DIY Card Holder for Little One

Child concession card

Little One has reached the height of 0.9 metre some time ago. Although she is not 7 years old yet, we applied a child concession card for her. It is not necessary but she loves tapping our cards so much that we think maybe we should get her one for her own use. The application is free and can be done at any of the Transitlink Ticket Office. No topping up of value is required. However, in the event whereby the card is lost, a $10 administration fee is applicable. In order for her to travel around without fearing that she loses her card, I made her a card holder to sling around when she travels.

Completed Card holder

This is one mini recycling project. I used her old dress for the button. In fact, I made a few buttons using the covered button kit from Daiso since this dress is made from different patterned fabric. I tested each one of them against the felt fabric which I bought from (Drum roll, no prize for guessing correctly) Daiso again. You may want to use your old clothes for this project as well.

Materials used

Steps
1) Decide where you want the opening to be. Use the card as a guide to help you cut the felt. Wrap the felt around the card, enough to cover the card and some allowance for the button. The sides of the felt has to be slightly bigger than the card so that you can sew. Use a pencil to outline on the wrong side of the fabric the area you want to cut.

2) Sew a button at one end of of the fabric. (see below)

3) Use the same button as a guide to cut a slit at the opposite end. Start with a slit about the size of the button. If the button could go through the slit, you could start sewing blanket stitch around the buttonhole. Otherwise, cut the slit bigger if required till the button is able to go through it. 

4) Cut 2 small slits at the corner of the fabric as shown below. Blanket stitch the slits.

5) Attach a yarn or string to the fabric by inserting into the slits and tying a knot on the wrong side.

6) Fold the fabric into a card holder and apply blanket stitch all around the edges.

Tadah! She is now ready to travel all around Singapore with her card.

This post is part of the "Care for the Earth" series

• Care for the Earth (introduction)
• Our Green Library and Recommended Green Books. 
• Muse
• Making a Pinhole Camera (Craft)
• DIY card holder (Craft)
• "Lungs of the World" in Singapore
• Making a Yoyo Button Hair Accessory (Craft)
• A different birthday- a more down-to-Earth approach
• Celebrating Earth Day 

linking with 

If you have been enjoying reading our posts, like us on facebook

Tutorial: How to make needle felted animals

Early last week, while walking through Daiso IMM, I found wool roving. I was very excited because these are cheap! I have bought rovings at almost double this price at a craft shop! How can I resist buying these then? I bought each of every colour I found and a needle felting kit shown as below.

I am still a noob when it comes to needle felting. I do not know how to differentiate between the different types of wool. I read there are roving, sliver, top etc. I also read they are different types of needles meant for needle felting. Ah... these are for the more experienced and more passionate needle felting lovers. Meanwhile, I think my felting needle and wool roving would serve me well enough.

Today I will be doing a tutorial for needle felting of this animal kit.

I find that the roving in the kit is different from the more expensive one that I have bought from store. This feels courser. For beginner, I think this kit is good because at a cheap price of S$2, felting needle and wool rovings are already provided. You would need to read on that package what is being provided and what you need to prepare. I didn't have an awl, I went ahead to buy any way. Instructions are available in English. Estimated time take is indicated as well. I did mine within 3 hours.  I am quite happy with everything. The only complain I have is that the rovings are stacked on top of each other, instead of being rolled up. Hence I have got bits of black wool in my white roving. 

Tutorial 

1. Spread out the rovings, checking for any foreign particles. I found some and take them out. These foreign objects may break your felting needle when you stab them.

2. Pick out the amount you need for felting. In this case, instructions are provided in leaflets. Roll into the shape that you want and start felting on a felting mat or sponge.

3. Harden the wool roving by stabbing in and out. Tips available here

The almost-done core

The Core that looks like cocoon.

