My Quilts

Want to see what I sew? Take a closer look at some of my projects and quilts that I have worked on in the past.

My Crafty Fabric Christmas Ornaments!

This has been such a fun project that I’ve played with the last few weeks, I just had to share it with you! Check out these beautiful fabric Christmas ornament balls that I made!

Let me say first of all that this was an EASY project. It looks complicated, but really… it was very simple. It takes a little patience in the beginning (doesn’t everything crafty?) but after I grasped the basics, I was experimenting with different fabric and layouts and really really enjoying myself while making fun Christmas decorations!

Make sure you check out some other Holiday Craft Projects & Tutorials down below!

Video Tutorial – Step by Step

Just so you know there are tons of pictures to show you all the pretty fabric Christmas ornaments that I made, but I also made a video tutorial to show you the exact steps to make your own, check it out below.

Also, please feel free to PIN any of the images in this post to your Pinterest profile so you can easily find the tutorial again and share it with your crafty friends.

This would also make a really fun crafty holiday party activity (pending it not being a season in the middle of a pandemic, of course…)

What you’ll need for your Fabric Christmas Ornaments

The beautiful thing about this project is that you likely have MOST of what you’ll need around your house/crafting supplies right now. You may have to take a quick trip to the store… or do what I did and just add a few things to your Amazon cart and enjoy FREE 2-Day Delivery.
- 3″ Styrofoam Craft Balls (*See Note Below)
- 1″ Flat Head Straight Pins
- (optional) Decorative Straight Pins
- Jelly Roll Fabric or cut fabric that is cut into 2.5″ squares
- Ribbon
- Craft supplies, scissors, hot glue etc.
Note: Styrofoam balls come in a variety of sizes… I used the 3″ size in my video and on my tree. You are welcome to experiment with other shapes and sizes, just know that it may change your fabric needs and how your finished product turns out.

The Fabric I Used:

You’ll see in the picture below that our Christmas Tree is not decorated with the classic Christmas colors… I like incorporating bright modern colors in the decor because the rest of my house is fairly neutral. So Christmas time is rather happy and festive over here! (it is also my favorite time of the year!)

So when I decided to make some fabric Christmas ornaments for our tree… (because… I *LOVE* Fabric… and I LOVE Christmas, so… OF COURSE, I have to, right?) My mission was to find the perfect fabric to match this bright and happy theme of course.

I decided to use a jelly roll of fabric in order to get a good mix of fabrics that will all effortlessly coordinate together but still give me a variety of choices to pull from.

The winning fabric was a fabric line from Wyndham Fabrics called “Good Vibes Only”. – Fitting, right? 😉

Use Scrap Fabric!

You can also design your own Fabric Christmas Ornaments using scrap fabrics you already have on hand!

Just make sure your cut pieces are 2.5″ x 2.5″

If you’re on the edge about starting this project, I encourage you to try it out. Trust me, you’re going to love it.

Watch the video above or check it out on my YouTube Channel for the step by step instructions.

And if you needed any more reasons to get crafty, here are a few more photos of the cute ornaments on my tree!

I chose to embellish the ornament with some decorative pearl head straight pins for a little extra fun… isn’t it cute?!?

My favorite part about this Fabric Christmas Ornament?

I made a little project box that I used to store all of my pieces of fabric, pins, balls… everything that I used while in the midst of this project and took it with me all over the house to work on. I even brought it over to my mom’s house when we spent the day with them. (this is not unusual for me to tote my projects with me big and small)

This project was light, easy to transport. It was also easy to pick up and work on whenever I had a few spare minutes. No searching for where I left off or thinking long and hard about what my next steps were…

It was simple to work on in front of the TV while my kids were watching a movie or in the evenings while I was waiting on dinner to cook.

Just FYI, I’m not encouraging you to take this with you and ignore your family while you’re in the same room as them…. I’m just saying if you’re going to be crafty, you can be in the same room as them instead of being tied to your sewing machine or crafting equipment in another room. 😂

If you’re wondering how durable these Fabric Christmas Ornaments are and if they’ll stay together long term… I have zero worries about them lasting as part of our holiday décor for years and years to come. They are pretty solid. The weight of the fabric adds a real solid mass to it as well.

Please note that if you have little children around the house, you might want to hang them a little higher up on the tree… just to avoid any little hands disassembling your pinned fabric.

I didn’t think ahead about the ornaments being the same shape as our puppies favorite toys in the world – tennis balls… or anything that even resembles a sphere.

So, if you were wondering… that is why you can only see a portion of my Christmas tree in the photo above… because it does not have any ornaments on the lower section. 😂🎄😲 It did when we first decorated, but they have slowly migrated higher and higher as the dogs test their limits and just how far they are willing to go to get the shiny temptation balls. lol

What do you think? Is this something that you would like to try making in the future? Let me know in the comments and if you have any other questions!

I hope you have a festive and wonderful holiday season! Happy Sewing!

More Holiday Craft Projects!

You may enjoy some of these other tutorials from ISeeStarsQuilting.com
Sewing Room Renovation! – Before & After Pics

Hey hey! So it feels like I’ve been hinting at this sewing room renovation going on behind the scenes for like all of 2020 with little progress to show for it. This year has been rough in a lot of ways – but I finally have the official Sewing room Reveal before and after pics to show you!

Get ready because even I am quite shocked at the difference in the photos!

If you want to see more of the planning stages of this Sewing room renovation, check out this post: Sewing Room Face Lift: Planning Stages

It has been a really long project but it was definitely worth the sweat and the tears to get to this point. I hope that you get a little inspired and walk away with some ideas for your own space!

If you prefer to watch rather than scroll…

I have a couple YouTube videos where you can walk through it with me!

And because everyone loves a good makeover that shows all the icky parts in between – and oh yeah, that shot of me kicking in the wall and being all cool (Chip Gaines style)… I made a second video to document the journey and show you what happened behind the scenes! Enjoy!

Make sure you subscribe to my channel on YouTube so you can stay up to date with all the fun and wonderful tips, tricks, and tutorials that I share!

I am happy to finally be able to share the whole process with you. I think it’s really important to see all the not so pretty parts just as much as the final “wow” moment everyone loves to see.

Check out one of my most popular guides that takes you through a simple step by step process to create the space of your dreams! Just25 Days!

