Happy Friday!  Are you as happy as I am that it's almost the weekend?  In honor of that, I thought I would leave you with a little weekend project.... Custom iPad/Kindle/Whatever case!

I literally just threw this together, and it was all done on a trial and error basis, but I think it turned out ok!  It is plush, thick, and protects it from scratches. I created this cover for my iPad, so if you're making one for another device, measure it first.

Originally, I was going to use a pattern created by somebody else, but a lot of the patterns on the net called for some kind of thick batting or auto foam stuff.. and let's face it, I just don't have that laying around. Although, I could have just pieced one together like this guy... (how cute is it when men craft? LOL)  But I wanted something not made with tape, so I decided to use multiple pieces of felt as my batting and here's how it all happened:

You will need:

• 5 or 6 pieces of felt sized 9x12
• Pretty Fabric slightly larger than your felt
• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Velcro
• Any embellishments you like

First, I grabbed three pieces of felt and a graphic fabric. The standard size 9x12 felt sheets are just the right size for an iPad.

Then, you want to stack your felt sheets and place them on top of the wrong side your graphic fabric. Wrap the edges of the graphic fabric around the edges of the felt as pictured and pin.  Then sew all edges!

This will be one side of your completed cover.  It should look like this when you're done...kind of like a placemat...

All 4 edges should be stitched.  Take your other pieces of felt (I used 3 sheets on the above step and 2 sheets for this step... the more you add the thicker your cover will be) and cut off about an inch and a half from one side like so:

Sew the felt pieces together on this shorter end so it looks a bit finished. The graphic part in the photo on the right will be your fold over flap.

Now, pin the "right" sides of your fabric and felt together, face to face, leaving the 1 1/2" space at the top of one side.  Sew along the edges, just inside of the initial stitching on the graphic patterned piece. Leave the finished edge open.

Flip that sucker inside out (or is it right side in?)... the first picture is demonstrating the flipping haha. Anyways, here's what you should have:

Now that it was flipped the right way, I wanted to fix the sides of the top flap, so I just folded them in a bit more and sewed them down.  Then, I grabbed some velcro and stuck it on. I actually attempted to sew this, but my sewing machine did not like it one bit. The stickiness of the adhesive seems to be tough enough though.

That's pretty much it! You can add whatever you want to it now. I added some lace to the flap because I wanted it to extend a little longer. Here it is! It fits my iPad perfectly, and I didn't even have to properly measure anything!

If I were to do this again, I think the only thing I would do differently is make my fabric slightly longer so that the flap sits more in the center of the cover. What do you think of my first random iPad cover attempt?

xo Dana Learn more »

The other day, I wanted to spruce up my outfit with a little hair accessory but had nothing to match my clothes!  I quickly threw together this fast and super easy ruffle flower and clipped it to my headband:

Today, I faced the same dilemma, so created this little DIY tutorial so you could make one along with me!  This is a SUPER easy thing to do, and requires pretty little sewing skills.  You don't even need a sewing machine!  This time, we're going to make a little lacey red and white one, but yours can be whatever colours you choose!

You will need:

• 3 different fabric scraps, lace, or ribbon
• A large button
• Needle
• Thread
• Sewing Machine (optional)
• Felt or fabric scrap for backing (not visible)
• Hair clip of your choice

First, cut fabric or lace/ribbon into strips. Mine were about 10 inches long. The width of my strips were 1 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1/5 inch. You'll want varying widths for the layered effect.

If using a sewing machine, set your stitch width to the largest setting. We want to keep the stitches loose here! Stitch along the edge of your fabric/lace/ribbon. Don't backstitch!! If hand sewing, just stitch loosely along the edge and don't end your stitches.

When finished, grab the thread and pull lightly so your fabric scrunches.  If using a machine, just pull one of the two threads.  Don't pull so hard that your thread breaks or you'll have to start over.

After your strip is all nicely scrunched, join the ends together and sew, forming a circle:

Do the same thing to your other strips:

Now you should have three little scrunchie circles:

Take a piece of felt or scrap fabric and cut a circle. This will be the backing of the clip.  My circle was just about 1 1/2" in size.

Take your first (widest) strip of fabric and start sewing it to the outer edge of the circle. You can scrunch and bunch the fabric more as you sew so that it fills out the circle nicely. I did this part by hand so I could be accurate.

Now, take your second widest strip, and sew it onto the circle as well, just inside of your first strip:

Do the same for the last strip:

Grab your button and sew it in the center of your ruffle flower!

Next, we want to add an attachment at the back of the flower that will hold a clip.  Cut a small rectangle strip of felt/scrap fabric and sew the short edges of it to your backing:

Insert your clip and you're good to go!!  Just go through and cut off all the loose threads now.  You can use any type of clip you want here, or you can attach it to a headband!  The choice is yours!

There you have it!  Enjoy, and don't be surprised if people stop you to ask where you got your new awesome hair accessory ;)

p.s., yes, I know I desperately need to do my nails haha.

xo Dana Learn more »