Tool Time Tuesday...Ceiling Tile Memo Board

Hi everyone! Happy Tool Time. If you missed last week's memo board system using wood, peg board, cork etc, you can click HERE to see that.

If you want to make an even easier memo board, then today is your day!!

See it in behind my computer? Took 3 minutes!!

This is what it's made from...a ceiling tile. It's 2 feet by 2 feet in size.

Tool Time Tuesday...Make Your Own Design Wall

Happy Tuesday everyone! I had a thought to change the design wall in my sewing room to a more useful space. I wanted it to be large to use up the whole wall. I only have one section of wall space that's not covered with furniture, so I want to utilize the entire section.

I wanted the design wall to look like a nine patch quilt block...but JUMBO!!

Here's what I made...it just on the floor for now. I haven't hung it on the wall yet, because I think my daughter Kelsie wants to take it!!

Each square is 2 feet by 2 feet, so the final size is 6 feet by 6 feet!!

Looking at this picture now, I want to move that black chalkboard square down one.

Let's see how you can make a design wall of your own. It doesn't have to be the same size. You can scale it down it fit your space.

Bookcase Corkboard

Hi everyone...I've been moving my sewing room around a bit and thought I would share little projects with you as I go along.

This is the big book case in my sewing room. Click here if you want to see the last year's post of my sewing room ideas.

I moved some of the shelves around and this is the final results of the middle portion...I think. You know me with moving things around at the drop of a hat! Lol. More to come on the rest of the room.

Here is a picture of the center bookcase with the 2 shelves moved or removed. Sorry for the ironing board mess...it was mid cleaning.

Now to cover the back with cork.

You could just hang a pre made cork board if it fits. I had these cork tiles that are 12 x 12 inches. They were over a work table in the previous sewing room post.

Just cover them with fabric for a prettier look.

The dark brown cork squares are about 1/4 inch think...

I used 2 of the thinner light cork to equal the brown I had.

Cut fabric an inch or two larger than cork...

Hot glue down 2 opposite ends.

Then cut away a section in the four corners to reduce the thickness.

Fold over the edge like wrapping a gift and hot glue remaining ends.

Now to attach to bookcase back.

Velcro dots...adhesive kind or you can glue them on

Attach dots to the corners. I then attached the opposite dot for placement on the bookcase.

Press on to back of bookcase.

For the odd shaped size, I just trimmed the cork boards to fit and then covered them.

All covered up!! I used busy fabric design to hide the seams.

This bookcase is right behind my sewing table...my back is to this cork board , so it's perfect for me as a quilt design wall or idea board for patterns.

Notes or pictures of inspiration...

or to hold up quilt blocks.

If you want to make this solely for quilt design wall, you could cover any type board in flannel.

and to end the post...thought I would share.

You know I like to work on the floor for most all my projects...Click here for the Knee Pad post. Thought I would share with you what happens when I was working on the floor with a large ice coffee and my hubby walks in and didn't see it.!! That'll teach me!

Happy Monday,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Door Design Wall

Happy Tuesday one and all. Whether you play with fabric when designing a quilt or sewing a craft project or your children/grandchildren play with shapes and letters...today's Tool Time will help with all your projects and it's hidden away behind your door! The door is the best place for this...it's out of sight when you aren't using it, great for a room that's short on wall space and really I think everyone has a door!

I think we all have wreath hangers around, especially right after Christmas. I bought these 2 in the clearance section for only 68 cents a piece.




They're adjustable too.



You don't need the adjustable kind...any 2 wreath hangers will do.

I wish these weren't clear for the photo...

but you can still see that I've placed one on each side over the top of the door.

Now you can place an old curtain rod, pvc pipe, yard stick etc through a hem of a piece of flannel from the fabric store, a flannel sheet or a flannel backed table cloth that you have cut to fit your door. I have a previous post on how to make one, so click here to bring you to that post.

The hooks on the wreath holder keep the rod from falling off even when the door is opened and closed.

Here is your quick and easy design wall/play wall!

The flannel will hold most all fabric on there to design your new project.

It's also great to audition fabrics to see which ones go together. This is especially helpful when you place them on the design wall and step away to get a better look. Sometimes fabrics look great up close when you're picking them out, but not so great when you stand back and take a second look.

If you are a mom or grandma and have little ones around when you are sewing, crafting or cooking, this is also a great place for kids to play. Take pieces of flannel or felt and cut them into shapes and letters and let them play on their own design wall while you get a little play time in your self! The kids can play with so many different shapes made with fabric...

• letters
• numbers
• geometric shapes
• states or countries
• animals
• flowers
• food
• cars and trucks
• holiday shapes

This design or play wall is great in any room. It's easy to take down, roll up and put away or just leave it hanging up behind the door permanently.

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Happy designing or playing...hmmm I think that's the same thing isn't it!

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~Karen~

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Don't forget to take a peek at my give away I'm having for my 2 year blogiversary!! See yesterday's post to leave a comment.

Tool Time Tuesday...Window Design Wall

Happy Tuesday! Here's one more design wall idea for you...this time it's not on the wall, it's in the window!!

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Do you remember this design wall from pvc? Click HERE to see that post. There was a bigger one too.



I also had this design wall for smaller projects? Click HERE to see this one.

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Well, here is the next "Window of Opportunity".  It's a design wall for a window, that can be easily removed when you're not using it, especially if your sewing room is in your dining room, spare bedroom or a room that you just don't have enough wall space. There is no wall space in my sewing room, so that's why I came up with this simple solution. See my sewing chair in the picture below? I thought I could just lean the big pvc design wall up against the window to my left while sewing. Then I thought, I wish I had something "IN" the window. Ding...the bells were ringing. A design wall curtain!!!

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Here's all you need...a flannel backed tablecloth...$5.00 at Home Goods. You can also use flannel by the yard, but this was 60" x 102" for $5.00, so that's cheap, cheap, cheap!

and 2 tension rods that open or expand to the width of your own window.

I've had these for a while, so not sure how much...maybe under $2.00 each at Walmart.

Oh yeah...you need a window too!

Place a tension rod at the top of the window and...

at the bottom.

This is a dumb picture, because you can't even see the tension rods. I'm leaving it here though, because with my luck I would click to delete it and blogger would delete the wrong picture.

Measure the width of the window.

and then measure the height.

I folded the tablecloth in half, so I could cut the width easier.

I cut mine exactly 28" for the width. The front is vinyl and the back is flannel, so it won't fray. There is no need to turn the edge under.

Even though my window is 64" high, I just used the 60" width of the table cloth.

Fold over the short edges of the tablecloth, vinyl to vinyl, wide enough to fit your tension rod.

Here are the top and bottom folded over. If you want to get rid of the package wrinkles, use a very low heat iron and iron on the flannel side. Be careful not to melt the plastic.

Sew a straight seam all the way across both the top and bottom. Insert rod through the pocket and you are ready to hang it up. Super easy!!

Hang it flannel facing out, pull the rods so the flannel is tight and you are ready to hang your blocks or squares and design away! I took the picture at night, because the green design on the front was showing through in the day light.

Here are some of the I Spy squares I am starting to put together. Boy do they stick to flannel.

When you are done quilting for the day, just pop it out, roll the flannel around the rod and store it away until the next time.

Don't let this "window of opportunity" pass you by...ok, I won't say it again, I promise. Go on, make one for yourself or a friend...they will love it.

Just wanted to add one more design wall I did for over your door...Click HERE for that post

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Have a great Tuesday,

~Karen~