tiny happy

making journal

about

‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

retro-rainbow cases (and a giveaway)

January 26, 2011

I had fun making these cosmetic/project cases from some of the rainbow-coloured vintage linen that I'd been hoarding for a while. I've reopened my etsy shop for the new year, and thought it would be nice to start with some cheerful and bright goods. I think most of the linens I used to make these cases are from the 1960's or 70's. My favourite is the one with orange marigold-style flowers.

And every new shop opening is a bit sweeter with a giveaway, don't you think? To say thank you for all your support and for visiting my blog, I have the blue linen case (in that last picture above) and some other wee things to give away to a reader. If you leave a comment on this post I'll draw a name randomly tomorrow or the next day. Maybe you could tell me something that you'd like to see in the etsy shop this year? Or otherwise, something about yourself. Cheers!

Posted in Uncategorized

226 responses to “retro-rainbow cases (and a giveaway)”

Melissa

January 26, 2011

I would love to see some clothes, i think you make some very nice things Melissa. Thanks for having some great things in your shop to buy!

LikeLike

Reply
Sera

January 26, 2011

I love your little linen cases! I wish I could buy one every week, but I’m meant to be culling possessions, not increasing heh 🙂 I’d love to see you do beautiful pillow/cases with your own fabric and recycled stuff. I hope this year is beautiful for you.
Sera

LikeLike

Reply
Maraea

January 26, 2011

Melissa, I find what you do truly inspiring (so much Ive started making my own bags), original and beautiful. I could spend a fortune as you know and in fact am eyeing things up right now. I’d like to see more ideas for artworks around the house

LikeLike

Reply
Patricia Reiff

January 26, 2011

The one with orange flowers is my favorite too and then the black one. They are all very pretty, like everything that you make
Patricia

LikeLike

Reply
Margaret Oomen

January 26, 2011

i love everything you make melissa but i am especially fond of your embroidered needlebooks.

LikeLike

Reply
natalie

January 26, 2011

i am so excited to see that you have reopened your etsy shop! i love your draw string bags! perhaps a size for fresh bread?
-natalie

LikeLike

Reply
Julie Alvarez

January 26, 2011

I adore your style in dress making! THat I would love to see there.
And these cases are just so beautiful. The orange one… I think my mom used to have something with a very similar fabric.
Thank you for sharing!

LikeLike

Reply
sara f

January 26, 2011

these are amazingly sweet and beautiful. what a nice way to re-open 🙂

LikeLike

Reply
Ellen

January 26, 2011

I would love some purses, pillow covers, or blouses. Your work is gorgeous!

LikeLike

Reply
Jill

January 26, 2011

I like the bread bag idea someone else said. 🙂 I tried to make one and it ended up being way to huge. Love the lively bags!

LikeLike

Reply
Corinne

January 26, 2011

That blue pouch is very cheerful! I love looking at the embroidered baby shoes in your shop.

LikeLike

Reply
Alice Domett Doyle

January 26, 2011

I love everything you make. I am a wannabe creative sewer. My husband cracks up when he sees my creations.

LikeLike

Reply
louana

January 26, 2011

I do so love everything you make melissa! So more of the same? But I love that fabric that you printed, so some things made from Tiny Happy fabric!!! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with each week.

LikeLike

Reply
samantha

January 26, 2011

I would looove to see your rabbits. I keep looking for a pattern so I may make one myself but nothing comes close.

LikeLike

Reply
samantha

January 26, 2011

or even just a pattern that i could buy?

LikeLike

Reply
Karen

January 26, 2011

Oh dear, I am copying everyone else! But, I too love everything you do – especially anything you embroider. So, I would love to see much more of your embroidery.

LikeLike

Reply
Addie

January 26, 2011

The blue pouch is my favorite of the ones in this post. On etsy I love the needle case and the pillow using your original fabric design. I’d love to see more items made with vintage floral fabrics, handbags and oranizey bags with zippers, maybe skirts? I live in Northern CA and jive with your colorful retro kiwi style. Thank you for the giveaway!

LikeLike

Reply
nicole

January 26, 2011

you know that you are my favorite creator/designer and i am elated that you have re-opened, wahoo! i’ve ordered my case for the week :), and i would love, love, love to see skirts like you make for your daughter except in grown up girl sizes. oversized laundry bags (like your pouches but bigger) would be delightful too. oxo

LikeLike

Reply
Dee

January 26, 2011

so excited to hear your shop is open again, congratulations 🙂
i love the fabric with the pink roses and blue daises…pretty.
Dee

LikeLike

Reply
Jessica

January 26, 2011

hi melissa!
I love all of your ouches and purses!

LikeLike

Reply
annri

January 26, 2011

I’ve been curious what that blue fabric looks like as a whole piece; it makes me smile as a zip pouch. I love your etsy shop and the beautiful items you fill it with. I’d be very tempted by clothing made by you (for children or adults) as I always like the items which you make for your family. Thank you for your blog and inspiration and for your sweet shop.

LikeLike

Reply
tartankiwi

January 26, 2011

Good luck with your relaunch. I just toddled over to your etsy shop and had a wee look… Oh so many beautiful things! Can’t even begin to choose a favourite!

LikeLike

Reply
elena gold

January 26, 2011

just looking at this case cheers me up a bit! i always love your sweet shoes and brooches, but my heart really melts seeing those velvet bunnies… 🙂 have a sweet day!

LikeLike

Reply
Marci

January 26, 2011

I would love to see some embroidered wristlets! Thanks for the giveaway. I love visiting your blog, you are so incredibly talented.

LikeLike

Reply
Sylvie

January 26, 2011

I really like the natural look of what you make, and my favorite items are the linen needle cases and the pleated bags. Looking forward to seeing more of your artwork.

