Pom-Pom Bookmarks

Evening all, hope you've had a good week and ready for a sunny (in the UK) weekend! Wahoo!

I just wanted to share these little beauties with you that I made today:

Are they cute or what? I saw the idea somewhere on the internet recently, so I can't claim them as totally my own, however I made them a different size and I added the eyes and the beads, so I guess it's my interpretation of...

I love making pom-poms and found a much easier and quicker way to make them, than I did when I was a child, so I was able to make these over the course of one day (in-between life interuptions, you know what I mean?)

And the best part? I will be selling these for just 99p each! They're great little pocket-money lines for the craft fairs.

How do you like this little lady? I've named her Pony-Pom; I think you'll guess why...

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading,
Julie. :)

(c) FMN Crafts 2014

Chalk, Lavender, Kindle and Coins...in that order!

Hi there,

Four items to tell you about today (yep, been busy again!) First up, these are the OTHER two designs of Chalk Boards I mentioned in the previous post:
 

 

The first one is a crackled gold on a black base and it gives a real rustic, perhaps chabby chic look as I chose frames that could be recylcled.The second one is yellow-ish gold colour and I decorated it with red trim and flowers. They are great because they are small enough to fit in so many places of your home, office or craft room!

Both have black-boarded glass to write on, both stand on their own although they could be hung, both come complete with chalk and both cost just £5.99 each. Bargain! Find them soon in my Etsy store and remember, there is only one of each...

Now, onto the second of today's delights... Do you like lavender? The smell I mean? Well if so, I have the perfect little drawer filler for you:

Look at the cuteness! These little organza bags are just over 3 inches wide and are full of French Lavender heads. They smell gorgeous. And at only 99p per bag, who can resist? They are finished with cute lavender coloured ribbon and they can be placed in an underwear drawer, a scaft drawer, on the bed-side table or just about anywhere you like. They aid relaxation and sleep... If it gets to a point where you can't smell the lavender so much anymore, you just gently squeeze the bag which will crush a few heads and the aroma will fill and calm your senses once more. Find these in my Etsy store soon too...

Next up, is a really pretty new style of Kindle Fire HD Case I designed and made just this morning:

 

I bought some doilies and few months back and they sat on my shelf sinse then, because I didn't know what to do with them. Then, just this morning, this idea popped into my head. I have made Kindle cases previously, and although brilliant (if I do say so myself) they are in an envelope style - this time I wanted to make a sleeve style instead. I also thought I would keep this line quite modest in materials as opposed to my usual floral and spot, earthy maybe and so I used a cream exterior, white interior, white doiley, brown button and string for closing. I thought about adding a handle, key ring or even an ear-phone holder but thought against it in the end. Maybe later.

I took measurements of my Kindle, worked it all out, then interfaced the exterior and padded the interior. I actually quilted the interior to make for greater padding and quality finish and I think it looks realy nice. The doiley is hand sewn on and the button and string have a little give to allow for ease of opening and closing, yet they keep the Kindle secure and in place. My Kindle looks very at home in this and I am pleased how it turned out; I will be making iPad and other tablet cases soon so watch this space...

And finally for today, I finished these a couple of days ago:

 

Mini coin purses. These are in fact the second batch, I forgot to tell you about the first, but because I only had three left I had to make some more... They are quite small so they are known as coin purses, they all have interesting linings and they are have cute little zips. I usually reserve these as basket fillers for Fairs, but I may put some in my Etsy store if there is an interest shown. And the best bit? They are only £1.99 each! Wow. 'Can't make it for that'. Well actually...

(I like to keep my prices as low as I possibly can. As those who make things will know, if I charged for the time it takes to think up, design, make and re-make items, I wouldn't get anything back - there is no way I can charge for my time. But hey, I love doing it! I like to charge a price that is fair and that I would be happy to pay myself - I think this is the best way.)

So, mammoth post over, what do you think? I would love to know. 'Like' me on Facebook if you wish or leave a comment here.

