They're Bored, they're Blasee & They Belong to You.. Time to break out the Bandanas

BANDANARAMA

No we are not suggesting you tie up your teen or tween.  Just suggesting you get your misunderstood and angst-ridden offspring out of their heads and even out of the mall and into the workshop, making some fun wearables and usables either for themselves or as gifts to begin stockpiling for the holidays.

Base = 4 Matching/Coordinating Bandanas

No-Sew Bandana Bag
No sewing! Just cutting & tying.

You Need

• 2 tables 
• and a microphone

scratch that... rather, you need

• 2 - 22" bandanas
• fabric scissors

Instructions:

Most bandanas are printed with a border. Cut this border off in two 1" wide pieces setting them aside to be used in making a handle later. Lay bandanas out, wrong sides together, lining up edges as best as possible. Using fabric shears, cut a two inch slit every 3/4" to create a fringey border.  Feel free to cut these jaggedly, which means you may have some bits and pieces to discard.  Beginning at one of the corners, take one of the fringes from the top and one from the bottom and tie them together in a double knot. Tie one on each corner. Continue tying all around except for the top. This will be left open as the purse cavity.

To make the handle, cut each of the two long scraps in half lengthwise (leaving them long and now very skinny). Braid three of these long pieces together knotting at each end. Knot and end to each side of the bag. You may use the extra scrap to cut and tie as bows or knots on the sides of the bag. Iron the top fringes down on each side (optional).

Sneakier Sneaks
Takes the term designer sneakers to a new level
You Need:

• colored shoelaces
• patterned bandana (yep, to match the bag you just made)
• large-mouth pony beads
• perm marker
• fabric glue

Instructions:
Start by changing out your laces with colored ones to coordinate with your bandana adding  pony beads as you go.  If you are really ambitious you can cut the border off the bandana (in two strips as done with bag above) and use the strips along with your laces to go through the grommets and tie up your sneaks.
You can also cut pieces off your bandana to glue onto the front or sides of your sneakers.  Finally, use a permanent marker to draw your own paisleys or designs from your bandana directly onto the shoes.
Now you have a matching bag and shoes ensemble.
Ta Da!

Book 'em
Lest the greenies get you for waste, use the remaining scraps from your custom sneakers as well as your last untouched bandana to round out this project trio

All You Need:

• a smallish journal to be covered
• your last patterned bandana
• any residual bandana scraps
• some more pony beads
• fabric glue
• stapler (if needed)

Instructions:

Keep this last little project simple and you will have a wonderful custom-designed journal.  

Begin (again) by cutting the border off your bandana.  This will be used to tie the journal closed.

Just slather or spray a thin film of glue or adhesive onto your journal, starting with the front cover, and working your way around.  Cover with bandana as you go, leaving equal borders of bandana off the edges.

Depending on the size of the journal used, you can either be bold and roll & tie the ends into knots at the corners of the book. Or merely tuck the extra bandana over the books edge and glue in place.

Take the last unused long strips of bandana (two please) and glue or staple them just inside your journals front and back covers, midway down, to be used as closing ties. Add pony beads to these ties to looks and to keep them from fraying.  Then tie closed in a bow & voila!  

There you have it, a triumphal triumvirate of coordinating crafts and, better yet, gifts