~ Are Unicorns real?

Ciao everyone!

As a unicorn fan, I'm wondering if also you have ever pondered the existence of unicorns. I've always been fascinated by their beauty and graceful look as it's shown in medieval pictures. I was reading about how they liked to rest on the lap of virgin maidens, and when they would fall asleep that's when the hunters would catch them! Also, there's a song I knew when I was little that was speaking about how Noah was gathering all the animals on his ark and the unicorns didn't make it and died in the flood... kind of sad, but who knows....

I recently embroidered a pretty unicorn in a small oval hoop. It would be perfect as a wall decoration in a baby nursery or a girl's room. I'm happy with how it turned out.

Hand-embroidered Unicorn

You can find all kinds of things about unicorns on the internet. These are some of my favorite:

Adorable Candle Holder

l 33" Rainbow Unicorn Shape Mylar / Foil Balloon

Birthday Card

R&M Unicorn 4.5" Cookie Cutter in Durable, Economical, Tinplated Stee

33" Rainbow Unicorn Shape Mylar / Foil Balloon

Too Faced La Creme Lipstick 'Unicorn Tears' 0.11oz/3.0g New In Box

I think I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop here!!! Now I'll go dream about this beautiful, colorful, glittery and magnificent horse! ;)

Love to all.

xoxo,

~Hoop Love~

Ciao Everyone!

in this post I just want to say thank you to all the people that are supporting my little shop. You have no idea how happy my heart is when I see a "like", even just a "view"...and every time someone buys one of my creations I'm just amazed. The thought of something that I make is displayed in your house or used by you makes me incredibly happy!!!

I have recently sold a few of my embroidered hoops, especially during Christmas time. I am right now finishing up an order of one of my favorite hoops... "HOME SWEET HOME". I created it originally for my sister, when she finally found a beautiful home for her little family. I don't follow patterns, I've always like to draw, so I make my own designs and then stitch them. I feel like embroidering is like coloring with thread! I really love what I do.

Here's a few pictures of my favorite hoops, and their links:

HOME SWEET HOME

BLESSED

DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE

BE STILL MY SOUL

xoxo,

Mini~hoops

Good morning!
it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here in California. This is the first time I write a post with my phone... the problem is that our computer is amost completely broken. That's what happens when you leave it with a bunch of little kids! :) I know God will provide a new one, but for now I have to use what I have.

I want to share with you a new item from my etsy shop . I recently started to embroider on mini-hoops. They are the most adorable things!!! You don't need to know how to embroider to be able to use them...and I'll show you different examples. They are often used for necklaces, but I make key-chains out of them. I picked a few pictures, including my "Belle keychain", to show you  different ideas. The most important thing is to be creative and use your imagination! Go visit the original website to meet the creator of these mini-hoops: the sweet dandelyne will inspire you and show you all the tricks!

Go to: www.dandelyne.com 

xoxo,

ShopSmall ~ Handmade Goodness

Here I am back at it!!!! Who would have thought? 

Well, it's true that I often disappear, but I'm always back. I still like to go back and look at my old posts, pictures and recipes, where a tiny slice of time stopped. 

Christmas time is already here, lights are everywhere, trees and ornaments are twinkling in the homes, people are already shopping for gifts... and this is exactly what I want to speak about. You all know that I own a little online shop of handmade goodies and I know many other shops that I would like to promote here. This Christmas it would be very nice if you could #ShopSmall . What does this mean? It's simply a way to encourage and appreciate people who use their hands to create beautiful things. I was inspired by Fundera, a small business loans marketplace, to show my support. You can read more about the importance about small businesses HERE .

But let me show you some of the cutest gifts you could make this Christmas!

Vintage Doll Pencil Pouch

Silk Wrap Bracelet

Camper Stickers

Hands Full Heart Full Tote

Bracelet for the Baker

Hand-embroidered Inspirational Hoop

You can follow all these amazing makers also on Instagram, which is what I do and get a lot of inspiration from them. Just click on their names and it will take you to their IG profiles:

SilentPoetryArts

pebbleandore

eight28designs

athomewithnatalie

raisinguprubies

labellemadeleine

Well, I hope you can show some love during this Christmas Season and buy at leeeeeast one {or two} handmade presents from your list of gifts to give. You are going to make someone's day. 

Love as always. Enjoy the Season!

xoxo,

Cinderella Hoop

Have you watched the new Cinderella movie? I simply loved it!! So much so that I was inspired to embroider a new hoop... which is available now in my SHOP. What do you think?

Hugs to all!

xoxo,

A scent of Italy.

Hello Friends!!!

what a beautiful hot day we had here in California today!! After a few days of rain, the sun is back again! It really felt like summer... and when I feel that type of warmth I can only think of my South of Italy {where I come from}. I recently had the opportunity to purchase something I had on my "I-really-want" List for a long time and it arrived two days ago all the way from the beautiful Calabria (Italy)!!! 

