Space Saving Tips

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been a little busy since I moved away to college. I bring this up because my next post is a space saving tip good for any place but especially dorm rooms.

What do you do with your wet towel after a shower? If you are like me I don't have time to do laundry everyday so I use my towel twice before I wash it. So I like to hang it up so it can air out for the next time. Well here is a good way to do that.

All you need are your towels, a needle and thread(don't worry you don't have to have fancy sewing skills to do this), and some ribbon.

Fold the towel in half to find the middle point. Fold the ribbon in half and sew top side up right next to each other. Make sure it is sewn on well enough to hold the weight of the towel.

Then you are can hang on a hook or wherever you wish. The best part it you just wash it like normal then hang to store or or to dry after use.

Do you have a good space saving tip for dorm rooms or small spaces?

Frames

This is not so much a new project...more of an idea starters.
I love taking boring picture frames/earring holders and making them more exciting with simple household item. I call it trash to treasure, when you take something old and for very inexpensive or even free make it look like something fun and new!

The first frame I took weird shapes marbles and mod podged fun paper to the back then hot glued them to the frame.

Then this is how it turned out!

The next one I used one of my favorite crafting tools.....buttons!
Just hot glue on for a simple and elegant way to add a whole new look.

Follow these easy steps and you will have a new treasure that looks great by itself or hang them together for a different funky look.

What do you like to do to add a new spin on something old?

Sponge Toys

A fun easy project to do with kids while babysitting or just for fun. A soft sponge ball that will not hurt if you get hit with it and can even be used in the pool!

All you need are sponges, zip tie, and scissors.

First, take a sponge and cut it in half then cut the halves into thirds.

Then stack nine of the pieces up together.

Zip tie them together and fluff.

Then you can play a game of toss! Or get them wet for a game similar to water balloons...but they don't pop and you don't have pieces to pick up when you are done.

Sock Monkey Bag

This was a gift for my cousin. She loves sock monkeys and I thought it would be cute to make her a sock monkey bag.

The directions are the same as the sock monkey ipod case form the previous post, just a little bit bigger. I did add arms to this to make the handle for the bag.

To make the arms, I made a long chain stitch and single crocheted till is was thick enough. but I found it more durable to only chain 6 or 7 how ever wide you want it and then single crochet till it is long enough. then switch colors and connect the arms together.

I also stitched the arms to the top of the hat to make the bag stay still and not flop around.

Also, on the bag, I made a flap that the pom pom hooks on so the bag will stay closed.

Crochet hooks

This is the brand of crochet hook I like to use. I like them because the actual hook is more rounded and not flattish in the inside of the hook. This is a good deal for a pack of 8 hooks!

ipod case

If you know how to crochet this is an easy project.

First you chain stitch till it can wrap around the object you want it to hold.

Then you can choose single or double crochet till it becomes as tall as you would like it.

When that is done fold it in half and stitch together the side and one end.

Turn inside-out and then you have your case.

You can then add faces of a flap to keep the ipod or phone in the case.
Use googly eyes felt or crochet the face pieces too. I don't have a pattern for the face pieces I just made them up.

Sock Monkey case

To make the sock monkey case follow the directions from above but switch colors when getting close to the top to make the hat.

Make or add a pom pom. Again I do not have directions for the face pieces. But I used a chain stitch and double crochet around it adding about 5 stitches in the same whole on the ends to make the oval mouth. I used a double crochet in the same whole for the ears.

I used a chain stitch with two colors for the tail.

What different faces/animals can you make?

Multi-colored crayons and chalk

Ever wonder what to do with all the broken crayon you have around the house? Well here are two ideas that are cheep and a good way to recycle those old bits of crayons.

First is the multi-colored crayons
You will need:
~Broken Crayons
~parchment paper
~a muffin tin
~scissors

First this you need to do is take the wrappers off of the crayons. Then if you want you can have the child sort them all by size or color

Next cut the parchment paper to fit in the muffin tins or heat approved molds if you have them

Then brake the crayons up even more and place in the paper lined tin

Then place in a 200 degree oven for 5-10 min or till melted. It should look like this...

Next let cool (I placed mine in the freezer for about 5 min)

Then it is done and the child can draw a multi-colored picture

The next project is Crayon Chalk
You will need
~Broken Crayons
~Corn Starch
~Cooking Oil

First I melted the crayons in the microwave

Next I stirred in corn starch till is is a thick lumpy past (or thicker)

Then add enough cooking oil to make it all stick together you can even form it into shapes in your hands(but it will be messy)

Let dry (again I placed mine in the freezer)

Finally take it out and have fun decorating the sidewalks.

This also works on paper...but is better on concrete

let me know if you make this or have another use for old crayons?