Grandma's Love

My Grandma has a special place in my heart and her love still warms my heart every day. It's the small things like freshly backed sugar rolls, late night tea, a bunch of flowers, a dinner I am cooking that bring memories of her. Our pretend games we used to play together, our trips to the lake and the river near our summer holiday house, our laughs and our tears - it's all a part of who I am now. My brother and I used to spend almost every summer with our grandparents. Each spring our parents would pack us up ready for the summer adventures away from home and send us on a plane trip to a different city for the next three exciting months. It was always fun, and I have to say that we hardly missed our parents, but if our parents managed to take some time off work and come spend some summer days with us all, it always felt extra special.

Pink Quilting Bee 2018

What an adventure it has been! Last year I was lucky to be invited to join a group of wonderful girls to go on a year-long adventure - the Quilting Bee. I had no idea what it was and how it really worked, but after reading some history information behind it and some blogs, I thought that it was a wonderful opportunity to help all 11 girls make a quilt each and get help making my own pink quilt along the way. I am so grateful that the girls picked me for this project and let me use my stash for sewing for them.

Each months one of the Quilting Bees picked a particular block and sent us the instructions and colour preferences and then it was up to us to pick the fabrics from our own stashes, sew the block and send it to the Queen Bee. It was fun going through my stash each month and pulling the fabrics that I felt were right for each and every block. Even though I felt quite scared at the very start of this adventure, I am happy I joined the group and got to know the Instagram girls much better. So let me show you all the 12 beautiful blocks that I have made during 2018.

Work in Progress: Pretty Handmades

If you like pink, pretty and handmade little things, then this book is definitely for you. Pretty Handmades is the first book written by Lauren Wright from Molly and Mama and published by Tuva Publishing. It's going to be released on the first of October. When Lauren asked me to join her book tour, I simply could not say no. I adore Lauren's style, her creativity and her attention to the tiniest details. When this book arrived, I could not put it down. It was not just the projects that kept me excited, but the sweet photos and illustrations accompanying every page. 

In the Making and Small Finishes

If you have visited my blog recently, then you might have seen the previous post with the Mushroom paper piecing pattern. Paper piecing technique is something that I learnt not too long ago, but since the first time I tried it, I fell in love with it. So... one late night I ended up making this dog. It's a very small block, but it can easily be increased to any size. I have an idea what I want to make with this little piece and I cannot wait to work on this.

A Cross-Stitch Pincushion

Or as my Little One calls it "a pillow" and pretends to sleep on it making a very loud snoring noise. It makes me laugh. Without any planning, I have finished this little pincushion right on time for my Grandma's birthday and it warms up my heart to think that she would have loved it. I wish she could see it... As I wrote back in October, I wanted to make myself a pincushion similar to the one my Grandma used to have. I found a lovely pattern online that seemed absolutely perfect for this special project.

Work in Progress

It's been a while since I posted anything about my current works in progress. As always, I have quite a few small things going on at the same time that I switch between depending on my mood and the time I have available for sewing. Some of the projects have been planned, some are simply a spur-of-the-moment decisions, just like the project below. I came across that little scrap of Belle and Boo fabric (I keep a small basket on the desk where I put some of the precious scraps). I pulled a few more floral scraps and got lost in playing around with pretty fabrics and buttons. It did not take long for a vague idea to form and I can say that now it's finished. Something quite cute that I will be sad to part with. Pinks, florals and cute buttons. I cannot wait to show it to you.

Hexagons, Hexagons and More Hexagons

Or shall we simply say "Hexie Love"? Just look at this beautiful splash of pastels! The most beautiful "Woodland Clearing" line by Liesl Gibson parading here in hexagons. Pink, aqua, beige...beautiful prints that almost look like watercolours or cross-stitch designs.

The Story of a Lonely Sock

Lonely because I have managed to finish only one by now. As I said before, after watching a few podcasts by some talented girls (Jooles of SewSweetViolet and Sandra of CherryHeart), I got inspired to knit socks. I could not wait and ran to a local craft store to get some yarn. The choice there is not that great, but I was able to find some suitable material. I bought this pretty purplish-pink yarn, pale pink and blue for my little boy. Once my little boy was tucked in bed that night, I sat down comfortably and started my knitting adventure.

Have You Heard of a Knitting Bug?

