MISSION: Crafty Kindness

I have a confession: if I could just make crafty things, like, all day long, I would be one. happy. girl.

I’m definitely crafty and creative, but it’s a time thing with me. My life is full of so many things, and I just don’t seem to be able to make time to “get my craftin’ on.” Luckily, I can live vicariously through my Affiliated Agents, like Affiliated Agent 256. This girl’s GOOD.  (AND kind!!)

Oh, and by the way: she actually included a step-by-step How-To guide so that you can re-create this same mission of crafty kindness! Thanks, Affiliated Agent 256!

DATE:
Sunday, 6 November 2011

OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent 256

LOCATION:
Apartment building entryway
Philadelphia, PA

TIME:
not specified

The Mission

I was inspired by a particularly shiny penny that I received earlier this week, as it seemed like the perfect good luck charm. My grandpa was a big fan of lucky symbols (four-leaf clovers, in particular), and so I thought I would bring a little bit of luck to a handful of my neighbors.

I put together eight little envelopes, each with a quote about luck, a shiny penny, and a note indicating the luck imbued within the penny. In addition to pennies, I tucked five encouraging little notes into the two pockets of my sign. I know this equals 13 pieces, but pieces of good luck, not bad.

I stationed the sign in the entryway of my apartment building, right next to the key fob reader. I’ll check on it tomorrow and report back.

 

How-To Instructions for Making Your Own Penny Envelopes:

I’ve had this lovely patterned paper for ages but didn’t know what to do with it–I’m convinced this is exactly the project it’s been waiting for! The little envelopes and the yellow flags look so cheerful! I also used embroidery floss, a handful of blue beads, and my big bag of colored Sharpies.

1. Fold a 4×6 piece of paper in half. Cut or tear down the line.

2. Take one half of the paper and fold the long way it into thirds, creasing the folds with your finger. Unfold.

3. Rotate 90 degrees and fold it into thirds, again creasing it.

4. Round off the ends with a scissors. Unfold it.

5. With the scissors, clip out the four corners.

6. On the inside of the envelope, write your message.

7. Sew a small bead on to the outside of each rounded end with embroidery floss.

8. Place the penny in the middle. Close up the flaps (square ones first, then rounded).

9. Make a slip knot in a piece of embroidery floss and tighten the knot around one bead. Wrap the floss in a figure eight around the beads.

10. Done!