Saturday, August 25, 2012

Back to School Days Blog Hop Party & Giveaway!

I'm soooo excited.
This is my very First time participating in a Blog Hop Party!
Whoo Hoo! Turn Up the Music...Let's Boogie!
And YES...you can sign up for my very first "Giveaway"...keep reading...you'll find out "for what" and "how" and all that important stuff. [before we go any further...don't hate me...but the giveaway will only be shipped within the USA "this time" - I'm sorry my International friends, maybe next time]
The theme of the party is "Back to School Days" and I pondered a bit...wondered awhile...what could I blog about since all of our 'kids' are furry have paws

...plus it's been a really loooooooong time since I've been to school.
I remember I loved little bags and pouches to get my school stuff organized when I was a kid - there's nothing like a new little diddie bag to start the school year out right. I started thinking about my USB cords which were driving me to distraction. Jumbled in my computer bag...I was forever pulling the e-reader cord out when I wanted the camera cord...or the IPod cord when I was looking for the cell phone cord...you get the idea. 
I've seen some cute little cord holders...with zippers...and I don't mind zippers...but I never have the right size...or right color...and ok...the truth? I may not 'mind' zippers but I don't jump for joy when I have to sew one in a project . Then my quilt 'sista' Deanna sent me a link for a folded tissue holder (think 4-patch folded coaster - you remember those dontcha?) and I got an "Idea". If I changed the shape...just maybe....and "Ta-da" - now my cords are 'coded' and 'neat' - and no longer a tangled web of wires.



Aren't they cute? The one with music notes holds my IPod cord... the one with letters you might guess holds my e-reader cord. And finally I have a "Keeper" for my cell phone cord (that would be Snoopy) because I made it today so I could show you how too! (Wow...my FIRST Tutorial!)

First you'll need 5 squares of fabric. I used "charms" of our cutie new Peanuts fabrics from Timeless Treasures.











You could use just about any size square - just size your circle (next step) acCORDingly.

Now for a circle pattern. Mine is about 4-1/2"...it also looks aLOT like the lid to my yogurt container...because it IS the lid! There's always something circular around you can trace if you look hard enough...and it's usually easier than trying to draw that perfect circle. Stack all 5 squares of fabric together....

with the lightest square on top....remember Wrong Side UP!

Pin your layers together and cut.....
Remove the pin...and gaze upon your 5 circles
Now off to the ironing board you go...pressy pressy 
Next...time to arrange your fabrics....
Now place your freshly pressed half circles in place...starting with "a" then "b" (just like school, huh?)
Then "c"...
Now "d" 
Pin to hold all layers in place and move on to the sewing machine.
Use a 1/4" seam and to insure "nice curves"...use a small stitch. Keep watch - don't let your half circles flip out of place.
Sew completely around - overlapping your beginning and ending stitches.
Trim threads...now Turn Right Side Out!
Press Nice and Flat! If you look at the first picture of "3" keepers...you'll notice I topstitched the one on the top left...that was the 2nd one I ever made. I really can't decide which I like better, plain or topstitched. It's up to you.
Time to hide the Cords in your Keeper!

I hope you'll make some Keepers of your very own. Of course you are free to make these for your pleasure and feel free to sell them at your craft shows. If you post pictures...I'd love to see them. And I know you wouldn't dream of copying my pictures - but please feel free to link back to my blog.

OK...It's Give Away time! Are you Ready???
Since the Peanuts kiddies here always remind me of school...and school days is the 'theme' - our give away is a wonderful very 'healthy' 1/2yd cut of the border stripes fabric from this line and 4 fat quarters (one each of the fabrics I made my new little Keeper with)...I just love Timeless Treasure fabrics!

