Saturday 17 March 2012

Fired up by the Folksy Challenge!

You know what it's like....you head towards Christmas, frantically making things to sell and give away as gifts.  Busy, busy! And then there's that long break between Christmas and New Year. Maybe it's just me, but I find it hard to get going again after such a long break. That's where the Folksy Challenge came in. It was MerryBerry who started it all off and suggested that each month we had a themed challenge to make something. So here's a summary of progress so far for this weeks Handmade Monday..... 


JANUARY
THEME: St Andrew and Scotland


I didn't want to be too conventional but I headed for the obvious - tartan. I looked everywhere but couldn't find a fabric I really liked, and I knew I wanted to do something a bit brighter and more cheery. I'd had the green tweed style fabric sitting around for a while, but never quite knew what to do with it. In the end I decided it had enough of a Scottish influence for me to turn it into my January bag.



FEBRUARY
THEME: St David and Wales


I instantly knew I wanted to do something in daffodil yellow. I'd also been wanting to use hopsack fabric for a while. So when I came across this fabric on good old e-bay I didn't hesitate to buy it. This was probably one of my most challenging bags so far and I did follow a pattern by NapKitten. But I learnt lots and was really pleased with the outcome.

And just to help finish it off I added a daffodil beaded charm (i was definitely outside my comfort zone with beads - jewellery making is not as easy as all you jewellery makers out there make it look!).



MARCH
THEME: St Patrick and Ireland

I have to confess that I wasn't really looking forward to this challenge. I'm not a big fan of green! But then I thought, instead of a handbag, I'd try and make my first clutch. Once that was decided it was easy to choose the green velvet. This is definitely a project i wouldn't have done without the Folksy challenge to inspire me.



You can see see all the other inspired entries on Pinterest here. Head over to the Folksy Forum if you fancy joining us next month - have you guessed what the theme is yet???

A huge thanks to MerryBerry for kicking this off and helping to motivate me to start making again after Christmas.

23 comments:

  1. OK. It's official... I HATE you Helen. I am definitely going to be making bags in April half term. You made me buy the Bag Bible, you made me consider my stash and now ... you made me look at these great creations! You just don't stop do you? April... Easter eggs? Chickens? Baskets of daffodils?? I think I'll just have to join in :D

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  2. Love the bags, sometimes these challenges can work wonders.

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  3. Your bags are gorgeous - the challenges are certainly motivating. Hope you have a good week

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  4. Challenge of the month - what a fantastic idea :) I've just discovered your blog, and because of your post - the folksy forum (even I'm on the Folksy I didn't know about the forum) and the challenge of the month! Thanks! I'll be in the challenge next month for sure. I like the idea. And your bags are just fantastic :)

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  5. Your fabric choices for all three bags are stunning! My favourite is the one for January's theme!

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  6. Challenges can be great for motivation! I love the January bag - striking use of colour and love the style too.

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  7. I really like your bags but the tartan/pink one is my favourite.

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  8. Wow! Each bag is so different, cannot wait to see the next nine months :)

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  9. I love them all,it's impossible to chose a favourite!

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  10. Great bags, especially the yellow one. I love having a deadline to work to and this sounds like a great challenge, can't wait to see more, i'm guessing April will be an Easter theme? x

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    1. April is St George apparently. I gave up on red and white fabric so am thinking of going down the red roses route instead!

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  11. Your bags are amazing! I am in awe at your skills and creativity. Love the yellow one, the fabric is fab.
    Jo x

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  12. Like your bags and also the fact that you have kept to the theme but with a twist! Mich :)

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  13. What fantastic bags - they really are wonderful.

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  14. I love these challenges, it's great to see everybody's ideas. Your bags look really lovely. I keep saying I'm going to do the Folksy Challenge but just haven't got round to it. Maybe I'll do one before the year is out.

    Jan X

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    1. It's a good way to make me think about what i'm making a bit more and come up with things i wouldn't otherwise have done.

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  15. Love the bags, thanks for your visit ... still trying to work out 'the dark arts'?

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  16. Love your bags. They are all fab designs. I really wanted a Kath Kidston bag in a blue butterfly design but didn't like the price tag to go with it so bought 1 metre of the fabric instead in a different colour for a lot less. Plan to put it with plain brown corduroy and make my own. hugs Mrs A.

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    1. Hope your bag turns out OK. I agree re. Kath Kidston - you can often find similar (and much cheaper) fabrics if you shop around!

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  17. These are beautiful! And the St. Patrick clutch came out stunning! That green velvet was PERFECT!

    Keep up the great work!

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    1. Aww, thanks. I have to confess I do keep picking the clutch up just because it's so...clutchable!

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  18. thanks everyone for your lovely comments

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    1. I love your clever use of fabrics!Going to check out Folksy!

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