How long did my sewing room renovation take?

Ok, so like I said… this process has been going on for a while. I made it way more complicated by doing a full purge, acquiring new furniture, selling things, knocking out walls, and waiting on the mailman to bring me my favorite organizing tools instead of going out and shopping a lot… oh and in the middle of a pandemic…

I officially started thinking about making this room renovation a reality around April/May-ish? And completed it about September-ish… while putting the finishing touches and little “sparkly” touches to it (calling it officially FINISHED) in October.

Holy cow, right? It has been a heck of a year and a LONG time living in a state of disaster. In hindsight, I could have made this easier on myself in a lot of ways…

Now, every renovation doesn’t have to take as long as mine did obviously!

I had many reasons for it taking an extra long time:
- I bought several new pieces of furniture that needed to be assembled. (Looking at you, IKEA…)
- I cleaned out A TON of my belongings and parted ways with many craft supplies I was holding on to for “someday” – This included selling and gifting purges. 👏
- We took out a wall and did some remodeling to absorb a closet into my space.
- I took my time to make sure I was solving my storage solutions for the long term needs and not just the short term
- Not everything I wanted was in stock and I had to put things on hold for a while.
- aaaaand the theme of 2020 taken into account – unexpected is just a way of life.
- We also had several other home projects that took priority including: re-doing an upstairs shower that leaked into our downstairs ceiling, working on our laundry room, replacing the windows in our house, and several other things I don’t even want to remember right now. It’s just been a long year lol
Let’s take a look at the before pictures!

This is where we started. A functional space, yes. but pretty? not so much.

I realize that having a space like the extra bedroom that I have is a blessing. If you want to see what my sewing space looked like in our old house and why I LOVE this new space, check out these posts:

Tour of My Sewing Room

Sewing Room Face Lift: Planning Stages

Fabric Storage: What Works For Me + A Video!

Keeping A Clean Sewing Space: A How to

Sewing Room Tour! (what it looked like after we moved!)

So, while I really was enjoying my new space with a door I could close and keep separate from the rest of the house, I felt like I wasn’t doing the space any favors by just using it as a storage room.

Can you really call it your zen zone if it is a disaster 80% of the time and gives you anxiety with all the piles laying around?

This is what I walked into every single day. I love the things in it, but I didn’t love that it felt cluttered all.the.time.

On one hand, it fills my heart with glee to see all my pretty crafty things around me. On the other hand, I felt like I was suffocating in constant clutter.

This “creative zone” is a really good and comfortable spare bedroom size room. I felt like I was working within tight confines and trying to come up with storage solutions constantly. – If you have a good size collection of crafty things… you KNOW it adds up fast, right?

I really have no excuse for my fabric collection before – It was beautiful and organized before and then one day, I just didn’t take the 2 seconds to fold things nicely, and slowly it dissolved into… whatever this leaning tower of fabric is.

This space also serves as my office/video zone/editing room. So, while on one side I have my sewing space, this is what was on the other side. Functional? Yes. Absolutely. Pretty? – Nope. Not a bit.

The last “before” picture that I am going to share is of the closet for the room. It was a very long, skinny and awkward design that made it nearly impossible to organize anything but perhaps seasonal clothing, if this were a bedroom… But for sewing supplies, it was a black hole of disaster. This was the largest project of the sewing room renovation

Deciding on priorities:

When re-organizing your space, it is important that you decide exactly what it is you want. I mean EXACTLY – specific achievable goals… not just a vague idea of a space that makes your heart flutter.

My “Must Have” needs for this room…
- Obviously, a crafty zone where I can spread out and be free to create!
- Multiple zones: sewing, embroidery, cutting/ironing area
- Storage.storage.STORAGE – At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I wanted a place for everything and I didn’t want it to be out on display all the time.
- Clean and minimal feel with lots of open countertops
- Business/blogging area where I can handle office work and video editing – separate from my sewing area.
Things I would still like to add down the line… because no creative space is ever “finished”, right?
- Can lights in the ceiling for more light all over the room – for now, my table lamps are working just fine.
- Beautiful quilts stacked everywhere! I love using my quilting projects as a useful decor item – I’m working on this one 😉
- Super cushy/girly seating that would be approved by Elle Woods. PINK and comfy, yet also supportive for optimum posture is ideal.
(FYI – that’s a reference to the move Legally Blonde, if you’re wondering…😂)

The in-between stages: Sewing Room Renovation Progress Pics

While I was knee-deep in other projects going on around the house (more on the hic-up project in a minute) I played with rearranging my office space and sewing room to see what layout felt like it suited the room and my needs the most.

For example, Did I want an island in the room? There are so many cute ones on pinterest! But I also really like having floor space… so I opted out of that scenario and ultimately decided on a T-Shaped work area.

When it came to taking out the closet… it is beyond my skill set, so I enlisted the help of my 2 favorite guys. My dad and my husband were absolutely essential in this project and I couldn’t be more happy with how it came together!

I remember at one point I was questioning what in the world I had gotten myself into because there just wasn’t any more floor space in my house and we were covered in cardboard boxes and bits and pieces of ikea hardware all over the place. This picture below was taken in my kitchen because I was that desperate at that point. 😜

Note: The message on the back of the closet wall – On every single wall that I paint, I like to paint an inspirational secret message. It serves no purpose whatsoever as it gets painted over. I like to think that it adds a little extra magic to the room. 😍

I’ve done it for as long as I can remember. My kids knew about the ones that I painted in their rooms and will occasionally bring it up in conversation… Originally, I was considering a navy blue paint color for that nook but changed my mind thinking it would make that corner of the room feel too dark and closed in with the beautiful dark granite counter-tops. (I found them for a steal of a price through my neighborhood website!)

The pic below was my dreaming phase/sketch of how I wanted my desk area to look. See the shelves on the right? We kept those from the closet before. It is perfect storage for my camera, microphone and other office books! Accessible, yet out of the way so I have plenty of room to work.

And here is the progress all painted and cabinets installed, plus the beautiful flooring!

What the rest of the room looked like…

The behind the scenes was like a sewing war zone. It was an explosion of boxes and a very odd collection of piles everywhere

About that hic-up that I mentioned earlier. My Sewing Room renovation often got put on the back burner of home projects. We also ended up dealing with working on our laundry room, organizing various closets and other home sanity projects as well as new windows on our house. Oh yeah, and the pandemic too. It has been a weird year…

The After Pictures

For a full tour, make sure you check out the full video on Youtube.

