Get ready for those shorter days and cooler nights by adding a little warmth and color to your home or next gathering. We partnered with Fiskars to use their collection of fabric cutting tools to craft these modern patchwork style coasters. These require a bit of machine sewing but are super beginner friendly, and the final hand-quilted details are the perfect thing to work on while curled up on the sofa with your favorite fall flick. Once finished, set these out and serve up some seasonal drinks to kick off the season!

Materials needed: Quilting cotton in multiple colors (orange, terracotta, light pink, apricot, pink), Lightweight interfacing (we used cotton organdy), Fiskars 45mm Stick Rotary Cutter, Fiskars 18″ x 24″ Cutting Mat, Fiskars 6” x 24” Acrylic Ruler, Fiskars Orange Handle Scissors, Sewing machine & thread, Iron/ironing board, Sashiko thread (or embroidery thread), Pins (optional), Water soluble fabric pen (optional), Point turner (or bamboo skewer)

STEP 1: Cut 5” squares from quilting cotton and interfacing using a clear ruler and rotary cutter. For 1 coaster you will need 3 squares of quilting cotton in different colors, and 1 square of interfacing.

STEP 2: Stack two squares of quilting cotton and sew a straight line down the center. You can use a clear ruler and fabric pen to mark the line to make it easier to sew. Once sewn, press open the seam.

STEP 3: On top of the quilted piece, stack one additional square of quilting cotton, followed by the square of interfacing. Secure layers with pins.

STEP 4: Using a ⅜” seam allowance, stitch around the outside of the layers, leaving a 1.5” gap along one side. Once sewn, trim corners as shown and press seam allowances inward.

STEP 5: Flip coaster right side out, using a point turner or bamboo skewer to make corners sharp. Press flat.

STEP 6: Add hand quilted details, using a running stitch down the center of the coaster with sashiko thread. Tip: use a water soluble fabric pen to mark a straight line before stitching. Close seam with invisible hand stitches or fabric glue.

This post is sponsored by Fiskars.

We are rounding up some of our favorite Fall throwbacks. This also means Halloween is around the corner and it’s time to start costume brainstorming – any suggestions? In the meantime, here are a few of our favorite DIYs to start your Fall Checklist!

1. Rainbow Pumpkin Centerpiece – an OHD classic!
2. Ombre Leaves Backdrop – also check out the Ombre Pumpkin Centerpiece.
3. Pumpkin Chip Whoopie Pies – YUM!
4. Colorful S’mores Party – with the perfect gingham backdrop.
5. Giant Jack O’ Lantern Balloons – no carving needed.

Fall is right around the corner and nothing says cozy like warm hues and patchwork quilts! We drew inspiration from both for these sweet favor boxes we created with our favorite Fiskars tools. Based on modern, geometric quilt designs these involve some precise cutting, but allow you to skip the sewing machine. Fill them with colorful treats or small school supplies (like erasers, pencil sharpeners, or stickers) for those autumn festivities you’ve got brewing.

Materials needed: Quilting cotton in multiple colors (colors below), 4” Chipwood favor boxes, Fiskars 45mm Stick Rotary Cutter, Fiskars 18″ x 24″ Cutting Mat, Fiskars 6” x 24” Acrylic Ruler, Fiskars Orange Handle Scissors, Freezer paper, Parchment paper, Iron/heat safe work surface, Paint brush, Mod Podge or white glue

Step 1: Using a rotary cutter and clear ruler, measure and cut rectangles measuring 3.5” by 4.5”  from fabric, in a variety of colors. (Here’s our color palette – orange, terracotta, light pink, apricot, pink.) To minimize fraying, cut fabric on the bias (diagonal to the grain). Make additional cuts to some of the rectangles—cut in half diagonally to form triangles, or in half vertically to form narrow rectangles.

Step 2: Place a piece of freezer paper on a heat-safe work surface, with the shiny side facing up. On top, arrange fabric shapes from Step 1 to form a quilt-like design, making sure corners and edges are lined up and flush. Cover with parchment paper and gently press with a hot iron to secure the fabric pieces to the freezer paper, working in sections if necessary to prevent shifting.

Step 3: Brush the lid of a wood favor box with Mod Podge and adhere face down on the fabric “quilt” from Step 2. Let dry.

Step 4: Cut away the excess “quilt” and peel off freezer paper from the box lid. Brush the top surface of the lid with an additional coat of Mod Podge and let dry.

***Tip: To make multiple favor boxes at once, make a larger “quilt” collage in Step 2.

This post is sponsored by Fiskars.

Fall calls for pumpkin spice, bonfires, and spooky décor! When we think of fall crafting with the kids, it definitely involves including them in party planning and creating decorations or favors. These adorable little coffins from Walmart could definitely serve double duty! Fill them with candy, and put one at each place setting so guests can take them home at the end of the night. You could even use alphabet stickers on the inside of the lids to create place cards. Kids can use these acrylic paints to decorate the coffins in their own style, or follow the simple steps below to create our creepy cobweb vibe.

Materials needed: 6” coffin boxes, acrylic craft paint set (bright), acrylic craft paint (black), foam sponge brushes, paintbrush, candy, party supplies

STEP 1: Use a sponge brush to cover the unfinished coffins in black acrylic paint. Allow to dry.

STEP 2: Use a skinny paintbrush to paint “spokes” on the lid going from a center point to the edges of the coffin. Starting near the center point, paint little scallops connecting the spokes. Create several more layers of scallops going up the spokes, leaving little ends extending beyond the scallops. Allow to dry.

STEP 3: Fill the coffins with Halloween candy, add a name inside the lid (or don’t!), and put a coffin at each place setting.

SHOP THIS POST: Kinder eggs, candy corn, Dum Dums lollipops, spiders

This post is sponsored by Walmart.

We’re excited to partner on this post with Too Good To Go. They are a clever app that connects you with local restaurants and grocery stores with surplus food to help fight food waste, which contributes to 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. On the app, we chose a gourmet grocery store and a juice store and then picked up a “surprise bag” of groceries for a third of the retail price. Read on to see what we made and our top tips for hosting your next waste free gathering.

The bread we toasted all at one time in the oven and then we used the different ingredients and a few things we had in the fridge to make all the toppings–including basil and tomatoes from our garden! It’s fun to even keep a basket of toasted bread with toppings laid out so people can make their own creations.

Here are our top tips for your next zero waste gathering: 

1. Download the Too Good To Go app here!
2. Find a local grocery store or restaurant. We love the “surprise bags” because it’s a bit of a surprise to see what we end up with AND a great way to check out a new spot in the neighborhood.
3. Pull staples from your pantry like bread, seasoning, dips, etc. to complete your meal.
4. Arrange things in cute dishes (by color if you’re feeling extra creative). We like to mix a variety of them.
5. Grab a fun tablecloth – make it a picnic outdoors if the weather’s right!
6. BYOB: Ask everyone to bring their own reusable bags and tupperware for any leftovers.
7. Repeat as often as possible. PRO TIP: Heart your favorite places on the app to make it easy to find each time.

These are some of our favorite ideas for toppings:
-Ricotta with prosciutto and hot honey
-Avocado with lemon and salt topped with sprouts
-Tomatoes, basil, salt, and olive oil
-Mayo, sliced eggs, cucumbers and fresh dill
-Melted cheese with sautéed mushrooms
-Soppressata and jalapeños

This post is sponsored by Too Good To Go.