Fall Napkin Rings

Greetings, friends! Things have been insanely busy in the BRD studio. My desk looks like a creative cyclone blew through—piled high with sketches, fabrics, photos, and plenty of notes for what’s ahead. In just a few short weeks, I’ll be traveling out of the country, and let me tell you—the lists are LONG!

I’ve been working on a plethora of exciting projects (so many I could really use an assistant!), and while it feels overwhelming at times, I remind myself that busy is a blessing. There’s so much goodness coming your way soon!

In the meantime, it is new project tutorial day and I’m thrilled to share my October project created exclusively for the Therm O Web Blog! I absolutely love putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and diving into tutorials that showcase Therm O Web’s incredible products.

✨Introducing my brand-new tutorial: “Fall Napkin Rings!”✨

Fall is in the air, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner (eek!). If you’re looking for a quick, creative way to dress up your dining table, I have the perfect project for you. These DIY Fall Napkin Rings are simple, festive, and a great way to use up fabric scraps. Plus, they’re beginner-friendly—whether you sew by hand or machine!

I’ve created four templates (oak leaf, maple leaf, acorn, and pumpkin) so you can mix and match or stick with your favorite. Want to add a little sparkle? I even show you how to use Sparkle Paste for a shimmering finish that will WOW your guests.

Ready to make your own? Head over to my full tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog for step-by-step instructions, supply list, and downloadable templates:

👉 Click here: Fall Napkin Rings Tutorial

🌟 What makes it shine?

For this project, I used a lovely selection of autumn fabrics, along with Benzie Design wool-blend felt and some of my favorite HeatnBond products!

• HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray by HeatnBond
• HeatnBond Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• HeatnBond Sparkle Paste by Jennifer Long Sew A Story
• Fabric: I used a selection from the Autumn Leaves Fat Quarter Sampler from Connecting Threads
• Wool Blend Felt from Benzie Design
• Goody Hair Elastics, XL 10907 (I use these for the "ring" that holds the napkin!)
  
  

🎥 Coming Soon

Watch for a video walkthrough on my YouTube Channel + Instagram Feed in the next couple of days—it’s almost ready!

📌 Grab the full tutorial + pattern on the Therm O Web Blog: https://blog.thermoweb.com/fall-napkin-rings

🛍️ Want the exact tools + supplies I used? You’ll find them all in my curated Amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl

(Full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases—thank you for supporting my work! 💖)

💬 Questions about Therm O Web, HeatnBond, or SpraynBond products? Or a type of product you’d love to see featured in a future project? Drop me a comment or send me an email—I’d love to hear from you!

I hope this autumn project brings a touch of handmade charm to your fall celebrations! It’s quick, fun, and a great way to use up scraps while creating something truly special for your table. Head over to the full tutorial to grab the templates and step-by-step instructions—I can’t wait to see what you create! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook so we can celebrate your creativity together. Let’s keep the inspiration flowing! 🍂✨

Thank you so much for visiting today. 💕 Wishing you a creative week ahead—make something beautiful! 🌸

Unwinding in Wine Country

Greetings, friends!

This post will be a short one, as we’ve just returned from a wonderful weekend in Hermann, Missouri—and now we’re gearing up for a house full of guests to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday! The to-do list is long, and I’m not quite sure what to tackle first, but I wanted to take a moment to share a few highlights from our trip.

If you’ve been visiting me for a while, you know that our annual getaway to Missouri wine country is a cherished tradition. But this year was extra special—it was our first time experiencing Oktoberfest in Hermann!

We stayed in our favorite downtown cottage, which is within walking distance of just about everything. As always, we hopped on the Hermann Trolley to visit our favorite wineries and cocktail spots, but this time we also dove into the Oktoberfest festivities.

On Friday evening, we attended the Tapping of the Keg at Tin Mill Brewery, the official kickoff to Oktoberfest. We grabbed a seat at a large table near the stage to enjoy the live music—and somehow ended up at the celebrity table! We were joined by the Loehnig German Band, the Rhineland Wurstjaegers, and even the Mayor of Hermann. We made fast friends with the entertainers and had front-row seats for the keg tapping, enjoying a couple of the first glasses poured.

