A Spoonful of Sugar: Portable Picasso Portfolio

Greetings, friends! It’s Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs, and I’m so excited to be sharing another project with you today as part of the A Spoonful of Sugar Blog Tour. I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Therm O Web to showcase my Portable Picasso Portfolio, made extra special with fabrics from the enchanting new A Spoonful of Sugar collection by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs.

Just a spoonful of sugar—and a dash of creativity—can turn even the longest journey into a delightful adventure. Inspired by the whimsical world of Mary Poppins, this charming fabric collection is bursting with storybook magic. With illustrations of beloved characters, delicate florals, cheerful kites, and sweet teacups, these fabrics feel as though they’ve stepped right out of a classic tale and straight into your sewing room—practically perfect in every way.

In today’s tutorial, we’re creating my Portable Picasso Portfolio, a small sewn wallet designed to keep young artists happily creating wherever their adventures take them. This clever little project holds crayons on one side and a blank notepad on the other, all secured with an elastic closure—perfect for travel, totes, and purse-sized play. To add a bit of extra sparkle (because every good story needs a little magic!), we’ll be using the A Spoonful of Sugar Stencil along with HeatnBond Sparkle Paste to give the inside of the portfolio a touch of glittery fun. Whether you’re headed out for a day of errands or embarking on a grand adventure, this portable art studio is a delightful way to keep creativity close at hand.

So let’s get started! Gather your materials and follow along as I show you how to incorporate Therm O Web products while making a colorful creativity case perfectly sized for a 4” x 6” blank notepad and a handful of crayons—the perfect take-along, on-the-go activity.

What you need:

• HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing

• 1 — 11” W x 8” H

• HeatnBond Fusible Fleece

• 1 — 11” W x 8” H

• HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing

• 1 — 8” W x 6” H
• 1 — 5½” W x 5½” H

• HeatnBond Sparkle Paste by Jennifer Long Sew A Story — Sugar
• HeatnBond HeatnBond Sparkle Stencil by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story — A Spoonful of Sugar
• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets

• 1 Sheet

• HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape, 5/8
• Cotton Fabric — A Spoonful of Sugar collection by Jennifer Long of Sew a Story for Riley Blake Designs

• 1 — 11” W x 8” H Outer Fabric (model uses Cherry Tree Lane Main Cloud)
• 1 — 11” W x 8” H Lining Fabric (model uses Lace Parasol Evening)
• 1 — 8” W x 6” H Crayon Pocket Fabric (model uses Tea & Sugar Cloud)
• 1 — 5½” W x 5½” H Notepad Pocket Fabric (model uses Let's Go Fly a Kite Cloud)

• Palette Knife or Foam Brush or Paint Brush
• ¼” Flat Elastic (model uses black)

• 7½” piece

• Oliso Iron
• Basic Tools (cutting mat, rotary cutter, small sharp scissors, ruler, wooden iron or spoon)
• Clover Hera Marker or Pencil
• Wonder Clips
• 4” x 6” Blank Notepad
• Crayons

How to Make One Portable Picasso Portfolio

Finished Size: Open: 10½” W x 7½” HClosed: 4¾” W x 7½” H x 1” D

1. Prepare outer fabric. Center and apply HeatnBond Fusible Fleece to the back of the cotton fabric selected for the outside of the portfolio.

• Pre-heat iron to a medium setting, no steam.
• Place the rough side of the Fusible Fleece on the wrong side of the outer fabric unit.
• Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
• Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
• Allow it to cool.

2. Prepare lining fabric. Center and apply HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing to the back of the cotton fabric selected for the lining of the portfolio.

• Pre-heat iron to cotton/high heat setting, no steam.
• Use a non-stick pressing sheet to protect iron and ironing surface from accidental fusing.
• Place interfacing on the wrong side of lining fabric, fusible side down. Cover with a light, dry press cloth. Press and hold iron in place with medium pressure for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
• Allow the fused piece to cool completely. If more ironing is needed, press an additional 5 seconds from the front of the project. Allow pieces to cool completely before sewing.

3. Prepare crayon pocket. Center and apply HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the back of the cotton fabric selected for the crayon pocket.

• Pre-heat iron to a high setting, no steam.
• Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing against the wrong side of the cotton fabric – center it carefully.
• Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
• Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Lift and repeat, slightly overlapping, until fully bonded.
• Allow it to cool completely.

Fold fabric in half width-wise to measure 8” W x 3” H. Top stitch ¼” from the fold.

4. Prepare notepad pocket. Center and apply HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the back of the cotton fabric selected for the notepad pocket.

