Mouse Pad

Source: Make it & Love it

Come on, are you even surprised that I am covering another item? I love altering things here and there......aaah, I can't help myself.

(My kids better watch out, I'm going to start Mod Podge-ing their clothes to their body. They wouldn't wrinkle that way.)

And I saw a great idea HERE. But they used cork board and I just thought I'd cover my old mouse pad.

I really liked how she used the double sided fusible web. I was thinking about using Mod Podge but the web will keep it a lot smoother. Perfect. :)

Anyway, I just traced around the mouse pad onto the fusible web, cut it out, and then cut out the fabric about a 1/2 inch larger than the mouse pad. Then I ironed the fabric to the mouse pad with the fusible web. It was too simple.



Then I cut the the corners of the mouse pad.



Then I glued the extra 1/2 inch of fabric, to the under side of the mouse pad. Make sure to pull the corner pieces in tight to create a nice rounded edge.



**Fabric glue would work great I'm sure, but all I had was Mod Podge. Yes, it is kind of messy but dries really well and clear (in case you've never used this magical stuff!!).



Then you are set.

Turn back over and enjoy your time at the computer......hahaha, like you don't already enjoy your time at the computer!! ;o)

Tissue Box Cover

Source: Make it and Love it

Have Allergies?

'Tis the season.....

We always have a box laying around. In most rooms. And who's the culprit? Not me......it's my husband. Poor guy. But once again, I found something to cover and spice up a bit. Yep, it's true.



Here's another quick/scrap-using project. Do you like these kinds of projects? I do.


You'll need:
Tissue Box (I used a square Kleenex brand box)
Scrap pieces of fabric
Sewing Machine
Thread
Scissors

***I used upholstery type fabric, so it was pretty thick. You can use cotton too but just use some fusible interfacing to make the fabric thicker, so it keeps its shape better.


First, cut out a top piece that's 5 x 5 inches and 4 side pieces that are 6 x 5 inches. (Or it might be different if you're using a rectangle box or another brand that has different dimensions. In that case, measure each side and add 1/4 inch seam allowance to all sides.)



Then, you'll cut a small rectangle out of the top piece that measure about 2 1/4 x 1/3 inch. (You can adjust this to whatever dimensions you'd like and it will still turn out great.)



Then, cut 1/4 inch slits at a diagonal from each corner of this rectangle.



Then fold these flaps to the underneath side and pin into place.



Sew all the way around the inner edge of the rectangle to keep the flaps in place.



Then sew all of your side pieces together along the 6 inch side, with right sides together.


Then, clip little 1/4 x 1/4 inch squares out of each corner of your top piece.



Now, you'll pin your top piece to your side piece, with right sides together. Fold the little square opening together at the sides, creating a square corner as you pin. Do this to all 4 corners and sew into place.



Now, turn the cover right side out and fold the bottom edge under a 1/4 inch and then another 1/4 inch and sew into place (adjust or trim if you need to before folding bottom edge under).

Iron as best you can to make your edges sharp and crisp.

Slide over your tissue box and proudly display your little creation!

Pom-Poms and Luminarias

From:

Joyous bursts of color dance above a table, imparting a cheerful radiance to a rehearsal dinner or casual reception. The dahlialike pom-poms appear to float in the air; in reality they are hung from the ceiling with monofilament. Echoing the vibrant hanging puffs, pom-pom napkin rings in citrus shades adorn each place setting. Square glass vessels in various sizes line tables. Covered in sunset-hued tissue (cut to size and secured with double-sided tape), they cast a soft glow.

How to Make the Pom-Poms
You'll need tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.

Hanging Pom-Poms
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inchwide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Tie a length of monofilament to floral wire for hanging.

Napkin Rings
With just a few changes, these follow the same steps as the hanging pom-poms.

1. Stack four sheets of tissue. Cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle, going through all layers. Make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, slip over center of tissue, and twist to secure. Trim ends of tissue.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure.

