Totally Handsewn...

... darling tea companions. They are smaller than your ordinary placemats but slightly bigger than coasters. Just the right size to place a cup on it and a small snack while enjoying a cup of tea in a company of a good friend.

We went away for a few days to the countryside. A drive that took four hours from the city. There was a slight problem - it was an absolutely last minute decision and we had to pack everything in about one hour as well as make all necessary bookings.

So what happens when you have an hour to do the packing? Well, let me tell you. You end up running pretty much like a mad chook throwing stuff in a few bags making sure that all the important things are taken for all the involved. Then you rampage through your sewing nook, grabbing bits and pieces of fabrics, scissors, needles, pins... And, if you are lucky, you might even remember to take some spools of sewing threads with you too. I almost forgot about this important essential. He...he... I was quite disappointed though, I forgot one small box that contained all the necessary things for a very important and urgent project that I am going to tell you about later.

Because of that it took me a while to get in a sewing mood. I had no idea what I wanted to work on, no plans or inspirations until I saw a tiny piece of Woodland Walk fabric by Belle & Boo that I took with me along with some other cuts, tiny but just enough for a small applique. Once I saw it, I knew what I was going to make.

Every single stitch of this project was done by hand using a backstitch, running stitch and hidden stitch. It's actually quite peaceful and calming to sew by hand, without the noise and the warming bright light of the machine. The happy chipping of birds, the green scenery and the intoxicating air of the countryside only made the work even more tranquil and relaxing.

This time around I put a "hugging" (is there a term like that?) label on the side of the mat so that the tiny picture is on the front side and the writing is on the back side. The applique is sewn in place with a hidden stitch and then a running stitch added around it. A short writing Friends forever is added for a special touch. These tea companions (I love this name) are just a pleasure to make and they can easily be a project on a go. Larisa xox