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November 27 ~ Work
| Make Work a little brighter with our project & gift ideas… |  |
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Make It
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Business Card Case Jennifer from Jennifer Ladd Handmade designed this Cute Business Card Case Tutorial and adds that it’s easy to customize the case to “represent your own business style.” You can win this case from Jennifer (see “Win It”). |
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Recover an Office Chair Candy shows you how to Recover an Office Chair at Candied Fabrics. Candy writes, ” I am constantly inspired by the color and patterns I see around me. I find that I MUST be making something, and the media that sings to me is white fabric and dye.” Candy wanted some color on that chair! |
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Fabric Pencil Holders Katie shows you how to turn tin cans into Fabric Pencil Holders at Making This Home. |
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Laptop Sleeve Several people on our lists would love our Laptop Sleeve from Elizabeth, made with some nice home dec fabric! |
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Patchwork Lanyard Make a Patchwork Lanyard at mairuru with fabric scraps (for those ubiquitous work ID cards). Mai adds that she made pouch straps the same way here. |
You might also enjoy these related tutorials from the SMS archives: Gift Exchange (small gifts for co-workers, etc.), Gifts for Organization, Tech Gifts, Gifts for College Students, Classic Tote, Quilted Garden Tote, Fabric Bulletin Board, iPod Cozy
Here are just a handful of fabrics we love for some of these projects. Click on the fabric images to visit the Sew,Mama,Sew! shop:
| Jessie’s choice | Jennifer’s choice | Lauren’s choice | ||
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Buy It
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Laptop & Tablet Covers from fernfiddlehead We like these “envelope-style” Laptop & Tablet Covers from Cathy at fernfiddlehead. Cathy takes custom orders and also offers laptop bags, coasters, iPod pockets & more. |
Mix It
Recipe Round-Up
We’re nearing the end of our Handmade Holidays features & there’s just no good way to fit it all in! Today we thought we’d share a recipe round-up of some holiday recipe favorites. Feel free to add links to your favorites in the comments.
You might want to try: Gingerbread Cake from Hey, that tastes good!, Plum Crumble from Orangette, Gingerbread Man Cookies (on sticks!) from 101 Cookbooks, Chocolate Caramel Crack(ers) from smitten kitchen, Sufganiyot from Peace Love & Chocolate, Minty Chocolate Christmas Cookies from 101 Cookbooks, Almond Tea Cookies (gluten free) from The Wooden Spool, Pumpkin Cookies from Joy the Baker, Crunchy Maple Corn from turkey feathers, Chocolate Earl Grey Truffles from delicious days, Pumpkin Gingerbread from Spruce Hill, Excellent Eggnog from Al Dente, Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce from Spruce Hill
Print It
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Tags, Stickers, Notebooks & More! Yasmine from a print a day has a huge selection of free downloads for you to enjoy. Try these Tags, Stickers & Notebook, and then look through her wonderful “Download” category. |
Win It
Tweet #handmadeholidays anytime this week for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Sew,Mama,Sew!
Comment in today’s post for a chance to win this book. The winner will be announced on Friday. Visit our prize list to see some of the other great giveaways this month.
A beautiful hand-made business card case by Jennifer Ladd.
By Wendi Gratz
(Lark Books, $19.95, ISBN: 1-60059-377-1, ISBN13: 9781600593772)
From the Publisher:
Absolutely A-line…absolutely adorable! The classic, always fashionable A-line undergoes a charming reinvention at the hands of stitching whiz Wendi Gratz and a host of talented designers. Working off a single, simple pattern, they demonstrate the versatility of the basic form by creating over two dozen adorable variations—all just for little girls.The 26 projects, all captivatingly photographed, feature a range of structural adaptations and styles. Some have pockets, others have sleeves, and still more have embellishments such as appliqué, piecing, embroidery, and quilting. And there aren’t only dresses, but also jumpers, smocks, tops, and skirts. The book includes the full pattern, with children’s sizes from three to eight.Because the A-line dress is one of the easiest garments to sew, it’s the perfect canvas for crafty moms and grandmoms who want to make unique clothes for the special girls in their lives.Join the Lark Books Quilt It! contest!
NOTE: If the comments are cut off and the comment box does not appear on your screen, this is a Firefox bug. Please try another browser.
More Handmade Holiday Ideas (& don’t miss our Handmade Holidays photo pool!)
26 ~ Remember
25 ~ Teach & Learn
24 ~ Meow & Woof
23 ~ Smell
22 ~ Count
21 ~ Bake
20 ~ Rock
19 ~ Organize
18 ~ Write
17 ~ Tote
16 ~ Frame
15 ~ Celebrate
14 ~ Shop
13 ~ Go
12 ~ Clean & Tidy
11 ~ Pamper
10 ~ Craft
9 ~ Play
8 ~ Deck the Halls
7 ~ Exercise
6 ~ Sit Back & Relax
5 ~ Read
4 ~ Go Green
3 ~ Sleep
2 ~ Adorn
1 ~ Wear
We respect the copyright of all crafters. All links and photos from blogs on our Handmade Holidays posts are used with permission.