I am loving creating in this space now. It serves every single one of my goals and I can’t wait to walk in here every single day! 🙌😘

I made sure that I had display space for my most favorite décor items and books. Oh, how I love all of my art/craft books!

What I did to save money while renovating

I have several tips on saving money as a crafter. Everything from 8 Tips for Quilting on a Budget and Cheap Sewing Room Storage to Fabric Shopping – The Smart Way To Do It in 6 Steps.

I did a lot of research online and IKEA seemed to have the best reviews for durability, versatility, and cost overall.

I also constantly scrolled websites that has second-hand furniture in my area (be careful that you do this safely!)

Utilizing websites with used furniture was a big help. I found a few gently used pieces for FREE and I was able to sell a few of my pieces of furniture to turn around and invest back into the space.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below. I’m happy to answer them for you and go into detail on anything you wish to know more about.

It is a little hard to sit down and write absolutely everything that happened over the past 5 months or so. It was a long process, but well worth the sweat, mess, dust & tears!
My Favorite Ikea Products for the Sewing Room

During quarantine, I took up the task of working on updating my sewing/crafting room space.

I have looked through just about every possible furniture and organization structure available at Ikea. (every single one as of 2020!)

I am going to share my favorite Ikea products for the sewing room with you as well as which ones I ultimately chose to add in my space.

I’m going to organize this list in a few different categories so you can quickly scroll to what will help you the most.
- Work surfaces
- Chair/Seating
- Furniture/Large Storage
- Small Storage
- Accessories
Note: Ikea nearly has it’s own language when it comes to product names… I feel it makes more sense if you just assume each product is like one of its children and while the name be unfamiliar to it, you can’t judge it based on the name alone. 🙂 If something is really unfamiliar to you, just do a quick search for the product name and you’ll catch on eventually!

Work Surfaces

This is super important. You can have all the storage containers in the world but if you have nowhere to work… well, what’s the point?!

You want large flat surfaces that allow creative inspiration to strike.

It is also really nice if you can spread out and have space for allllll your pretty things while you’re working!

Linnmon Table Top

The Linnmon line from Ikea is absolutely a crafter’s dream!

First thing you need to know it is kind of like a grown-up Lego set, ok? You pick the pieces you want and create something that perfectly fits your budget and your needs.

First, you pick your preferred size for the top – in many different colors to choose from depending on the size… As you can see, the prices are really quite affordable for a great workspace!

Next, you go about choosing the supports for your desktop…

Again, there are many choices… but if you’ve spent any amount of time on Pinterest, I bet you’ve seen the different variations of this classic Ikea product/workspace!

When you’re planning your workspace I find it really useful to pay attention to the sizing of the products. Certain Ikea lines were designed to work well with some but, not with others.

By clicking this link, you’ll see all the products that are included in the “table bar system”. i.e. They play nicely together. 🙂

Check out the entire Linnmon line here.

Chairs & Seating

When considering seating options… forget putting money where your mouth is… put it where your um… never mind… The point is that it is important to invest in really good seating because this is a space that you’ll be working from for long periods of time.

This image shows proper sewing positioning and posture.

You really don’t want to be sitting in a position that is going to leave you with aches and pains after a few good long sewing sessions.

My absolute favorite sewing chair is this one right here.

Doesn’t look like much, does it?

It is the SKALBERG/SPORREN model from Ikea. It is height adjustable! So I can get it exactly the height that I want it.

The one I own is white, but Ikea tends to roll out and test different markets with different colors so maybe you’ll be able to find it in a color that works for you!

The most important part is that this chair is really reallllly comfortable to sit in.

The shape just……. I’m going to say it… It holds your bottom perfectly, ok? There. I said it. It is really comfortable!

If you don’t have the budget for a new chair…

Let me introduce you to an inexpensive way to make your chair more comfortable and take the pressure off your spine…

You can get this weird cushion from amazon here. It looks like a weird alien chair or something but if you’ve ever got up from your sewing machine and been a little stiff… you’ll care less about looks than the support this comfy cushion provides!

Furniture/Large Storage

Creative storage solutions are absolutely unavoidable if you’ve been a sewist for more than 10 minutes… you know how it is.

We just have a lot of stuff and while we don’t use 100% of it 100% of the time… you can’t get rid of it because you will use it one day or need to access it at some point.

Crafting is the gateway drug to full on hoarding.

My favorite Ikea products for the sewing room is the billy bookself.

These shelves come in different widths and heights making it really easy to maximize your wall space.

Click here to see the entire Billy Bookshelf line.

If the open shelving isn’t the look you’re going for… guess what?! you have more options!

Ikea has created many options for you to choose from when it comes to doors that hide your storage solution.

This is also great if you want easy access/grab and go to your items but don’t really want them out on display 24/7 or you like a really streamlined and clean look to your room.

To see the full line options of doors, click here.

More furniture/storage ideas:

I have used the malm dresser in my sewing studio for many years. The contents have changed over the years as I rearrange my storage but I love the versatility!

The Kallax line has long been a popular staple in craft organization!

While the name and a few details have changed over the years… the function has not: Start with the basic structure… then customize it however you want!

The cube-like storage system comes in a variety of sizes with plenty of “insterts” to choose from including, drawers, cabinets, and shelving.

I’ve also recently grown so attached to the Havsta line – which… I think was designed to be a living-room furniture line? But… obviously it is able to move to wherever I put it. 😍🙌

Here it is in my sewing room…

If re-organizing your craft space is overwhelming for you, check out this fantastic guide that I created to walk you through step by step. Nothing is overwhelming with you’re only working on one piece at a time! We go through everything together and really think it through so you Create the most wonderful space of your DREAMS!

Small Storage

Once you have the big items down, small storage is important to divide up your space and be able to separate your tools.

I made a video for you where I shared some of the organizing techniques in my sewing room!

I really love these Kuggis bins! They are classic Ikea storage.

It is really helpful to label your boxes so you don’t forget about what is inside.

Personally, I’m still working on this in my sewing room as I have my boxes but I’m still playing with placement. I feel like I need to “live” in the room a bit before I’ve decided that everything has found its happy home. 🤷‍♀️

After that, I will be putting labels on all my pretty white boxes!

