Embroidered screen printed butterfly bag

During the year I was invited to partake in a collaboration - my first collaborative effort in fact!

Something I love about the handmade community is how skills and talents can be pooled to create something really awesome!

Margo from The Climbing Tree sent me a gorgeous linen piece with a screen printed butterfly from Thea & Sami with the idea that I could embroider it for a bag flap.

Margo used a Nicole Mallileu pattern to sew a gorgeous bag featuring the butterfly. I think the contrast is just beautiful! 

Here is the completed piece before becoming a bag flap. I hand painted some segments and used a variety of embroidery stitches with silk, cotton, and swarovski crystals and beads.

The bag was snapped up by a very happy customer :)

Margo makes all sorts of things including gorgeous children's clothing, hats and bags. You can find her in the following places:

The Climbing Tree

Facebook page

For beautiful screen printed fabrics and homewares:

Thea & Sami

Facebook page

And for bag and clothing patterns:

Nicole Mallalieu

Facebook page

Oriental brick purse handbag

Yes, I've named this bag the Oriental brick purse handbag which sounds a bit nuts but there is a reason! Firstly, I'm really bad with naming things. Pets (the cat is named "Kitty", the chickens are "the chooks") or bags, or other inanimate objects - I'm just poor with names.

Secondly, this bag was designed to fit my purse, which I've dubbed "the brick" due to it's immense size. It seems the day I went shopping for a new purse after the old one died, the shops were only selling huge ones, so I lucked out. And the bright red and black print is the oriental print from the print studio.

So, the purse fits perfectly with a little room leftover for a couple of tissues, a prayer book, keys or some other small essentials. The design is fairly basic with a magnetic closure and no pockets and a long strap to wear across the body, which is just how I wanted it.

I'm learning a lot about the design and construction of bags and of course the best way to learn is by doing!

Husband had a new lino design to try out, so I got him to print it onto a lovely little piece of linen I had and made it up into a pincushion. I love the way it looks! Simple, rustic, classy!

Can you believe he drew this design and then actually carved it out of a piece of lino, he just amazes me with what he can do with some lino and carving tools!

Crafting for charity

I've heard many a time that the best way to help yourself out of a low period is to work for the benefit of others and I find it to be very true.
Over the weekend I've been busy sewing for a handmade auction at my husband's work for someone very much in need.

I'm very happy with this bag that I designed as I went along with a great deal of winging it! I went to Spotlight to buy handles, but when I saw the $15 price tag for a couple of bits of plastic I changed my mind and made a strap.

The bag is pleated (that took ages!) and has boxed corners, if that's what you call them.

Hobo bag from a commercial pattern.

Finished with a matching fabric covered button. I hope these bags raise some money for the auction.

I picked some lemons from our tree to make a small batch of lemon curd, I love it.

Thanks to all who commented on my last post, I so appreciate your positive support :)

Nicole M purse

I try to make my little sister a handmade gift for her birthday each year and was racking my brain when I remembered the purse pattern I picked up at Nicole's stall at the AQC. It was going to be for moi, but I do love to give a gift that I would love for myself!

The satin lining was a bit fiddly to sew but very worth the effort for a classy finish. The outer fabric also came from the AQC. It's great to put beautiful things to use.

This pattern was a pleasure to use - if you've never bought one of Nicole's patterns I highly recommend it. She goes above and beyond with her tips, explanations and photos so that each pattern is like a mini lesson.

The best part of all this is I remembered an op shop find from years ago and was actually able to find it in my craft mess. A gold purse frame and guess what? Just the right size! Looks like I'll be getting my purse after all :)