Matlock Bath Crafts, Gifts and Food Fair

Evening all,

Just a little reminder that if you are free on Sunday and love Derbyshire, please nip into Matlock Bath and visit the Crafts, Gifts and Food Fair

I'll be there selling my lovely items...and there are always some beautiful locally made items, including lots of yummy food and cakes. :)

Thanks a lot - pass it on!

Julie.

Tins, tins, tins!

Good afternoon, thank you for dropping by.

I want to show you these that I have just finished, in preparation for my Craft Fair coming up in Matlock Bath on Sunday:

 

They are re-worked tins made into pencil, pens, make-up brushes, utensils or 'what-ever-you-like' holders!

I prepared the tins for use, then lined them inside and out. For the inside I used felt and for the outside, I used craft paper with embellishments. Pretty cute, right?

 

You can see from the picture above quite clearly the felt lining and the contrasting base colour that applies to most of them, and then the ribbon around the edges. I liked using two different designs on most of the tins to add a little fun. They can be placed in any position and will always look cute!

The one above here has cute little cupcakes and stripes and so would fit into many places of the home, including as shown above, in the kitchen. There's really no excuse. ;)

 

This one is made using a smaller tin and so I made it a child's tin. It still comes with 12 crayons as the others do, it's just a little smaller in stature. The rabbit will hopefully appeal to many.

 

And the second of my children's pencil holders is this brightly multi-coloured one. I love this! It is of the small size but packs a punch. There's no chance of losing it...

Back to the full size again and this one will fit into many areas of the home again. And like I said before, they don't have to be just for stationery, they can be for make-up brushes, hair brushes and combs, utensils, paint brushes, scissors, bingo dobbers (!) - what ever takes your fancy. 

And finally I made this one that is a little more hard wearing and will suit tools and equipment as it has a more 'hardy' appeal. This is lined in one colour felt (black) and has upholstery material on the outside, from floor to ceiling, that will manage many knocks. Perhaps one for the men in our lives? Or is that too stereo-typical?

Anyway, I know there will be more to come, but wanted to share these with you for now. 

What do you think? I'd love your comments and I take questions too, please get in contact. Don't forget you can find me on Facebook

Thanks for reading, take care.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2013

Two New Items - Beautifully Eye-catching Oilcloth Shopping / Tote Bags :)

Evening all,

I'm just going to throw these at ya'

 

This is how the story goes...I was playing. Yes, playing. I had done my jobs for the day (it was Saturday, so it was washing, bathroom cleaning, shopping, you know the drill) and I just wanted to play around at something that I could make for myself (which does NOT happen very often.) I looked around my workshop, saw the oilcloth sitting there - it was sitting as I haven't had much to use it for recently - and I thought about making myself a shopping bag. One that would hold frozen or refrigerated goods that would look pretty, yet be sturdy and could be wiped out when I got it home. 

The oilcloth shopping bag was born.

I designed a shape, the sizes and the materials to use, I got the complimentary bias binding and the cottons needed together and got to work. I was suprised and very pleased at how quickly it came together (I am referring to the bag at the top). Happy me! Or so I thought. 

I made the second one today (after nipping to the material shop), the red, black and white one, and have just found myself listing both items on Etsy. Damn it! I meant to keep the first one for myself...

Oh well.

I have more material, so I can always make another one I suppose.

Anyway, what do you think? Do you like them? Please leave me a comment, or Share this, or Like me on Facebook.

Have a nice evening, lets see what I can create tomorrow. Maybe something for myself.... ;)

Thanks for reading,

Julie.

(C) FMN Craft 2013

Personalised Cross-Stitch Hand Made Bookmarks

Hi all,

I have a little post to bring you today of a new item I designed and made recently - personalised bookmarks.

If like me you love to read, you will no doubt have a few bookmarks strewn around your home. But, do you have one like this?

 

You will notice immediately the initial - that is the point (personalised) and then the pretty blue and pink rose background. On the reverse it is blue with tiny white polka dots and is complete with a pretty little pink ribbon.

Here is one in action:

And here is a little collection of pictures:

 

In the picture above you will see 7 that I have made so far, there are obviously more to come and I will be posting on Etsy in a moment. I cross-stitched the initials which took a while as I haven't done any cross-stitch for about 4 years and my wrist was aching (!), the interior is interfaced so the bookmark remains in shape throughout it's many years of use and the ribbon is pushed through a metal eyelet.

Do you like them? I have a kindle Fire HD and I love my books on it - but/and I love a 'physical' book too - how about you? At £4.49, can you resist? Hand made remember...

Thank you for reading, if you like my little blog please leave a comment, or Like me on Facebook or share this.

Take care,

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2013

New Item - Beautiful Patchwork Curtain Material Shopping Bag

Hi all,

I have JUST finished making this - I designed it only a few days ago and completed it today :)

 

It is called a Patchwork Curtain Material Shopping / Tote Bag and I think that is self-explanatory enough, except that I need to point out these TEN things about it!

