by Julie McGuffee

What you will need:

• Sport bottle
• Craft foam sheets - assorted colors
• Foam shapes
• Wiggle eyes
• Plastic lacing
• Pony beads
• 1/8" Hole punch
• Markers
• Tapestry needle
• Ruler
• Glue
• Rubber bands

Instructions:

1. Measure around the bottle ( circumference ) at its broadest point. Measure the height of the bottle up to the point where it begins to narrow. Use these measurements to cut a rectangle from the foam. Option: Use one sheet of thick foam or glue two sheets of thin foam together. When gluing two sheets together, cut the outer piece about 1/4" longer. While the glue is still wet, wrap the glued sheets around the bottle. Use two or three rubber bands to hold in place until dry then proceed as follows.

2. Use ruler and pencil to draw a line 1/2" from each end of the foam and 1/2" from the bottom edge of the foam. Starting 1/4" from one end, make marks 1/2" apart along these lines. Use a hole punch to make at each mark.

3. Fold about 48" of plastic lacing in half. Hold the foam around the bottle. Thread one end of the lacing through the hole at the bottom of the foam and the other end of the lacing through the hole on the opposite side. Thread one side of the lacing onto the tapestry needle then sew the ends together by threading the lacing backwards and forwards through every other hole to the top. Repeat with the other piece of lacing. This process is similar to threading laces onto a pair of sneakers.

4. Thread both ends of the lace through the center of a pony bead then tie an overhand knot above the bead.

5. Thread about 15" of plastic lacing onto the tapestry needle. Thread the lacing backwards and forwards across the bottom of the bottle. This prevents the bottle from falling out.

6. Make two holes 1/2" apart at the top of edge of the foam opposite the seam line. Fold 36" of lacing in half. Thread each end through adjacent holes at the bottom of the holder below the two holes at the top. Thread the ends of the lace up through the inside of the holder and out through the holes at the top. Thread the ends of the lace through the center of a pony bead then tie an overhand knot above the bead. Align the ends with the ends of the lacing at the opposite side then tie all four ends in an overhand knot to make a strap. Trim the ends.

7. Glue foam shapes around the side of the bottle holder to decorate then embellish with markers if desired.

Frog Pattern

DIE CUT DESIGNS ©
AND ® OF ELLISION ®

Use thick foam sheets or glue two thinner sheets together. Cut one sheet 1/4" shorter than the other. They will be even when wrapped around the bottle.