Password Binders and Making a Book Cover

I've been looking for a Password Tracker with key features for a very long time. I see so many available through local stores, online stores and lots of handmade ones too. Each time I think "Oh, this is the one!" I've hesitated upon closer examination. 

Ultimately I feel like I simply need to put a cover on my 3x5 two ring binder...it looks a bit old, raggy and could use a spruce up.My inspiration came from Stacey Lee Creative. Here is a video sharing her way of doing it. If you prefer blog articles, here is her blog ;)

 

OK.Here are the key features I want for my Password Binder.

• Refillable pages
• Decorative cover...please no "Password Keeper" 
• Ring binder style to enable adding/removing pages
• Durable tabbed alphabetical pages
• Small size ie 3x5, 4x6 preferably

I searched high and low looking for something that resonated with me. Here were a few I saw that almost checked all the boxes.

• Etsy Seller
• Etsy Seller

These products would basically give me a similar notebook to what I already had.

• Ebay Seller
• Amazon Seller

Thinking about just updating my current ringed binder I could purchase supplies like these refill supplies.

• Tabbed Index Cards from Amazon
• Etsy Refill Cards

Here was a Youtube making an Adjustable Cover for those who may be interested. What is the feature about? 

When you fold the back flap over the book..then flip the elastic band over and it will self adjust to the book... Helpful if most of the books you read are the same outer dimension but different in thickness.

The possibility that emerged (as I noted above) was to make a cover for an old black 2 ring index card holder I already have. I could update the index tabs or make some new ones like the Etsy seller created. I have also contemplated creating a template for the index cards, which I did do on Cricut Design Space.I haven't cut them out yet but they seem like they will work great.

There are also printables for sale on Etsy like this one or this one for folks who prefer not to DIY them. 

Ultimately, I made my cover by measuring my book like Stacey Lee instructed and then sewing my project as shared. My book cover is shown below.

DIY EASY TEAPOT COZY - TEAPOT COVER | SEW WITH ME

Recently while I was brewing some tea, my son came into the kitchen to prep some food. He looked about for the towel that usually hangs on the oven handle, didn't see it there and grabbed for what he thought was a wadded up towel on the counter. Whoa! My tea and the tea bits went flying as he grabbed to rescue whatever was tangled up in the towel...my brewing tea. Whew...he caught it! I guess my cute little teapot needed a cozy in order to avert another such accident. I found a simple video showing the method for getting a measurement for my 3 cup pot along with a quick sewing method. Here was the video I watched for measurement and method ideas. Here is another good one with a slightly different assembly method.

Below is my finished Tea Cozy using the ideas gleaned from video #1. I thought about upcycling something like jeans material but as I reflected on my kitchen I decided to use the green and white fabric previously used for the curtain topper you see in the picture since I also have a table runner in that same fabric. In the end, finding a teapot fabric print in my stash I had to use it. Also a blue print used for the lining had been in my stash for a very long time and being able to use it pleased me so much! 

I used a piece of 9x12" paper folded in half , 6x9". Ultimately my pattern needed to be 8 3/4 x 5 1/4". On the 8 3/4 x 5 1/4" folded pattern round the right top corner using a small bowl for the curve shape. 

I opened the pattern fully, then using it, cut 2 main fabrics, 2 lining fabrics and two batting pieces. The top tab used to lift the teapot cozy was lining fabric cut in a rectangle approximately 3"x 1 1/2". 

Optional Tea Cozy Tab: 

Fold both edges of the narrow side to meet in the middle, then fold edges to meet. Stitch about 1/8th inch in on both edges.  (Optionally ribbon could be used.)

For Tea Cozy, layer lining-pretty side up, batting, main print -wrong side touching batting. Do this for both. Stitch the sandwiched layers along the straight side, repeat for second half circle layer. Open and press seam.

Match the 2 liner pieces, pretty side to pretty side being careful to match the center seam. (Leave a 3" opening which will be used to later.) Match the 2 outer pieces, pretty side to pretty side keeping the center seam carefully aligned. The tab (if used) should be placed ends in the seam and loop section carefully centered on the pretty side main print. Stitch all around then finally turn the tea cozy right side out. 

