Micki’s Crafty Bags

We are blessed each year with a large crop of pears 🍐 from this little tree in our backyard 💕. It is once again harvest time! And that also means I’ll be making several batches of Caramelized Pear and Vanilla Bean preserves 😋. It’s a lot of work but it’s so worth it…so delicious!

I previously posted about my needle book labels, but I took some time to make a needle book for myself, and thought I’d share how the labels can be used. On the first two pages, the larger sized tapestry needles were too thick to pierce the felt pages, so I used small pieces of linen (edge-stitched so they don’t fray) to accommodate them. The labels come in two different sets (needle types or Tapestry needle sizes) and they’re printed (by me) on muslin fabric and then backed with HeatNBond so they can be ironed onto the needle book pages. I provide full instructions with every order to make it very easy!

Come visit my Etsy shop (link in my profile) to purchase your labels and get your needles organized!

So it has been a hot minute (more like several months) since I posted some stitching progress…so here we go!

1) Let Love Reign by with called for threads ( and ) on 40 ct Salt Rock. I’ve been focusing on the border flowers before I start on the next section in the middle.

2) Quaker Spring Ball by with called-for DMC floss on 28 ct green sapphire linen. I finished hexi number 4 and started number 5

3) Ghosties and Gourds by .on.design with the DMC conversion on 32 ct Kermit linen. I worked on the second of 3 pendants at last weekend’s NorCalStitchers Stitch Day.

I had a great time and met some new stitchy friends ( (hostess extraordinaire), , , , , , ) — sorry if I missed anyone!!. Looking forward to the next one!

&gourds

Squat day, leg day, call it what you want, it’s a doozy! Today’s program includes back squats, front squats, Bulgarian split squats and step ups…and very sore legs tomorrow 😳.

They’re Done! And delivered to their new home 💕. This is the pattern called In Control. My client wanted two of them, and she’s thrilled with the outcome. I matched the “turtle” one to a project bag that she already has in the same fabric. And the floral one is a close match to a pretty print she likes. I picked the linings and complimentary fabrics used for each bag. I also added mesh pockets to the front and back, per her request. I’m sure these caddies will be well-used for many years. They have a multitude of uses, from corraling your TV remotes and glasses in the living room or bedside table, to rounding up your stitching tools and accessories, to keeping baby’s changing table organized. Reach out via DM if you’d like to have your own In Control Caddy!

Something different today: single leg Romanian Deadlifts 🥵. Strong legs, hips and core are essential as we age! Doing my part 👍🏻

On my cutting mat today 💕. Making not one but TWO In Control caddies for a custom order! One will be for organizing her coffee table (remotes, headphones, glasses, etc.) and the other to keep her car organized 🙂. This design is also ideal for stitching or sewing tools! DM via instagram or in my Etsy shop (linked in profile) if you’re interested in a caddy for yourself 👍🏻. Custom orders happily accepted!

Justice Sotomayor: ‘The President is now a king above the law…with fear for our democracy, I dissent’
🇺🇸💙

Goooooo GIANTS 🖤🧡⚾️

Here’s a different POV. Starting the week with dumbbell bench presses 💪🏻💪🏻. Part one of my “push day” workout.

Torture device 😈. If you know, you know…but I will survive 🥵 with the help of my new gym bag & a big jug of water! If you don’t know, this exercise is called a hip press…
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I took a little break over the last few days, and made a new caddy for myself. I’ve shared that I’m spending a lot of time in the gym, and as my journey has progressed, I have found that my previous caddy (shown next to big sister in the last picture) was too small for my needs. This upsized caddy is called “Road Trip” and it is designed by as a car organizer. I’ve already put my current gear in it and there’s room for more. It would definitely be handy on road trips to keep things organized, but it would also be a great retreat bag (project bags, retreat mat, table gifts, etc). There are no limits to the uses for this bag. Feel free to reach out to me via DM if you’re interested in working with me to create a caddy of your own.

Pattern: Road Trip
Designer: Patterns By Annie
Fabric: Boxer Dog Fitness designed by and coordinates from

I think she likes it! It was so enjoyable to work with this client to create an Ultimate Carry-All Tote as a gift for someone special in her life. She picked out the beautiful fabrics, I made some suggestions about the pocket linings (BEES!!) and the binding, and away I went! It was shipped on Saturday, arrived to the recipient today, and they are both very pleased, as am I. Check out the listing in my Etsy shop (link in my bio) for details on how to order your own Carry-All Tote.

First finish for June 2024! How cute is this?!? I love how it turned out and I’m excited to FFO it soon. I’ll do a stand up as shown on the chart.

