iPhone case makeover

A few weeks ago I picked up my iPhone and realized that the case was very dirty. It even had a chocolate stain (or two) on it. (What can I say...I love chocolate). I admit, I was embarrassed when I realized how filthy the case actually was.  Not wanting to spend thirty bucks on a new case I decided to make over the one that I had.  Below is a recap of how I transformed my dirty case into a fabulous case.

First step - removing the fabric backing from my case. I gently picked at one corner of the fabric with my finger nail and I was surprised at how easy the fabric came up. It was very easy to gently pull the fabric back and remove it from the plastic case.

I tried to use goo-gone to remove the dried glue from the plastic case, but it didn't work.  So I just left the dried glue on the case.

Next, using the old stained purple fabric as a template, I carefully traced the shape onto my new fabric. I had decided to fussy cut out one of the skulls from the Alexander Henry 'skullduggery' line of fabric.

Using permanent markers I colored in the rose next to the skull.

Before cutting out the fabric, I traced around the lines with Fray Check and let it dry.

 After I cut out the fabric I put more fray check along the fresh cut edges. I did not want to take any chances of having the fabric fray while working on it.

Originally, I thought I would mod podge the new fabric onto the case, but then I remembered that I had Nunn Design UV jewelry resin which I had not tried yet. I decided this would be the perfect project to test out the resin.

I followed the steps in the kit, first using the glue to adhere the fabric to my plastic iPhone case. I put the glue on using an old paint brush. I had a hard time getting the corners to stick down and actually put a bit of glue on top of the fabric (as if it were mod podge) in order to get it to stick. I let it dry overnight.

The 2nd step is a sealant, that only needs 20 minutes to dry. Again I used a paint brush to apply it, but I let it dry overnight.

The 3rd step is the UV gel. The gel was a bit smelly, I recommend doing this in an area with ventilation. I also wore latex gloves to protect my skin in case I got messy. Let's face it...I make lots of messes. The gel itself was very thick and a bit hard to apply. Then again, the gel that I had was two years old, so a newer bottle might spread more evenly. After applying the gel with a brush I put the case under my UV light. It "baked" for 20 minutes. When I took it out, it was slightly tacky. The instructions said it would continue to harden for the next two hours. I decided to let it sit overnight.

The next day it was hard and shiny and pretty. But I could see where I had applied the gel unevenly. So I did a second coat...again letting the case harden overnight.

The end results are great. The case looks cool, and it's unique. The gel isn't 100% even, but I'm okay with that. I think it turned out fantastic for my first attempt using UV gel resin.

The case has also been holding up well to normal every day use. It's been tossed in my purse, pants pockets, gym locker and even spent some time in an ice rink and it's just as shiny and new looking as the day I made it. Overall I love it the case and I'm impressed with the Nunn Design UV resin.  I can't wait to make more stuff with it.

Big Girl Bed - Fabric

Fabric shopping with a 3 year old was interesting. Mostly L ran around the store pointing out all of the animal fabrics, and showing me how high she can jump.  But when I showed her the completed quilt sample of the pattern that I'm going to make her, she got very quiet. My talkative niece was speechless. Yup. I think she likes the pattern.  :)

We picked out all of the fabric, and it's currently sitting in my studio, per-washed and folded. Ready to cut.  Here's a peek at the fun fabric we choose.

1. FreeSpirit - California Dreamin, Mailu by Jeanean Morrison
2. Moda - Meadow Friends by Deb Strain
3. Moda - Central Park by Kate Spain
4. Robert Kaufman - Mixmasters, Fizz by Patrick Lose
5. FreeSpirit - California Dreamin, Palm Springs by Jeanean Morrison
6. Riley Blake Designs - Feeling Groovy by Cynthea Sandoval "Doodlebug Design"

My SIL told L that "Auntie Kat is going to cut up all these fabrics, and them sew them back together into a quilt for you".  L just looked at me and smiled. I can't wait to get started on this one!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!

My valentine's day gift to myself was increasing the mileage that I ran this morning. I'm training for my very first 5K. The race is in late July so I have plenty of time to slowly work my way up to running three miles. Every few weeks I add on 1/10th of a mile. It might not sound like much, but it's two additional laps around the track. I figure slow and steady completes the race. I don't need to win, I don't even need to be in the top ten. I just want to finish at a pace that's comfortable to me and have fun doing it.

Here's some valentine's day silliness - I did a little heart filled photo shoot today.

 Hope everyone's day is filled with love, chocolate and fun. 

Big Girl Bed Quilt - color choices

When my SIL asked me to make a quilt for my niece my very first thought was to use the Lilly & Will fabric that I have tucked away. That is until my SIL said "only use a little pink".

Grrrrrrr. She knows me too well. I would have made the entire quilt pink, pink pink!  But when I stopped to think about it, she's right. While the Lilly & Will fabric is beautiful, it's also soft and pastel and that does not fit L's personality. L is more of a rough and tumble girl. My SIL asked for bright and bold colors. Again she's right...bright and bold "fit" L's personality best.

Previously, I had never thought about picking a fabric based on the recipients personality.  I've always gone by what colors I were pretty and that the giftee would also like. So this will be an interesting "challenge for me".

 We did however, pick a pattern. I'm going to be using "Creature Comfort" by Karie Patch Designs. I love this pattern and think it's just perfect for a little girls room. I can't wait to find the perfect fabrics next!