Next New Item...

Evening all,

For today's blog, again another little one, I'd like to show you these:

These are Linen Needle Cases, in two different designs made from the same batch of materials that I bought on Monday.

The stash of four made so far

The interior containing four leaves for needles and pins

Two cuts of the materials made so far

Beautiful French print in a sewing theme

Just over 3.5 inches wide

Just under 5.5 inches tall

My FMN Crafts tag, as always, sewn with pride :)

The material is so lovely to work with and I love the print - very appropriate to the item. I teamed it with cream cotton, and the felt pieces inside for the needles and pins compliment the exterior in cream and black colours. They are finished with cream ribbon to close.

What do you think? They would look great with any sewing kit and would make great gifts too.

An example of use

These will be coming with me to my next fair and I will be making more soon.

Thanks for taking a look, please leave a comment if you wish :)

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Fab New Items

Evening all,

Just one little post today, to show you these:

This is my first batch of three Mixed Linen Patchwork Cosmetic Cases.

David and I went to Bakewell yesterday on a day trip (can't seem to get enough of the place!) and on the market, we came across a stall run by a lovely lady named Sue, who runs a business called Wonkey Donkey Bazaar. She has a fabulous collection of all things crafty including the gorgeous new linens you see above (the cream based ones). As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have a load of them! 

These cases measure a generous 7.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall and are roomy enough for all types of cosmetics and toiletries. They have pretty embellishments, fabulous red zips and are lined in complimentary cream cotton. They also have fancy stitching and just look at the buttons! Even though I made these myself, I must say, I love them!

 

What do you think? We are in Bakewell again next Monday exhibiting in the Town Hall so I will be taking these with me - details of that and more later.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment below if you wish, or Like me on Facebook.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

FME Flowers, Denim & Cream Cushion

Evening all,

Today included treatment at the dentist (not nice, why do they call it 'treat'ment? It's not,) followed by some work in the sewing room. (Oh yes, now we're talking).

So with numb gums I made this:

A Freehand Machine Embroidery Flowers, Denim and Cream Throw Cushion.

It is pretty self explanatory but just so you know, I made this using a denim base and a cream cotton top section, there is pink piping between the two, I made a cotton covered polyester filled internal cushion and it has an cream cotton envelope back so it can be removed to be cleaned, but the best part is the decoration! It has four fabulous flowers of various sizes, with stems, thorns and leaves and two little birds in the distance.

This throw cushion is 16" square and would look great in many places of your home.

What do you think?

I will be taking this to Bakewell at the weekend, there is a four days fair as it's Easter; more details tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Another New Product :)

Afternoon people,

Back, no sorry made by popular demand (via Facebook and Twitter) here is my new design:

A Freehand Machine Embroidery VW Beetle Small Cushion...

After posting about the two VW Camper Van cushions yesterday there was some great feedback with people asking about Beetles and other cars and so today I came up with this. What do you think?

I made it using the subtle colours of greens and browns and mounted it onto my favourite background of cream cotton. I also made an inside enclosed cushion meaning that if needs be, the cover can be removed for cleaning. I also created an envelope back for it and it measures 12" square.

More designs to come...leave me a comment below if you like.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Bakewell and New Makes

Hello all,

Just a short post today to say I had a really fun weekend in Bakewell, and to show you what I made today.

At Bakewell it rained a lot but the people still came out and it was great to meet with friends and make some new ones. I sold quite a few things, including my Headstone Viaduct Freehand Machine Embroidery Picture I made a few weeks ago:

A really lovely couple with a tiny baby in arms came to the stall, fell in love with it and bought it without much hesitation. I was so very pleased - not just for myself but for them; I simply love this piece of art and the techniques used and I could tell right away they felt the same. They have already sent a message saying it looks great on their wall, so I am even more excited about it. :)

Because I have sold quite a few things at recent fairs and online, I seem to have been non-stop in the workshop over the past few weeks and so today, I was back in there making these:

Small Freehand Machine Embroidery VW Camper Van Cushions.

I LOVE camper vans, especially pre 1967 split screen camper vans. In my opinion, these vans have a greater style than those of later dates but of course, this is just my opinion! I made a 'green theme' one recently that sold only on it's second day out and I have had many comments regarding them, so I thought I would make a few more.

These two in blues and pinks were fun to make and I am really chuffed how they turned out. I gained some new materials a few weeks ago and they work great for these vans so expect more... They are a really cute size and pack a punch at 12" square, they would also fit in many places of your home - or make great gifts!

What do you think?

I will be back in there again tomorrow as this coming weekend will be a busy one - I am in Bakewell for 4 days, Friday to Sunday so that will be fun! With it being Easter weekend, I am expecting lots of people coming through the door. If you fancy a day out, please come to the Bakewell Town Hall to visit the fabulous stalls peddling their wares. Doors open at 10am each day and if you don't know where it is, you will see signs for the fair all over Bakewell that say 'Follow The Sheep'. Can't miss them...

Thank you for reading, leave a comment if you like below or visit my Facebook page for more. 

Julie.
(c) FMN Crafts 2015

Afternoon all,

Hoping you are all well...

So here are my latest items, the first of which was a teaser in the last post:

It's so cute! Sorry, I should tell you what it is. It is a Freehand Machine Embroidery Lavender Bag. :) It measures a tiny 2 1/2" across at the base and is about the same in height. I made this out of cream calico, decorated the front using my favourite technique (backed with interfacing), made a channel for the ribbon, packed it with some beautifully aromatic lavender heads all the way from Provence and tied it up in bow. My workshop smelt devine...

