Cool-Down Ties, Dog beds and Smelly Jelly!

These are not hard and fast rules but guidelines for making dog beds, cool- down ties and smelly Jelly. Instructions can be changed and adapted to suit your own tastes as well as needs.

Dog Mats or Beds

Measure the size mat you would like that is appropriate for the size of your dog. Cut two pieces of fabric, one for the top and one for the bottom. The best fabric to use would be a natural cotton as you want water to easily go through to the Crystal Ice. If you have a serger you can use it for the outside edges of both the mats and the ties. If not, sew up the three sides of material double stitching for strength, and turn the piece inside out. The fourth side can be finished by folding under then placing together to sew, but that's later.
After you've sewn the three sides and turned the piece inside out using your sewing machine, sew parallel tubes about 1-1/2 inches wide running from the finished edge to the unfinished edge. Put about 1 teaspoon of Crystal Ice (see below) per 12 inches of length of each tube. Close the fourth edge using your serger or by folding the pieces together making sure the ends of the tubes are closed off. If your mat is going to be large and your tubes long, you might find it necessary to stitch across the tubes in the center of the mat, making two tubes out of each one. Don't forget to put the Crystals in the first half of the tubes before sewing down the middle though.

Making dog beds using a standard pillowcase for the casing is easy and is a great size for a smaller dog. When soaked, it's just a little smaller than a 400 sized crate. Divide the pillowcase into 8 vertical channels and then divide each channel into 4 sections. Use about 1 tsp. of Crystals in each section.

Commercial dog mats have a laminated fabric covering which is closed with velcro. These can be easily made using laminated fabric purchased from a fabric store. Use the same technique as above without the tubes being sewn in and add a flap at one end with velcro to close.
This covering is not necessary though. If the material you use is light colored you may want to slip a second one over the bed so that you can wash the cover. The outer pillowcase will still get and stay damp from the inner one containing the crystals so make sure that it is protected underneath from surfaces you don't want to get wet.

When the inside mat is soaked in water, about 30 minutes will give you 20% absorption, 60-90 minutes should give 100% saturation. If you find it's too full or not full enough, you may need to let it dry out completely for several days and add or take out Crystals Ice as needed.

Cool Ties or Bandanas

To Make Cool Ties or Cool Bandanas:

These can be made in several ways. You can take an ordinary bandana and make a cool collar for yourself by simply folding over the wide edge about an inch or an inch and a half and stitching the "hem" down to create a tube. Complete the bandanas as with the following instructions for the ties.

Cut long rectangles of fabric, approximately 4-6 inches wide and about 18-20 inches in length. If using a rectangle, fold it in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and stitch the long edge as well as across one end to create a tube. Then, using the sewing machine, stitch across the tube 6 inches from the center close to the finished end (if using an 18 inch rectangle of fabric this would be 3 inches in from the end of the tube).

Place a teaspoon of Crystal Ice into the tube and work them down. This is important because your sewing machine will NOT stitch through a Crystal. Now stitch across the tube about 3 inches from the unfinished end, enclosing the Crystals in the center section of the tube. Sew the fourth edge of the tube closed. Again, as with the mats you'll need to soak one to be certain that you have neither too many nor too few Crystals. With a central tube 12 inches long a measured teaspoon seems to be a good amount. This will be a personal choice that you can experiment with on your own. You can use a velcro fastener at the end or even make the ends without Crystals longer so they can be tied. Just be certain that you adjust where you stitch to create the central tube so that the center tube remains about 12 inches long.

Saturation

Using about 2 tsp. per 18"-long tube 1-1/2" wide, a mat hung out on a clothes line for 5 days in 100 plus degrees (daytime temperature) still had a bit of moisture retention. If it had been lying on a flat surface it probably would have been quite functional after 5 days.

Storage

Warning --when not in use hang in a well ventilated area. This will help prevent mildew. If desired, place your mat or tie in a zip-lock bag and place it in the refrigerator. This will keep the cool-tie hydrated for months. If longer storage is desired, make sure that the mat/tie is completely dry.

Washing

Hand wash in mild soap, rinse thoroughly and hang in a well-ventilated area to dry. A vinegar and water solution may also be used. Do not machine wash or dry in dryer.

Smelly Jelly

To make Smelly Jelly:

1) Fill a measuring cup with 6 oz. of distilled water.

2) Add 1 teaspoon of Water Crystals.

3) Stir in 1 - 2 teaspoons fragrance oil. Water based scents work just as well.

4) Add a few drops of food coloring for desired color.

5) Mix all ingredients and allow to sit for approx. an hour or so. The crystals will soak up the water and expand into little gel-like pieces. Makes enough to fill an 8 oz. Jelly Jar with Smelly Jelly

6) Smelly Jelly Jars look cute with net, lace, or thin material in the lids (using only the rim and leaving out the middle piece)! This helps keep dust off your smelly jellies. Pick a material that goes with your product theme, such as country. Or you could pick a material to match the scents, like fruits, flowers, etc!

7) You can also use smelly jellies in potpourri warmers for an even stronger scent!

Water Crystals Ice * How to Mix with Water * Display Ideas * What Others Say * Cool-Down Ties & Dog Beds

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