To enter for our Give Away Drawing (deadline to enter is midnight Sept 3rd)..please leave a comment below..and I would LOVE if you LIKED our Shop Page on FB (Country Crossroads - see link on the right). Include your email if you don't have a profile that I can easily find you at. Remember again...I know... I'm a party pooper...but only entries with USA addresses will be considered...however my International friends...I hope you'll still leave a comment because I soooo want to know you've come to the party! Oh and if you are 'anonymous'...chances are your 'email' will be too...I can't reply and let you know if you've won because I won't know who you are. 
THANK YOU QUILTERS GALLERY for the FUN and for hosting this party! It Rocks! Don't forgot ya'll...click the Blog Party Link on the right (at the top) to find more Party Fun! Or click HERE...that'll work too!

Thanks so much...I hope you had fun. I know I did! I hope to see you again soon...alas...I'm consistently "inconsistent" with posting to my blog on a regular basis...*sigh*....but I keep trying!

Lynn...The Thimblemouse >"<

Update 9-4-12
Congrats Lisa Cox our Give Away Winner!

142 comments:

  1. Love the tutorial......will have to do a few.......always have to search for my cords in my purse.....they will be easy to find with the pouch.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maybe something I can even do, what with all the projects I have piled on my plate!

    Mary ANn Harpe

    ReplyDelete
  3. Now for the third time to leave a comment.......I just LOVE this project! The possibilities are endless! Using Christmas fabrics they could be made to hold stocking stuffers added to the bow on a present.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the whole project. You did a fantastic tutorial. These are fast and easy. They make great gifts as well! Xoxoxoxo Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the whole project. You did a fantastic tutorial. These are fast and easy. They make great gifts as well! Xoxoxoxo Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lynn, I loved this tutorial. I have made oodles of those coasters and never thought about using them for my cords. Thanks again. Love your blog!! sandi in tennessee

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lynn! This is an awesome tute! Always love to read your blog and the tute is an added bonus. Going to make a lot of these for my quilt group. They're just going to love them!! This is sew much fun.

    Connie aka Kornelia

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lynn - What a clever idea and a great tutorial ... sprinkled of course with your wonderful personality! This is something I'll have to try.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cute, cute, cute and so very utilitarian. Thanks for that tutorial and you did good! Would love to be chosen for Peanuts! reginadematteo39@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Super job! I like that you CORDinated the fabric to the CORD within it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am loving this... so simple, can think of a lot of things that can be kept neat and tidy... thanks for the hard work on the tutorial it is great.. Can't wait to browse through your FB account...just did LIKED it... and now will take my time to look.

    ReplyDelete
  12. These are so cute! I'll have to make a few for my stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Super cute!! I am new follower. What a wonderful idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a clever idea... and such cute fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the cord holders and your tutorial made it look so easy ! I plan on making some for my quilt group as little gifties. Now to hop over to facebook and like you ! Thank you so much , even if I don't win your prize the gift of the tutorial is awesome !

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great tutorial. Thanks for a chance to win the fabric.
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the fabric! My kid also has fur. She is part beagle, and I can definitely see where Charles Schulz got his inspiration for Snoopy :) I do also like you on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I onlty have Kitties myself. The cord keeper is a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the chance to win. I liked you on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lynn, you are such a great teacher. I'm glad to see you sharing your knowledge and creativity with a wider audience.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Super tutorial! Now I know how to keep my earbuds from getting all tangled in my purse! Perfect solution. Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I came back to post a comment LMAO. I read all of the blogs and just love the tutorial!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a clever idea for cord keepers. I have a Peanuts Tervis tumbler that I take my hot tea in when I go walking. The Peanuts gang makes me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the tutorial! I might need to try that soon!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love Peanuts! I'll be doing a Happy Dance it I win! Great idea for those snarly cords.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I was seriously headed to bed , that was before I read your great tutorial and now my mind is spinning and I really want to try and see if I can make one of these handy dandy storage keepers....SO CUTE! And who doesn't love Peanuts!! :D

