Winter Mug Rug

Greetings, friends!

It’s Benzie Design tutorial day, so get excited for a winter project that’s as cozy as it is creative! ❄️✨

Cool temperatures are here (at least they are in Kansas City!), and I’m so excited to share a project that brings warmth and cheer to your home—the Winter Mug Rug! Imagine a steaming mug of cocoa, a sweet treat, and a handmade piece that feels like a little slice of winter magic. This design is all about cozy vibes, shimmering accents, and a touch of holiday sparkle.

I created this tutorial exclusively for Benzie Design, and it’s perfect for a snow-day craft or a relaxing weekend make. Whether you’re stitching by hand or machine, this project is beginner-friendly and full of creative possibilities. Pair your finished snack mat with a cute mug and goodies for a heartfelt gift that will brighten someone’s snowy day!

👉 Find the full tutorial on Benzie Design’s website: https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials/winter-mug-rug

Supplies You’ll Need (contains affiliate links that help me keep this blog ad-free):

These can all be found found on the Benzie Design website:

• Iridescent Metallic Felt
• Bellwether Pure Wool Felt Sheets (Tellina, Cerulean, Ecru, Conifer, Black, Rhubarb, Amethyst, Hazelnut, Clementine)
• Peltex Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing 
• DMC Floss 310 
• Invisible Polyester Thread (Sulky) 
• Freezer Paper 
• Sequins (Iridescent Aquamarine, Metallic Graphite)
• Tacky Glue
• Glossy Accents (Sequin Glue)
• Embroidery Needles
• 5” Non-stick Titanium Scissors
• Scallop Shears (10mm)
• Coordinating Threads (for hand or machine)

Optional but handy: Oliso M3Pro Project Iron, sewing machine, tweezers, and a paintbrush.

This project is all about embracing the season—think frosty sparkle, cozy textures, and festive colors. So grab your favorite winter drink, gather your supplies, and let’s make something magical together!

Ready to start? Click here to get the full tutorial on the Benzie Design website:
https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials/winter-mug-rug

No matter your skill level, this project is for you! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned stitcher, the Winter Mug Rug is a wonderful way to play with color, texture, and sparkle. Don’t be afraid to experiment—mix and match felt shades, try new stitches, and add extra embellishments to make it uniquely yours. Every creative choice adds personality and charm, so have fun and let your imagination shine! ❄️✨

Halloween Treat Bags

Greetings, friends!

It’s Benzie Design tutorial day, so get excited for a spooktacular new Halloween project! 🎃🧵

Halloween is creeping closer, and what better way to celebrate than with a frightfully fun stitchy adventure? Whether you're a beginner with limited time or a seasoned stitcher ready for an afternoon of creativity, these handmade Halloween Treat Bags are the perfect way to get into the spooky spirit. 🕷🕸

Using a rich felt palette and natural linen, you can create charming little bags that are as versatile as they are adorable. Choose your own adventure: 

• Glue it
• Hand Stitch it
• Machine Sew it

…or mix and match techniques to suit your skills and schedule!

👻🦇 Mix and match the included Halloween motifs to make each bag uniquely yours. And if you're short on time, no worries—grab a Benzie Design drawstring bag from your stash and add your own spooky twist!

⭐🌙 Ready to conjure up some Halloween magic?

Head over to the Benzie Design Blog for the full tutorial and templates, grab your supplies, and let the hauntingly fun crafting begin!

