Placemat Organizer

Make an organizer from a placemat. Buy an ordinary rectangular placemat measuring approximately 18 1/2 by 12 1/2. You also can make your own placemat from your tartan. With the placemat laying right side down on a table, turn the bottom edge up 3 1/2 inches. Stitch the ends. Beginning at the left- hand side, measure in 6 inches and stitch from the bottom to the top of the folded up area. Measure another inch and stick again. Measure 5 3/4 inches and stitch again. You now have four compartments in your organizer. Add notecards, a datebook, thank you notes, a notepad, small address book, stamps, and a pen (in that small 1-inch compartment), and any other items you think the person might need. When I travel, especially on a guided tour, I take thank you notes, birthday cards, anniversary cards, get well cards, and a notepad for keeping track of the interesting things the tour guide tells me. There are those who do little extras for you who deserve a thank you; and there are those on the tour who are having a birthday or anniversary, and sometimes, unfortunately, there are those who are ill. I like to be prepared. Fold the back compartment in, then fold the front compartment over it. You now have your organizer. Use a small square of Velcro on the inside front corner of the first section and on the back corner of the folded in back section to hold your organizer closed, or sew pieces of coordinating ribbon to the middle edge of the front section and the middle of the back section to tie up the organizer.