DIY Tablet Case

The market for tablet cases and accessories has really taken off.  They can be quite expensive if you're buying all name brand products, but even the knock off brands can cost a pretty penny.  I see a lot of good deals on Groupon, but the choices are limited. 

I bought my 7" tablet last year, and was given a bluetooth keyboard at Christmas.  I love the tablet because it is so mobile and fits in my purse, but I found myself not lugging the keyboard around so much because it didn't have a case.  There are a lot of good blogs for DIY cases, but most of them didn't have keyboards incorporated into the design, so I had to change up the pattern a bit to fit my situation.

The best blog that I found for a DIY tablet case was Practically Functional because the construction of the case was so easy because she used glue.  I have a new respect for glue and the different types you can buy for the purpose that you are using if for.

So, to begin, you will need the following:

• A binder or two depending on the size of your tablet and keyboard
• Fabric of your choice
• Felt
• 1/4" Elastic
• Mod Podge Glue
• Fabric Glue - I purchased Beacon Fabri-Tac
• 1 Piece of Cardstock Paper
• Foam Brush
• Tools: Scissors, Exacto Knife, Ruler, etc.

Remove the plastic covering from your binders because the dense cardboard piece is what is needed for the structure of the tablet case.  Cut the cardboard pieces down to the sizes that you need.  You can choose to round the edges on the outside corners, but make sure it is only the outsides of the case once it is assembled. 

Begin by measuring out your tablet and/or keyboard. You will want approximately 3/4" extra on each side and 1/2" on the top and bottom. For the sides/folds of the case, you will want around 3/4" - 1" thickness depending on the thickness of your tablet and if you are including the keyboard.  Make sure you stack them all up as if they were in the folded up position to get this thickness. You do not want to be short.  Use the exacto knife to cut the cardboard.

I copied off of the case that I had purchased for my tablet where the tablet supported itself on its back.  In order to do this, you will cut one full size piece for the front with the space around it as mentioned above.  Then, for the other piece that will sit directly behind that, you will use the same size, but cut it lengthwise at 1/3" of the width.  So, you will have two pieces - 1 at 1/3 of the width, and 1 at 2/3's of the width.

Next, decide how you want the outside of your case to look.  This is the best part because it can be totally custom to your style!  I chose 3 different fabrics for mine.  I love the quartered fabrics at JoAnn's because they only cost around $1 and you have a lot to choose from.  Since, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I actually sewed this together with a sewing machine, but you can just use glue.  Most importantly, iron the fabric before applying it. 

I also added a layer of felt in between the fabric and the cardboard for the outside of the case.  I like the padded look.

So, layout all the cardboard pieces for the cover.  Keep the full piece that your tablet will go in separate, and just use the other 2 pieces at the 1/3 and 2/3's lengths now for the back of the cover.  You will want approximately 1/8" between the pieces of carboard for the bends.  Cut your felt down so it is around 1/4" longer on all sides, and cut the fabric down so it is around 1/2" longer on all sides.  Apply the Mod Podge to the cardboard on the back side and place it on the felt.  Make sure you maintain your 1/8" between the pieces when applying it to the fabric.

Next, turn it over and apply the Mod Podge on the inside 1/2" perimeter and pull the fabric around the cover to seal it to the insides.  It doesn't matter how this looks because it gets covered up.  The rounded corners can it somewhat difficult, so you may have to cut away some of the felt, and this is where I found the Mod Podge didn't work so well, so I bought an actual fabric glue.  Mod Podge was only useful when gluing the fabric directly to the cardboard, not fabric to fabric.  So, you may have to use the Beacon Fabri-Tac glue at the corners to glue down the fabric.

Now, we will make the straps that will support your tablet.  Cut the cardstock paper down to the size of your tablet.  Cut (4) pieces of the elastic around 4" - 5" long.  Place your tablet face down and place the cardstock paper on the back.  Wrap the elastic around a corner of the tablet and pull it back so it is taught, but not stretched.  Glue down the elastic straps to the cardstock with the fabric glue.  Repeat the same step on the opposite corner, and then move to the other corners.

Turn the piece of cardstock over and glue it to the center of the full piece of cardboard for the tablet.  I used Mod Podge on the cardstock and the fabric glue at the elastic strips to make sure it was glued to the cardboard really well. 

Next, decide what fabric you would like for this piece and cut it so it is 1/2" longer on all sides than the carboard.  Start on one side by applying the Mod Podge to the face of the cardboard and then stop once it reaches the elastic.  Place the fabric on the over the part that has the Mod Podge on it, and then use the exacto knife to cut the fabric diagonally where the elastic strips are so they can go through.  Use the Mod Podge again to glue around the strips and over to the next set of strips, then cut the fabric again for the elastic to go through, and then finish gluing down the fabric.  Turn over the cardboard, and glue the pieces to the back, and then this piece is finished.

