Have you seen the big purses, or should I say suitcases, that are in style this year? They certainly hold a lot of stuff but I continually see women trying to climb inside them to find their key rings. Watching them always made me smile until the other night. The heat index reached 112 degrees here and there stood my own daughter, with three small girls all sweating buckets, digging in her large bag. We were at church and I had stayed behind to clean up my classroom. Wanting to get the kids to bed she had gone on but when I came out a few minutes later there she was, bouncing a baby on one hip, trying to hang onto a toddler and find her keys all at the same time. Frustrated more than a little by the time I took the baby she finally dug out her keys, took the kids through McDonalds for juice and then home to bed. It made me think though and next time she comes over I have a little surprise for her. I think these little key-keepers just might solve the cases of the buried keys.
I purchased these little clips in the school supply section and put them in my stash of stuff (I know what you are thinking but I couldn't pass them up). Little did I know how quickly I would use them.
Here is what you need:
Little clips (I got mine at Walmart but the Hardware should have them as well.)
One strip of fabric 14" X 2 1/2"
1" X 1" sew on velcro squares (both male and female pieces)
Sewing thread
Here is what you do:
1. With wrong sides together fold the short ends in 1/2" and sew.
2. With right sides together press the strip in half lengthwise and sew 1/2" seam creating a tube.
3. Turn the tube right side out. (I have a FasturnTM set and it is one of my favorite tools.) Press so the seam is in the center.
4. Insert one end into the clip, fold over far enough down that the machine foot clears the clip and sew down.
5. Now turn it over and place one of the velcro squares about 1/2" from the end on the front side. Sew it down.
6. Turn it back over and fold it down just beyond the velcro square. Sew the end down. (this method makes it more sturdy)
7. Measure up from the looped clip about 3" and align the second velcro square. Sew it down.
The key-keeper is done. They took about ten minutes each. Very little work and a big frustration reliever.
I made both of these for my daughter so she can leave one on that suitcase of a purse and one on the diaper bag she sometimes carries around.
I didn't put any embroidery on these but a quick embroidered letter from Alphabet Xpress would create a personalized gift in no time at all. That is what I am going to do for a young friend who just had a baby boy when I go to visit next week. My other daughter, when she sees these, is sure to want one too. I know one thing for sure - I have to get some more of these little clips! I guess if you didn't have any clips you could just put another velcro loop at the bottom to hold the keys. It will need to be kept closed though even when not holding keys or the velcro might get gummed up. I really like the easy open clips.
Another idea is to make one with a little pouch on the end to create a binky-keeper. And put the little chick that you can download here on it. Easy to find and cleaner than the bottom of most bags to be sure. I might try that one next week too. I'll show you when I get them done but if you make one first I'd like to see yours so post it in the gallery.
Stay cool and take care,
DB
For those of you who are Gluten Free here a great recipe for Flourless Very Fudgy Chocolate Brownies:
1 container Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Frosting
1 (8oz package) Philadephia Cream Cheese (softened)
2 eggs
Beat these together really well. Pour into well buttered 8" square Pyrex baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes until the sides pull away from the pan. Chill well and cut into squares. (Or scoop out warm and top with vanilla ice cream for a really yummy fudgy dessert.)
Don' laugh - It really is a keeper!