Mini Button Pouches

These cute little lined mini pouches measure 4" x 5". One is sewn to fold over and can conveniently hold your teabags. The other is just a top button closure that can still securely hold a mini notebook and some teabags. Or they may be used to hold other small items.

I used small (0.394") coconut shell buttons and faux suede cording for the loop and button closure.

These were a simple project to make using only two pieces of fabric and creating box corners.

Here is a video sewing a similar pouch that is slightly larger if you'd like to sew your own.

Dirty Cabbage

This was my first time eating Dirty Cabbage and my first time making this recipe—and it’s definitely going into the recipe book!

I came across this recipe as a YouTube Short that showed up in my feed. Since I had never made it before, I followed his instructions as closely as I could. He didn’t give measurements as he added some of the ingredients, so I watched the video closely and did my best to gauge the amounts.

After making it, I realized there are a few things I’d tweak next time, including increasing some of the ingredient amounts. Since it was my first time making it, I didn’t want to over-season it.

But let me tell you…it was delicious! Definitely a recipe I’ll be making again! ❤️ Next we'll try his Dirty Spaghetti!

If interested you can get the recipe here from OneStopChop. 

Cork Fabric Flex Frame Pouches

I had an old flex frame pouch that was quite worn and tattered. I deconstructed it and used it to make my pattern to sew these pouches using cork fabric and a 4.72 inch metal flex band for the 'snap' opening.

The metal flex frames/bands came in three sizes and this was the larger size of the three. 

The pouches measure approximately 4.5 inches square.
 

Japanese Rice Bag

Sewed another Mini Komebukuro. The outer fabric is 100% cotton from a collection called Elegance by Corrine Wells. The lining is cotton fabric from my stash. The casing is olive green solid color dobby weave Sevenberry Japanese cotton fabric.

For the drawstring I used cotton cording adorned with wooden beads.

The bag measures 5 inches square at the base and is 5.5 inches tall.

I was inspired by this short video here provided by Tendersmile Handmade and just made a few modifications.
 

Embossed Vegan Leather Snap Pouches

These were simple flex frame pouches to sew once I had created a pattern from an old worn pouch I had deconstructed.

I used embossed vegan leather to sew these two pouches. The teal pouch is square and measures 4.5 x 4.5 inches and the rust pouch measures 4 x 4.5 inches.

Handy size pouches for your earbuds, keys, coins, cards or other small items.
 

Rose Gold Cork Fabric Snap Pouch

I used the pattern I had created by deconstructing an old pouch I had and used two different materials to sew these two flex frame pouches. 

The rose gold cork fabric pouch measures 4.5 inches square and the pink leather pouch is approximately 4 x 4.5 inches.

Sometimes these pouches are referred to by different names; self closing pouch, pinch pouch, squeeze coin purse, snap top, spring frame, but are usually made using the same metal flex band hardware. 

Hand Stitched Scrappy Bowl

This hand stitched scrappy boho-ish textile bowl was a fun and quick project. I used two pieces of white needled cotton batting basted together for the base. I drew a circle for the size of my bowl and a smaller inner circle for the size of my base. I then cut this circle out and cut 6 equal 'pie' sections to the 'base' of the inner circle. Folded each section up overlapping slightly to create the bowl shape. I used 12wt Egyptian cotton thread and randomly hand stitched my pieces of fabric to this base. 

You can view a demonstration here to create the bowl template.

My wonky, wabi-sabi bowl measures 2"H x 4"Diam. and 2" at the base.
 

Hello Autumn

Page excerpt from A Cherokee Feast of Days ~ Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Fabric Bowl

   I sewed this fabric bowl using the pattern included in the Tilda book; Hot Chocolate Sewing. I used 100% cotton coordinating fabrics from several Tilda collections and a low loft fusible fleece as an interfacing.

Finished size measures 3"H, 5"W at the rim and 3" at the base of the bowl.  

In the book she provides two pattern sizes for the bowl; large and small, I made the small bowl.

This book is filled with over 20 projects. You can choose from quilts and softies, bags and dolls, pillows and purses. Autumnal motifs include reindeer, mice, apples, butternut squash, ducks, birds, houses and more. 

So grab yourself a hot chocolate and plan your next project!

Sunflowers

This field of sunflowers just up the road from us is a beautiful sight when they're in full bloom around this time of year.

They're such a joy to see. Sadly, their vibrant, bright, cheerful appearance will soon be gone, full bloom typically lasts only about 20 days. 

If you'd like to read about the amazing history of the sunflower you can visit the National Sunflower Association. 

'Native Americans have been using sunflowers for food and medicine for at least 8,000 years, cultivating them as early as 2300 B.C. They utilized sunflower seeds for various purposes, including making flour, snacks, and even medicinal applications.' Visit the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to read more. 

Boro Sashiko Tea Bag Wallet

Sewed this Boro Sashiko Tea Bag Wallet using  patchwork dobby weave Sevenberry Japanese cotton fabric and did a bit of sashiko stitching.

Used a natural coconut shell button 10mm (0.394") and simple small hair elastic for the closure.

