How it all began

In case you are new to milly and pip, we are a small company based in Derbyshire, UK. We make personalised gifts and cards, all handmade from recycled and found materials.

I have sewn since I was a little girl.

Me - many, many years ago

Don't worry, although it looks like I am strangling the kitten, it did live to a ripe old age (but it never did like being picked up!)

I studied fashion design at Uni and went on to work as a children's fashion designer for the high street. After 16 years, I felt I needed a new challenge. Whilst deciding on my next move, I made some cushions for my home and some baby gifts for friends. It reminded me of how much I enjoyed sewing and I began to wonder whether this could be my new career.

I made some more items and displayed them in a local art exhibition at the Beetroot Tree. It was there where I was approached by a local gift shop who wanted to stock my products. 4 more gift shops later, I stumbled across notonthehighstreet.com on the internet. I spotted the 'sell with us' link at the bottom of the page. Over a glass of wine, I filled out the form and clicked send. To my suprise I received an email back the next day accepting me to join......

Me now & some milly and pip products

 ........and that was 2 1/2 years ago.

Hello & Welcome

Hello and welcome to the milly and pip blog. This is my first attempt at joining the blogging world, so please be patient with me while I find my feet (and my voice).

It's taken me ages to pluck up the courage to start a blog as I'm convinced I won't have anything remotely interesting to say. I have read so many wonderful blogs, ones which have inspired me, made me laugh (and made me cry) and if I can be half as interesting as them, I will be very happy indeed.

I hope to keep you up to date with news from the studio and to share the things that I love. Oh, and if anyone knows how to get a nice notonthehighstreet.com button please do stop by and let me know.

Over and out,
Ali xx

(A.K.A. milly)