238 Responses to “November 27 ~ Work”
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I want to cover our office chair too! We found some awesome fabric at Ikea and I thought it would be too hard. I was wrong!
I think our schoolroom needs a makeover–thanks for the inspiration!
I love that chair fabric!
More wonderful ideas. Thank you!
I love the business card case!
What a great idea for a gift! I hope I get to win one of these!
What a great book! And what wonderful ideas all month! Thanks!
The fabric pencil holders are just what I need for my desk at school.
Absolutely LOVE the beautiful fabrics and wonderful ideas!
A very nice selection of ideas!
Another fun book to use in sewing for a granddaughter – and some other great ideas. Thanks, again!
I don’t know how my husband will respond to the cute business card holder- maybe I can guy it up a bit…It is a awefully cute idea!
I love love love the office chair recover tutorial!! What a beautiful result!! I’ve been meaning to recover my chair in my favorite hot pink fabric and this is giving me the push to finally do it!!! Thank you.
ah, that’s my friend’s daughter on the cover of that book!! i would love to win one. thanks for the opportunity!
That business card case is so sweet!
That business card holder is adorable!!! Looks like a fun and simple project for this beginner sewer.
The business card case is gorgeous! These are all great tutuorials (and, really, when are they not?)! Your blog has given me almost too many ideas for holiday gifts!
I like the lanyards. Mainly cause I have to wear a badge at work and don’t enjoy it. so having one of those cute ones would make it feel less….ugly. (especially with the outdated picture thats on it)
more wonderful ideas!!!!
Great projects!
I love the lanyards. I’ve made them before but never with that little bit of leather on the eds. They’re so much cuter that way.
If you have to work at least you should look great doing it!
My husband would love the laptop sleeve.
I love that business card case tutorial. A great stocking stuffer for men on my list.
Lorrie
This entry is a recipe goldmine! Thank you!
Thanks for the patterns and ideas.
I thought of recovering an office chair- maybe now I’ll do it!
I would cover everything in fabric if I could.
What great ideas! I never noticed how drab my office chair was… until now!
My office chair is starting to fray and I don’t think my school will ever replace it. I wonder if I could recover it???? Great idea!
Those recipes are great.
Thanks!
I also have an office chair that needs recovering! I also love the fabric covered cans for pencils.
Laptop sleeve looks great! Good post!
great ideas!
I don’t want November to end…so I can keep Handmade Holidays!
Darling office chair!!!
I love these ideas!
This is a great post for giving gifts to coworkers. I love the patchwork lanyard – Mai is such a charming blogger. Thank you for the giveaway. That book looks fantastic, and I would love to own it!
what a great office chair.
Absolutely A-Line looks like clothing that even a beginner like me can make. What a great book.
Great projects and such fun fabrics! I love how these projects make such practical things so cheerful.
great projects
great stuff again! Thanks!
would love to win this one
Oooh, this book is on my Amazon wishlist!! Loving the lanyard by the way, everyone at work wanted me to make some, but I just couldn’t figure out the best way to do it!
I love all of these projects! And I wish I could makeover my office chair…
Beautiful business card case. Great ideas again. Thanks.
Some great ideas, as always! I am going to try some of those recipes, too. And the book looks awesome, I would love to win a copy of it!
I was just thinking about making myself a pencil holder for my sewing table!
I love the business card tutorial. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to win!
Inspiring!
gathering supplies to make the fabric pencil holders.
thanks.
the Fabric Pencil Holders look great!
Super cute chair and I would love this book!
Fun stuff!
More great ideas…
Very cool – I really like the business card holder and laptop cozy!
The laptop sleeve is very nice, I’d love to make one. I know about mairuru’s blog and I love her creations. I love the handstiched things she makes, gives it more value.
Great stuff,as always, Thanks!!
love it – if only i had time…
Wonderful selections today. Thanks!
What a neat book! I would love to have it!
Thanks for all the great ideas – I will be using some of these for homemade Christmas gifts! I look forward to reading this blog everyday.
I love A-line dresses. The book looks like a real winner.
Any suggestions for adding a few hours to the day so I can get crafty?!
LOVE the dress book!
I love the business card case! Very fun projects today!
I love all these ideas! This is making Xmas so easy this year.
My husband and I both need an office chair makeover! Great idea!
That lanyard gives me ideas for a gift to my 80-year old neighbour! It looks so much nicer than a commercial one.
That business card case is beautiful!
Those are all so cute. The book looks great.
Who knew work could be so much fun!
i am all about the laptop cases ! Sew original !
