Mail Organizer (Tutorial)

Its been a while since I posted one of these things! A while back I got fed up with the growing mail pile that just accumulated on my counter. To put an end to it, I decided enough was enough! I also just so happen to have a ton of this burlap bunting with antique keys printed on them. So I put two and two together and this is what I came up with:

It was a fairly easy project, good for beginner sewers. Here is how I accomplished fashionable organization.

Materials & Tools

• Fabric (I used burlap) 
• Staple gun 
• Canvas (I used one measuring 11 x 140)

Instructions:

• Iron all of your pieces
• Lay the canvas on top of your biggest piece to figure out your dimensions. Remember to give yourself enough seam allowance to staple the fabric to the canvas. Here is what I ended up with 
• Main Fabric: 15 X 18 
• Big pocket: 16 X 15
• Small pocket: 12 X 15
• Take the poket peices and fold them in half. Sew along the folded edge. That way your pocket will be nice crisp. Do this for both pocket pieces

• Lay the pokets on top of the main peice, then sew along 3 sides of the pocket.

• Lay the main fabric (with pockets attached) face down. Lay the canvas on top. Make sure to position it so it fits the pockets. 

• Fold the corners and staple, then proceed to staple all around the canvas until it is nice and sturdy. 

• Lastly hang it up, stick some mail in there and enjoy the your brilliant work! 

If you give this tutorial a try, let me know how it turns out! I love hearing from you! 

Countdown to Christmas!!!!

This year the Christmas season has been pretty easy going. I think thats because it is my first year not having to worry about finals... I get to actually enjoy the season! I have even had some time to catch up on some craft projects!

I made this main organizer because I am getting really tired of huge mail piles. I bought burlap fabric with vintage skeleton keys at Joann's. I didn't have a project in mind for it but I just really wanted it so boom, impulse buy. I put this together on a canvas we had laying around and viola! It came out pretty snazzy looking. I am in the midst of creating a tutorial for it, so look out for that soon! 

I have also been trying new types of crafts at work. Recently I did a craft with youngin's (ages 2 - 3) we  used shaving cream and food coloring to make a really neat marble effect when mixed on a paper plate. You then lay a piece of paper flat on top, then wipe away the shaving cream. I had some wintery type shapes for them to slap on it. I called it snowscapes. It wasn't as messy as I thought. Here is how my sample came out.

Getting back to Christmas fun time! I was excited to get my latest Whimsey box that was chock full of gift wrapping items! I also got a bunch of ribbon from my mother in law, which has been going to good use. I have been using brown packing paper to create my own wrapping paper. I have those sharpies left over form my mug craft and used those to make some fun whimsical wrapping paper. I think I got the wrapping thing down this year and proud of my skills! Here are the presents under our tree so far. 

I mentioned the mugs earlier and I got a bunch more for some customized christmas presents. I am working on a mustache for my friend fond of facial hair, Margaret and one for my sea cow loving friend Laura. I hope she will enjoy some mana-tea with it! 

Also don't forget about my friend Michele and her epic giveaway for the entire month of December! Go check it out at Short Girl, Long Island