Scandinavian Gnome and Birdhouse Christmas Ornaments

Irina @nordiccrafter and I @stitchingnotes are about to start week two of our Sip Tea and EPP Christmas Sew Along. It is a lot of fun and you still have time to join us as we are going to share more projects, more ideas and more inspirations over the next few weeks on our Instagram accounts @nordiccrafter and @stitchingnotes. Last week we shared two cute ornaments: a Scandinavian Gnome designed by Irina and Birdhouse designed by me a while back.

When Irina sent me her Scandinavian Gnome pattern for our sew along, I dropped everything I was doing at that very moment and ran to my sewing space to pick the fabrics for this make. I was too excited as I knew right away that it was going to be ADORABLE.

Hot Air Balloon

I think this is going to be my last make for this year and I cannot be more happier with it. Some projects are very addictive, once you start, you simply cannot stop until it's done. This Hot Air Balloon by Louise Papas (that is available at Cosy Project) is just that. When I saw this pattern, I knew I had to make it for my Little One and I was so right. He could not wait for me to finish it and kept asking me over and over again if it was ready yet.

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.

Our New Friend and Some More Felty Goodness

Please meet our new friend Mr. Cat! Well, he has been with us for a while now, for about four weeks. I am trying to write blog posts at the same time as I finish sewing projects, but it's not happening just yet. I have quite a few makes and works in progress that I have not shared with you yet, but I am going to show you them soon. So...please meet Mr. Cat! How cool is he in his liberty outfit! It was such a wonderful, sweet and lovely project.

Felty Goodness

Breakfast anyone? Eggs and tomatoes and mushrooms. My Little One loves playing with kitchen utensils. Pots and spoons and bowls are always on the kitchen floor while he is mixing something and filling them with different things.

 

Little Bunny's New Cot

This very special little Bunny came to live with us not that long ago. You see, the Christmas before last, while I was still pregnant, our not so little son decided that he wanted to get a special gift for his unborn baby brother. So he did. With his own money. We thought it was rather sweet. This little Bunny waited patiently for our very little baby boy to be born, and when he did, the Bunny came to the hospital and then back home with us. Since that time he's lived in our baby's cot.

Tutorial: Shall We Go Mushroom Picking?

A kind of mushroom picking where you don't have to leave your craft room or your comfy sewing nook. You just need to gather all the materials you might require, get comfortable and off we go. Ready?

Three in One

A very quick and easy make. A toy, a learning device and a comforter - all three in one small piece of cloth called taggie or "Loops-a-Playsies" how Dina of BossyMamma calls them. I would have never thought of making taggies if it was not for Dina's makes. And that's what I love about the network of blogs - sharing and inspiring.

Tutorial: Birdhouse Hanging Ornament

A cute hanging ornament with a reverse applique. These houses are so quick and easy to make and it's a lot of fun too. They would look lovely on a Christmas tree or hanging on a door knob, they even can be used as gift tags. If you would like to make one, here is a step-by-step tutorial for you.

Just for Fun. Funky Softies

This is Mr Squash, big and lumpy. He loves going on a swing all day long. He is quite wise and well behaved. Most of the time.

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.

More Easter Birds

A few more birds for the Easter Tree "arrived" last week. The combination of the baby pink and pale green with the delicate flowers and petals is really pleasant to my eyes. This fabric is Sakura Park by Sentimental Studios for Moda Fabrics.

It does not take long to sew the birds but it really is a fun and quick project and it's possible to do it even if you do not have a sewing machine. And what a great way to use all the scraps of fabric, lace and ribbons that you might have.