Customized magazine holders

I enjoy reading as I am sure you can guess by the bookcases.  But its not just any reading... I LOVE PAPER!!  I enjoy crafting with it, I love the smell of it especially in the form of magazines and old books.  There is just something about the smell of ink... Yes I have a bit of digital reading material but in all honesty... I prefer the feel of paper when I read.  There is just something about it (even if it does mean I have to drag out my reading glasses or squint to make out the words, ha ha! and yes I squint more often than not!)  So it should come as no surprise when I say I have a few magazines.  A few are current reads but most of them are magazines which are no long in publication so I loathe the thought of getting rid of them.  I shudder to admit this but... the top shelf of my closet and a small book case in our bathroom is filled with nothing but back issues of favorite magazines.  Did I almost mention I collect individual articles as well?  So how does a girl store them without having an unsightly mess?  Magazine holders!  And not just any but customized ones!!  My first set came with a collection of used magazines from the thrift store, set #2 I made but they were thrown out with set #1 by the movers, and set #3 were these from Ikea (which I still use)

I have to admit I love them because I can leave them plain or give them a bit of personality.  So with a bit of decoupage, scrap muslin, bits of velcro, and my sewing machine I covered them.  The ones for the guest/craft room are being covered with sheets of scrapbook paper.

The middle one was laid out flat and I sewed my fabric on using a zigzag stitch.  The other two were  simply covered with a thin layer of decoupage "glue" and then the fabric laid over the top.  After I made sure to smooth out all the wrinkles I went back over it with another coat of decoupage.  What is not pictured are the dots of velcro adhered just inside the top "spine" and on the underside.  These are to adhere strips of ribbon/fabric to coordinate with seasonal decor.  For now we like the unadorned look.

I do have plans to make up my own from the old pattern but that will have to wait because.... MY MOM is coming to VISIT!!  Its not often that I get to spend time with my folks as they live in Louisiana.  This trip will be rather poignant as my dad passed away earlier this summer and I haven't seen my mom in a year.  Thankfully Roland, my step-dad is a wonderful man and I am so glad to have him in my life, even if we don't see each other much.... well only as often as I see my mom since he is the one who drives her up to visit... she doesn't drive... hasn't for well over 40 years but that never kept her from stranded at home.  God gave her two feet and walked if she needed to get some place, i can attest to that because i've walked many a mile with her.  In fact at 72 she still walks about 3 miles a day just to stay in stay healthy!  So this week I am getting ready for their visit and next week will be spent visiting, shopping, and crafting (she doesn't know this tidbit of information yet)!