Whip stitch the opening along the lining opening. I selected to expose the lining about 3/8"and stitch in the ditch between the lining and the main print. 

As I was putting this together I pondered whether it might be nice to quilt the fabric first...h-mmm?In the end I decided to proceed without quilting but for another day here is a video I watched with quilting being her focus. Maybe on the next Teapot Cover 😉  

I think my cute teapot cozy needs something to complement it, what do you think? Here are some possible ideas, which would you select?

• Teacup Coasters 
• Rope Coil Teapot Trivet

I may need to try out several other tea cozy styles. My thoughts are on a more snuggly and cinched in style that kinda looked like this.

or this. 

• Teapot Snuggler 

Of course thinking about sewing possibilities leads me to see what others have done. I liked this potholder because it looked like it could snuggle my small teapot nicely.

Maybe you would like a way to carry your teabags in your purse or luggage. Here is an idea #1 for that. Here is another variation on this idea and yet another. 

I loved this idea for a set of items,  DIY Coaster Set, Tea Wallet, Reusable Tea Pouch.

Do you take your tea with you when you travel? Look at this clever project! 

Do you prefer watching youtube videos for inspiration or perhaps reading articles or blogs. 

As with so many ideas, this has led me toward many more ideas and

as you can guess, my day ended with a desire to try a few more of these ideas plus a cup of my favorite tea and a sugar cookie too!

Best Hacks for a Stretchy Headband Tutorial

I had thought making a headband was a project I just did not need an instruction for but after I set down to sew I ran into a problem turning the headband right side out. Here are my two favorite videos so far for creating this so simple but curiously tricky project. This video shows a simple technique that eliminated my problem...Yea!! 

TIP: pay attention to sewing the seams in the order described. Be sure to leave the recommended 1", 2" openings as you sew the headband length.   

This video covers another hack for dressing up the simple headband with a hack that makes a headband but with just a bit of a twist. Cute!

Thanksgiving Trivet Time

 This year has gone by so quickly! My goal early in the year was to get familiar with the serger and incorporate it as I can. Sadly I haven't been able to find the standard serger foot for the Bernette 335 serger I purchased on Facebook Marketplace. It's original owner was using it for other purposes and no longer had that foot. Well it does sew...moving on.

I've been wanting to do some fun sewing projects I've seen on Youtube. This one seems sew (catch that play on words, ha-ha!) perfect. It is a fun mix of craft, sewing and function as well as using up this scraps that accumulate so-ooo fast! It is on Nancy's Notions channel. Remember Nancy?

I love Sewing With Nancy. Did you ever wonder what happened to her? This article on The Nancy's Notions Blog shares about Nancy's life, her program always inspired me. What wonderful content she shared in her lifetime. I'm so glad that her memory continues to live on! If you give this project a whirl please share yours, I'd love to see what you've done!

Making It Work; A Creative Makers Life

2020...Making It work is a creative makers mantra and certainly represents my thoughts especially as we experience uncertain times as we self quarantine and shelter at home. 

My Nana often started a sentence with "you go to work and..." For many, the word "work" has taken on thoughts of what we "have" to do rather than what we choose to do. I believe for Nana it was just daily living, it was life, it just WAS. I loved her practical no nonsense way. 

Today as we go out of our homes, we think of far different concerns than this time last year. Simple concerns...How do I shop for groceries safely, see the doctor when needed, get that part to fix the broken faucet and on and on.

Our world has experienced shortages of needed medical supplies as just on of the many side effects of this pandemic novel coronavirus. Because of this specific shortage of masks that help with viral spread,those of us makers, creatives and practical inventors do what my Nana did..."you go to work and...". There have been amazing solutions to making sure to be as safe as possible for all, safe as we go about the business of life. 

I have a beautiful and amazing granddaughter in law Angie who got her degree in fashion design. As my grandson and her began their married life she also began her business career and she opened her own fashion design business, Studio 93. We are so proud of the two of them!

Check her out on Facebook :) As with many, life for her has shifted from her physical business space to her new space...her home. With "shelter at home" directives becoming the norm many business owners have had to rethink how to offer their services... as has Angie. Last year an interview on internet radio sharing about women in business, led to her own radio show weekly. Today she shares her many talents mostly from home like many following worldwide health concerns. Angie hosts her radio weekly shows Fridays on Facebook Live. Now Angie is busy making face masks to assist the health community needs due to this virus outbreak as well. If you wonder how she happened to find herself so busy click here to read about how this came about. 