Designer: Collection Tralala
Chart: Lapins Malins (Clever Rabbits)
Fabric: mystery white evenweave, possibly 22 ct hardanger
Floss: DMC conversion as suggested on chart

Guess what day it is!! Hint: my favorite…

POV: doing my favorite lift in the gym…deadlifts!! I warmed up with 145 lbs on the bar, then worked up to a new PR of 210 lbs. So much fun!!

I’m so excited to get started on an Ultimate Carry-All Tote using these gorgeous fabrics from — they arrived today (excellent customer service and shipping, by the way). From left to right: exterior, lining, pockets, pocket lining, and bindings. This bag was ordered by a young lady who is gifting it to her Mom in honor of her retirement. 🥰.

DM or check out the listing in my Etsy shop if you’re interested in ordering your own custom bag

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Current POV: Necessary evil? 😈…torture device? 😳. Today is core day so I’m doing my least favorite thing in the gym, aka Captain’s chair. Stand on the foot rests, grab the handles, rest your elbows on the pads, let your feet hang and do knee ups — 5 sets of 10!

Current POV. I shared in my recent Flosstube episode that I have started a training program to prepare for competing in a powerlifting meet. When I’m not sewing or stitching, I’m at the gym! 🏋️‍♂️💪🏻😊. Special thanks to my trainer without whom this journey wouldn’t be possible

One of my May HEIFR Board calls was to start this sweet spring stitch. I’m pleased with my progress!!

Chart: Lapins Malins
Designer: Collection Tralala
Fabric: White mystery fabric remnant from a Stash Unload purchase (possibly Hardanger?)
Floss: Designer’s conversion

I always enjoy hearing from my customers 💕💕

I just posted my second FlossTube episode, and I invite you come for a visit…I’ll drop a link on my Bio page…

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ALSO RESTOCKED: I’ve also listed several more of these pretty needle books in my Etsy Shop (link in Bio)…They’re made with quilted outer fabric, wool felt lining and color-coordinated wool felt needle pages, and embellished with cute stitchy sayings which I printed on cotton muslin and attached with decorative stitching. There’s a generous pocket for stashing a pair of scissors, a button card, some bobbins of thread, etc…this makes a great traveling sewing/stitching kit and would be a great addition to your stitching bag. I’ve also made sets of iron on labels for various needle types and sizes, to help keep things organized (available separately). Come by for a visit!

RESTOCK ALERT: I have another round of these sweet needle books posted in my Etsy shop (link in bio)…They’re made with cotton muslin for the outer and lining, with a charming floral image which I printed onto the fabric. I was blown away when the first two were sold within about 20 minutes of being listed…There are more in the pipeline too, along with some other exciting new things.

They’re Here! I just listed these two sweet needle books in my Etsy shop (link in profile)…Blue flowers, greenery, French graphics, blue satin ribbon closure…so many levels of pretty. The fabric was printed by me on cotton muslin, processed with a fixative to set the colors, and sewn in my home studio. One was made with a medium blue felt page, the other with pale green. I love how they turned out! I’ve also listed small packs of iron on labels (also printed by me) with a variety of needle types and sizes so that you can customize and organize your needle book.

Soon-to-be needle 🪡 books 📚 under way…in a variety of cheerful prints and coming to my Etsy shop in a few days. Stay tuned!!

Fresh off the sewing table…this is a test model of a new needle book that I just made. As in, I printed the cover and the lining on muslin, added some interfacing, and sewed it together, adding the felt (with printed muslin tag) and ribbon. My question is: Would you like to see these added to my Etsy shop?

Who needs a new needle book? I’ve just listed this beauty and three others (same design, different prints) in my Etsy shop (link in bio). This is a very functional and pretty needle book that features a generous pocket for scissors, spare needles, button cards, bobbins of thread, etc., plus four wool felt pages to organize all kinds of needles and pins. It is fully lined with felt that can also be used to organize/store pins or needles. The folding design ensures that your items stay secure, and the satin ribbon closure wraps around a vintage button on the outside to keep it closed. I’ve printed some whimsical sewing-related sayings on muslin, and attached them on the inner panels and one of the felt pages with decorative stitches. It will be a great addition to your stitchy tool kit.

Etsy is offering $5.00 off any orders over $50.00…come on by my shop (link in bio) and use promo code GIFTMODE to take advantage of this offer. And GOOOOO Niners!!

I’m so excited!! Some of my Stitching Trays are going to StitchCon!! Weekend B!! Be on the lookout for them…