Here are a few suggestions for quick and easy labels!

If you have a desire for absolute perfection when it comes to organizing… I highly recommend you check out these books by The Home Edit.

I have been *addicted* and basically binged their entire series on Netflix (like a lot of other Americans stuck at home during quarantine?) before spinning around in my house looking for fun new projects to play with.

You can also check out some ideas on Amazon for small storage! Just double check your dimensions so you know it will fit with your Ikea products!

More Ikea small storage options

I really have used these all over my house… but they’re really useful in the sewing studio too!

The Tenja series is a really economical way to get it done quickly and effectively categorize your craft room supplies.

These storage boxes come in a variety of prints and patterns (they also change out and get discontinued from time to time…)

To see the full array of colors and options to choose from, click here.

I really love Ikea’s peg board system! It is clean and works really well with their other products/decor.

I mean, check out all the peg board options and ad-ons!

If you prefer a more DIY option to purchasing a whole slew of pegboard products, check out this DIY pegboard tutorial I have!

Accessories & Decor!

Whew, organizing is hard work… It really is!… but what makes it really special is the final touches around your space. The icing on the cake, the cherry on top… just that little sprinkle of pizzazz of your favorite items that make you want to jump up and down and shout with excitement!

via GIPHY

These are my favorite accessories for that amazingly finished look to your sewing/crafting space!

Fake plants

I love the feeling of good green happy plants around me… It is a mental projection of blossoming life all around me and creative energy circling through the atmosphere.

Unfortunately… the universe did not bless me with the ability to be able to keep happy healthy plants alive. 🤷‍♀️ I don’t know why. I’ve tried many times and tried my best… but you know what? My kids are happy and healthy and there is a bright side I can’t argue with lol

So I will supplement my love of plants with fake ones! The ones from Ikea I have to admit are really good. I mean, yes… they’re plastic, but unless you’re looking close (why would you judge me?) you can’t even tell.

You’ll also find wonderful and affordable decorating items like:
- Wall frames
- Posters and Art prints
- Clocks
- Mirrors
- Notice/memo boards
Shelving/Display Options

You can also grab some really handy wall shelves while you’re in store to show off all of your beautiful things!

I like using the lack shelving system in my sewing room. It gives the illusion of a floating shelf, but is really really simple to install and is available in several different sizes and lengths.

Thank you for sticking it out with me to the very end of this post! I hope that you found it really inspiring and that maybe next time you’re at Ikea you can snag a few new products to make your sewing/crafting space a little more organized and your own personal haven!

If you have any questions about the products above, let me know in the comments down below. Tell me what you LOVE to use in your sewing room!

Feel free to get in touch and contact me!
20 Subscription Boxes from CrateJoy that are Winners!

If you haven’t read my review on CrateJoy, check out this post. I have very honest opinions that I like to share with you 🙂

I’ve combed through the CrateJoy Website and picked out my favorite subscription boxes to share with you!

I know that I have a craft-geared blog, but there is honestly so many good ones that I couldn’t just limit myself to only picking the crafty subscription boxes… so I’ll share a little of both. I hope that is ok with you!

You can also save this pin down below so you can come back to this post later!

20. The Stash Builder Box

“A Monthly Quilting Subscription Box With a Cause – Cotton Cuts is a monthly quilting box that takes 20% of proceeds to make quilts for kids in need. Your purchase helps make a difference for kids in need. Every month, get THREE 1-yard cuts from a new modern fabric collection, a spool of Aurifil thread, our signature pencil and a bonus box-exclusive quilt pattern that is unique each month!
- 3 yards of Modern Quilters Cotton
- Aurifil thread
- Signature Pencil
- Box-exclusive Quilt Pattern”
19. Makerly Crafts

“Learn a new craft every month. Makerly is a monthly subscription for craft addicts! Each month you will receive a box crammed full of all the materials, tools, and instructions you need to try your hand at a brand new craft project. Past projects have included kits such as macrame, needle felting, crochet, Christmas bauble making and resin pressed flower jewellery.
- 1 craft project per month!
- You will receive instructions, pattern pieces, materials and any special equipment you might need to complete a new project
- Past boxes have included jewellery making, paper toys, sewing projects and DIY fairy lights
- Number of items will vary depending on the project”
18. The Adults & Crafts Crate

“After all, Crafting is Cheaper than Therapy! -Adults & Crafts is a thoughtfully curated craft subscription box for adults & teens to create fun and trendy projects! Every month is a different craft to allow you to learn a new craft technique like wood burning and engraving. Create beautiful products like wine carriers, epoxy resin coasters, & more! Perfect for a friend hangout or date night!
- We send you all the tools, materials, accessories and instructions you need to complete the craft. No last minute trips to the craft store needed!
- Create trendy projects like wine caddies, epoxy resin, candles, and more!
- Perfect for a family night, for a friend hangout, or for date night.
- Learn a new craft skill every month varying from clockmaking, to embossing, to woodworking. The possibilities are endless!
- As seen on the Today Show, Buzzfeed, USAToday and more!”
17. Jerky of The Month Club – Craft Jerky Co.

“High Quality Craft & Artisan Jerky From Around The U.S.A. Award-Winning Experience. Flexible Gift Ordering. Exclusive Selections. Personalized Gift Message. Best Variety. Hard-to-Find Craft Jerky. Designed For All Jerky Lovers, Join the Club or Gift a Membership. No Long Term Commitment, Cancel Anytime.
- New Brands & Flavors Every Month
- Add A Personal Touch With A Custom Gift Note
- Awesome gift idea for jerky lovers!
- Sign up to receive delicious, top quality, artisan jerky every month.
- Fast USA Shipping”
16. Henny+Roo

“Spoil your flock and yourself! Henny+Roo is the first and only subscription box for backyard chicken enthusiasts. Each month, you’ll receive hard-to-find first aid and health products, chicken treats, and coop items for your chickens, and useful chicken-themed gifts for you. Makes a great gift for your favorite chicken keeper, even if that’s you!
- chicken supplies
- chicken-themed gifts
- chicken treats
- poultry supplies
- High-quality supplies for backyard chicken keeping.”
15.The Catered Creative