Almost finished...  Next, cut a piece of elastic around the width of the tablet and leave a couple inches on each side.  About 1-1/2" down from the top, glue the elastic on one side with the fabric glue, wrap the elastic around the front, pull it taught, and glue it on the other side 1-1/2" down from the top.

Next, choose the fabric for the inside, and cut it so it is 1/4" wider than the entire length minus the top piece of cardboard that the tablet piece will be glued to.  The edges of the fabric will be turned under in order to give it a finished look.  I sewed a hem around the entire perimeter to make it a little easier.  Apply Mod Podge to the carboard up unto 1" from the perimeter and glue down the fabic.  If you don't have a sewing machine, then start in one corner by folding the fabric under itself to create that finished look and glue it down with the fabric glue, and work around the entire perimeter in the same way.  If you did sew the fabric, then simply place it over the Mod Podge and glue it with the fabric glue at the edges.  Repeat the same step for the backside of the tablet cardboard piece, but it only needs to go up to the portion of it that will get glued to the small piece on the entire case.

Once that is completed, then the top of the tablet piece to the 1/3" length of the tablet piece that was not covered in fabric.  I used the fabric glue for this.  Place a heavy object over this part and let it sit for a few hours.  My case wanted to warp a bit with the glue on it, so the heavy object helped.

After it has dried for a few hours, then it is ready to use!  Insert your tablet and enjoy!  I really liked this project and overall it turned out pretty well.  My only advice is to measure, measure, measure.  My case turned out a little snug, but I increased the spacing of the cardboard pieces by 1/16" of an inch in this turtorial in order to help with that. 

The basis of design of this case can be used for a lot of items even if you don't have a tablet.  It would make a nice book cover, camera case, etc. 

 

Bachelorette Weekend in Hermann, MO

This weekend I went to Hermann, Missouri for a bachelorette party for my friend, Kala.  Greg and I went to school with her fiance, Derek, and they are a couple that we enjoy hanging out with.  Kala planned a winery trip weekend, in the little German wine country town of Hermann.  I've always wanted to go to Hermann, so it was nice to have a girl's weekend and just get away for a while.

We rented a cottage for the weekend.  It was in the middle of a neighborhood in a very odd spot, but it was a piece of history that they couldn't tear down.  There were 15 of us girls, so we took up every last bit of space.  The house had enough beds for 10 people, so we rearranged a bit and pushed many of them up against the walls in order to fit in some air mattresses.  Luckily, there were 3 full bathrooms. 

We woke up early on Saturday, spent some time around the house as the 15 of us got ready, and then we called a trolley to pick us up and take us to the first winery.  The trolley cost $15 per person for unlimited rides.  All we had to do was give them a call when we were ready for the next destination, and they would be there in less than 10 minutes.  It was a great deal.

The first winery was The Adam Puchta Winery. They had 17 cats, so you know I loved that winery.



The second winery was Stone Hill, which is one of the best selling wines in Missouri. They had a lot of good wines at decent prices around $10 - $15. I liked their Chambourcin, Norton and Hermannsberger, which is a mix of the Chambourcin and Norton. Very good! I'm going to look at for those at the liquor store.

We did a craft project at the house on Friday where we decorated
our own wine glasses that we carried around and used for the tastings.

The third winery was Hermannhof, and their wines were just okay.  The wines kept getting sweeter, and I'm more of a fan of dry wines.  The last winery was Oakglenn Winery, which was probably the prettiest, but we didn't get to sit outside because it was too cold.

We had the trolley drop us off a local bar around 5 PM, and us girls danced by ourselves for a couple of hours before we went to dinner.  We all expected to go out after dinner, but none of us made it, so we went back to the house, opened gifts, and we were all in bed by 11 PM...  Can you tell we're getting older?

I always stress over what to give as a gift to a bachelorette when they haven't been my friend for years and years.  I finally looked online a couple days prior for some ideas, and I came across the hangers with the person's new name, Mrs. So-and-So, or they say Bride or the couples names.  So, the night before I left, I decided to do a small DIY project and it was suprisingly super easy, so I'll explain just in case you feel adventurous and want to add in a cute present admist all the naughty ones.

