I recently tested the newBlue Calla Freesia Foldover purse, and realized I needed some “invisible magnets.” They’re not really invisible of course, but they’re sewn into the interfacing and not seen from the right side of the bag. I could have used traditional magnetic snaps, but decided to try and make my own invisible magnets.

It ended up being really easy, and significantly cheaper than buying them. So, I figured I’d share with you how to make them.

I bought a pack of ceramic magnets from Michael’s and used a coupon to get the pack of 4 pairs for about $2. Then I pulled out my vacuum sealer and a small piece of vacuum bag material.

Start by making a small bag about 2 1/2″ wide.

Insert a magnet and seal it up as close to the magnet as possible.

Repeat for second magnet.

I recommend marking the matching sides so you know which way to sew them into the bag

I don’t recommend trimming too much off the edges, so you have some plastic to sew into.

There you have it. I told you it was simple! Plus, for only a fraction of the pricey store bought ones. From here on, it depends on the pattern how the magnets are sewn in.

Before I get to the Birthday fun, I wanted to remind you to check out my recent post on Flare Fabrics and make sure you enter the giveaway (FREE fabric is always fun, right?!). Also, if you have missed mygift idea post, I’d love to hear what’s on your wish list after you read mine. 

I’m so excited to be part of the 2nd Birthday Celebration Blog Tour for Radiant Home Studio! Sara asked me to sew up one of her patterns to show you all. I had so much fun choosing. I decided to go with the Water Bottle Tote. Before I share my project, I just want to point out some really cool features on the Radiant Home Studio site. First: the tutorials section on this blog is AMAZING!! Seriously, what a resource! There’s also a variety of sewing patterns available (and on sale now). You can also find Sara’s fabric designs on Spoonflower and some work featured in the upcoming book On The Go Bags.

I chose the Water Bottle Tote because it seemed like such a unique design.

I envisioned using it as a wine tote, and then I remembered I don’t have anywhere to go where I would bring 6 bottles of wine with me, haha! I still think it works really well as a market tote, and could be used for wine, honey, jam, etc. from a farmer’s market. I’m just starting out as a soccer mom, so the water bottles will come, just not yet. I’ve been really wanting to do some selfish sewing and also needed to tidy up my sewing room, so I decided to make myself an organizer for my sewing room! Look at all the stuff I can fit in mine, and so organized!

The pattern includes instructions for strong handles and exterior pockets, but I omitted both for this tote. I will say though, that I found the construction of the handles and pockets pretty clever, so I’ll definitely add them on my next Water Bottle Tote. Sewing the lining and creating the divided sections was fun; I really loved seeing the tote take shape. I did find finishing the top of the bag a bit challenging and I hope you don’t look too closely at my pictures and see my oopsies! Challenges aren’t always a bad thing though, and it wouldn’t prevent me from sewing up this highly functional pattern again.

I liked that the pattern included instructions on how to deal with directional fabric; it was an easy fix, but it allowed me to do no math, which makes me happy!

There’s also a removable insert, so I used it as an opportunity to try out a new interfacing combination, and add a different fabric into the mix.

I used Charley Harper Red Eye Vireo organic canvas from For the Love of Fabric for my exterior. I used Anna Graham’s Rain Walk organic canvas for the lining, and organic cotton for the insert, both fromFabric Spark. For my interfacing, I used Pellon Craft Fuse where fusible interfacing is called for and Stiff Stuff from Funky Monkey for the insert (this is my new favourite interfacing!).

See below for more stops along the blog tour and hop around and check out the other creations. Don’t forget to take advantage of the sale in the Radiant Home Studio pattern shop: all patterns are 20% off until December 11!

I introduced Flare Fabrics earlier this year. Since then, they’ve expanded their fabric selection to include some gorgeous yarn dyes, like Essex Linens and Kaffe Fassett’s Woven Collection, plus many new Batiks! I’ll admit, I hadn’t had a chance to play with Batiks much, but Marlene sent me a couple to try out and I really like them.

Things I learned:
Batiks don’t have a wrong side- how cool is that?!
They have a crisp feel to them – I like it!
They are true works of art; check out this video I found on the Robert Kaufman site.

Marlene also wanted to share with you, my readers, so she’s offering up a giveaway of a fun 1/2 yard bundle including 2 Essex Linens and a Batik of your choice for one lucky reader! There’s also a discount for everyone, read below for details.

Here are some of my favourites from Flare Fabrics:

While I’m sharing my favourites, check out the selection of yarn dyes:

I chose the Espresso and Nautical Essex Linens and asked Marlene to pick what she thought worked with them, Here’s what she sent:

I love the Autumn colours in the Timeless Treasres one, and I thought the Hoffman one really matched the understated elegance I was going for with the Essex Linens I chose. The pattern I used only called for 3 different 1/2 yards, but I decided to use a bit of each of the 4 fabrics.

