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A Look Back At 2019

January 11, 2020 By Lauren at Molly and Mama 6 Comments

It’s that time of year when Christmas and New Years have just whizzed by, the Summer school break is well underway and none of us really know what day of the week it is. 2020 arrived way too quickly. And whilst I should already have my planning and ideas down for the coming months, I have been distracted by the unfolding Australian bushfire disaster.

Our country is burning and it’s heartbreaking. We’re very thankful that the fires we experienced in our own neighbourhood in November were quickly brought under control. But the decimation and disaster in the southern states is heart breaking. So many of us feel helpless, but there are so many ways we can help. Kristy from Quiet Play has written a terrific blog post outlining many of the ways you can assist in the bush fire relief. So please be sure to TAKE A LOOK.

Ending the year with so much uncertainty in Australia, has made me grateful for the year that was 2019. It was definitely a busy one, with lots of social media posts. And I can’t tell you how amazing it has been to have your support and encouragement, especially on Instagram.

Here are the ‘Best Nine’ Molly and Mama images for 2019 on Instagram. Basically this means these are the photos that the community liked the best. And although this collage contains some surprises, it really sums up my feelings about what I do.

  1. The first image showcases the embroidery details from my Simple Sewing Folder pattern.
  2. The Quilted Carry All is a tote bag pattern that can be found in my book, Pretty Handmades*.
  3. My Night Before Christmas Stocking was super popular and I even hosted my first sew along with the pattern. I’m hoping to run another one in July!
  4. I made this sweet Liberty sewing mat using the pattern in the Text It!* book. You can read all about it in my review.
  5. The centre image features my Hettie Hexie Mini Quilt pattern, which is the perfect introduction to English paper piecing.
  6. English paper piecing featured a lot on my Instagram feed this year, as I continued my weekly sewing party called #sipteaandepp with Larisa from Stitching Notes. We’re bringing you more EPP goodness in 2020. In the meantime, you can learn more about EPP at my Beginner’s Tutorial.
  7. The Busy Bee Pin Cushion and Honey Hive Stitchy Kit are my two most favourite projects and both patterns features in my Pretty Handmades book*.
  8. You all loved making felt bunnies at Easter with this popular free tutorial.
  9. My Spring Fling Pouch Set provides a pattern and instructions for a hand embroidered lace-zipper pouch and matching glasses case with a flex frame top. This pattern has always been popular!

*If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, I will earn a small commission that doesn’t change your purchase price, but helps me to continue to bring you free content. Thanks for your support!

All of these images represent teachable moments and my love for sharing the joy of handmade. I feel so privileged to be able to share this love with you!

Another way of reflecting back on the year that was, is to use the Year of Colour tool. This image represents the colours most widely used on the Molly and Mama instagram account in 2019. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but it’s an interesting thing to look at regardless. And it has made me consider the way that colour plays a role in conveying a message about what I do and what my projects, and sewing patterns, look like. I’d like to think the delicate, pastel colours feature the most. To me, they represent the words simple, sweet and soft. But there’s some bold colours at play here too. So interesting!

If I look back at the blog for 2019, the biggest things that stand out are the release of new sewing patterns, new tutorials and lots of book reviews too.

Four new patterns made it into the shop; the On Point Pouch, the Simple Sewing Folder, the Night Before Christmas Stocking and the Milly Mouse Cushion. These project patterns are all also available in paper format from my distributor Creative Abundance.

the On Point Pouch
the Simple Sewing Folder
the Night Before Christmas Stocking
the Milly Mouse Cushion

And the Forest Family Quilt made its debut at the Australian Quilt Market in November. You can purchase this pattern in paper format via Creative Abundance or it will be available in PDF format very soon!

I also contributed two sweet projects to a collaborative book showcasing 50 different designs for making toys out of fat quarters. You can read more about 50 Fat Quarter Toys* at this blog post.

Books featured a lot in my work last year. I was asked to participate in some blog tours for new book releases by some of the sewists and makers that I admire the most. Such a lovely feeling! You can learn more about these projects by clicking the link in the caption and reading the corresponding blog posts.