    sowingstitches [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a great tutorial. I'll have to try this out.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I made one of those round thingies before, but it was called a wine glass coaster. You just gave me an idea to put it to good use!
    Love the Peanuts fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  29. eep! That's brilliant! I travel for work, and cords (always black) are all tangled up. And these would be great for stocking stuffers, too! I'm a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  30. So nice to find your blog via this blog hop party! Those Peanuts prints are really so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I LOVE Snoopy! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial! And adorable Peanuts fabric!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance! I liked your page! Have a Nice Day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for the cute tutorial and the giveaway! My son loves Charlie Brown so I think those fabrics are great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love your give away and the tutorial. Thank you for joining the hop.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love the tutorial - always handy to find cute ways to store not-so-cute-but-essential things like cords and whatnot. :) Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is so cute I love the idea of the holder. The other day I stuffed all the cords in individule bags how fun it would be to have little holders for them. Thanks for giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for the tutorial. I liked you on facebook. And thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your cord keeper tutorial is great. Perfect way to control the many little cords in our lives. Thanks so much for sharing and for the chance at your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Awesome! Just awesome! The Blog AND the tutorial! I'm making some this afternoon. Thank you, Lynn, for taking your time and sharing your talent!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your cord keepers are a very clever idea! And the Peanuts fabrics are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great tutorial, Lynn!
    Not to mention, another reason to buy more pictorial fabric....so you'll know what's in each bag!

    ReplyDelete
  43. What a fun tutorial...great pics! Thanks for the sweet giveaway as well!

    ReplyDelete
  44. That was such a great tutorial! Snoopy is my all time favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  45. What an awesome tutorial. I liked you on facebook. It would be under Marcia Ringeisen Kosturock

    ReplyDelete
  46. What a great idea! I don't have FB, but I think I need to make some of those for my kids 'junk'. =) Thanks for a great tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  47. What a great idea! And I love the Peavnuts fabric too! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks for the fun give away. Love the tut also. Peanuts is one of my favorite people.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love this tutorial - love it! I can't wait to make some and will be heading to the sewing room when I finish this. I'm so glad Terry from Terr's Treasures pointed the way to your blog. Sorry I don't do Facebook but I like you anyway. :) blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  50. What a fun post! I love the cord keepers and I'm going to make some. Thank you for such a great tutorial And a giveaway too!
    I'm not on Facebook but I sure Like you! and the dog in your button too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Liked your idea of cord keepers. Thank you for the information on how to make them.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Love your tutorial! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Love the Snoopy fabric and what a great tutorial. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thank you for this idea!! I love it & am off to the machine to make some immediately!
    Glad to see I am not the only one fed up with the cord issue.
    I am going to try some square ones too - look for photos :)
    Cheers
    Lush
    London, UK

    ReplyDelete
  55. Wonderful tutorial! Thank you for the great idea to help organize all those pesty cords.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Fabulous idea and well described instructions, thanks. I might try a few of those! I know a teacher at school who would flip over the peanuts fabric. If I end up with it I will have to make her something with it. She is a fabulous teacher and her favorite character is Snoopy!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Fabulous tutorial. Thanks so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. CUTE fabric! And the cord keepers are awesome. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway. I'm a new follower. I found you thigh the blog hop and I'm looking forward to your posts. Oh and I liked you on fb.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Loved the cord keepers. I am going to make these for my grandchildren. Thank you for the great giveaway. The "Peanuts" gang have always been a favorite of mine.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love the snoopy fabric. What a clever idea to keep the cords. I will have to try some.

    ReplyDelete
  62. THanks for the tutorial. Love the Peanuts fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I'd love to be included for your giveaway. I'm retired from teaching my own children, but hopefully my grandchildren will enjoy those school days, too.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Love the cord keeper, I need to make one for my headphones. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I like you on Facebook-- and love these cute little USB cord keepers! Great idea!

    Thank you so much for the chance to win this cute, fun fabric!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  66. K-UTE fabric!! Thanks for the giveaway. (sorry I don't have facebook)

    ReplyDelete
  67. I liked you on FB. I love your tutorial. I may try to have my sixth graders make one this fall.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I love peanuts. I also love your cord keepers, they are very practical. I might have to whip up a bunch for my house.

