Stars, Stripes, and Snacks with Therm O Web

Greetings friends!

I’m so happy you’re here for my new Therm O Web tutorial today—it’s officially the season of sunshine, backyard gatherings, and all things red, white, and blue! With the 4th of July just around the corner (and such a special one this year as we celebrate America’s 250th!), I couldn’t resist creating something festive, fun, and functional to help make your celebrations even more memorable.

If you love quick projects with a big impact, you’re going to adore this Stars, Stripes, and Snacks Mug Rug. It’s the perfect little addition to your holiday table—great for holding a drink and a treat while adding a handmade patriotic touch. Even better, this project is a fantastic way to dig into your fabric scraps and turn those smaller pieces into something bright and beautiful. Whether you prefer uniform strips or a mix of varying widths, this design lets you play and personalize to your heart’s content.

I’ve shared the full step-by-step tutorial over on the Therm O Web blog, where you’ll also find the complete supply list and downloadable templates—including three different star sizes to customize your look. I walk you through the entire process so you can confidently create your own snack mat just in time for your July celebrations!

A Look at the Supplies You Need:

A quick note: some of the links you’ll find here are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission. That support helps keep this blog running and ad-free for everyone—thank you for being here!

• Bliss 100% Cotton Batting
• 1 — 11” W x 7 ½” H
• HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
• 1 — 10 ½” W x 7” H
• PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive 1/8 in
• HeatnBond Lite Quilter's Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape, 1/4 in
• HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheet or HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive 
• Cotton Fabric — Scraps/Various Strips of Red, White and B
  (Model uses Branded by Sweetwater for Moda)
• 8 — 7” x 2” Strips (or a Variety of Strip Sizes to cover Batting)
• 1 —  10 ½” W x 7” H (Backing)
• Various scraps 3” to 5” Squares for Star Appliqués
• ½” Rick Rack in a Coordinating Color (Model uses ½" Hand-Dyed Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates)

• 1 Yard

• Oliso Iron
• Basic Tools (sewing machine, cutting mat, rotary cutter, small sharp scissors, pencil, needle and thread)
• Wonder Clips
• Seam Roller

To find the free tutorial, visit:

https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/stars-stripes-and-snacks-new-heatnbond-products

This project gave me the chance to work with some amazing new Therm O Web products that truly make the process easier and more enjoyable. I used Bliss 100% Cotton Batting for a soft, high-quality finish, and HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing to give the mat structure and stability. The PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive is a game-changer for holding the rick rack in place without pins, and HeatnBond Lite Quilter’s Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape helps create crisp, clean edges with ease. These products work together beautifully to simplify construction and help you achieve professional-looking results.

I hope this project inspires you to start creating for the holiday early—there’s nothing better than celebrating with handmade pieces that add a personal touch to your gatherings. Plus, it’s such a joy to transform fabric scraps into something both useful and festive!

Be sure to head over to the Therm O Web blog for the full tutorial and templates so you can make your own Stars, Stripes, and Snacks Mug Rug. I can’t wait to see how you put your own spin on it! Wishing you a wonderful start to your summer and a joyful, creative lead-up to the 4th of July! 💥✨

Not Scary Fabric Tour: Cheerful Halloween Sewing

Greetings, friends!

Halloween sewing season is officially here (I know it's early, but October will be here before we know it!), and I’m so excited to share my projects for the Not Scary Fabric Tour! If you love Halloween décor and accessories that feel festive, fun, and not frightening, you’re going to love this collection as much as I do. Today I’m sharing three projects I designed using Not Scary by Jill & Rani for Poppie Cotton—each one made without the scary and with plenty of creativity and joy.

About the Fabric Collection

Not Scary is a playful and vibrant Halloween fabric collection that celebrates the lighter side of the spooky season. With a cheerful palette of pinks, oranges, greens, and grays, these prints feature friendly ghosts, sweet witches, festive florals, and charming critters that are perfect for all ages. This collection proves that Halloween doesn’t have to be dark or spooky to be festive—it can be bright, happy, and full of personality.

