Bag in a day!

2 Saturdays ago (I know ... I'm a rotten blogger these days ....sorry for the delayed update) I spent a fabulous day with a bunch of ladies eager to learn all about bag making from the master herself.

I have made a few bags before but knew that I had A LOT to learn about finishing things off nicely, using interfacing and other tools of the trade.

Nikki's studio was literally dripping with gorgeous samples and inspiration ..

Nikki is an excellent teacher. Always encouraging and always with a clever little trick to teach.

Here we are busily working away ....

 

   

   

Hi Cathy!!

Here's my work area .... do you detect a bit of a colour theme? (I'm so predictable!!) 

 

Nikki was also a very patient and calm teacher ... even when I accidentally steamed up her cutting mat causing it to buckle. QUICK .... get the weights on to it!!!! (Coolest weights ever!) 

 

And here are some of our finished products: 

 

   

Can you guess who this belongs to? He he!

 Thanks Nikki for a gorgeous day. I learned so much and had a lovely time doing it.

 

Nikki and Cathy have more shots in their blog posts. (You MUST check out Cathy's gorgeous bag. Somehow I managed not to get a shot of her gorgeous fabric).

Have a lovely Tuesday and try to drop by again tomorrow for a book review and GIVEAWAY!!

Andi xx

My creative space

My niece turns 14 today.

And a girl needs a bag. Am I right?

I recently purchased a fat quarter pack of Kumari Garden by Deena Designs in the Gem colourway.
It's a gorgeous bright collection that is not too heavy on the floral. (My niece is not a fan of the floral).

With pockets inside and out and a nice long strap, I'm hoping this messenger style bag will get plenty of use.

Happy birthday Ruby!!

Love Andi xx

PS Heaps more creative folks can be found over here.

Gifts for small people

2 small friends.
Both turning 5.
Both about to start school.
Both with names starting with 'A'.

Happy birthday you guys!

Andi xx

Different sized bums

... make different sized bags.

Andi :-)

Gifts

Lots of gifts made by me recently:

Bunting to match Jonah's quilt:

Another softie using one of Karen's panels, this time for little Roni:

A soft wrap for a new baby born today (inspired by a beautiful soft wrap I spied around this delicious little person):

A bag made for a little girl turning 5. She's having a 'Baking Party':

And that same little girl's mum has a birthday in the same week and always misses out on celebrating her birthday so I made her a luscious soft scarf using my latest favourite fabrics:

And to top it all off, I received a thankyou note from Tina for her PIF gift.
It is a beautifully handmade fabric postcard:

Handmade gifts are always the best.

Don't you think?


Andi :-)

A post of MORE belated 'thank you's

Further to this post ..... I have even more belated messages of thanks to convey.

It was over a month ago that I received this gorgeous selection from Marie as part of the Fox's Lane pincushion swap.

Marie was so thoughtful in making my gift. She had a good look through my blog and thought I would like a sewn pincushion (even though she's not a sewer!)

Look at the gorgeous detail in the little seed beads in the centre of the flowers.
I really love it Marie!!

When I said earlier that she's not a sewer (her words, not mine) she is actually a mad crocheter. If you have a look back at the first photo, you'll see the gorgeous little crocheted flower she made for me. I love wearing it as a brooch!!

And she even sent me some yummy chocolates.
I'm so lucky (and so remiss in waiting all this time to post about this lovely gift).
Thank you so much Marie. I really love it all!!!

In further luckiness, I was the winner of Gina's blogiversary giveaway ...

.... a coffee sack market bag with gorgeous gingham lining

and filled with fabric treats!!

Thank you Gina.

Gina actually sent me an email giving me permission NOT to blog about this beautiful gift, knowling that it can be hard to keep up with all the 'thank-you's and acknowledgements.

But I WANT to blog about these wonderful gifts (if a little belatedly).
They are examples of the kindness, creativity and generosity that I love so much about blogland!!

In that spirit, stay tuned for a little giveaway of my own!!

Andi :-)

Pay it forward

I have finally sent off all 9 'Pay-it-forward' gifts.

One of them was given a little earlier than the others as it accompanied a birthday present back in March.
Kate is a lover of both horses and pincushions so I made her this to add to her growing collection.

In addition, she received her PIF gift ...

A covered notebook with a tiny hand-stitched hexagon flower as embellishment.

The remaining 8 were sent off last week.

Each with a matching notecard.

I hope they are enjoyed by their recipients and I look forward to hearing about their own PIF's.

In other PIF news, I received a gorgeous bag from Kerri a while back and it has taken me an age to post about it.

I

Image taken from Kerri's blog

Thanks so much Kerri.. 

I love it and hope you are continuing to have a wonderful family holiday!

Hope you all have a great week.

Andi :-)

What use could my bum have for a denim mini skirt??

Not much ....

... unless I turn it into a new bag!!!

New pockets on the inside:

And I can still use the original pockets on the outside:

A 50c skirt from the op-shop is my new favourite bag!!

Have you done any re-purposing lately?

Andi :-)

And they're off .......

Getting gifts finished up for the end of the year is feeling like a marathon.
Here are today's offerings ....

 

 

Getting there!!

Andi :-)