In The Red

When you find the perfect shade of red wool to match that deep red fabric that you couldn't resist buying - well they just had to come together to make a few new clutch bags:





The fabric is an unusual print, dotted with images of an Edwardian lady. I've used the same wool too for both bags - a lovely merino wool that has a subtle two-tone effect. One of the bags I pleated the fabric and crocheted a handle, while for the other one I crocheted a larger piece that covers the back of the bag as well as the fold-over top.

Both heading for my Etsy shop!

Grey Flowers Looking Bright

Another of my fabric finds has been transformed into one of my clutch bags, which I've been meaning to put online for a few weeks now and finally got round to it today. On 1st description - "grey flowers, yellowish background" you could be excused for not thinking this fabric was too cheerful, but when you see how the sweet carnation-like grey flowers sit amongst little white flowers, you realise this is one sweet unique design. I like the background colour too, whether that's because I'm drawn to things that evoke memories of other eras (70's maybe?) I'm not sure, but I think it works well.



I've popped this bag into my folksy shop and called it the Grey Carnation Clutch Bag.

Now to photograph 8 ipod covers and 10 brooches......

Coffee And Cream

Maybe the sandy beaches of my recent trip to Northumberland have still been on my mind for my latest creations seem to be in shades of cream, beige and sand. It all began with a rummage in my material cupboard to find a piece of this flower print fabric in subtle shades, which just had to be made into this little clutch bag.



Then with the same material I used one of the flower prints to make this brooch, I also added a few machine stitches to highlight the centre of the flower.



And last but not least I crocheted this wrist cuff in pure wool, and added some surface crochet in brown wool.



I've divided them up between my Etsy and Folksy shops and listed them there today.

Time for Tea

A day does not feel quite right unless it begins with a cup of tea. Other things I can skip without causing too much discord - toast, cereals, coffee - but tea is an Absolute Must.

So of course when I discovered teapot fabric whilst on one of my many missions to the fabric store, I knew it could be created into something sweet and unique.

Finding the perfect deep pink wool, cutting the fabric so the teapot would be seen in its entirety, lining it in a pure white fabric, and hey presto the clutch bag was finished today.

I've listed it in my Etsy shop too so I shall see if there are any other tea lovers out there.





And of course I rewarded myself with a nice, hot cup of tea.

New Bag New Bag!

So the summer is smiling upon us and I am becoming drawn towards cheerful and bright prints. I loved the colour combinations in this fabric and spent a while debating the merits of a clutch bag or a shoulder bag for it, in the end I plumped for the shoulder bag.


I also, whilst browsing in my favourite fabric store, came across a wonderful electric blue fabric - at the time I had no idea what it would or could be, but once the bag was underway I realised it would make a perfect lining for it.




How nice to have a bright colour to greet you when you're rummaging around in your bag!

My mother also provided me with the lovely vintage button that sits at the front - I so adore buttons - and of course it had to be topped off with a bit of crochet.

A Spring In My Step

So a productive day spent in the garden when, for once, we were free from rain, hail, wind or anything else designed to ensure too much time spent indoors. Little compassion was shown to weeds, the nettles tried to get their own back by stinging my on my arm as I ripped them out of the ground, but I was armed with secateurs and a trowel and nothing was going to stop me.

Next step will be sewing seeds - anything edible, last year we had a glut of tomatoes and very few beans thanks to the slug army - grrr!

Meanwhile over in Etsy, where I have my little shop (click on the link right hand side!) -
I found myself in a Treasury - subrosa had selected one of my bags for her Spring Fling Treasury. Thank you!


(My bag is on the bottom row, centre)

Much Merriment and Mirth

If you've ever watched "Mock the Week" then you'll be familiar with Andy Parsons, one of the regular panalists. He is currently doing his 1st UK Live Tour, and we grabbed last minute tickets to see him last night. So glad we did, he is absolutley hilarious, it was a real "laugh out loud gig" from word go. So anyone in need of a little cheer try and catch one of his shows - you can get details from his website here

“Perfectly calibrated…. - the King of Political Comedy”
The Guardian

“Andy Parsons can do no wrong”
The Stage


Managed to make myself a little bag as well yesterday which had its 1st outing last night - used my favourite Fern Fabric which is just such a restful shade.





Quote of The Day:

"Emperor Palpatine looks like a middle sized frog" (E aged 6 commenting on Star Wars)

New Day, New Blog, New Bag

So the Crafting Life continues......for the past few months I have been trying to get into a rhythm of life, crafting, designing bags, opening my Etsy shop, learning all I can about selling crafts online - oh and remembering to wash the dishes.




My Etsy shop has been open for about 6 weeks now and have had 3 sales, I have also developed and addiction for browsing fabric stores for hours on end and seem to be aquiring rather a large stash of printed fabrics. Hmmm just need an extra 236 hours a week to actually create things from all my stock.

Latest projects have been these cute little crochet bracelets which are a joy to make.




So off to create another bag now, then quick change and off to see Andy Parsons tonight.