Creative Juice

Materials:
tape measure
exterior fabric of choice
lining fabric of choice
quilt batting
sewing machine
coordinating thread
contrasting thread
1/2" elastic
hand sewing needle
science fiction pulp book cover
laser copier
space-themed scrapbooking paper
laminating sheets
laminator
glue stick
double-sided tape

1. Measure the width and length of the laptop.

2. To make the flap panel, cut rectangles of exterior fabric, lining fabric and quilt batting that are twice the length of the laptop plus 2" and 1-1/2" wider than the laptop. Layer exterior and lining fabrics right sides together, top with quilt batting and pin in place.

3. Stitch the layers together, leaving a small opening to turn the case right side out. Turn the case right side out, turn opening edges under and hand-stitch closed with a whipstitch.

4. To make the sleeve panel, cut rectangles from the fabrics and batting that are 1" longer and 1" wider than the laptop. Construct the sleeve panel to match the flap panel.

5. Line up the sleeve panel with one end of the flap panel, lining sides together. Slip one end of the elastic in between the panels and pin in place. Stitch along three sides (backstitch over the elastic) to create a pocket for the laptop. When you reach the third side, directly across from where the elastic was inserted, sandwich the other end of the elastic between the panels before stitching. Hold the elastic out of the way while stitching the third side.

6. Laser copy the front cover of the book. Glue the copied cover to a space-themed sheet of scrapbook paper. Center the paper in a 3mm laminating sheet and laminate. Trim around the cover, leaving a 1/2" border of clear lamination on all sides.

7. Center the laminated cover on the front flap of the laptop case. Secure with double-sided tape; use a zigzag stitch and contrasting thread to topstitch the cover to the case.

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Bake it: Area 51 Cupcakes

Here’s a secret recipe sure to spark some close encounters of the yummy kind: crazy, colorful Area 51 cupcakes!

Ingredients:
1-1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1-1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. milk
green and purple icing color paste or green, blue and red food coloring
1 carton vanilla frosting
gummy candy, eyeball candies, sour worms
cake glitter and sprinkles

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beat thoroughly and stir in vanilla. Add flour mixture, alternating with the milk, until thoroughly mixed. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter.

3. Bake for 15-17 minutes in a preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.

4. Let the cupcakes cool. Add a small amount of color paste (with a toothpick) or food coloring to vanilla frosting and mix to the desired color. Frost the tops of the cupcakes.

5. Add gummy candy, sparkles and eyeball candy to the cupcakes to create Area 51 aliens.

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Make it Kids: Chip Can Rocket Ship

Transform an ordinary chip can into an amazing, imagination-blasting rocket!

Materials: potato chip can, construction paper, glue stick, rubber band, small scraps of paper, glitter paint, corrugated paper, Folkart silver craft paint

1. Glue construction paper around the can; hold the paper in place with rubber bands until dry.

2. Add an oval window, star details and glitter.

3. Cut a half circle out of construction paper, slit halfway up from the flat edge, twist together to form a cone and glue in place.

4. Cut a paper towel roll in half, cover with construction paper and glue to the body of the rocket.

5. Add cut triangles of corrugated paper for fins. Paint them silver, let the paint dry and attach them to the rocket.

6. To make the rocket zoom across a room, cut a drinking straw in half and attach with hot glue to the center body of the rocket. Thread monofilament through the straw and run the line across the room. Pull the rocket to one end of the room and push across the room.

Posted by cathieandsteve at July 31, 2008 11:27 AM