A visit to a huge technical superstore last Sunday allowed me to get a new mouse for my PC. How could something so plastic and technical make me so happy? Well, it works, that’s how.

In celebration of my shiny new mouse, I decided to ditch my generic gray mouse pad and use some new, inexpensive fabric I bought at Ikea to craft a custom, jazzy new mouse pad.

To my delight, I was able to complete this nifty little pad without purchasing one single item from the craft store. This would be a terrific project to do with the kids, as well as the teenagers. And don’t be afraid to try some more unusual shapes just for fun.

Materials you need:

10-inch-by-10-inch piece of scrap or new fabric

8-inch circle template — I used a salad plate

Pen

Scissors

10-inch-by-10-inch piece of cork

Heat ‘N’ Bond Ultra craft paper

Sandpaper (not shown)

Iron (not shown)

Step by step:

1. Trace or draw your desired shape on a flat piece of cork.

2. Cut out the cork shape.

3. Smooth off sides of cork with sandpaper.

4. Press a 10-inch-by-10-inch piece of craft paper onto the piece of fabric.

5. Trace the cork shape on the back of the paper-backed fabric.

6. Cut out the fabric and peel the paper backing off.

7. Place fabric onto the cork with edges aligned.

8. With a hot iron, press the fabric onto the cork, making sure it adheres.

9. Enjoy the bright spot of color on your desktop.