A Story of a Small Label

If you have followed my work over the years, you will know how much I adore making small labels from linen scraps with an addition of delicate stitches. There is something deeply satisfying about creating these "miniature signatures" - those small but meaningful touches that add soul to a handmade piece and make it unmistakably yours.

Tutorial: Gift Tags

Welcome to our last week of Sip Tea and EPP Sew Along! It's been a wonderful adventure that we shared with Irina @nordiccrafter and all of you who joined us by sewing with us, leaving comments on our posts and simply liking our work. Thank you so very much!

Today I would like to share with you the way I make gift tags. A small gift tag can add a lot of charm and love to any gift. Once you see how easy it is to make the base for your gift tag, you would want to create tags not only for Christmas, but for any special occasion. So gather your scraps and let's get crafty!

Tutorial: Cute Fabric Stamps

Recently I have been asked how I make my fabric stamps and I thought I would put together a quick step-by-step process to show you some of the tricks I use for these cute little things that can make a wonderful addition to any sewing project.

Teeny Tiny Labels

Today I would like to share with you a behind the scenes process of making cute additions to your projects - fabric labels. There are no strict instructions here, but rather an idea for you to play with and design your own labels using the same methods and tips, but mostly your imagination.

Christmas Mitten

It's pretty much Christmas time and I have to say that I am not even remotely ready for this. This year simply whooshed by and I had to slow down a lot to enjoy the small moments of everyday life, enjoy my Little One being little and needing me all the time, enjoy my Big Boy being a young man and not needing me as much as before. I even had to make sure that I enjoyed the mess and the little time I had for sewing.

Pretty Handmades Book Tour

Welcome to my stop on the Pretty Handmades Book Showcase Tour! "Pretty Handmades: Sewing Projects to Warm Your Heart" is Lauren's first book, published by Tuva Publishing, which consists of 20 gorgeous projects designed in a true Molly and Mama style, combining pretty fabrics and wool felt. The well written instructions and pictures are suitable for sewists of all levels and make sewing a breeze. The book is filled with beautifully styled photos and pretty illustrations. There is also a part dedicated to basic quilting and patchwork techniques as well as tips on working with felt and a basic stitch guide at the beginning of the book. Pretty Handmades is available for pre-orders on Amazon.

Little Sewing Kit

It's not a secret that I love all sorts of cute little sewing kits, folders, pouches and other special sewing notions. It seems to me that I can always find some time for making a new little pretty thing to keep me company on my sewing adventures. The other day I went to Spotlight to get the most ordinary and boring black buttons for some mending work, but as you can imagine, I simply could not leave the store without some pretties that inspired me to sew this little sweet folder. In pink.

It's All About Minis Today

Ove the last two months I have made a few lovely mini quilts. There used to be time when I had no idea what to do with a mini, I did not even see a point in making one because they seemed to be simply useless to me. How wrong I was! There are so many things you can do with mini quilts. You can hang them on a wall to decorate your place or sewing room, you can use them as a place mat or a mug rug or even use it as a trivet and of course they make lovely gifts. I like using mine on our dining table under a vase with flowers or a small stack of books. I also enjoy using them as working mats while doing some hand sewing in the living room. I realised that the most important idea behind a mini quilt is trying new patterns, ideas, new challenging techniques and showcasing your skills and pretty fabrics and they are simply fun to work on.

Molly and Mr Mouse

It's all about tiny details. Making a pouch or an envelope or anything else is always fun, but adding the final finishing touches is my absolutely favourite part. Working on tiny stitches, choosing the right small fun print, picking the ribbons and threads all add to the pleasure of sewing. It seems like April was mostly filled with making small fabric labels for me. How simple and cute is that label? Just a piece of the right fabric and a few tiny stitches.

Autumn, Acorns and Hot Chocolate Recipe

What is your favourite season of the year? I honestly cannot decide. I think I love all four of them because each has something unique and special about it and without one I would not enjoy the rest. After a hot and sunny Summer I am embracing the Autumn with my open arms. I love the slight coolness of the morning air, heavy rains and grey skies, yellowing leaves dancing in the wind and chilly evenings. Autumn is always the time when I start craving hot chocolate. With both hands gently wrapped around a warm cup and savouring every sip of that delicious drink cozily snuggled up on a couch with a favourite book. That's the Autumn I love.

Oh, These Bunnies!

Don't you think they are the cutest little things ever? They just asked to be made into something special and ended up on top of this linen envelope. I love making these envelopes. Quick, easy, fun and always useful for carrying around or storing some stationary bits and pieces or sewing projects and notions, or some special keepsakes.

Stamps, Watercolours and Fabric

You might be wondering what could be in common between these three things. When we went on holidays to Singapore last October, I found a very cute set of stamps featuring a little squirrel, mushrooms and acorns. The stamps came in a box that opens like a little book. I simply could not pass by that little find and took it home with me.

Sweet Orchard

It's the first fabric line by Sedef Imer of Down Grapevine Lane. I could not wait to get my hands on this pretty and absolutely sweet collections of fruit, berries, stripes, dots and florals. It truly is sweet!

A New Home For...

... my reading companion KOBO. It is so much easier to buy any case at the shops. The choice is great, the prices are not that high and I could have saved a lot of time that is so precious these days. But we all know that there is something special, heartwarming and wonderfully pleasant in handmade things. Right? It gives you a chance of choosing that particular colour and that particular print and style that you love so much.

Cross-Stitch Pillow

I mentioned before a gift with a condition that I received last year from a dear friend of mine. A beautiful embroidery "Winter Kiss" by Belle & Boo. My friend insisted that I made a pillow. What else apart from framing this lovely piece could I have done?! I suggested to her the idea of framing, but "only a pillow" I heard in return. Well, I am happy to say that I completed her request and turned her beautiful Belle & Boo cross-stitch embroidery into a pillow. Ta-dah!

Wonky House Pillow

At last! My Wonky House block has been turned into a pillow! I made this block exactly two years ago and all this time it has been patiently waiting for its turn to be used. And I am so very happy with what it has been made into.

Liberty Flex Frame Pouch

I need to do some shopping. Definitely. I have to buy more of these flex frames because they are great. I really enjoy making small pouches with this type of lock. The frames are quick to install and the pouches are easy to use. You can easily make cases for glasses, small purses for coins or make-up bags using one of these frames.

Tutorial: Teeny Weeny Handmade Sewing Labels

A very simple, quick and fun way to create your own teeny weeny labels for things you sew or just to satisfy that sewing and creative urge. So easy, that it can be made with one and a half hands. :-) Literally! All you need is scraps of fabric, I prefer linen or linen and cotton blend, some embroidery floss, a stamp or two, buttons and your imagination of course.

Cute as a Button or Stamps Everywhere

Look what I have been playing with! Stamps and ink, buttons and fabric snippets. If I spent a bit more time at my desk the other day, I would've stamped everything around me, that's how much I enjoyed doing that.