Crocheted Kindle Case

I wanted a case for my Kindle, but I couldn't decide what I wanted. I did a search for tutorials online, and I found this one. Hers turned out MUCH better than mine, but I'm pleased with how my first attempt at something like this turned out. The homemade look of it doesn't bother me. If it did, I would have purchased a case. I may make a second attempt at some point, because it's much larger than I intended it to be (crocheted items always seem to stretch on me). As it is, there is extra room for me to carry a light if I choose to get one.

Mailbox for Husby

For our first anniversary, I made two gifts for Joseph. Because it was our first anniversary, we were supposed to give each other paper gifts. That lent itself perfectly to being crafty. While I was in Hobby Lobby one day purchasing some items for Croffice (coming soon!), I found a paper mache mailbox (sorry, I don't have any before pictures). It was only 99 cents (on sale), and I thought it would be a fun way for me to leave notes for Husby. I started by adding scrapbook paper with modge podge. Then I cut a couple of fun images using my Silhouette SD. I really like the "restroom" couple. Hehe. I used a red Sharpee to add the little hearts on them.

I also used a red Sharpee to color the flag. I was pleased with the result.

An index card folded in half (and trimmed a tiny bit) makes a great start for a homemade card.

Jewelry Wrap: No Sew Project

Joseph and I have our own business with Premier Designs, a wonderful high fashion jewelry company. Our incentive for someone who hosts a jewelry party is one of our petite tennis bracelets. I've been carrying them around in one of those plastic craft/jewelry boxes. I've been thinking recently about purchasing some sort of roll-up jewelry travel case for them. I decided today that I would at least attempt to make something on my own before I purchased one. I had everything I needed already, so it wasn't really going to cost me anything to try. So far, it seems like my project was a success, but we'll see if it ends up in the file with the clock that doesn't work (oh, yeah - my clock doesn't work - I am determined to figure out why it's so finicky!)

Materials Needed:

• linen dish towel (I purchased mine at Dollar Tree)
• thin ribbon (1/8 inch?)
• thicker ribbon (3/4 inch to 1 inch)
• no sew hem stuff
• iron
• hot glue

I started by ironing the dish towel. I bought it a while back, so I ironed it on both sides to smooth out the creases it had from being folded for so long.

Judging by this photo, you'd think I REALLY like pink, but I promise I'm not super froo-froo and dressed in pink all the time.

I also folded it in half and ironed along the folded edge, for two reasons: 1) I didn't need it to be the full length of a standard dish towel, and 2) I wanted it to be a little thicker so it would be a little more sturdy.

I used the no sew hem to seal the "open" edges. I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but I placed two pieces of ribbon (that would become the tie closure) between the two layers of fabric before I ironed the no sew hem. It sort of worked. I added a little hot glue for extra reinforcement.

Once all the edges were fused together, I added the top and bottom pieces of ribbon using hot glue on each end. The thin piece of ribbon is thin enough that I can clasp the bracelets onto it. The thicker ribbon is to help the bracelets stay in place. I just slide the bottom of each bracelet under the ribbon. After I started adding the bracelets, I decided to add an extra dab of hot glue in the center of each ribbon for added stability.

This is what the jewelry wrap looks like when I roll it up.

This is the other side where I tied the ribbon. I made it so there are two pieces of ribbon. I wrap them in opposite directions and then tie a loose knot.

This is what it looks like with the bracelets in it. I think it will hold about 40 tennis bracelets. In case you're curious, I fold the wrap in thirds. I fold the left side over to the middle, then the right side over to the middle, so that it overlaps. Then I fold from top to bottom twice. If you try something like this, you may choose to fold it in a different manner. This just seems to work for me.

I like this project because it was another project where I had everything on hand (I had purchased the dish towel and the thick ribbon for other projects that I never attempted, and I had the thin ribbon and no sew hem as well). Even if I had gone out and purchased the dish towel and ribbon, this would have been a very inexpensive project. The no sew hem would have been the most expensive item, and I only used a small amount of it, probably the equivalent of hemming one pair of pants. A roll of no sew hem lasts a while, and I highly recommend keeping a stock of it. :O)

Disclaimer: This started as an actual sewing project. I had my sewing machine out, and I actually attempted to sew the edges together. The thread kept breaking, and I grew frustrated. Then the no-sew project was born.