Tutorial: Scrappy Liberty Bookmark

I know for sure that many of you (just like me) have a bag or a jar hidden somewhere in your sewing space filled with the most precious scraps. Those tiny pretty pieces that are too small to be stitched together, but still impossible to part with. Well, if you are a lucky owner of a bag or a jar like that, then this tutorial might be exactly what you need.

I am going to show you how to turn the tiniest snippets into a bookmark or maybe a gift tag, but keep your mind open and let this idea tickle your imagination and create something else using this method that doesn't require a sewing machine. Only a hot iron and a fusible web/adhesive.

Finishing Old WIPs

I wrote before that one of the things on my list for this year is to finish most of my unfinished projects that I keep in a special box. This little guy was left forgotten pretty much since the very beginning of my sewing journey. But I am happy to say that it's all done and dusted now. The embroidery is a copy of a photo of a small figurine that was given to my husband by his parents when he was little. We still have this special toy and it sits happily in a glass cabinet with my doll collection. I was going to make a fabric envelope and leave the embroidery as a "pencil sketch", just brown outlines. I only added some fabric for the ball at that time. But when I pulled it out recently, I felt like it needed some colour. So I filled the outlines with some colourful threads.

Tutorial: Origami Love Heart Bookmark

How about some origami made with fabric instead of paper? Sounds good? Well, then get your favourite prints and let's get started! We will make a pretty love heart bookmark. I am using Liberty and Hello Bear prints for my little heart.

Bookmarks

I love embroidery. Any kind really, but I have never enough patience for large patterns. So tiny motifs are the best choices for me because they take very little time to finish and they can be easily squeezed into my day. Just like these two camomiles. Delicate, simple and very pretty.

Tutorial: Fabric Bookmarks

Looking for a quick present to make? Or a way to use that teeny weeny embroidery you made a while ago or some of your favourite pieces of fabric? Or maybe you find yourself using anything but a bookmark in a book you are reading? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then this simple and truly quick tutorial is for you. All you need is just a few minutes of spare time and bits of fabric.

Cross-Stitch Bookmarks

Where and how do you find inspirations for things you create? For me, the process of finding new inspirations is always different and quite often it's unexpected, something I see or something I make leads to a new idea and it's a never ending story. It always fascinates me because I don't know what I am going to make next. Just like with these cross-stitch bookmarks.

Pretty Houses

Come wander with me along this colourful street. A street full of pretty cozy houses with chimneys and street lanterns, with window sill flower boxes, with bright attics, flower pots and even cats.

Dandelion Bookmark

Do you have an interesting book to read at the moment or a favourite one that you can read over and over again? I do. A few to be exact.

The bookmark is ready to be used. It turned out to be much better than I anticipated. I was a bit concerned with the stitching of the dandelion head and seeds because the embroidery thread seemed to be too pale, but it turned out to be just right.

I used two types of fabric for this bookmark - heavy duty cotton for the front and Japanese printed cotton in light blue and pale gold for the back. I had a choice of four prints. From the left: first two were too bright and overpowering for the dandelion, the delicate print of the third one was lost in everything neutrally coloured, but the forth one was just perfect in my unprofessional opinion.

I am happily surprised with the end result and already have a few ideas on my mind to keep me busy for some time. 

Work in Progress: Dandelions

Do you like dandelions? I do, I always did. I like them when they are in bloom with their bright yellow caps covering green fields. How much fun it was making flower crowns, chains or necklaces and bracelets; little matchstick people with a flower  head and curly hair (split the stem, put it in water and see what happens). I like them when they get old and the yellow caps turn into delicate, almost lace like, head pieces. They used to bring us, kids, so much joy and happiness. Simple things, not fancy toys. And of course, dandelions meant sun, warmth, summer holidays and a lot of fun.

So no wonder why I sketched dandelions the other day, a call from a long time gone childhood. The drawing just appeared on paper, it was not planned but I have an idea for it already.

I have got many pieces of cotton and linen fabric in natural colour, most of them are narrow strips. They are too small to be used for notebook covers or heat bags but for bookmarks they should perfect. Just an idea I am going to try out. I am quite excited to see the end result.