I made four of these in this design and have many more lined up. They are small enough to fit anywhere, but boy, do they pack a punch! And the best thing about these is that if the lavender aroma starts to fade, they just need a squeeze to crush some of the lavender heads and the aroma is released again. Lovely. What do you think?

Next up:

My small Reversible Denim, Blue & White Canvas Bag complete with Removable Rose. This is a slight change to one I made a while ago which, although reversible was made with a plain white canvas as well as the blue and white mix you see above.

I really like this bag as it is small enough to not get in the way and yet big enough to get in all your essentials. It can be used as a day bag or as a sewing bag, a toiletries bag or whatever bag you like! I made a red flower for it as it adds a great pop of colour and as it is removable it can then be placed on the outside, when the bag is turned inside out. (Or is that outside in?)

I really like working with these materials and have interfaced the blue and white not only for stability, but also for durability and quality of the finish. Plus, with having a flat bottom, it stands up by itself. Ta-dah! What do you think?


Well that's all for now, thanks for reading, please leave a comment below or Like me over on Facebook.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Freehand Machine Embroidery Mobile 'Phone Case

Good afternoon all,

This will be my last blog for 2014 and I would like to show you what I have just finished:

A freehand machine embroidery mobile 'phone case.

This fits my 'phone which is a Sony Xperia, it measures 5" tall by 2 1/2" wide and it fits well into the case. There is still some play width ways and a tiny bit lengthways, so I am sure it'd fit quite a few different mobile models. Of course, if there is a specific 'phone case you would like making, you can contact me and I'll do my very best!

This case has double interfacing and double padding to give stability and protectiveness to the mobile enclosed, it has a cotton lining for smooth use, an elastic closing and the best part - it's decorated using my favourite method... Do you like it?

 

 

See it in my Etsy store soon.

Thanks for reading, pass it on if you like or leave a comment. See you next year!

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

Freehand Machine Embroidery Purse and/or Mobile Case

Evening all, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Or merry day after Boxing Day day... I hope you have all had and are still having a fabulous festive season and that you and your families are well. I have had a lovely time with friends and family and today, I got on with a little work. This is what I'd like to show you:

As the blog title suggests, this is my Freehand Machine Embroidery Purse and/or Mobile Case. And, for those of you who may be observant, you may notice it matches my Freehand Machine Embroidery Bag as written about it my previous blog. :)

I have decided that I REALLY like this method of machining and creativity and freedom and I don't want to stop. So I wont. Teehee.

This purse is fully interfaced for the duel purpose of padding and stability without too much bulk, it is patterned on both sides, it has a denim base and cream Romany style sides, a cream calico interior, pink piping, pink zip, pink ribbon and a denim key loop with split ring. It fits a large mobile easily and can also hold money and cards at the same time if desired. I love it, what do you think?

Over the next couple of days I hope to show you a make-up bag I am working on in the same style, I am working on a theme here...

You will see this in my Etsy shop really soon. Thanks for reading, please leave me a comment if you wish, or Like me on Facebook.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

Freehand Machine Embroidery Bag & Double Craft Fair

Long title, huh? Yep.

So, I'll get right on with it, here is the Freehand Machine Embroidery Bag I mentioned:

One Side...

...Other Side

Sorry about the 'not so good' pics, the light is poor here today...

As I have mentioned before, I simply LOVE freehand machine embroidery and for those who may not be aware of what is it, it's using your sewing machine like a pencil, like drawing onto the material. You drop the feed dogs - the bits that push the fabric over the plate - and so you can move your material in any direction you please. You also either remove the needle foot - the bit that holds down the material whilst sewing - to add to the freedom or use a machine embroidery spring foot which gives a little support (I do). And then, wow, once you've found the right thread tension and speed, you just go mad! You can use your imagination to 'draw' whatever you like, in any place, in any direction, any how you like.

This time I designed and made this bag which has many lovely features, nameley 6 flowers of different kinds (3 on the front, 3 on the back), sewn onto cream Romany style material, it has a sturdy denim material base that is boxed and detailed with pink piping, it has padded handles that give comfort to the user and have denim patches added for stability and durability, it is lined with cream calico, it has two internal denim pockets and an exterior key ring. It has a lot going for it! Plus, it is approximately 14" tall, by 13" wide and has 10" long handles. I just love it. What do you think?

Flat Base to hold lots of shopping

Pink Piping detail, perfectly aligned ;)

Internal Pockets for mobiles, cash or cards

I have a double fair this weekend and will be taking it to that where I hope it will go to a good home.

Speaking of which, the fair is Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th December, at the Bakewell Town Hall from 10am to 4.30pm. If you fancy a day out to Bakewell in the beautiful Peak District, just do it as I know there will be festive cheer in the air and a great atmosphere at the fair. Plus, Saturday is Small Business Saturday and so it would be great for you to do just that and show a little love for the small businesses, like my own, who have had a testing year and would appreciate an easier Christmas.

This weekend there promises to be stalls of all kinds selling textiles, jewellery, photography, paintings, food items, cards and lots more. Craft Fairs are not just about knitting and tea-cosies these days... Come on, you know you want to.

Anyway, that's all for now, have a great weekend and leave me a comment if you wish. Remember I am on Facebook too if you would like to Like me :)

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014