“The Catered Creative is a monthly craft subscription kit for individuals who love to be creative in many forms. Each month, we choose new creative skills to include in a craft kit that contains everything needed to complete one trendy Pinterest-worthy craft project. All you need to do is join us for the live tutorial and enjoy creating.
- Live Tutorial with step by step instructions in The Catered Creative Community
- Supportive, Non-Judgmental, Inspiring Facebook Community of Like-minded Creatives
- All materials and tools included in that month’s craft kit
- New Creative Skills to learn each month
- Perfect for all levels of Creative Skills”
14. Thoughts of Joy

“Crafted Faith Crate – Be creative. Be encouraged. – A subscription box for girls and women who love to be creative and want to grow in their faith. Each box contains two handmade craft kits plus all the tools and supplies needed! We also include a short devotional, a waterproof faith-based sticker, and a set of matching Bible verse art prints – one for you to keep and one to gift to a friend!
- Learn new skills and gain confidence in your creative abilities
- Custom designed craft kits with high quality supplies and materials
- Everything you need to create beautiful, inspirational crafts
- Be encouraged to grow in your walk with Christ
- Get inspired to dig deeper in God’s word”
13. CSDS Vinyl

“Be inspired to create something beautiful! Our vinyl subscription boxes are perfect for any avid crafter, even if you or your friend are a beginner! Each vinyl sheet is carefully chosen to ensure that your finished design looks as fabulous as you imagined it to be. Mix and match any of the high quality patterns and colors to create your one of a kind finished project!
- ADHESIVE VINYL ONLY : (3) 12×12 patterned adhesive sheets, (3) 12×12 specialty adhesive sheets, (4) 12×12 Oracal 651 adhesive sheets, (1) 12×12 Oracal 651 Transparent sheet, (1) 12×12 CSDS Vinyl Transfer Tape sheet sample This box has a regular retail value of $28.50 minimum.
- HEAT TRANSFER VINYL ONLY: (3) 10×12 patterned HTV sheets with mask, (2) 7.5×12 Siser Easyweed HTV sheets, (2) 10×12 Siser Glitter HTV sheets, (1) 10×12 Siser Holographic HTV sheet, (1) 7.5×12 or 10×12 Siser or CSDS Vinyl Specialty HTV Mystery sheet This box has a regular retail value of $26.00 minimum.
- ADHESIVE VINYL & HTV DUO: ADHESIVE – (2) 12×12 patterned adhesive sheets, (2) 12×12 specialty adhesive sheets, (2) 12×12 Oracal 651 adhesive sheets, (1) 12×12 CSDS Vinyl Transfer Tape sheet sample HTV – (2) 10×12 patterned HTV sheets with mask, (1) 7.5×12 Siser Easyweed HTV sheets, (1) 10×12 Siser Glitter HTV sheets, (1) 7.5×12 or 10×12 Siser or CSDS Vinyl Specialty HTV Mystery sheet This box has a regular retail value of $30.00 minimum.
- Different patterns and colors chosen every month
- High quality, name brand products such as Siser and Oracal”
12. Smartass and Sass

“Themed shirts and boxes with hilarious products. Smartass & Sass is a gift and subscription service for snarky individuals and cynical a**holes. We hand-select products from artists and small businesses and work with manufacturers to produce brand-new items that are sure to make you giggle. Subscribers also help us decide on items and have access to a secret sale shop. Join our community today!
- 3 subscription options: shirt, box, or shirt & box
- 5-7 items per box
- Items include: mugs, bags, notebooks, apparel, and more!
- Shirts are soft-blend unisex and printed locally (size chart image above)
- Ships internationally to Canada, Mexico, the UK, and Australia”
11. Once Upon a Book Club

“A unique, interactive reading experience! This is a reading experience like no other! Welcome to Once Upon a Book Club, the interactive and unique monthly book subscription! Each month, you’ll receive a newly released book and 3-5 wrapped gifts that are labeled with page numbers. As you read, you’ll be directed to open the gifts at the most important moments to bring the book to life!
- Young Adult Box: For ages 14+, includes 1 YA fiction book, 3 to 5 wrapped gifts, a 5×7 quote print, discussion questions and read-a-long dates for live discussion, and gift opening with fellow readers
- Adult Box: For ages 18+, includes 1 Adult fiction book, 3 to 5 wrapped gifts, a 5×7 quote print, discussion questions and read-a-long dates for live discussion, and gift opening with fellow readers
- All individually wrapped gifts are labeled with page numbers, not to be opened until that particular page”
10. Succulents Box – Monthly Subscription Box

“Organically Grown Succulents Box – Let’s Go Green – Succulents Box is the perfect product for succulents lovers to indulge their love monthly! Add greenery to your home and improve its air quality with our variety of succulents. All succulents are 2” in size with 4 different varieties sent each month. We also offer an air plant subscription box with a different air plant each month.
- Great surprise gift idea for that special someone who wants to go green!
- We offer flexible options of 1, 2, 3, or 4 succulents of 2-inch size each month
- Quality Guarantee: We only ship the healthiest plants and provide detailed care instructions for each plant
- Satisfaction Guarantee: We will refund or send a replacement if you are not happy with the plants
- No accessories included. The pots in the pictures are just for demonstration purposes”
9. The Hopebroidery Box

“The Hopebroidery Box: For All your Stitchy Needs! – The Hopebroidery Box is a monthly subscription service for hand embroidery! Each month, I send subscribers everything they’ll need to complete that month’s project, including a stitch by stitch video tutorial. You can also choose the mini box, which includes just the pattern and tutorial link.
- Choose between the big box ($45, includes at least $45 worth of hand embroidery materials delivered to you monthly) or the mini box ($12, includes the digital version of that month’s pattern + the video tutorial, but no physical items).
- Boxes are sent out on or around the 4th of each month – boxes purchased this month go out next month (for example, if you sign up at any point in June, your first box will go out in early July)!
- Share photos of your progress by tagging me (@hopebroidery) and using the hashtag #hopebroideryBOX!
- Need extra help with your project? Not a problem – contact me directly via email, and I’m happy to help!”
8. On The Go Mom Box

