So Cute It Hurts

may holidays bring creative energy?

The holiday spirit is moving right along. I have been playing around the studio lately making stuff for all my sewing projects. It has been fun to dabble with no hurry.

Here's a new project I finally completed for a custom order. She wanted to collect and own something handmade from me (as an artist, i couldn't have ask for anything more inspiring than this). She requested a journal ~ since she is slowly starting to tap into her own creative dream.

Immediately i thought about a blank little journal with a handmade cover ~ a cover she could reuse over and over again. Since handmade is my livelihood. I didn't want to just pick any random blank journal off the bookshelves, i wanted the whole project to be handmade.

Inspired by my on going collaboration project with sweet Pei Li of Pei Li's Miniatures, i contacted a talented friend, Evelin of Angelicquirk, to whip me up a few naked handmade A6 size journals. It goes without saying that i know how important it is to support other artisans. Being in support of one another in ways you are comfortable with, either financially or spreading the word, is one way to boost our handmade market growth.

After months of waiting (I've been known to get distracted) the journal is complete and out the door soon. Thanks for being so patient! I hope you like it.

This little piece of embroidery is a reminder of a sentiment that "if you have dreams that you want to see come true? Go for them". I write this as a believer in the idea that dreams do come true. Reaching for that dream(s), can be exciting and a little bit scary because it hasn't happened yet. So this embroidery is symbolic of all of those beautiful things and obstacles (represented by the beautiful blooms) happening around each one of us as we take the leap to realize our dream be it creatively or not. And the bird of course is unlocking each of beautiful things or the obstacles as you step a little closer to your dream.

This particular bird has it all figured out and knows that it takes bravery, believe, faith and learning to turn feelings of desperation and fear as to whether it will happen, into feelings of hopeful expectation that it will happen.

I've used japanese natural linen for the outside layer and a sweet pink Polka Dots japanese linen for the inner layer.

I added a sweet soft pink grosgrain ribbon and attached a handmade fabric embroidered button as the bookmark for flair. Having not pulled out my embroidery needle in so long, i forgot how relaxing embroidery can be ~ very tedious, yet very relaxing.

Have a lovely merry happy mid-week.
I'm going to sew, drink tea and make a big salad.
At least those are a few things i hope to do today.
Love to you!

eye candy

Happy weekend. It has been a really good one so far. Very proud to say that i've embarked on week number two of my weekend yoga challenge ~ it's been a really nice addition to my weekends. A good long stretch (and some deep breathing) will do wonders.

The above photo (a shot i took for sweet Elizabeth a couple of months ago) pretty much sum up my life for the next few days. A week long holiday to do the things i love ~ creating, sewing, lounging, taking it easy and creating a game plan for how i'm going to tackle all that needs to be done for all my sewing projects...Bliss.

Until then, have yourself some fun!
And stay safe, especially for East Coast friends in the States.
Selamat Hari Raya, fellow muslim friends.
Love to you and yours.

keeping it simple

Just like that, another week has flown by. Overall, it has been a pretty nice one. I even managed to get a little crafty.

I finally got around to knock off another special custom order this week and i'm pleased with the result. Two sweet and simple Wesley purses in natural linen sky dots with matching natural linen shabby chic roses for the lining.

Notice that these two are made without the detachable little handmade mod flowers? I actually really love the simplicity.

They will be off to their new home in someone's bag soon.

Thanks for all the super sweet compliments about my new tote bag. I really love finding inspiration from things i've made and using that inspiration to make something new and improved. It's very satisfying.

I'm keeping the weekend activities extremely simple. My yoga enthusiasm is moving along swimmingly, my teacher is off to a workshop today so i'll have to wait patiently till next weekend's class. However, i'm thrilled about the sunshine and nice breeze blowing around here today. It's a beautiful Saturday indeed.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Be Well.
Love to you.

introducing...Madelyn weekend tote

Hope you had a great weekend. I certainly did. Not sure how i pulled it off, but i managed to be social, restful and productive all in one weekend. My first Yoga lesson (finally!) followed by an afternoon tea and shopping with my best girls on saturday. And, i took two-hour nap on sunday ~ i might just rate it as the best nap i have ever taken. I also made progress on a few new projects. Not bad at all.

I spent numerous hours making a mess in my studio and i'm finally getting around to show you my new weekend tote design. I'm thrilled with the result. This bag is inspired by Marlynn weekend tote. A tote bag with zipper closure, leather handles and lots of inside organization (very much needed).

It's a simple tote bag with four slip pockets finished with two magnetic snap closures, but the thing i love most is the sky Hydrangea print paired with the gorgeous sky blue polka dot linen. Boy, do I love that print. I've been hoarding it for a while now.

I added a Japanese batten lace (i've collected it for years) for flare. And finished it off with a pair of beautiful leather handles.

A small clip can also be found inside ~ perfect for clipping on keys, trinkets, etc. A secret layer of quilt batting is stitched inside, for added fabric reinforcement and a bit of padding.

The rest of the Japanese batten lace (from the front) embraces the back of the tote bag. I hope the photos tell the story a little better. I foresee a few more totes on the horizon. Everyone loves a good weekend tote bag, no?

My morning coffee calls....

Happy Monday to you!
More soon!
Love to you and yours!