Folksy Secret Santa & Happy New Year!

A couple of months before Christmas I took part in the Secret Santa over on the Folksy forum.  I was lucky enough to receive this beautiful necklace made by Hamespun.  It included a lovely note explaining how this was a proto type for a necklace they were thinking of introducing into their line this year.  I felt doubly special now as I would be the first person to wear one!  So here it is....

Apologies for my pants photogrpahy!

This year I have lots of new ideas that I am itching to try out and I am hoping to fetch them to you at the end of Janary.  Alas, I need everyone back at work and school first so I can get cracking on them.  I have had a wonderful time off over Christmas and have really appreciated my time slobbing, watching films and just generally chilling.  So I would like to thank you all for following me and here is hoping that you all have a wonderful new year!  Ooh by the way I still have lots of sale goodies in my shop that I need to sell to make more room for lots of new creations!!



Crazy Quilting Bag

Just a quick post to show you what I made with my section of crazy quilting.  I took Laurraine's advice from Patchwork Pottery and chopped it up and sewed it back together this gave me a long strip and I then attached it to the front of a linen tote bag.  I must say I am very pleased with the outcome and because of the size of wadding I have used it is very squishy in texture and if stranded somewhere would make an excellent pillow as suggested by G!

This week is unbelievably busy with all end of term activities, we had little one's Leavers Assembly yesterday which was quite emotional as a couple of her friends who she has had since first day at nursery are not going to the same high school.  So on the final song there were quite a few misty eyed parents, end of an era.  Today we are going to J's prize giving ceremony where she is receiving her first prize for PE.  We are soo proud of her as she had a tricky start to high school, she drifted away from her old friends and lets just say that her new ones were every parents nightmare.  Luckily, we managed to get through this period and she returned to her old, more suitable, friends and she has also turned her academic studies around and we are so proud.  Of course when we keep telling her this, being a typical teenager she says 'shush you are embarrassing me!'  So when she goes up to get her award I will have to be very restrained or risk her wrath when she gets home.

It is coming up to nearly a year since I started blogging and the time has flown so my new few posts will be recapping on everything that has happened in this first exciting year and everything I have learned.  I hope you all have a wonderful summer holidays and thank you soo much for enjoying the journey with me! Elissa x

Proms, New Bags & Crazy Quilting

This week has been a bit manic!  Do you have times when your creativity lulls then comes back with a vengeance but at completely the wrong time?!  This week I have been preparing for upcoming holidays and as all mums will know that involves unbelievable amounts of washing and ironing, small child's junior prom, creating new designs and discovering a new technique, phew!!  So here are some pictures to illustrate.

First of all my baby going to her prom with her friend, oh so grown up! My baby is one in dotty dress...

Secondly new bag a different take on my teeny bag, slightly bigger and quilted,

Lastly my new technique that I am now really enjoying, I knew there was a patchwork artist in me, she just took some finding.  So here is my first attempt at crazy quilting, I knew those bits would come in useful for something!  It does need another little iron though, linen is lovely but it creases like mad.

I have discovered this ladies work over at Patchwork Pottery and am loving it, any patchwork lovers out there I can guarantee will become hooked looking at this ladies flickr pictures!

Upcycled Jeans Handbag & Featured on UK Handmade

So this week I have been mainly chopping up jeans!  I had a request from a follower asking whether I created in denim and this got me thinking.  I retrieved some old jeans destined for the charity shop and decided to put them in my handbag protection programme!  They now no longer resemble their former selves and look a lot nicer even if I do say so myself.  I have completed the bag with a chiffon fabric brooch in my favourite colours of brown and blue, what do you think?  I am definitely going to have to make one for myself and I fear hubbys jeans are crying out to be made into something pretty....

On another note over at UK Handmade they have posted about designer bag maker Louis Vuitton being told off for claiming that their bags are handmade, what do you think? mmm.. Have a look here to view the full article and check out one of the bags featured.

New Clutches & What I am loving this week.....

So here is two new clutches I have been working on this week...
First up is this cute vintage tartan one with a chiffon, bead fabric brooch and trailing ribbons..

