LAPTOP POUCH

At the end of this month, my children and I are traveling (via airplane) to New Mexico to visit my parents.  In order to entertain my boys while on the plane, I plan to show them a movie on my laptop.  Now I know, I could just take a portable DVD player (which would be smaller). But on this trip, I plan on taking LOTS of pictures, so I will need my laptop in order to edit them... because, with my Editing Addiction, there is just no way I could wait until I got back home to edit.

So... I don't want to have to carry my huge computer bag (along with a camera bag, a carry-on, two small children, their backpacks, and an umbrella stroller).  I decided I would make a little protective pouch for the laptop, that I can just slide into my carry-on.  

I knew I probably didn't have enough of one single fabric to construct the entire thing (at least not one that I Loved), but I knew I had TONS of scraps that I Loved, left over from all the purses I made last year for my (now defunct) Etsy shop and my booth at our local Farmer's Market.

After going through all my scraps, and doing a little math, I determined that I needed (44) 3.25" X 4.5" rectangles to construct what I had in mind.  This is what I came up with...

a 9.75" X 14.25" X 1.25" pouch with a fold over flap.  The entire thing is padded with interfacing, and the inside is lined with soft white felt.

I started going through my fabric stash yesterday morning, while doing some laundry, with no intention on working on a project that day.  But as I started pulling the fabrics I loved, figuring out how to construct it, and realizing I already had everything I needed, I just couldn't stop myself.  Before I knew it (by dinnertime), it was done.

So Cute, So Fun, So Colorful, So Funtional, and best of all... SO FREE!!

SMILE :)

I have been working on the wall space above my desk every since we moved in six months ago.  Well, not really working on it... but thinking, designing and planning it.  Then, due to the Incredible heat we've been experiencing here in Central Virginia, I had the perfect excuse to stay in my Craft Cave (which is in the basement) and finish up a bunch of projects I had started over the last couple of weeks.  I'm so glad I did, because after I got it all hung yesterday, I just LOVE it!!

One of the projects was the magnetic bulletin boards.  

There are two of them, and they started out looking like this...

I found, what I'm assuming are cookie trays, at Goodwill for $.50 each, a couple of months ago.  I loved their textured pattern, so I bought them not really knowing, at first, what I would do with them.  Then it dawned on me that they would make great magnetic bulletin boards for my "Office" Collage.  I spray painted them white, and then took some old magnets, I had from Ikea, and either covered them with fabric or added fabric/felt flower embellishments.  They work perfect!

Another project was inspired by something I had seen a Long time ago in a craft blog Linky party.  I had seen this cute way of displaying pictures, and the idea really stuck with me. I just had to find the perfect frame.

Then, I was lucky enough to find this one at Goodwill.

After a couple heavy coats of white spray paint, and a roll of way cute contact paper from the Dollar Tree, I had what I had envisioned from the original inspiration.

Now, I'm not usually one for Inspirational sayings, but when I saw this one on Pinterest, it really struck a chord with me.  I used an old photo canvas, primed and painted it, and then using my trusty Cricut, cut out the letters.  Now if only I can follow it's advice.

This cute little initial is actually from a friend's wedding invitation from back in 2000.  I've saved it for 12 years, knowing someday, I would eventually do something with it.  The frame, I made probably 15 or so years ago.  It's made out of miniature bricks, which when I decided to use it as part of my collage, I spray painted white.

This funky artwork is also from a wedding.  It was actually the envelope for their invitation to their wedding in Hawaii.  I think I've been saving it for about 3 years.  I just loved the design.

This artwork is a pencil drawing I did the summer after I graduated college some 20+ years ago.  It was from a black & white magazine ad, but I can't remember what it was advertising.  The paper is starting to yellow, but it's one of my most favorite things I've ever drawn.  It also hung in both my boy's nurseries.

And finally, my new Lamp!  I found the lamp, back in February, at a garage sale for $10.  I LOVE the big chunky base and the over sized shade.  I think the whole thing overall, stands like 3' tall.  In this picture, it is sitting on a filing cabinet next to the desk, which is 8" shorter.  When I got it, I knew eventually, I wanted to try my hand at covering the shade, I just had to find the right fabric first.  And I think I did!  It's fun, funky, graphic and colorful!!

I just LOVE how everything turned out, and how nothing matches.

Every time I come upstairs, I have to stop and look at it all.  It just makes me SMILE :)

JUST A LITTLE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY...

Today, I committed a crime.  Well actually, I committed two - trespassing and robbery.


For the last two years I have seen a random stack of wood pallets lying along the side of the road in a field.  Was anyone really going to miss them?  I decided, NO!  So, along with the help of friend, we ignored the No Trespassing sign, and helped ourselves to seven of them.  May actually go back for more at some point.


Stay tuned for all the projects I have planned for these babies...

QUIRKY PATIO LIGHTING

After seeing these on Pinterest, I thought... "I can do that".  This shop sells them for $15, but I had some leftover Mason jars from my Hillbilly Wineglasses, and I knew I could get some spoons at Goodwill for a Quarter a piece.  Definitely cheaper than $15 a pop.  They were using theirs as planters, but I thought I could make cute little votive holders for my little patio area.

I found three different spoons, and then with the help of my neighbor's vice, some pliers, a hammer, and some significant muscle, I created three Spoon Hooks.  My hubbs was kind enough to drill the holes and attach them to the trees for me.

 

I used white beans inside the jars to stabilize the votives, and some 18 gauge wire to create the hanging loops.

I keep the lids on the jars when the candles aren't lit to keep the rain out.  They add a quirky and creative touch to my little patio.

Patriotic Clothespin Wreath

I have now made two Clothespin wreaths.  The first one was for a friend for her little consignment shop, and now I've made one for myself - specifically for The 4th of July.

After spray painting 54 clothespins white, I used five different scrapbook papers to cover them.  

I placed them randomly around an inside piece of a 6" Embroidery hoop, which I had also painted white

Then for a subtle tribute to the holiday, I added three star cookie cutters.

To hang it, I had bought some patriotic ribbon, but the brightness of the colors didn't work with the soft shades of the paper.  So I took some scrap denim that I had from an old pair of jeans, and using fabric glue, created a 2" wide band to hang it from.

So Excited to now have one of these for myself, and to Finally have some Patriotic decor.

CRAYON INITIAL ART

For an End of Year Thank You, I created this Crayon initial for my oldest son's two teachers.  Both teachers have the same initial, so once I figured the first one out, the second one went together quickly.
    

I bought one box of 64 count, Crayola crayons for Each initial, thinking that would be plenty.  I really should have gotten two 64 count boxes for each.  If I would have had two crayons of each of the colors at the top and the bottom of the letter, I could have created a better shaped letter.  It's just a little off kilter for me.

But regardless of the odd shaped "S", I think they turned out pretty cool.

When I went to pick my son up from school today, Miss Susan had already hung hers up above her desk in her office.  That made me Smile.

I really wanted these two teachers to know how Thankful I am for making this school year for my son, so Very Special.