Friday, January 23, 2026

DIY Pretty Colored Pencil Roll

 


Photo source:  SewCanShe.com

Love this pencil roll that can be adapted to fit whatever shape and size you need.  With a little imagination and creativity, you can come up with a little roll to carry your makeup brushes, paint brushes, knife sets, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Click here to go to the SewCanShe.com free pattern page.








DIY Pleated Bag Tutorial

 


Photo source:  Blue Susan Makes

"Free tutorial for how to make a lovely little Pleated Bag with a roomy, boxy bottom to help it stand up all on it's own."  Comment from Blue Susan Makes

The design of this pleated bag is so cute!  Lots of room with a bottom that allows it to stand up.  Perfect!

Click here to go to the Blue Susan Makes free tutorial page.





DIY Fabric Gift Box

 


Photo source:  SewCanShe.com

"Sew holiday or birthday gift boxes using fabric from your stash! These adorable gift boxes have a fold-over lid that closes with a snap. They are easy to sew using just cotton fabric and flexible foam stabilizer to make them sturdy. No matter what you put inside, the handmade box will be just as treasured as the present!"  Comment from SewCanShe.com

Love this cute little fabric box.  Great way to use your fabric stash!

Click here to go to the SewCanShe.com free pattern page.



Thursday, January 22, 2026

DIY Chubby Lunch Tote - Free Pattern

 


Photo source:  SewCanShe.com

"Sew the perfect lunch box with this free lunch bag pattern! This fabric lunch box is made with insulated batting to keep your food warm or cold. Naturally, it isn’t just for lunch or snacks – it also makes a sweet little purse. Use it to inside a suitcase for special items like makeup or toiletries."  Comment from SewCanShe.com

This cute chubby tote is just what I need to get my jewelry tools organized.  Actually, I could use a couple of these totes for many other things.

Click here to go to the SewCanShe.com free pattern page.



Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Denim Clutch Purse with Outer Pocket

 


Photo source:  Pinspiration

"What a clever way to reuse denim! Since there was no link available, there was no tutorial available either. I had to just wing it.

My friend gave me these shorts from her daughter that had been stained but had really cute pockets. She thought maybe I could find something to do with them. I had been holding on to them a long while when I saw this pin and knew it would be perfect."  Comment from Pinspiration

Love these little denim clutch purses.  Denim projects are my favorite!

Click here to go to the Pinspiration tutorial page for inspiration.



DIY Fabric Basket - 3 Different Sizes

 


Photo source:  Apple Green Cottage

"See how to sew a fabric basket with a fold-over top you can use for just everything. This free fabric basket pattern comes in three adorable sizes, and it's as cute as it is practical!"  Comment from Apple Green Cottage

Cute little baskets that can be made for any room in the house.  I need a bunch!

Click here to go to the Apple Green Cottage free pattern page.



Dream House: 3 Yard Quilt Pattern

 


Photo source:  SewCanShe.com

"Sew up the fun Dream House 3 Yard Quilt Pattern with just 3 yards of fabric! I love seeing the quilts that people are making with my free 3-yard quilt patterns. They are easy to make and so popular. If you have three 1-yard pieces of fabric in your stash and are feeling creative, you can make a quilt. This easy quilt uses a ‘Dream House’ collage quilt block to make a 49 1/2” x 59” throw quilt pattern with 9 1/2” quilt blocks."  Comment from SewCanShe.com

Quilts are a great way to clear out your fabric stash.  Check out this free pattern.

Click here to go to the SewCanShe.com pattern page.




Wednesday, January 14, 2026

22 Organizing Shortcuts to Declutter in Less Time

 


Photo Source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"If you're short on time, targeting your efforts to a specific decluttering task can work wonders for organizing your home. Try these organizing ideas that can be done in as little as five minutes to start conquering clutter."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Organization is the key!

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.



What Cleaning Experts Actually Use to Get Their Bathrooms Sparkling Clean

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart 

"Your bathroom may be one of the smaller rooms in your home, but that doesn't make it any easier to clean. It requires tackling a wide variety of surfaces and buildup, including mold, mildew, hard water spots, mineral deposits, and soap scum.

