Are you ready for Christmas?

I think I am - just a little bit of knitting to finish off, some shortbread baking and a couple of little bits and pieces to gather and wrap. Not too bad really!

I need to get stuck into the sewing as well today - two custom bags to finish off and get in the post and two new designs to finalise. I have a few new pieces of lovely fabric that have recently arrived that are taunting me from across the corner of my craft room - I might have to hide them somewhere so I don't get distracted and start playing with them as well! Think elephants, giraffes, owls (perhaps for the kids or the young at heart?) and some fabulous retro fabrics as well.

I have loaded up some pictures of the fabric into an album on my facebook page. Much more to go but that is a start isn't it?

I have also started using the Facebook shopping cart system so now if you would like to purchase one of my instock bags you can do so via Facebook. It accepts Paypal so if you would like to Direct Deposit just let me know and we can arrange that too. I have set it up to charge a standard $9 flat rate for postage which includes your choice of registered or express post. I can arrange standard post or pick up on request.

In celebration of my leap into a new world of technology and of course in the Christmas spirit I have am offering a 10% sale on all my instock bags. This includes the bags I will be adding later today and tomorrow.

Facebook Sale - 10% off

Must run... the kids are quiet and that is never a good sign - hopefully they haven't found Santa's hiding spot!

A busy day of sewing for me...

The bonus to having my husband at home is that I have managed to get quite a bit of sewing in.

I have three new bags to add for sale:

Polynesian Tote (black) - $40 plus post

Large Tote Bag in a sunny retro Polynesian print on heavy duty 100% cotton duck, fully lined in bright pink cotton duck with 2 internal pockets, black button and loop closure.
The bag includes interfacing for strength and has been double and triple stitched for added strength and durability.
The bag measures approximately 40cmx 30cm x 10cm (body of the bag) with a 50cm shoulder drop.

Polynesian Tote (brown) - $40 plus post

Large Tote Bag in a sunny retro Polynesian print on heavy duty 100% cotton duck, fully lined in bright pink cotton duck with 2 internal pockets, brown button and loop closure.
The bag includes interfacing for strength and has been double and triple stitched for added strength and durability.
The bag measures approximately 40cmx 30cm x 10cm (body of the bag) with a 50cm shoulder drop.

Retro Hearts - $25 plus post

A cute little tote bag for a little handbag lover. This bag is made from stretch denim and is fully lined in a funky flowers andhearts cotton drill and features a hand drawn quirky hearts applique. The bag has a snap closure and will be a great addition to a young girl's budding bag collection. (sorry about the very average photo - that is another thing I my list of things I need to master!)

I also managed to finish off the bag for my giveaway - a cute applique tote for Fee from Top End Tush Modern Cloth Nappies who was the lucky winner!

A very busy day today!

I am waiting on some fabric for some exciting custom orders and finalising a new design that I have been working on. That should keep me busy for a little while :)

Giveaway time!

Reading the webs this morning I discovered it is Blogger's Giveaway Day today courtesy of Julia at Just One W.I.P.

What a great idea - so in the Christmas spirit I think I'll join in the fun.

I will be giving away an appliqued kids tote bag - all you have to do to win the bag is to leave a comment here on my blog - let me know what kind of design you might like to see as well.

If you join my Facebook page here I'll give you another entry ( all my current 'likers' will get an entry) and if you mention my giveaway on your blog I'll give you another entry as well!

I'll close off the entries at first thing tomorrow and as soon as I figure out the random number thingo I'll be in contact with a winner!

Now... back to it ...I have finished a few more things and am working on a new little something as well :)

A little bag for a sweet little girl...

My eldest daughter is off to a friends 5th birthday party on Sunday. This particular little friend is a very sweet child and will be joining Mima at her new school next year so I thought I would make her a special little girl's handbag to celebrate turning 5.

Here it is - a stretch denim book bag fully lined in aqua polka dots and featuring a hand-drawn (a little dodgy but that just adds to the quirkiness right?) applique flower. I found the strangest little orange fabric button in my button tin that seemed just perfect for the centre of the flower. I have often looked at that random lost little button and wondered if it would ever find a home but now it has:)

If you would like something like this for your little princess shoot me a message and I will see what I can do.

I am currently working on some custom orders and waiting for some gorgeous new fabric to arrive. Two new designs will be available shortly. In the meantime I still have a few bags available in stock (just see the left column ).

