U-handblog

Misc-link-mania

Some groovy crafty goings on:

• Delicious weekender style bag and purse frame purses in African prints.
• Brilliant German quilt blog, talented gal!
• Switch plates by Pink Chalk Studio
• 56 free apron patterns (is that all?)
• Squillions of free embroidery patterns
• Zen Habits easy and simple ways to make life a bit easier
• More free fonts than you can shake your keyboard at
• Easy to use length converter
• Don't like DIY, and I don't like washing up either, but there you go...

Coming next: gorgeous (well, I think so) flower and plant pics from Kew botanical gardens.

Sewing World Bag Aug 08. Reversible Heidi Handbag in Linen.

I hope you are having a really lovely weekend everyone (there's a still a few hours of it left!)  It's lovely and sunny in my neck of the woods.  I'm almost tempted to say that Summer is here, but you know what will happen if I do that...

Al has been away all weekend which has meant that I have managed to do quite a lot of stuff like (another) Ikea visit, putting up some shelving, a long walk with the woofer, finishing On Chesil Beach, an amazing visit to Kew Gardens (more about that next post), and I have finished this months Sewing World Magazine Bag - yay!

The theme for August month is 'the colour yellow and quick makes'. So in keeping with the theme I  designed this reversible handbag in Linen and quilt weight cotton (sorry about posting loads of pics; it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage):
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So this is the first time I've sewn a linen bag (yes, talk about slow to catch on...) and I'm hooked (well I should be seeming as I bought 5m of the stuff from Ikea).   I made a cut out underneath the handles so there is room to slip your arm though should you want to use the bag as a shoulder bag.  The fastening is a ribbon tie.  I have used this fabric for the lining and these bamboo handles.

The bag has darts in the bottom to give it a 3D shape and a flattish bottom. The yummylicious ribbon is from an incredible trimmings market stall in Amsterdam.  It has cute flowers which have been embroidered onto a transparent gauze, so pretty.  In fact the reason I have called the bag Heidi is because the ribbon and linen combo makes me think of The Swiss Heidi.

Inside



and for a different look flip the bag out and reverse it.

Exclusive and in depth interview with Amy Butler!!

Aw thanks for your feedback on Al's song everyone.  Your comments have made Al so happy, he's puffed out his chest and now he wants to try and finish the song properly.   He's way too shy about his music and when his missus tells him that he's good it's like your mum telling you "well, you're special to me".

Yes right the interview!  Amy has very kindly let me interview her (and bless her) she has taken the time to write very in depth answers and provided photography to die for.  There's also YOU READ HERE FIRST!! hot news of her up and coming book which will be guaranteed to fly off the shelves (I'd love a copy and I don't have kids!) Intrigued...then pop over to my other blog for a read of Amy's interview. Hope you enjoy it :)
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Amy says: “I’m sporting a vintage find from my favorite clothing store “Foot  Loose” here in Granville.  The color is delicious. “

Be Simon Cowell for a day and win a bag frame!!

"The sun has got his hat on hip hip hip hooray...."  Bring on those rays it makes everything feel and look so wunnerful!   Right now I'm busy playing with some linen fabric and I'm trying my darndest to design the Sewing World Bag (so it will be something in linen, but what?  Errrr....).  The thing is I have lots of new goodies in the shop I would much rather play with them instead, phoooey!

Anyway, whilst I'm trying to get my head around a design for the mag I was wondering if I could ask you folks for your esteemed opinion on something.  Al plays and writes music.  When in the right mood he has this uncanny ability to pen a song in 30 mins and he plays guitar too.  I've always said that he has an  talent for both, and yes, as his missus of course I would, but I am not alone in thinking he should just get out there have a laugh and gig. 

So I was thinking it would be a bit of fun (and interesting) to see what you think of one of his many songs as I was inspired to do so by this post written by Wendy.   And seeming as it's time for another giveaway I thought I would throw in a bag frame for one winner too.  OK so the song is not in a polished state as Al (who did everything on the song) is not too hot at doing the producing and editing stuff, but you'll more than get the idea.
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Listen to Al's song, tell us what you think, and win a frame to make the above purse (or another purse if you fancy).

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Draw Details (please read carefully)

I'll send a pretty Silver Loop Handle Bag Frame 1 lucky draw winner. 

