Composition Book Re-Do: Pencil Included

So my middle one gets in the car the other day with a pencil and a piece of paper. Keep in mind that there are at least 10 notebooks of varying sizes in the drawer for "notebooks" and other things that are okay to take in the car. We also have a "church bag" that has all kind of supplies that we often grab for places other than church. On that day for some reason she just wanted a pencil and paper - going simple I guess. We were headed to the talent show at school and she was concerned she might get bored and need to draw or maybe take notes - who knows? Anyhow, it occured to me that a journal with a pencil attached that could live in the pocket behind the passenger seat might just be the perfect car accessory for my craft/art obsessed 5 year old. So, once everyone was off to school I grabbed a few supplies and got to work. Here is the final product and how I did it - enjoy!

I used a composition book, a scrap piece of paper, felt, Mod Podge & a glue gun.  I trimmed the paper to size, allowing an extra inch or so to fold over the edge of the book.  The paper is less likely to separate from the book this way.  I attached the paper with Mod Podge and sealed it as well.  I cut the felt long enough and wide enough to accommodate a pencil.  Using a glue gun I attached the "pocket" to the cover.  I personalized it with a {b} to make it hers, stuck a pencil in and walaaa:  notebook, pencil included!  I think she will be just thrilled.

 

First Linky!

I posted and linked to my first "linky party".  Check out all the great ideas at
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Happy Mother's Day!

Felt Flower How To

After finding several wonderful felt flower tutorials and some trial and error I combined a few and came up with my own version.  I am all about kits and making things that I can mass produce.  I like to make all the parts then sit down and crank 'em out!  I started by using my Big Shot die cutting machine and the Quickutz squeeze along with a Quickutz flower shaped die – worked great!  For a few days I kept my gear (the Quickutz squeeze, the die, and the felt) in the front seat and punched out flowers while waiting in the pickup line at school.
I love using every possible minute of my day - most of the time (-:  At the end of the week I had a great stash of supplies for making these cute clips in a snap.

Check out my cool supply kit!

You can also make a template with cardstock, trace it on the felt and cut out the flower. Cut 12 flowers of one color and one accent color for the center.  Cut 1 leaf or circle for the base.

Now to the flower making!  Start by folding the flower in 1/2, then fold into thirds.

Cut the a very small amount off of the point of the flower to create a flat surface for the hot glue.  Put a drop of hot glue on the cut surface and press firmly onto the leaf.

Hold it in place 20-25 seconds to make sure it’s stuck! Continue attaching the

flowers in a square pattern. Fill in the gaps with the remaining four flowers

and attach the accent flower for the center.

Hot glue a hair clip to the back of the flower and share with a friend – it’s sure to be a hit!