Hey Love Bug Fabric Tour: Four Projects to Sew

Greetings, friends!

Welcome to my stop on the Hey Love Bug Fabric Tour! I’m smitten with this whimsical new Poppie Cotton collection by McKenzie Elston—a joyful romp of beetles, bees, butterflies, caterpillars, ladybugs, and a cheeky nod to the iconic love bug car. The supporting prints—tossed flowers, a tidy geometric grid, and a petite hexi print—mix and match effortlessly in a fresh, cheerful palette of reds, pinks, yellows, and blues. Inspired by the charm and movement of these prints, I stitched up four original projects, each designed on the fly in my studio: a set of fabric canisters, a patchwork art portfolio, a patchwork pouch, and a coordinating wool felt flower pincushion. I hope they spark ideas for your own sewing table and make you fall in love with this collection as much as I have!

Patchwork Art Portfolio

Sketching is the starting point for my original sewing projects, so I dreamed up a trifold patchwork art portfolio to keep my ideas and tools together. It fits a standard 5½″ × 8½″ sketchbook and opens to 24″ W × 12″ H (8″ W × 12″ H when closed). Inside, there are multiple pockets for extra paper and small rulers, plus 18 pencil pockets so my colored pencils and pens have a proper home. The gingham ribbon ties are a sweet, simple closure—pure cottage charm. The patchwork exterior lets the collection’s colors and motifs shine together, while the thoughtful interior keeps everything tidy and ready for on-the-go creativity. Again, no pattern—this was a playful, make-it-up-as-I-go sew. If there’s interest, I may write one!

Set of 3 Fabric Canisters

I wanted a practical-yet-pretty way to corral notions, so I stitched a set of three fabric canisters—each 5″ in diameter, with heights of 3½″, 5½″, and 7½″. They’re lined with Country Confetti for a crisp interior finish, and I used a BRAND-NEW product from Therm O Web—VersaFoam Single-Sided Fusible Foam Stabilizer—to give them that upright, sturdy structure we all want in containers. The round forms really showcase the playful motifs, and the multiple sizes make them endlessly useful for thread, trims, and tools. I snapped a photo of the trio alongside the Poppie Cotton Cutting Mat, Ruler, and Rotary Cutter, because they felt right at home together. There’s no pattern for these—just me, experimenting in the studio—proof that a favorite fabric collection is the best muse.

Pretty Patchwork Pouch

This 9″ W × 9½″ H × 4″ D patchwork pouch is my love letter to tiny details. I added pink rick rack between the patchwork and focal fabric for a cheerful, dimensional edge, then stitched a 3‑D wool felt flower in place—inspired by one of the prints—with a mini ¼″ button at the center. Of course, the wool felt is from Benzie Design. Inside, it’s lined with Country Confetti, and I finished it with a fun zipper pull because little moments of joy matter. Like the others, there’s no pattern—just a happy blend of texture, color, and whimsy that celebrates the spirit of Hey Love Bug.

Coordinating Wool Felt Flower Pincushion

To round out the set, I stitched a coordinating wool felt flower pincushion inspired by the collection’s sweet blooms and garden friends. It’s made entirely of Benzie Design wool felt, hand stitched and embroidered with DMC floss for subtle definition, and topped with a tiny wool felted ladybug that makes me smile every time I see it. I tucked in specialty pins from (my favorite!) Puntini Puntini to echo the collection’s palette and personality. This one is my own design (no pattern)—a happy, satisfying make that ties the whole group together and brings a bit of soft sculpture to the sewing room.

Thanks so much for visiting my stop on the Hey Love Bug Fabric Tour! Sewing with this collection was pure delight—from the playful insects and dainty florals to the bright, happy colors. I’d love to hear which project is your favorite, and whether you’d be interested in a pattern for the art portfolio. A huge thank you to Poppie Cotton for the beautiful fabrics and to Therm O Web for the sneak peek at VersaFoam—it gave the canisters such lovely softness and structure.

Show me what you make! If you stitch with Hey Love Bug, please share your projects in the comments or tag me on social media so I can cheer you on. And don’t forget to visit the Poppie Cotton blog for even more inspiration from the rest of the tour.

If Hey Love Bug has stolen your heart, pop by your local quilt shop or visit your favorite online quilt shop and ask for it—it’s shipping to shops this month. Supporting your local shop keeps our quilting community thriving. While you're there, peek at Country Confetti for linings and backgrounds. Plus, keep an eye out for Therm O Web’s NEW VersaFoam—Sew-In, Single-Side Fusible, and Double-Sided Fusible yardage—debuting on their website this month. It’s truly a sewing game changer!

