plump pudding

Slack Blogger

That's what I've been lately - not that I have been sitting on my backside ALL the time.  Just some of it.

My bags made using my precious stash of vintage linens have sold well - goodness knows what I would have done if they hadn't.  Can you imagine the guilt I would have felt having taken scissors to the fabric? 

My willingness to cut into these beautiful fabrics has burgeoned and I have once again taken out the scissors and fabric stash and have been sewing up a storm.

Still keeping with the bag theme: handbags, tote bags and vintage baskets.  Because after all there are only so many vintage basket a girl can use.

The new items are almost finished and ready.  And in another daredevil move, I am adding them to my own website rather than (for me) the easier Etsy route.

The main problem is trying to get some decent light to photograph everything is.  Remind me, this is summer isn't it?

To give you all some progress on the settling in Bertie- let's just say he has found a new friend in Arthur.  The two spend a huge amount of time chasing one another round the house and sparring.  And when he isn't behaving like a hooligan?  He sleeps.

Maudie

It's been a pretty sad time at our house for the past few weeks.  Poor Maudie was run over by a car and killed instantly. 

I found her and we brought her home with us and Stephen buried her in the front garden amongst all the flowers.  As you can imagine we were all devastated and although she certainly wasn't loud and crazy like Arthur is, she left such a big hole.

The house just seemed empty without her.  Keanan asked whether we could get another cat.  Which we did.

And we came home with Bertie who is 8 months old and extremely handsome.

Poor Arthur doesn't know what has hit him - Bertie has certainly told Arthur to mind his manners.  Step out of line and he gets a biff on the head.  The most important part is that he isn't scared of Arthur and will allow hime to have a little sniff.  I'm sure that things will improve in time.

Poor Bertie - it's his third home.  So we are making sure that he feels at home - which he does.  And he jus t loves the cuddles and attention that are showered on him. 

We all miss Maudie Moofle, but we have taken the chance to give someone else a much needed home.

Getting ready for summer

The beautiful sunny weather we have been having has inspired me to "do something" with the two vintage baskets that have been patiently waiting in my studio for a re-vamp

So much lovely fabrics it was hard to choose.  But this pretty Laura Ashley print just jumped out at me - perfect for the wicker basket.  I decided to use it both inside and out - just to really get the"pretty" effect.

I am definitely getting into not using plastic bags and can just imagine how perfect these baskets would be to pop into town or to the library.  Very reminiscent of the 1950s. 

And it has also meant that I have been (gasp) using my fabric stash. 

Basket number two is older and I think probably dates from the 1950s or possibly the 1960s.  To me it epitomises the shopping basket and as such deserved a vintage fabric.  So out came the scissors and I ruthlessly cut into the fabric.

And you know how it is once you get started with cutting and sewing, it was just too hard to stop.  Hence the matching fabric corsage.

If you can just visualise yourself going to the shops or the library with a vintage basket - pop over and choose one!

They're up for sale in my esty shop

link

That's me done for the day.  The bags are all finished and listed.  Hope I have managed to add a link as since Typepad introduced all these new fangled things, I have been a little lost!

 

I have had so much fun making these.  And I kid you not when I say that I have hoarded some, well all, of these fabrics for years.  It was a scary moment cutting into them.  A moment of no return.

Each of the bags is unique.  So no one else will have a bag like yours - which is always a plus in my book.  A little bit of bag snobbery going on there!

Sailing Boats: SOLD Thanks!

They are also fully lined in a cream cotton.  Which adds a little extra strength to the bags.

Poodle Bag: SOLD Thanks!


So if you would like a bag, you can just pop over to my Etsy shop: 
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12173772 And that gives me the perfect excuse to look for some more fabric when they are sold! x

My latest "must have" is a dresser for the dining room.  After a clear out and new coat of paint for the dining chairs and table, I decided that the room was lacking something.  And that something was a dresser.

So I turned to e-Bay.


And ended up winning this pin dresser.  I was careful to measure the size before it arrived, and it fits - just.  Slightly larger than I imagined, but I was thinking the best cutlery and crockery will fit in here and free up some kitchen cupboard space. 


Whe  the dresser arrived it was a rather orange pine - of course there's no way it's staying that way.  So I started painting.  What a mammoth task.  So far, it has received two coats of undercoat and there are another two top coats to go.  It feels a little like painting the Forth Bridge.  But I have started and can't leave it halfway through!   So I think we'll call it a work in progress.

Apart from the painting, I have been making some more pleated tote bags.  I have even been brave and used vintage fabrics that I have had for several years.  Here's a sneak peek.  If you are interested, I think I shall have them ready for sale on Friday.

The bags are up for Sale - hope you like them!

That's me done for the day.  The bags are all finished and listed.  Hope I have managed to add a link as since Typepad introduced all these new fangled things, I have been a little lost!

 

I have had so much fun making these.  And I kid you not when I say that I have hoarded some, well all, of these fabrics for years.  It was a scary moment cutting into them.  A moment of no return.

Each of the bags is unique.  So no one else will have a bag like yours - which is always a plus in my book.  A little bit of bag snobbery going on there!

Sailing Boats: SOLD Thanks!

They are also fully lined in a cream cotton.  Which adds a little extra strength to the bags.

Poodle Bag: SOLD Thanks!


So if you would like a bag, you can just pop over to my Etsy shop: 
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12173772 And that gives me the perfect excuse to look for some more fabric when they are sold! x

I've started so I'll finish

My latest "must have" is a dresser for the dining room.  After a clear out and new coat of paint for the dining chairs and table, I decided that the room was lacking something.  And that something was a dresser.

So I turned to e-Bay.


And ended up winning this pin dresser.  I was careful to measure the size before it arrived, and it fits - just.  Slightly larger than I imagined, but I was thinking the best cutlery and crockery will fit in here and free up some kitchen cupboard space. 


Whe  the dresser arrived it was a rather orange pine - of course there's no way it's staying that way.  So I started painting.  What a mammoth task.  So far, it has received two coats of undercoat and there are another two top coats to go.  It feels a little like painting the Forth Bridge.  But I have started and can't leave it halfway through!   So I think we'll call it a work in progress.

Apart from the painting, I have been making some more pleated tote bags.  I have even been brave and used vintage fabrics that I have had for several years.  Here's a sneak peek.  If you are interested, I think I shall have them ready for sale on Friday.