CARAVAN TRAVEL AND CREATING

If you follow me on Facebook or instagram you will see that Pete and I have been travelling a lot in our caravan. We decided to take the opportunities we have, to take some time when and while we can. This of course means that I haven't been home to sew new bags for sale or take customers orders. 

Since last time I posted we have also been blessed with more grandchildren, so we now have 4 in total, 2 boys and 2 girls.  So when I am home I have been making lots of things for the children and also a few things for myself. 

I have always been able to knit and I have taught myself to crochet over the last few years too. I have find that knitting and crochet are usually my winter crafting, however with the travelling we have been doing, I have missed being able to create.  So I started doing simple gifts, like children's beanies, bathroom/spa sets, and simple tote bags, all in crochet.

As it happens, after mastering the simple crochet patterns I was directed more and more to complex bag patterns. Crochet bags do take me a lot longer than sewing, however I am enjoying the process and believe I now have a few styles that I am happy to sell.

Now I have 6 crochet bags in different styles all made in 100% cotton yarn that I have been testing out. Each bag can be used as a simple tote, a market/grocery bag or a beach bag

Back to the Beach/ Market

Sunset Shopper/Beach 

Portofino Beach/Market

Small French Market/Beach Bag

Large French Market/Beach bag 

 

New Home New Motivation

I know I know its been forever since i have updated this little blog of mine......
so here goes ....
We sold our home and our farm and purchased a fabulous apartment right near the beach and overlooking the river.



I have set up my sewing room in one of the spare bedrooms now and have recently been sewing again.

Pete and I have also become grandparents to a beautiful  grandson so thats exciting and now we have granddaughter on the way.

Its been nappy bags and quilts for a little while, but hey, I'm all good with that.

Swoon Overboard

So it seems I went a little overboard recently for our quick trip to Sydney, when I decided to make some matching  bags and a wallet with my Tula Pink fabric.

1 X Brooklyn Traveler
1 X Ramona cross body
1 X Della Wallet ( hacked)
1 X TBGIM aka Pete








* Brooklyn is fabulous for airline travelling, it fits heaps, has a zip top closure, a long strap, as well as the short handles, and I added a slip pocket inside and an extra zip pocket on the outside for my phone.

* Ramona was perfect for our day trip around the Harbour, the adjustable long strap meant I could wear it across my body and have both hands free, it fits my iPhone 6plus, my wallet, lip balm, gloves and my knitted hat ( its was cold on the water).

* Della is just the right size, I changed the closure to a rivet snap over the top of the 2 zippered pockets, and it has the absolutely right number of card pockets.

* TBGIM aka Pete, is also the perfect/ right pick for me, tall, cute and my best friend.

Note: When we got home I decided I needed to tighten the card pockets of my Della, and I also added a little more interfacing on the inside.This was very easy to do as all I had to do was unstitch one of the zip pockets, make the adjustments and stitch it right back up.

HIPPO HOBO BAG Design by Emkie Designs

Hippo Hobo Bag design is by Emkie Designs.

I have a leather factory about 40 mins from home, and on my way past one day I dropped in and they had this beautiful small hide of red leather in the "not so perfect bin", as it has some small marks in random places. so of course I purchased it and waited and waited to I found the perfect bag to create with it.

When Emkie Designs published the Hippo Hobo I just knew I had the right design to use my special piece of leather. I had also been saving this navy blue volcano print decor weight fabric, and yes, what a perfect pairing.

I only changed one small thing. I made my leather strap adjustable as I do like to carry my bags across my body.

Purchasing my hardware as a set from Handbag Hardware OZ on Etsy, was a breeze, oh and it arrived the day after I ordered it! 

The interfacing, decor weight and leather make this a very sturdy bag, while maintaining its "coolness".

I cost all bags I make on a very flash spreadsheet I created for myself, and this one came in quite expensive due to the leather. I can and will make this bag again and will take custom orders, however  I won't be able to include leather as the trim due to the cost. I do have some faux leather and faux suede, which would look awesome. 

You know the drill, leave me a note right here on my blog and I will get back to you with fabric choices and costs. 