Easy pillow cover with zipper

Source: Craftynest

I’m redecorating my living room. Red has been lovely, but the colors of the sea are calling me. (I’ll post a before and after when my living room is done.) I like Ikea’s Fjädrar inner cushions, but none of Ikea’s pillow covers go with my new color scheme. So, using a cover that I bought in the As-Is section for a couple bucks, I figured out how to make my own. Plus I decided I was due an easy project after last week’s marathon.

Easy pillow cover with zipper

*Disclaimer: This may not be the proper way to install a zipper, but it worked for me.

Supplies

• 3/4 of a yard of 45-inch fabric
• 18-inch zipper

Tools

• sewing machine
• thread
• scissors
• rotary cutter, mat, and metal straight edge (optional)
• straight pins
• water-erasable marker
• tape measure
• sewing gauge or small ruler
• iron and ironing board

1. Preshrink and iron your fabric.

2. Cut one piece of fabric these dimensions: 42 inches x 21-1/2 inches. Fold your fabric in half, lining up the selvages. Measure 21 inches from the fold, and cut. Then cut the left edge, measure 21-1/2 inches and cut the right edge.

3. In each corner opposite the fold, mark a line that is 3/4 inches from the top and 1-3/4 inches long. Sew along this line, backstitching at the ends.

4. Fold over at the seam and press each side down.

5. It will look like this.

6. Place the zipper upside-down on top of the seam, about 1 inch from the edge. Pin in place.

7. Lock down one side by sewing perpendicular to the zipper, about 1/2 inch long, just before the zipper stop. Sew back and forth a few times.

8. Unzip the zipper. Using your zipper foot on the left side, sew along the left side of the zipper, 1/4 inch from the edge, lining up the edge of the teeth with the edge of the fabric. When you get close to the end, put your needle in the down position, lift the presser foot, and zip the zipper closed. Then put the presser foot back down, and keep sewing to the end.

9. Move your zipper foot to the right side, and repeat step #8 for the right side of the zipper. Then lock down the opposite end in place by repeating step #7.

10. This is how it looks turned right-side-out. Not perfect, but not bad for my first try. Turn it inside-out again.

11. Unzip the zipper. Sew the left and right seams the entire length with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

12. Turn the cover right-side-out and insert your Ikea inner cushion. You’re done!

Wallpapered cart

Before & after

I bought this trolley for a steal on Craigslist. You may have seen it here. You can’t tell in the photo, but it’s banged up and rickety from years of use. My friend Peter added some reinforcement to make it sturdy, then I filled in the nicks with wood filler and oiled the squeaky wheels with WD-40. Finally, I made cosmetic changes—using paint and wallpaper left over from Sunset’s Menlo Park Idea House. Thanks, Sarah!

Wallpapered cart

Supplies

• latex primer
• latex paint (I used Benjamin Moore Aura in Steam [AF-15])
• craft glue (I used Mod Podge in matte)
• wallpaper
• painter’s tape

Tools

• paintbrush
• foam brush
• drop cloth
• scissors
• ruler & pencil
• craft knife (optional)
• brayer or small paint roller (optional)

1. First tape off the wheels with painter’s tape, then paint one coat of primer on the frame only. Let dry.

2. Apply two coats of paint (also to the frame only), letting it dry several hours in between coats.

3. Measure, mark, and cut the wallpaper to fit each of the three shelves.

4. Using a foam brush, paint glue in sections on the cart surface.

5. Smooth the wallpaper down with a brayer. I didn’t have a brayer, so I used a dry paint roller, which worked well. Keep adding glue and smoothing as you go. Trim any excess paper, if necessary, with a craft knife. Let dry for about an hour.

6. Add a top coat of glue to protect the surface of the wallpaper and make it easier to clean. It will cause slight bubbling of the wallpaper, but will lessen as the glue dries. As an alternative top coat, you could spray the wallpaper with clear lacquer.

7. Let the top coat dry overnight before using the cart.