Great tutorials, great book, great month. Thank you!
I don’t know about for a gift, but MY office chair would benefit from that makover, in a fabulous fabric like the one shown! I think I might have to make some lanyards too, sometimes navy printed ’staff, staff, staff…’ just won’t do
LOVE the fabric pencil holders!
great tutorials! I think I’m going to make a business card case for my moo cards
lovely ideas!!!
Those pen holders remind me of what we used to do when we were little. I think I need to add some of that kind of sparkle to my desk at work.
I would totally makeover my office chair if we were allowed to express such creativity in my workplace (HAH! ironic, since we’re a live theatre
).
I really want to do that laptop sleeve for my mom! thanks
Thanks for the lanyard tutorial link.
Great stuff!
Looking forward to recovering my chair after the holidays are over! And I can’t wait to try some of those new recipes.
oh would love that book!
I’ve been wanting to cover my ugly office-supply store chair ever since I got it. Wonderful tutorials today!
WOW…another day filled with super ideas! Where will I find the time?!
Adorable! more great ideas! Especially loved the pencil holders…
I love that office chair recover! I might have to try that…
My December is going to be busy!
I love the recovered chair. I’m sitting on a rather prickly, uncomfortable office chair at the moment and I think I should do something about it. Thanks for the link!
I like the pencil holders. I am forever trying to find a cup or something to put pencils in!
Oh, thank you for featuring the A-line book, I had not heard of it yet. Now I have to add it to my Christmas list
I love those projects! And that book looks really interesting too!
wow that book looks amazing!
I would love that book!
Great ideas!
oooh, the business card case looks like a great option. and I love the fabric on the recovered office chair!
That book would be delightful!
i love the chair cover and laptop sleeve. First, I’lll try the chair cover for my computer chair.
Kathleen C.
Great ideas again!
In January, I posted a multi-day tutorial on making a seat cushion for my office chair:
http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/the-lull-after-the-storm/
http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/chair-cushion-day-2/
http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/making-the-bottom-of-the-chair-cushion/
http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/embracing-imperfection-finishing-the-chair-cushion/
If you work from home, or know someone who does, personalizing your workspace can make a big difference!
I love the lanyard! I am a teacher and this would be great for our IDs!
Love the cups!
i love the fabric used on that chair!
I love the business card case! Now all I need are business cards!
I want to win that book-it si stocked with adorable ideas! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’ve been wondering what to do with my bland office chair–now I know!
I love Jessie’s fabric choice today!
I Love all the projects today! They are all so cute and practical.
Does the book include adult sizes?
those pencil holders are great! i should make some for my office mate and i for Christmas!
so many good ideas!!!
Wish I had a job so I could have business cards to put in the case! I guess “professional mom” would be cheesy.
Woot! Thanks for mentioning my tute in Handmade for the Holidays!
great recipe roundup. I really want this book. Pick me!!
I bet that pencil holder would make a great knitting needle holder in my “office”. Great again, ladies!
love that laptop sleeve!
great ideas…the card case is SO cute!
Hi, I love your blog, am endlessly inspired… Thank You!!
Love those fabrics!
These would make great gifts for my s-i-l in law school
I love the fabric on the pencil holders!
The daily ideas are so much fun…thanks!
Love the patchwork lanyards!^^
Thanks for another giveaway~
Great ideas!!! I love the fabrics. I think the pencil holder is my favorite!!!
All are great ideas; the chair looks great!
I love all the fantastic ideas…thanks!
The book looks like a good one!
That book looks great…perfect for the mum of 4 girlys!
Gorgeous card case–and would love that A-line book for my daughters
I NEED to make a lanyard!
I’ve saved the laptop case tutorial and is on my ‘to-do’ list.
K
The laptop sleeve looks absolutely adorable. Contact LAupperlee@sheppardpratt.org
I would love to try out that book for my baby girl.
Oooooh, that book looks wonderful!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
fun, fun, fun!
stylish projects! i love them all!
I love the business card holder. And I made the laptop case – quick and easy!
Thanks for the great ideas! The recipe for the gingerbread cake looks so yummy.
Great projects!
The patchwork lanyard is something I will definitely make! It would look so much better than my standard issue school one! Thanks!
My girly is begging me to sew something for her…
Great office ideas! I know like 5 people who could use a laptop sleave!! (plus I need one!)
I’m totally going to brighten my cube up with the fabric pencil holders, and the suggestions on that blog for other DIY desk improvements like the stationary organizer.
Like the business card holder, I can never find my cards when I need them.
I love everything A-line!
Nice! I like the design of the laptop sleeve that opens on its short side…seems like it would cut down on bulk once inserted into a messenger bag (which means more room for cords and paperwork). Thanks for sharing a new perspective on some older ideas!
That Aline book looks fantastic
Very cute.
I love this stuff!