“On The Go Mom Box “Treat yourself, You deserve it” – On The Go Mom Box was created to inspire, motivate, and encourage the everyday modern-day mom all around the world. Our monthly subscription boxes are catered to moms from all different walks of life that are simply trying to juggle it all while being the best mother possible. Within each box, you can expect to receive 4-6 items each month.
- Health & Wellness
- Beauty & Skin Care
- Snacks for the Go
- Home Storage & Organization
- Tips & Tricks on being a Busy Mom On the Go”
7. SnackSack

“What’s included in SnackSack each month? At SnackSack, we’re kicking unhealthy snacks to the curb. Each monthly collection of smarter snacking is carefully curated from 10-15 amazing brands. We center every month around seasonal themes and flavors you have to try. Choose from 4 Snacking Plans: Classic, Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Workplace. Smarter snacking starts right now!
- SnackSack is all about discovering new healthier snacks, delivered directly to your home or office!
- You’ll find 11-15 unique brands every month, always centered around seasonal themes and flavors.
- Every month is a brand new surprise of smarter snacking, sure to delight your tastebuds.
- Pick from 4 unique Snacking Plans: Classic, Vegan, Gluten-Free, or Workplace.
- USPS 2-3 Day Priority Mail is included with every month at no extra charge!”
6. Tea, Simplicity Teas: Tea with intentions

“Join the tea of the month club. Life is too short to drink bad tea. Take the quiz to get a custom made subscription just for you! Your first box comes with a unique tea infuser. Great way to try & discover new teas. Multiple packages to choose from to fit your drinking needs! Makes a great gift! Join the 8,000+ people who love us!
- #1 rated in customer satisfaction from tea lovers like you
- Beautifully and thoughtfully created – makes the perfect gift!
- All organic teas- comes with brewing and tasting instructions
- Comes with reusable loose leaf tea infuser
- Take our quiz to personalize your box! Unique blends- discover a new favorite!”
5. Cattitude Box – Monthly Subscription Box for Cat Ladies

“The purrfect subscription box for every cat lady – Hello Cat Meowmy! We’re the cat’s pyjamas of cat subscription boxes, treating you and your kitties to premium, unique gifts every month. Discover handmade toys and accessories from independent British makers and designers who create exclusive designs for our box only. We also care for cats in need, donating a portion of our profits to cat shelters.
- Quirky cat-themed lifestyle/home accessories – our theme changes each month and our subscribers look forward to the experience. Check out all our past boxes in our box showcase. Our April box was inspired by Alice in wonderland and was sold out within 48 hours, our latest box was inspired by David Bowie (or should we say David Meowie!) which was our most popular box this year! We also have some ameowzing themes planned this year – such as Purrs from Paris, Pumpkin Spice & All Things Nice – we absolutely love putting these boxes together and we hope you’ll love them just as much!
- Discover Independent British Brands & Artists that you might not have come across yet (but should totally check out!). We love good humor and pun – a lot of the items (that are commissioned just for the box) reflect it.
- Our box is very much by the cat ladies and for the cat ladies. You won’t find anything in this box that we won’t give to our cats. All the cat food/toys that you’ll find in the box have got paws of approved from our 3 pampered puss.
- You have options to swap cat food/treats for toys if your cat is fussy – we totally get this!
- We can’t wait to welcome you to our cat lady family, you’ll fit right in!”
4. Wild Woman Box

“Fuel Your Wild Side! – The Wild Woman Box is a monthly subscription curated with gear, inspiration, snacks and body products to support your busy and active lifestyle. Our mission is to make adventure and the outdoors inclusive and accessible for ALL women! So what are you waiting for?!
- Natural Body Products
- Hand Picked Inspirational Items
- Wild Woman Exclusives
- Outdoor Gear
- Snacks to keep you fueled”
3. Night In Boxes: Date Night In & Kids Night In

“Everything you need to enjoy a night at home. – Each Night In Box includes everything you need to enjoy a night at home, no planning required. Whether you select Date Night In Box or Kids Night In Box you’ll receive several activities, snacks, conversation starters, custom recipes, a Spotify playlist and more.
- Each box contains several activities with all the items needed
- Uniquely curated themes each month
- No planning required
- Optional faith add on”
2. Spiffy Socks Subscription

“The most comfortable, hygienic, stylish, and sustainable pair of socks you’ll ever wear. Learn the advantages of wearing socks made of bamboo fiber and why it compares to no other.
- Super Light and Comfortable – Twice as soft as cotton!
- Natural Antibacterial Fighting Qualities – Wicks away moisture and combats odor naturally
- Thermo-regulating Abilities – Warms comfortably on the cold days but stays cool when it’s hot
- Shock and Wrinkle Protection – Spiffy Socks are naturally durable and never require any type of ironing
- Free shipping within the United States!”
1. Muse Illuminate

“Best Selling Self – Help Personal & Business Box – The result of Muse Illuminates monthly boxes is to help entrepreneurs and everyday people feel self empowered, more focused & prioritized, become productive, grow their business & skills and to be a better person. We are looking for ambitious individuals that want to take their personal growth to the next level. If that’s you then you’re in the rig
- NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS- Receive a brand new New York Times bestseller book with an explicit intention to help you in your personal and professional life.
- PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES – Each month you will receive personal development tools such as journals, workbooks, pens, customized worksheets created by our team all dedicated to a specific monthly theme.
- EXCLUSIVE WORKBOOKS AND GOAL ORIENTED ACTIVITY SHEETS-Each month you will receive 3-5 exclusive worksheets curated to help you reach your goals faster by helping you stay on track and on task to reach your goals.
- You will receive the ultimate personal development seminar experience delivered monthly to your door, our boxes are crafted with you in mind, loaded with lots of tools and resources to help you create the absolute best version of yourself.
- LEARN GROW BECOME- Obtain the tools you need to get you one step closer to your goals. Learn from the best mentors, grow your mindset and become the creator of your life.”
Whew! I hope that you enjoyed my collection of my favorite subscription boxes for gifts (or for yourself!) If you have any comments, you can leave them down below and I’d be happy to reply to your thoughts and hear your suggestions on your favorite boxes! 💕
Vacation-Getaway (With A Little Quilting Mixed In)

We recently had the pleasure of taking a little vacation-getaway. I added in some local quilt shops to our travel “to-do” list.

Since I know that not everyone is able to travel right now, I thought I would share some of my adventure with you…

[Be prepared, this post has a LOT of photos in it.]