LikeLike

Reply
Tara

January 26, 2011

I love your stuff and your blog continues to inspire me. I love the vintage fabrics on those pouches. You’re inspiring me to do something similar with some vintage linens of my own.

LikeLike

Reply
brooke

January 26, 2011

Yay! I love anything you embroider, and your plant paintings…everything is beautiful. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply
Kerrie

January 26, 2011

Everything you make is beautiful. My favourite items would be your vintage fabric linen cases and pouches. I would love to see some items from your own fabric range.

LikeLike

Reply
Jo

January 26, 2011

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with this year Melissa, I’m almost ready to launch my own little etsy store so I’m very excited about that 🙂 Jo

LikeLike

Reply
Joanne

January 26, 2011

You make such beautiful things already…perhaps fabric covered notebooks in your own designed fabric? 🙂

LikeLike

Reply
Alison

January 26, 2011

I love all the things you make and look forward to following youe blog this year.

LikeLike

Reply
Jenna C.

January 26, 2011

i adore your embroidered needle cases (i am pining for one for myself) and i agree with previous posters clothes would be lovely. my favorite case just happens to be the blue one!!

LikeLike

Reply
Mary

January 26, 2011

Oh Melissa, I am so glad to see your shop open again! It’s such a highlight of my week, looking at your beautiful collections.

LikeLike

Reply
Paige

January 26, 2011

Love the adorable baby shoes! More of those please!

LikeLike

Reply
felicity lingle

January 26, 2011

I too love the marigold bag! You find the most wonderful fabric!! How about adding illustrated postcards to your shop? I really enjoyed the one you shared on the What I Saw blog.

LikeLike

Reply
dianna

January 26, 2011

Currently we are swamped with snow and I’m looking at your balmy beach pictures with envy.
I was looking through your blog the other day, looking for the Louise cake recipe, and I loved looking at the Norway work. There is such a lovely richness to that embroidery. I miss the foraging bags; although I should’t because we have 4. Recipes for the upcoming autumn season are always welcome.
I don’t know, just keep doing what you like doing, it is always interesting.

LikeLike

Reply
Rosa in the Antipodes

January 26, 2011

Congratulations, Melissa! Wish you even more success! I love your artwork and I’m looking forward to see your own designed fabrics in the shop. And, of course, some kids clothing as well. I do love everything you sew and/or re-purpose! 😉

LikeLike

Reply
Santa

January 26, 2011

Happy New Year! 🙂 I loved the previously mentioned idea about clothing, especially skirts 🙂

LikeLike

Reply
allison

January 26, 2011

more velveteen rabbits, please! i want one so much!
i can’t wait to see what you make this year. thanks for the giveaway.

LikeLike

Reply
Emma

January 26, 2011

Just looking at your blog for some inspiration after failing miserably in my first attempt to sew a child’s sunhat from a Simplicity ‘East to Sew’ (humbug!) pattern.
Your shoulder bag tutorial was one of my first projects and always a favourite to go back to. Just love how tutorials on the web usually so clear with loads of pics to help & text to encourage.
Your zip bags look like good,evening projects and the drawstring, in particular, v. sweet. Feel suitably inspired. Thanks. Have a good day.

LikeLike

Reply
Aussie Mum

January 26, 2011

I’m new to Tiny Happy (only discovered you over the Christmas New Year break) but I’m loving all your beautiful work. I would love to try and make some your your little zippered cases but haven’t found the time (or quite the right fabric) yet.

LikeLike

Reply
Cait

January 26, 2011

The orange maridgold one is my favorite too, but the blue giveaway one would be a treasure to own too. I love your gorgeous fabrics and the first found your blog through seeing some very sweet baby shoes you had made with embroidered fabric. Thanks for being an inspiration! C

LikeLike

Reply
Lauren

January 26, 2011

Your cases are so cute – such cheery fabric! I really like the cream one with orange and brown flowers – not a colour combination you see much anymore, is it?
Here’s hoping you have a great Etsy year! I love seeing your goodies here first!

LikeLike

Reply
Kat

January 26, 2011

Perhaps something made with fabric printed with your own designs? I really enjoy your blog and the things you make!

LikeLike

Reply
Cherie

January 26, 2011

I’m going to go with the something about myself option seeing as so many people have already given so many excellent shop ideas: I’m Cherie and I currently can’t stop listening to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ album ‘Up From Below’. I also really want to give your ‘Dress for Hot Weather’ a go, but first I have to get brave enough to try shirring!

LikeLike

Reply
Ros

January 26, 2011

i love the embroidered baby shoes – so sweet – all of your emboidery is lovely though (and inspiring)

LikeLike

Reply
carole

January 26, 2011

how lovely the fabrics are, so sweet. i feel very inspired to make something today!
i would love to see your fabrics in your shop – otherwise, some prints of your illustrations or watercolours?
happy new year to you melissa!

LikeLike

Reply
Christine

January 26, 2011

Those cases are super cute! I wish I was able to sew like that 🙂 I look forward to seeing what other awesome creations you come up with this year!

LikeLike

Reply
sarita

January 26, 2011

I love everything you make Melissa, but am especially fond of your drawstring pouches. For the new year, I would love to see you make more things out of your own fabric…what a thril, for youself (the pride and excitement!) and for us greedy folks who want more and more and…well, thanks for the giveaway opportunity…:)

LikeLike

Reply
Andreynolds

January 26, 2011

Cases like this are great for bus cards. I really like the fabrics you’ve used. Nice to see your photos reflecting the NZ look, gardens and beaches. The light is different from the Northen Hemisphere ones eh!

LikeLike

Reply