These fabrics are especially wonderful for projects like home décor, accessories, quilts, and gifts, making them incredibly versatile for Halloween sewing. Whether you’re decorating your home or stitching something special just because, Not Scary brings a playful twist to holiday fun.

Project 1: Boxed Zipper Pouches

First up is a set of four boxed zipper pouches, each measuring approximately 7” W x 3” H x 2½” D. This project was all about studio play—no pattern, just experimenting and having fun with the fabric.

I used the new HeatnBond VersaFoam Foam Stabilizer from Therm O Web to give the pouches good structure, making them sturdy but still soft. Each pouch is lined with Country Confetti, which adds a touch of color inside, and finished with colorful zipper pulls for an extra pop of personality. These are perfect for organizing sewing supplies, stitching goodies, makeup, or even a little Halloween candy stash.

Project 2: “BOO to YOU” Halloween Bunting

Next, I created a cheerful piece of Halloween décor: a “BOO to YOU” bunting. The flags spell out BOO to YOU and feature several friendly ghosts—two holding pumpkins and one holding the word “to.”

Each flag measures 4.5” x 6.5” and is backed with Country Confetti. I machine appliquéd wool felt ghosts and letters, adding texture and a handmade feel. The ghost holding “to” even has a tiny wool felt flower with a bitty button center, because we all know that I love little details! I also made my own banner line/tie using Country Confetti, tying the whole piece together. This bunting is perfect for a doorway, mantel, or sewing room.

Project 3: Halloween Star Quilt

My final project is my Halloween Star Quilt, made using my own original pattern. The finished size is 25.5” x 25.5”, making it ideal as a wall hanging or table topper for the season.

The stars are machine appliquéd, and I used Country Confetti for both the background and binding to keep the look bright and cohesive. This quilt is a great example of how Not Scary fabrics shine—they’re bold, cheerful, and instantly festive without being spooky.

⭐ The Halloween Star Quilt pattern is available in paper or digital format in my Etsy shop here:

👉 Digital pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1753961725
👉 Paper pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1753958787

Spooky Summary

Sewing with Not Scary by Jill & Rani for Poppie Cotton was such a treat. This collection is perfect if you love Halloween but prefer cute over creepy and bright over dark. From small accessories to décor and quilts, these fabrics invite creativity and encourage playful experimentation.

Not Scary is shipping to quilt shops this month, so be sure to visit your favorite LQS or online shop to find this spook-tacular fabric collection.

If you’re planning Halloween projects for the upcoming season, I hope these makes inspire you to stitch something fun and fearless! Let me know in the comments which project is your favorite—and if you create something with Not Scary, I’d love to see it (be sure to tag me!). Thank you so much for joining on this festive fabric tour! 🎃👻💗

A Spoonful of Sugar: Portable Picasso Portfolio

Greetings, friends—welcome! I’m delighted to share a brand-new project tutorial as part of the A Spoonful of Sugar Blog Tour. I’ve teamed up with Therm O Web to create something extra special—the Portable Picasso Portfolio—a charming, travel-friendly art wallet designed to keep young creatives happily occupied wherever their adventures take them.

This project was such a joy to design, blending functional sewing with playful details and just a touch of sparkle. The Portable Picasso Portfolio is sized perfectly to slip into a tote or purse and unfolds to reveal space for crayons and a small notepad—making it an ideal on-the-go activity for errands, travel days, or quiet moments away from home. I’m sharing the full step-by-step tutorial over on the Therm O Web blog, where you’ll find all the details to make one (or several!) of your own.

The star of this project is the utterly enchanting A Spoonful of Sugar fabric collection by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs. Inspired by the whimsical world of Mary Poppins, this collection is bursting with storybook charm—featuring beloved characters, graceful florals, playful kites, and delightful teacups. The soft color palette and nostalgic illustrations feel as though they’ve stepped straight out of a classic tale, making them the perfect match for a project designed with childhood creativity in mind. I’ve paired these fabrics with the coordinating Sparkle Stencil and HeatnBond Sparkle Paste to add a glimmery accent, because every project deserves a little magic. Truly, it’s practically perfect in every way.