But natural cleaners made from common household products, like vinegar, baking soda, water, and dish soap, offer easy solutions for removing everything from rust around your faucet to soap scum on the shower door. To give you insight into the best natural cleaners, we consulted the experts who shared the ingredients they actually use to make their bathrooms shine."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

The one chore I hate the most!

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.




Stressed About Clutter?

 


Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

Clutter causes me a great deal of stress!  

Today I have two articles on clutter and what to do about it.



The secret to getting—and staying—organized lies in these four core steps. Learn how to apply this simple approach to any area of your home.

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.




How to get rid of clutter
from Everyday Cheapskate

"Getting organized isn’t rocket science. It’s just really hard to start. Clutter creeps in when we’re busy, tired, or just plain overwhelmed. But once you begin learning how to get rid of clutter—truly, thoughtfully—it creates a ripple effect. Your space calms down… and so does your brain. Ready to ditch the mess and keep what truly serves you?"  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article




Make a DIY Spice Rack with Dollar General

 


Photo source:  Dollar Store Crafts

"I don’t know about you, but when cabin fever starts setting in, I start to really notice all of the disorganization around my house. It’s easy to ignore during warmer months when I am always out and about doing one thing or another, but when I find myself barely leaving the house and staring at the same piles day in and day out like I do this time of year, it starts to get to me. And this year one of the problem areas that keeps catching my attention is in the kitchen – specifically, my overflow of seasonings. So, with the help of Dollar General, I decided to put together a little DIY spice rack!"  Comment from Dollar Store Crafts

It is what I think every day, no matter the season.  But I do love that spice rack even if I need to double it.  That should not be a problem.

Click here to go to the Dollar Store Crafts article if you'd like to make this cute spice rack.





Tuesday, January 13, 2026

How to Make a Bedside Pocket Organizer from Old Jeans

 


Photo source:  Upcycle My Stuff

"This tutorial is all about how I used some of those back pockets to make a bedside pocket organizer each for my two sons.  This is a super quick and easy project and I think looks pretty cute when it’s finished!"  Comment from Upcycle My Stuff

Love this organizer and recycling jeans!

Click here to go to the Upcycle My Stuff tutorial.



Monday, January 12, 2026

20 Ways to Make Your House Smell Better UPDATE

 


Photo source:  Real Simple

"Smell is often called our most powerful sense, and scents tell us a lot about the world—from what we should eat even to who we should kiss. When it comes to our homes, if a space smells fresh, that's a great sign. If the smell is bad? We feel uneasy.

But the secret to a nose-friendly space isn't simply to spray fragrance on top of yucky stuff. You have to really get into the nitty-gritty of the smell's source to combat and neutralize bad odors. Make your home a haven filled with these expert-backed strategies to keep it smelling great."  Comment from Real Simple

Click here to go to the Real Simple article page to learn many of the ways to make your house smell better.

6 Things Making Your Home Smell Bad -- How to Banish Odors for Good from Better Homes and Gardens





How to Sew Mini Baskets – that fold together!

 


Photo source:  SewCanShe.com

"My newest addition to my fold up basket sewing patterns is here – Mini Baskets!

Comment from SewCanShe.com

Not only are they cute and functional, but they fold up for easy storage and the patterns are free.

Click here to go to the SheCanSew.com tutorial and free pattern page.





Sunday, January 11, 2026

DIY Scrapyard Tote

 


Photo Source:  SewCanShe.com

"Sew a beautiful bag that’s just the right size to be a purse or handbag. This is a great project for using up scraps that you have left over from quilts or other bags, or you can use a charm pack (which is precut bundle of 40 5’’ squares)."  Comment from SewCanShe.com

Cute totebag and great to use up your fabric scraps!  Everyone can either use a totebag or need a gift for a friend.

Click here to go to the SewCanShe.com tutorial and free pattern.






Saturday, January 10, 2026

Yarn Project Bag

 


Photo source:  SewCanShe.com

"With your yarn ‘in the bag’ it will stay clean even when the bag is on the floor – perfect for using at home and in the car, at appointments, or at a friend’s house!"  Comment from SewCanShe.com

Cute and clever bag for yarn crafters to stay organized!