4. To add on more volume,.wrap the wool round the core. My suggestion is to felt the new wool along as you  wrap as per below picture. I do not mean to leave your needle like that. I couldn't hold the needle as I am taking the photo. Just put on your imagination cap, imagine my right hand felting the new wool on the core. Felt a few times as you wrap along the core. The purpose of doing this is better manage the shape of the sculpture.

5. After wrapping, secure the ends by stabbing into the core. Continue to poke in and out till the desired shape is obtained.

6. Making the jowls. Start by placing the middle of wool strip to the center of face, working sidewards and downwards, finally, back to the centre. This, I find, is quite a challenge to do.

The jowls is done but looked lopsided

7. Making the ears. Half a strip of wool and stab separately. Compare from time to time to make sure they look similar. Do not stab the joining end (to the head) too much as too much stabbing will harden the felt , making it difficult to felt on the head.

8. Make hole for the eye with an awl. I have tried to do without the awl, seemed like it is not working too well. I had a difficult time trying to dig holes for those eyes. The eyes looked almost like popping out! Whahaha... (refer to my last picture) Should have checked my hubby's toolbox for an awl. The eye parts are glued on after that.

9. Making the nose and mouth by stabbing black wool to the head.

10. Finally, open a jump ring, insert at the top of the head and close it. Pincer is required for the job. Put a ball chain through the jump ring

Ta dah!

The job is done. Hope you have been enjoying reading our posts and liking us on facebook

When I give this to my little girl, she asked me where is the body... LOL...

7 things I that I miss ...now that I stopped working.

1. Colleagues

Some colleagues became good friends. I was lucky to meet a couple of them during my stay at my ex-company. They helped you along when you have difficulties and sometimes even it is out of their job scope. I felt very touched and appreciated when they did me a scrapbook when I decided to leave the job.

2. Kampong Glam

Source

My last workplace is pretty close to Kampong Glam, one of the tourist attraction. This charming place is great for photography. Trendy clothes can be found here in Haji Lane. Doinky Doodles at Bali Lane is my favourite craft shop. Not forgetting EatPlayLove cafe which is located at Aliwal Street. It is my favourite hangout with my kid.

3. Libraries - Central library and Library@Chinatown

Whilst I worked in the Central District, these 2 libraries became my most frequently visited libraries then. These 2 libraries have special focus theme. Central library is where the world first green library for kids is located whereas Library@Chinatown focus on Chinese Arts and Culture.

Central Library

Library@ Chinatown

4. Shopping:- 

Close proximity to Chinatown, Clark Quay , Raffles City region, Orchard Road and Bugis

Shopping was effortlessly easy in the area. Whenever, I need to run errand, I would just hop on a bus, MRT or simply walk to get the stuff needed. Most of the time, I would be able to find the things that I wanted. Something cheap will be from Daiso @ Plaza Singapura or Chinatown Point. Shoes from OG Albert Complex, Clothes from Lalu at Liang Court. Craft materials from Daiso, Spotlight at Plaza Singapura or a couple of crafts shop at Chinatown. Gifts from several gift shops in Raffles City and Bugis

5. The Basement

This is a special cafe which I would like to introduce. I love the food there! I simply miss the food, especially the egg benedict!

6. The Museums

My ex-office is located in the museum belt. That means I get to visit the Museums during lunch time. Usually I would pop down when there is any exhibition that interest me and I would decide then whether the exhibition would interest my girl.

7. Money

Of course, I miss money! When I worked, I had my own salary and could afford buying things that I want for the family. Now I have to think twice! Sounds sad, isn't it? Nevertheless, I still did not regret the decision I have made just as long as I can be with little one. :)

________________________________

What about you? If you are not working, is there anything you miss most? If you are working, is there anything you think you would miss?

***Just received a sad news, The Basement cafe would ceased operation on the 12 Apr 2014. They would be having their first and final Saturday lunch serving on the 22 Mar 2014 from 1130am to 430pm.  They do not open on weekends, this is the first time they are doing so.