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

retro-rainbow cases (and a giveaway)

Rainbow 1

Rainbow 2

Rainbow 4

Rainbow 3

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!

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

  1. melissa Avatar
    melissa

    cute bag! maybe it would be fun to see some baby clothes?

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  2. Kushla Mercer Avatar
    Kushla Mercer

    Yay! You make such lovely clothes Melissa, maybe some of those? And something about me- today I finished a project I’ve been working on for a wee while now, Yay!*

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  3. Whitney Avatar
    Whitney

    I always love everything you make for your shop! (just wish I had more funds!) I love the clothes you make for your children. Have you ever thought of selling childrens clothes? I know you offer up your patterns to us sometimes (so kindly!) but maybe those could be something to sell as well?

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  4. Katerina Avatar
    Katerina

    I love your blog and everything you make you are my inspiration. I check your blog twice a day for new posts.sorry for my bad english.
    Katerina from Greece

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  5. julie Avatar
    julie

    I’m lurking every day but always find what you do inspiring and calming.
    I love your fabric designs and think you should make more things from them, also I love your totes and pleated bags!

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  6. Hana Avatar
    Hana

    I really would love to see something for little ones. Something for my 2 year old girl. I love visiting your blog. Your words, pictures and beautiful creations always give me smile. 🙂

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  7. lorellin Avatar
    lorellin

    I love your watercolours, have you ever considered selling originals in your shop? I miss painting it has always been one of my greatest loves but I never have enough free time to do it. One day I will though, I am looking forward to that day

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  8. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    Loving the fabric! I just love to see things up-cycled and turned into something else..which is of course your specialty x

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  9. Jupitergreen Avatar
    Jupitergreen

    Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa
    Artistic excellence makes the world sit up and wonder
    ……..dgx

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  10. Saskia Avatar
    Saskia

    I would really love to see more of your beautiful embroidery & needle cases!
    xoxox

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  11. Mali Avatar
    Mali

    How wonderful. My daughters still use the skirts that I purchased from you a acouple of years ago.

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  12. Mar Ruiz Avatar
    Mar Ruiz

    I find your blog so inspiring and sweet…
    I really love everything you make especially the cases made with vintage floral fabric and everything with your embroidered litlle flowers.
    I would like to start sewing something easy, I find lot of inspiration in your projects.
    Thank you very much for this lovely giveaway.
    Best whises
    Mar

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  13. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Hi Melissa, Your work is just beautiful. I come to your blog often to look at what you’ve been making, and love that you create unique treasures that are truly made with love. Gosh that sounds gushy lol!

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  14. Simply h Avatar
    Simply h

    What lovely make-up pouches for your newly reopened shop. I’m sure I’m repeating lots of others but I love your dressmaking and would love to see some of your lovely tunics or skirts in adult sizes!

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  15. Sarah Couling Avatar
    Sarah Couling

    🙂 Hi melissa! I am having a baby boy in May and would love to see more of your cute baby shoes as i’m gonna need some soon! Happy crafting!
    Sarah

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  16. uve Avatar
    uve

    I really like all I found here! I’ll visit your blog again.
    Saludos!

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  17. lekki Avatar
    lekki

    Hi Melissa. I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and always love seeing what you’ve been making. I especially like your baby shoes. My daughter and I have both made bags from your pattern…thankyou for that. Hmmm…how about making some little shirred dresses for toddlers?
    What I’ve been up to today is getting geared up for year 2 of te reo Māori through te Wananga o Aotearoa…I may be out of my depth, erk!

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  18. kielz Avatar
    kielz

    I am interested in glasses cases 🙂 You are so motivated to be doing sewing… I just can’t seem to get started. I wanted to make some Burp cloths like Goodness Japan, or some stuff out of Handmade Home. I spend too much time on Book depository!!!

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  19. carla Avatar
    carla

    Thanks for having a give away! I will try my luck.
    I like the way you make being craftful look so easy and accessible and a sweet way to express yourself. Whatever you make it always looks very Melissa-like!
    I would love to experiment more with needlework this year but I first had to start knitting a hat for my 3 year old. Her old one got holes in it and in Belgium it’s still winter…
    I’m looking forward to see your needlework experiments for 2011!
    grtz,
    Carla

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  20. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    I always drop in here to see your beautiful images and sketches of nature – it’s such a soothing place to visit. I adore your brooches – I just missed that beautiful applique waterlily brooch made a few months ago. It would be lovely to have the chance to buy a brooch or two this year.

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  21. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    I love Tiny Happy blog – a happy comforting corner of the internet. And I would love to buy a broach from your shop (did I spell that right, it looks wrong?). The pure and simple beauty of your creations, I wish I had just a tiny bit of your talent.

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  22. Pattie Avatar
    Pattie

    I love all your creations! I’d like to see some vintage baby and children’s clothes in your shop.

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  23. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    I would love to frame one of your little embroideries and I really like your watercolours so perhaps you could offer a few prints in your shop? I’m about to take a course to get over my sewing machine block and my first project will be to make some little skirts for my god-daughter, based on your simple t-shirt skirts!