For all YOU amazing designers, makers, creatives out there I want to send my applause and appreciation for being problem solvers and so much more! 

Let's take a look at some others and their mask making solutions.

   

Lexie Saks from Good Housekeeping shares a simple solution most everyone can put together. 

Do you have a bandana or 22" of fabric? Done.

Another simple no-sew mask from Crafty Caboodle made from stretchy fabric like a t-shirt will also get you covered and on your way. 

But since this blog pays homage to my Nana who was a seamstress extraordinaire I would like to share with you a simple mask like my Nana would have come up with had she been living in this time of covid-19. 

Step 1 Find some newspaper for a surface to draw a pattern.

Step 2 Draw out a basic design for your mask wearer.

Step 3 Lay out your selected pretty fabric and pin to your pattern. 

Step 3 Cut out the necessary pieces for the mask.

Step 4 Sew! 

For those of us who find it helpful to see a video I thought this blogger 

at Treasurie and her patterns made two sewn masks that I think do a great job. 

I hope one of these makers solutions will serve you well and keep you and others safe and healthy. 

What Can I Do With a Fat Quarter

What Can I Do With a Fat Quarter? Well I am a collector of ideas and this idea of Fat Quarters and thier uses struck a chord with me since those little pieces of fabric are like candy to me, "eye candy" and I am lured to them.

• http://www.polkadotchair.com/2010/06/tuesday-tutorial-fat-quarter-baby-dress.html
• http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2010/02/fabric-swap-100-fat-quarter-tutorials.html
• http://www.typeamom.net/fat-quarter-project-ideas.html
• http://sewchicandunique.com/2010/01/fat-quarter-sewing-tutorials/
• http://sew4home.com/projects/bed-linens/629-fresh-linens-queen-quilt-fat-quarter-cut-up
• http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=751
• http://threecreativestudios.com/freeprojects/FQplacemats.pdf
• http://www.berninausablog.com/read/fat-quarter-9-1-1
• http://whipup.net/2009/01/28/tutorial-fat-quarter-purse/
• http://jonag.typepad.com/stop_staring_and_start_se/2008/12/your-christmas-gift-from-mean-apron-in-an-hour.html

Little Dresses and Events of Importance

Yesterday I had the pleasure of celebrating the big 5-0 birthday with friends, Todd and Carol. Since I hadn't been out to thier home before it seemed prudent to GPS the address. Reading the invitation (ok really reading it for the first time) I noticed a notation stating preference for no gifts and Carols favorite charity. What a really sweet idea! It was to late for actually participating in the way I  would have liked to in that moment  but it gave me an idea and I'd like to get it out there before the moment passes :)

The chairity is called "Little Dresses for Africa" and that is what they do...provide dresses for African children. As I read about it I realized what a wonderful way to encourage some talented crafty friends to enjoy a "Craft Tea", get to know one another and  do some good for the world all at the same time. It would also be a wonderful way to teach others the joy of crafting and help them get the "handmade" bug.

Currently Joannes Fabrics has a contest called Craft for a Cause going, details can be found at Joann.com www.Joann.com/craftforacause. The Crafting contest begins August 15, 2010 & ends October 30, 2010. I'd like to tie entries to the event with an event to bring our wonderful crafty women together, everyone loves a party right? Wouldn't it be fun to host a "Craft Tea" that focuses on preparing "Little Dresses For Africa"? So-ooo Little Dresses and Carol & Todd's events of importance...the big 50 may lead to another  Event of Importance, I'll keep you posted ;)

Some of My Favorite Things

When I began to use the internet one of my favorite discoveries were the newsgroups. A person could find nearly any interest being talked about and not only talked about...I met new friends all around the globe who liked to share thier interests by exchanging whatever it was that they created. Last year I came across an exchange that was rather unusual, these folks liked to sew and had set up an apron exchange. It sent me on a search for different types of aprons and I especially wanted simple ideas. Here is a delightfully simple apron...so versatile. http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/02/25/simple-apron-tutorial/