Making my mini-landscape kits is a true labour of love! I put my heart and soul into my kits to create somethings that is not only simple to follow and make, but is also beautiful too. If you have bought a kit from me, you will know how lovely they look (well, I think so anyway), packaged neatly in their folded pocket. In this blog post I want to let you know the process and work that goes into putting a kit together!

Below is a gallery of my process and underneath is an outline of each step.

Each number corresponds with a picture.

1) I design and sketch an outline of my mini-landscape, usually on my iPad using Procreate (a drawing app). I choose my fabrics and cut out the pieces, trying different combinations.

2) I start recording my sketches on my iPad and creating pictures for my instructions. This starts from a basic pattern, to writing up embroidery instructions, instructions for each stitch, drawing a template for the fabric pieces etc.

3) Choosing my colours carefully, I stitch up my miniature landscape and record the instructions.

4) The finished mini, ‘Summer Cottage’.

5) Once my design is finalised I spend A LOT of time on Adobe InDesign and Photoshop designing the booklet instructions. I’ve taught myself how to use these programs (with the help of some online courses and YouTube!) so I don’t know all the shortcuts yet. But so far I am happy with the finished result. I send the proofs off to a print shop for professional printing.

6) I also design stickers for my kits which need to be sent off and ordered (the kit sticker, and various logo stickers). I use Stickeroo for my stickers.

7) I order my DMC threads, Gutermann metallic threads and design my embroidery thread holder (for want of a better name!). These need to be printed, cut out, stuck on to card stock and then my husband punches all the holes for me! I spend quite a few hours cutting threads and tying each one to the cards.

8) In the meantime, I have designed and ordered thank you cards and business cards (I use MOO for these).

9) Now it is time to start getting the fabric together. I cut calico into three-inch squares and paint each background square. These need to be dried out and ironed.

10) I gather my fabrics and cut out 3 inch by 1 inch rectangles for each colour. These are compiled and placed into little brown Kraft envelopes. My daughter is a great help in doing this for me!

11) Each button on the pocket envelopes is individually stitched on by me.

12) The original pockets I used are now out of stock. After scouring the internet for other options, I decided to make my own for this last batch. But they pocket section didn’t stick very well so I ended up having to stitch each one! It looks great but I don’t know if it is a long-term solution. Even though I love my pocket kits, I am currently looking at other packaging for my kits to make it more streamlined.

13) Background fabric is cut and all pieces for the kits are compiled.

14) I also need to cut felt and attach an embroidery needle for each kit.

15) White envelopes are embellished with a sticker and individually named with each kit. Instructions are picked up from the print shop and carefully folded.

16) Kits are all put together and ready for shipping!

As you can see, A LOT of time and work goes into making my kits! Whilst I love it, I couldn't do it without help from my family. Juggling this business with working and looking after my family is hard at times but I get so much joy from sharing my process with you all.