The Blessing Tree

Now that we're concentrating more on our little gift bags, we're getting to do lots of quirky stuff for people who want to share their feelings for special occasions. One of our favourite jobs was for Hannah, who got married last year. The happy couple had a "blessing tree", to which people attached little bags (made by us, using pretty vintage fabric from Hannah's Nan...) containing blessings and messages from friends and family. 

The tree was the happy backdrop for their ceremony and the envelopes will be a treasured heirloom for years to come. Hannah says: "It worked so well and people loved it. We got really lovely responses from people, both in their messages and also in talking about doing it and tying them on... Thank You!" 
What a great idea for every bride's wedding scrapbook...!

Wish I'd thought of that...

Hola Folks. Went along to Top Drawer at London's Olympia a few days ago, looking for inspiration. I found it rather encouraging to discover that many of the most innovative and creative companies exhibiting were based in Hackney too. Loved this idea by local ladies Tola and Anna at roseredandblue.com: 

It's an Advent Calendar / seasonal family heirloom! Based on an Austrian tradition, 25 little bags (just like our own little gift bags) are each filled with little treats and hung on ribbon using numbered pegs - one for each December day leading up to Christmas. Each day, you open the relevant bag to reveal an ever sweeter treat, until December 25th. 

A much more gorgeous option than the usual cardboard kind methinks - and it's fun for the family too. 
I only wish I'd thought of it...

Getting back to work...

Well, after months of maternity leave limbo, I am finally back to work. A new Chain Gang - a trio of gorgeous Hackney gals - started last week and they are totally motivational and inspirational. To be honest, I thought I'd just close the business down and become a full time momma, but then the girls came along and re-lit my fire!

And then there's Magda... What a legend. I found her at HRP - the Hackney Recruitment Partnership - an agency in Hackney that assists people with learning disability, helping them to find work and fulfill their potential in lots of different ways. She's a bit like Mary Queen of Shops, the no-nonsense, straight talking fashion business guru who also writes a column in Grazia every week. Anyway, I digress... Magda is going to work with me to scale up the business and spread our message far and wide. I predict great things for us, so watch this space.

I've no pics of what we're up to work-wise at the moment, and the website is in desperate need of an update, but do take a look to get an idea of what it is we do.

In the meantime, here's a photo of the lovely Edie May, who surprised me big time this morning by taking her first steps unaided. Yippee!

Two little steps for Edie and a giant leap back into work for her mum. Adieu for now readers...

Angie xo

The new range...

Just found some photos of our new range of ©Little Gifts of Feeling. Thought you might like a sneaky preview... The idea with the ©Little Gifts is that you give one when perhaps a card isn't quite enough, but you don't want to go overboard either. Par example... 

If someone's having a hard time, a ©Little Gift of Strength is just the ticket, containing symbolic ingredients to give someone strength... like an eraser - to erase all your worries, a marble - just in case you lose yours, numbers - there's strength in them, a piece of string - to tie things together if they're falling apart...

They're colourful, funky, fun and made with lots of love by the Chain Gang - a team of people with learning disabilities. 

Anyhoo, this is not a shop, I just wanted to show what we do. Laters!