I just found out today is the anniversary of the ScrapHappy group of creative people who use it up and make something wonderful from what is left for scrap. We have also grown by four new members too! Please be sure to follow the links below to see what all the others have created this month!
Today’s item is in my estimation a prototype. I read a lot and get most of my books through my local library using Overdrive. The books are chosen from those available digitally through my library, and then I download them from Amazon onto my Fire tablet.
(I must mention this service is available for free, and that even if you don’t have a fire tablet, or other reading device you can also use your computer.)
Anyway, back to this month’s effort for scrap happy. I recently made some box valances for the windows in my new studio…
and there was about 1/2 yard of fabric left. So, I layered it with batting scraps,
quilted it, trimmed it, sewed it into a tube, then sewed the ends in opposing directions at top and bottom after stuffing it well. All to make a little pillow for my Fire!
It holds the tablet at the right angle for reading and saves my hands from holding it for hours. (arthritis) It also prevents neck strain from rolling my head forward to get a good angle to read when it is flat in my lap.
- So, is it perfect? No.
- Does it do the job I created it to do? Yes.
- Is it more comfortable on my lap than the lint roller I had been getting by with to hold it up and keep it from sliding away on my lap? Absolutely.
- Has it offered some free motion quilting practice? Yes! Again not perfect, but I think the random stitching works OK with the loud, large print of the fabric.
All in all it was a fun project, used up total trash from my quilting closet, and I can now read comfortably. Mission accomplished!
Please do visit these other lovely scrap users to see what they’ve created this month
Kate , Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda (me),
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan, Karen,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Johanna,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley and Dawn
NOTE: Overdrive is available for every platform and device for free HERE
Life on the Farmlet 
Perfect! And look at the clever little roll at the bottom to stop the edge of the tablet sliding out. Something made from scrap has to be either beautiful or useful, and this is both 🙂 Nice work, ma’am!
Oh how you do flatter me… 😉 Thanks Kate!
Not at all, sincere admiration 🙂
Are you a William Morris fan? I’ve always loved his admonition that a person should “‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Linda, I have no recall of William Morris, but I think you have spoken of him on your blog. However, I do remember the quote and I am working determinedly to accomplish this state in my existence. Too much stuff leaves you feeling crowded and overwhelmed.
I did write a post about him. I love his work, as well as his words. I have a “book” of William Morris patterned gift wrap that I use for very special gifts! And isn’t it true about that “stuff” we collect. I’m doing decluttering myself. On the other hand, the “spare and bare” business advised by some isn’t for me. There are things will simple beauty or sentimental value that need to stay.
I thought you had. That is probably where I remember the quote from too. And definitely some things must stay.
I have just this moment put 2 and 2 together to realize that William Morris is featured in (on?) some very lovely quilter’s cottons! I have never purchased any of them because I can never figure out how to make a cut and not feel grieved for doing so.
And as I have introduced you to Kate, I reciprocate in introducing Kate to you! Her super power is being a very creative and talented quilter in Australia who gets various quilter’s together each year to make charity quilts for Ovarian Cancer. The collaboratively made quilt is then auctioned off and the proceeds are a benefit to the charity.
I think it’s an admirable maxim, but perhaps a bit hard to put into practice in real life. Still, we can all try!
Kate, effort is commendable and half the way to victory! By the way, let me introduce you to Linda! Her super powers are finishing wooden boats and amazingly wonderful writing. I love her skill in crafting a tale and introducing you to some oft little known historical facts as she does.
🙂
So now you have a matching box valance and fire pillow and how many people can say that?
Yes I do, Lynn. LOL!
that’s a brilliant idea!
Thank you, Claire.
Very creative use of those scraps. Nice work.
Thank you, Anita. All these little quilted items are to get me used to FMQ on my sewing machine while still getting a usable product in the end. FMQ? Not there yet, but I have lots of table mats and pot holders! 😉
Lint roller? LOL!! So many uses… This is a great idea.. going into my “I need to do” list. 😀
I wish you better luck, Joanne. My “need to do” list grows faster than my output! 😉
I don’t use an e-reader (at this point, I’m not even sure where the Kindle’s gotten off to) but if I did, this would be such a great accessory. I think there probably are other kinds of supports made of metal or plastic and sold for more than they’re worth, but this one’s priceless!
Linda, I don’t know about “priceless” but it sure is more comfortable in my lap when I am reading in my chair or on the sofa. The benefit of the reader, for me, is much larger font size so I don’t blow out my eyes on the small print of printed volumes. 🙂
I used to love to read any chance I could. Then when I was in university and in the classroom I never had to to read anything that wasn’t “important”. Research in school, information for teaching my class, grading papers, etc. However, there was a fun bit; I loved reading all those glorious children’s books to my little students!
That was a genius of an idea, and it looks like it’s doing a great job. I thought at first you were making some artsy wallhanging to go with your valance. =)
LOL! No, Susan, but when it isn’t being used for reading its shape reminds me of the 1971 animated film called: The Point. It is a cute, message film and you can actually find the whole one hour of its vintage message on Youtube. Here is a trailer if you’re not interested in the whole hour. 😉
I love the look of the sewing room! You did a fantastic job!
Thank you, Lori! It isn’t finished to the 9s yet, but I can get to work in here and all the fabric can be stored in the closet and out of the light. And speaking of light, there are two windows in this room as opposed to the one in my old space which only got the hot afternoon sun! I have some molding to add to the shelf edges and some touching up to do with the painting… notice the underside of the computer desk is not painted yet? 😉 Now that I have a ‘working’ work space, and have moved in, I made those two little doll quilts on the wall. 🙂