You can find the complete supply list, tutorial with  photos, and templates here:
Halloween Treat Bags: https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials/halloween-treat-bags

Materials You’ll Need (contains affiliate links that help me keep this blog ad-free):

From Benzie Design:

• Wool Blend Felt
• DMC Floss
• Essex Linen Yarn Dyed, Flax
• Beads and Sequins
• Sequin Glue
• Home Sweet Haunt, Renaissance Ribbons
• Black Bakers Twine
• Scallop Shears, 10mm

From Therm O Web:

• HeatnBond Fusible Fleece or HeatnBond Heavyweight Nonwoven Fusible Interfacing
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray 
• Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive

🐈‍⬛🧹Why You’ll Love This Project:

• Quick and beginner-friendly
• Great for gifting and/or decorating
• Customizable
• Make it simple or complex
  
  

So grab your floss, felt, and Halloween spirit—let’s get stitching! ✂️🧵 Whether you stitch every detail or add a few spooky touches to a ready-made bag, you'll create something truly special—and that is what handmade Halloween magic is all about! These treat bags reflect your creativity and style, so don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, stitches, and embellishments. Every bag tells its own story, and yours is sure to delight! Thanks for crafting along—now go create, fill your bags with goodies, and share the spooky joy. Happy Halloween and happy making! 🐦‍⬛🪦

Magical Mitten Stockings

The holiday magic continues! It’s day seven of the Poppie Cotton Christmas Countdown, which means only eight days until Christmas! Poppie Cotton has been sharing festive projects perfect for gift giving—and today, I’m thrilled to share one of my own designs with you.

This one is extra special because I’m giving you a complete tutorial and templates right here on my blog. Get ready to make Magical Mitten Stockings! These tiny, ornament-sized mittens are open at the top so you can tuck in treats and treasures. They’re quick to sew, perfect for gifting, and absolutely adorable on your holiday tree.

We’ll be working with a short and simple list of supplies, and I’ve partnered with Therm O Web to make things even easier using SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray Adhesive—a favorite in my sewing studio! These sweet mittens feature Poppie Cotton fabrics and measure approximately 3.75" W x 4.75" H (without the hanger).

Ready to stitch up some holiday magic? Gather your supplies below and let’s get started!

Magical Mitten Stockings

What You Need for One Mitten Stocking:

• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
•  Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• 1 – sheet
•  HeatnBond Light Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
• 1 – 9 ½” x 6 ¼”
•  HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
• 1 – 9 ½” x 4 ¾”
• Cotton Quilting Fabric
• Outer Fabric 
• 1 – 9 ½” W x 5” H (Model uses Oh What Fun by Elea Lutz for Poppie Cotton)
• Lining and Cuff
•  1 –  9 ½” W x 6 ½” H (Model uses Jailhouse Stripes from Poppie Cotton)
• ¼” Twill Tape (Model uses Hand-Dyed 100% Cotton Quarter Inch 1/4" Twill Tape by Lady Dot Creates)
• 1 - 6 ½” piece
• ¼” Button
•  Basic Sewing Tools: Iron, Sewing Machine, Small Sharp Scissors, Ruler, Hand Sewing Needle, Pins, Etc.
•  Mitten Templates

Please note: a few of the supply links above are affiliate links. When you shop through them, you help support my projects and keep my blog ad-free—thank you!

How to Make a Magical Mitten Stocking:

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW.

1. Download and Print the Magical Mitten Stocking Templates
• Magical Mitten Stockings – A Project for the Blue Ribbon Designs Blog
  Print actual size – do NOT “fit to page” or “shrink to fit.” Print on regular printer paper.
  
  
2. Prepare Fabrics
• Place 9 ½” W x 5” H outer fabric and 9 ½” W x 6 ½” H lining fabric right sides together (RST), lining up the widths and sew together with a ¼” seam. Press seam toward the lining/cuff fabric.
  Combined unit will now measure 9 ½” W x 11” H.
  
  
  
  
  
3. Add  Fusible Interfacings
   NOTE: I added the interfacings after sewing the fabrics together to lessen the bulk at the seam.
• Adhere the 9 ½” x 4 ¾” piece of HeatnBond Fusible Fleece to the wrong side (back) of the outer fabric side of the combined unit. Lining it up against the outer edges, not the seam.
1. Pre-heat iron to cotton setting (high heat). No steam.
2. Place the rough side of the fusible fleece on the wrong side of the outer fabric portion of the combined unit.
3. Cover with lightweight, dry pressing cloth. Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
4. Allow the fabric to cool.
   