It has four pockets for your teabags and could easily tuck in two more comfortably or include a couple of sugar packets. 

Measures approximately 3.5 x 4.5 inches. Open it measures 7 x 4.5 inches. 

Tea Bag Wallets

At my sewing machine again. Used an old template I made years ago and sewed several Tea Bag Wallets using up some of the sweet Tilda fabrics (Sunday Brunch, Sanctuary & Jubilee) from my stash.

A simple pattern that holds four tea bags You could easily tuck in two more comfortably or include a couple of sugar packets. 

I used natural coconut shell buttons that measure 10mm (0.394") and simple elastic hair bands for the closure.

The finished size measures approximately 3.5 x 4.5 inches. Opened, the wallets measure 7 x 4.5 inches.

If you'd like to make your own, check out Pinterest for a variety of DIY tea bag holders.

Cute gift for your tea loving friends! Convenient to toss in your bag! 

Flex Frame Pouches

A while ago I bought a bunch of these Metal Flex Bands that I finally used in sewing these cute little pouches, including a triangle/pyramid pouch. You'll often find these referred to as pinch pouches, squeeze coin purses, spring frame or snap top and I'm sure there are a few others.

For the black/gray pouch I used linen prints from Around The Bend Collection by Anna Graham. For the other pouches I used cotton fabric collections from Tilda.

The two boxy bottom pouches measure approximately 6 x 5 inches. The lined triangle pouch is 5 inches. 

 For the triangle pouch I was inspired by sewingtimes  where she offers an easy to follow tutorial. For the lined boxy pouches I was inspired by a tutorial here by neige where she provides a simple technique using only two pieces of fabric with the option of making these into drawstring pouches if you'd prefer. 

Mini Komebukuro

I was inspired to sew this Japanese Rice Bag after seeing a short video by Tendersmile Handmade demonstrating a simpler technique. I made a few modifications.

I pieced my outer fabric in a boro style using select cotton fabrics from my stash. The lining and cord casing is a solid color black dobby weave Sevenberry Japanese cotton fabric.

For the draw string I used two pieces of leather suede cording and added decorative colorful glass beads.

The bag has a 5 inch square base and measures 5.5 inches tall.

Steampunk Notepad Folios

These were made using 110lb/300gsm heavy kraft cardstock as the base and Stamperia 8x8 Scrapbook Papers. I included additional notepad papers by attaching them with mini binder clips. The notepads have full magnetic backs handy for your fridge. The folios are each crafted with a convenient pen holder with pen included.

The Stamperia Scrapbook Paper Pads used: Voyages Fantastique & Around the World

The folios measure approximately 4 x 7 inches. 

Vintage Wicker Chaise Transformed

A few years back I picked up this white wicker chaise lounge and a bunch of bark cloth at a St Vincent de Paul Thrift store. I didn't take a 'before' picture of the cushions, but they were a solid sky-ish blue color and and had seen better days.

I had never sewn a slipcover before, but thought I'd give it a go. Not too much in the way of online video tutorials when I did this project, so I picked up a very helpful book; So Simple Slipcovers. It gave step-by-step instructions with full color photos.

I completed the slipcover with a zipper! I was quite happy with my results. I even made two coordinating throw pillows! Not happy with the stark white wicker, I spray painted the chaise lounge with a dark sage green. Definitely completed the look!

A Visitor At My Wood Shop

This hawk dropped by my wood-working shop for a short visit...long enough to snap some photos.

Not sure but it may be a Cooper's Hawk or possibly a Red-Shouldered Hawk.
 

Visit To The Dali Museum

Years ago when we were in Florida I visited The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg and snapped a few of these photos. You were only permitted to take photos on the first floor and in the gardens. It's located on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront overlooking Tampabay. Beautiful!

You can see and read more about the amazing museum here. And they're expanding! Read about the expansion here.

 

You can view a slide video below...added a few more photos  

Music: pixabay; alexrockbeat-silent-joy-579338

'Peaceful Meadows' Notepad Folios

These three Notepad Folios include a pen holder with pen, removable notepads with full magnetic backs and colorful mini binder clips to hold additional papers for notes.

I used Peaceful Meadows Scrapbook pad papers from The Paper Studio to mat the base of the folios that are 110lb/300gsm heavy kraft cardstock. 

 

The notepads are replaceable and the folios are reusable. Measure approximately 3.75 x 7 inches. The full magnetic backs make the notepads handy for your fridge!

Notepad List Trifold Folios

Each of these Trifold Notepad Folios include :

- Magnetic Closures

- Pen holder with pen 

- Removable Notepad with full magnetic back

   (handy for fridge!)

- Coordinating mini clips, sticky notepads, 

   decorative resin flowers and pockets to hold

   matchbook notepads (included)

 

I used Carta Bella and Echo Park Scrapbook Papers to mat the base of the folios that are 110lb/300gsm heavy kraft cardstock.

 

The notepads are replaceable and the folios are reusable. Measure approximately 3.75 x 7 inches.

 

Short slide video below:

Music: pixabay; alex-morgan-daylight-578475