E-readers, tablets and iPads have changed the way we digest information. They are quite portable and can get caught in the mix when travelling or attending meetings so make yours stand out. Nancy Zieman thought of everything when she designed the E-Tablet & Paper Tablet Keeper template by Clover. Really – everything. Why? Nancy will tell you (okay, I didn’t ask her but I’m pretty sure she would agree) the devil is in the details. And ‘homemade’ is definitely in the details. What makes one project look like it was thrown together and another to have been created over days and weeks? The details – the binding, the trim accents, the feel of the fabric and the fit. If you nail the details, then you’ll be pleased with the outcome.

Nancy has addressed all the details with helpful products that make the finished project look very professional.

First, there’s the E-Tablet & Paper Tablet Keeper template. A 3-in-1 pattern (that will probably outlast your tablet) for small, medium and large readers includes markings for a tab closure, magnet, center accent, pockets and the like. No guesswork here, just mark your fabric and cut.

Second, Clover’s Pre-cut Tablet Keeper Shapers. Oh my, slip this sturdy material into the keeper and voila! Your keeper is stiff as a board.

Third, Create-a-Strap fusible interfacing with precut folds. If you struggle with cutting and pressing strips into perfect rectangles, then this product is for you. Every time I use it, I’m so darn impressed with my results, I can’t help but grin. Nancy’s products make me look brilliant!

With these tools in hand, I couldn’t wait to get started. Since I’m a machine embroiderer, I wanted to embellish the outside cover. I played around with fonts in digitizing software and created this fun design. Then, I selected a faux suede fabric and hooped it in Magna-Hoop Jumbo to avoid hoop burn.

After the embroidery was complete, I simply followed Nancy’s instructions and completed the Keeper in about an hour.

I used elastic hair bands at the corners to hold my Kindle in place – per Nancy’s suggestion. I just tacked them on the corners (I followed the markings on the Tablet Keeper Template for placement).

The ends get hidden under the inner spine and later, the binding.

Wow – it was way easier than I thought it would be!

Love the embroidery design? I made it just for you!  Download the free 5” x 7” embroidery design by clicking here. You’ll find two versions – a youthful multi-color version and a more sophisticated two-color design.

Blog Tour Details The Tablet Keeper Blog Tour is underway. Twenty featured bloggers have been selected to create a Tablet Keeper and host a stop on this exciting Blog Tour. Clover sent each blogger a Tablet Keeper template set, plus all the findings (shapers, create-a-strap, hardware, etc.) Each weekday, for 20 days in January, be sure to visit the guest blogger’s site to see their Tablet Keeper creation. Each day on Nancy Zieman’s Facebook page, Nancy will be directing everyone to the next stop on the Blog Tour. January 3 Nancy Zieman http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog January 4 Amy Ellis http://amyscreativeside.com/ January 5 Sharon Pernes http://craizeecorner.blogspot.com/ January 6 Vicki Christensen http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/ January 9 Joan Hawley http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/ January 10 Pat Sloan http://patsloan.typepad.com/ January 11 Eileen Roche http://dzgns.com/blog/ January 12 Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com/ January 13 Fran Ortmeyer http://cloverusa.wordpress.com/ January 16 Ilene Miller http://happyvalleyprimitives.blogspot.com/ January 17 Julie Herman http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/ January 18 Jenny GabrieL http://www.sewvacoutletblog.com/ January 19 Natalia Bonner http://www.piecenquilt.blogspot.com/ January 20 Frieda Anderson http://friestyle.blogspot.com/ January 23 Cindy Cloward http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/ January 24 Beckie Hansen http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog January 25 Amy Webb http://www.amylouwhosews.com/ January 26 Allie Robertson http://thinkcrafts.com/ January 27 Mary Mulari http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog January 30 Laura Wasilowski http://artfabrik.blogspot.com/ January 31 Carol Porter http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog

Be sure to stop by Nancy Zieman’s blog for information on how you can win a Clover Prize Package valued at $135.00.

Here’s your assignment this week: So tell me, would you use the Table Keeper for a Kindle, Nook, iPad or traditional paper notebook? Leave your comment and you’ll be in the running to win a PAL – Perfect Alignment Laser. Don’t know what that is? Click here to read more about it. Love the embroidery design? I made it for you – click here to download the free 5” x 7” embroidery design. You’ll find two versions – a youthful multi-color version and a more sophisticated two-color design.

The winner of last week’s assignment answered the following question: Tell us what embroidery/sewing/crafting tasks you would use the PAL for and you could win a $25 shopping spree on the Designs in Machine Embroidery website. The winner is:  Carol Morrow! Her comment below was randomly drawn: “This looks like a terrific tool.  I would use it to align logos on shirts etc.  It’s always hard to get them aligned straight.” – Carol Morrow Congratulations Carol!