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  24. Holly C. Avatar
    Holly C.

    Thank you for the chance to win one of your beautiful creations!
    Keep doing what your doing. 🙂

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    Reply
  25. caireen Avatar
    caireen

    So cute those little bags – that’s me jumping up and down at the back – me! me! :)) Cxx

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  26. kelly Avatar
    kelly

    i love all the things you make, but would love to see more clothes,
    thanks for the give-away

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  27. Thumbly Avatar
    Thumbly

    Thank you, Melissa, for this opportunity! I love everything comes from your precious hands. You are among my inspiration woman! I come from Italy and I always read your blog and look at you photos. I’d like to see more bags in your shop, they are beautiful! Ciao 🙂

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  28. aupres de mon arbre Avatar
    aupres de mon arbre

    I have already said in a previous comment, I love your painted ceramics. I secretly dream of tea in one of your cups, but you do not draw more than a lot lately.

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  29. Jannette Avatar
    Jannette

    That’s a very generous gesture, what a lovely way to re-open.. How about scrap bags? All those lovely fabrics that you work with – there must be loads of people who’d love to conjure up things from leftovers..

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  30. mama-t Avatar
    mama-t

    hi!
    i really enjoy seeing what you make now.
    i would also like to second another commenter, however, in perhaps seeing some more things for around the house?!

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    Reply
  31. Curry Avatar
    Curry

    I stumbled upon your flickr page and had to check out your blog! Thanks for the give away. I’m like your design aesthetic and your nature-inspired art.

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  32. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Those great skirts with pockets, adult size!
    And I agree with Louana, it would be fantastic to purchase items in tiny happy fabric.

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  33. selena Avatar
    selena

    Hi Melissa,
    I’ve bought several pairs of baby shoes and lockets from you, love them! Your blog is a great inspiration. I’m working on a patchwork rug made from pieces of my grandparents’ clothing now.

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  34. LINA Avatar
    LINA

    A square skirt would be nice to see. cheers melissa!

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  35. betty Avatar
    betty

    ohhh i would love to see more sewing cases like the coco one you made…

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  36. Caroline McN Avatar
    Caroline McN

    I’d love to see some more of the little reversible baby shoes! Thanks for your blog- it’s always such an inspiring read. I am currently knitting lots for my baby due in March!

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  37. ~Heather Avatar
    ~Heather

    How about childrens’ clothes patterns?
    Your little window into your world is so refreshing each morning – especially with the ‘opposite’ season in full force. Makes me happy for what we have here and what I have to look forward to in another six months!

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  38. Eva Avatar
    Eva

    There is just something so heartwarming when I read your blog. The pouches, because you have used these fabrics before, instantly seem so familiar, and give the peaceful glow that I have come accustomed to when reading your blog.
    So, more of the same from your blog and shop please. One day, I will have some spare money to have a little splurge! And the cushion in your fabric is a winner!

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  39. Cyndi Avatar
    Cyndi

    I’d like to see cards (or postcards) made from your watercolors and photos.

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  40. karlagibbs Avatar
    karlagibbs

    so great to see the bold colors, especially with the 8″ of snow here where i am 😦

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  41. www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn_wQ8DSe02Gw2CW9Vp66YSDwTmymetXJo Avatar
    www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn_wQ8DSe02Gw2CW9Vp66YSDwTmymetXJo

    I’d love to see some embroidered hoops,like framed art. You embroider so beautifully.
    AriadnefromGreece
    http://AriadnefromGreece.blogspot.com

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  42. Dwan Evans Avatar
    Dwan Evans

    One day I’m going to win one of your drawings and I’ll be super excited. Keep up the great work.
    Dwan

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  43. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I love the gentle simplicity of your designs. Your fabrics are lovely and so unique. You have a true eye for just the right detail. I would love to see more children’s items as I have a soon to be 5-year-old daughter, who loves wearing some the clothes you have made and is quickly growing out them. Her favorite is the rose tunic you designed. I would be thrilled to win your giveaway.

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  44. melissa Avatar
    melissa

    lovely giveaway! i think your lockets are so amazing. the detail and inspiration from the natural is so poignant to me.

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  45. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    more of your lovely embroidered lockets please!

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  46. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    I love all the things you make. I love the way you paint and would love to see some prints which could be framed.

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  47. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Good luck with your relaunch. I really love the fabrics you chose for your projects, they always look great. I especially love the one with pink and blue flowers. How do you make your little tags you put on the outside?

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  48. Daniela B. Avatar
    Daniela B.

    I would love to see some clothes in the shop, expecially shirts or dresses 🙂
    I love your creations!!

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  49. Andrea Avatar
    Andrea

    Yea! I’ve been hoping for more cases to appear in your shop. I would love to see a book of your embroidery designs in your shop.

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  50. audrey Avatar
    audrey

    Aw, cute. Those fabrics are to die for.

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