I’m not about to pull out a big slide projector, but I wanted to give you a sense of the joy and fun that this little trip brought for us.

So here we go!…

Normally, when my husband and I take the kids on a road trip, we do the normal stops for some car snacks and try to involve the kids when we choose where to go or where to stop. Being that they are homeschooled, I always try to add in a few educational stops as well. (mommas gotta teach when the opportunity presents itself)

However, this trip… I was adamant about something that I don’t usually make it a point to work in… deliberately planning our route to include detours for quilt shops.

*I won’t lie… it kind of felt a little selfish because I know that this isn’t an activity that everyone enjoys… but it made me completely giddy too* 🥰I decided, with my husband’s blessing that I really needed to work this into our fun adventure!

I mean, it tends to happen naturally when we travel and I happen to schedule us to roll into a town that has a quilt shop about the time we would be stopping for lunch anyways… so we might as well right? 😘

Bit of backstory: Every single year for fathers day my family rents a big house out in the Texas Hill Country and we all gather together for a few nights of family fun, cooking, marshmallows, giggles and treats. It is a tradition that we look forward to every single year.

On our way to Wimberly, Texas, We drove through LaGrange, Texas.

This town is absolutely picturesque. A cute Texas town. Charming. So friendly and beautiful in every way.

They also are home to the Texas Quilt Museum! Ahem *cough* coincidence? 😉 Check out their website below and look at the upcoming exhibits if you’ll be anywhere in the area! It is absolutely worth the trip! http://www.texasquiltmuseum.org

Unfortunately, the museum wasn’t open when I went. (Boo. It was a bit of poor planning on a Thursday afternoon on my part). However, they have a beautiful little garden next to the museum that we got to walk through!

I would love to visit it in the spring time again. I took a lot of pictures, but please keep in mind that it is Mid-August and well over 100* F in Texas. So we’re kind of lucky that any of it is green at this point!

This is the type of place that I would love to grab a cup of tea or coffee and go spend a few hours with a good book in! Doesn’t it look so shady and lovely?

Despite the heat and really strong sunshine, there were still pretty flower blooms. You can tell that this is a very well loved garden!

In the picture below, I realize that it looks like my kids are looking at their watches out of boredom or wondering how much longer mom is going to drag them around in the hot Texas sunshine…😂 but actually there was a legit sundial in the middle of the garden and they were checking the accuracy! lol (I told you I teach where I can!)

The beautiful painted mural on the side of the Texas Quilt Museum!

Do you see how beautiful that wall is? That is the side of the quilt museum. How stunning is it?! It almost makes me want to paint the side of my house… I wonder how my neighbors would feel about that though?

A Little Shopping Trip Always Makes The Day Better!

I was rather disappointed about not getting to go in the museum itself, but it wasn’t a total loss, because next to the museum is a lovely little quilt shop that you CAN NOT miss if you come this way! http://www.thequiltedskein.com

I mean… holy modern quilter’s paradise!!!!

This shop is adorable! It is also much larger on the inside than it appears on the outside.

They also carried a lot of beautiful yarn, many different materials and price ranges as well.

Honesty check: I love yarn. I have no idea what to do with it and I can’t knit to save my life. I’m a tragic attempter at crochet – meaning, I’ll pull it out every few years thinking I’m “ready” for it, but I don’t know… I don’t think God’s children were meant to be good at everything or something 🤣 Perhaps I should just leave it to the talented ladies that make beautiful things with it?

My daughter uses a loom to knit scarves and hats on (that I can do!) so she was in heaven like I was!

And this sheep… isn’t he just the cutest?!

Another room full of fabric waiting to be scooped up by another creative soul… Also, I took this photo, because I am in LOVE with those mustard-colored upholstered chairs.

I could have spent at least 2 hours walking around and touching all the fabrics, but because I had my entourage with me, I kept it as short as I could.

These were the treasures that I took home with me. A lot of Tula Pink’s new line… and a random skein of hand died alpaca yarn that felt like touching the softest most rainbow cloud that ever existed. I am in LOVE with it!

I told you I couldn’t resist yarn… even if I am not 100% sure what to do with it...

A Few Other Texas Road Trip Treasures

I mentioned that we always indulge the kid’s requests for a few treats when we vacation. These are from a small bakery in Ellinger, Texas called Hruskas. http://www.hruskas-bakery.com

Also, that photo is not me being tricky with my camera or zooming way in. The cinnamon roll was split 4 ways because it was HUGE and loaded with cinnamon – just the way I like them. No skimping on the Cinnamon is the best way to get 5 stars in my book!

The kids thought this water tower was adorable. I can’t say I disagree… it was a very friendly addition to our window views.

In Wimberly, Texas

As I said, we rent the same house every year. It has like 5 bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining area, horses to feed on property and plenty of space where the whole family can get together. We also enjoy the use of the private pool and lots of time to spend together making more memories each year.

It is our haven. And it felt so nice to be able to escape for a little bit!

Just look at these views from the back porch!

If you’ve made it all the way down here, thank you 🥰 I hope that the next little vacation (or even working trip) that you get to go on you make it a point to stop at some craft shops along the way. Check out those little quilt shops and enjoy meeting some new quilting friends!

You won’t regret the wonderful time spent looking in the small business run shops!

If you have any small quilt shops that you adore, please let me know. I’m making a list so that we’ll have a good resource of the recommended shops!

If you’re curious how to find find quilt shops in your area, check out this post!
Sewing Room Face Lift: Planning Stages

We’ve been in our “new house” for just under a year now. So it is safe to say we’re mostly settled in and everything has found it’s place… (for now at least). We’ve completed a few projects here and there… but my sewing room has been in need of a facelift.

When we moved in, I made things work because this is my sanity safe haven. I needed to set up shop fast and make it work.

I love this room and everything in it.

Here is something to know about me… I move around furniture… a lot. I think there is a perfect arrangement that makes the sunbeams shine down and everything aligns for perfect productivity… It can be a challenge sometimes, but when you find that perfect melding of function and beauty *cue angels singing* you’ll forever be chasing it in the other rooms of your home as well.

I thrive on order and a clean workspace to think.

I’ve been relatively happy with making things work for a while… but in the back of my mind has always been the adjustments I wanted to make…

Current Sewing Room Tours:

You can see my other sewing room tours in the links below.

