A bucket with a difference

Well here is the other custom order bucket bag - I really enjoyed making this one. A little more of a challenge but I'm also slightly jealous as I had hoped to use this fabric for something for me but better to make a profit happy customer. :) (I have been able to reorder the lantern fabric but not the matching purple.

These beautiful fabrics are from Laura Gunn - Lantern Bloom Collection  (other than the Amy Butler spots)
These two designers would have to be up there as my favourites.

Note the additional feature of a exterior zipper pocket on the bag of bag (another place to stash and forget)

This lovely bag was for Anna of Swish Swosh - I hope she enjoys it, I also plan to feature their cool stuff soon. (And I have another bag coming up for Bec of Swish Swosh.)

Buckets of Bags

I love to sew but tend to get bored if I make the same thing over and over again. (I admire people that have a small product range) I need the variation and challege of something new. That is probably why I am not too good at routines, there always things to be done in my house.

One of the successes for me from the Fireside Markets was that I received some custom orders. I love orders. (you know the product you are making is already sold. I think more love goes into them also)

This is first order that I completed. A bucket bag from a Keykalou Pattern If you have followed me for a while you will know that I have made a few of them.

this lovely bag was for relative of Jodie's. Fabrics are from Amy Butler - Soul Blossoms and Bari J Ackerman - Art Journal

I have another custom bag to show off. Will do that soon.

Fireside Markets

Markets markets markets - do they seem to be popping up in every local park you see on Saturdays and Sundays. There are a great opportunity to promote local people making a local product. BUT what if you have a few kiddies that play sport and you go to church on Sundays. And the weather is not always kind.

Well then I came up with another idea, (well an idea that I borrowed from the awesome Lindsay at The Pleated Poppy and their blog for The Stitch Market)

I got together with a good friend and neighbour Jodie of Silky Chill. So we set our course on our adventure.

The date was set for May 3, 2011. In the meantime Jodie meet the cool chicks behind Swish Swosh and asked them to join us also.

So the crafty hands went crazy in preparation for our big night and the vaccum, mop and bucket did also.

We all gathered at my house, sending of the dad and kiddies and setting up in the comfort of home. No concerns about the weather. (it actually was really warm with all the bodies)

And yes, friends and family showed their support

Overall the night was a great success, so much so that we are planning another night in July. Check out our Facebook page and be kept up to date on our next plans.

Also a HUGE thanks for Bec from Swish Swosh for the awsome photos.

Lost Camera and Slippers

Wow, just looked at the date of my last post. Oops. It's been a while but lets hope I am totally back now.

The fast few months have been eventful - birthdays, children starting back at school and now they are just about to head back for their second term, my husband left a long term secure job to persue a dream to fitness training. It has been an interesting ride but we have all grown through the hurdles we have faced over the last four months. (thanks goodness for fried rice and caramel popcorn)

In all of this I also misplaced my camera - last seen when taking a few photos in January. Not being in a place to purchase a new one I have been praying that it would turn up one day. I thought that I had looked everywhere. A couple of weeks ago my daughter was looking for a ball she was playing with that went under a chest and low and behold there was also my camera. Reward was paid (thanks Grandad) and one happy mummy was smiling.

Now on with the show. Over Christmas I borrowed some books from my local library and was shown this great book.

More information available at this site http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Make_It_Perfect_-_the_Book!.html

I really enjoyed this book. Thank goodness the library had a new sewing book available. (generally they are all pretty old and sad) I then discovered that this lovely lady is based in Tasmania, Australia. Yay, it is so nice that our little part of the world is making some impact in the sewing world. Keep it up Toni. (I purshased a copy for 'birthday' in February.

Anyway what I have I made from this lovely book?  See the cute slippers on the cover, well my niece has a birthday in January and I know she loves nothing better than spending the weekend in her jammies and drinking lattes. Love you Loren! So I decided she needed some cool slippers to complete her.

Lorens Super Comfy Lounge About Slippers

I found these cool buttons after I hade made the slippers - they work so well

 

I just love the pull on tab

 

A great pattern to use up pieces of fabric too small for most fabrics.

My children have spotted the pattern for slippers in their size so they have asked me to make some for them, it was my plan to make them for Easter (that's tomorrow so I don't think that will happen :).
There are so many things I want to make just need to the time - that day will come.

Thanks to Toni Coward for spending the time to make such a great book available to us all.

More buckets anyone??

Word of mouth and your products is the best advertising.

After making this bag - a friend of my friend noticed, commented, liked, emailed and purchased.

I wish sales were always this easy.

Here is a little peek of the finished product.

Linking to

Another Linky Party

I have linked my bucket bag to the Tea Rose Home Link Party -
It's a great blog to check out not to mention the links that are posted each Wednesday.

A bag for me ...... finally

Over the last few months I have done a lot of sewing but for others and the markets but not really anything personal for me. As I had a bag to make for a friend I decided to make one for me too. I have had some fabric picked out for a while so it what really nice to use it.

A Bucket Bag for me

I used the same pattern as i did for this bag but stuck with the standard design - just added a magnetic snap to close the main part of the bag. I'm really happy with it.

This pattern and others are available on etsy from Keyka Lou - their patterns are really easy to use.



Laura Gunn - Big Poppy in Spice




Internal Pocket and Magnetic Snap




These labels I use are great. They iron on first so its easy to sew in place with no slipping. There are so many designs to choose from. Check them out here. 

I have also linked to the following parties - wow there is some amazing people busy out there.

Custom Bag for a Friend

A couple of weeks ago I had a stall at the Wallsend Community Markets - a bit of a waste of time actually. Due to the weather the night before most of the store holders did not show. Also during the day it was windy and horrible. The lovely coffee people next to us kept us company and even gave us warm water to to warm our hands. And not to forget the great people of Wallsend/Maryland Rotary kept us fed.

Needless to say, Little Ditty Designs did not make any sales on that fateful Saturday. It was a good exercise in setting up. (And constantly picking up my precious items from the footpath as they were blown off my table)

My lovely neighbour who shared a stall will me took pity on this poor girl in the cold and weather having her first attempt at a market stall. She admired a bag that I had on display but there were a few aspects that did not suit her. I gladly offered to make her one to order. And here it is .......

The basic bag is based on this pattern that I purchased from Keyka Lou - The Bucket Bag.
J chose from the fabrics from my stash - Lantern Bloom by Laura Gunn
I love it and I think J does too.

The finished product

A secure pocket for the mobile phone

A ring to attach your keys

An internal pocket

Don't forget the label

 I couldn't help myself and made another for myself but with different fabrics. I'll save the pics for another post. I hope to have some available in my shop soon......