Thank you for your time and for reading :)

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

Fairs and New Products

Afternoon all,

I have been busy. As usual. Over the last two weekends, I exhibited at the Bakewell Town Hall for Craft Fairs and both were worthwhile. I had really good fun at each fair, made some more friends and made even more sales. A couple of people asked if I have a list of fairs and their dates that I am attending and although I didn't right then, I told them to look at my Facebook page every now and then, as I usually list up-and-coming dates on there. You can too...

Whilst I was at one fair, Verity, who runs Hedgerow Pickles and Preserves asked if I made Notice Boards. I said no. Then I thought about it and when I got home I planned it and then the following day I made these:

Tiny Blue Flowers with Cream Ribbon

Strawberries with Red Ribbon

I sent Verity an e.mail that day and she responded with "Oh my God, you don't mess around do you?! They're perfect!"

I was pleased. And so I made the strawberries one today. What's tomorrow you ask? Well, I ran out of some of the materials so I can't make any more until re-stocked. They are fully padded, the ribbons are taut and finished off with cute little buttons. They are ideal for sliding in business cards, envelopes, bills etc and you can also use fancy clips to attach things if you wish...

What do you think?

Leave me a comment if you like, Like me on Facebook too if you wish or pass this on. I'd love to hear what you think. There will be more styles, sizes and designs coming soon. I am exhibiting at one of Verity's Fairs in June so I may save them and make a stash for then...afterall, these were her idea ;) Thanks Verity!

Thanks for reading, have a happy week :)
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014.

Black and White Stipes Brooch Flower Bag

Afternoon all,

I have been busy designing and making this bag and would like to share it with you now:

It is one of my absolute favorites, and no, I'm not bias, I am a realist and I REALLY like this! It is made of hard wearing canvas materials, inside, out and straps, it has pleated front and back sections, it has an internal hanging pocket and magnetic snap to close, but the best bit - it has four changeable flower brooches to decorate! Oh yes. Look:

One each of red, blue, yellow and pink so that your bag has a great chance of matching the outfit you are wearing, or you can match your outift or coat to the bag! They each have a brooch pin attached so you simply take off the former and add the one you wish.

A few details of the bag include these lovely little bits:

The internal pocket suitable for a small purse, your store cards or tissues and the magnetic snap; the detail in the pattern matching on the sides; the front pleats which are repeated on the back; the pleating that leads to a flat bottom base to give extra space for goodies yet has a beautifully rounded shape.

And as for sizing:

It is approximately 14" (35.5cm) across at the widest part of the base, 12" (30.5cm) tall and has 8 1/2" (21.5cm) handles. It fits really well over my shoulder and handles beautifully by myside too. Ohh, I can feel myself wanting to keep this more and more!

So, what do you think? I am just about to list it on Etsy, so if you want to get your hands on it, better do so quickly before I change my mind!

Thank you for reading,

Julie.

(c) FMN Crafts 2014

Jeans and Shirt Bag and Matching Purse

Good afternoon all,

I just had to show you this:

Something I created in an afternoon, a Jeans and Shirt combo making a Bag and Matching Purse :)

These items of clothing were in my 'to use later' bag and I was looking through the bag when I thought of this creation. I think it turned out well!

I unstitched the base of the 'bottom' area of the jeans (if you know what I mean), shaped and re-stitched into the desired size, I cut the shirt into pieces and used the sleeves for the handles, the sleeve roll-up things for the decoration on the front, the body of the shirt for the lining and a piece of the body for the mini front pocket and lining of the purse.

This picture shows the bag interior with the small breast pockets which can still be used for small items:

This pictures shows the lining of the purse with matching red zip:

And this picture show the purse's mini front pocket that can be used!:

I was contemplating putting it on Etsy, but then I have a Craft Fair at Bakewell this Monday so I think I will take it there and see what happens...

Do you like it? It's amazing what you can do with a little imagination and some re-cycling skills :)

Thanks for looking, leave a comment if you like or share this.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2014