Keep your family's computer mouse company with Dora and her friends. It takes just a few minutes, and you can find everything you need easily at craft stores and craft-supply Web sites!
To make this a do-together craft, substitute fabric transfer paper for the iron-on transfer paper.
Mouse pad blank (at office-supply and craft stores)
Fabric transfer paper (optional)
Fabric glue
Step 1
Place the iron-on transfer paper into your printer as indicated on the package and print the Dora mouse pad printable. Set the printable aside for a few minutes to dry, and then cut out the image leaving at least an inch-wide border.
Step 2
Preheat the iron and fold the towel into thirds on a countertop or other hard surface. To further protect your countertop, you may want to place a magazine or a large book under the towel. For best results, though, don't use your ironing board.
Step 3
Center the transfer paper image-down on the mouse pad blank and iron with firm and steady pressure. Start at one corner and work your way slowly to the opposite corner, and then do the same for the other two corners. Finish by moving the iron in a circular motion around the entire area for 10-15 seconds using steady pressure.
Step 4
Starting at one corner, slowly peel the paper back away from the mouse pad. Some transfer papers must be removed while hot, others only after the paper has cooled. Check the package instructions to be sure. Allow the mouse pad to cool a few minutes before using.
Do It Together!
Print in "mirror image" mode onto a sheet of fabric transfer paper. If your computer does not have a "mirror image" mode, print the page on plain paper and use a color copier to reverse the image onto the fabric transfer paper.
Carefully set the printable aside and allow it to dry for at least 10 minutes. When dry, your child can cut out the image, peel it away from the backing, and stick it directly to the mouse pad with fabric glue.
