Five New Items

Good evening all,

It's been quite some time sinse my last blog, sorry about that, but I have been busy! First thing I want to show you is this:

Now, before you think you've seen this before - you haven't. Well, sort of not... I made this is a smaller size, the same as my Old Bakewell Pudding Shop, but this is a whopper. This is in a frame 16.5" x 13".

For this one, I based it on the first one but I had to scale it up. There are so many windows and so many panes on this thing that as you can imagine, it took quite a long time to make! In fact it was just under a week from start to finish. I used the freehand machine embroidery method and each piece is interfaced and sewn on. I like the way there is a small 3D effect by the layering (the photo's do nothing to enhance this).

I really love it, what do you think? I plan to take this to my next craft fair and hope it will cause a bit of a stir...

Next up:

 

The second of my Vinatge Doilies Throw Cushion. I sold the first one the first time it went out at a craft fair, actually to another stall holder and as I had some more, I made another. These doilies are just so nice, it's a shame they are not showcased better, well, now they are. I added lace, calico and a golden button and made it an envelope back. I am sure this can easily fit into many areas of someone's home. It measures 16" x 16".

And the next:

These are Mobile 'Phone Cases with Earphone Pockets. I have made these recently in different materials and using a freehand machine embroidery decoration, but I simply love this butterfly material and thought it would work well on denim. It does! Each case has a different button and elastic to close, making each case unique and each have a different colour pocket and spotty cotton interior. They are fully padded using fleece so mobile 'phones will be safe (and warm?!) whilst inside. With it being an elastic closure, it will keep the mobile safe but is quick and easy to open if it's ringing.

 

 

 

These fit my mobile which is a Sony Xperia but I make them to order too, to fit any size mobile. They can also be used as a glasses holder! Look:

Next:

 

These are really cute little pieces of art work using mixed media. I have combined fabrics, laces, crochet, beading, buttons, felt and embroidery to make these unique pieces and I am sure they would bring a smile to any room. I simply loved creating these as things look so random! (They're not by the way...) It gave me a chance to add a little bit more freedom and creativity to my work and my work room looked a complete mess! I loved it! Usually I am so disciplined and strict with myself, you will never find a piece out of place in my work room, sometimes I feel I am a neat freak and it can become annoying. To myself! But in this case, oh boy, I had an area about a foot square to sew in... I couldn't be neat with these and that was just fine with me. :)

 

 

 

They are set in 8" frames and can stand or hang. I have left the glass out of the front as I think they are quite tactile and need this, however the glass is inside the backing so it can be used for protection if so desired - the individuals choice.

I am sure there will be more of these to come.

And finally for today:

These are a selection of Cord Keepers. You know how earphones get so snarled up and messy? Well now there is no need with these little beauties.

 

 

I used small pieces of material, I interfaced them for stability and durability and used good old Velcro as the closure method. You simply roll up your earphones over your fingers, pop it in the cord keeper, roll the material over and secure. Then just chuck them in your bag and get on with your class, your conversation, your meal or whatever and when it's time to go, you know your earphones will be neat and tidy. Simple!

Well that's all for now, thank you for reading, please leave a comment if you wish.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016.

New Item: Patchwork Vintage and Upholstery Materials Sling Bag.

Afternoon all,

For the last two days I have been working on this:

This is my (Hobo Style?) Patchwork Vintage and Upholstery Materials Sling Bag.

I made it using some of the most fabulous materials gathered from all over the place, for example upholstery factories, vintage and retro shops and markets etc and they are pieces that I have kept with the thought of 'to work on later'. You know what I mean...

This bag is an absolute favourite of mine and I am very tempted to keep it! The materials are soft yet sturdy so that they will last, it is lined in cream cotton curtain lining material, it has two internal pockets in upholstery material, is has a long 52" strap designed so the bag can be worn across the body, it has curved corners and it has a magnetic snap to close that is concealed with a coconut shell button. What's not to love? The doilies are vintage are are so beautiful, it was quite painful having to cut them in half! Plus, they have been hand sewn on, just like the little buttons too.

I will be taking this to my next fair which is at the Bakewell Town Hall, this Monday 20th April 2015, this event is run by the Rwanda Charity - details of which can be found in an earlier post, just scroll down.

Let me know what you think to this bag though please, it'd be great to get some feedback!

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Good afternoon to you,

I would like to show you two things today that I have been working on, firstly this:

My Hillside Freehand Machine Embroidery and Applique picture. If you are a regular follower, you will know how much I enjoy using these techniques and this is my latest project using them. This picture just popped into my head recently and I just had to sew it. I hoped to get a sense of surroundings, perspective and realism whilst making a fun, obscure and slightly off-kilter picture. I think it worked! The path leads you up towards the dinky house, but not until you have spoken to the fluffy sheep. :)

This picture sits in a double rubber wood frame (which I love) and the light mounting board really brings the picture together, which can be hung or stood.