Thanks for the “Recover an Office Chair” link. I think that’s something I might have to try!
I am so glad I found your blog. As a beginner, I have found many of the listed tutorials easy to follow. As a SAHM this years christmas gifts have been fun and exciting to make. Thank You
The fabric pencil holders would be a cute way to dress up my office. Thanks!
The book looks great!
Love the office chair recover! Mine is so sad and sits in my kitchen for the whole world to see!
looks good to me!
I love the business card holder!
My husband could really use a laptop sleeve!
Great ideas
Would love to sew dresses for my granddaughter.
delightful
That is a great office chair!
Love the business card case!
what fun, planning the little girls summer wardrobe is a great way to chase the winter blues away!
I have an office chair that needs recovering too, I’d better get to it!!! I’d love to win the giveaway too!
I love these ideas! And I love the A-line book – that cut is so cute on my daughter!
Love the pattern for the laptop sleeve.
Great ideas and recipes, too! LUV’n it:)
Thanks so much for the fun ideas! I can’t believe Nov. is almost over, and you’re probably getting excited… I’m sure it’s been a lot of work.
I love A-line dresses!
Great ideas! Love the laptop cover the best.
I want to make a business card holder for my husband, but I had to promise to make it look “manly”. =)
Thank you for giving me ideas on how to change stuff up for my office!!! Love the pencil case and the office chair!!!
great ideas!i love the chair and the pencil holders are a great i dea that i was just recently looking for
so thanks!
Just got some moo business cards that need a holder!
All great ideas yet again!!!
Absolutely love the covered chair! How cool is that!
Great ideas. Thanks for another wonderful day of crafting photos.
Love the laptop sleeve! Thanks!
Thanks for the laptop sleeve idea!
I’m always looking for inspiration and this blog (and the A line book) are great for it!
Love the lanyard tutorial. My current lanyard is boring! Now I can have cute ones and switch them up.
My farm office could use some of these beautiful additions.
awesome
I LOVE these ideas. I also love the fabrics, mix-it ideas, buy-it ideas and the book to win!! Yea–pick me, pick me!! Y’all are so awesome to give this much–all the work you put into these ideas for us is such a gift. Thank you!!
I am DEFINITELY going to try to recover an office chair! What a great idea.
Just looking for the ID landyard,Thanks. Everything this month rocks.
Thank you for these wonderful projects! I love them all!
Laptop sleeve is the tutorial I downloaded some time ago from SMS and it’s on my “to do” list. My husband is waiting for it impatiently
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I should try to make that laptop sleeve..
Love the laptop sleeve!
I really love the business card holder, its such a beautiful piece and I am sure that Ill get plenty of comments on it when I make my own…I really like the recover a office chair as well!
That book looks adorable. And the chair cover is so clever.
Love the laptop sleeve, will certainly try it!
Fun stuff again today. I have a desk chair that could use recovering, so I will have to look closely at that tutorial.
The chair cover is my favorite project from today! I saw this book online the other day and was interested in it:)
Beautiful projects!
I really like that business card cover…
That business card case is lovely!
Thanks you for helping me discover A Print A Day!! I love this blog. The art work and projects are awesome!
Looks like a great book! Nice office chair too! Thank you!
Love all the holiday recipes posted! Thanks!
Sweet! Love that laptop cover.
love the pencil holders!
Love these ideas – the laptop sleeve is cute and so is the business card holder!
What a great prize book, I’d love to win it!
I love A-line dresses, they look so stylish.
i liked the print it section today
office chairs can be so boring, This looks fun!
Covering our office chairs is something we plan on doing when we move to our new building. Thanks for the instructions!
lovely.
I need to make those pencil cups to spruce up my craft room – so cute!
I have an officechair to cover! This is fantastic!
Great Ideas!
I look forward to the holiday list every day, so inspiring!
Thanks! I’m going to whip up some patchwork lanyards for my office friends.
I love that laptop cover.
Great projects, and I’m going to work my way through all those Mix It links… My waistline isn’t going to be happy, I can tell that already.
Such great ideas to make a desk (or cubicle!) look more interesting. Can’t wait to check out the sewing book too!
totally going to make a lanyard for work.
These are adorable! Thanks for the ideas.
Oh, this book is on my wishlist! Wish granted?!
Well, I’m not sure when the cutoff is for comments on this, but that little business card case is so cute! Thanks for the inspiration this month.
My cubical would be so much prettier with a chair covered in Jessica Jones fabric!
what a beautiful card case!
Pretty office chair
Love the laptop bag!
love mairuru’s blog
love the card case, & office chair…actually I love everything.
these are great!!!
I love the laptop case. I would love to try and make one for myself.
i love the business card case and jennifer’s fabric choice!
love! love ! love! the fabric covered chair
I adore it! How about that awesome chair?
That A-line dress book is such a great idea!