And next is a soft, squashy linen clutch with a touch of art deco about it. Big enough for a night out and to use as a pillow at the end of a long night!

I have had a request for some with detachable wrist straps so the next few will feature this!

So for this weeks what I am loving how about these lovelies from Handbag Legend Lulu Guinness,

First up this unique, original and guaranteed to make you smile black cab bag (ooh try saying that fast!)

And this lovely cameo print one, I would like them both please!

So as usual let me know what you think and have a lovely weekend!  Ooh just a quick one before I go, Lisa over at U-Handbag has written a book about making your own bags and it can be found here.  I am a huge fan of Lisa's and find here site over at U-Handbag invaluable source of sewing information.

New Clutch Bag & What I am loving at the moment..

So here is the clutch that I mentioned the other day, however, this has not turned out how I pictured in my head and more stabiliser is needed I think.  Anyhow, it incorporates two key elements that are in this season they are nude, linen fabrics and florals.  The next improved version will also have a small wrist strap as I don't know about you but I get fed up carrying clutches after a while!

I also hinted that I was going to do something a little different in the last post.  So I am going to share with the designer handbags that I am loving right now and why so that we can label lust together!  The first one is by Anya Hindmarch whose use of woven raffia is amazing in this cute little clutch and I am also loving those jewel beads.

And this orange leather clutch just makes your mouth water and if I was to purchase it would make my hubbys eyes water too!

New Handbag & New Ideas...

So here is todays offering a lovely, fresh linen version of my new collection handbag with a cute chiffon and pearl fabric brooch.  The brooch can be removed and used on other fabric bags or even this seasons blazers!

I am also working on some new clutch bags and they will be along shortly.

Today I joined up to Craft Blog UK Forum and the lovely Hilary (aka Haptree) was kind enough to give me some feedback on my blog.  I have taken note of all the fabulous ideas and will be presently giving my blog a spring clean and new look, so stay tuned!

Ordered my first batch of business cards!

I must say am starting to feel like a proper grown up little business now as I have just ordered my first batch of business cards from Moo Cards.  I like these as they are funky and a little different a bit like myself!

Alice - I wish I could shrink!

Ok here she is a little later than scheduled the Alice bag in the Alice in Wonderland character series.  A slight technical hitch means that this bag is a little different from the previous in that it is flapless!  My fly by the seat of your pants style of designing means that unfortunately my fingers move faster than my brain and it was only when I was about to build the bag up that I realised there was no room for the flap or a button, doh!  So lets just call it a happy accident and if anyone asks I will say that is how I meant it to be from the beginning.  You won't tell anyone will you?  Both bags are now available in both my Folksy & Etsy shops so to please those of you who shop in Dollars or Pounds!  Also, could do with some love in my Etsy shop if you are passing!

New line, new pricing and new outlook, very excited!

Well today has been quite productive considering I have 2 kids loitering around the house!   I began the day by catching up on my various web places one of them being the folksy forum (good place for picking peoples brains!)  Anyhoo, Woody had started a thread about USP & Sales, part of this thread involved how much we artists charge for our goods and this got me thinking, which at the moment is no mean feat, well done Woody, lol.  I read the various bits of advice that were given and then had a look at my own little shop and I had to admit he was right, again something I don't do very often Woody, ask my hubby!  I think I was selling myself and my bags short.  I think this stems back to when I began and the fear I felt at putting 'myself out there' in terms of asking people to purchase my items in exchange for their hard earned cash.  I have assumed before that because I know how to sew and create that everyone does and as my hubby and others have pointed out they don't.  In the same way as I am in awe of people who turn wood, crochet and knit, people are in awe of people like myself who sew and create items from seemingly uninspiring pieces of material.  Soooo.. I had a rethink and had a reprice (and apologies here to anybody who was about buy something, blame Woody for starting me down this course!) and something miraculous happened, well something slightly strange anyway, I began to look at my little shop differently and I actually am beginning to feel like a bona fide professional, type little shop now.  So thank you Woody.

