Cross-Stitch Linen Coasters

I am in love. In love with my newly created linen coasters. I think they are my favourite creation at the moment. These little owls are very special to me because they signify the beginning of my stitching adventure. I embroidered them last year, when all of a sudden I had an urge to give cross-stitching a try. I had no idea at that time that I would start a blog, would keep sewing and embroidering and would meet many interesting people on the way.

Work in Progress: Hoot... Hoot... Hoot...

Last year, when my sewing and stitching adventures just began, I came across a not very clear embroidery pattern for these adorable owls on the internet. They were cute. I fell in love. I had to embroider them. I really did. They were too charming to simply leave them on paper. I used small pieces of Irish linen. Small, because I was only practicing and had no intention of using this work for anything. Plus I had to do a lot of guessing work because of the poor quality of the pattern.

Two little friends spent almost a year in a box with some unfinished projects, but a couple of days ago I got them out. I got them out because all of a sudden I knew what they would be turned into. Something simple, something small, something that can be enjoyed by all.

Garden in a Coffee Cup

Just for fun. Why not? A miniature garden in a coffee cup. The cup is tiny, smaller than a regular tea cup but looks absolutely beautiful filled with this green bush. It goes with me around my home. Sometimes it sits on the kitchen bench, other days it's on the dining table or in my sewing nook, right next to me while I am stitching.

Nothing special, just a cup, a bit of soil and a tiny plant. A small green patch that brings joy and happiness, that brightens up the skies on gloomy rainy days. I am waiting for this plant to bloom with tiny white flowers, they are as small as a sewing pinhead. So I am watching it everyday and waiting, and sewing and smiling.

Have a lovely weekend everybody!

Buzzy Bees, Lace and Stitches

I made something new, something I haven't made before. As my not so Little Boy said "Mum, it will take you no time at all, it's so simple for you. It's just a ..." Well, he might be right.

Stamps, Stamps and More Stamps

I have been busy. Very busy. Busy with making stamps. Yes, fabric stamps. Aren't they lovely? So many of them and they are all different. Any ideas what to use them for? I am still thinking.

Please Meet...

... Krupenichka. A traditional russian rag doll filled with grains such as buckwheat, wheat or barley. The great thing about Krupenichka is that you don't need to sew anything apart from the first step - making a small sack for the body. The rest is just cutting, folding and dressing the doll up.

Isn't she cute? She is very small, only 8.5 cm tall and her body is filled with barley. I was going to use buckwheat but then changed my mind because I was making the doll in the evening and did not have any buckwheat at hand. You can find a step by step tutorial here. It's in Russian but there are plenty of photos for you to work out what to do. On this website you can find some historical information about traditional russian dolls. Unfortunately, the text is in Russian and the translation function does not do a good job. But there are many interesting and colourful photos there.

My ATCs Gallery

Welcome to my tiny Artist Trading Cards gallery. Well, kind of. I am happy happy happy! I finished all the cards and even chose the one I am going to send to my swap partner but I am not going to tell you which one it is, I will keep it a secret for now. The card is going to be send away during the first week of November. It's a long wait but such are the rules of this swap.