The Real Story Behind Our Bilingual Alphabet Flashcards

The Story Behind the Cards: How a Mama’s Love Sparked a Bilingual Learning Journey

From nap time design sessions to launching with three babies under three—this is the real story behind our beloved bilingual flashcards.

It all began when my firstborn daughter, Olivia (sweetly known as Lola), turned one. She was bright-eyed and curious, especially when it came to books and flashcards. I wanted to nurture that love for learning in both English and Serbian, the two languages that shape our family’s story. But when I went looking, I couldn’t find any physical bilingual Serbian flashcards—only a few printable options on Etsy.

So... I made them myself.

Built with Purpose, Designed with Love

From late nights to nap time hustle, I poured every bit of my mama heart into these cards. I found a talented watercolour artist in Serbia through Fiverr who illustrated each card by hand. I designed every letter myself, and after a long search, I partnered with an FSC-certified supplier in China who shared my values on quality, safety, and sustainability.

Right before my first bulk order arrived in May 2024, life shifted again. I discovered I was pregnant—with twins! What followed was a whirlwind of a complicated C-section, a tough recovery, three under three, and the sudden loss of my uncle. Grief and exhaustion nearly delayed everything.

But in October 2024, I officially launched.

Why These Cards Matter

These flashcards aren’t just about teaching the ABCs. They’re about heritage, identity, and connection. I wanted Lola—and now my twins—to grow up speaking Serbian fluently so they can bond with their grandparents and extended family who don’t speak English. Language builds bridges. It keeps culture alive.

But it’s also about education. I chose alphabet flashcards as our very first product because letter recognition is the first step toward reading and writing. These cards aren’t just cute — they’re a tool for real learning. And better yet? They’re designed to grow with your child. From first giggles to growing vocabularies, these cards gently support your child’s bilingual journey from day one.

And yes — more sets are on the way. ❤️

Thank You for Supporting Small

This business isn’t backed by investors. It’s built on love, late nights, and lots of coffee. Every order means I get to stay home a little longer with my girls. Every message from a happy customer reminds me why I started.

So thank you for being here. For reading this. For choosing small.
It truly means the world.

With love,
Mama & her darlings xxx