So here is todays creation I am toying with the idea of purses at the moment and different shapes.  I made this one this morning and although the shape hasn't turned out too well I am pleased with the fabric, lace and buttons combination.  Let me know what you think.... either about my purses or Woody's article...

A lot of catching up to do!

I have not been feeling tip top this week and have neglected my blog a tad.  However, I have been creating as this is probably the only thing that makes me feel better or at least I get that absorbed I forget about feeling ick!

Anyhoo, this is what I have been up to since I last blogged, ok big breath.......

I have also been working on some purse designs as well but they are still a work in progress and will appear later. All the above are available in my Folksy shop so nip over and have a look!

This week I was really shocked to hear about the death of designer Alexander McQueen he was an unbelievable talent and will be sorely missed. I think what I liked about him is that although a lot of his pieces were not exactly suitable for the weekly shop at Morrisons they were works of art.  I like designers and artists who push boundaries and for a few minutes lead my mind into realms of fantasy.  If I wanted normal and boring I would look in my own wardrobe! Hope you are all having a groovey weekend, I am looking forward to Harry Hill tonight to see if I can see anyone I know in his Knitted Factor competition, good luck to those who have entered!

Also, before I go at this moment in time I have 97 people in my Facebook group in order to reach 100 I need just 3 special people to nip over (link on the left) and join.  If you leave your details on my discussion board I will return the favour, thanks x

Day 17 New Bag Shape & Fabric!

I have been trying to get back on track for this week and this morning received my goodies I ordered from Gone To Earth. The fabric is lush and I am going to be quite sad to actually cut into it, yes I know it is strange, I used to be like this when I was papercrafting.  If I had bought a set of papers that was really nice I used to buy a spare set just to look at, what can I say......

Anyhoo, back to the challenge.  Today's offering is a new bag shape I am playing around with and how cute is this!

It is tiny, (well by my standards anyway!), it measures just 7 inches tall x 6 inches width.  However, I really like the shape of this and am going to put the pattern on the photocopier to make a bigger one.

                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                        

Anyway  I am off to play with my material now and see what else I can make, hoping you all have a groovey week!

Day 15 A Bag Full of Posies!

I haven't posted for a couple of days now and feel as though I have been skipping school!  As I mentioned we had a big family reunion on Saturday night and lets just say I had a few too many shandies!  Sunday was written off completely and spent watching chick flicks and slobbing with my girls, however, what shocked me was not feeling quite right yesterday either.  I dread to think what this may mean and have decided to ignore it and not associate it with my age, after all 29(ish) is not old is it? lol;-)

Anyway to prove that I have not been slacking completely the last couple of days here is day 15's offering.  After making the fabric roses the other day I suggested that I may cover a bag with them and Marie over at Minky Magic agreed!  So here it is and I must say it looks rather nice, I am thinking of doing a lighter coloured version for summer, let me know what you think ..............

Day 12 Bag & Brooch - Finished

Ok I am a tad more organised today but not much!  I have finished the bag, however, I abandoned the union jack as it all went awry, so in it's place is one of the brooches I began making yesterday.  The bag turned out quite well as it is my 2nd attempt at a zip and this one went a lot better than the previous attempt, far less swearing and cursing!  Anyhoo let me know what you think..........

Also, I have had my folksy shop for well over a week now and have had no interest whatsoever!  Is this normal and I am just being really impatient?  Yes.... ok  However, I was expecting a little feedback, I have mooched around a few shops and made them my favourites in the hope that there would be a little reciprocation and there has been none.  I am a little disheartened, however, I do realise that I need to give it a little longer it's just that I need it to happen now, lol.

Day 7 Another Bag and a Rather Funky Brooch!

Ok here is day 7's offering another cute evening bag and a rather funky brooch even if I do say so myself!  The brooch is made out of some felt and a cascade of buttons, I told you I had gazillions!  Not much more to say other than it is heading straight into my folksy shop I think.  There is not much happening on the folksy shop front, however, it has only been 3 days and patience never was one of my virtues ;-)  Anyhoo I have just been to Dunelm Mill and have managed to bag some very nice material in the remnants basket so will see what goodies I can make from that.