Recognize the pattern? It’s the Noodlehead 241 Tote! This was the very first PDF pattern I ever bought, and I really love making it. It’s suitable for a beginner, but not too simple to bore an experienced bag maker. The best part about this bag is that it’s perfect for mixing up different fabrics. I used the subtle colours for the exterior and made the lining a bit more fun with the batiks.

I had some fabric left over, so I used it in another bag. I used Michael Miller’s Painter’s Canvas from Flare Fabrics for the lining in the new Blue Calla Freesia Foldover. Have you seen the assortment of Painter’s Canvas at Flare Fabrics?! Get yourself a rainbow! I love these in place of solids. I think the bright lining with the elegant, muted exterior is a perfect balance.

That half yard of Espresso Linen went pretty far, so I made a Blue Calla Clematis with it too! I paired it with another Painter’s Canvas from Flare Fabrics again. The Painter’s Canvas works perfectly as a blender in quilting too.

With the rest of the Nautical Essex Linen, I think I will turn it into a men’s toiletry case. The fabric has such a classic look to it, it could be anything really!

Did you know? Flare Fabrics offers free shipping on Canadian orders of $75 or more, and US orders of $150 or more! It is truly a one stop shop, offering interfacing, notions, bag hardware, and even kits!

Flare Fabrics is offering a generous 15% off your purchase with code OKAPI-15
This discount is valid for the entire month of December!

Attention US readers: with exchange right now, your dollar goes much further at Canadian shops, don’t shy away, check out the deals!

For your chance to win a 1/2 yard bundle of Nautical Essex Linen, Espresso Essex Linen, and a Batik of your choice, leave a comment below telling me what you’d make with the bundle. Want a bonus entry? Comment again telling me your favourite item offered at Flare Fabrics (leave a separate comment for bonus entry). Contest closes at 11:59 pm PST December 8, 2015.

Contest open to Canadian and US residents only

Welcome to my Black Friday – Cyber Monday Sales Post! If there’s a sale you’d like to share, leave a comment for others to see it. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway on my gift idea post, plus many of the items on that list are on sale this weekend. Happy shopping and saving!

Swoon Sewing Patterns are so well priced, so sales are rare. For Black Friday (November 27) only, save 30% with code blackfriday.

Fabric Spark has an amazingly curated selection of fabrics, and if you haven’t checked them out yet, now’s the time. Get 20% off everything including new collections, sale fabrics, patterns, kits and bundles, until midnight November 30 (Cyber Monday); use promo code woohoo.

Stock up on Emmaline patterns! 40% off all sewing patterns Black Friday to Cyber Monday with discount code: cyber40patterns

Save 22.2% on ALL merchandise!
USE COUPON CODE: FF2015 at checkout until November 30

You can’t beat these Black Friday deals at Craftsy! Get up to 75% off craft supplies & project kits. If you’ve been eyeing a class, now’s the time! Shop now before the deals are gone.

Sitka Fabrics –
Save 10% off orders $50 and over with code  BLACK10
and 15% off over $100 with code BLACK15

The Black Friday sale on the Sew Sweetness website is 40% off all patterns (pdf and paper), hardware, and Aurifil thread kits! Use coupon code sewsweetness for 40% off your order. This discount excludes books and bulk hardware. Discount good through Monday

Blue Calla is having a sale – 35% off all patterns with coupon code blackfriday2015, valid from November 27-30

Major sales happening here! Too many to list, go see for yourself to avoid missing any deals! Don’t forget free Canadian shipping on orders over $75.

The entire store will be 15% off from Nov 27 – Nov 29 using promo code blackfriday, plus DOORCRASHER event happening throughout the day on Friday November 27 over on Stay Home’s Facebook page, so be sure to head over there for your chance to get in on the action.

Sewing Patterns By Mrs H. – Get 30% off everything in the Etsy store from now  until December 1st. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY

Funky Monkey is offering 10% off sitewide on Monday November 30, with code cybermonday, in addition to lots of markdowns, check out the discounted section here: http://funkymonkeyfabrics.com/cottons/discounted-cottons/

Tangled Blossoms Design has 3 different sales going on:
BLACKFRIDAY2015 for 30% off patterns BLACKFRIDAYHANDMADE for 20% off her handmade and BLACKFRIDAYFABRIC for 10% off all fabrics, all codes to be used at http://www.tangledblossomsdesign.com/

From today through Sunday, November 29th (11:59pm CST) all* PDF patterns are 20% off.

*except the new Maker’s Tote

This post contains affiliate links

If you’re like me, you probably like to make gifts for friends and family for the holidays. Last year most of the gifts I gave for Christmas were made by me. I have several friends that sew though, and was stumped about what to give them, when I know they could make the same things for themselves. This year, I’ve compiled a list of some really great gift ideas for “the girl who sews everything.” I also thought it might be helpful for you to share with your friends and family who might be wondering what to get you! I also have a surprise, so keep reading!

In no particular order…

Adult coloring books are really trendy right now, and lucky for us: many fabric designers are coming out with their own coloring books! Connecting Threads has a whole section of coloring books, so you can add them to your thread order to save on shipping!

