Owl Mouse Pad

I’m sure most people don’t even use a mouse pad anymore. Kids under 5 probably don’t even know what a mouse is. But I’m a bit old fashioned and still have a corded mouse (gasp!) next to my computer keyboard. It is a cheap Dollar Tree mouse pad, just plain black and boring.

I just went through my fabric stash and kept some of my favorite scraps for those someday sort of projects. Well, someday was today. My desk was just crying out for a very cute and stylish owl mouse pad. So I made one…

Super easy to do! All you need is some Wonder Under fusible web (I buy mine by the yard at the fabric store), some fabric, a mouse pad, a pencil and an iron.

First trace your mouse pad onto the paper side of the fusible web. Cut it out as close to the edges of your tracing as you can.

  Place your fabric upside down on your ironing board. Preheat your iron according to the directions on the fusible web.

Lay your fusible web on the fabric where you would like it to be paper side up. (It’s very nice that you can see through the web so you know where your pattern on the fabric is.)

Iron fusible web onto the fabric according to the directions.

Cut it out and let cool completely.

Peel off paper back and lay on top of your mouse pad.

Iron the fabric to your mouse pad according to the directions on the fusible web.

 

Now you’re ready to click away on your stylish new totally old-fashioned mouse pad!

Craft Room Makeover

Since I'm not homeschooling anymore (still sounds and seems so strange), I decided to make the room less classroom and more craft room...

No big changes, just a few fun additions to the walls.

I started with putting up some new crafty words up on the border by the ceiling. There used to be history timelines the boys made up there…

I made each of the words out of the material the word is.

I spruced up the wall by my sewing machine, too…

Lastly, I decided to cover up the icky old bulletin board by the door. It doesn’t get used much any more but it might as well look cute and crafty while it’s hanging there… (the sewing themed prints are perfect)

I really like it but I still can’t seem to quit calling it the schoolroom… :o)

Lawn Dice

I saw a set of six yard dice on Pinterest. I knew they would be a fantastic gift for my hubby for Father’s Day. They were $50! Then they were no longer a fantastic gift for my hubby…

Thankfully, I am fairly clever and handy with a saw. All I needed was a 4x4 post, a saw, a sander, and some outdoor paint. Easy peasy!

First cut your post into six 3 1/2” pieces. Then sand the rough sides and edges.

Then trace your dots onto the cubes using a real dice as your guide. I traced a large button with a pencil.

Then paint in each dot with outdoor craft paint. I used all black but you could use any color. I am making a set for my niece and I’m painting each dice with different colored dots.

To seal them and make them more weather/moisture/grass stain resistant, spray them with a few coats of clear spray paint.

In order for them to be easily taken to the park, backyard, beach or wherever you’d like to play, I made a nice heavy-duty bag with a drawstring top.

I also made a chalkboard game board for both Yahtzee and Farkle. You could also just throw a couple of game pads into the bag.

Some chalk and a cloth for erasing and we were ready to play!

Lawn dice are great for all ages and are tons of fun!

Winter Decorations

Eighteen years ago I made a resolution to have all of our Christmas decorations put away before January 3rd. Our middle son was due on the 3rd and I wanted everything down before that day. Well, he came promptly on time and I’ve kept my resolution ever since!

But I just hate to see all the pretty decorations come down so soon and the winters here are so dreary in the PNW! :o(  So I decided to just put up a few pretty wintery decorations to get me through until Valentine’s decorations go up…

I am so glad I picked up these giant plastic snowflakes at the Dollar Tree clear back in November! They are just what my snow-less January decor needed!

I was also able to get some great after-Christmas deals on some not too Christmas-y stuff to go in my window display…

But my favorite just might be the little glittery paper houses that twinkle after the lights go out!

I got the pattern for the houses at HERE at Just Something I Made.    

Owl Text Ya Later…

When I got my iTouch I immediately knew I just had to have one of those adorable owl iTouch cases I’d seen all over Pinterest… Then I saw the prices!

I just couldn’t justify $40 or more no matter how cute it was.

But then I found the ideal solution!

First, a plain little case for a whopping $3.50 at Ross…

A simple background is best for this idea.

Then I picked up some stickers that I really liked…

 

The best part? When they get icky and worn, I just take off the old ones and put on new! I have a new cover whenever I want!

Crafty Conundrum

Yesterday’s post was all about the adorable sweaters I got while at the outlet mall on vacation.  Not only were all of the sweaters on sale but I also got a free tote bag with the bargain.

Problem is, the bag really just isn’t my style. But I figure maybe I could do a bit of a makeover or craft project with it to remedy that problem? Next dilemma, I have no clue as to what to do with it. I’ve been thinking about robots or a space theme??? Will anything stick to it??? If I cut it up will it just fall apart???

So, here’s where I need your help. Any ideas of what I can do to make this more fun either for myself or to give as a gift? Just post a comment here or on Facebook and put in your two cents. Thanks!

Simple Pleasures

I have been thinking lately about simple things that just make my heart happy. Silly little things that seem insignificant to most people but give you so much joy! Today I was thinking about how much I love getting out wrinkles and pressing open seams on my new ironing board cover!

But just look all cute it is! But I do like that I can’t see the metal pattern of my ironing board burned into my cover any more… :o)

Stocking Up

Unfortunately Michael’s has a REALLY GREAT sale this week and I went…

But I was able to pick up all kinds of stuff that I needed and some that I just wanted, and ALL of it at a bargain!

 The Haul!

Some fun miscellaneous items from the $1 bins and foam brushes for 5 cents each!

  

Acrylic paints for 29 cents! (I’ve been out of paints for forever!)

Scrapbook papers 6/$1!

Cotton yarn for making dishrags while watching movies for $1!

This vintage scrapbooking paper pack was on sale for $7.99 and I LOVE every one of them!

But the best deal was the pack of 1000+ stickers for only $10! And they were GOOD ones, too! No “what am I going to do with these?” in the bunch!!!

So if you are in need of restocking your craft closet, check out Michael’s this week… But don’t say I didn’t warn you! :o)

Water Bottle Holders

I wish I could think of a catchier name for these little things but alas I can’t think of one. But I’m open to suggestions…

We bought 5 of these at the Washington State Fair 5 years ago. Since then we have used them TONS! They have gone to fairs, festivals, camping, exploring, hiking… EVERYWHERE!!! Unfortunately we have lost or broke two of them and I decided it was about time to replace them.

Fortunately they are super easy to make!

Run to your local hardware store and pick up 7/8” rubber O-rings. Ours were 89 cents each.

Then cut lengths of ribbon at 34”. You can make them longer or shorter depending on what you want or who you are making them for. Make sure the ribbon is not wider than 3/4” and that is it soft but not silky.

After gathering all your supplies, attach the ring to the ribbon at both ends of the ribbon by folding it over just enough to sew on your machine. Just be sure you fold it the same direction on both sides. Secure with pins.

Sew on your machine, or by hand, making sure that you go over it at least twice to be able to take the weight of the water bottle.

Clip off the extra threads and put Fray-Check on the cut edges of the ribbon.

Now you can just slip your water bottle onto the O-ring and take your water wherever you like!

I made three new holders and I can’t wait to see how they hold up!