Monday 24 October 2011

Three is a magic number

I wish i could remember (and find the time) to blog more regularly - but the days just seem to fly by! Thank heavens for Wendy's Handmade Monday to prompt me into action at least once a week!

#1: HANDMADE COIN PURSES
It's actually been quite a productive week (or rather, it's been a productive weekend!). I ordered these lovely little metal frames a few weeks ago so that i could have a go at making some little handmade coin purses.

So several attempts and some glued fingers later, I managed to produce cute little bundles of puffiness. Whilst the first three took almost all day (now what was I saying about a productive weekend?), I think I've got the hang of them now - so the next seven should be eeeeasy!
 
#2: HANDMADE, FULLY LINED BOXY BAGS
I also had a go at making some little boxy bags - useful for all kinds of things, from make-up to sewing kit. If you want to try these for yourself there's a great free tutorial here. I confess my first attempt at maknig one needs work - I have holes where there shouldn't be any gaps and some of my stitching didn't extend far enough (look closely and you'll see they it hasn't quite been finished). But I like the shape - and it's quite satisfying seeing them gradually puff up into shape - they remind me of those of bags of microwave popcorn you used to be able to buy!



#3: ONE GOOD TURN....
My last project was to say thank you to a very kind lady! I recently did a two day craft fair. Although i didn't sell anything, I did meet some lovely people. One of my fellow stall holders noticed my bags and on the second day she brought along lots of spare fabric, zips and trims to see if i could use them. Amongst them was this piece of fabric which she had bought with the intention of making it into a bag for herself, but she never quite got around to it (we all know that feeling!).

So, to say thank you for all the other lovely things she gave me I decided to send her a handmade bag from her favourite fabric. This is how it ended up - I hope she'll be pleased.


SPARE A THOUGHT.....??
If you have a spare minute or two then why not drop by on my Facebook page and vote on what you think I should blog about next. At the moment the winning option is a zipper purse tutorial. But I'm secretly hoping it's my top 10 list of fabric designers.....

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for your comment on my blog - just think of it as a cardboard bag and you'll be fine. Now then where to start you've done so much! The purses may have been fiddly but they are just so cute. Thanks for the link to the boxy bag and I think the bag you made is a wonderful gesture I'm sure she'll be chuffed.I think I voted for best places to buy fabric from.

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  2. Love the little purses! The handbag you made with the fabric you got is lovely. I'm sure she will be thrilled with it. (Fabric designers list sounds good!)Mich x

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  3. Helen, what fantastic fabrics you are using, I really love the shape of the purses.

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  4. I love those purses - just lovely! Lovely gesture with the bag - I'm sure she'll be thrilled.

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  5. I can sympathise with the glue and frames, just did not now there was that much glue in a tube and ever goes where you want it to, lol.

    The bag for the stallholder was a lovely thought and I am sure she will be delighted.

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  6. Love the little purses. I am sure your benefactor will love the tapestry bag, how could she fail to, its smashing.

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  7. Oh my goodness! Who knew you could get those little metal snap frame thingies?! What a cool idea! Hmmm my wheels are turning! I love your fabrics! Of course mine would all look crooked and silly, but still. :)

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  8. How nice of you to make the lady a bag with the material. It will sure to be a hit with her. Those little purses are cute. Can you let us know where you purchased the frames from? Hugs Mrs A.

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  9. I am in love with the blue/brown purse.

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  10. That little box bag can have so many uses and it's cute too. The purses are brilliant and I love the fabric you used for the first ones. I'm on my way to FB and do my vote thingy.

    Jan x

    Jan x

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  11. Excellent bags all of them! I just got one of those metal purse frames but haven't been brave enough to try it yet - maybe I will now

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  12. The fabric looks so beautiful and so right for that bag! I also really like your coin purses...I need to accidentally loose my wallet to find a good excuse to buy a new purse!

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