Darker day

These December days can be dark, gray and almost miserable. But add little snow, some color and lot's of imagination: it all seems much more brighter, fun and festive!

And even the days are busy (and lists get longer and longer), and sun seems to be permanently somewhere else, there's something that helps. Just the thought that my work will probably make someone else smile, makes me feel better too. Unfortunately I do not remember this every day - but then, suddenly, comes an email, letter, feedback at my shop... Something to remind me why I do what I do.

...And then I am smiling too, and everything I do makes sense, come rush or deadline.



Happy and bright December 7th!

Yours,
Mia

P.S. Giveaway here until December 15th! And I still would love to add, that if you, for one reason or another, can't use woolen mittens, not to worry! I still would love to see you all participating! And should you be picked as winner, I definitely can make you something else and (hopefully) equally cute. Set of fabric-coasters, a brooch, wall hanging... So please, feel most welcome to throw your name into the hat! Thank you.

Happy Birthday Finland

It's 6th of December, and we celebrate our Independence day here in Finland! Last year I made the festive birds, and wanted to try something little different this year. And what would be more Finnish than Moomins? I have a soft spot for these little guys...

It was my duty to make a dessert for our family dinner, and I baked some wonderful buns (normal bun dough and gingerbread dough rolled together, yummy!), and then I used my new Hattifatteners gingerbread cutter to make some festive treats!

And as our flag is blue-white, I wanted to decorate the cookies appropriately. And oh, even I am good at making things with my hands, a cake-decorator-queen I am not. But fun they were and tasty too - here's the proof:


Photo:Sis

Happy December 6th!

Yours,
Mia

P.S. Giveaway here until December 15th! Welcome!

Shabby chic

We went to a Children's Christmas Craft-happening on last Saturday. It was on our local church, and there was crafting, yes, but also Christmas porridge and little flea market. And you know me, I might skip my daily porridge but walk past a yard sale... Never.

I spotted that old, somewhat little shabby-looking Iittala-box (it looks like it would be from 70s or so) and when I took a closer look, I saw the little handwritten text on top:

"Christmas decorations" and I was sold even without opening the box.

And when I did open it, I couldn't believe it! Similar decorations than in my childhood (seventies too), especially those balloons in blue and yellow and red... And similar DIY-hanging threads (black sewing thread, happy knots and all different lengths) as we used to have! We still have those in my mom's tree, and every single year my sis puts up a few and I some, never only one of us can put them all up. Never. That's how special they are. Especially the blue one... And now I have a mini-version of it for my tree!

There were other treasuries too, and even I definitely didn't need any more decorations, these will find their way to our tree.

I actually have a motto: "Rather than leave out a pretty (or otherwise special) decoration, one should buy a bigger tree. Or two, that's definitely recommendable."

Happy December 5th!

Yours,
Mia

P.S. Giveaway here until December 15th! Welcome!

December washing line

Do you still remember me moaning on July how I haven't got enough (read: any) mittens knitted? Well it certainly have taken some time, but just take a look at today's washing line in my backyard!



The day was very, very dark and gray so the pictures are less than perfect, but I wish you can see happy snowmen and birdies still?

These mittens are already heading somewhere but I still would love to share a pair with you too! It's definitely time for a giveaway, and there will be a pair of my mittens as prize! So what I would like you to start thinking is what colored mittens you would like to have, would it be larger or smaller size and the most importantly - what would be starring you pair? A birdie? A bunny? A pig? Some flowers? A raccoon maybe? Just take your time to think, and then leave a message on today's post. I'll draw the winner on Thursday, 15th of December, and make you your dream pair! Please note, that these will probably not make to you for Christmas, but hey, what would be better than brighten up a gray January day?

Size-wise the smaller pair (like the brown ones with two birdies) are approximately from top to bottom 22cm/8.6" and the width is 11cm/4.3". The larger ones (like the happy snowmen up there) are top-bottom 25cm/9.8" and 12,5cm/4.9" wide. Both sizes fit me but I have quite large hands so the bigger size is better.

Happy choosing and wonderful second advent and 4th of December!

Yours,
Mia

When the night has come and the land is dark

Cozy December 3rd!

Yours,
Mia

Counting the critters

When I started making my felted things, I started with flowers. Then, slowly, I moved into birds and those I have been making some. Big, small, moms, babies, girls, lads, parrots, owls... You name it, I've done it. But what else?

Cats, dogs, oh yes, and an odd frog!



Happy hedgehogs, a raccoon...check
Wait a minute, a raccoon you say? But naturally:



Anything else... Hmm...We'll see... Ladybugs?



Many. A monkey? Sure:



And then the usual foxes and squirrels... and a happy worm, too.



And even an apple with worm might worry you a bit, I am sure this little guy makes you smile:

Happy December 2nd and wonderful weekend, everyone!

Yours,
Mia

December first!

Hip hey, hooray, it's December 1st! I cannot believe how fast yet an another year has passed! I have been quite busy (which is a good thing, really), and I almost missed the Christmas-items for my shop entirely. But as always, a little pressure makes it work (love, love him saying that) and here we are:

The official HandmadebyMia Christmas stockings 2011! Made with love using only re-used fabrics (so little imperfections need to be allowed in tweeds and velvets); only needle-felting wool, sewing thread and ricrac were new (and even ricrac is vintage!). So absolutely unique stockings, there will never be two similar, as some of the materials were the very last scraps. I hope you'll like them as much as I do, and I will have so hard time letting them go. But one cannot keep everything one makes so they'll start appearing here one by one.

Just some close-ups still...




All got some pretty linings too...

... and size is just for you and me, there's no room for an ice-hockey tablegame or new ironing board but just for something little special... Diamonds I would say, what's your wish?

Wishing you a happy December 1st!

Yours,
Mia