• Pre-heat iron to a high setting, no steam.
• Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing against the wrong side of the cotton fabric – center it carefully.
• Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
• Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Lift and repeat, slightly overlapping, until fully bonded.
• Allow it to cool completely.

5. Apply HeatnBond Sparkle Paste — Sugar to notepad pocket using the HeatnBond HeatnBond Sparkle Stencil — A Spoonful of Sugar.

Fold the notepad pocket in half on the diagonal and make a crease to help with placement. The Sparkle Paste motif will be applied in the lower right-hand corner of the fabric square.

Use SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray to hold the stencil in place while applying the Sparkle Paste. The model uses the Mary Poppins with an umbrella stencil.

• Use a Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheet to protect your workspace. Pro tip: Place the pressing paper inside of a cardboard box to shield your work area.
• Shake the can well.  Hold the can upright, 12 inches from the back of the stencil.
• Press the spray pad button and apply a light coating of adhesive using a sweeping motion.
• Let dry for 1 minute.
• Press stencil to notepad pocket fabric, repositioning as needed. (If tack is too light, repeat step 1.)
• Before storing can, hold upside down and press spray pad button for a short burst to clear nozzle

Using a small palette knife or foam brush, apply a thin layer of HeatnBond Sparkle Paste — Sugar over the stencil to fill in the selected image opening.

• Carefully scrape excess paste from the stencil and return it to the jar. Recap the jar tightly.
• Gently lift the stencil from the surface. Wash stencil and tools immediately in warm, soapy water. To avoid bending the stencil, use a soft brush to gently scrub away residue.
• Let Sparkle Paste dry 1 hour.
• Pre-heat iron to cotton setting (high heat), no steam. Cover design with HeatnBond Pressing Paper and press with medium firm pressure for 60 seconds.
• Let Sparkle Paste cure for 24 hours. Designs will now be permanent and machine washable. The durable glittery finish won’t flake off and will stand up to frequent use and handling.

Refold the notepad pocket on the diagonal. Top stitch ¼” from the fold.

6. Add pockets to lining unit. Place the crayon pocket unit on the left-hand side of the lining unit, lining up the raw edges. Place the notepad pocket unit in the lower right-hand corner, lining up the raw edges. Baste both pockets in place.

Divide the crayon pocket into six sections. Using a Clover Hera Marker or a pencil, mark the pocket divisions for sewing. Starting from one raw edge, mark the first division 1½” in. Next, mark four additional divisions spaced 1¼” apart. This spacing will leave the final pocket 1½” from the opposite raw edge. The two end pockets are intentionally ¼” wider to allow for the seam allowance and ensure the crayons fit comfortably. Sew a straight stitch on each line to form the pockets.

7. Add flat elastic to lining unit. Measure 2” from the top right corner of the lining unit and make a small pencil mark. Measure 2” from the lower right corner of the lining unit and make a small pencil mark. Use the marks to place the ¼” Flat Elastic. Baste one end on the top mark. Lightly stretch the elastic to baste the other end on the bottom mark.

8. Assemble portfolio. Place the outer cover unit and the lining unit right sides together. Use Wonder Clips or pins to hold in place. Stitch around the perimeter using a ¼” seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning.

Clip corners. Turn right side out through the opening. Press.

Sew the opening closed or use HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape to seal the opening left for turning closed (no sew, no heat).

• Adhere the tape inside the opening along the edge.
• Peel off the paper liner.
• Press opening closed with firm pressure. For best results, use the rounded side of a metal spoon or a wooden iron and press down with your thumb while applying heavy, consistent pressure. The harder you press, the better the bond. Repeat this step on the back side of the item.

Give the portfolio a final press.

9. Fill with a blank 4” x 6” notepad and crayons.

I hope this Portable Picasso Portfolio inspires you to stitch up a bit of creative magic for the young artists in your life. Whether it’s tucked into a tote for errands, packed for travel, or pulled out for quiet-time creativity, this little portfolio is a wonderful way to encourage imagination on the go. Be sure to have some fun personalizing each one with the A Spoonful of Sugar fabrics, playful stenciling, and a touch of sparkle—because projects made with joy are always the most memorable.

And if you’re feeling inspired to create something just for yourself (or the teens in your life), be sure to check out my Joyful Journal Jacket tutorial as well. Designed with adults and teens in mind, it pairs beautifully with this project for a coordinated creative set—proof that artistic adventures aren’t just for kids.

Thank you so much for joining me today on the Therm O Web blog as part of the A Spoonful of Sugar Blog Tour. For more creative inspiration, visit my blog, website, or Instagram—and be sure to tag me with your finished projects. Until next time, happy sewing!