I purchased a pretty locket with a deliciously homemade solid perfume called Scirocco. I first fell in love with the name as it takes me back to the South of Italy... for those who don't know, it's the name of a wind that originates in Africa (in the Sahara desert) and blows through the Mediterranean sea. It brings with it the scent of summer, of the jasmine, the oranges and other citruses.. well, that perfume contains it all! I can close my eyes and smell the countryside where I grew up.

I want to thank so much Mariu', the owner of the beautiful Etsy SHOP called LaMiaCasaNelVento, meaning My House In the Wind {she makes also organic soaps and candles}. She also writes a BLOG where she shares the most amazing pictures! You should check it out!!

Her talent is great and the care she takes in bringing every little detail to perfection is what touches me.

I feel honored to have one of her pieces and to be able to smell Italy. If you are curious... you should go order one of her perfumes as well and let me know what you think!! :)

this is what I received.... 

Here is something you can find in her shop:

Natural Solid Perfume

Organic Chamomile

Hugs to you all!!

..and tanti baci...

the cutest fabric...

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!!

I had a pretty quiet morning so far... I'm glad I had the time to sew. I used the last little piece of one the cutest fabric I've ever bought. Disney Princesses! I found it online, it came all the way from Japan! I wish I could buy more... I could only find a small sample that I cut in pieces to be able to create more with it.

I don't know if you had a chance to see the newest pouches in my shop... they are one of a kind!.. unless I find more of that gorgeous fabric!!.... he he... :)

 

What do you think??

Which one is your favorite Disney Princess? I can't decide!!! Even if I know I'm never tired to watch Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.......

Hugs to you..
and may all your dreams come true!!!!

xoxo,

New Year ~ New Look

First of all......

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!!!!

Who knows, maybe during this year 2014 there will be more action in this little blog of mine. I always think about things I should write but it's very hard to find the time. Well, I'm here today and I want to share with you my new studio!!! 

Yesssss... LaBelleMadeleine needed a new cute space to be able to create. It's very hard to find a place to work in peace in a small apartment with 4 little kids running around all day long {especially during school-breaks!}. :) I have to say that I found my perfect spot... in a corner of my bedroom, near the window to get some light, surrounded by all the things I need to work with. 

Here's a few pics...

What do you think?? I know it's very small... but there's all I need!! And it's a "happy place" for me, because I love doing what I do... which is mainly sewing and crocheting. And thanks to my new-awesome sewing-machine I will be able to embroider as well!!!! Get ready for some new extra items in my shop! :)

xoxo to you,

Pouches. {and a giveaway}

Who knows if there's still someone who reads my blog.... but it's ok, I write it anyway, whenever I can! :)

The little struggles of my everyday life didn't stop me from working in my little shop. I've been recently inspired by super cute fabrics and I ordered some directly from Japan! I think they have some of the cutest prints and the quality of their cotton is incredible. I have made a few pouches, all listed in my SHOP.

There will be more to come!

If you want to WIN my Ladybug Ruffled POUCH {together with other amazing prizes} you can enter the giveaway below!!

Good Luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cross-Stitch Love

First of all...thank you to all who entered my Giveaway!!! I've contacted the winner and sent her the Pumpkin Spice Cup Cozy! I can't wait to hear from her and see if she likes it.... :)

In the meantime I've been cross-stitching a lot!!! Yesssss!!! It has been such a long time... I used to cross-stitch more often when I was younger {before having sweet little babies}, it was my favorite hobby, it relaxes me and gives satisfaction once the work is done. I remember, while studying at the University, I had a little project waiting for me after every exam.. I couldn't wait to finish to study just to be able to cross-stitch without any worries! 

I would have liked to share pictures of my last work... but I'm not done!!! That's why I checked online for beautiful works made by other people.... I picked a few to share with you:

Look at this amazing girl.... isn't she so pretty???

www.crossstitchingart.com

...and Super Mario!!!!! This was the game I spent hours playing when I was little! 
www.momcents.org

This is an incredibly cute Hoop Art work.. I like the simplicity of the stitches..

www.craftsy.com

These little mice are just so adorable!!!!!

www.bolitadepapel.wordpress.com

This one also reminds me of my childhood!! Iridella {her name in Italian...}

www.rosaka.deviantart.com

I could go on and on and on... there are so many great cross-stitchers out there!!!! 

I also found many web-sites where you can buy patterns... my favorite is DANCE NEEDLE on Etsy, they have adorable kawaii style easy patterns. 

If you are looking for something FREE there's always Pinterest!! That's where I found mine... click HERE to display a lot of free patterns!

There is also another interesting web-site called MYPHOTOSTITCH.COM , where you can upload any picture {for free} and it will transform it in a cross-stitch pattern!! Isn't it cool?? 

Well, that's all I have for now!!! If you are a stitcher like me, I hope you will enjoy a nice cup of tea sitting in your favorite spot on a chilly afternoon, with in your hands your favorite work ready to be stitched.

Happy Fall to you All!!!

xoxo,