Latest Makes

Hello all,

Hope you are enjoying your summer so far - this is my favourite time of year, not only as I love the sun but I was born in August too so BIRTHDAY! Woop.

This blog is mostly picture heavy as I expect the items I have been making to be pretty self explanatory, but I'll point out a few things. Enjoy. :)

Some more Tea Cup Pin Cushions

New materials used for the Mobile 'Phone Cases with Earphone Pockets

Christmas Bunting (I know) in Large Size, Double Sided, 8' Long

Christmas Bunting in Small Size, Double Sided, 4' 6" Long

A new style of Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim Purses

Cute Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim Pencil Cases

The next batch of Freehand Machine Embroidery Greetings Cards - always a popular choice

A Throw Cushion made using gorgeous Hemp and Linen Materials (made a while ago, just not photographed)

My Freehand Machine Embroidery Bottle Bags - such a good idea! (If I do say so myself)

My newest line of items - these are Cross Stitch Needle Cases, this one Pink and Red Ladybird theme

And this one is my Blue and Grey Butterfly Theme

These last two items I have to tell you about. There is a little company called Jammy Codgers who are two friends that work together making and retailing many kinds of jams, chutneys and pickles (that are delicious I might add) and who regularly attend the Bakewell Town Hall Craft Fairs I often tell you about. Well, Sue, one of the two, was making a quilt for a grandchild but never got around to finishing it - using an array of Cross Stitch patches. Now, as she doesn't have a use for them any more, she decided to give them to me to see if I can use them! How lovely! There are loads....and a bag full of other items too. So, the first thing I made were these two Needle Cases and I simply love them. PLUS, Iris, another Bakewell visitor, also had a huge bag of ribbons she no longer needed and she gave them to me - on the same day. How lucky am I?!! Needless to say, ribbons were also used to make these two and there will be many more...

I posted these onto Instagram yesterday and today, the pink one sold! Wow. Very pleased. So, I only have one now but I will make more.

That's all for today, I hope you like my items, they will be at my regular craft fairs or if you are interested in anything, please get in contact. This is my Instagram account and here is my Facebook page. I love you to follow me!

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016.

New Facebook Page

Hi all,

Just a quick post to tell you that our good friend Shelagh runs Craft and Gift Fairs and Events at the Bakewell Town Hall in Bakewell, Derbyshire and she has just opened a Facebook Page about it. Posts include event dates and times, as well as who is attending, directions, photographs and products and all kinds of things. David (with his RNLI charity stall) and I regularly attend her fairs as they are so well organised, delivered and attended by the public. Stall holders have some fabulous items including crafts and gifts, art work, photography, textiles of many kinds, jewellery, candles, outdoor ornaments, glass art and many other things. Please pop on over if you get a second and leave a comment or a Like.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

Latest News

Hello all, long time no blog...hope you're all well.

It has been a busy summer - mainly working in the garden with renovations - but I have still been making and doing craft fairs. Here are a few of my latest items for you to view:

A lady ordered this through my Etsy site, she rescues Warren Chickens and wanted an iPhone 6 case that represents this, so I came up with this. As I don't have an iPhone 6, I looked up the measurements and made a dummy phone from card so I know it'll fit - as I do for all orders of mobile cases. What do you think? Well, in actual fact I made this one first:

Which is also very cute I think! But I damaged the zip right in the last stages of making (grr) so I had to start again. As I spend so long on the design and making detail, I needed to make a new design as I just couldn't spend another 2 days on the same one!

Theses cases, like all of the ones I make are padded to protect the phones, they have white canvas interiors and a pop of colour in the zips. Even though these are made to measure for mobiles, they could also be purses or pouches. Don't you just love the details? Click on the photos for larger sizes.

While I was at it, I made this one for my craft stall, in a design that my husband came up with. What do you think to this?

This is also an iPhone 6 case (as I know many people have iPhones now) and I just love the colours in this. Again, it took just about 2 days to make but I really, REALLY like them! Plus, it fits well with this being the 70th year since World War 2 ended.

Next up:

This is the second in the line of Vintage Materials and Doilies Sling Bags that I have designed and made, which sold the first time I put them out at a fair! The materials are so good and I simply love the doilies, which come from numerous charity shops. I make the straps 60" long so that they can be knotted into any position the owner likes, i.e. cross the body or as a shoulder bag of various lengths, I line them, add magnetic snaps to close and include two large internal pockets. So, not only do they look cute, they're practical! And, as they both sold the first time they were put out, I have to take that as a sign, I will make more...