The next day, Pat and Mel—two of the dancers—invited us to the Historic Festhalle at the Inn at Hermannhof to dance. I even danced a polka and a waltz (with a little help from Mel, who was a great sport and guided me through it). We also got to see Mel play the alphorn with the band, which was such a treat!

It was a joy to meet this incredibly talented group of musicians and dancers who are keeping German traditions alive in Missouri. In between the festivities, we visited all our favorite wineries, enjoyed delicious food, and took a long walk along the riverfront and across the Hermann Bridge over the Missouri River.

As always, we met some wonderful new friends and I got a much-needed break from work and looming deadlines. It was a weekend full of laughter, music, dancing, and great wine—just what the soul needed.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our long weekend…

As we settle back into the rhythm of everyday life and prepare to celebrate a milestone birthday at home, I’m holding onto the joy and connection we found in Hermann. There’s something magical about stepping into tradition, sharing laughter with strangers who quickly become friends, and dancing to the music of a culture that continues to thrive in the heart of Missouri. I’m grateful for the memories we made and the moments that reminded me to slow down and savor life. Stay tuned—next time, I’ll be back to sharing my creative content!

Pink Pumpkin Quilt SAL

Greetings friends! Have you been sewing along with Poppie Cotton this week? They have been hosting a Pink Pumpkin Quilt Sew-Along...and while I didn't have room in my jam-packed schedule for a full-size quilt, I did manage to sew along. I made four pumpkin quilt blocks and added sashing and borders to create a floating pumpkin pillow. I used fun fabrics from the Kitty Loves Candy Collection by Lori Woods for my pumpkins and Country Confetti in Waffle Cone Yellow for my background. Poppie Cotton has the Pink Pumpkin Quilt Pattern, designed by Lori Woods, available on their website for FREE (visit their website and click on the free tab). I used the pumpkin quilt block from the pattern and then designed my own pillow. I think it turned out super cute and it will be a fun addition to my Halloween/fall decorating...

You can read more about the Pink Pumpkin Quilt Sew-Along on the Poppie Cotton Blog.

Happy creating!

Wool Felted Acorns

Greetings friends - I'm stopping by today to share a little bit about my latest creative project for my Etsy shop - wool felted acorns! If you keep up with my blog, then you know I recently returned from northern Illinois, where I visited my momma and second dad - they have a lovely lakeside property with quite a few oak trees. While I was visiting, I helped clean up piles and piles of acorns...and I had the idea to collect and bring home some of the caps. I brought home three large Ziploc bags full. I had a master plan to make wool felted acorns for my Etsy shop. I explained the idea to my parents, who I am pretty sure thought I was a bit crazy...but after seeing the final product, I think they were impressed. I washed and roasted all the caps, to clean and preserve them...then added 100% New Zealand wool for the "nuts". Aren't they just the cutest?! You can find them here: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com

I have started listing them in my Etsy shop in sets of ten. Colors and sizes vary per listing – see listing images for more specific details. Most acorns have an average size of ⅝” – 1” in diameter and/or height, but as you can see in the images, some may be a bit smaller or larger. Due to the handmade nature and the natural acorn caps, there will be some minor variation in size.

Packages may contain single acorns, double acorns, or triple acorns – again, see images for the exact acorns in each listing. Created by Mother Nature, each cap is unique.

These are great for tiered trays, bowl fillers, nature/fall table decor, fall weddings or gifts. Can be used as a special pin or needle keep (my favorite use!). Perfect for seasonal decor through fall and winter… even year round. Use these wool felted acorns throughout your home to welcome the season, decorate for a wedding or special occasion, or give as a gift. Use them from year to year.

Each set of these delicate acorns is packaged carefully and boxed for shipping. Ready for gift giving.

I will continue to add more sets, as my schedule allows...visit my Etsy shop to see what is currently available...