An African themed bag

I had fun using up some lovely animal applique patterns for this bag. I made it in three different colourways, and each side of the bag depicts different African animals.  I'm tempted to keep one for myself...

Old favourites

Elephants and giraffes have featured in my range previously, with elephants being a very popular choice throughout last year.  This year I have found a way to create the giraffes as doorstops, which I hope will be well received.  Someone did comment that they were not as heavy as the elephants; I had to point out that there was less space in a giraffe's spindly legs for the sand!

Piggies!

This is a bag which, in my opinon, you just have to smile at!

 These pig are just so much fun - and it is a bag which sells very well.  Some along to a sale if you would like to own one.

Latest batch of doorstops

This cute trio of friends (left to right, Mitch, Fleur and Larry) are the latest to join my doorstop range.  On my first sale this season the doorstops massively outsold the cuddlies, so I know it is worth making more, even if they do weigh my car down disproportionately!

Another backpack

Here is another of the new-style back packs. 

I particularly love the fabric I used for the trim and linking here.  I was lucky enough to be given a massive stock of fabric by a friend who was moving, and it has been such a joy to work with a range of beautiful patterns.

Ollie - or is it Lollie?

Ollie and Lollie are described by the pattern creator, Funky Friends Factory, as "laid back owls".  They are fairly time consuming to create, because of all the top-stitching on the wings and tail and because of the amount of hand sewing which is needed.  However, I do feel they are delightful.  One sold on their first outing, so I need to complete more, and cut out more, as rapidly as possible.

New shoulder bag design

This is a lovely bag, and I made ten versions of it.  However, it did prove quite time-consuming to cut out, sew and finish.  That is due to all the features - a zip, side pockets with a false binding, a long adjustable strap, and the magnetic fastening for the flap.  The effort was made worthwhile by the fact that I sold two on the very first occasion on which I had them for sale.  I may have to bite the bullet and prepare to make more!

A new apprentice...

I recently ran a cutting and sewing day at my Church.  I had lots of children who filled bags with sand for my doorstops, some loyal cutters and sewers, and a new apprentice!
Olivia comes to our Church, and during the sewing day she made her first ever bag.  Here she is pictured wearing it.

The bag has since, I am told, had several outings.

Love Bletchley day

This is my third annual visit to Love Bletchley - an event where anyone can come and try out having a market stall in the centre of Bletchley for a day.  There are special activities galore, with lots of fun for children as well as a huge range of stalls.  Rates for charities are very favourable, and the people of Bletchley are lovely. 

 This year I was in a similar area to previous years, but on the other side of the road.  I've been experimenting with different ways of organising my stock, and have been putting out several of a particular style.  I think this makes them more eye-catching.

 

Inspired by a series Chris Duffett is running at our Church, I also had free gifts on my stall this time, for the first time.  I gave away about 30 of my little denim hearts. Inside the pocket of each I put a printed out Bible verse.  They seemed to be appreciated.

 It was an enjoyable day; the brief rain showers had little effect and I made a pleasing amount of money.  Now i have a month or so to finish off yet more animals - particularly elephants!  They sell so well - which is great.  I will also be restocking the hearts, ready for Harpenden and Stony Stratford.

Musical bag

This one comes with a nod to my husband and to my hankering some time back for a Candy Apple Red guitar.  No, I don't play a guitar any more.  No, I don't have time to relearn.  Yes, we have plenty of guitars in our house.  But it is a beautiful guitar!!
Hopefully some musical person will find this to be a beautiful bag!

Meet Fleur the Flamingo

Fleur is one of a new line for me.  The pattern, as with so many others of my softies, came from Funky Friends Factory.  Fleur was easy to sew, and I feel has a quirky appeal.  I have made both cuddly and doorstop versions, and hope she and her relatives will rapidly find new and loving homes. 

New style backpack

The pattern for this backpack came from a magazine, though I did adapt it fairly freely to suit the fabrics I was using.  I had great fun making these, however, and finished up with more than ten different ones I believe.  Hopefully they will sell well.

The new season starts!

Last Monday marked the start of my selling season, with my now annual visit to Ickwell May Day.  This is a truly traditional event, and a truly village one.  Children from all the local village schools process to the green, where their decorated hoops are judged and awarded prizes, and they - and adults - perform country dances and maypole dances.

The weather this year was not as wonderful as last year, but the rain held off until nearly the end of the dances, just drenching the adult dancers!  I managed to keep my stock dry, and sold lots of items to lots of interesting and interested people.  There were definitely some highlights among the conversations. 

It was also thrilling to see several of my bags from previous sales still favoured and used.  More than one previous purchaser commented that they lasted really well.  It was such an encouragement to see them being worn. 

A fabulous total for the day left me feeling very happy - though I do wish that the torrential rain had not hit me just as I was unloading the car....