Here is an order that was placed by a lovely lady at my fair yesterday in Bakewell:

She was looking at my Flat Based Make Up Bags and the Tissue Packs and really liked them, but she wanted them in matching materials and the bag to have an oilcloth lining, or at least wipe-out-able (new word). So she chose the materials, placed the order and I got cracking today. I am very pleased with how thay have turned out and I have made matching sets before - time to make more me thinks... These are packed up nicely and are ready to be posted in the morning. Isn't the material just great?! So funky.

And finally for today:

Well, it's called Creature (until I think of a better name, answers on a post card please) and he/she (?) happened quite late at night. Not that I couldn't see and that's why it came out wonkey - that was intentional! It's just that sometimes things come to mind and I simply have to go and make it right away. Look at 'it's' eyes! So cute and curious. My friend Jayne, who makes fantastic cards, said they would make cute items for small children or even babies to hold, so I could make them child friendly and promote as this... What I am going to do though is make a set or a family and see where the creativity takes me, so watch this space!

Ok, that's all for today, I'll try not to leave it too long before I blog again but in the meantime, take care and thanks for reading. If you like, please leave a comment or visit my Facebook page.

Julie.

P.S. I have just started knitting... hehe. :)

(C) FMN Crafts 2015.

The Goboka Rwanda Trust Cafe and Craft Fair

Hi everyone,

Just a small blog to advertise the event we will be attending tomorrow, The Goboka Rwanda Trust Charity Cafe and Craft Fair at the Bakewell Town Hall tomorrow, 20th April 2015.

Please see their Facebook page for details, they are a group of wonderful people helping make the lives of people in Africa that little bit easier. The Goboka Rwanda Trust is a small UK registered charity that supports and delivers projects to help the Rwandan people, their families and communities.

The fair is a monthly one held in the town hall and has a fabulous little cafe with some craft, gift and artist stalls selling lots of lovely things you wouldn't usually see on the high street, all designed and made by the stall holders. It has a lovely atmosphere and is a relaxing environment - the charity and the stall holders appreciate all the support they recieve.

My husband also runs his Royal National Lifeboat Institution stall, where he sells quality bric-a-brac items donated by very kind members of the public, who no longer have a need for their items and who would love to help support the charity. His stall is becoming well known for the quality of items, including such things as crystal decanters and glasses, named crockery and glass wears including Crown Derby, Moorcroft and Beswick etc, as well as antique jewellery, fountain pens and silver wear all at rediculously low prices. Buyers gain beautiful items whilst giving to the RNLI at the same time. It's a win-win situation. If you have any items you would like to donate for him to sell, please contact me or come along tomorrow and speak to David, or bring your items! Here is a look at part of his stall:

Each fair will be different with new items each time as the items sell quickly - piece of advise here: If you see it and you like it, BUY IT! It will probably not be there 30 minutes later. Bring cash. Lots. ;)

Anyway, enough plugging, hope see you tomorrow, doors open at 10am, The Bakewell Town Hall, Derbyshire, DE45 1BT. Plus, Monday is market day in town and always has a fabulous atmosphere.

Julie.

Post Fair News and New Makes

Hi all,

It's been a busy time of late what with preparations for the four days Craft, Gift and Food Fair at Bakewell, then the fair itself and then the full on action with designing and making afterwards...

However, I would MUCH rather be busy than sitting around, and so onto the fruits of my labour.

The weekend was a fun one, there were lots and lots of people through the doors and there was a constant buzz in the atmosphere. Many people were on holiday and then there were the day trippers; on Monday it was really busy throughout Bakewell as it's market day too. I had quite a few sales, a couple of orders and some lovely comments on my items so it was a happy four days and I am looking forward to the next event. 

And so on to that, here is the first thing to show you:

These are some really cute little Red and White Coin Purses, capable of holding change, notes and around 6 cards, just perfect for dropping in your bag, leaving as emergency in the car, giving as gifts or even for children to use.

As you can see they are made using beautiful red and white cotton materials in flowers, checks and paisley designs, they are all adorned with pretty red bows, have white cotton interiors and have white zips to close. They are sure to make you smile and although only around 4.25 inches wide, they are big enough to pack a punch!

