How to Make a Resusable Sandwich Bag

I found this waaay cute idea at Crafty by Nature. This is right up my alley on something I'd like to make :) Can't wait to try

Supplies

• 1/3 yard of 45-inch-wide woven polyurethane laminated fabric (PUL; see note below)
• 1-inch length of 3/4-inch-wide Velcro tape
• Thread in a coordinating color
• Fabric shears
• Ruler

Note: PUL refers to any fabric that has been laminated with polyurethane on one side to make it waterproof. These fabrics are often found at websites that sell fabric cuts for making diaper covers (such as www.diapercuts.com) as well as some larger chain fabric stores. One 20-inch x 21-inch “diaper cut” is enough to make one sandwich wrap.

Step 1: Cut the pieces. Using the templates provided, cut one main wrap and two flaps from PUL.

Step 2: Hem the edges. Beginning w/the main wrap, w/the wrong (coated) side facing up, fold 1/4 inch on one of the short, angled edges to the wrong side, and topstitch the fold 3/16 from the edge.

Step 3: Then fold the five other short edges 1/4 inch to the wrong side, and topstitch the fold 3/16 inch from the edge, leaving the two remaining long sides unhemmed.

Step 4: For each rectangular flap piece, hem two short sides and one long side in the same way.

Step 5: Attach the flaps. With the right sides together, align and pin the unhemmed edge of one flap w/one of hte main wrap's two unhemmed edges, centering the edge on the flap.

Step 6: Join the two w/a 1/4 inch seam. Tip: If the laminated surface is causing the presser foot to stick and not move smoothly, cover the fabric surface w/a piece of tissue paper while sewing. Tear the tissue away after seaming.

Step 7: Fold the flap to the wrong side of the main wrap, so the wrong sides of the two pieces face together. Finger-press the fold, and topstitch the folded flap 3/16 inch from the edge of hte fold, encasing the seam allowances inside the fold.

Step 8: Repeat the process for the second flap and the main wrap's other unhemmed edge.

Note: Since the side of the main wrap is a little longer than the flap’s side, you will be hemming the last 1/2 inch of the main wrap’s unhemmed edge as you topstitch the flap 3/16 inch from the edge.

Step 9: Attach the Velcro tape. Separate the hook side from the loop side of the 1-inch piece of Velcro tape, and pin one piece to the wrong side at one end of the main wrap, following the placement noted on the pattern.

Step 10: Topstitch around the perimeter of the tape, then stitch diagonally across the tape in both directions to create an X in the center

Step 11: Place the remaining tape half on the other end of the main wrap on the right side, topstitch around the perimeter of the tape, then stitch diagonally across the tape to create an X in the center.

Step 12: Flap, wrap and go!

Puzzle Blocks

I found this fantastic tutorial at making the world cuter and am so excited for Christmas 2010! I can see myself making these for my nieces and nephews :)

Needed:

A couple of books or you can use photos!
Mod Podge
Trimmer (or scissors
2x2 - which is actually 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 cut down to 1 1/2 inch blocks, sanded

Directions:

Step 1: First cut 6 pictures down to 4 1/2 by 4 1/2

Step 2: Then take each picture and cut it into three 1 1/2 inch columns

Step 3: Then cut those down to 1 1/2 inch squares. - You should have 6 squares

Step 4: After you've cut your picture squares it's time to Mod Podge them onto the blocks.

**Tip: Cut off any hangover paper, it's ok if it cuts off a little of the picture, they will look much nicer than paper folded over the edges, it just won't lay smooth for you. Trust me!

Step 5: Continue mod-poding all of the pictures onto the 6 sides of the blocks. You can see that my blocks are a little uneven, but the picture still works.

Time to Package

Supplies:

Cute boxes (these are from Walmart's craft section) that measure 4 3/4 x 4 3/4
Mod Podge

Directions:

Step 1: Take pictures of all the different puzzles and shrink them down to 1 1/2 inch squares in Photoshop

Step 2: Decorate the boxes

Step 3: Put the blocks in the boxes and wrap ribbon or string around your box!

Caramel Pretzel Bites

Great recipe from BeachBright
Needed:

Square grid pretzels

Rolos

Pecan halves, roasted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place one Rolo on a pretzel square. Repeat for as many as you would like. Bake for one minute or a tad more in my case. Remove from oven and press a pecan half on top of each one. Press down enough so that the Rolos compress a little. Let cool until chocolate firm again (or not). If desired (like duh!), melt chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle with a fork for garnish.

Semisweet or white chocolate chips (or both!)

Kids Craft Idea

I found this idea at Favors w/Love and have a lot of ideas on how to use this (birthday parties, class party favors, valentines day etc)

Needed

Used crayons
Cookie pan w/fun shapes
Cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel the paper off of the crayons and break the crayons into small pieces. Spray your cookie sheet w/cooking spray (Pam.) Place the broken crayons (feel free to mix up the colors) into the cookie sheet about 3/4 of the way up. Cook in oven for about 8 minutes or until crayons are melted. Take out of the oven and let them cool before removing from cookie sheet.

Quick and Easy Frame Re-Do

This is a great re-do from Shanty2Chic.

Needed:

Cheap photo frame (this is from the dollar store) - Pop off the holder from the back
Rust-Oleum Heirloom White
Ralph Lauren Glaze
Sponge Paint Brush
Rag or Paper Towel


Spray paint the frame w/the Rust-Oleum Heirloom White and let dry.


Then add a coat of Ralph Lauren glaze and wipe off.


Then add a favorite picture.

and hang on your tree :)