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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. Maribeth Avatar
    Maribeth

    Thanks for the chance Melissa. As I have been quite taken by painting myself, I love seeing your postcards featuring your own paintings. I enjoy the postcards that I bought a while back.

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  2. alexis Avatar
    alexis

    I’ve loved the purse I ordered from you! It’s so perfect 🙂
    Now that your shop is reopened I want to get one of your embroidery needle cases.
    Cheers!

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    Reply
  3. Iliyana Nedkova Avatar
    Iliyana Nedkova

    I adore your use of pure linen and all the inspiring drawing projects. If only I could spend more time crafting rather than in my daily job of a contemporary art curator, I would aspire to keep up with you. Thanks for the chance of winning the giveaway.

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  4. ashleyewagoner Avatar
    ashleyewagoner

    Oh I love these!
    -Ashley W.

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  5. wendy Avatar
    wendy

    Oh, they are lovely… vintage fabrics make me smile. I love seeing your little embroideries in the shop 🙂

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  6. tif Avatar
    tif

    oh I love this idea!!!! random selector- pick me! pick me!

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  7. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    Congratulations on the very much awaited re-opening 🙂 I am after a pouch/case that can hold my double pointed knitting needles, I have so many of them and they don’t fit in any one of my purses. And thanks for the giveaway 🙂

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  8. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    I really like to read your blog because it shows how you like to make things. I also like it because it´s not about fancy stuff but about simple, every-day things that still are something special.

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  9. Cyndi—elf girl Avatar
    Cyndi—elf girl

    very cute! you are so inspiring.

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  10. Bridget Avatar
    Bridget

    Lovely little cases. What about peg bags? or storage bags that you hang up?

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  11. Makenzie D. Avatar
    Makenzie D.

    Hello! I love your blog! I would like to see more patters for tote bags/ purses.

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  12. Little Miss S Avatar
    Little Miss S

    Love the blue case – it screams my name so loud. you inspire me.

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  13. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you sarah. i make the tags by using a stamp (i had it custom-made for me a few years ago) and some fabric ink. i stamp onto plain ribbon and then iron it to heat-set it. 🙂

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  14. Alice Avatar
    Alice

    ooh yes wristlets, and grown up clothes – dagnabit, so many cute things for littlies around and it would be great tp see them in sizes I could fit!

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  15. Mousy Brown Avatar
    Mousy Brown

    I just had a new camera and would love something in your style to keep it in! Its a real gap in the market – I’d be happy to test for you! 😀

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  16. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Beautiful bag! For your etsy shop, I would love to see things with your own fabric designs. Your illustrations are lovely.

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  17. Kirsten of The Garden Wenches Avatar
    Kirsten of The Garden Wenches

    You have such a great eye, those fabrics are just gorgeous. I’m excited to see what you come up with next.

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  18. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Hi Melissa,
    I’d love to see more twirling skirts for little girls made from your wonderful fabric collection.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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    Reply
  19. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    Melissa, I love all of the things that you make. I especially love your embroidery…
    But if you were to add something – I think a Tiny Happy designed fabric pack would be wonderful!

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    Reply
  20. Gill Avatar
    Gill

    I love your purses! more of the same please!

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  21. geraldine Avatar
    geraldine

    Hi Melissa! I love all your lovely things – small and precious! I don’t know how you find the time! I love it that Kiera is lucky enough to wear stylish Mummy-designed one-offs! Keep creating – I always look forward to seeing the latest fruits of your labour

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  22. dee Avatar
    dee

    I love these fabrics and find your blog creates a calm little moment of inspiration at the end of my day! I would love to see more soft toys and perhaps little draw string toy bags to keep them in!

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  23. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Great giveaway! I really enjoy your embroidery work, and would be interested to see more clothing as well.

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  24. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    kid’s clothes – I love the yellow gingham skirt and striped dress my little girl wears, but she is growing out of them!

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  25. kat Avatar
    kat

    I’m a knitter and that blue bag looks like a perfect notion bag to me! I’m always losing my stitch markers, dpns, cable needles, etc. and it’d be good to have a cute place to keep them all.

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  26. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    well, I might as well jump on the band-wagon – I love your little embroidered pieces – as an embroiderer myself I love to see such sweet little stitches take shape. I second the dressmaking too – your style is great and relaxed and very approachable – perfect for handmade without the pain! Ah heck, I love it all – keep up the great job 🙂

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  27. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    I admire your work and check in here when I can. I wish when my kids were younger I had access to your great creative ideas.

