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 

 

Double Notepad Folios ~ Jr Legal Pads

These colorful Double Notepad Folios were made using heavy black cardstock as the base and matted with Dina Wakely Media Collage Collective 270gsm papers.

Both have handy slots for your pen. One folio includes a colorful binder clip with a removal shopping list pad that measures 3x7 with full magnet back handy for your fridge.

Each folio measures approximately 5.5 x 8 inches. 

Notepad List Folios

I made these Notepad List Folios using Stamperia 8x8 Scrapbook Pads and heavy 300gsm/110lb kraft cardstock paper as the base.

Stamperia Scrapbooking Pads used: Sunflower Art and Forest 

They are reusable folios with removable notepads. The notepads I used have full magnetic backs making them handy for your fridge. Each has a convenient slot for your pen. I've added colorful mini binder clips to hold additional papers for notes. Each measures approximately 4 x 7 inches.

If you'd like to make your own, you'll find many variations on Pinterest for notepad holders and folios. 

You can view a short slide video below

Music-pixabay; silent joy -alexrockbeat-579338
 

 

Matchbook Notepads with Hidden Staples

I discovered a tutorial that demonstrated how to make these matchbook notepads/notebooks with hidden staples at Remnants Remade here.

I bought an inexpensive Heavy Duty Stapler that staples 50 to 90 sheets. It uses 1/2 inch heavy duty staples and it came with 1000 staples all for only $15, which I thought was reasonable.

These little Matchbook Notepads measure about 3.5 inches square and each holds 60 sheets thanks to my new heavy duty stapler!

 

Chunky Bead Dangle

Finally made my first bead dangle! I was inspired after seeing this Simple Beaded Dangle Technique here. 

Over the years I've collected a variety of pretty beads and began my little hoard with the intention of making a chunky bead dangle some day. Occasionally I'd pick up other necessary tools and wires for simple bead making. Recently I bought a 'One-Step Looper' which turned out to be quite the handy tool for this project!

I tried my hand at wire wrapping sea glass and made some pendants using suede lace for cordage. You can view that previous post here.

Little Blizzard Books

These miniature Blizzard Books measure approximately 1.75 × 2.25 inches. The tiny book measures 1 x 1.25 inches. The book pages are folded from Sumi Art Paper (washi/rice paper). The marble paper covers are from Pepin. The blue floral on white paper cover is from Norman’s Printery, it's a screen printed design on recycled newspaper, which I believe is no longer available. The purple-ish book, including both its pages and cover, is folded entirely from the same handmade paper from India.

I followed the instructions in Hedi Kyle's The Art of the Fold to create both the Blizzard Books and their pleated-closure schoolbook covers. Everything is made entirely by folding—no sewing, glue, or staples required!

Paula B. Krieg also offers easy-to-follow tutorials for both projects on her YouTube channel. In one video, she explains how to calculate proportions, customize the Blizzard Book/Card Carrying Case, and in another demonstrates the folding process. In another, she shows how to fold the Pleated Closure Book Cover. 

Steampunk-ish Boxed Mini Notebook Sets!

 So easy, I had to make more!

I created these boxed mini notebooks using Steampunk-ish papers from Stamperia.  They're double-sided cardstock and a good project to use up scrapbook papers from my stash. I made these 3-inch square notebooks each with its own coordinating gift box.

The notebooks are simply bound with staples and filled with 100% cotton white woven papers from Southworth, making them quick to assemble and perfect for sweet little gifts.

I was inspired by a tutorial from The Posh Paper Lady. I adjusted the dimensions to create a smaller box to fit my 3-inch square mini notebooks.

If you'd like, you can view a slide video below

 Music: 'You're all Around, 

Bronze Falcon

 

Boxed Sets of Mini Notebooks ~ Designer Paper

 So simple and fun to make that I had to make more!

I created these boxed mini notebooks using a Designer Paper Pad from Desecraft. It's 240gsm premium double-sided cardstock. Good project to use up scrapbook papers from my stash. I made these 3-inch square notebooks each with its own coordinating gift box.

The notebooks are simply bound with staples and filled with pastel copy paper, making them quick to assemble and perfect for sweet little gifts.

I was inspired by a tutorial from The Posh Paper Lady. I adjusted the dimensions to create a smaller box to fit my 3-inch square mini notebooks.

If you'd like, you can view a slide video below

Music: 

Sierras, Orchard Heights