Penny Keepsake
My son and his wife blessed us with triplets last summer (woohoo!), and my crafty tween daughters wanted to make them something unique for Christmas. A co-worker gave me a great idea - wall hangings with the first initial of each of their names...made out of pennies from the year of their birth!! I thought obtaining the pennies would be simple enough, since they were just born this summer... I figured I could get a few rolls of brand new pennies from the bank. Ummm, no. But when in search, Ebay has everything! It ended up costing me $9.50 (including shipping) for 5 rolls of 2015 pennies ($2.50 worth - but hey, the granddaughters are worth it!). I decided to over-buy with 5 rolls just so we wouldn't run out. With that challenge accomplished, we just needed something to put them on. A trip to Michaels, and Teagan picked out 3 sheets of scrapbooking paper. Plus we found 3 perfectly sized frames on sale...total cost of about $13.00 there. Now to get the crafty tweens crafting!
Teagan and Taylee hot-gluing on the pennies
I outlined the initials in pencil, to give the girls a guide, and they hot-glued the pennies, all head's up (to show the 2015 date), onto the pieces of scrapbook paper. We found this background choice worked well because the paper was heavy enough to support the weight of the pennies and the bulkiness of hot glue without curling or wrinkling...and the options for cool designs was plentiful.
Pint-sized aunties pleased with their work!
A dot of hot glue on each penny held securely enough...and I suppose I should do the disclaimer: my girls are 9 and 11, but have worked with a hot glue gun before and were carefully supervised. Make sure you use CAUTION because burns can occur!
Finished!
I used a white Paint Pen to write out the rest of the names, and copper metallic Pen to add a shadow for a little dimension and add cohesion with the pennies! All that was left was to pop them into the frames. Not a bad Christmas gift...simple, unique, made with love, all 3 for under $25! And the best part? It took less than 2 rolls of pennies...so each baby gets an brand new unopened roll of pennies from the year of her birth as a bonus keepsake!
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3 of 17 comments
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Definitely!
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I have seen this pennies put together as a 40th wedding gifts to our friends and that was years ago...I have a few ideas about the pennies I have collected in years
with some of the stuff you guys shared in this sites.Thank You!!
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