And finally - a thankyou to my wonderful friend Shannon for her help in getting this blog sorted... now I just need to learn how to take better photos right? One step at a time... :)

Do these tickle your fancy?

All the bags are hand made by me in  my craft room at the bottom of my garden. They are fully lined and reinforced with interfacing and are double stitched for strength. They vary in size and internal construction - full details will be listed with each bag.

They can be spot cleaned if required and should soften with wear.

If you would like to purchase one please either PM me on Ravelry (howieandcharlie) or email me on a_k_s_75@hotmail.com. Prices are listed next to each bag, postage will be additional - Express or Registered Post is my prefered method of postage at this busy time of year. Payment by PayPal (no fees please) or Direct Deposit.

If you have any questions please let me know - thanks!

Lotus Flower - $60 plus post

Large tote bag, outer of heavy weight denim with bloom applique, inner of Emily Bloom fabric , two small  internal pockets and one large internal pocket, button and loop closure with reverse button feature.

Measurements: 40cm x 40cm x 15cm (body of the bag)

Pet Deer - $50 plus post  SOLD

Medium sized tote bag, outer of plum stretch corduroy, inner of Michael Miller Pet Deer in Brown, two internal pockets, button and loop closure.

Measurements: 30cm x 40cm x 10cm (body of the bag)






Ming - $50 plus post

Medium sized tote bag, outer of heavy weight denim, inner of Anna Maria Horner Ming, two internal pockets, button and loop closure.

Measurements: 30cm x 40cm x 10cm ( body of the bag)

Wallflower - $45 plus post SOLD

Medium sized tote bag, outer plum stretch corduroy, inner of blue/lilac wallflower quilters cotton, two internal pockets, button and loop closure.

Measurements: 30cm x 40cm x 10cm ( body of the bag)

Large Blue tote - $48 plus post  SOLD

Large tote bag, outer of pale blue upholstery fabric, inner beige drill, two small  internal pockets and one large internal pocket, cream buttons and loop closure with reverse button feature.

Measurements: 45cm x 40cm x 15cm

Aqua Teeny Tiny Tote - $38 plus post SOLD

Small handbag (well not that small - but small compared with what I usually lug around), outer of heavyweight denim. Inner 100% quilters cotton, external pocket in reinforced quilters cotton, internal reinforced pocket, button and loop closure.

Measurements: 27cm x 16cm x 8cm (body of the bag)

Vintage Teeny Tiny Tote - $40 plus post SOLD

Small handbag (well not that small - but small compared with what I usually lug around), outer of heavyweight denim. Inner 100% quilters cotton, external pocket in reinforced quilters cotton, split - internal reinforced pockets, button and loop closure.

Measurements: 27cm x 16cm x 8cm (body of the bag)

Fancy a new handbag?

I have been busy down at the bottom of my garden sewing up some lovely denim and cord handbags. I will pop up some pics later tonight and then offer them for sale tomorrow afternoon.

Check back later if you are interested or if you have any special requests for colours or fabric let me know and I will see what I can do :)

Some of my bags

A little bit of crafting........

Hmm - I think I must leave all my computer savyness (or is that saviness?) at work because I  couldn't remember my password to log in to my blog and promptly forgot I even had one :lol

Never fear! I found it again thanks to my foresight that somehow told me to link my embryonic blog to my profile on Ravelry :)

I have been trying to find some time to post a little bit about the crafting that I enjoy doing. My wonderful husband indulges my efforts by letting me set up my space in our spare room at the back of our garden. I have a wonderful sewing set-up and some great wall units filled with yarn and fabric.

It is such a pleasant thing to wander down the back of the garden to my 'Wool Shop' as my girls refer to the craft room, and ponder my choice of yarn for my next project.

I have been busily knitting away, completing some test knits for my designer friends shannon, Stitchymama and Tikki. One day I might pluck up the courage to put my ideas down on paper but for now I'm just a follower when it comes to knits.

What I do enjoy creating from scratch are bags. Handbags, tote bags, messenger style bags - made from cotton, cords, denim and other delightful fabrics. I have made quite a few over the past few years and have gifted them to many and even sold a few here and there.

I will dig out a few photos and share them here over the next few days. Who knows - maybe you or someone you know might be interested in a handbag or two :)

To blog or not to blog......

Well I figured if you can't beat 'em - join them.

So here is my new blog and very first post:)

Now to figure out how this all works!