I think I have got it. But it's not a major one that knocks you off your feet, but still contagious and strong enough to make me go and buy some yarn. After watching the first two podcasts by Jooles of SewSweetViolet (oh, Jooles is so so sweet!), I really felt like knitting...SOCKS. Well, I have not knitted socks for something like 20 plus years, but I felt inspired to do that. This was just the beginning of the first pair of socks. Yes, first. I planned three. For now.

Pretty Project Bags

Have used any? They are such a fantastic idea! We went away for a few days recently and I packed some knitting and sewing to take along with me in both bags. It was much much easier to pack and unpack my work, it was put away quickly and stored nicely. Let me tell you a bit more about these great makes.

Work in Progress: Starting too Many Projects?

That's the question I keep asking myself daily. Am I trying to get my hands on too many things at the same time? Or is it my sleep deprived mind that cannot settle on one thing and needs a constant change? Whatever it is that makes me be that way, I kind of like it because I can choose what I am going to work on when I have a few spare minutes and not really worry about finishing it. This little project is something I am making with a very narrow bias tape. It's perfect for this fabric weaving idea. Don't you like all these pretty flowers?

Work in Progress: Sooo Slow

I think I am going to repeat myself for the thousandth time, but I do need some extra free time. Is it only me who cannot manage sewing with a baby around or some of you feel the same way? But anyway, let me show you just a few little things I am working on. First up is this Mousey Mouse item. It is so much fun! I used my Reverse Appliqué Tutorial that you can find here for this project. There going to be a bit more appliqué and some embroidery and maybe even quilting involved. I am really enjoying working on it. The progress is quite slow not only because of the time limit, but also because I am designing it as I go. I started with one idea and quite soon changed the direction, I am adding small bits and pieces, just a few stitches at a time. So let's wait and see where this Mousey Mouse is going to end up.

A Gift With a Condition

I received this lovely gift from a very dear childhood friend of mine. A gift with a condition it is. You see, my friend L. made this lovely cross-stitch embroidery especially for me. (Yay! Thank you so much!!!) She enjoys occasional sewing or embroidering when the time permits. Well, she embroidered this and sent it over to me with one particular condition - that I make a pillow with this piece. She made me promise her that.

Apples, Apples and More Apples...

I felt like doing some paper piecing lately. I kept thinking of making some strawberries but ended up with a selection of apples: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Golden Delicious. What a variety!

Work in Progress: Hexagons...

It's my new addiction. They are quick and easy to make, and once you start, it's hard to stop. All these pretty hexagons let you create new interesting patterns, colour combinations and appliques too.

The red and white flower is ready and waiting to be stitched onto some linen for a new project. Today again I reminded myself how sweet and satisfying hand sewing is. It has a wonderful calming effect on me.

Hope you are having a nice and relaxing weekend! Larisa xox

Work in Progress: A Challenge

I gave myself a scrappy challenge the other day - to complete this project using only pieces of fabrics from my scraps box. I am determined to use as many different prints and colours as possible. By doing this, I am hoping to reduce the number of small bits and pieces of fabrics I have accumulated so far.

Just a Sneak Peek: Building Blocks

Picture in a frame, in a frame and in a frame... That's how I am calling these simple symmetrical quilting blocks. I know I said that I am not a quilter but quilting is addictive. Really! It's like a kid's game of building blocks. Using blocks of different sizes and colours you can build a whole castle in a matter of minutes.

Work in Progress: And a Few New Prints

Today I don't have much to write and show but rather I have a lot to work on. Quite a few unfinished but more than half way through projects. I got a bit carried away with jumping between them all and all the other things that needed to be done. Hopefully I can finish them all soon and tick them off my To-Do list, and move on to the next ones.

A new embroidery based on yet another recent sketch. I think it's rather sweet and I hope the final idea turns out well. Looking at this photo inspired a new idea that is going on my list... I just love that this magic To-Do list is never ending.

Work in Progress: Not Much But...

... a couple of small comforting and quite interesting projects. Something that was inspired by quickly approaching Christmas and winter in Northern Hemisphere. An old drawing turned into a cross-stitch pattern and paired with one of the fabrics from Westminster range by Fabric Freedom (England), the print that was inspired by mill engravings of the 19th century.

Work in Progress: Squeak.. Squeak...

That's what on my work table at the moment. This tiny squeaky fellow suddenly appeared on my desk one sunny morning. He was looking for a new home to live in and I have an idea that I can't wait to share with you. Hopefully soon.

It's rather an unexpected project that started with a simple sketch. Even though I am terrified of mice in real life, I absolutely adore cute designs with them. Come back soon to see what it's going to be. Larisa xox