Check Purse Front

Flowers Purse Back

Paisley Purse Ready for Action

Next to show you, some more of my favourites:

These Freehand Machine Embroidery Birds Purses are one of my best sellers right now! I almost sold out at the weekend and so have made these three so far to start re-stocking. Customers said they liked the colours and the technique and agreed that the bright interior will make them feel happy when diving into the purse. One lady bought two as gifts for her daughters as 'from my holiday' gifts, which I felt really honoured about.

As I mentioned in a previous post, these are really roomy and as I have one (yes, I couldn't resist it) I am able to hold loads of card, notes and coins as well as lip balm, shop vouchers and even a couple of tissues! Just ask my Mum, she knows how much rubbish I carry around with me... So, they are strong, durable and pretty at the same time. :)

And finally for today, I want to show you this:

A VW Beetle made using Freehand Machine Embroidery. If you are an avid follower of my Blog, you will know that I made one of these last week in green colours, and when I put pictures on my Facebook page, my step-daughter said she wanted one straight away! She used to have a real one in baby blue, it was gorgeous and so I can only guess that's why she wanted a blue VW cushion and here it is... It's 12" square and will fit perfectly in several areas of her home. I hope she likes it, she hasn't seen it yet!

That's all for today folks, please pass this on, leave a comment below or head over to Facebook to give me a Like.

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

Two New Items

Evening all,

So I have been working hard, as no doubt everyone else has too and I have a couple of things to show you today. Firstly, this:

My new item in the line of Freehand Machine Embroidery, a 'Houses' Throw Cushion. I like how this turned out and the attention to detail was really fun to do, for instance the satelite dish on a roof, the nest under the eaves and the milk bottles outside a front door. :)

It is a 40cm x 40cm cushion, based on cream calico and made with an envelope back. What do you think?

Next up:

Denim and Cream Calico Coasters. These are in a set of six and each individual square has been made and patched together, filled and finished with a denim back. On these, I have only added one of my FMN Crafts labels so that they could be used the other way around if so desired...

These are great in that they are neutral in colours so will go with lots of decor. Do you like them?

Well that's all for today, here is a little teaser for my next blog...any ideas?



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

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Afternoon all,

Here is my latest item: 

This is a Fleece Flower Throw Cushion and it's so soft and cuddly! I made this as a little something different to what I have been working on recently and I really like it. I loved the super soft white fleece as soon as I touched it and I knew I had to make it into a cushion, so I made up the flowers using felt to keep the softness, and freehand sewing machined them on. I was going to add a bead to the centre of the flowers but decided not to, so that the whole cushion is soft enough to lean on, to add to a child's bed or throw on the floor for your kid's (or your) comfort whilst watching TV!

 
The back is cute too, I made it envelope style and the back has little scollop edges.

What do you think? It will be in my Etsy shop soon.

Thanks for reading, leave a comment if you wish or head on over to Facebook to Like me :)

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Good evening to anybody who pops over to read my blog!

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

Can you guess where this is? It's Sheepwash Bridge, Ashford-In-The-Water, nr. Bakewell, Derbyshire in the glorious Peak District!

I know it's quite a small picture (you can click on it to make it bigger) and the photo's never do the finished product justice (plus it was photographed once behind glass), but it's really quite cute! (If I do say so myself...)

A closer shot (reflection in glass, sorry)

Detailling in the bridge and trees

The area where the sheep were sheared after washing

The opening where the sheep were lowered into the water

It was designed and made over two days, each piece has been interfaced, heat stuck on and then sewn using a Freehand Machine Embroidery technique, particularly useful for the 'drawn' look and the attention to detail. This one is framed with the same appateur as the Bakewell Pudding Shop, only it is a larger mount and a larger frame.

The history behind this bridge is that back in the day, farmers bought sheep to the nearest side of the bridge to us in the design, lined them up, plopped them into the water through the opening in the wall allowing them to swim to the other side of the river, hense washing them, where they were helped out and finally sheared. (If I remember right that is...) As far as I know this practice doesn't occur any more but visitors come in their droves each year to see the sight and the beautiful village of Ashford-In-The-Water.

This is how it began!

What do you think? Leave me a comment if you like...if you have come from Facebook leave me a message here or there please :)

Thanks for reading, pass it on if you wish.
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015