I know I need to use lip balm more in the dry winter months. Finding my lip balm stick somewhere at the bottom of my purse is usually a challenge (no clever or disparaging comments need be added here). But, I can usually find my keys – so I decided to mechanically associate the keys and the little tubular thing. You can replicate this idea with a little bit of fabric and a metal ring.

Supplies:
two – 2” x 9” heavy fabric pieces, or if you want to use quilting cotton, strengthen with a layer of heavy weight iron-on interfacing.
one – 1” ring (either solid or split key ring type)

Instructions:

1. Place right-sides together and sew along three sides with a 1/4” seam allowance. Leave one short side open.

2. Trim excess fabric from corners.
3. Turn right-side out. Push out corners using a chopstick. Press.
4. Tuck about 1/4” of the raw edges of the opening in. Do not sew closed at this time.
5. Fold the fabric tube 2 1/2” from the closed end. Press.
6. Edge stitch along three sides of the 2 1/2” overlapped fabric to form a pocket.
7. Fold the open end over one inch. Press.
8. Slide the metal ring into place under the one inch flap.
9. Sew along the end of the one inch flap to secure the ring.
10. Place mini-tubular lip balm container stick into holder.

Expand on this idea if you have other reasonably small, long objects (perhaps a mini LED flashlight) that would be easier to find if attached to some other object. For example, a split ring could be used to attach a case to a belt loop. A case might be custom sized for the mini LED flashlight mentioned earlier, or a pen and/or pencil, or any relatively small, light weight object that you use a lot but always seems to be misplaced (euphemism for lost).