    ReplyDelete
  69. What a cute idea for a cord minder! I've made the coasters but never thought about another use.

    Please include me in your drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love your cord keeper idea! I've seen ones make with zippers in them, but it always seemed like such a small item to mess with the zipper. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Thanks for the great tutorial! Super idea!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I Liked your Facebook shop page.
    Those cord keepers are such a great idea! I can use them. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  73. What a great idea. Even if I don't win the fabric, I'll made some of those. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love this project and your good tutorial! I'd like to make some of these for my library's benefit Sale (not until Dec.). (Now I hope my comments shows up becausse I've been having some trouble with comments for some reason).
    This is a great idea for a giveaway-thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Really cool idea!!! I visited you on FB too :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. I just love your idea and the tutorial is wonderful. I will make some of these. Thanks for the nice giveaway too! I will visit your FB after I finish. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  77. I am usually overwhelmed by tutorials, but this one is just perfect. Great instructions, and easy enough to make a fun and useful project. Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  78. This is a great idea; cute, simple, practical. I need to check through my scraps.

    ReplyDelete
  79. What a cute tutorial! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the opportunity to win some fabric!

    Cassandra

    ReplyDelete
  80. thank you for the giveaway-- i love the peanuts fabric and the tutorial
    cjscraftcorner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  81. LOVE LOVE your TUTE and the Peanuts!!!!!

    I am now follower #38 here on your little blog and I will be getting your blog thru email also.

    I'm sorry but i don't have facebook but I'm really interested in your post that I have read to far.

    Sincerely,
    Tricia

    ReplyDelete
  82. Love the comic fabric - thanks for the opportunity to enter your give-away. From northern Iowa . . . .

    ReplyDelete
  83. from Florida USA
    Thanks for the lovely giveaway that is so in keeping with the back-to-school theme. I love fun fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  84. What cute fabric!! Love it! I will try to like you on facebook later this week. I am borrowing my moms computer tonight and am not sure I can log her off because I'm not sure she knows her password :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. What a cleaver tutorial! Thanks. And great giveaway. Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  86. What an awesome tutorial! I love the simplicity of it and the usefulness of having some way to 'store' all those annoying cables. THANK YOU for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I live in Italy, but I have an american mailing address as well, so can I enter this lovely giveaway?

    sorry I can't like your FB page but I miss that account =(

    ReplyDelete
  88. Nice job with the giveaway and tutorial..I think I may even stick around and follow you :)

    ReplyDelete
  89. Great tutorial! I think I'm going to be making a bunch of these for Christmas presents. I love the Peanuts fabric - what could be more "schoolish" than Charlie Brown! Thanks so much for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  90. I liked you on facebook and am following your blog now too :)

    ReplyDelete
  91. What a clever idea - thanks for the very easy to understand tutorial! And thanks for the chance to win this adorable fabric!!

    ReplyDelete
  92. What a cool idea! Thanks for sharing your tutorial!! This is super idea for Christmas gifts for the older Grandgirlie's!

    Don't have Facebook...but do Like you! Did become a new Follower on Google Friend too! Thanks for chance to win!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  93. This is a very cute idea! And will definitely help, as I have that exact same cord problem.
    Thank you for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Way a nifty idea I would have never thought of something like that. Thank you

    Awesome giveaway too

    Thanks

    llmgabbard60 at Gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. Love love love your cord keepers tute! It's already marked in my favorites. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway too. BONUS!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Very cute project! I think these would make cute holders for little gifts for my granddaughters.
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Hey I think I will make some for my cords...good idea:)

    ReplyDelete
  98. these are TOO cute!! thanks for the great tutorial!!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Wow! I've always wanted to learn how to make those, I've seen them as coasters though. Very cool! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  100. great tutorial!
    thanks for the giveaway chance1
    susie
    legato1958@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  101. Great idea for storing and color coding cords. Thanks for the tutorial

    ReplyDelete
  102. What a clever idea! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Great tutorial! Thanks for the opportunity to take home some fun fabric!
    loritfrench@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  104. Love this tutorial. Guess these cord keepers will be next on my list. Thanks for the giveaway.
    rmk815@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Loved the tutorial for the cord keeper looks like something I will add to my to do list.. And I love the Peanuts fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  106. I signed up for your newsletter. Thank you for the cute tutorial. I think these are great Christmas presents. I hope you meet a lot of new friends and followers on the Blog Hop. Your giveway is a very thoughtful and useful gift.