1) It is a large 'bucket' of a bag with plenty of room to hold a lot of shopping with no obstructions

2) It has long handles so it fits comfortably on the shoulder yet can be held at arms length if needed

3) It has a large outside pocket with snap closure that can hold a multitude of sins

4) It has an internal pocket that can hold your mobile phone, keys or purse for easy access

5) It is made of beautiful curtain material so has automatic strength and durability, whilst remaining soft to the touch

6) It is made of 8 patchwork pieces and has re-enforced 'hot spots'

7) The colours are eye-catching, smart and go with all outfits

8) It folds up small so it can be held in the palm of your hand or thrown into another bag

9) It is fully lined in complimentary cream 100% cotton

10) It has webbing straps that are hard-wearing for some serious shopping.

                                                                                                                               

Need I say any more?? Someone needs this bag in their life - and I am making only ONE of these! Oh, and the button on the front that disguises the magnetic snap inside, guess what it is made of? Coconut! Beautiful. If this is not bought very soon, I will be keeping it for myself! ;)

So what do you think? You can see it on Etsy now - if you like it (buy it) please share it with your friends, leave me a comment and/or Like me on Facebook!

Thank you for reading, if you are in UK enjoy the much needed sun, if you are elsewhere, enjoy what you have!

Julie.

(C) FMNCrafts 2013

Matlock Bath and New Uphostery Bag

Hello all,

Hoping you are all well - I am just recovering form a busy Bank Holiday spent at Matlock Bath Craft and Gift Fair, Derbyshire. It was a fun weekend with many coming and goings and I made quite a lot of sales, so was very pleased. I had some great neighbours and enjoyed my time there, already looking forward to going back.

Part of my stall

You see my sock monkey in the middle of the stand? Well I sold him. BUT I DIDN'T MEAN TO! I have him sat there and I take orders from him as I let customers choose their own sock (new, of course!) and I love Monkey. But a lady came up with a toddler, asked how much, passed me the money and took him before I even realised what was happening - I was distraught! Monkeyyyyy! But I didn't have the heart to tell her once she had walked away as the little girl had already kissed him and was hugging him tight... arr. But my little Monkey! Oh well....

I made quite a few more button bracelets to take and they did well again. I sold many items I have had for a few weeks but my ultimate hot cakes for this fair were make-up bags. I don't know why in particular but I sold three in one go at one stage! So that was good.

This week I will be looking at other fairs in and around Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire that I can stand at too. I had a lot of hints and tips from fellow stallholders this weekend for which I am grateful. Thanks to all. Also thanks to Lynn for holding the fort for Joolz and Nathan who were away in Scotland, well done you! (and helpers...)

And for the second reason to post - my new upholstery bag in black and cream:

 

It is made from a strong and gorgeous black and cream upholstery material, I have lined it with black cotton material, added a swinging pocket which easily accommodates a mobile phone or purse and made some funky and unusual handles. I corded some of the material, gathered it into circles and attached using black webbing. This bag is in the boho style and am just about to add it to Etsy.

What do you think? Leave me a comment or Like me on Facebook please and I'll see you next time.

Julie.

(c) FMN Crafts 2013

Material Horde and New Design Upholstery Bag

Evening all,

Hoping you are all well, thank you for visiting my blog :)

I have been busy of late, and my newest creations include glasses cases, re-worked bags, shopping bags, rucksacks as well as button bracelet & rings, but first let me tell you about my recent horde.

I found a new fabric shop in town. Well, my Mum did actually, God bless her, she saw an advertisment in the local paper and kept it for me. So yesterday I checked it out and came out with 12 different top quality pieces of upholstery and curtaining fabric. 12! I was so happy. I think you can see most of them in this huge bag:

I just love upholstery and curtain materials, they are so versatile and easy to work with - but above all, they are sturdy and last a long time. So I thought about how to use the first piece and my first creation, which I finished today, is this bag:

I REALLY like this bag and am sorely tempted to keep it myself - even though I know that is not good for business. ;) I wanted something a little different and so I thought and planned and drew and made this!

It is fully padded for stability, including the shoulder strap and flip fastening making for extra durability, it has a smart round base and the flap fastening is also rounded, it has an inside hanging pocket and has a magnetic snap to close and is lined in a complimentary cream cotton material. It is roomy enough for a multitude of items and is in a beautiful taupe and sage green floral print. It sits really nicely on the shoulder and will go with many outfits, and can be used for many occasions too. Do you like it? Leave me a comment if so!

I was going to show you my other creations as listed above, but it is 23.37 here and I am just too tired! They will come tomorrow and beyond so please check back here later. Thank you.

Share me or Like me if you wish, or leave a comment in the box below - feedback is heaven!

Goodnight,
Julie.

(c) FMN Crafts 2013