DIY: Needle Minder Holder

This is such a fun project! It almost feels like making a little piece of art. So quick and easy, but the effect is super cute. If you have a collection of needle minders, then this project is for you. You will need just a few supplies that can easily be found in your craft room and about 15 minutes of your time. It might take you a bit longer if you, like me, get carried away with playing with your needle minders. OK, let's get started!

Material: 

• piece of thin metal
• old scissors
• photo frame (without glass)
• thick pretty paper or thin cardboard
• blue tack
• wool felt
• pinking shears (optional)

Step 1: Take a piece of thin metal. I am using an old metal pencil box and a pair of old scissors. Cut a piece that is a bit smaller than the size of your photo frame. Make sure that you wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands and take great care to be careful because the metal edges are very sharp. I had to hammer my piece a little bit to flatten it.

Step 2: Using the paper from the photo frame as a guide, cut a piece of pretty paper the same size.

Step 3: Take a piece of blue tack and stretch it carefully so it becomes thin and attach to the inside of the backing board of the frame.

Step 4: Attach the piece of metal onto it. Then top it with the paper and assemble the frame. Please note that you do not need the glass.

Step 5: I call this part "Beautify" because we are going to add some pretties to the frame.  I am going for a simple flower design made of wool felt with three leaves. I keep a small tin full of felt scraps just for projects like that.

Using a pair of pinking shears, cut out three small leaves.

Then cut once more around each edge of the leaves snipping off every pointy edge so you get tiny zigzags. Cut out a simple flower and a round middle. I used three tiny yellow beads for the middle of the flower.

Step 5: Assemble the leaves and a flower together with a few stitches.

Attach the flower to the frame using a small piece of blue tack or a glue gun, and now it is the time for the "Play" part. Place your needle minders on your frame. You can stand the frame or hang it on a wall. I have to say that rearranging the needle minders is really fun and every time I look at this "piece of art" I want to buy or make more needle minders. Have fun! Larisa xox

P.S.: The magnet that I use to hold the needle minder in place on my embroidery or sewing, is kept on the back side of the frame so it can be easily found when I need it or I simply use another needle minder on the back of the embroidery or sewing. :-)