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  28. hanna Avatar
    hanna

    so cute! maybe tote bags/grocery bags?

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  29. Kelby Avatar
    Kelby

    Thank you for this giveaway! My favorite case is the orange flowered one too. I love your lockets and the sweet rabbits. I would love to see some more baby shoes. I’d like to purchase a pair for my second child who is expected to arrive in May. Although, I need to find out whether to purchase for a boy or girl first! I really enjoy reading your blog by the way.

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  30. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Am I too late?? I would love to see kids’ clothes. A few years ago I bought a few pairs of boys’ pants you made. They were worn and loved by my two boys and are soon to be worn and loved by a friend’s little boy. So they lasted well – you should do them again! It’s so hard to find nice boys’ clothes!

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  31. AlewivesGirl Avatar
    AlewivesGirl

    I love little cases like these: you can always use them and you never quite have enough, do you? Great job!

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  32. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    I love your beautiful embroidered flowers, they’re so pretty!

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  33. Donna Topp Avatar
    Donna Topp

    Welcome back Melissa, I would love to see more childrens clothes. All the best for 2011. xx

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  34. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    I love everything you create and would like to see some totes….you use wonderful fabric! Thanks for doing a give-away!

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  35. anissa ljanta Avatar
    anissa ljanta

    where DO you find your fabrics/items to upcycle?! i think it’s about time i went on a road trip…with an op shop theme! glad you are back with the etsy shop…i’d love to see toiletry bags …with your gorgeous retro fabric, oilcloth inside and pockets. (to be precise!)

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  36. Hil Avatar
    Hil

    Just an FYI. We traveled to Florida this month and my son loved collecting shells in his collecting bag that you made. It looked beautiful in the sand too! Thanks!

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  37. Andree Avatar
    Andree

    I’m from Wellington and I am lovin your stuff, inspires me to start crafting (well prob buying from Swonderful).The photos are great too.

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  38. Mary Gordon Avatar
    Mary Gordon

    I have a very full life, and your blog is one of my places of serenity. thank you. I’m currently “into” fabric-y flowers that can double as brooches (using either just a slide/hairclip type fixing or also a pin) – I like the “slide” because I can fix them to fabrics which would be damages by pins. Whew! I’m verbose too! thanks, Mary

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  39. Mary Gordon Avatar
    Mary Gordon

    … meant to say – my niece uses these brooches as hairclips – lovely.
    M
    PS aha forgetfulness could be a blessing if it increases the chances in a random number draw, eh?

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  40. paula Avatar
    paula

    i love the bright star necklace i bought and would like more pillowcases as I havent gotten round to buying any yet !!!

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  41. Sieni Avatar
    Sieni

    I’d love to see some more of your explorer bags… Would love to get some for my kids. I also love all your work, particularly the beautiful cushion covers that I have just bought!

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  42. Tenderfootwritings.wordpress.com Avatar
    Tenderfootwritings.wordpress.com

    I really love your pussy willow linen case in your shop. I have to agree with another poster that some embroidered wristlets would be awesome.

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  43. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    How wonderful to see what a huge response you have Melissa.Have enjoyed seeing your evolvement over the years. Anything you have in your shop is original and I love it all.All the best for this creative year.

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  44. stacey Avatar
    stacey

    I love your creations. it is good to own something that is not commercially created in this modern world!!

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  45. hali Avatar
    hali

    i read your blog with a cup of tea. everything you make is poetry.

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  46. athomegirl Avatar
    athomegirl

    I love the embroidered needlecases, but your wee baby shoes are gorgeous/ I love the fact that you post most days, and brighten up a lot of peoples days! thankyou. Love the cosmetic purses.

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  47. Jacinda Avatar
    Jacinda

    More of your divine embroidery, especially the jewellery. Hey and some more of that self-designed fabric. Ooo and more drawings and stationery. Oh so many things. Just keep inspired and follow that..I look forward to sharing in your beautiful things.

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  48. jodi Avatar
    jodi

    Please make some floppy-eared rabbits. They’re just so adorable. x

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  49. lori Avatar
    lori

    you are such a sweetie. congratulations on another sucessful year in your shop (of course!).
    your needle case stays in my knitting basket, gathering compliments whereever i go.
    i love the drawstring bags at the moment and would love to see some larger ones for knitting projects. sometimes my basket is such a mess!

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  50. maria Avatar
    maria

    I love your hand stithing and your how you use the embroidery. I would like to see clothes on your etsy site too. Thanks for keeping me in touch with things Kiwi.

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