Necessity? Perhaps.

In the mind of P this project was a necessity. After school let out for winter break, I finally had the time and patience to sew this tool cart cover. I was definitely glad this had an easy box shape. I have yet to figure out how to create elaborate patterns that actually work. After measuring the box, choosing and buying fabric that met the criteria P set (durable, dark, thick, and weather resistant. My criteria was cheap... with a tag of $15 with a 50% off coupon, I got a steal!), cutting it with scissors (SO thankful my mom got me those expensive fabric shears years ago. They are amazing! I have yet to purchase one of those fancy cutting boards...I have a rotary cutter, but no board! Good thing I can cut straight!), and sewing the pieces together, voila! A custom cart cover to protect the tool cart from damaging elements (i.e. sun, rain and *snow*) while it waits to be moved to its permanent home in P's future shop.

Before & After

Isn't she a beaut? Got a great deal on her too. The Matco rep tossed it in as a bonus when we bought P's GIANT toolbox (seriously. The thing is huge. 72" x 42" x 25" Luckily for now, we don't have to keep it at the house. Its hanging out at the dealership where he currently works, thank goodness. It would probably take up most of the "front room" here). Now that I'm looking at it though, maybe I will have to bring the tool cart inside. Since its covered and looks decent, I can use it as a makeshift TV stand. The possibilities are endless!

The following photo is a work of art which graces the side of the tool cart facing the wall. Its a direct result of my impatience while doing math. I shorted myself a yard (I needed 144" worth of fabric, which is 12 feet. Apparently in my mind, 12 feet equals 3 yards. I know. Since when was a yard 4 feet long? Its embarrassing, really. Maybe I'm numerically dyslexic?). But, with a little finagling, I made do with what I had, and saved myself from wasting money and having leftover fabric. Extra fabric can be such a pain. I never know whether to toss my remnants away or keep them for the sake of the possibility I might need them in the future. So far I haven't needed the remnants I've kept over the years, but someday, just maybe.... :) A girl can dream of being ultra practical and super thrifty, right?

Question: What kind of program do you guys use to create picture collages? I'm pretty sure I'm stuck old school for the time being...I used Paint to put the two pics above together....Yikes!