   
   
   
   
• Adhere the 9 ½” x 6 ¼” piece of HeatnBond Light Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the wrong side of the lining/cuff side of the combined unit. Lining it up against the outer edges and not the seam.
1. Pre-heat iron to cotton setting (high heat). No steam.
2. Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the lining/cuff fabric portion of the combined unit.
3. Cover with lightweight, dry pressing cloth. Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
4. Allow the fabric to cool.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Protect your Workspace with a Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheet
   
   
   
   
   
5. Cut Mitten Stocking Templates
• Loosely cut out paper templates.
• Place templates face down on Pressing Paper and Craft Sheet.
• Apply SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray to the back of the templates and cut out mitten units.
1. Shake can of SpraynBond Patten & Stencil Spray well.
2. Hold can upright, 12 inches from paper templates. Press nozzle and apply adhesive using a sweeping motion to lightly cover the backs of the paper templates.
3. Let dry 1 minute then press template to the combined fabric unit, being sure to line up the straight line on the templates on the seam line of the fabric unit. The shorter side of the mitten template should be on the outer fabric; the larger side of the mitten template should be on the lining/cuff fabric.
4. Reposition templates as needed.
5. Cut on the solid template lines to create two mitten stocking units.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Sew Mitten Stockings
• Place mitten stocking units RST and pin or clip around perimeter. Line up the seam on each side.
• Sew around perimeter with an ⅛” seam allowance, leaving an opening in the lining for turning. NOTE: I designed the template to use an  ⅛” seam allowance, should you want to use a larger seam allowance, you will need to add that allowance to the template when cutting out the mitten units.
• Clip curves (especially around the thumbs) carefully.
• Turn the unit right side out through opening and press.
• Sew the opening in the lining closed.
• Push lining into the outer mitten, leaving a visible lining cuff. Press again, if needed.
  
  
  
  
  
7. Apply Hanger
• Attach twill tape hanger with a small button to the top of the cuff, using a hand sewing needle and coordinating thread.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
8. Fill and Display or Gift.
• Fill the mitten stocking with tiny treats and/or treasures.
• ENJOY!

Thank you for joining me today for this special Blue Ribbon Designs tutorial during the Poppie Cotton Countdown to Christmas! I hope this inspires you to make a few Magical Mitten Stockings to display or gift—be warned, they’re addicting!

If you share your mitten creations on social media, please tag me—I love seeing your work. For more projects and inspiration, check out the rest of my blog or visit my website, Instagram, and YouTube channel. I’d truly enjoy connecting with you and celebrating your creativity!

I hope you’ve been enjoying my holiday content with complimentary patterns and tutorials. My wish is that these gifts inspire you to spread joy—whether by surprising someone you love or brightening the day of someone in need. Let’s start a movement of giving and positivity!

If you’d like to support my work, you can visit my Etsy shop or Buy Me a Coffee—never required, but always appreciated. Thank you for valuing my artistry and supporting my creative journey. 💕

Wishing you a season filled with creativity, joy, and handmade magic!

Harvest Squirrel Pillow

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my September project created for Therm O Web with you! This is a very special month, because it is collaboration with Benzie Design. I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you on the Therm O Web Blog...and to collaborate with my favorite stitchery and wool shop is the icing on the cake. Each month, I share a new project and you give you my tips and tricks for using the extensive catalog of Therm O Web products. For the month of September, the blog is focused on projects for fall sports, cozy things, autumn color, and harvest. The theme for the collaboration with Benzie Design is handmade holidays with an emphasis on Halloween/fall/autumn. I created a brand new project that was posted yesterday - it is a complete project tutorial for my "Harvest Squirrel Pillow" featuring HeatnBond and Benzie Design Wool Blend Felt. My comprehensive tutorial contains a detailed supply list and step-by-step directions with color photos and a pattern with applique templates (and you can find a short tutorial video on my YouTube channel and Instagram page). This is a versatile, beginner friendly, appliqué project that can be done by hand or machine. I hope you will stop by the Therm O Web Blog and check out this fun design...

