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.

I was going to make a trivet or a mug rug using this Belle & Boo print along with the Japanese Lawn based on Amy Sinibaldi's book "Sweetly Stitched Handmades". I arranged all the circles on my design board, but the layout did not look as good as I imagined. I played a bit more with these little pretties and a new idea was born. It did not take long to go ahead with all the cutting, sewing and stitching.

I absolutely love the simplicity of this envelope. Only three circles, three cheeky bunnies chasing butterflies and a few special details. You can find a step-by-step tutorial for the basic envelope here. The size, the shape and the padding can be easily adjusted to suit your needs.

Oh! Just look at them! So carefree and happy, and cute as can be, and it's all in pink.

Recently I made linen fabric ribbons with gingham print and tiny stitches. It was a perfect make for this envelope. You can try making these ribbons yourself, it really is easy and amusing to create something nice out of scraps of fabric. The tutorial is here.

It's always the tiniest details that turn your make into something special, the details that make your creation different from anyone else's work. I made a fabric label/patch using Yuwa Fourson Collection fabric and then added some stitching in dark brown for the watering can and a bullion rose in darker and brighter colours. This time I decided to hide this little patch under the flap. I hope the recipient of this envelope likes it as much as I enjoyed making it and finds a good use for it.

Another special make is this scrappy envelope featuring Belle and her special friend Boo. Oh, how pleasing the process of putting something nice together using scraps is! The idea was not planned, it just happened one evening.

I was sorting through the basket of my precious scraps when I came across the piece of Belle & Boo fabric. I put it on my design board and then piece by piece surrounded it with other pretty prints. I stitched them together into a small panel. Put a few cute accessories next to it and the idea of another envelope was born.

The back of the envelope is very simple with only one "handmade" label that I attached with large stitches in bright red thread. The hand stitches are only added on the front flap and a little bit of hand quilting on the front panel.

Out of all the possible types of fasteners, I really like magnetic snaps. They are easy to install, easy to close and especially easy to open. The only downside is if you are using the envelope for an electronic device with a screen, you have to attach an extra padding in places where the fastener comes in contact with the device for extra protection of the screen.

A basket full of flowers is one of my favourite little patches. I only added a few french knots in pale pink and a little piece of a handmade ribbon on a side to give it a sweet special touch.

Another ribbon with a couple of kisses was added on a side of the envelope. Every stitch was made with a lot of love and warm wishes, I chose the prints and threads that I really like. I hope it brings joy and warmth to the heart of the person who is going to receive this envelope.

I am wishing you all a wonderful day full of joy and happiness! Keep on sewing! Larisa xox