Click here to go to the SewCanShe.com tutorial page.





How to Cut Up Old Jeans for Sewing & Upcycling Projects

 


Photo source:  Upcycle My Stuff

"Because I often repurpose my old jeans as handbags and quilts, people often ask me what the best way is to cut up old jeans. If you want to make sure you get the most useable denim out of your jeans for sewing and upcycling projects then this is the post for you!'  Comment from Upcycle My Stuff

I've never paid attention to how I cut up my jeans!  It is always good to have a plan to make the most of what up have.

Click here to go to the Upcycle My Stuff article.




Thursday, January 8, 2026

DIY Bandana Bowl Covers

 


Photo source:  Sadie Seasongoods

"If you are looking for ways to reduce waste (like me), then this idea might be for you! I love using my antique stoneware bowls, but because they don’t have lids, I end up using foil or plastic wrap to cover them. So, I decided to make some reusable bowl covers for a recent Independence Day party."  Comment from Sarah at Sadie Seasongoods

Love this idea since I have a bunch of bandanas left over from my days as an online reseller and seller at flea markets.  I've been thinking about what to make with them.  Great idea!

Click here to go to Sarah's tutorial page.




Twice as Nice Zippered Pouch

 


Photo source:  sewcanshe.com


"Sew up a double sided pouch to help you organize your cosmetics, sewing and craft items, art supplies, travel necessities, and more! This zippered case has two angled compartments that hold more than they appear to. Plus, the inside of the pockets is sewn with vinyl so you can easily see what’s inside."  Comment from sewcanshe.com

Great idea to organize sewing and craft supplies and so cute!

Click here to go to the sewcanshe.com tutorial




How to Sew a Scrappy Pet Leash

 

Photo source:  sewcanshe.com


"Sew up a new leash for your favorite pet – it’s sew easy! All you need is some fabric scraps, a bit of interfacing, and a lobster claw clasp. You can also cut off and reuse the clip from your pet’s old leash."  Comment from sewcanshe.com

Love this!  I'd love to use heavy duty denim scraps, making the leash stronger.  Great concept!

Click here to go to the sewcanshe.com tutorial.




DIY Petit Four Baskets

 


Photo source:  Sewcanshe.com


"Are you looking for a cute way to organize a messy drawer – or an instant handmade gift basket that’s just the right size for little goodies? Sew up a cute Petit Four basket!" Comment from sewcanshe.com Loving these little fabric baskets. They are a great way to use up fabric scraps.


Click here to go to the sewcanshe.com tutorial.




DIY Body Scrubs


Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Dry, flaky skin doesn’t stand a chance when you’ve got a good body scrub on your side. But before you drop a small fortune on those fancy spa jars, hear me out—DIY body scrub recipes are easier (and cheaper) than you think. These five super simple scrubs are made with pantry staples, take just minutes to mix up, and leave your skin feeling like a dream. They’re gentle, effective, and seriously affordable."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

This is an excellent article that not only gives you the recipes for these body scrubs, but also provides everything you need to know about why using body scrubs are good for you.  It is also my opinion that making your own is a reassurance of what goes in the scrub and also giving you the opinion of using your preferences.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.




DIY Mop Pads


"Check out this easy tutorial for the best diy mop pads for wet cleaning you'll ever make. Here's how to make a mop out of towels, no velcro adjusters or press studs are needed."  Comment from Apple Green Cottage

Great idea to use fabric scraps of old towels and t-shirts.

Click here to go to the Apple Green Cottage article.





Stunning Ideas For Your Fabric Scraps

 

Photo Source:  Upcycle My Stuff

"If you are an avid Upcycler or a craft addict of any sort, chances are you have a bag, bucket or suitcase filled with scrap fabric from other projects.  If you need a little inspiration for what to do with all those excess fabric scraps you’ve come to the right place!"  Comment from Upcycle My Stuff

I can't wait to get my craft room in order so I can get back to my fabric scraps and being creative.  If you are like me, you will love this article that will inspire you.

Click here to go to the Upcycle My Stuff article.