Liberty Sewing Mat from the Text it! book
Mosiac Mini Quilt from the Quilt Big book
Hexagon placemat from the Learn How to English Paper Piece book
Appliqué projects from the Mini Masterpieces book

I also created some popular tutorials. You might like to click the link in the caption to learn more.

Simple Hexie Flower Pouch with a lace zipper
Cutting Hexies with the Cricut Maker
Felt Swan Hair Clip
Felt Swan Softie

Looking back has helped me think about where I want this year to take me. And I have some terrific ideas. Now to bring them to fruition!

I’d love to have you along for the continuing journey. Thanks for being here! Happy stitching, Lauren.

Filed Under: Molly and Mama Patterns, This and That Tagged With: hexagons, hexies, Molly and Mama, Molly and Mama patterns, sewing patterns

Comments

  1. Anorina Morris says

    January 11, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    What a wonderful year you’ve had. So many beautiful makes and patterns. Here’s to an even better 2020 xx

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      January 12, 2020 at 11:36 am

      Thank you Anorina. It all adds up when you look back over the year. Here’s hoping 2020 is a great one for both of us! xx

      Reply
  2. Kay says

    January 11, 2020 at 8:04 pm

    It has been a beautiful year on your blog, everything you make is so pretty. x

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      January 12, 2020 at 11:35 am

      Thank you for the lovely feedback Kay. I really appreciate your comments x

      Reply
  3. Susie says

    January 12, 2020 at 9:10 am

    All looks so pretty

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      January 12, 2020 at 11:32 am

      Thank you Susie x

      Reply

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mollyandmama

Lauren Wright
🐰💙 Easter will be here before we know it. Pl 🐰💙 Easter will be here before we know it. Please enjoy 20% OFF my Easter instant download patterns in my store. Use the link in my profile or head to mollyandmama.etsy.com. 

T&C’s: The offer is only available until Easter Sunday for PDF patterns. No coupon code required. 

#mollyandmama #rosierabbitornament #feltbunnies #easterbunny #feltsewing #feltbunny #felt #woolfelt #merinowoolfelt #myfeltlady #easter #eastersewing #eastercraft #handmadeeaster #embroidery #handembriodery #handstitched #handmade #easterbunny #eastergifts #eastertree #eastertreedecorations #easterdecor #easterdecoration
🐰💕 This free felt Easter tutorial is a hit e 🐰💕 This free felt Easter tutorial is a hit every year! These simple to sew bunnies are the perfect beginner project. Find the tutorial and all the details on the blog (link in bio). There’s also a direct link in my stories today. 

@myfeltlady has felt packs that work perfectly with this project. 

Visit @aspoonfulsugar for the fabric basket tutorial too 😍.

#mollyandmama #feltbunnytutorial #felt #woolfelt #myfeltlady #feltbunny #feltrabbit #rabbitsewing #bunnysewing #eastersewing #eastertutorial
🐇🌸🐇 I have only a few of these bunny fram 🐇🌸🐇 I have only a few of these bunny frame and embroidery kits on hand, so I have listed them in the store (link in bio- swipe to see more). There’s the big Beatrice Bunny frame or the twin pack of Baby Beatrice Minis which includes a necklace and a brooch option. 

Both kits come with the preprinted linen so all you need to do is embroider the design with your favourite floss and add a wool felt crown. If you leave me a comment when you purchase, I’ll even throw in some felt for you 😍. Australian postage only sorry. Express post upgrades are available too! 

#mollyandmama #creativeabundance #beatricebunnyframe #babybeatriceminis #bambooframe #embroideryframe #embroideryhoop #animalframe #felt #feltflowers #merinowoolfelt #woolfelt #flowercrown #feltflowercrown #handstitched #embroidery #embroiderersofinstagram #feltersofinstagram #eastersewing #eastercraft #chocolatefreeeaster #eastergift #glitterfelt #embroideryfloss
Tilly’s Tea Party Table Runner is almost due for Tilly’s Tea Party Table Runner is almost due for release! I’m really pleased with how this design turned out 💐🤍

Sign up for the newsletter now (link in bio) to receive the 20% off discount code only for subscribers. 

