New Items and a Giddy Moment...

Hi all,

For today's post I would like to show you a few new items (there's never a dull moment here), first up is a small batch of Freehand Machine Embroidery Cards that I took to the fair last weekend:

Whenever I put these out at the fairs they go almost straight away (which of course is good!) but I can pretty much guarantee I will not go home with many... Those of you who are eagle-eyed will notice there are some similarities to ones I have made before, but you may also notice there are some slight changes in style and colours materials/used, due to natural evolution of skills and experience in making items...

The next thing to show you are these:

These are really cute little Linen Coin Purses! They have two different sides to each purse, a cute little zip and a cream lining and a snazzy little string pull. Even though they are really small, they pack a punch in the content they hold! These will be going out at my next fair.

And my third items today:

My Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim and Firm Linen Purses. These are slightly different to the ones I made last time in that they have a different front to their back, so it makes them even more interesting. I love the little birds design and the materials are so hard wearing, adding to durability. They look cute too and you can get LOADS in them. I made one a while ago for myself and boy, does it take some abuse! I am not a pretty handbag type of girl - in that the exterior will be lovely, but inside? Jeez. My Mum often comments on the amount of unnecessary stuff items I carry in my bag and asks how it all fits, so my purse does get bashed around a bit, but it still looks like new :)

And finally for today, I tweeted about my Freehand Machine Embroidery Bakewell Pudding Shop framed piece of art recently and the Bakewell Pudding Shop themselves picked it up; here's a screen shot:

Teehee! I was made up! I am so proud...

And on that note, I'll sign off, until the next time :D

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Final Post This Week: Bakewell and New Items

Evening all,

For the last post of this week I would like to show you a couple of things, but before that details of my fair as mentioned in the earlier post.

I am at the Bakewell Town Hall tomorrow and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm for a Craft and Gift Fair, organised by Dawn of Craftwise Art and Craft Markets.

The Craftwise Art & Craft Markets have been held regularly in Bakewell Town Hall since 2002, they are held in the downstairs room and admission is free.

There are a range of quality gifts available including handmade cards, knitted baby clothes, wrapped gifts, fabric crafts, a variety of different styles of jewellery, art work, photography and others - it sure is a great fair to visit and I for one am looking forward to it.

OK, so just a couple of things to show you that i have managed to make before tomorrow, firstly these:

 
You will recognise the new style rabbit from the previous post but I have also tweaked some of the others, either in design or materials used. These are part of my selection of Freehand Machine Embroidery Cards which I think are little pieces of art in themselves.

 

Plus, they can be framed after standing on the shelf or fireplace and hung on a wall :)

And finally for the week, this:

This is a Freehand Machine Embroidery Bunting Door Stop. It is made using sturdy denim and hard wearing linen, it has a webbing strap handle and is decorated in cute little bunting pieces. It is filled with sand, stones and padding and holds open a door just as it should. I like this. :D 

Click to enlarge

As you would expect, this will be going with me the the fair tomorrow.

If you feel like a day out, please go to Bakewell in the lovely Peak District, it is a fabulous little town that has all you need - including our craft fair! You will not be disappointed. 

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment if you wish.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

More New items :)

Evening all,

So over the last two days I have been busy making some new things, two repeat items with a little difference and a new item, so without further ado:

As part of my freehand machine embroidery cards range (I have made a rabbit before, which was cute, but this one I think is even cuter!) this is my new style rabbit. Rabbit #2 if you like. He has different fur and a pink inner ear and a cheeky little smile too ;)

Just look at his face! Arr. These kinds of cards sell really quickly at the fairs, below are a couple of pictures of the first batches I made and you can just see the Rabbit #1 at the base of the second picture:

It's a really great feeling when someone picks up a card (or anything I have made) and admires it, then gives lovely comments on it and then buys it - to give to someone else as a gift/greeting that hopefully they will appreciate too. I know that I have made that item and I have made someone have that reaction to it and taken action upon that reaction, and then, that item that I have made, is going into somebody's house! It's just fab. :)

Next up:

I recently made just one of these iPad Air cases and it sold at the first fair I took it to, so today I managed to make two of them, similar to the last but again slightly different, to add variety. These have been made using sturdy denim, with cotton linings and cotton freehand machine embroidery birds to decorate. They both close with an elastic loop over a button and they are padded too, to protect the iPad. If I had an iPad, I would have one of these...

And finally for today, I made two sets of these:

Click the picture to enlarge

These are children's bedrooms or children's play rooms bunting! I love this printed cotton material and it came in a flash to me today to make these, just something a little bit different. The colours are so cute and would look good in any room - it doesn't have to be for children!

I made them to be 8 feet long, they have 12 flags per set which are approximately 8 inches tall and there is an 18" piece of overhang at each end so it can be pinned or tied easily as necessary. The pattern is also on both sides so it doesn't matter which way you hang them and they don't have to be up against a wall, unless you want them to be. What do you think?

That's it for now, these items will be taken to the fair on Saturday - more details later.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment if you wish.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

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

New Items

Good evening all,

I have been busy (as usual) and have a few of my creations to show you, I thank you for your time.

First up, my new Freehand Machine Embroidery Double Sided Purses:

I just love them. I decided to use the bird design (because I love that too) and I think it really works. I also decided to use an interior that packs a punch and so have co-ordinated the insides with the outer fabrics. Adding a pop of colour in the zip just brings it all together.

I came across the ribbon of 'Hand Made' tags recently and have started adding them to a few of my creations, and I think it adds even more of a professional touch. I will of course only add them when/where appropriate, but I think I like them on these purses. Plus, you could add a split ring and attach your key...

I also made these:

I think it must be because Spring has just arrived, but these seem to fit really well. Again, double sided, lined to make you smile and each having a happy zip. Is a happy zip a thing? Well, it is now.

Next up, my Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim iPad Air Case:

Even though I don't own an iPad myself, I know a gazillion people who do so I am sure these will sell quite well. As you can see, I used a rugged denim for the outer and a bright pink fan material for the interior. I made a template of an iPad Air for the measurements and this suits really well. The case has lovely little freehand machine embroidered birds, it is fully padded to protect your iPad and it has an elastic with button to close. And I know, as in the instance of my mobile 'phone cases, there are A LOT of cases in the market, but there are none like my own designed, hand made ones, made with much love, care and attention to detail. PLUS, if I make more than one of any of my items, they are still unique as all hand made items will be ever so slightly different.

Getting off my soap box now.

And finally for this evening, these Roll-up Shopping Bags:

These are so cute! I have had this vegetable material for quite some time and in the past have made children's bags and aprons but I saw it again today wrapped up and thought, hmm, what can I do with that? Sure enough, these bags popped into mind. I have made roll-up shopping bags before too, but not for about a year and so I got to work. These bags are of a substantial size being around 15" tall and 13.5" wide, enough to get plenty of shopping in and yet roll down really small, making it easy to grab and go, or pop into your usual bag, ready for the shops. They are lined in cream calico and have webbing straps to make it light, yet sturdy and as you'd expect, all stress areas are reinforced for durability. And the best thing is they are made of cotton, so they can be washed easily when needed.

This is how to roll them up:

Easy!

That's all for now, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment or take a look at my Facebook page.

News coming soon of upcoming fairs. Stay tuned...

Julie.

(c) FMN Crafts 2015