DIY Reversible Floral Tote Sewing Project (& Cricut Maker FAQ)

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I wouldn't call myself a sewer by any means. That's part of the reason I was so eager to get a Cricut Maker - the Maker takes care of the cutting part of the sewing equation and that's one big step towards effective completion of a sewing project. Cricut Maker cuts fabric without the need to apply a stabilizer. It also cuts much thicker materials, like chipboard. Check out my "She's Crafty" chipboard sign, the first project I made with my new Cricut Maker.

My second project had to involve sewing, because I was eager to test out the Maker's fabric-cutting capabilities. And Cricut actually sells little bundles of beautiful, coordinating fabrics, making it easy to pick the three fabrics required for this DIY Reversible Floral Tote. (Read on to see the reverse side of my tote.) If you would like to make your own tote bag or gift one to a friend, here's how it's done...

Double Chocolate Berry Muffins (vegan)

When I started to make these muffins, I didn't set out to create a new recipe. I simply wanted to replace the photos in this older Double Chocolate Muffins recipe. (Some of the old photos on this blog just aren't Pinterest-friendly if you know what I'm sayin'.) As I got going on my baking though, I decided to update the recipe just a little bit. I enjoy the classic combination of chocolate and berries. Plus, berries are so pretty! And the gorgeous natural hues that berries display speak to their abundant and health-promoting antioxidant content. Meaning these muffins are health food. Pretty much. If you don't want berries in your muffins today, please do go back to the old recipe (those muffins have lovely shredded coconut in them too!).

Off The Shelf: Warlight by Michael Ondaatje (Book Review)

It took me a bit of time to get around to writing this review. Just as it took me a bit of time to read Warlight: A novel  by Michael Ondaatje. It's not unusual for me to come around to a novel slowly. I often find it's around the 100-page mark that I finally get wrapped up in it. Many times I then end up wishing the novel were 100 pages longer. But was that the case here? Read on.

What's Inside A TIFF Celebrity Swag Bag?

Photo by Kennedy Pollard / Ryan Emberley Photography

Being a celebrity definitely has its perks, and getting loads of free stuff is a big one. In town for the Toronto International Film Festival, celebrities can pop around to different lounges and get treated to anything from food and cosmetics to soaps and footwear. Bask-It-Style, by GLO Communications, offers up a bit of a twist on that scenario, bringing their curated bags of goodies directly to the hotels where the busy stars stay during TIFF. This was the tenth year for Bask-It-Style's annual gifting bonanza and I got a peek at the VIP treats during a media day preview at the luxe Thompson Toronto Hotel.

Fall Home Tour 2018

Fall weather arrived unexpectedly last week. Our central air conditioner had given up the ghost a couple of weeks earlier and we suffered through a few extremely hot days, windows cracked to no avail - only heat and humidity flowing through screens. Then, suddenly, open windows meant goose bumps and shivering. That's life in Canada. I am sure there are a few warm days ahead.

All of this is to say I'm not feeling quite ready for pine cones and fuzzy blankets. So I decorated for fall with a light and minimal touch. I shopped only from the abundance of decorative items I already own. And I plucked flowers from the pots on my deck and leaves from my Japanese maple tree. Super simple. For this fall home tour, I'm joining up with amazingly talented Canadian bloggers, including our hosts, Shannon and Christina. Visit the other homes via the links at the bottom of this post for plenty of fall decor inspiration. (Come back each day this week as more tours are added.)

She's Crafty DIY Chipboard Sign and How To Use The Cricut Maker Knife Blade

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I've been coveting the Cricut Maker™ cutting machine since it was launched a year ago. Yes I have the Cricut Explore Air™ and I love it (and will continue to love it). But Cricut Maker offers up more cutting options. It has a fast mode for up to 2x faster cutting and writing and an Adaptive Tool System™ for professional-level cutting performance.

The tools that work with Cricut Maker include a knife blade, which makes it possible to cut thicker materials (up to 2.4 mm) including chipboard. So, for my first project with my new Cricut Maker, I decided to go with a fun chipboard sign for my craft wall (which doesn't actually exist yet - this will act as a motivator).

Tips To Get Organized For Back To School (With A Stick 2 Me Labels Giveaway!)

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.


There are so many emotions swirling around when it's time for the kids to go back to school - nervousness, excitement, sadness that summer's come to an end. Along with all of those mixed feelings comes a pressing need to get lots of tasks accomplished. Shopping is a biggie - school uniforms or first-day outfits, pencils, paper, binders, indoor and outdoor shoes. And then there's the feeling that our days would flow better and our mornings would run more smoothly if we could just get the house organized. I think we need to put aside perfection or we're just going to drive ourselves crazy. That being said, I have a few tips (learned over years of struggle) to help you get organized for back to school.