~*Needle Punch Handy~Helpers*~

Hello Dear Friends! Because I was asked... I would like to share with you a couple of my handy~helpers. These are super simple & easy to come by.

The first is a tool I very roughly, constructed myself...a thread holder... with a few odds & ends found around my hubby's construction area.



Here is what you need ~

scrap 2x4 about 12" or so long... but could be shorter or longer if you wish
about a dozen 10 penny nails
a drill & drill bit slightly wider than your nails
black paint (or color of your choice)
sandpaper

For holding your 6 strand embroidery floss, you will need some leftover thread spools. You can save your own from your sewing projects ~ or hunt for some vintage ones at thrift shops, antique stores, or garage sales. Just wind your floss on the spools & mark your color number with a pen or pencil directly on the spool. Yes, I've thought I should be more 'kind' with my vintage, wooden spools... rather than use a pen on them any longer, I do try to use only pencil so I can erase & change the number when needed.



To make your thread holder ~ mark where your nails will be & drill holes about 3/4" deep into the 2x4. You will notice, I didn't evenly space my holes... I just drilled them in two rows. Then paint your board black (or other color of your choice)... this covers any markings already on the board & makes it more friendly~lookin' too. After the paint is dry, roughly sand it to make it look good n' old. By making the holes slightly larger than the nails, you can easily pull the nail out to remove the spool & replace with another color.



My other handy~helper is something I learned from fellow punches & you may already be familiar with it. If your fridge is like ours, it is loaded with these cheap, advertising magnets. Nab a couple of them off the fridge & sandwich your threaders between them. They really help you keep an eye on 'em! I haven't lost as many since I've been using them.



I've finished punching the box lids... but have yet to finish the boxes. Hmmmm... maybe I'll go do that now!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty