Creating Me

Crochet Small Canvas Makeup Pouch

Posted on August 14, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

I found these little black canvas zippered pouches at Hobby Lobby and thought they were the perfect size for a makeup pouch for my purse. But of course I needed to dress it up a bit! 🙂

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I created a crochet pattern for the pouch to slip into. Then using this Surebonder fabric hot glue, I put a thin line of glue around the top of the bag a little at a time to attach the crochet piece to the bag. Be careful to not get any glue in the zipper! I also have this Surebonder Mini Hot Glue Gun that I use just for the fabric glue so it doesn’t mix with my regular hot glue.

You can find the pattern below along with links to free PDFs – one with photos and one without – if you’d like to easily print the pattern.

Crochet Small Canvas Makeup Pouch

Worsted weight yarn (4) – I used I Love This Cotton in Turquoise, Ivory, and Bright Citrus

H/5mm crochet hook

Little Black Canvas Zippered Bag (measures about 6.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall) – I found mine at Hobby Lobby

Fabric hot glue

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Slip Stitch – ss

Back Loop Only – blo

Third Loop

Chain 24 with main color.

Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across to the last ch. Work 3 sc in last ch. Turn your work to work on the other side of your ch. sc in each ch to the last stitch. Work 3 sc in last stitch. Join with ss to first sc. (49 stitches)

Rounds 2-4: ch 1. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (49 stitches)

Rounds 5-6: ch 1. Working in third loop, hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (49 stitches)

Change to accent color.

Rounds 7-11: ch 1. Working in blo, sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (49 stitches)

Change to main color.

Round 12: ch 1. Working in blo, hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (49 stitches)

Rounds 13-15: ch 1. Working in third loop, hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (49 stitches)

Round 16: ch 1. Working in third loop, sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (49 stitches)

Round 17: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (49 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Slip little canvas tote into crocheted piece and hot glue around the top edge to secure.

Here are the links to the free PDFs…

Crochet Small Canvas Makeup Pouch pattern with photos

Crochet Small Canvas Makeup Pouch pattern without photos

I hope you enjoy this pattern!

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Gifts | Leave a comment

Simple Sympathy – Handmade Card

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Sympathy cards aren’t the easiest to make and you usually need them quickly. I like to keep a couple on hand so I will have them when needed.

This card is simple to make. I used an oval masking stencil and applied turquoise ink to a piece of white card stock using a blender brush. I stamped the flower from the Meadow of Memory stamp set from Unity Stamp Company with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink in the center of the oval.

Using these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies, I die cut around the image and attached it to a white card. I stamped the sentiment with brown ink on white card stock, die cut around it with these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and attached it to the card.

By changing the sentiment, this card would be great for other occasions like birthday, thinking of you, or just a note to say hello.

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Easy Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Want some yummy comfort food for dinner that’s easy to make? You need to try this Cheesy Baked Spaghetti! 😋

You can find the recipe here at Passionate Penny Pincher. I made the Cheesy Baked Spaghetti in a 9×13 inch baking dish even though the recipe calls for a 10×6 inch baking dish and it turned out great! I did leave the green peppers out (I’m not a fan 🙃) and I cooked my onions along with the ground beef while it was browning.

The cheesy goodness comes from cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. My husband called it “crack spaghetti” because he went back for a big second helping! 😂

This can also be put together – except for the French’s fried onions – wrapped up tightly and put in the freezer for later. Simply thaw it in the fridge the day before and bake according to the recipe, adding the fried onions during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Add a green salad and some garlic bread and you’ll have a tasty weeknight dinner! 😋

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Recipe | Leave a comment

Crochet Goose Lovey

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

My godson and his wife recently had their first baby! Before she was born, they were calling her Goose. So when they asked me to stitch up a goose for her of course I said yes. 🙂

I found this sweet crochet goose pattern by Amigurumka on Etsy. It is a paid pattern, it’s written well, and easy to follow – and it’s available in 4 different languages.

I used Baby Bee Snugs & Kisses Yarn in Soft Snowflake and Bernat Blanket Brights Yarn in Carrot Orange with a J/6mm crochet hook to stitch up my goose lovey. You’ll also need a bit of Poly-fil for stuffing just the head and the beak.

The body, legs, and wings are not stuffed making it easy for little hands to cuddle up with. The yarn is so soft and squishy and the eyes are embroidered on so there’s no need to worry about safety eyes falling off.

I hope this Crochet Goose Lovey will make our little Goose smile for years to come!🧡

Anita

Posted in Baby, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Gifts, Baby | Leave a comment

Birthday Flowers – Handmade Card

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

This beautiful vase of flowers is from the stamp set called Simply Blessed from Unity Stamp Company and it makes such a lovely card.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers.

Using these Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies, I die cut around the image and layered it to green and purple card stock cut with the same die set. The piece is then attached to a white card. I stamped the sentiment with green ink on white card stock, die cut around it with these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and layered it to purple card stock cut with the same die set. The sentiment is attached to the card with foam tape.

This stamp can be colored in so many different ways and can be used for many different occasions by changing the sentiment or simply leaving it off completely.

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Everything But The Bagel Dip For Crackers & Veggies

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Are you a fan of Everything But the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s? You can use it on everything from meat to veggies. I found this yummy dip recipe at Fantabulosity and it’s super easy to make. It will be great when you are bringing an appetizer to your next gathering or even if you just want to have some in your fridge for a snack. 😋

You’ll need cream cheese, sour cream, and of course Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. You can find the complete recipe here at Fantabulosity.

