it’s the little things {diy mousepad}

To all you office/computer/desk workers … this one’s for you.

My computer mouse doesn’t really require a mouse pad, but after not using one for a few months, it was starting to scratch the painted surface of my desk. Option 1: sand and repaint the desk every few months. Option 2: get a mouse pad.  I decided to go with option two. Maybe there is such a thing as a cute mouse pad at some darling boutique somewhere, but at my local office store, my selection was: hawaiian sunset, corporate logo or plain black.  Which got me thinking … perhaps I could figure out a way to embellish a mouse pad to make it more ‘me’ … after all, I do use it daily and sort of like my desk to look pretty while I work. It helps me want to hang out here and get things done. Unnecessary? Completely. But sometimes it’s the little things that make me smile.

Does your mouse pad need a makeover? Continue on and I’ll show you how to do it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

:: mouse pad {this one was $5 at the office store, but you could use any old one. Company promotion gifts with obnoxious logos are perfect}

:: a favorite fabric {smooth is best}

:: spray adhesive

:: glass or other round template

:: pencil & scissors

STEP ONE: use a glass to outline a corner cut-out

Invert a small drinking glass and trace with a pencil to create a template.

{You certainly don’t need to notch the corners, but it makes the mouse pad unique.  You can get more ornate with your shape, or keep it a rectangle – it’s up to you.}

STEP TWO: cut out shape

STEP THREE: use the cut piece as a pattern for the remaining sides

STEP FOUR: cut all sides

STEP FIVE: cut 1/2 inch from two sides to create a square

Again, totally optional. I just liked the look of a square more than a rectangle.

STEP SIX: cut fabric slightly larger than mouse pad

STEP SEVEN: take your project outside and coat top of mouse pad with spray adhesive

STEP EIGHT: press fabric smoothly over mouse pad to adhere and let dry

STEP NINE: cut fabric to shape

 STEP TEN: stitch a border using a sewing machine set to a regular straight stitch

Again, totally optional and unnecessary, but after a few days of using my mouse pad I felt like it was missing something. So I stitched a border and now I love it.

And here it is looking all lovely on my desk:

So if you sit at a desk in front of a computer, try giving your mouse pad a face life. I hope it will make you smile.