In The Frame: From My MIL’s Garden

 

Bougainvillea

Photography is one of those hobbies I really enjoy. I take pictures around the house and whenever I’m out and about. Most days I just use my iPhone 14 Pro Max, but I also have a Sony APS‑C camera with a few lenses that I pick up when I feel like playing with something a bit more “proper.” I haven’t shared much on social media or here on the blog these past few years, so I thought this year I’d start posting more of my photos again.

These flower photos are from my MIL’s garden. A lot of the blooms are wilting because of the heavy monsoon rain, but she still manages to grow the most beautiful flowers. I don’t have green fingers at all, so I just enjoy photographing whatever she grows.

Camera: Sony ZVE-10

Lens: Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210)

The lens is not the sharpest but that was on my budget when I bought the camera last year and I enjoyed taking videos and some sewing videos with it. 

Bougainvillea

Pink Trumpet Vine

Butter Daisy Melampodium or Mini Sunflower and Violet Salvia

Female lacewing butterfly

I had fun taking these, even if the garden is a bit weather‑worn right now. Hopefully I’ll have more photo posts to share as I go.

Thank you for stopping by, 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

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Quilted Table Runner and Placemats Inspired by AI

 

I have 1 yard fabric leftover from my fabric shop. Just for fun I put the fabric photo on Gemini and asked to create table runner for inspiration. It came up with the above photo. I was so inspired that I decided to create a table runner and a set of placemat based on the photo.  The fabric width was 44 inch and for 1 yard I can easily make 1 table runner and 2 placemats. There is a little bit left, so maybe I can whip up a few mug rugs or coasters. 

Red Quilted Table Runner

Block Printed Table Runner

I am still amazed how fast AI can edit the photos for you esp. for lifestyle photo. I did some reading and apparently Etsy and other social media platform are encouraging the user to use the help of AI. Frankly, that's really helpful, esp.  for me who's doing everything by myself. It helps me to create a lifestyle photo so that the prospective buyers can visualize how it looks when certain products are used or worn. 

Block Printed Placemat

Which AI agents to use? My favorite is Gemini. So far the result is great. ChatGPT is also good and also Copilot. 

While Gemini and ChatGPT will create photo immediately based on the prompt you give, CoPilot will ask you questions to fine tuning the result. Like what sort of lighting, vibe, set up, etc. The best part is, once you train them enough, next time you only have to give short prompt and they'll do the job! 

For now I noticed that after several prompt, they will create a little bit "nonsense" photos hahaha. Well the technology is still evolving. A few months ago when I tried to create lifestyle photo, they could not even get the photo correct. Now, most of the result are using my own photo and it will make it better by adding suitable background. 

Dinner for two

Here's another lifestyles photo edited by AI

Colorful Quilted Runner

And some more inspiration from the block print fabrics in my shop: 

Red Fabrics from HERE

Red Floral Fabrics from HERE

Black and White Fabric from HERE

Some people are still hesitant about AI, but when used well, it can genuinely support our creative work. As sewists and quilters, we all know the struggle of trying to picture how a fabric will look in a project. With AI, you can upload your fabric photos and get a clear visual mockup in seconds.

Fabric bundle from HERE

Tie Dye Fabrics from HERE

Baby quilt fabric from HERE

In the end, AI isn’t here to replace our creativity—it’s here to support it. When we use it thoughtfully, it becomes another tool in our sewing room, helping us visualize ideas faster and make more confident design choices. It’s simply one more way to bring our projects to life with clarity and joy. 

Thank you for stopping by today,

Have a nice day!

Elvira

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Minimalist Quilted Wallets — Freshly Finished

Blue Floral & Polka dots

I’ve just completed the final hand‑sewn stitches on a fresh batch of minimalist quilted wallets, and they’re now live in the shop. Each piece is slow‑made with clean lines, soft quilting, and a simple silhouette that fits beautifully into everyday life.

The wallet features:

- Dimension: 3.5" x 5" (closed)

- 4 card slots (each can hold 2 cards) 

- 2 slip pockets for folded notes

- 2 in 1 exterior zipper pocket

- Flap closure with kam snap button 

Pattern: Rosie Wallet

Come see what’s new in the shop.

Floral & Star Wallet

Yellow Purple Wallet

Blue Floral Pink Polka Dots

Cute Mickey Head with Pink Stripe & Polka Dots

Cute Gossip Girls 

If you love lightweight essentials with thoughtful craftsmanship, this new drop is worth a peek. Every wallet is finished by hand, one at a time — the kind of detail that makes it feel personal.

Thank you for supporting slow-made pieces and the kind of craftsmanship that takes time. I’m excited for these minimalist quilted wallets to find their way into the hands of people who appreciate thoughtful details as much as I do.

Have a nice day!

Elvira

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Quilted Wallets and AI

 

Quilted Passport Wallet 

Finally I dig into my Tula Pink fabric stash and decided to make a couple of wallets. I bought the fabrics a couple of years ago and I always waited for the "perfect" project to make. But now I decided to stop waiting. Just took out a couple of fabrics, choosing combos and get on with the project! But choosing fabric combos are always the hardest part. So this time I get Chatgpt involved. And using the suggestion to make the wallet and I LOVE how they turned out! 

 

I must admit, I used a lot of helps from AI (Chatgpt, Copilot and Gemini) to help me writing my Etsy product listing, and some more.  

By now I think these AI know my business better than myself! Like when I posted my fabric and asking for combo, it gave me several options depend on what VIBES (!) I want to create and what colors are now popular in Etsy. It's like consulting the Gen Z for free.