What do you think? I'll be taking it to my fair on Monday which I'll tell you about soon.

Secondly, I like to show you this:

Click picture to enlarge

I have just complted this, like half an hour ago, my Linen and Cotton Country Cottage Bunting. I simply love these materials when joined and they work so well together. Each piece has a different piece of material attached and is adorned with either a button or a bow, all tied together with a crochet lace.

This single sided bunting is 6 feet long, has 12 flags and has approximately 14" of overhang on each end for tying or pnning. I just love it and it was really quite odd going to my sewing machine and sewing straight lines! Seems such a long time since I did that... This bunting would look great in a country kitchen (or any kitchen actually) or a lounge, or a conservatory, or above an outside patio table or well, many places.


So what do you think to this? Of course, I love it, but I'd like to know what you think... Leave me a comment, share this, Like me on Facebook or send me a Tweet!

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

New Items

Evening all,

Just a quick one to let you know off some of my latest projects...

First up, a Freehand Machine Embroidery Needle Case:

I really love using my machine for this tequnique and this little needle book was great fun to design and make. It is made using calico and cotton materials, it has two felt interiors for needles and pins and has a spotty ribbon to tie. So cute! It would grace any sewing kit.

Next up, this Patchwork Throw Cushion:

Although the lighting is not too brilliant in this (just wanted to show you!) you get the idea. It is made using fabulous upholstery materials, and it is embellished with crochet lace and buttons. It has an envelope back with two buttons to close and measures approximately 15" x 16". I really like the choice of materials as not only is it heard wearing, the colours are nuetral so it will go in many rooms. It can be used on a sofa, a chair or a bed, you choose!

Third in line, a cute and colourful Jewellery Roll:

This is an item I have been asked about many times and I have finally got around to designing one. This has a clear pocket on the left with a zip to keep bits and bobs you can see quickly, a middle section to hold your rings and on the left is a section to attach necklaces and little pockets to hold the pendants, so they stay untangled. It can then be rolled up and secured with the ribbon or folded in three - it's your choice.

And finally for today these Fancy Pegs:

 

Have you ever heard of Washi-Tape? Thats is what these pegs have been decorated with. It is such a versatile material that it can be used on almost anything. They are all different, they are wood pegs with metal springs and they are all adorned with a tiny bow. These pegs can of course be used for your laundry, but they are most suited for craft pojects and notice boards. You like?

So what do you think? Most of these items are in my Etsy Store and will be exhibited at my Craft Fairs. You can keep up to date with Fairs I will be attending on my Facebook Page, please check it out.

Leave me a comment if you wish, I would love to hear what you thing. Thanks for reading.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

More Notice Boards...to Notice!

Evening all,

Just wanted to let you all see my new notice boards, to add to my collection. First up, we have the blast of pink in this pin board and pocket board mix:

You will 'notice' it has quite a few elements to it: The cork board is covered in a lovely pink cotton material with ribbon trimming, there is a hanging line of crochet with cute mini pegs to clips things to and there is a really handy pocket at the base to slot Chinese restaurant menus and bus time tables etc in to. The back is covered in well and finished off, and the board comes complete with a 'choose how you wish to hang' pack, comprising of one flat-to-the-wall metal fitting with two screws and a wall screw, plus a length of fishing wire and screw-into-the-frame hooks, so you can choose! I love the materials used for this board as they add dimension to the usual, boring old pin board and it would fit into many places of a home or office.

Secondly, I would like to introduce to you to my Chalk Board and Padded Card Slot Notice Boards:

This one is my Cloud Board, which has beautiful clouds and flowers material at the base for cards, with red striped ribbon and green buttons. The top half is a chalk board and both sections sit in a cream painted frame, divided in two by a very useful chalk holder. This item also comes with a 'how-to-hang' pack and chalks. :) I have also made this one:

A Peach and Gold Board which has wonderfully classy material for the card holder, a chalk board top half, a cream coloured wood frame and very handy chalk slot yet again. This too comes with a 'how-to-hang' pack and chalks.

I enjoyed making all of these boards and I know there will be more designs to come. I took the padded boards (mentioned in my previous post) out at the fair in Matlock Bath last weekend and the lighter one sold almost straight away, so I was really please. I really think they will grace any room in the home or office etc so I have every faith they will appeal to the masses. What do you think?

They will be in my Etsy shop soon, but in the meantime, if you have any questions please ask. :)

Coming soon:

Watch this space...





If you enjoyed reading this blog, please pass it on! Don't be shy. Remember you can 'Like' my Facebook page and keep ahead of more new products and fair dates coming up.

Thanks for reading, good night.

p.s. It's our 9th Wedding Anniversary today and we visited our wedding venue, the beautiful Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire. We reminisced over the events of the day (as well as the run up to!) and all the wonderful people who shared our special day...thanks to all. Here's to the next 9 years and well beyond!

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014