    Sandi T.
    Sonora,CA
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  107. Thanks for the tutorial for the cord keeper. I will be making a few for my college age daughter. I can't wait to look at you blog a little more. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  108. Thanks for the chance to win! :) Liked your page on FB, also. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  109. I liked you on FB. I love this fabric and your tute. Gotta' make some of these cuties. Also, I love your blog name!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Awesome tutorial! and cool giveaway. I'm on my way to like your FB page, and I'm a new follower and look forward to reading!

    Thanks for the chance!
    Karrie
    ksmith8@emich.edu

    ReplyDelete
  111. Great idea and thanks for the tutorial! Would love to win some Snoopy & Peanuts gang fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  112. What an adorable idea...thanks for sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Love love snoopy/peanuts.used to draw them as a kid

    ReplyDelete
  114. THis is a nice tute. I don't have many of the gadgets that have cords, but my grown children do...wonder if a few of these in stockings would be a treat for them! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  115. My BFF loves the Peanut Gang. I'd have so much fun making her something from this!!

    ReplyDelete
  116. Adorable cord keepers...I'm going to have to put those on my "must make" list! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  117. I love your idea for holding cords as I also have a few and am always grabbing the wrong one. Think I'll have to try making one.
    sandi1100@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. This is absolutely adorable adn extremely useful! Can't wait to work on this.

    dragonldy18@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  119. I loved your tutorial, it was so easy to understand and what a great idea. We all have way too many cords hanging out everywhere and what a cute way to corral them and know what's inside. Thanks for posting, I enjoyed the party!!
    mountainmona@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  120. Such a cute idea!
    my email is marsha.seiberling@gmail.com

    I did finally see how to see my email, but since when did our blogger profile to to our google+ page? That was new to me. I've not been leaving my email address on other giveaways as I thought it was easy to find on my profile page.

    ReplyDelete
  121. thanks for the opportunity to win. Enjoyed your tutorial, what a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  122. I'm so glad you included the tutorial. Thanks! And I am a Peanut fan myself. I love the way the adults "talk" in the Peanuts movies.

    ReplyDelete
  123. I stopped by today to check this out. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  124. I love these and t he tutorial is great , Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the design of the cord keeper -I will make the first right away! Tank you!

      Delete
  125. Hubby goes off on his out of town teaching assignment Sunday...I better get busy because he always has a plethora of cords! Thanks for the easy treat. :>O MS

    ReplyDelete
  126. Great Idea, thanks for sharing with us.
    EAC

    ReplyDelete
  127. Oh my .... these are super cute! Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  128. you know - I have made over 100 of these coasters for a group project - never thought to use them for cords. Great idea! Now I know what to do with those crazy ear buds that get all tangled up in my case. Thank you.
    Mona
    Comox, Vancouver Island, Canada

    ReplyDelete
  129. Great idea for our family's Dollar Gift.

    ReplyDelete
  130. Lynn - I loved your pics. However, the only thought that kept sticking in my mind in the pic where you folded the circles into half-circles is that it looked like you were making "fabric pierogi!" Look at the pic with the half-circles again. Seriously, they look just like pierogis!

    ReplyDelete

I just love to hear from you and I truly do read every comment. Sometimes life gets a wee bit crazy and I'm not always able to reply to them all...but I'll keep trying! If you are Anonymous or a no-reply blogger, leave your email with your comment, otherwise there's no way I can reply to you - and maybe you're okay with that - but if there's a give-away and you win...you'll never know!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...