Padded Computer Case

My son got me a new laptop for Christmas…I know, such a great gift!  He is 18, so it was a big deal for me and him!  Maybe he was just tired of me howling and scowling at my old computer…could be!  Anyway, my old computer had a smaller screen than this one, so my old case won’t fit the new one!  So, in keeping with my usual creativeness, I decided to make me one!  My goal this year is to use what I have and try not to buy more crafting/sewing supplies (I know, good luck with that, huh?). 

I measured the computer and added two inches all around, then made a pouch using two fabrics that had iron on fleece attached, sewed it up on three sides and added the zipper (it’s a separating zipper) to the fourth side.

The zip on the top is not perfect…the corners were a bit difficult.

But it adds a great deal of padding to the computer and I love the way it looks.

The zip only goes over the one the one side and is just sewn down on the two other sizes, Since it is so long and a separating zipper, I didn’t want to cut it. 

It’s a perfect fit!

And I added a pocket to the inside…

Now I can toss the cased computer in my bag and take it with me safely!

I am linking to these great parties!

Big Zipper Flower

I have been wanting to make some zipper flowers ever since I started seeing them appear in blog land....I have been collecting the zippers here and there cheap.  I studied many of the online tutorials and of course didn't really follow any of my own, I sort of created my own style! 

Since I have been doing more "lap crafts" I decided to give these a try. I chose the chocolate brown zippers for the outside petals and a rich yellow for the inside petals.  I cut the outside pieces 5.5 inches long and the inside 4.75 inches long.  I cut off the metal ends and took off the pull too (Any ideas on what to do with the pulls?  I am sure there must be something crafty out there that would be cool!).

I folded all the pieces in this oval shape and hot glued them together like that. Watch those fingers!  I currently have two hot glue gun blisters from this project last night...

Now these two pictures aren't the flower I made in the picture above, but I forgot to take pictures of that one.  So anyway, follow along with me...I just started hot gluing the petals that I made together aligning them the same each time, until you have a full circle of the outside petals.  Just repeat with the inside petals and use the base of the outside petals to start the circle of the inside petals.

And ta..da...here is the finished product!  I had a this grossgrain ribbon flower that looked great in the center of this flower, so I hot glued it on!  You could also use a fabric covered button in the center too...probably a 1 1/8 inch button would be perfect.

So my first zipper flower!  I made a pin out of this one...just glued a pin back on and it was all done!