Happy sewing and creating!

Sweet Treats Goodie Bag – A Sparkling Valentine Project

Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day!

Greetings, creative friends! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I have the perfect project to make your gift-giving extra special. If you love adding a handmade touch to your celebrations, you’re going to adore my Sweet Treats Goodie Bags—a charming little drawstring bag featuring a sparkling heart appliqué. It’s quick, fun, and ideal for holding chocolates, tiny treasures, or heartfelt notes.

This festive project is featured on the Therm O Web Blog, where I share the full step-by-step tutorial and downloadable heart templates. But before you head over, here’s a peek at what you’ll need to create your own shimmering Valentine bag!

💖Supply List

This list contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the content I create and keep this blog running ad-free. Thank you for your support!

• HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheet or HeatnBond Lite Iron-on Adhesive (for applique)
• HeatnBond Sparkle Paste by Jennifer Long Sew A Story - Fire Truck (for that glittery finish)
• HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• Cotton fabric for the bag (models use the From the Heart Collection by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs)
• White cotton fabric (for the heart applique)
• Baker’s twine, cord, or ribbon (for drawstrings)
• Bodkin or Safety Pin
• Foam Brush or Paintbrush
• Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies
• Iron and pressing cloth
• Printable pattern and templates (available on Therm O Web Blog)

💕Spread the Love!

Want the full tutorial? Head over to the Therm O Web Blog for step-by-step instructions and templates! 

👉  https://blog.thermoweb.com/sweet-treats-goodie-bag-featuring-heatnbond

Valentine’s Day is all about making others feel cherished, and nothing says “you’re special” like a handmade gift. This little bag is more than just a treat holder—it’s a heartfelt gesture wrapped in creativity. Ready to make your own? Visit my full tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog and start stitching up some love!

Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and YouTube for creative ideas all year long—and don’t forget to tag me with your finished projects. I can’t wait to see your Valentine creations sparkle!

Spread the Love: Heart Sachets to Brighten Every Day

Greetings, friends—let's make something sweet for Valentine’s Day!

Looking for a creative way to share a little love this season? You’re in luck! This month, I wrote a tutorial for Benzie Design featuring a beginner-friendly project that’s as fun to make as it is to gift—Heart-Shaped Sachets! These charming little hearts can be customized with your favorite colors and embellishments, then filled with soothing lavender or potpourri for a fragrant touch.

This project is perfect for crafters who want an enjoyable afternoon activity. Whether you’re making one or a dozen, these sachets are a beautiful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or any day!).

What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at the basic supplies:

Just a heads-up: some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you decide to buy something through them, I’ll earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to support the content I share, and I really appreciate it!

• Benzie Design Stitchable Nesting Hearts Deep Etch Die
• Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
• Bellwether Felt Sheets (solid or printed)
• Tulle Fabric
• DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Floss
• Tapestry Needle
• Tacky Glue
• Lavender or Potpourri
  
  

Ready to dive in? Head over to the Benzie Design Blog for the full step-by-step tutorial and all the details!

👉 https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials/heart-shaped-sachets

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to share a little handmade love—but why stop there? These heart-shaped sachets make thoughtful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or just because. There’s something special about giving (and receiving!) a handmade piece that’s filled with care and creativity.

Whether you make one or a dozen, these fragrant hearts are sure to brighten someone’s day year-round. So gather your supplies, let your imagination run wild, and start stitching! Head over to the Benzie Design Blog for the free tutorial and supply list and get ready to spread the love—one handmade heart at a time.

My Darling Deer Fabric Tour Featuring Poppie Cotton’s “My Darling Deer” Collection

Greetings, friends! I’m thrilled to be part of the My Darling Deer Fabric Tour, celebrating the lovely “My Darling Deer” fabric collection designed by Michal Marko for Poppie Cotton. This collection is inspired by the beauty of nature—graceful deer among meadows of flowers, tossed wildflowers, delicate bouquets, tiny birds singing among blooms, and tone-on-tone ferns.

The color palette is dreamy: soft lavenders blending into deep plum, navy paired with calming blues, and pale pink hues with creamy accents. These fabrics are perfect for quilts, home décor, small  projects and baby nursery items. They truly spark creativity!

My Projects for the Tour

I’m excited to share three projects I created using this stunning collection:

🩷 Patchwork in the Heart
Wall Hanging/Table Topper Quilt

This is my own design, and the pattern is available in both paper and digital format in my Etsy Shop. 

Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1871707905
Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1871705191

It’s a mini appliqué quilt that doubles as a wall hanging or table topper, measuring 24.5” x 24.5”. Instead of making all the hearts patchwork, I fussy cut deer motifs from the "Darling" prints to add a special touch. 

🪡Large Patchwork Project Bag

This bag doesn’t have a pattern—it’s a creative mix of all the prints in the collection, with the Darling Plum print featured at the top. I added hand-dyed rick rack (from Lady Dot Creates) to separate the focal print from the patchwork and finished it with a baker’s twine zipper pull for a charming detail.

🧵Two Snappy Pouches

These fun pouches use slap bracelets for the opening instead of a zipper (some makers cut and use measuring tape from the hardware store instead of the slap bracelets). Tabs on both sides make them easy to pull open, and when you let go, they snap closed. They’re practical and stylish, showcasing the beautiful fabrics perfectly.

Join the Tour and Get Inspired

Visit Poppie Cotton on Instagram or check out their blog to follow along with the My Darling Deer Fabric Tour and see what other talented makers are creating with this collection. 

As you can see, the My Darling Deer collection is brimming with charm and endless possibilities. Whether you’re stitching up a cozy quilt, creating a sweet nursery accent, or crafting a one-of-a-kind bag, these fabrics will make your projects feel extra special.

I hope my three projects spark your imagination and encourage you to dive into this beautiful collection. Don’t forget to ask your favorite quilt shop for the My Darling Deer fabric collection - it is shipping this month! Grab your favorite prints, fire up your sewing machine, and let nature’s beauty guide your creativity—because with these fabrics, every stitch tells a story!

Wool Felt Joy: Wrapping Up the Holidays and Welcoming the New Year

As the holiday season winds down and we step into a fresh new year, I’ve been reflecting on the warmth and creativity that filled December. For me, that joy came through wool felt ornaments—tiny treasures that carry heartfelt meaning. Handmade pieces have a way of turning simple moments into lasting memories, and this year was no exception.

The Benzie Design Ornament Exchange

One of the highlights of my season was participating in the Benzie Design Ornament Exchange. It’s such a wonderful way to connect with fellow makers and share a bit of handmade magic. The idea is simple: create ornaments for a partner and receive their creations in return—but the results are always extraordinary.

For my recipient, I wanted to design ornaments that felt cozy and whimsical. After taking a peek at their social media, I noticed a love for a pink and mint color palette—such a cheerful combination! I knew right away that I wanted to make a felt ornament and a stocking to match. Each piece was curated with care, using vibrant colors and playful details that reflected their style.

To make the gift extra special, I tucked a matching handmade needle minder (made from cute Poppie Cotton fabric) inside the stocking, along with a few felt pom shapes and some sweet treats. It was such a joy to pull everything together and imagine the smile when she opened the package.

And then came the best part—opening the package from my partner! Her ornaments were stunning, full of detail and heart. I love all the different mediums and delightful details. Both ornaments were charming, and I couldn’t stop admiring the craftsmanship—along with her special wrapping that made the whole experience feel even more magical.

An Assortment of Handmade Cheer

Beyond the exchange, I spent much of December creating wool felt ornaments for family and friends. Each evening, I cozied up in my stitching nest and worked on a fresh batch. From classic holiday motifs to whimsical winter designs, every piece was stitched with love and attention to detail.

These ornaments became more than decorations—they were tokens of thoughtfulness, reminders of the joy that comes from giving something handmade.

If this post has inspired you to create your very own wool felt ornaments, you should definitely give it a try! Wool felt is such a versatile, forgiving, and satisfying material to work with, and there are endless possibilities for shapes, colors, and designs. To help you get started, here are a few links at Benzie Design. Just a heads-up: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to buy something through them, I’ll earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to support the content I share, and I truly appreciate it!

• Free Project Tutorials
• Wool Blend Felt (high quality, yet more affordable)
• Bellwether 100% Wool Felt
• Cutting Dies (like the tree, mitten, dove, and nutcrackers I used)
• Die Cutting Tutorial and Tips

As I pack away my felt scraps and tidy up my stitching nest, I’m reminded of how much joy these little handmade pieces brought to my holiday season. Each ornament was more than just decoration—it was a way to slow down, savor the moment, and share a bit of love with others. Moving into the new year, I hope to carry that same spirit of creativity and connection forward. Here’s to more making, more sharing, and more moments that feel truly meaningful.