Daily Craft - Crate covers

Finally got myself organized, so here's to my other recent sewing project.  You know those stackable plastic crates that you can get at office supply stores?  They're great for storage, but not all too pretty.  I happened across this tutorial on Pinterest on how to sew covers for said crates and knew that it would be perfect to make some cute storage for the nursery.

I used crates that I bought several years ago at Target ($2.50 a piece I believe).  They'd been storing some random crap in my closet from a while back, and I cleared out the junk when we got ready for the carpeting.  [Note the pretty new carpet by the way - we're really happy with it.]

I found both the striped fabric, and the fabric used for the interior of the crate in the clearance section at Joann.  Fabric cost was under $10 and enough to make covers for 2 crates, with plenty left over.  Total cost ended up being about $15 for the pair, which I consider quite a steal for customized storage.  Plus, they only took about an hour to make.

I'm loving that I can use these for safe, low level storage of books or toys.  I also love that the covers are easily washable, which from what I hear is important when babies and toddlers are involved.  :)

Seeing as there are several more of these crates around the house that are storing various things, I kind of want to cover them all so that they can be displayed more prominently!

Daily Craft - Needle rolls

I like rolls in general - sushi rolls, bread rolls, jelly rolls.  When it comes to storage for knitting needles and crochet hooks, sewing up a storage roll seems like the obvious choice.  I already have one for my crochet hooks and, after losing my double-pointed knitting needle set, needed to make one for my replacements.  I used some left over fabric from this quilt, and set about making a roll to hold all 15 sets of DPNs.  That's 75 needles!  I didn't really follow a pattern - more eyeballed it using various concepts for needle rolls that I've seen online in various places.

I actually really like how this turned out.  I enjoy the fabrics together and my biggest complaint would be that I misjudged the width of the pocket needed for the largest (size 15) needles.  It ended up being 8" tall by 11.5" wide, so it's also not too bulky when folded.  In that I did slightly misjudge the pocket width, I'm now debating making another one with the proper size pockets for my DPNs and using this roll for my set of circulars.  Do I have too many knitting needles?  Quite possibly...but I need them for sample knitting (or at least that's my excuse!)

I suspect that sewing rolls of this sort could end up being an addiction.  Next thing you know I'll be creating them for make-up, toiletries, jewelry, and who knows what else.  To all you yarnies out there, how do you store your needles/hooks?  

Daily Deal - Tiny Little Boxes

I'm unhappy to say that I've been struck by the first cold/cough things of the season, therefore stuck in the house all day.  Fortunately, it was a bit rainy and sad looking, which is better than being relegated to the couch while it's beautiful and sunny inside.  It's also quite frustrating to want to be doing something useful, but not making it past the kitchen to pour tea while trying to find some watchable day time TV (other than the obligatory Law & Order SVU marathons).  Anyway, enough of my sicky lament!


I've been meaning to post this for a while and just never quite got around to it - a storage concept, courtesy of the Dollar Tree.  A while back, I found these tiny little storage containers in the food storage section, and realized that they're perfect for small craft items - beads, buttons, needles etc.  They come in a pack of 10 for $1 and that's just a deal impossible to beat.  I use them mostly for beads and jewelry findings, and they make everything easy to see and stack.  Yet another reason why the dollar store really does have the most unexpectedly useful things!

Daily Craft - Crochet hook roll

I have a handful of fabric fat quarters hanging about the house and, as much as I'm enjoying making quilted coasters, figured I'd like to try something new.  Over the years, I've misplaced quite a few of my crochet hooks along with the roll that they were in, so decided to make a new one.  This was a great use for the small-ish fabric pieces, and I just love how the two fabrics look together.  I checked out a variety of tutorials, and made this one using a hybrid of several.  The only thing I did know is that I didn't want the stitching for the inside slots to show on the outside of the roll, as I think it's just neater. 

I'll hopefully have a minute to put together a detailed tutorial for you all soon, as I suspect I'll be making another of these to hold my make-up brushes.  Talk about multi-functional!

What do you look for in a storage case for crochet hooks, knitting needles (or make-up brushes as the case may be)?

Daily Deal - For 99 cents only

I've been in serious need of organizing my craft room, which is also the guest bedroom, and may even have a child in it some time in the future.  The book shelves in there are overflowing with yarn, notions, vintage items, books, sewing patterns and who knows what else (still working on that part).  Needless to say, if I didn't buy another crafting supply for the next year and just worked with what I have, I might be able to make a small dent.  It's a classic case of too many ideas, not enough time, and when the hell did I accumulate all this stuff anyway? 

While most of this weekend was spent inside trying to stay out of the obnoxiously oppressive weather, compounded by the need to recuperate from my illness, I did venture out of the house to the store on Sunday.  My trip to 99 Cents Only was primarily for the fact that they have cheap produce that's perfect for salads - i.e. bag of spinach and two huge bell peppers for a buck each.  I should note, however, that I cannot walk into that place without the compulsion to wander through all of the aisles taking a look at what other deals they have in store that week.  I was excited to find these collapsible storage totes for a dollar each.  I figured they'd be proper storage of all the things on my bookshelves in that room, but I never guessed that each shelf would hold exactly 2 side-by-side and these might just be the most perfect solution for the best price.  In fact, I think I'm going to go back and buy some more tonight because now the bookshelves are mostly organized, I think they'll be helpful for inside the closet as well.   

There's a reason that so often I will go there with the need for 2 things and $20 later, I escape!  It's not just me right?  What's been your favorite dollar store find?

Daily Tip - Simple earring storage

I'm going to admit that when it comes to earrings, I'm a bit of an addict.  While I like them, I've found that necklaces always end up feeling a bit like a noose that I'm inadvertently strangling myself with at some point during the day, and bracelets always seem to be clanking on something (probably on account of my desk job where I spend a lot of time typing).  Earrings on the other hand go in my ears and look so pretty but don't get in the way of anything I'm doing.  The problem for me has always been storage of my little dangling friends.

Recently, I was rummaging through my bookcase and realized that the answer was staring me in the face.  I have two metal mesh book ends that aren't currently in use which are perfect for earring storage on account of the little mesh holes.  Plus they match my minimalist decorating style!  So, next time you're in Office Depot and probably not thinking about jewelry, keep in mind that that pencil holder just might be what you need to keep your baubles neat and tidy.  :)