Bible Cover Tutorial

I have been dying to have a Bible cover for the longest time, but have never gotten around to making one. I always have a thousand things on my to-do list and never remember to make a Bible Cover until I am sitting in church. Well I finally took the time to make one during nap time. I already have one, but it's store bought, and boring. I wanted something a little more flashy...sounds like something I really need in worship...huh?;o)

Anyway, I thought I would put together a tute for any of you who might want to make one of these yourselves.

Here's what you need:

1/2 yard of fabric

Double Fold Bias Tape

Thread

Low Pile Batting

Velcro

My Bible measures at 15"x10". When I decided to make this cover, I wanted to make it as simple as possible. I only have a short period of time to work with since nap time is getting shorter and shorter these days:o)

Here's the break down of how to assemble the cover

Cut your fabric according to the dimensions of you Bible.

You will need:

 2 Large rectangles (front cover and inside cover) size will depend on Bible measurements

1 rectangle cut to size of covers from batting

2 straps measuring 4"x 22"

2 pockets. My pockets were 10 1/4" tall by 4" wide

2 -3 1/2"x10" rectangles for enclosure

You will need to sandwich the batting between the two large rectangles, right sides facing outward.

Now I never pin anything together b/c I am lazy, and I have lost a lot of machine needles from sewing across pins. But for this, I did pin. Only because when quilting, the fabric will move and nobody wants to take the time to pick out all those stitches:o) So starting from left to right pin the fabric in place, and make sure the fabric is laying flat, and that there isn't any bunching.

Now quilt. I kept my seams about an inch and half from one another. One tip to remember when quilting. Roll the fabric up, so that it's easier to feed the material thru so that you can keep a straight stitch.

When you have sewn all your squares, there will be some fabric that is hanging over, like the picture below.

Trim that off. You want all the edges to be the same.

Next you will want to prepare the straps, pockets and the enclosure. For the straps, just use your iron to press it into place.

Fold in half length wise. Press.

Fold the outer edges in and press.

Sew a seam as close to the edge as possible but making sure to catch all of the fabric.

The pockets for the inside of the cover will need some bias tape. All you do here is open the bias tape up, and slide the raw edge of your fabric inside and stitch.

The enclosure is simple. Place right sides together. Run a 5/8" seam around the two long sides and one short side, leaving the other short side open.

Trim corners off

Turn right side out and press.

Now it's time to put everything together. You will want to line everything up where it's supposed to go and use a basting stitch to hold it all in place. So much easier than trying to pin everything:o)

(A basting stitch is the one where the stitches are wider and further apart)

Time for the bias tape. Now I tried using a 1/4" wide tape,and boy was that a mistake. I ended up using a 1/4" tape on the pockets and a 1/2" tape on the outer edges. Do it the same way you did the pockets, just open it up and keep all raw edges inside the tape. The corners are a little tricky so go slow there:o)

And here is the finished product.

I didn't put the velcro on until the very end because I needed to see how far the enclosure would overlap. I used the bow and button to cover the stitches from the velcro.

I love that the straps are long enough that I can carry it on my shoulder...now I have my hands free to carry little ones or their treasures from Bible class:o)

Let me know what you think...I am really digging this:o)

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under the table and dreaming

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Fall is Fast Approaching...

even though it doesn't feel like it!!!

I want to pull out my long sleeve shirts....come on weather!!!

My babies want to roast "smarsh-mellows."

Speaking of my babies....my little man is 4 today. He's getting so big! He got in bed with us this morning, and when I was finally able to open my eyes without them rolling right back into the back of my head, I said Happy Birthday boy. He got the biggest grin on his face and a look of accomplishment. It was like he had "graduated." He is so proud to finally be 4:o) He is so sweet. I am making cookies for his class tomorrow to celebrate with his school buddies. We'll see how that goes. The dough is on the counter trying to reach room temp.:o)

We made thank you notes last night, and that was a sight to behold....weeping and gnashing of teeth. E knows how to write his name, but he likes to change things up a bit by not writing the letters in the correct order. So that was an ordeal. We finally got his name down 11 times. I worked on the fronts. Real simple. Here they are:

I got the cute little cowboy here. It is a really cute website with all these FREE printable downloads. I just inserted the "Much 'O'bliged"(I realized just yesterday that it isn't 'A'bliged). I cut it out along with a 2" wide strip of scrapbook paper and just stuck them to a card. Simple.

Now for some fall love.

I had a "feeling sorry for myself day" a few weeks ago. When I feel sorry for myself, I have to go out a buy something crafty and work hard so that I feel better about myself...it's sick..I know:o)

I went to Hobby Lobby...imagine that:o) I started looking at all of their fall wreaths and I couldn't believe how expensive they were and how unimpressive they were too. So I bought leaf garland, (2 different types), and a few other add ins and decided I was going to make one for myself. I had a wreath form that I purchased at Dollar Tree...not the foam kind, the other kind...not sure what to call it...I have some baskets made of this same wood like substance. 

