lovely Idea Thanks for sharing going to make a few for little gifts in some of the baskets I made for a few friends .

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    1. I am sure you will have as much fun making them as giving them! Thank you for taking the time to share here today! :)

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  6. Simply lovely, my friend. I tend to use clothespins in my craft room to keep my ribbon and lace organized. I think I need to "pretty up" my clothespins :) Happy weekend!

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    1. With your creativity, I know you will make some lovely ones! :)

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  7. How sweet is that? So lovely to make every chore a sort of blessing when we see these pretty pins.. Thank you my friend.. xo

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    1. I agree with you! Blessing our chores with creativity makes them fun! :)

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  8. I love your clothespins so much, loving JES, one is more beautiful than the other, ... i feel so charmed by them !
    You always find the way to make joyous even hard and ordinary houseworks, I cannot help but follow your example, dearest one !

    With much gratitude I wish you a most wonderful weekend ever,
    sending blessings of joy to you

    Dany

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    1. Thank you for always taking the time to sprinkle such kindness in these parts! :)

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  9. The pens are so cute!! After reading last week's post, I went out and purchased the The Peter rabbit treasury. Put spring into perspective, so I've made curtains and bought spring rugs and done some spring cleaning!

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    1. That sounds wonderful Cindy! Thank you for sharing this with me! That was the design of last week's post! :)

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  10. So feminine and pretty! I just love the colors and prints you chose!

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    1. Thank you! They were so fun to make! And are very addicting! Every time I see a pretty print, I want to make a new batch of pins! :)

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  11. They are gorgeous, Jes. Much too pretty to use on our outside clotheslines here in Australia though as the sun would wreck them in no time. They would be lovely to use for craft though. Thanks for the creative ideas.

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    1. I think the stamped version on the un-painted pin may stand a better chance in hot climates but like you said, there are other uses :)

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  12. Oh my goodness JES... These are just adorable :-)

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    1. Thank you Mari! I am glad you think so... I will let Mrs. Tiggy-winkle know ;)

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing this. I always admired these clothes pins like this.. Yours are so pretty. Happy weekend with love Janice

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    1. Ah, thank you for leaving such a sweet comment. Happy weekend to you as well Janice! :)

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  14. Oh wow! Such a lovely idea! I like the idea of painting them and then stamping, as I have a ton of stamps, lol! Will add this to my bucket pile of things I want to do! :)

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    1. The stamping is real fun! And you needn't even paint them... You could literally have a dozen done in 1 minute! :)

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  15. How darling these are! What a fun project this would have been to do with the Girl Scouts.

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    1. Yes, great idea for a crafting time with young ladies! :)

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  16. Thank you so much for the beautiful and inspiring ideas for making our homes a lovely space that nurtures the whole person in each of our family members. Reading your blog is such a refreshment for me. Acting on your ideas is a delight! Thank you for sharing! On a side note, Beatrix Potter has always been one of my favorites!

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    1. Dear Janet, thank you so much for this kind comment! It has given me pleasure! :)

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  17. Such a beautiful idea! I know this would definitely bring me joy as I hang my laundry!

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    1. Thank you Dolly! I do agree with you! :)

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    1. Thank you Lil! Have a wonderful week! :)

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  19. How lovely! A wash day basket gift would be so sweet for a new homemaker and add a bit of fun to her work.
    Blessings, Leigh

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    1. Absolutely! It would even make a nice housewarming gift! :)

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  20. I love decorative clothespins and these are so soft and beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Shoregirl! Nice hearing from you :)

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  21. THE THINGS WE USE CLOTHES PINS FOR wow..i sue them to hold food bags tight and also my notes in the string as my auto cue for my videos when I dont have anyone to help me hold them lolol. You make them lok so pretty as well :)

    Found you via Turn it uP Tuesday :)

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    1. Yes, they make great "chip clips"! Thank you for visiting! :)

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  22. These are so cute!
    I use them to close cookies packets.
    Have a nice day

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to visit Manu! Have a lovely week ;)

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  23. I think those are the prettiest clothespins I've seen yet! Pinning to share ☺

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  24. Your clothespins are so sweet, love the papers you used on them!!

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    1. Thank you Connie! I appreciate your taking the time to comment here today :)

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  25. Really cute, thanks for the tutorial! I think my Granddaughter would love doing this!

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    1. Oh yes! This makes for some wonderful and creative bonding time together! :)

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  26. And suddenly doing laundry becomes a joy.
    Amalia
    xo

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  27. Beautiful Jes! I have been given a few gorgeous made over pegs. I use them in the kitchen to hold packets shut. If I had a great supply I thought when giving food gifts these could hold the packets shut and be part of the gift. So I will get busy making some! Thank you! Have a lovely Easter! With love Annabel.xxx

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    1. Thank you for your visit! They are fun to make and I know you will come up with something lovely as always! :)

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  28. I love this idea! So easy to make but so pretty to look at. Thanks for the tutorial!

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    1. Thank you AnnMarie! I hope you have a lovely weekend! :)

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  29. Jes, I confess I have a 'thing' for decorated clothes pins. Yours are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frou-Frou this week. Love, Mimi xxx

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  30. Great ideas Jes, I've done these before with washi tape. I'm going to share this with a link on my facebook page. Love this tutorial. ~ Abby

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    1. Thank you so much Abby. I appreciate it! Washi tape is clever too! Right now, I am having fun with the stamping since it is so easy! :)

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  31. These are beautiful. My daughter and I are trying our hands at them. I have spray painted them with the loveliest of pinks and will add the paper on Monday. Would Washi tape work on them if you cover with the glue or clear paint spray? Thanks and blessings to you all, Janis

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    1. Sounds like lots of fun! I have never used washi tape but don't know any reason why it wouldn't work too! :) Happy crafting Janis! :)

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  32. Love these! I may have most of the supplies here at home. I will definitely have to try this out soon! Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings,
    Patty

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    1. These are really fun to make! I hope you enjoy them :)

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  33. Finally, I made it back here, Jes! (A LOT of life has happened!!)
    Thank you so much for this tutorial!!

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    1. Hope all is okay and glad you found the tutorial! :)

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  34. Perfectly lovely!

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  35. Hi there Jes, thank you for sharing your journey with me, I find your Blog such an inspiration and a huge blessing!💖I love the beautiful pegs and I can't wait to make some. Do you use them on your clothes line outside? We are almost finished renovating our Kitchen just a couple of months worth of work left to be done now and then I can get back to my creative hobbies - I miss them so much! My precious Hubby battles to help due to health problems - so it falls to me😄which I don't mind!😄However, I must admit your Blog does help motivate me and keeps me going - so a very big thank you!
    💖💖💖

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    1. Awww 🥰 thank you so much for sharing! I have used them outside, especially the stamped ones but I wouldn't leave them in the rain... The decoupage ones will get weather beaten sooner so I used those more for "chip clips" and such. Hope this helps ♥️

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