What you will need:
1. 14 gauge wire (found at Home Depot) I read that you need around 10"-12" per letter, but I didn't use close to that.  I would say more around 6" per letter.  They are sold in 100' lengths and for around $6.
2. Wooden hanger
3. Needle nose pliers
4. Electric drill & bit
5. Super glue
6. Accessories such as flowers, jewels for bedazzling, ribbon, or paint (optional)

To start, simply place the wooden hanger down and write what you want to say in the approximate distance between the ends.  Make sure you plan for the slant of the hanger, so you don't want to get too close to the edges.  Leave a couple inches on the sides for the wire to be attached to the hanger.

If you need ideas for letters or cursive writing, there are tons of online websites.  Etsy has a lot of examples.

Then, start on one end and use the pliers to bend the wire for the letters keeping it around the same size that you drew out to fit on the hanger.  You will have to bend and rebend several times to get the letters to look the way you want them to.  It's also a little tricky to hold the letters that you already did while you work on it. 

I kept the wire attached to the entire spool while I was working on it, and I just cut it at the end because I was too afraid to cut the entire length at the beginning and then be short and have to start over.

Once you complete the letters, you can attach it to the hanger.  If there is a bottom wooden piece, then break that out and drill some holes on the sides to slide the wire into.  Glue the wire in the holes so it won't come out.  I tried using a couple glues and super glue worked the best.

The next step is up to you.  You can decorate the hanger the way you prefer.  I used a glue gun to glue a couple flowers on the hanger.  I saw some hangers painted in the colors for the wedding.  Some used a paint pen to put the date on the hanger, some just tied a ribbon at the top, and some made it super girly with jewels.

I think the hangers look really cute in the wedding photos of your dress hung up.  I wish I would have had one for my wedding, but I just didn't get down to the nitty gritty details of the type of hangers.  I think these would also make cute bridesmaid gifts with each of their names on a hanger.  The possibilities are endless!  :) 

Even Greg was impressed with my craftiness and said I should sell them online.  I don't know if we're to that point yet, but if you would like one made, I would be more than happy to make it for you out of the goodness of my heart.  Please feel free to ask.

Well, if you ever have the opportunity to go to Hermann for a weekend, I would highly suggest it.  I am trying to plan another trip this year with Greg maybe for an anniversary celebration or just a weekend with some of our friends.  Let us know if you're interested!

Have a good week!

Love for Our Pets

Our pets bring so much joy to our lives.  I haven't given an update on them in a while, so I figured I would do a quick post and let the pictures speak for themselves.  We have so many pictures of them!  They always do something funny and we're always reaching for our phones to snap a picture of it.

Chase is turning 3 this year, and Abby is turning 5.  Chase hasn't slowed down a bit and continues to sprint around upstairs after we wake up on a weekend and our downstairs eating breakfast.  He and Abby don't play as much, but they will every now and then if Abby starts it.  She has learned that if she just starts growling, Chase immediately stops playing, so the fights don't last as long.

Chase loves sugar and cereal.  He knows when I'm baking something sweet or when we are eating ice cream because he always wants to have a lick of something sugary.  I have started the habit of giving him a spoonful of milk from my cereal bowl.  I only have cereal maybe once or twice a week, and Chase is never around unless I have cereal.  It's like he recognizes the sound of cereal hitting the bowl or smells the sugar and milk.  He waits ever so patiently for me to finish my cereal for his milk.  Likewise, Abby gets a bite of an apple when I have that for breakfast, so if she patiently waits and doesn't beg until I finish my food, and then she gets her apple.

 

In our office, Greg taught Abby to lay in the papazan chair.  She loves this chair and it's hard to keep her out of it now.

On the other hand, Chase always has to be right in the action.  And he loves looking out the windows.  I would love for him to be able to talk and tell me what he sees all day and whether he likes looking at the birds or cars.  In this picture, he is watching the snow.

Chase lays down in the funniest places - laundry basket, hanging sheves, and only Greg's sink. 

Either it's the winter weather or maybe because he's getting older, but he cuddles with us all the time while we are watching TV.  He usually lays on Greg, while Abby rests her head on me.  Sometimes he will lay right on top of Abby.  They are so precious together.

They both love attention.  Chase is always around during any craft project I'm doing.  After I push him away enough when he is in my way, he just falls asleep in the middle of everything.

Abby slowly inches her way closer to the front seat in our car rides home.  She eventually will have her butt on the back seat and her elbows on the front console.  Don't worry, we push her back to the back seat once she gets up this far.

So, we admit it.  We spoil our pets.  But they are our children as of right now, and I couldn't imagine giving them any less love.

 

We've contemplated many times about getting another dog, but these two are just too perfect together that we wouldn't want to change their relationship and our devotion of time to them.