Shop News: Wooden Beads and New Paper Pattern

Happy Friday! I have some shop news to share today, it's been a long time coming!

Last Spring I started stocking cotton twill tapes in my shop, as my preferred designs were getting harder to source. I hope it's been convenient to be able pick up some twill right alongside a copy of the lined drawstring bag pattern! With that in mind, I have decided to further expand my offerings. After many questions about where to buy the wooden beads I use on my bags over the years, I am finally stocking them in my online shop!


At this time I have wooden beads available in three sizes: 1", 7/8", and 3/4". They all have 3/8" holes, so plenty big for twill, fabric, or paracord ties to fit in them. They're all shown on 1/2" twill tape in these photos. The beads are raw unfinished wood. You can use them as is or customize them to match your project with paint or stain! I'm excited to experiement with customizing them, I will be sure to share when I do! Beads are sold in packs of four.

Find wooden beads (and twill tape) in my online shop here: Round Wooden Beads and Cotton Twill Tape

For now, I only have shipping set up for the United States. I'm happy to set up a custom listing for international orders, so if you're interested just send me a message here.


Here are all three sizes on Everything Size bags! From left to right: 3/4", 7/8", 1". All on different style 1/2" cotton twill tape. Shall we take a closer look at each bag?


I love this one! My friend Jacey gave me this fabric last year, and I cut it up for a bag during the sew along. Perfect timing for seed starting! This is the 1" beads on the yellow measuring tape cotton twill. Main fabric is from Flora by Marisol Ortega.


Next up, an animal cookie bag! I love this fabric too, one of my last fabric purchases in 2020. Makes me want a snack. This is the 7/8" beads on 1/2" natural cotton twill. Main fabric is from Butterscotch by Dana Willard.


And finally a bag I made last year! This is the 3/4" beads on antique ruler cotton twill. Main fabric is from Sienna by Alexia Marcelle Abegg.

Find the drawstring bag pattern in my shop here: Lined Drawstring Bag Pattern
Find wooden beads and twill tape in my online shop here: Round Wooden Beads and Cotton Twill Tape


The last bit of news to share is that my latest pattern, the Bear Paw Pillows Pattern, is finally available as a paper pattern! It's ready for mailing! It is also available wholesale, if you're a shop interested in carrying it.


You can find the paper pattern here: Bear Paw Pillows PAPER Pattern

Happy Friday!

Finished Project: Scrappy Pincushion

Today I'm here to share a small project that I made this week! This project ticks the box for two of my goals this year. First, it's made completely from my scrap bin, so it's my scrap project for March. I'm trying to make at least one project from scraps per month in 2021. Second, it's a new-to-me pattern. I am hoping to sew one new-to-me pattern per quarter, so this is my quarter one pattern I'm trying.


This week I finally made the Sit 'N Sew Pincushion Pattern by Shannon Fraser. I bought this pattern over a year ago, so I thought it was a good one to start with for this year. I actually pulled the scraps for this pincushion over the summer, but just didn't get around to making it. It worked out, because I could easily pick this up and make it in an afternoon since I'd kept the pattern and fabrics together in my sewing room cart. Grab and go!


It was fun to use some summery prints in this project. I quilted the pincushion top with straight lines as I put it together.


For the back of the pincushion I used a blender and quilted some random diagonal lines. I filled the pincushion with crushed walnut shells to give it nice weight.


The finished pincushion has a little hanging organizer to keep a few tools. I think it will come in handy, keeping it next to my machine.


Find the pattern in Shannon's shop here: Sit 'N Sew Pincushion Pattern by Shannon Fraser


Happy Sewing!

February Monthly Report

It's time for the February monthly report. See past reports here.


February was really tough. Saying goodbye to George was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. He had been slowing down over the last year or so, but things went downhill pretty fast. Right before Christmas we shifted our focus to palliative care, and just tried to enjoy the time we had left together. I couldn't bring myself to say it at the time, but that's why I disappeared for a while. We had the help and support of Laps of Love, who helped us navigate the process. He passed here at home, in my arms. It was devastating, but the most peaceful thing we could do for him. Thank you for all the love you've shown us, it means a lot. I wanted to share this artwork that my friend Melissa Averinos did of him. What an angel.


I didn't do a whole lot of anything in February, but I did force myself to do some crafting. The main thing I worked on this month was a few weaving projects. I don't know why, but weaving has really hit the spot during this time. I think because it is so repetitive and mindless for me. I started and finished a long scarf with a skein of sock yarn and some lace-weight yarn. I also started a worsted weight scarf too, which I am still working on. I weave on a 10" Cricket Loom by Schacht.


Towards the end of the month I set myself a goal of getting two quilts in the mail for quilting by the end of February. I had the tops done but needed to make backings for both. It may not sound like much, but it was kind of daunting. I spent most of my time the last few months taking care of George, so it felt like a lot. I'm glad I pushed through and did it though. I know it will feel good when I can get those finished, hopefully it will help propel me forward.


My only sewing finishes this month was another set of scrunchies. I love the ones I made over the summer but I'm always misplacing them. Figured a few more were in order. Plus it was my scrap project for the month, so win-win. I used this tutorial from Made Everyday.


To keep myself accountable for my stash goals, I track my yardage for fabric and yarn each month. Read more about how I track here. Here is how I did in February:

February Fabric
Used up: .25 yards
Brought in: 0 yards
Net: -.25 yards
Year to date: -7.875 yards

February Yarn
Used up: 642 yards
Brought in: 0 yards
Net: -642 yards
Year to date: -1035 yards

No fabric purchases this month, so despite my very small amount of fabric I used up, I'm still in the negative. Will this be the first year I never have a positive "year to date"? We'll see! The scarf I finished used a good amount of yarn, so my yarn yardages are already off to a great start this year.


I did a lot of baking in February, including a coconut cake for Michael's birthday. It was the same basic cake I made for his half birthday this Summer, but this time I frosted it with cool whip and we liked it much better. The buttercream I made for it last time was too sweet and too rich. The cake recipe is from Smitten Kitchen Every Day*.

*Note: Any links marked with an asterisk in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click through and buy something, I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.


I also made everything bagels. Our favorite bagel shop in Madison, Bagels Forever, had a variety called "New Everything" that had all the everything bits on the inside of the bagel instead of the outside. They were Michael's favorite, so I've been wanting to try recreating them. My first go turned out pretty good! I use this basic bagel recipe from King Arthur Baking, and I used about 43 grams of everything bagel seasoning from Trader Joes in the dough. I topped them with sesame seeds because I find they bake more evenly with the seeds on vs. nothing on the outside. Plus, we love sesame seeds.


It was a snowy month. Hurry up Spring!