New Items!

Good evening all,

So sorry for the absence, I have still been busy making but I have been a little preoccupied with Craft Fairs and (ssh, don't tell Blogger) Instagram. It's brilliant! If you fancy a look at my stuff on there, click here.

For today I want to show you a few things and I'll do so like before, in photo form. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or head over to my Instagram or Facebook page. Thanks!

Vintage Doilies and Handkerchiefs Small Lined Cross Body Bag with Internal Pocket

Linen Vintage Handkerchiefs and Doily Small Envelope Back Throw Cushion

Small Framed Freehand Machine Embroidery Tea Cups Wall Art

Vintage Doilies and Handkerchiefs Large Lined Shoulder Bag with Internal Pocket

Lovely Denim and Floral Cotton Mobile 'Phone Cases with Earphone Pockets

Small Tea Cups Linen, Cotton, Chiffon and Lace Envelope Back Freehand Machine Embroidery Cushion

Linen and Vintage Handkerchiefs Wristlet Bridesmaid Pouches, Set of 3

Small Botanical Garden Envelope Back Throw Cushion with Removable Brooch Back Flower

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.

Linen, Cotton and Liberty of London!

Hi all,

Don't know about you but Spring really does bring out the 'busy-bee' in our house... we don't seem to have stopped in a looooonnng time. Oh well, I guess it's all good.

Anyway, I just wanted to post a quick blog on a few of my latest makes, so first up:

These are really cute little Flex-Frame Linen Purses. I made flex-frame purses a while ago and they went well, so I thought I'd make a few more in the linen materials I have; these are the first two styles. They are small enough to fit easily in a bag yet roomy enough to hold multiple cards and coins, or all kinds of bits and bobs. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Strawberries with Pink Spot

White Heart with Cherries

They are made with flat bases so you can not only fit loads in but also they stand up, plus they have cream cotton linings and the linen exteriors mean they are really hard wearing so should last for ages. What do you think?

Next up:

Another batch of Tissue Holders, as these are officially the hot-cakes of the fairs and sell so much so, that I am very often making them. They are quite sweet though aren't they? I had one lady at my last fair buy four in one go! Gifts, me thinks...

And finally (I think you'll like this):

This, ladies and gentlemen, is The (capital T) Denim and Liberty of London Aztec Print Drawstring Rucksack. Oh yes-siree. See the pictures for details.

Aztec detail added to the rounded corner top flap which has an elastic loop for closing

It has a denim base for added strength where needed and you can see the strong cord

It has two good sized wide shoulder straps

It also has a loop handle for convenience

Here you can see when the drawstring is pulled and the contrast between sides of the flap

Here's what it looks like when the flap is back and all the Aztec print is exposed

It is a really large 'bucket' style rucksack to take lots of goods

And it has a light cream interior to help find your items easily

I just love this bag and am sorely tempted to keep it! It is re-enforced in all stress areas, fits comfortably on the shoulders and is made of sturdy materials aiding durability and lasting quality. The best part is the fabulous Aztec print which is vintage Liberty material. I have used this material in earlier projects and it is just so nice to work with. This particular bag took me just over 6 hours to complete which includes design, sizing, measuring, cutting, pressing, assembly and finishing touches. I was a little tired...but I am sure you will agree, it was worth it!

I will be taking this to Bakewell at the weekend, so fingers crossed someone else loves it as much as I do :)

Well that's all for now, let me know what you think or pass this on. Thanks for reading.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Three New Items :)

Hello all,

Hoping you are well and not too caught up in Election Fever...

Today I would like to show you my latest works; I have been busy as usual. First up:

This is my Freehand Machine Embroidery Padded Flat Base Shoulder Bag. It has beautiful flowers on both sides that have been designed and sewn on using my favourite method, there is a floral lower band, and it also has a gazillion internal pockets. Yes, that's right.

It is made using sturdy denim materials in black and blue, the bag is lined in cream cotton with all the pockets in floral cotton, the handles are padded, the base is flat so the bag stands up by itself and the body of the bag is fleeced lined for extra padding and durability too. It sits nice on the shoulder or it can be held on the forearm, or it can be held at arms length.

I love it and it will be coming with me the the fair at the weekend; details about that later in the week.

Next up:

This is my Neutral Bunting and is so called because of the colour scheme.I am convinced it will fit into many homes and this is exactly why I made it using these colours and the materials - which are a mix of new and old. There are upholstery, curtaining, clothing and linen materials and they are bound with soft black webbing. Every other bunting flag has two buttons attached and each flag has a different front to it's back, meaning it is double sided, so it can be hung against a wall or across a room.

Each bunting flag is 8 inches tall, there are 12 flags per strip, it is 8 feet long and with it being made from these materials, it is long lasting. What do you think?

And finally for today:

These are my new style Tissue Packs, made using two different materials each and filled with 10 handy sized tissues. I changed the way I make them as I saw a lady with one like these recently and it got my cogs turning! I really liked the little strip on each side of the opening and once I worked out how to make them, I did. :)

They are just so pretty! They look good in any bag or even on the bed side table and they make great gifts...

That's all for today, thanks for reading and please leave me a comment if you wish.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015