Don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby? You can find this great seasoning here on Amazon!

Anita

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Tagged Recipe | Leave a comment

Crochet Christmas Gift Card Holder

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a super quick and easy crochet pattern to share with you today to finish off Christmas in July. 🎄 When giving gift cards or cash I like to dress them up a bit to make them a little more special. This Crochet Gift Card Holder is crocheted in the round and works up quickly.

I used I Love This Cotton Yarn and an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my gift card holders. Any worsted weight (4) yarn will work – these are a great stash buster project!

You can find the pattern below. I’ve also included a links to free PDFs – one with photos and one without – if you’d like to easily print it. Don’t forget to Pin it to your crochet Pinterest board for later. 😊

Quick and Easy Crochet Gift Card Holder

Worsted weight (4) yarn – I used I Love This Cotton yarn in Red, Bright Green, and White

H/5mm crochet hook

3/4 inch Button

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Slip Stitch – ss

Note: I carried my yarn up when changing colors – less ends to weave in and the project goes much faster.

Chain 11 with Red or Green.

Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. sc in next 8 stitches. Work 3 sc in last stitch. Working on the other side of beginning ch, sc in next 8 stitches. Work 3 sc in last stitch. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Rounds 2-3: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Rounds 4-5; ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to Red or Green.

Rounds 6-7: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Rounds 8-9: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to Red or Green.

Rounds 10-11: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Rounds 12-13: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to Red or Green.

Rounds 14-15: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Round 16: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Round 17: ch 1. sc in next 19 stitches. ch 12 for button loop. sc in next 4 stitches. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on button.

Here are the links to the free PDFs…

Quick and Easy Crochet Gift Card Holder with photos

Quick and Easy Crochet Gift Card Holder without photos

Of course you don’t have to crochet the gift card holder in just Christmas colors! Any color combination from pastels to brights to a single color will work great for any occasion when you want to add just a little something more when giving a gift card.

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Leave a comment

You’re Tweet – Handmade Card

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

This little chick is so “tweet”! 😉 She’s from the Chirp Up stamp set from Unity Stamp Company and she couldn’t be cuter! 💛

I stamped the chick with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored her with Copic markers. I die cut around the image using a heart die (similar to this) and lightly inked the edges with blue ink and a blender brush.

I die cut a piece of flower patterned paper using these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies and attached it to a white card. Using the same die set, I cut a piece of yellow patterned paper, embossed it using a dot embossing folder, and attached it over the flowered paper. The heart is attached to the card using foam tape. The sentiment is stamped with black ink on white card stock, punched with a small scalloped circle punch (this is a similar punch), and attached to the card.

This is such a sweet card! 💛 It can be used for a birthday card, thinking of you card, or just saying hello card.

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Ribbon Wrapped Cookie Cutter Ornaments

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Christmas in July is almost over, but I have another fun project to share with you before it ends. Do you have a theme for decorating your Christmas tree?🎄 Ours is filled with handcrafted ornaments that I’ve made or collected during our travels over the years.

Ribbon Wrapped Cookie Cutter Ornaments are quick and easy to make. You’ll need simple cookie cutters – mine are metal ones that I picked up for about a dollar at Target last year. The stores will soon be putting out their Christmas items 😳 so you’ll be able to find inexpensive cookie cutters at all your favorite stores. You’ll also need ribbon in your choice of pattern and color. My ribbon is 7/8-inches wide. I wouldn’t go much wider than that but I think 1/2-inch wide ribbon would work, too.

To make the ornament, cut a piece of ribbon for wrapping around the cookie cutter. I cut mine about 40-inches long, but you may need more or less depending on the size of the cookie cutter. My cookie cutters measure about 3.5-inches tall. Secure one end of the ribbon using hot glue to the inside of the cookie cutter. Then wrap the ribbon tightly around the cookie cutter, slightly overlapping the edges as you go. After covering the entire cookie cutter, secure the end with hot glue trimming off any excess ribbon.

I tied red/white bakers twine around the top of the ornament then added 1 red and 2 white wood beads to the twine. I tied a knot close to the top bead and tied the ends of the twine together to form the hanger.

You could also use bakers twine to wrap your cookie cutters, although it would take longer, but I think it would be very cute.

Ribbon Wrapped Cookie Cutter Ornaments will look so cute on your tree, attached to a wreath, or used as package tie-ons. 🎄

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Gifts | Tagged Christmas, Gifts | Leave a comment

Fruity Chicken Salad

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Looking for a tasty lunch option, or a quick and easy weeknight dinner on these hot Summer days? This Fruity Chicken Salad from Passionate Penny Pincher is so easy to make and it’s full of flavor!

It’s made using a rotisserie chicken so you don’t have to cook the chicken ahead of time. Of course you can absolutely prepare your own chicken if you want to! You add fruit, celery, pecans, a little onion and toss it with mayo and sour cream. You can find the full recipe here.

Serve this yummy Fruity Chicken Salad with some crackers or on a bed of field greens. It makes a great sandwich on a croissant or your favorite bread. You can also add or substitute different fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, or craisins. Don’t like pecans? Use walnuts instead. This is such a versatile recipe – tweak it to fit your family’s tastes!

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Leave a comment