One gift ... one to sell Large totes

This very large tote is handcrafted in a beautiful cream water resistant canvas and a blue/grey heavy weight cotton in a tipi print. The handles are a heavy weight cotton strapping, the  interior has one zip pocket, the outside has two slip pockets. This tote has a black heavy zip closure and bag feet have been added for extra strength.
This large tote can be made to order







I did this Portside duffle design from Grainline Studio  for the best girl in the world, my daughter. I did this one in decor weight in Kauffman Geo Pop Canvas and cotton duck fabric. This bag is large and has both short handles and one long adjustable strap. This pattern called for a drop in, sew in lining.  OMG that was hand stitched drop in lining, this is so not my favourite this to do. Lucky this was a gift, and I don't think I will offers to take custom orders for this one.

A QUICK BREAK

TBGIM (Pete) and I are off on a short break. Its his birthday today and so we fly out to China for a 9 day holiday, checking out Tiananmen  square, the Great Wall, a trip on the bullet train and a visit to the ancient city and the Terracotta Warriors.
We will be home on 29 March, I will be updating my stores and will again start taking custom orders.

Large Boho Custom Made decreased by 25%

This fabulous Boho Bag and small zip pouch is a custom order.  It is my large Boho design that this customer really wanted but needed it quite  bit smaller. I reduced the original design by 25%.
This bag can be made in the original size or this size as a custom order.
unfortunately  I don't have any of this colour print left.
I do have this print in green and another in pink. Contact me right here to discuss your requirements

New Beach Bag Design

This gorgeous beach bag is a custom order for an awesome customer of mine.
This customer chose the very cute red minnie mouse fabric, and asked for a waterproof  interior. I found this red and white spot laminated cotton at one for my favourite fabric stores right here near home, East Coast fabrics.
I then added a chunky zip across the top, some pockets on the front and viola!!...

This bag can be custom made in your choice of fabrics... send me a message right here on my blog for more info and a quote.

AWAY FOR THE NEXT WEEK

I am away from home for the next week, I am taking my Mum and my daughter on a 7 day cruise out to the Pacific, just to enjoy some girl time!!
If you would like to contact me for any cute orders please feel free to use the contact me button and i will reply as soon as I get back.
I have also made all items in the tabs above as "not visible" just for this week

Must be baby season

New Fresh green and white quilt, a lovely gift for a new mum and baby






And a Fab new Nappy Bag











and this gorgeous pink Giraffe Nappy Bag was a customer order











Nappy Bags can be made to order, i have lots of colours in both the Giraffe and the Elephant prints. Of course this Nappy Bag can be made in most fabrics.

The quilt can also be made to order, please contact me for a quote

Custom Orders

Yay, I have a nice list of orders now in my brand new spreadsheet.
Tell me why is it that when you decide to make a spreadsheet from the old " orders" notebook and you include all the things that you put in said notebook, that inevitably you have to add more columns, after you have made it all pretty. Anyways it's all done and filling up nicely.
Had to have some minor medical this today for my crappy skin cancer prone skin, hopefully it has just held me down today and I can get on with making nappy bags tomorrow, one in pink giraffes and one in lime green giraffes.

TAKING ORDERS

I am now taking orders via my Ebay store, My Facebook page or right here on my Blog, for some most of the bags already listed on these pages. Here are some bags and pouches that I will take orders for. I may not have the exact fabric as shown in the photos, however I can send photos of fabric choices or you can check my flicker page. A link to flicker is via the icon on the right.
If you can't see what you like, pop me an email via the icon on the right and I will see what I can do.

New Tote for sale

This fabulous Tote is made in dark red heavy cotton and Tula Pink print has just been added to the "tote page" and is now for sale

HOLIDAY TIME!!!!!!!!

Well its that time of year again, Christmas is done and dusted, everyone has gone back to their own places, the house is clean and TGBIM aka Pete and I are off cruising for 2 weeks YAY ...
I will be back on the grid on 11 Jan, so I would love to hear from you.
Happy Happy New Year everyone

Melita Boho

Introducing my new design the Melita Boho. This design can be made to order, however this fabric is no longer available. I do have lots of fabric options, just message me with your fav colour and I will see if I can match it.