Anyway, I got out my glue gun, and an hour later I had this

for slightly over $30!!! Beat that Hobby Lobby;o)

I LOVE this wreath. I thought about entering it into the Cultural Arts fair the other day, but didn't want to part with it:o) The hubs can't understand why I am decorating for fall when it is still almost 100 degrees outside....I say b/c I can:oP

The 'W' was purchased from H.L. and I just slathered Mod Podge on it and smothered it in glitter. LOVE!

Hoping to share a few more Fall projects the rest of the week. I am not feeling super motivated right now, so I can't make any promises;o)

Participating in:

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Fall Color

Fall is approaching, and I have the Mum Bug:o)

Are you digging these gorgeous flowers?

I went on a planting spree yesterday. I purchased some mums from Lowes.

Here's where they found their new home...

Slightly unimpressive right now, but give them a few years, and they will be really something. That is one of the things I love about flowers. They surprise you every season. Sometimes not for the better, but usually the surprises are wonderful:o) 

There were 4 hosta plants that I planted in the front bed that didn't quite do so well b/c of too much sun, so I moved them to the back bed.

Can you see them? They are there:o)

Our hose reel broke the other day, so that will be another purchase from Lowes:o) 

The two dead looking plants can be explained. At the bottom left is a mum...was a mum. It was at my parents' house, and they dug it up. I think some of the roots were damaged, but it is still showing some life. Going to let it stay thru the winter and see what happens. The stuff in the back is what I call the "Mozzie Bush". We called my great-grandmother, Mozzie. I have no idea where that name came from. She was one of the most precious women that I have ever encountered. Very meek and patient. She lived to be 94 years old. This dead looking thing is a cutting of one of her bushes from her garden. I hope that I didn't wait too long to plant it. I think that it's an aster, and it has cute purple star like blooms in the fall. Now, there won't be any blooms this year, but maybe, just maybe we'll get lucky next year:o)

The other 2 hosta made it in this empty space behind the azalea bushes. Yes, I'm sure they are there:o) I told you that they didn't do so great in the front flower bed.

The playhouse has tiger lilies planted in front of it. Those came from my parents' as well.

To the left of the playhouse, I have planted the iris'. So hopefully come spring time, there will be beautiful purple and orange blooms around the playhouse.

I am waiting for pansies to start showing up in stores. I will put some in the front flower boxes on the playhouse.

Look what the hubby put together a few weeks ago. He's awesome! The kids LOVE it....I LOVE it b/c now  I can send them outside while cooking dinner, and they actually have something to do:o)

I rearranged the furniture yesterday on our back patio too. Notice that there are several empty planters??? They are patiently awaiting pansies:o)

I also put this together

Thus the reason for the new furniture arrangement. Lowes had these pups marked down, so I scooped it up:o) I had to put it up against the house b/c there are gale force winds that sweep across our back yard. Last winter we still had the playhouse on the patio. The wind would blow so hard that it would move the playhouse a few inches. It takes two grown men, struggling, to move that thing....yeah it gets windy:o)

So I was super busy yesterday, but I am happy with the results. Now to just get some color back there:o)

 I hope you all have a great weekend!!

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We have a winner!!

The winner of the vintage button ring was Amy!!

Congrats to you girly!!

I have been super busy today doing lots of outdoor work...hard work. Been planting mums & other plants, rearranging patio furniture, and I even put a fountain together. 

I'll share pics of all my hard work tomorrow. Hope you all are having a fabulous Thursday!

Also.... please go to Samster Mommy
and read her post at this link.
They need your vote!

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Ring Tutorial and Giveaway

Another Tutorial on this fine Tuesday for ya:o) 

I saw a tutorial on how to make a ring a couple of months ago. I cannot for the life of me remember where I found it. I really need to start bookmarking these pages so that I can link back. Anyway, I bought the supplies to make the rings forever ago, all except E6000. I finally bought the E6000 yesterday, and now I can share with you what I did.

These are the supplies to make the ring

A ring doo-hicky thing(how's that for a technical term:o))

sandpaper

clamp

E6000(found at Hobby Lobby)

pliers

buttons(mine are vintage....L.O.V.E.)

First you want to remove the loop on the back of the button

Use your pliers to do this step. 

The button will look something like this when done

Aren't these buttons pretty?

After removing that piece, you will need to sand the back of the button. I also sanded the ring post thing:o)

Next step is to apply E6000. (Gorilla Glue does not work for this project. I have been successful with G.G. on just about anything else except jewelry. I made this same ring twice with said adhesive and the button popped off both times.)

