Busy days...

I have been busy lately. Lots of things are happening in my life at the moment but amongst the chaos I have made two bags this week for my shop.

I really love this fabric ...
... especially the owl on the back, gives it that extra special touch I think!

I am also in love with this retro style print featuring birds and flowers.

I seem to be moving back and forth between sewing and crochet a lot at the moment. Pictures of my amigurumi are coming soon but this weekend is going to be a busy one as I'm off to Newcastle on Saturday to watch my sister's dance show. Hopefully I will get time to do a spot of crochet on the way....

I'm hooked!!

I've recently discovered the new Japanese crochet craze that is taking over the world; Amigurumi. I am now totally addicted and can't put my hook down! I'd seen Amigurumi books in shops before but never looked closely because I was more interested in vintage crochet patterns or granny squares and other motifs. However I now know 4 people who are having babies between June and August so I thought it would be nice to make some presents. I first bought the above book Seriously Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench because I own other books written by her and I love her style. This book certainly lives up to its name. The characters are adorable. There are lots of animals and they are all really easy and quick to make. If you can double crochet, increase and decrease you can make amigurumi.

For anybody who doesn't know, amigurumi are small crocheted characters that traditionally have larger heads and slightly out of proportion bodies making them very cute looking. Quickly becoming addicted to making these characters due to the speed in which they can be made, I purchased Amigurumi World and Amigurumi Two! by Ana Paula Rimoli.

The first book features many small characters from all kinds of animals to eggs that hatch, they are so cute!

The second book also has small charcters but also some larger projects such has mobiles for babies. I am so glad I bought both books because her patterns are really fun to make and they will make great presents for babies and children. Ana started selling on etsy, and through great success was able to publish both books so I felt really happy to purchase her books and support somebody who has worked so hard and is so talented. She still has an etsy shop where you can buy patterns and finished characters, and also a blog where she kindly has some free patterns. Check out her flickr site to see photos of her designs and also the flickr group where other people have made things from her books. For now I am really enjoying experimenting with the patterns and I will post photos of things I have made soon.

My mum has been busy knitting some flowers and making them into brooches, a few of which are above. The whole range will be available in my shop very soon. Making things has had to take a backseat this week for me due to more illness (which caused me to miss my exciting trip to London in search of supplies and inspiration) and also because I have been spending my time revising for a very important test to do with my job. Hopefully I will have plenty of time later this week to get back into things. I have picked up the old crochet hook again though, and have started a very special gift for someone, but more information on that will follow in due course!

Love this book

I love this book! When I saw it in the shop I couldn't decide whether it was for children or adults. It was placed in the fashion section, next to the art books, not with the children's books, and that's when I realised, it's not for kids, it's for big kids! It's a colouring book for adults! But if you know a little girl who loves fashion and designing then this is the perfect present! The wonderful illustrations reference actual designers and their designs and ask you to colour, complete the pattern and create your own designs. It is an enchanting and fun look into the fashion world and will make you want to doodle. Love, love, love it! I had to buy it! Check out the author's website for more pictures http://www.ninachakrabarti.com/

Kimono Fabric Clutch

Today I got a delivery of new fabric and couldn't resist making this little clutch from the kimono fabric. I love this fabric. It's not possible to tell from the photograph but there is a subtle gold outline around some of the flowers making this fabric even more special. I have added a heart shaped magnetic clasp to fasten it. The magnetic clasp is very strong so you have to be really careful opening it but it adds a cute touch to the bag.

Purses

For a long time I've been wanting to use purse and bag frames and I have built up quite a collection over the past couple of years. It's taken a few attempts to get it right, but I think I've finally cracked it, and I'm pretty pleased with myself!!!

Purse frames can be difficult to use because they are all different shapes and sizes, therefore patterns don't exist as such. However after plenty of experimentation I have created these two small coin purses.

I have chosen vintage style floral fabrics and added a ribbon so the purse can be worn around the wrist. I love these purses so much that I've ordered more of the same type of frame so that I can make a whole range in fabrics of a similar style.

Now I've finally cracked how to make a simple purse using a frame, I'm going to use some bigger frames to make clutch bags and, very exciting, I have some frames that are a frame inside a frame! So once made, when you open your clutch there will be a little coin purse attached inside! It looks like this below..

Once they are made you will be the first to see the finished results! It's going to be a busy half term!

New Jewellery Collection

I have been really busy over the past few weeks. Firstly I have been designing and making this new jewellery range which contains vintage and vintage inspired pieces. The reoccuring motif throughout the collection is birds, bows and flowers, a theme which also runs through my fabric choices for my bags (which are coming soon).

I also spent a lot of time making more of my signature fabric covered button earrings, and there are lots more in my shop. Here are a few of my favourites...

For a long time I've struggled with taking good enough pictures of the things I make for my website and this blog and I've found it so frustrating at times. Last week I bought a daylight lamp and it has made a huge difference to my photos as light (or lack of it) was always my problem. I bought the lamp for £15 from Range, and later saw the exact same one in John Lewis for £35! I was pleased I got a bargin because usually it is the other way round for me!