This project also pairs perfectly with my Joyful Journal Jacket pattern, making it easy to create a coordinated creative set for the whole family. While the Portable Picasso Portfolio was designed with kids in mind, the Joyful Journal Jacket is tailored for teens and adults, offering a stylish and functional cover for journals, planners, or notebooks. Sewn together in coordinating fabrics, these two projects make a thoughtful gift pairing or a fun way to encourage creativity at every age—proof that handmade artistry isn’t just for little ones. If you’re looking to extend the joy of making beyond this project, you’ll definitely want to check out the Joyful Journal Jacket tutorial as well.

To create the Portable Picasso Portfolio, you’ll use a combination of coordinating fabrics and Therm O Web products to add structure, durability, and a bit of magical sparkle. Below is a list of supplies used for the project shown. You’ll find all the step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for using these products in the full tutorial on the Therm O Web blog:

🔗https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/a-spoonful-of-sugar-portable-picasso-portfolio

These are the supplies I used, including the Sparkle Stencil and Sparkle Paste:

A quick note: some of the links you’ll find here are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission. That support helps keep this blog running and ad-free for everyone—thank you for being here!

• HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing
• HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
• HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
• HeatnBond Sparkle Paste by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story — Sugar
• HeatnBond Sparkle Stencil by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story — A Spoonful of Sugar
• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
• HeatnBond Pressing Paper Fabric & Craft Sheets (1 sheet)
• HeatnBond Fabric Fuse Peel n Stick Fabric Adhesive Tape, 5/8”
• Cotton Fabric from the A Spoonful of Sugar collection by Jennifer Long for Riley Blake Designs
• Palette knife, foam brush, or paintbrush
• ¼” flat elastic — 7½” piece (sample uses black)
• Basic sewing tools (iron, cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, small sharp scissors, wooden iron or spoon, sewing machine)
• Clover Hera Marker or pencil
• Wonder Clips
• 4” x 6” blank notepad
• Crayons

If you’re ready to stitch up your own Portable Picasso Portfolio, be sure to hop over to the Therm O Web blog, where you’ll find the complete step-by-step tutorial along with helpful tips for using their products to add structure and sparkle to your project. This is a quick, satisfying make that’s perfect for gifting or for keeping little hands happily creating while on the go—and it’s a wonderful way to showcase the charm of the A Spoonful of Sugar fabric collection.

I hope you’ll feel inspired to gather your supplies, click through to the tutorial, and start sewing along. When your project is finished, I’d love to see it! Be sure to share your Portable Picasso Portfolio on social media and tag me, so I can admire your creativity. There’s something truly special about handmade projects that encourage imagination—happy sewing, and enjoy creating a little magic of your own!

Le Petit Escargot Fabric Tour

Bonjour, friends! I’m so excited to welcome you to the Le Petit Escargot Fabric Tour—a delightful celebration of fabric, creativity, and the beauty of slowing down to savor each stitch. This charming collection is designed by Lori Woods for Poppie Cotton and is shipping to quilt shops this month, making it the perfect time to gather inspiration and start planning your next project.

Take a leisurely stroll through a dreamy garden with Le Petit Escargot, a soft and playful fabric collection filled with a charming mix of florals, patterns, and curious little snails. With its gentle color palette and storybook feel, this line captures the quiet magic of slow, simple moments. It’s perfectly suited for quilts, fun handmade projects, nursery décor, and anyone who appreciates a sweet, whimsical aesthetic. Le Petit Escargot is a lovely reminder to pause, create, and enjoy the process—one stitch at a time.

Today, I’m sharing three projects that highlight the versatility and charm of this beautiful fabric collection.

Project One: Daisy Zippered Pouch

For my first project, I created a Daisy Zippered Pouch, a cheerful patchwork zippered pouch that showcases most of the fabric prints from the Le Petit Escargot collection. This project was a true creative experiment—I didn’t use a pattern, instead designing it myself and letting the pouch come together organically as I worked.