Quilted Bifold Wallet

I think AI is very good for us, boomers, gen x and millennial generation, who try to make a little bit of side hustle online but are clumsy with words, struggling to understand what SEO, and especially if you do everything on your own from scratch. By the time we sit at the computer after creating products and taking photos, our brain is tired. This is where the AI comes in handy. We just need to write the prompt and they will do it for us, with minimal editing needed. Win-win! 

Anyway, here are the details of the wallets. What do you think?

Passport Wallet - Zuma Teal 

Quilted Passport Wallet - Zuma Orange Lilac

Rifle Paper Co Floral Wallet

Floral Bifold Wallet - Yellow Lavender

Tula Pink Quilted Wallet - Zuma Orange

PROJECT DETAILS

PATTERNS: 

Safari Passport Wallet

Classic Bifold Wallet

FABRICS: 

Tula Pink Zuma

Rifle Paper Co

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoy creating the wallets. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Until next time,

Elvira

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Nuno Wallet Pattern Update — Fresh Photos, Clearer Diagrams, and Video

 

Hello,

I’ve been quietly polishing up the Nuno Wallet pattern, and the updated version is finally ready. This one’s all about making the sewing process feel smoother, clearer, and way more fun.

What’s New? 

• Clearer step‑by‑step photos

I reshot a bunch of images so you can actually see what’s happening at each stage. No more squinting at tiny details.

• Cleaner, easier‑to‑read diagrams

A few steps needed extra visual love, so the diagrams got a makeover. They’re sharper, simpler, and much easier to follow.

• Video tutorials included

If you’re a “watch it happen” kind of maker, you’ll now find links to video walkthroughs right inside the pattern. Sew along at your own pace.

Watch the Video

How to Get the Updated Version

• Bought it on Etsy?

You’re all set. Just log in to your Etsy account, head to Your Purchases, and re‑download the updated file for free.

• Bought it from my old webshop?

No worries at all. Send me a quick message using the same email you used at checkout, and I’ll send you a fresh download link.

Thanks for Being Here! I really appreciate everyone who’s been sewing this little wallet and sharing feedback along the way. Updates like this happen because of you, and I hope the new version makes your next Nuno Wallet even more enjoyable.

Happy sewing,

Elvira

Embroidery Journal 2025 Finally Finished

 

Hello,

I finally finished my 2025 embroidery journal. It feels so good to finally complete this personal projects. I can't wait to start for the 2026 journal. 

I have to admit, I don’t embroider every single day. Some days I simply sketch the idea directly onto the cloth, and other times I jot it down on my iPhone or iPad. Keeping those little notes helps so much—when I finally sit down to stitch, I can look back at them and draw the design with clarity.

Some months feel wonderfully chaotic—especially when I’m traveling and wishing I could stitch every little moment into my embroidery, even though the space never seems quite enough. Other months are quieter, filled with everyday rhythms like house chores and sewing. But no matter the pace, there’s always something small and meaningful worth capturing.

When I first started, I hadn’t done embroidery in ages, so everything felt a little rusty. But stitch by stitch, it slowly came back to me. I’ve noticed my mood shows up in the work too—some months look a bit rough around the edges, while others turn out surprisingly refined, as if I had extra patience to spare. Among them all, the Durian (July) and the Avocado (August) are the ones I’m especially proud of.

I bough the book 365 Days of Stitches by Steph Arnold from Amazon India. It has a lot of pattern that you can refer to. I also use free icon from Flaticon. And sometimes also from my iPhone emoji! 

Project Details: 

• Fabric: Linen 
• Size: 12" x 12"  (you can also do 10 Inch or 8 inch) 
• Thread: Stranded embroidery cotton thread - 2 strands 
• Pattern sources: 365 Days of Stitches, Flaticon, iPhone emoji

 

If you ever feel inspired to start your own, there’s no shortage of ideas out there—YouTube and Pinterest are full of tutorials, patterns, and creative sparks waiting to be explored.

Looking back, this little year‑long embroidery journey has become more than just a craft project. It’s a quiet way of noticing my days, honoring the small things, and stitching a bit of myself into each month. I’m grateful for what it’s taught me—patience, presence, and the joy of creating something slowly, one moment at a time.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

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We're Moving

Mini Backpack 

Hello friends,

I wanted to share a quick personal update about my pattern shop. Because of some unexpected compliance issues with the Indian central bank (RBI), I wasn’t able to renew my old webshop on Ecwid —even after several back‑and‑forth conversations with their support team. This caught me by surprise too.

As a result, I’ve decided to move my shop to a new webshop powered by GoDaddy. It’s a platform I’ve trusted for years to host my main site, and it offers secure payments and SSL protection, so your data stays safe. Since GoDaddy is one of the world’s largest and most reliable domain providers, this transition feels like the right step forward. 

You can read more about the update HERE.

This moving is also an answer to year long wish to simplify my small business. As much as I love Ecwid's simplicity and user friendly features, I think it's time for me to move on. In the new webshop, even though it's simple, it works out well for me. Less fancy app but more reliable. 

I will only list my patterns in the new webshop for now and for Handmade, Quilts and Fabrics will be available only on my ETSY SHOP. 

Since this transition happened quite suddenly, I truly appreciate your patience and understanding if a few small bumps pop up along the way. I’m currently working on adding all the patterns—both paid and free—to the new webshop, and everything will be fully in place soon.

I truly appreciate your support and understanding while I make this transition. If you have any questions or need help accessing your patterns, please don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m just an email away.

Warm regards,

Elvira

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