#mollyandmama #tillysteapartytablerunner #epp #englishpaperpiecing #tablerunner #tablerunnerpattern #hexagons #hexies #jewel #equilateraltriangle #aurifil #aurifilthread #aurifilartisan #aurifilartisanchallenge #stitchersofinstagram #slowstitching #slowsewing #handstitching  #roseandvioletsgardenfabric #roseandvioletsgarden #missrosesisterviolet #rileyblakedesigns #iloverileyblake #embroidery #embroiderersofinstagram #stitchersofinstagram #floralembroidery #flowerembroidery #embroideredhexies
🎀❤️ There’s a new post on the blog, shari 🎀❤️ There’s a new post on the blog, sharing a brand new design made with the Strawberry Honey fabric range from @burlapandblossompatterns for @rileyblakedesigns. It was lots of fun learning more about my new @janomeaustralia machine too. I see lots more appliqué projects in my future! 

Check the blog link in my bio or head to mollyandmama.com.au to see more photos of this bow quilt. Sign up to the newsletter to be notified when the pattern releases too ❤️. 

#mollyandmama #bowquilt #bowapplique #rawedgeapplique #appliquequilt #bowappliquequilt #burlapandblossompatterns #rileyblakedesigns #iloverileyblake #janome #janomeaustralia #memorycraft9450qcp  #janomememorycraft9450 #strawberryhoneyfabric #fatquarterbundle #fabricpull #fabriccollection
🎀🧡 I’ve been playing with the appliqué fu 🎀🧡 I’ve been playing with the appliqué function on my new @janomeaustralia Memory Craft 9450 QCP. There’s been lots of learning and trying different stitch types and lengths, but I’ve settled on my favourite settings now 😁. 

🍓🐝 This Strawberry Honey fabric collection from @burlapandblossompatterns for @rileyblakedesigns is perfect for this sweet bow quilt. I can’t wait to show you more! 😍

#mollyandmama #bowquilt #bowapplique #bowappliquequilt #burlapandblossompatterns #rileyblakedesigns #iloverileyblake #janome #janomeaustralia #memorycraft9450qcp  #janomememorycraft9450 #strawberryhoneyfabric #fatquarterbundle #fabricpull #fabriccollection
🐰🥕 It’s not too late to start your Easter 🐰🥕 It’s not too late to start your Easter sewing! These Bitty Bunnies are teeny tiny and make a super cute chocolate-free treat! I use mine as tree decorations. Sweet, right? And @myfeltlady has felt kits!!! Find the pattern in my store (link in bio) or ask for it at your favourite shop. This project is always so popular at this time of year 😍 

#mollyandmama #bittybunnies #bittybunniespattern #feltbunnies #easterbunny #feltsewing #feltbunny #felt #woolfelt #merinowoolfelt #myfeltlady #easter #eastersewing #eastercraft #handmadeeaster #embroidery #handembriodery #handstitched #handmade #easterbunny #eastergifts #easterdecor #easterdecoration
🐰💗 The Easter Dilly Bag is perfect for hidin 🐰💗 The Easter Dilly Bag is perfect for hiding tiny treats in those sweet front pockets, or holding all the Easter eggs inside the drawstring pouch. Such a sweet accessory for egg hunts and gift giving! Have you made one of these cute pouches? 

Be sure to use the hashtag #EasterDillyBag so that I can check out your gorgeous sewing! You can find a link to my pattern shop in my profile, or ask for the printed pattern at your favourite Quilting Store. @creative_abundance can help with wholesale shop orders. 

#mollyandmama #easterdillybag #creativeabundance #eastersewing #bunnyembroidery #rabbitembroidery #easterbag #easteregghunt #eastergift #embroidery #easterembroidery #yoyos #suffolkpuffs #drawstringbag #quiltedbag #bagpattern #bagsewing #tildafabrics #tildahappycampers #tildaaustralia
I loved sewing up these cute projects last year us I loved sewing up these cute projects last year using the Boho Blooms collection from @nancyarcherillustration, designed for @studio_e_fabrics. The drawstring pouch uses my Easter Dilly Bag pattern! You can read about it on the blog (head to the blog via the link in my bio and use the search tab to look for Boho Blooms). 

#mollyandmama #bohobloomsfabric #studioefabrics  #easterdillybag #eastersewing #nancyarcherillustration
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