You know how you can convince yourself you know exactly what someone will be like... and then you finally meet them?
I'd admired Lauren's work for years before we met. I could spot a Molly and Mama project from a mile away. Her designs are unmistakably hers — sweet, beautifully finished and completely timeless.
Because everything she creates is so polished, I'd somehow convinced myself she was going to be terribly posh.
She isn't.
She's warm, funny and wonderfully down to earth, and I very quickly realised I'd got that one completely wrong.
Since then we've teamed up on a few pattern bundles and, between you and me, there's another little Christmas collaboration heading your way later this year. 🎄
Meet Molly and Mama
Lauren is the creative force behind Molly and Mama, designing embroidery, felt sewing, English paper piecing, appliqué and patchwork projects.
She has a real knack for creating projects that look beautiful without feeling intimidating, and her love of tiny florals, soft colours, pretty stitchery and thoughtful details runs through everything she does.
Once you know Lauren's style, you'll spot a Molly and Mama project from a mile away.
Lauren has the super-cute Gingerbread Man pattern, which she generously shared as part of my Dozen Eggs Pattern Share. He's a perfect little Christmas project and a very good excuse to rummage through the scrap basket.
Go and bookmark her tutorials
Before you leave Lauren's website, do yourself a favour and have a look through her tutorials.
There are loads of helpful how-tos, sewing tips and free projects covering embroidery, English paper piecing, felt sewing and plenty more. It's one of those resources worth bookmarking now because you'll inevitably remember seeing exactly the tutorial you need six months from now and have absolutely no idea where you saw it.
And I'm still working on the trade show...
Lauren and I live at opposite ends of Australia, so trade shows are one of the few opportunities we get to catch up in person.
Our Australian trade show disappeared for several years and now that it's finally back, I'm quietly campaigning for Lauren to come back too.
So if you happen to bump into her, feel free to casually mention that Jodie says she should exhibit again.
I'm sure she'll appreciate the assistance.
You can find Lauren, her patterns, tutorials and all things Molly and Mama at her website.