little gifts
Yesterday a package from Claire arrived from California, with these great 70's-print napkins inside it (and some other sweet little gifts.) Thank you, Claire!
It's so nice to have handmade things that you can really use, you know? Claire's gift inspired me to make a few other little gifts for people I know with birthdays coming up.
I liked this idea in Lotta Jansdotter's 'Simple Sewing' for handmade tea-towels so I made a set of three, in thick cotton fabric, for a friend. They should match her kitchen:
And I've been dying to use some pieces of vintage Swedish linen sent to me by Charlotte last month, and I noticed they were the perfect size for a couple of zip-purses. (no doubt inspired by Charlotte's beautiful purses themselves):
Hmm, might have to make another of these apple ones for me- it's just the right size for my sewing tools...
I won't come to you as a surprise that I love the apple fabric...
Posted by: celine | February 15, 2008 at 05:41 AM
So great! I really like the little label on the side of those pouches.
I have that same blue seam-ripper, half a world away. :)
Posted by: Marcelle | February 15, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Lovely pressies!
Posted by: Claudia | February 15, 2008 at 07:18 AM
I love the apple case! I agree, you should make some more!!
Posted by: Di | February 15, 2008 at 07:40 AM
pretty! those apples rock!
Posted by: kirsten | February 15, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Loving the apples. Just makes me happy looking at it...
Posted by: Simone | February 15, 2008 at 07:55 AM
All such yummy fabrics!
Posted by: Sarah | February 15, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Oh my gosh, that apple-print bag is fabulous!!
Posted by: Barbara | February 15, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Simple, yet GREAT gifts! Lovely choice of fabrics.
Posted by: lera | February 15, 2008 at 09:26 AM
love those pencil cases...what fabulous fabric!
Posted by: Lina | February 15, 2008 at 09:51 AM
How gorgeous are those little purses.... wow. well done.
luv Abby
Posted by: Abby | February 15, 2008 at 10:40 AM
great purses, and good reuse of that slightly rougher linen/tea towel fabric - it works really well! cx
Posted by: caireen | February 15, 2008 at 11:09 AM
That apple purse is beyond darling - especially with the red polka dot lining!
Posted by: Helen | February 15, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Waaaw. You've been busy, as always. Love towels, espec the flowery fabric and yes love the C-linen purses, beautifully sewn!
X
Posted by: Lies | February 15, 2008 at 01:23 PM
I love your linen! I also have that same blue seam-ripper...not so far this days ;D
Finally I was able to check Noa-Noa clothes!!! They are lovely and they were sharing shop with another Danish brand called Jackpot...that seems interesting too. Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Alicia | February 15, 2008 at 01:27 PM
The apple one is perfect!! I love it.
Posted by: michelle | February 15, 2008 at 02:37 PM
adorable, i love that vintage linen! -kb
Posted by: kelly | February 15, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I like the ideas in Lotta's sewing book too.
Can you believe that even though I have been sewing for years and have put multiple zippers in dresses and skirts that the simple zip purse intimidates me.
How does a person get a zipper in the top of a lined purse?
sigh...
Lori
Posted by: lissilulu | February 15, 2008 at 04:54 PM
What fun colors! I love the tea towels and zippered purses. I tried my hand at my first ever zippered pouch the other day, lined and all, pleased with how it turned out.
Posted by: Kirsten | February 15, 2008 at 05:35 PM
the small purses look amazing...where can I get them from???
Posted by: ashi | February 15, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Loving those teatowels, lovely gift. I just made some zipper pouches myself! One for each of the kidlets and one for me and then another - I couldn't seem to stop! Yours are gorgeous - love the fabric choices.
Posted by: Jo | February 15, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Gosh Melissa, you are a bit of a rock star at the moment, I almost feel guilty posting a comment... another one to read! anyway the apples are very inspiring, I might do some felt apple motifs on my next lot of jumpers, they are gorgeous! Aroha xx Jannelle.
Posted by: Jannelle | February 15, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Those little purses are wonderful! Love the colours.
Posted by: isoinpapu | February 15, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Gorgeous pencil cases! Wonderful thrift finds too.
Posted by: Ruth | February 16, 2008 at 05:33 AM
the apples make me think about when we were little. A lot. All our grandmothers had prints like that. It's so lovely to be reminded of good things. Summer, grandmothers and fabrics and such.
Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Julia | February 16, 2008 at 06:09 AM