The next post has pictures from the sewing room in my old house, but I go a lot more into how I organized my tools and my methods for organizing. Though slightly outdated for what I sew with now, it is still a good read and full of information!

Back to current planning stages… Recently, I’ve decided to give my sewing space/home office a bigger facelift.

In the past, I do all this work behind the scenes in the late-night hours and then I choose to write a reveal post about it when it is all complete and lovely. 😍

I do still like to show you all the ugly behind the scenes photos because… I’m not HGTV and this can get ugly, right?

But this time... I decided to go a little bigger… Ok, so a lot bigger and more complicated than just a simple room rearranging.

I decided to take you along for the ride with me and document the process in a series of posts. You’ll get to see the whole process… the conception, ideas, nitty gritty ugly bits and hopefully sooner rather than later, the finished product!

You can also check out some current pictures on my Instagram page!

The Starting Place

Here is what I’m working with right now. A little messy? Yes!… Functional and a joy to sew in? Absolutely. I’m very blessed to have this space in our home to create. (You’ll notice that it is different from my “official” tour post because well… things change a lot around here lol)

The Purpose Of The Room

First off, when you want to make a change, you can’t just jump on the internet and start ordering new things. You really need to hone in on what the purpose of the space is.

For me, this space is…
- A sewing/quilting and craft space
- also embroidery things
- A home office where I run my business
- A safe haven and should feel peaceful for me to be in
- It also has the only access door to the half bath that guests use
- A pretty space that I can be me in
Let’s dissect the problem areas that I have with my current room.

Some of these are nit picky remarks, but thats the beauty of creating a new space… you get to be picky!

I like to make a list of everything. I call it my “If I had a million dollars” list. If money was no object and I could have everything I wanted, here are the things I wish I could fix…
- I have a lot of hobbies that happen in this room… I want to maximize my space.
- I lack hidden storage areas – most everything I have is easily seen when you walk in the room. It feels cluttered and even when the room is clean, it looks like a creative explosion went off in here.
- The closet in the room is nearly unusable. I have no idea what they were thinking when they built it. The measurements are 22″x76″ with only one normal-sized door on one end. access is really awkward
- When a guest comes over, they have to walk through my mess to use the bathroom. I need to be able to maintain a clear pathway from door to door.
- I could use more desk/workspace.
- I don’t have an ironing station/area.
- I need a place to store my photography equipment/lighting.
- My fabric storage is maxed out and I need to clean out the fabric I have that I will not be using – Maybe I should plan a future de-stash sale?
You can see that there is an overall pattern of my storage solutions that could use some work.

An important note about the “if I had a million dollars” list:

Just because it is on the list, doesn’t mean that I am going to get everything I want. So, while it is something that I would fix “if I had a million dollars” it doesn’t mean that I get to go broke making it happen.

With a little planning, thought and ingenuity… you usually can make things work with a much much MUCH smaller budget!

Planning Some Solutions/Ideas

My favorite planning tool to get inspiration from is Pinterest. Obviously… they’ve revolutionized internet searches and being a visual person… it is my first go-to for ideas.

PS – You can follow my Pinterest boards here!

I created a vision board with some of my ideas to give myself a little further inspiration. It helps pull together a lot of ideas and really help to clarify the vision for the final product.

The planning stage for me is always the longest because I resist just jumping in and spending the money on something that I don’t feel like I’ve completely thought through just yet.

It can be a good thing, but also… I really have a hard time pulling the final trigger… which brings me to my next little bit of advice…

Involve a friend – It’s more fun with two!

If you have the opportunity, involve a friend who understands what you do in your crafting space!

They can not only help you come up with a plan and inspire you… but can help you make sure you don’t chicken out before the dream becomes a reality!

A friend created a group board on Pinterest for her and I to contribute ideas to and she came up with so many solutions that I wouldn’t have even considered… she is a sewist as well… so she understands we need storage, and lots of it!

She also gave me great advice when I was thinking that I was in over my head.

Don’t limit yourself based on what you think you can’t do. Design your dream space and then make it work within your budget.

My parents gave me some great ideas, because they are really good long term thinkers. My mom is amazing at making things look like a model home. (Seriously, Better Homes & Gardens has nothing on her) And my dad is amazing at home remodeling projects.

Making a Plan

Excuse the length of this post… This is like a months worth of thinking, formulating and planning all rolled into one post…

I have a really good idea of what I want everything to look like, how I want things arranged.

I found an app on my phone called “Floor Plan Creator”. It is a free app, but you have to buy it if you want to export or send any of your creations. The free version worked really well for what I wanted to do.

You can add in all your measurements/dimensions and it makes a 3D model of your room. You can add all the doors, windows and architectural features you need, plus it has a lot of stock furniture that you can change the dimensions on as well.

Here is a very rough layout of what I want to work towards…

Again, please excuse my messiness… this was texting pictures back and forth to my mom and I hadn’t decided at that point to share them with you just yet!

Also, almost everything I currently own is from IKEA… so… obviously, we will be taking several trips there to add more of the same style to the room! woohoo!

Shopping Trips

I saw the Havsta line while shopping at Ikea and fell in love with the glass doors. It is also a solid wood line so the quality of the overall piece is higher than the standard budget pieces.

Can’t you just see it full of beautiful fabrics? 😍🥰🤩

Unfortunately, IKEA stock is really varied right now with the pandemic (like everyone decided to re-do their home office, but didn’t want to spend the big bucks?) so I will be closely ~~stalking~~ monitoring their stock to see when I can pick up my other items as they become available.

I was able to get the glass cabinets, and have already built them, but I will have to wait on the lower cabinets a little longer… This is what I have so far…

Can you see my vision? lol no? well… it is a work in progress…

That is where I will leave you today because I really don’t have much else to show but a very messy space… I’ll keep you updated as it unfolds though!

I think I am most looking forward to going all #demoday on my closet wall. I’ve always wanted to knock down a wall like some powerful goddess of destruction.

I have no idea if that is how it will be in real life, but I’ll be able to check that off my bucket list at least! 🤣

…more to come!

If you’re interested in the step by step methods I use to determine what my needs are, you can check out my very popular ebook that tells everything!

I walk you through the planning stages and show you how you can transform ANY space into the space of your dreams, PLUS I share a bonus budget guide with you!

Check out out here!