How to make fun pencil pouch from duct tape

It’s almost July and pretty soon it will be time to purchase school supplies.  You can personalize a fun pencil pouch from a plastic zipper storage bag and some duct tape.

There are literally hundreds of different color duct tapes available.  So there is a personalized design for every taste and color preference. And duct tape is very sturdy. You can even punch holes in the bag to add to a binder. 

This fun pencil pouch is fun to make for kids.  So you will never  be at a loss when they come to you saying they are bored.

Materials:

One gallon sized slider style storage bag

Duct tape in desired print or color

Plastic cutting mat-- optional (helps with cutting the duct tape)

Ruler, marker, scissors

Three-hole punch or regular hole punch

1.     Measure and cut 3 inches off the bottom edge of the storage bag.  Discard the cut off piece.

2.     Measure and cut 5 pieces of duct tape to 10 ½” each.

Cutting duct tape is easy to measure on a plastic cutting mat

3.     Starting at the upper edge attach a 10 ½” piece of duct tape over the plastic of the bag and across. Press to adhere.  Repeat with three more pieces of duct tape overlapping just a bit where the edges meet to cover the bag. Overlap the bottom edge of the final piece and press to the opposite side.

4.     Turn over to cover the other side.  Cut 4 pieces of duct tape to 12” each.  Start as you did on the first side except fold the extra length on each side (about ½” on each side) to the back. (Already covered side)  

5.     When you have completely covered the bag, you will need to reinforce the sides and bottom edge.  To do this cut 2 pieces of duct tape 7 ¾” each.  Press half the tape on one side covering any uneven edges and turn the excess to the opposite side.  Repeat on the other end.  For the bottom, cut another piece of duct tape 10 ½” and attach part to one side and fold the rest to the other side. (Bottom reinforced)

6.     Use a three-hole punch to make holes for the loose-leaf binder along the bottom edge.  If you do not have a three-hole punch, use a piece of loose-leaf paper to trace where the holes should be and punch with a regular hole punch.

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How to quickly make a fun, geometric book cover

You can quickly make a fun geometric book cover for all your books.  And what’s even better is this book cover has a post it notepad attached to the front for all those quick little notes and reminders you may have!

If the kiddies aren’t back to school yet, they soon will be and with it comes all the papers to sign and the book cover requirements.  You can buy book covers or you make them and personalize them to fit your individual personality. 

Make this book cover using drawing paper or pastel paper or even recycled brown paper bags. 

So, let’s get started!

Materials:

·      Medium weight paper, I used pastel paper but you can substitute drawing paper or even a large brown paper bag.

·      Cardstock in two prints

·      Tacky craft glue

·      Disappearing marker or pencil

·      Ruler and cutting board or cutting mat

·      Stylus (optional)

·      Scissors

·      Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

·      Post it note pad, any size, any color

·      Clear tape

Instructions:

1.     First, gather your materials.

2.     Now measure your book to be covered.  Mine was approximately 9 ¼” x 6 ¼”.  The paper I started with was 18” x 24” and since my book’s vertical measurement was 9 ¼” I wanted at least 3” above the top and bottom edges.  So the first thing I did was cut the larger paper 15” x 24”. 

3.     Next, I measured from the top to the bottom to find the vertical center of the paper and made a mark.  I centered my book spine down on this center mark and folded the paper around the book making sure I had a good 3 inches over both side edges horizontally.  I made a mark and cut my paper 15” x 21”.  (You measure each book this way, which is why I start with a larger piece of paper.)

4.     Now, Placing your book in the center, measure evenly from top of the paper and bottom and draw a line across.  Mine was 2 5/8” from the top and the bottom.

5.     Place the paper on a cutting board and following the lines on the top and bottom score with a stylus.  (This is optional but makes a neater fold)  Fold on the lines top and bottom.

6.     Now place your book in the center and bring the front cover around and stick the cover of the book in the pocket.  Run your fingers along the sides to crease the book cover.  Repeat with the back cover.

7.     You may, if you desire, add a piece of tape to the front and back to secure your book cover. 

Decorate the book cover

8.     Cut two pieces of decorative cardstock 6 ½” x 4 ½”.

9.     Apply tacky craft glue to the back of the cardstock pieces spreading with a piece of scrap cardboard as a squeegee.

10. Add the cardstock to the front one at a time, staggering the placement.

11. Use the hot glue gun to attach the post it notepad in a geometric look design.

12. Add name, subject, etc. with markers to further personalize. Pastel paper comes in colors as well so you can have a different color book cover for every subject.

Easy Easter Egg Box

Valentine's Day is history and the next holiday on the horizon is Easter.  This quick little Easter egg box is a great spring craft for kids, groups, assisted care facilities and more.  You could even set up a table outside when the weather gets nice and craft away.  Very little supplies are needed so they are very cost effective as well!

You will need:

Miniature Paper mache oval box

Acrylic paint, pink or any pastel color

Gold acrylic pant (optional)

Paintbrushes 

Flat lace scraps (You can buy bags of misc. scrap lace in fabric stores for very little money)

Scissors

Tacky glue

1.     Paint the box top and sides with pastel color.  Paint the box bottom with the same pastel color.  Let dry.  

2.     Paint the inside of top and bottom in gold acrylic paint (if desired) Let dry.

3.     Cut pieces of various flat lace scraps

4.     Decorate the top by gluing the scrap lace across.  Slightly arc the lace so it resembles a decorated egg.  Vary the lace strips with widths, designs and colors.  You can even add rhinestones if you like.  Let dry completely. 

Recycled K-Cup Leprechaun hat for St Patrick's Day

Since Christmas the top craft tutorial that everyone is asking me for is anything made with a recycled K-cup, and as always I aim to please. All it takes is an empty K-cup to make this cute little leprechaun hat to decorate your table or other small area.  They are easy enough to make a bunch and you can even use them as party favors filled with small candies.

You will need:

K-cup washed and filter removed

Green glitter

Shamrock foam sticker

Tacky glue

Small paintbrush

Heavy cardboard or mat board (I have scraps of mat board lying around and that is what I used)

Scrap of gold ribbon or cord

Compass with pencil

1.    Draw a circle 1 ½” circle with the compass on the cardboard and cut out.  

2.     Place the K-cup top side down and trace around in the center of the cut out circle.  Cut this circle out inside the line so it will be a bit smaller than the diameter of the K-cup.

3.     Place the ring around the cup and push down to the bottom edge to form a brim.

4.     Spread some tacky glue on the entire K-cup and cover with the green glitter.  Let dry.  Cover the brim with glue and sprinkle glitter on it as well.  Let dry.  Turn over and repeat the glue and glitter on the inside of the brim.  Let dry.

5.     Cut a 6-inch piece of gold cord or ribbon and glue around the hat. (see photo)

6.     When the ribbon has dried, attach a Shamrock foam sticker over the seam where the ribbon meets.  Glue a small jewel or miniature coin in the center of the shamrock.

While I am of Greek descent, I married an Irishman so my now name is Donnelly and you can't get more Irish than that.

Click here if you'd like to learn more about St. Patrick's Day  from the History channel.

St. Patrick's Day quick and easy craft roundup

You may have missed these quick and easy St. Patrick's Day tutorials from Make it easy crafts.  So just in case in plenty of time for St. Patrick's Day I'm featuring these fun projects once again. The best part is that these four popular projects are all made from recycled items!  On March 17th everyone is Irish so put a little green in your day and a Leprechaun in your pocket.

Recycled K-cup leprechaun sparkle hat

Recycled magnet shamrock

Recycled St. Patrick's Day coffee sleeve

Recycled K-cup mini pot of gold