Tutorial: A Needlebook with a Hexagon Flower

I love small and quick makes that require little time to complete and let you fuss with tiny details. With the Sip Tea and EPP party in full swing, I get constantly asked where to start if you are new to English Paper Piecing and not sure what to make with all the hexagons you are making. I thought that I would share with you an updated version of the Stitching Notes Needlebook that you can beautify with a hexagon flower. It is small and it would fit perfectly in any project bag, pouch or your EPP box. I hope that this small make would be a good starting point for you,  and it would inspire you to give English Paper Piecing technique a go and open to you a new exciting world of slow hand stitching. 

Cute Button Cards

Over the last few weeks I have been working on writing patterns and it all was going well until I started taking photos of the process. I realised that my constantly interrupted time and especially the poor lighting need some changes so I can produce photos of high quality for the patterns. I am looking for a good light box and cannot wait to continue working on some new patterns that I hope you would enjoy.

Tutorial: Stitching Notes Needlebook

I am not sure about you, but I can never have enough needlebooks around. I keep one in almost every WIP (work in progress) bag or box, I have a few sitting on my shelf and they are all filled with different types of pins and needles. Apart from being cute, those tiny sewing accessories are very useful too and make a lovely gift to your sewing friends. This needlebook is very quick to make and can be easily adjusted to your needs. What I like about this needlebook is that you can decorate the front in any way imaginable - that tiny patchwork that wasn't used for anything or a precious tiny scrap of fabric as an applique, maybe an embroidery or simply your favourite fabric. I really would love this tiny make to tickle your imagination and inspire you to make your own needlebook with a cute front. OK. Off we go!

Pretty Handmades Book Tour

Welcome to my stop on the Pretty Handmades Book Showcase Tour! "Pretty Handmades: Sewing Projects to Warm Your Heart" is Lauren's first book, published by Tuva Publishing, which consists of 20 gorgeous projects designed in a true Molly and Mama style, combining pretty fabrics and wool felt. The well written instructions and pictures are suitable for sewists of all levels and make sewing a breeze. The book is filled with beautifully styled photos and pretty illustrations. There is also a part dedicated to basic quilting and patchwork techniques as well as tips on working with felt and a basic stitch guide at the beginning of the book. Pretty Handmades is available for pre-orders on Amazon.

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. 

Little Sewing Kit

It's not a secret that I love all sorts of cute little sewing kits, folders, pouches and other special sewing notions. It seems to me that I can always find some time for making a new little pretty thing to keep me company on my sewing adventures. The other day I went to Spotlight to get the most ordinary and boring black buttons for some mending work, but as you can imagine, I simply could not leave the store without some pretties that inspired me to sew this little sweet folder. In pink.

Hexie Stitching Companion

Oh my goodness! I am in love! I am in love with my own creation! It's not very humble, isn't it? Sorry, but I do like this little make very much and for some odd reason, it reminds me of something I had when I was little. I cannot remember it for sure, but every time I take this little folder in my hands, I have a feeling that I had something similar, maybe a coin purse. It was white and red and opened the same way. It is a very strange feeling, but a pleasant one I have say.

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.

Sweet Orchard

It's the first fabric line by Sedef Imer of Down Grapevine Lane. I could not wait to get my hands on this pretty and absolutely sweet collections of fruit, berries, stripes, dots and florals. It truly is sweet!

Fabric Stash: New Additions

It's been a long while since I posted any fabric additions to my stash on my blog, but it does not mean that I have not been buying any fabric. It's quite the opposite actually. I have been adding small bits and pieces of different collections and random prints to my stash. Since I joined Instagram, I have discovered so many nice online fabric stores and what's even better is that some of them are local which means that the delivery costs are quite low. These adorable mice were on my shopping list for a very long time and finally I found them along with some piggies, and frogs, and kittens. Heather Ross' designs are always so fun and cute.

Thimble Notes

About three years ago I was working on a small pillow and that's what I wrote back then: Note to Self: Thing number one: when it comes to hand sewing, DO NOT attempt to finish it all in one go. Thing number two: find a way to protect fingers so you won't end up in pain for a few days afterwards.

Sewing Folder

It's been a long while since I made my stitching companion. Floral fabric Old 30's by Atsuko Matsuyama for Lecien is so pretty that I could not resist making one more folder. I really like all these purple, red and pink flowers together with a tiny splash of green leaves.

Tiny Needle Books

While working on this place mat, I had some scraps of fabric left. Tiny ones really, not suitable for anything. Well, that's what I thought at first.

Pretty Hexagons and Tiny Stitches

You can never have enough of these simple sewing accessories. Pincushions and needle books, I mean. Right? And it's always a lovely gift for your crafty friends.

Delicate Forget-Me-Nots

The warmer days, the gentle sunshine, the spring flowers, the softness of new leaves, the purity of green colours and blue skies, the freshness of the spring air. Those were all the little things that influenced this delicate sewing set.

Lost in Books...

Yes, I have been lost in books for the last few days. Not the reading type, but sewing books. Teeny-tiny needle books to be exact. I realised that my stitching companion desperately needed a small addition; a place to keep the needles in.

My Stitching Companion

Today I would like to write about my little Companion that has been very helpful on my stitching journey. Maybe you have read about Take Along Stitching Folder that I made not long ago. While working on it, I was hoping that the folder would be easy to use and would be useful. After using it for less than two months, I have to say that I am surprised at how much I enjoy using it and how really useful the folder turned out to be.

Last weekend we were away from home, we were at an air field where my dear husband and our not so Little Boy were flying gliders while I enjoyed the prettiness of the countryside, the sweet singing of unknown birds, the freshness of morning breeze and the warmth of the spring sun.

Take Along Stitching Folder

I made a small gift for myself. Selfish, I know, but this is something I really need. Take along stitching/sewing kit/folder. I could not wait to test my newest creation and was totally and absolutely happy with the outcome. The folder is firm enough to hold its shape so I can easily carry it in my bag. There are enough pockets for all the supplies I might need while working on my small projects and it's very cute thanks to Woodland Walk fabric by Belle & Boo.

Work in Progress: Something For Myself

This project is proving to be challenging. I spent so much time trying to find the right fabric for the lining and pockets. I had a countless number of combinations but none of them felt right. Some colours were too bright, some too gloomy, some too flowery and some simply too boring. I really struggled with this print as never before. Even I like this pattern very much, I found it quite tricky to pair it with other fabrics. I wonder what other crafters came up with while sewing with Woodland Walk fabric by Belle & Boo.