Bag of the Month Club 2016 – I joined last year and it was a blast! Why not gift a membership to a friend and sew each month’s bag side by side? Right now, the website is locked until December 1st, but you can sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear about it when registration opens. The gist of the club is that there are 6 different pattern designers, taking turns releasing a unique pattern from January to June. So by July, you’ll have 6 new patterns (and depending how fast you sew, at least 6 new bags). There’s an early bird discount too! Update: the website is now live! https://www.bagomc.com/

Fabric bundles! It’s so fun getting surprise fabric! Many shops, like Fabric Spark, offer monthly designer bundles, and also beautiful assorted bundles.

Bag Bling! Often those extra finishing touches make our projects look much more professional. Emmaline Bags has the best quality hardware I’ve ever used. Any bling from there will be treasured.

If your friend loves coffee almost as much as sewing, they’ll love this special sewing mug! Connecting Threads has several quilty gift ideas to check out.

I love my Thread Cutterz ring so much! I wrote a post about them here if you want to read more about them. I think they’d make a great stocking stuffer!

Show the world you’re crafty! I have several of these Swoon shirts, and wear them with pride.

These thread sets from Connecting Threads are fabulous! I bet they’d even make adorable ornaments in a Christmas tree!

Stuff her stocking with little extras, like packages of piping. It’s nice to have a variety on hand. Sitka Fabrics has a great assortment of colours at a great price.

Not sure which fabric to pick for her? Many shops, like Funky Monkey Fabrics, offer gift certificates.

An embroidery kit is a nice change of pace for sewists, and Flare Fabrics has several to choose from. This owl one is my favourite.

Sometimes it’s fun to just pick up a project and not have to think too much about it, like having the fabric  already picked for you. Craftsy offers dozens of sewing project kits which include a pattern and all the fabric needed for the project. You usually just need to add any interfacing and/or hardware. Check out the big selection of bags and other projects. SURPRISE! I’m giving away this Noodlehead Envelope Clutch Kit!! See below to enter.

Update: Thanks to everyone who entered; the giveaway is now over.

Make your own kit! How about a paper pattern, like these from Swoon, plus all the materials needed, including interfacing, stabilizer, fabric and hardware. You could even go one step further and cut out the interfacing so your friend is really treated and just gets to sew and skip the worst part. I wouldn’t suggest cutting the fabric though – I take my pattern placement very seriously 😉

A reliablefabric marker always comes in handy. Read more about fabric marker selection in this post.

I love digital patterns, so of course I need to include them in this list. Surprise your friend with a fun new PDF, like this Sew Sweetness Crimson and Clover Train Case pattern.

Finally, make her something! The gifts I’ve received made by fellow sewing friends are so treasured. As a maker myself, I know all the love that goes into it. This new Maker Tote from Noodlehead would be the perfect gift for a crafty friend.

What’s on your wish list?
p.s. Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family so they know what to get you this year!

Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter to win the Noodlehead Envelope Clutch Craftsy Kit. Open to US and Canadian residents.

Once again, I’m amazed at all the awesomeness out there! Thank you so much to everyone who joined us in the Iris Sewalong. If you want a recap, check this post with links to each day and pattern (plus discount).

I always have a hard time choosing a winner, so I asked my friend Crystal of Cloth Albatross to pick a random winner for me. I’ll show you the winner in a minute, but first, I’ll share a few other finished beauties:

I love the variety of bags from the same pattern! If you want to see more, check #HappyOkapiBlueCallaSAL on Instagram.

Brinkley used those adorable Cotton + Steel sloths! I love the antique brass rings too!

Thank you so much to Blue Calla and Funky Monkey Fabrics for the great prize!

What did you think of the Sewalong? My next one will be a bit different, so stay tuned!

Look at this fancy badge I get for my site! I’m so excited about this and have been keeping it a secret until now, but I have an article in Issue 9 of One Thimble Digital Sewing Magazine!!!! I joined the blog tour for the last issue and loved it so much that I really wanted to be a part of it.

My article is an interview with some of my favourite designers: Janelle of Emmaline, Alicia of Swoon, and Samantha (Mrs. H).

I really hope you’ll grab a copy and read it. I loved getting to know the designers better and I know you will too! This issue is jam-packed with goodies! It includes 14 PDF patterns!!

There are some really exciting patterns I can’t wait to try! I love the variety. Here are some that will make it to my “must-do-now” list:

The Statement Clutch by Two Pretty Poppets looks like such a fun sew! I love a good purse pattern (as I’m sure you already knew)! I’ve yet to try one of her patterns, so I’m looking forward to this one. I also have a few turn locks that this would be perfect for.

There’s also a pair of Free Motion Applique patterns I’d love to try – I haven’t tried this new technique yet, and I’m itching to give it a go.

In addition to all the patterns, the issue is loaded with articles on techniques and tips, plus other project ideas.

Go get yourself a copy! It would also make a lovely gift for a sewing friend. I’d love to hear what you think of my article; after you read it, come back and leave a comment.