This is an afternoon project that can definitely be a scrap buster! You can use your favorite wools and/or fabrics to create your own autumn pillow. If you are new to appliqué, this project is a fun place to start - these simple appliqué shapes are great practice for a beginner. I used a linen fabric base for the appliqué background, with a Harvest Moon Palette of Benzie Designs Wool Blend Felt. I added texture and dimension by needle felting Corriedale Wool Roving to the squirrel tail and ears (I used my Huskystar by Husqvarna Viking ER10 Felting & Embellishment Machine, but you could use your favorite needle felting tools)...and added a little gold Glitter Dust Spray to the moon and stars for shimmer.

From Therm O Web, I used HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets, Fusible Fleece, Heavy Weight Interfacing, a Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheet, and Glitter Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Spray (Gold)...plus, I tell you how to apply each product. Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

To find the pillow form and my favorite small, sharp scissors used in my post (along with other supplies/tools listed), visit my Harvest Squirrel Pillow Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!).

If you have questions on any of the Therm O Web or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:

https://blog.thermoweb.com/harvest-squirrel-pillow/

I hope this project gets you excited to create something special and unique. AND, if you haven't visited the Benzie Design website before, do yourself a favor and stop by - it is a happy and colorful shop, with high quality products! The color palettes of  wool blend felt are a great way to try different colors and build a collection. They ship lightning fast and wrap packages so sweetly. I have no affiliation with them, I just adore their products and cheerful vibe!

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project will be available in October...

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Freshly Picked Mini Quilt

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my August project created for Therm O Web with you! I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you on the Therm O Web Blog. Each month, I share a new project and you give you my tips and tricks for using their extensive catalog of products. For the month of August, the blog is focused on projects for back-to-school, animals, self care and travel. I created a brand new project that was posted yesterday - it is a complete project tutorial for my "Freshly Picked Mini Quilt" featuring HeatnBond. My comprehensive tutorial contains a detailed supply list and step-by-step directions with color photos and a pattern with applique templates (and you can find a short tutorial video on my YouTube channel and Instagram page). This is a versatile, beginner friendly, appliqué project. I hope you will stop by the Therm O Web Blog and check this fun design...

This is an afternoon project that can definitely be a scrap buster! You can use your favorite fabrics to create your own mini quilt. If you are new to appliqué, this project is a great place to start - these simple appliqué shapes are great practice for a beginner. Plan out the blocks or make them super scrappy! I used a Stitch by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs Joly Bar for the quilt top...and a coordinating fat quarter from my stash for the back (also from Riley Blake Designs)....and of course, the hand-dyed rick rack is from Lady Dot Creates!

Therm O Web recently released a new product, a Tear-Away Stabilizer Value Pack. While you may immediately think of this as a machine embroidery product, I will let you in on a little secret…this is my favorite product for getting the very best machine appliqué results! I use a sheet under each of my appliqué blocks when doing my machine stitches and these stabilizer sheets keep my blocks and stitches nice and flat, with no puckering. After my appliqué pieces are all stitched in place, I simply tear away the stabilizer and sew the block(s) into my quilt. These magical tear-away stabilizer sheets come in two sizes (8”x 8” or 10” x 12”), making them convenient and versatile. I thought this mini quilt would be a perfect project to show off this new product and my technique...plus it is perfect for a back-to-school teacher gift or seasonal décor.

For this post, I used Tear Away Stabilizer 8 inch x 8 inch Sheets, Fusible Fleece, Medium Weight Interfacing, a HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheet, and HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape...plus, I give you some pro-tips in my post. Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

To find the mini quilt stand and my favorite small, sharp scissors used in my post (along with other supplies/tools listed), visit my Freshly Picked Mini Quilt Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!).

If you have questions on any of the Therm O Web or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:

https://blog.thermoweb.com/freshly-picked-mini-quilt-featuring-heatnbond

I hope this project gets you excited to create something special and unique...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project will be available on September 23th...and it is going t be a GREAT one - a collaboration with Benzie Design!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...