Thank you for all the kind comments regarding the blog award yesterday, it was a pleasure to share the love!  Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Day 6 Bag

ok after this mornings excitement I am back on track again.  This is the bag I have made for day 6.  I am not too keen on it myself it looked a lot nicer in my head.  Does anyone else find that?  You have an idea and plan it out in your head then when you make it you think something that is not what it is supposed to look like.  Anyhoo enough wittering lets get cutting tomorrow's creation out........

Day 5 Button Comb

Todays post has been a little late as I have been busy banging my head on the keyboard!  I have been busy setting up my new Folksy shop and revamping my website.  So far I only have 6 items but will be adding the rest of my stock over the next few days, have a look at let me know what you think.

So here is todays make a cute comb adorned with some of the gazillions of buttons that I have accumulated over the years.

Ok I am going for a lie down in a dark room now!

Day 4 Minnie Joins the Army!

Well here is day 4's offering I told you there would be more bows!  I don't consider myself a girly girl at all, however, this seasons fashion with the bows is starting to appeal.  That said, I have done the bow in a khaki colour so maybe just baby steps towards girliness!

My next make involves some of the gazillions of buttons I seem to have hoarded and there is also some lovely green patterned material calling to me from my fabric stash that is just begging to be made into a bag or some kind.

Today I am also going to look into setting up my folksy account.  Whilst I have done quite well in google listings for my site, sales have been, well lets just say a little slow, lol.  Therefore, I was thinking of spending a while of folksy to see what that brings, even if the sales are enough to cover my fabric habit, which I think at some point I am going to have to get help with! 

Hope you are all a little warmer if only by a few degrees.  The snow has all but gone up here in the North West, however, the weather lady said it will be back again tomorrow,oh joy just in time for a trek to the hospital!

One A Day Challenge!

I am part of the Crafts Forum and was recently invited to take part in a challenge by Beads By Design (her blog), whereby we make one item a day.  Now this came at a particularly good time as I am currently building a new sparkly website and want to put some new stock into it.  So here are my first two items to catch up. 

Day 1

Handbag made with new material purchased over Christmas holidays.  Idea was to create small bags ideal for nights out on the town.  It has a green, silky swag detail with a mother of pearl buckle.  The fastening is a zip one (which I am quite proud of as it was my first and quite possibly last! lol).

  All in all a nice little bag just big enough for your phone, lippy and other essential items for a night out!

Day 2  This next bag is based on similar design, however, fastening is magnetic snap and it has a star bow detail, very this season!  I like the bow on this bag and may make a hair accessory as I think it would look good on a headband.

Ok time to finish day 3's item now I won't give away what it is just yet but I will need to bribe my daughter to model it for me. 

New Year New Ideas!

So we are all back to work, well in a fashion.  The snow has meant that I have had 1 child off school for the past 2 days and little one has had to go because hers is open (she was not a happy bunny!).  Hubby is a salesman so travels a lot this means I have had him working from home as well.  So back to business! 

Web design course is now over and I am waiting on the results.  To be honest I was not that impressed with the course and if I had the ability of hindsight I would have saved the money and bought myself a book!  So now time to put it all to the test with a new sparkly website which is currently being constructed.  Eldest daughter had new, do everything camera for Christmas and will be taking me some decent photographs of my handbags and accessories for the new site, no more shaking or blurry!  I have also been asked to create a website for gentleman next door who has driving instructor business, my first commission!

Over the holidays I went shopping for fabric and yesterday dusted off my sewing machine, gosh I have missed her!  This is the front piece of a bag I am making with the new material.  The picture doesn't do it justice but the silky green fabric is an amazing colour and the buckle is from my local charity shop, I love mooching about in there. 

I have also been looking for inspiration to kickstart my new year and stumbled across this lady, Hopscotch Corner, on UK Handmade.  Her work is amazing and made me immediately want to get my machine out and start embroidering!  Have a look at her work on Flickr. 

Apologies for this being a bit of a whistle stop post but I am suffering from too much to do and not enough hours in the day and now hubby is asking for another brew and biscuits...mmm!