The Scrapping Cat

Every time we go on a road trip, I wish I had something to do my word puzzles on in the car...something with a flat surface and a pillow underneath for comfort...so I was thinking...and voila...I had all the pieces I needed to make it already in the house. I've included some instructions for those that may wish to make one too.

Supplies:
Old pillow for stuffing, or a bag of loose stuffing
material for pillow (2 pcs. ea 12x16")
old pressboard placemat (11.5 x 15")
2 pieces of scrapbook paper 12x12
length of ribbon
hot glue gun
modge podge and paintbrush

 

Take the two pieces of fabric and place them together right sides facing each other. Sew a seam  around the pillow , leaving a gap large enough to stuff. Zig zag the raw edges or serge if you have one.  Turn fabric to right side and turn the outside…stuff to desired thickness.

 

Hand stitch the opening after stuffing is done. Set aside.

Cut scrapbook paper to fit the placemat…I chose 2 co-ordinating papers and rounded the corners as the placemat had rounded corners. Once paper is cut, grab your modge podge and a large craft paintbrush, and apply a thin, even coat on the top of the placemat. Carefully place the papers on top and smooth out any wrinkles. I use an old wallpaper seam roller to smooth it all out.

 

I cut a piece of ribbon to go over the seam. Apply a small amount of modge podge over seam and apply ribbon on top…let dry before proceeding to next step. ( I have a fake electric fireplace in my craft room and I just placed the board on the floor in front of the heat and it dries rather quickly)

Sand the edges with an emery board to smooth out edges and give a slightly distressed look to the edge.

 

Once dry, apply a thin, even layer of modge podge on top of the board, right over the papers. I find long, light, even strokes dry the cleanest rather than choppy brush marks, I go from the top to the bottom in one stroke to achieve this look. Also be sure to put a little all around the side edge to be sure the paper won’t lift at the edges.  Let dry completely

 

Once dry, apply a second coat of modge podge and let dry again. When dry, heat up your hot glue gun…when good and hot, apply a good amount of hot glue to the center area of the back of the placemat…you have to work quickly as the hot glue dries fast…center the pillow on the board and press. 

 

Run a bead of hot glue around the edge where the pillow with touch at the edges and once done, press the pillow into the glue, and use some heavy books to completely cover the pillow and leave until all glue is good and dry…and voila…you have a lap desk you can use in the car, out in the yard in the lawn chair, or wherever you need a flat surface on the go. Thanks for looking and happy crafting!!!