The pouch features a boxed bottom, giving it a roomy interior that’s both practical and stylish. Finished, it measures 9.5″ W x 8.5″ H x 3″ D, making it perfect for holding sewing supplies, travel essentials, or everyday odds and ends.

To add a sweet handmade touch, I embellished the pouch with a wool felt daisy made using wool blend felt from Benzie Design, accented with pearl beads in the center for extra texture and charm. One of my favorite details is the zipper pull—I repurposed Poppie Cotton packaging ribbon, giving it new life and adding a subtle, thoughtful accent that ties the project back to the fabric collection.

✨ Why it works: Patchwork allowed me to play with the full range of Le Petit Escargot prints, while an intuitive, pattern‑free design and handcrafted embellishments make this pouch feel truly one of a kind.

Project Two: Flower Basket Journal Cover

For project two, I once again let creativity lead the way—no pattern involved, just inspiration and a love for playful details guiding the process. The Flower Basket Journal Cover began with a foundation‑pieced basket block, using Country Confetti as the background fabric to give the design a soft, whimsical base.

Once the basket block was complete, I appliquéd it to the front of the journal cover using HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive from Therm O Web, securing it with a decorative stitch that adds both texture and visual interest. To bring the basket to life, I filled it with a bouquet of wool felt flowers, created from wool blend felt from Benzie Design. Every leaf and flower was hand‑stitched in place, making this project especially relaxing and rewarding to work on. For the finishing touch, I added tiny buttons for the flower centers, giving the design a bit of charm and dimension. The journal cover fits a standard composition notebook, making it perfect for sketching, journaling, and everyday note‑taking. A vintage button and elastic closure keeps everything neatly wrapped up.

The finished journal cover measures approximately 7.5″ wide x 10″ high x 1″ deep, and it’s a lovely example of how Le Petit Escargot fabrics pair beautifully with wool felt and hand‑stitched details.

✨ Why it works: The soft, storybook feel of Le Petit Escargot blends effortlessly with hand appliqué and wool felt, creating a journal cover that feels both cozy and creative.

Project Three: Happy Day Quilt

My Happy Day Quilt was the very first project I created with Le Petit Escargot, and it became the heart of my stop on this fabric tour. Once again, there was no pattern and no plan—just time spent playing in my studio and letting creativity take the lead. In fact, the Daisy Zippered Pouch and Flower Basket Journal Cover were both inspired by this quilt’s design, pulling elements and motifs directly from it.

The quilt finishes at 24″ x 24″ and is made using 6″ blocks, each one a mix of foundation piecing and machine appliqué. To add depth, texture, and personality, I embellished the blocks with wool felt, buttons, beads, baker’s twine, and plenty of hand stitching. The backing and binding are both Country Confetti, tying the whole piece together with a soft, cheerful finish.

The wool appliqué blocks feature a collection of happy, playful motifs—including a strawberry, a rainbow, bunting, a teacup, a flower basket, and a daisy. Each block was designed to feel lighthearted and joyful, making the quilt a celebration of simple pleasures and creative freedom.

This quilt truly came together through exploration rather than expectation. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful projects are the ones created without rules—just fabric, time, and a willingness to see where the process leads.

✨ Why it works: Le Petit Escargot’s gentle colors and storybook charm make it ideal for playful appliqué, layered textures, and heartfelt embellishment—perfect for a quilt that’s meant to make you smile.

Le Petit Escargot by Lori Woods for Poppie Cotton is a collection that truly invites you to slow down and savor the creative process. With its soft florals, playful motifs, and gentle storybook charm, it’s a joy to stitch with—whether you’re quilting, crafting small projects, or creating something meaningful for your home. This collection is shipping to quilt shops this month, so be sure to keep an eye out for it at your favorite local shop.

I’d love to know—what would you make with Le Petit Escargot? A quilt, a journal cover, a sweet handmade gift? If this collection inspires you to create, I hope you’ll share your makes on social media and tag me so I can see what you’re stitching. There’s nothing I love more than seeing how the same fabrics spark different stories in each maker’s hands. Happy sewing—and don’t forget to slow down and enjoy every stitch 🐌✨