Tool Time Tuesday...Sheet Magnets

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. You know I love sharing thoughts, ideas and great finds on Sew Many Ways. Sharing is pretty much the reason why I blog.

Well, today I want to share something with you that someone shared with me! 

At the end of March, I received an email from Dinah...a teacher in Indiana. She found a fabulous product in the hardware store that she uses in her classroom and wanted to share it with me. Dinah doesn't have a blog and has given me permission to share her tip with you!!

You know I love magnets and here is the best deal out there...

Vent Covers. Magnetic Vent Covers that is.

Magnetic vent covers are used to close off heating or a/c vents when you don't want the flow of air through that vent any more.

Vents are usually made of metal, so the magnetic sheets work great to seal it off.

What works great for me is that the magnetic sheets are BIG...8 inches x 15 inches and there are 3 of them in a package.

The BEST part is the package is about $4.50!!! You can find it in the heating section where they sell the air filters and vents.

See...3 big sheets just waiting for you to craft away.

The possibilities are endless with these sheets...sewing to hold you pins and needles, magnets for the refrigerator (Dinah used puzzles pieces glued to the magnetic sheets) and these would also work great to make magnetic games for kids in the car. They'll never lose the game pieces. Car bingo, matching games, checkers, tic tac toe etc. The best part is you can design and create the games yourself with your children.

Maybe you can add some of your ideas in the comments section too!!

Thank you so much, Dinah, for taking the time to email me with this wonderful idea...very much appreciated. Something from the hardware store turned crafty...Tool Time at it's best!!

Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Eyelet Tool For Gift Tags

I was roaming through a craft store the other day...funny it wasn't a hardware store, but I love craft stores too. I found a package of eyelets in the clearance section. Woo, a new thing for me. Had to get it!!

I swear I will go broke on the money I "save" in the clearance section. The eyelets were on sale, but the tool that you need to go with it wasn't!! Lol I think the eyelets were 49 cents and the tool was maybe $6.00.

Oh well, I love it any way. I'm not sure what you use them for, but I've made some gift tags I wanted to share with you...paper and fabric.

Here's the fabric tag...cute, cute!

The tools you will need are...

• the eyelets
• eyelet tool or setter, which runs from $3.00 on up
• hole punch
• hammer
• piece of scrap wood to hammer on

Eyelets...

They come in different colors and sizes. These are 1/8 " or 3.1 mm. It is a one part system. There isn't a front and back piece.

Red and silver...100 per box for 49 cents. How could I pass this up? Tell me...HOW? Help me out ladies...I need to justify the need to collect every color they make...Lol

Here is the setter. It comes with three sizes and a hole maker.

This "sets" the eyelet.

Here is a little hang tag I made in 2 seconds...so easy. Used a paper punch and set the eyelet.

The steps are easy...

Use a hole punch the same size as your eyelet...this a 1/8 " hole punch.

Put the finished side of the eyelet on the front of the tag.

Turn it over on the scrap wood.

Use the correct size setter

Use a hammer and tap the setter one or two times.

It bends back the edges to secure the eyelet.

Cute on a gift bag or package.

Now you know I couldn't just do paper with a ton of fabric in my sewing room.

You will need fabric and Heat and Bond paper.

Iron the Heat and Bond to the wrong side of the fabric according to the package directions.

Type up a gift tag greeting on the computer or write one yourself.

Peel the Heat and Bond paper backing off the fabric.

Place your greeting message on the shiny Heat and Bond side.

 
Iron to set the two together.

Now it is one piece fused together.

Cut it out in any shape and punch a little hole at the top.

Set the eyelet the same way as the above directions.

Front eyelet...

Back eyelet...

Easy fabric gift tag.

This idea is perfect to make for any gift giving or holiday. You can customize to match anything. Great for quilting or sewing friends.

The tags are also great it you sell items. Print your logo or store name for the tags and the eyelet makes it look professional.

I think I "need" to go back and save some more money and see what other colors they have!!

Happy Tuesday,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Clamp For Turning Fabric Tube

Woo Hoo...another fabulous "man" tool that can be used for sewing and crafting. I started Tool Time over 3 years ago and thought I might find a few things in different stores that can be used for something other than it's intended purpose. Never thought I would find 3 years worth...

Well, I found one more...a locking clamp. I found this in Harbor Freight Tools for $3.99. It's used to hold things securely and reach into tight places. Probably for clamping hoses on motors or something. We also have locking clamps in the dental office where I work. They are called hemostats...much smaller though. Hmmm...need to ask my boss if I can have one. Add to my collection. LOL!!

The handle is like a scissor handle, but has a ratcheting locking system that locks the tip to hold something.

Here's a picture of the tip or nose of the clamp.

This is a long one...12 inches. (pictured compared to a pen)

Now onto the "Sewing" transformation of this tool... TURNING A FABRIC TUBE.

When you sew a fabric tube for handles on bags or anything long and narrow, boy can it be a pain turning it right side out.

Just insert the clamp nose into the narrow fabric tube until you reach the end.

When you reach the end, open up the locking handle...

grab a little of the end fabric and lock the clamp.

Pull back on the "locked in" fabric and pull through the tube.

Tah Dah!!!

I am not kidding with this...it is fabulous!! Fastest turning for me...ever.

You really need to get one. I have no affiliation with Harbor Freight, but it is a great store. I'm sure you can find this online or in an automotive store if you don't have Harbor Freight. I'm so mad, the one Harbor Freight sells on their website has cute bright red handles :(    Would have match my sewing room.

Happy Turning,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Quilt Ruler Suction Handle

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!  Today's Tool Time is not so much a tutorial, but more of a "fabulous find". You all know my 2 favorite stores are fabric stores and hardware stores. What I try to do is combine both loves into a TTT post.

Well, take a look at this beauty that I found in a Harbor Freight Tools store. ( I have no affiliation with the store, just sharing my "finds").

I know what you're thinking...what the heck is that?

For the normal construction worker, it's a great tool to suction to windows, doors, mirrors etc to carrying things around.

Two large suction cups lock down securely onto glass and then you can use the handle.

Tah Dah !!!! It suctions to a large quilt ruler.

Great handle for picking up the ruler from the fabric...

and the large suction cup areas provide equal pressure across the ruler when you press on the handle, so no slipping of the ruler.

I know the suction cups are large, but you can still see the lines on the ruler just under the handle if you cut this way. See my finger pointing to the line?

or you can easily see the marking on your cutting mat too.

This handle is the best purchase. I just love the ease of picking up the ruler with a handle.

Here's the BEST part...it was $5.99. AMAZING!!!

I bought it in the store, but click HERE for the link I found to their site! There is a single handled one too for square rulers. I need that one too. They didn't have it in the store we were in.

Hope you love this idea. Let's keep this our little secret from Harbor Freight. If they find out we're using their tools for sewing, they might raise the price! LOL

Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~