French Memo Board

I don't know about you, but we seem to have an ever increasing number of papers that we need to keep in a convenient place (dry cleaners slips, gift cards, etc.) so we don't forget them.  I have one of these boards, but it is occupied by family photos on the side of my fridge.  So I decided a second one was in order for the papers.

Here is what you need to make it:

1 foam core board (about $3)

1 1/2 yards of fabric (varies)

2 rolls of 1 inch wide fabric ribbon each about 3 yards (varies)

1 dozen or so large buttons (about $5)

1 dozen wood clothes pins ($1)

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Iron the fabric to get out the wrinkles from the fabric store.  Lay your foam board in the center of the fabric and wrap it like a package.  Hot glue the edges closed. 


Next you can start to add the ribbons.  Glue them on the back and criss-cross them on the front of the board.  Hot glue them together where they cross so they won't slide apart.  Hot glue a large button where the ribbons cross.

Add wood clothes pins to attach your letters, bills, etc. 

Use 3M Command Strips on the back to hang it.  This is a very light piece so they will hold it nicely.  I used 6 of the Velcro hangers to hang this one. 

I love how this looks and it's quite handy! 

Elegance for Easter

Hi blog followers!  Well it's almost Easter and the temps are still dropping into the 30s and 40s hear on the Eastern Seaboard.  Some of us have chosen lighter outfits for our Easter best and that presents a certain fashion problem.

What to wear on top?  A winter coat?  Uh, no!  Go without?  Brrr!!!  So here is my solution!  This is a micro fleece wrap.  It's very easy to make.  It requires just a little sewing to attach the trim.  That's all!  I added some corner pieces only because I was just a few inches short on my trim.  I suggest getting the fabric and measuring before purchasing the trim.  This trim was VERY expensive ($15.99 a yard).  Thank goodness for Joann's Fabrics' coupons, I got 40% off.

This wrap is a bit narrower (aka shorter in yardage) than the directions below.  That is because it was really cut to make a blanket that never got made.  So I had this idea for it instead.  I think it looks good though.

  

 This should keep me warm if Easter proves to be a bit chilly.  

These are the corner piece I used to make up for the shortage of the trim.  I like them. 

Here are the directions on how to make it:

*Note: These directions are for an absolutely No Sew Wrap.  This wrap above has a sewn on trim.   You will need about 2 to 2 1/2 yards of trim, but MEASURE before you buy the trim!!!

This is a super easy, no sew, project!!!  NO SEW!!!!  I promise!!!  Not one stitch!!! 

You will need 1 1/2 yards of your favorite fleece fabric.  Good, sharp fabric scissors and one straight pin.  That's it!!!

Here we go!

For my novices, when you get your fabric cut, it will be folded in half lengthwise on the bolt.  They will not be too careful on cutting it exactly straight and you will have to clean up those edges.

There are edges on the fabric where it was on the loom.  These are called selvages.  They will look a little frayed and have little pin holes in them.  When it's on the bolt, they will be the two edges away from the fold.  You want to trim these off and make a nice clean edge.

You will probably trim off about half inch to an inch.

After all your edges have been trimmed, measure up 27 inches along the fold and place a straight pin.

Open the fabric out flat and the fold will be your guide for cutting.  Cut up the fold line to the pin.

**Fold the fabric in half again as it was originally using the original fold line.  On the opposite end, snip along the fold line about 1 1/2 to 2 inches, this will be the length of your fringe.

**On both of the short ends of the fabric, snip 1/4 inch wide by 1 1/2 to 2 inch long cuts.  Be sure to cut through both layers of fabric.

It should take you less than an hour to make.  

**If you choose to put the trim on the wrap skip the steps with double asterisks and instead add the trim on the short ends.  Wrap the trim around the sides and pin along the ends.  Stitch in a straight line with a coordinating thread.