Now there are all kinds of scary warnings on the back of this tube, so I took my little self outside and applied a dollop on the ring and clamped the button to the ring post.

Now comes the patience...not sure how long it is supposed to sit. I did mine last night, so it at least had the night to sit. And this is how it turned out:o)

I am no hand model, so don't get grossed out:o)

If you have run across this same tutorial out in blog land, please shoot me an email so I can give the props to the crafty one who came up with this idea:o)

And now for the giveaway that I have been promising for an eternity.

One of you will be the lucky winner of the above ring.

Aren't you just ecstatic??;o)

Because this giveaway is to celebrate the 100 Follower milestone, this one is for followers only...of course it really isn't that difficult to become a follower:o)

1st Entry: Be a follower of Fussy Monkey Business & tell me that you are

2nd Entry: "Like" Fussy Monkey Business on Facebook and tell me you did

3rd Entry: Post on Facebook about the giveaway & tell me that you did this as well.

The giveaway for this ring will end Wednesday night, and the winner will be announced Thursday morning. Good luck to you guys, and thanks so much for all your support...you guys ROCK!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

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Cowboy Birthday Party

What a week...shew! I am so glad that last week is over. It was a great week, but I am Fo-Evuh-Mo Tired! Yesterday was the big celebration. E's birthday isn't officially until next week, but we went ahead and had the party so that everyone could make it. 

There were 40 people in our house at once. It was loud, it was crazy, and it was a BLAST!

E had a FABULOUS time and was loaded down with gifts.

Here are a few shots of the party. I am terrible about getting pics once everyone starts showing up, so here is what party central(a.k.a. my house) looked like before the guests arrived.

I had a table set up for cowboy gear.

Each child got a horse on a stick. These were a Dollar Tree purchase

cowboy hats(from Oriental Trading), red for girls, blue for boys.

Deputy badges from Hobbly Lobbly. I made twine necklaces to hang the badges on since they didn't have pins on the backs.

There were also guns and bandanas for the little ones. 

When everyone arrived they went outside and played in the back yard. A nasty storm hit, so all of our outdoor activities were cancelled. I had some games ready to be played, but since the monsoon hit, we couldn't do it. I made a horse and lasso(sis-n-law helped with the lasso) for Lasso the Pony. There were horse shoes for adults and kids to play, and panning for gold. The games didn't get played:( This is the 2nd year in a row that it has poured down rain on the day of E's party. Thankfully our house was just big enough to hold everyone. 

These boots were mine when I was a little one. 

A few more "vintage" cowboy items I had on hand. 

I didn't get a shot of the table with all the food. Here's the menu though:

Hot Dogs

BBQ

Chips

Baked Beans

Mexican Corn Bread Mini Muffins

Chex Mix

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños (Huge Hit!!)

Cow Patties(Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies)

Hay Stacks

Cupcakes 

Ice Cream

The banner I made out of quartered bandanas. You can see at the bottom of the picture the bowls that we used to serve chips and buns in. These were a 4th of July clearance purchase from H.L.

E's cake. My attempt at a split rail fence:o) Found the horse in the dollar section at Walmart.

I had cupcakes for everyone else. It's super quick and less mess. The boot cupcake toppers were from H.L. as well.

Party Favor Table...(found this antique table at a yard sale for $15..score!....gotta strip some paint:o))

The little paper buckets were from the Dollar Section at Target. They were a quarter a piece when I bought them. The wooden cutouts came from H.L. as well:o) I just added their names to the cut outs and my mother hot glued them on the buckets....speaking of my mother.....I would have NEVER been able to pull the party off without her help!! She showed up on Friday and worked like a mule (and kept me on track). Hubs is still out of commission from his surgery, so he couldn't do much...well, he did dust the whole house and that was a major task;o) My dad and my mother-in-law helped out a lot as well. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Pre-party festivities....football:o)

Centerpieces on the card tables. I added peanuts with the shells on top of the raffia. Just took the pic before that happened:o) The "gold nuggets" in the bottom of the mason jars are rocks spray painted gold. I found the pie plates at Dollar Tree. The table cloths came from Ross. There were only two, but one was a long table cloth. I just split it in half and zig zag stitched the edges. Quick fix:o)

For the craft, I found some foam cowboys and cowgirls that they could dress up. The kids seemed to enjoy this part. I found those at H.L. too.....do you see how often I visit H.L.????

We had story time as well. Do you know how hard it is to find a cowboy picture book? My sister read Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sherriff.

We had a wonderful turn out and have a great family and awesome friends. I am so glad that they were able to share in the celebration of our little man!!

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