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• having a listen to Al's song: 'Stuck Like This' and telling us what you think about it.  Don't be shy about being honest - he's a big boy; he can take it :)

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly draw the winner in a weeks time - 15th May and announce the winner the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
3. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
4. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

So the challenge is to eat cakes and buy and talk craft things for 10 whole hours!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend everyone.  I must say I did.  I somehow managed to do loads of things.  We managed to clear up the office, employ a new pair of hands for the shop, catch up with some buddies, go to IKEA (it was actually quiet so no wanting to shoot myself!) and best of all I got to meet up with some crafty bloggers in London for a cakes and craft chat.

So Jo (Today we are), Helen (Angharad), and Florence (FlossieTeacakes) and I met up in London for a girly crafternoon. How wonderful to be able to indulge in talking about craft, craft supplies, craft blogging, and do some craft shopping with folks who's eyes aren't going to glaze over at the mere mention of the words; "fabric, sewing, bags, Amy Butler, blog, stitch ripper etc etc. etc."  You know you are amongst kindred spirits when you can blather on about craft for the best part of 10 hours!

Here is the famous Liberty of London.  The craft section is rather good, I got 'rabbit caught in the headlights syndrome' and in the end only purchased some pretty buttons.

Can't take many pics inside because the staff are too keen...  Inside the store is so lovely with it's aged wooden galleries....

and vaulted glass ceiling.

This lady looks like she enjoys her job and who can blame her?

Next craft shop stop was the lovely Cloth House...

 

...mmmm! What a wondrous sight.

And just as tasty are these cakes.  Time for some refreshment in the sumptuous Patisserie Valerie.  I often think that it's a cruel trick that when you eat lots you get full, feel sick, and then your clothes don't fit, but as you can see this was not the the time and place to worry about silly things like that...

Good enough to lick the screen eat.

...and for a craft night cap some yummy mocktails (with simultaneous "one for the blog" photography) in the 5th View bar in Waterstones book shop on Piccadilly (groovy craft book section too, I might add).

Monster Mess

Phew!  Snowed under today because heaps of deliveries have all arrived today (it's the same as the bus thing, you wait for ages and ages and then...) so the office is in an almighty mess.  But the postie has also delivered two Canadian stowaways called Colin & Kevin so they can help me clear up the office.  Al had invited these two chaps over as a surprise for me. 
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Colin: "Mmphff mmphff!  Would you mind awfully getting your foot out of my face?"
Kevin: "Sorree!  It's not like I have much choice!"

Kevin: "Ahh it's good to stretch your legs." 
Colin: "Bit flippin' chilly in the UK isn't it?"

"Aw come on Colin cheer up, I'll make us all a nice hot cuppa."

And the winner of the artful Blogging Journal is...

I'm so glad that lots of you entered the Artful Blogging draw, it was heartwarming to read your thoughts on why you enjoy blogging.  It was ace to learn about new blogs too.  In your comments you've written in black and white why the crafting community is simply one of the best gangs to hang out in.  We're funny, we shoot from the hip, we're nimble fingered (most of the time), we're warm, we're generous, we're tenacious (with the family and with the stitch ripper), we're open,  we're multi-talented, we're sensitive and thoughtful (and smart, which goes without saying), we're curious, we're glamorous (even though we often have bad hair), we're girly (but we don't take any rubbish either), we don't have issues with eating nice food like cakes and chocolate, we're sensualists who are damn good at enjoying the moment, I could go on, but it's nothing you don't know already :)
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Up for grabs was this Artful Blogging Journal.
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Anyways, without further ado, there were 53 entries for this draw and the random number picker (so you can't blame me) stopped on the number 24.

So will Barbara who wrote:

"This looks like a fabulous magazine. I sometimes wonder what I did with my time before I discovered blogging? Oh yes - ebay! But the huge difference is that blogging costs me nothing and I have learnt so much from such a diverse range of people and their lives and stories. I love writing and taking photos and my blog actually gives me a reason to do these things."

Please step forward and drop me an email to claim your prize?

Sorry to those who didn't get lucky this time, there is (as ever) another prize draw just around the corner...

Fresh air, beach huts, and achey legs in Southwold

So Al, the woofer, and I went on another one of our long walks in the pretty coastal town of Southwold.  I must say I really love these long walks, must be a sign that I am getting older (not growing up, just getting older...).  It was such a beautiful day last Saturday that is was perfect for visiting the coast and wonderful to escape to wide open expanses of space, sky, and fresh salty air.
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We arrived in Southwold peckish after a longish drive so we visited the town and beach looking for munchies before setting off on the walk.  How cute are these beach huts?

I love blue irises; you can't beat that colour!

Or these colours!

The best invention since sliced bread is yummy jam and conserves - fact!

So after wandering around town for a little bit and scoffing some flipping yummy pies for lunch we made our way to the start of the walk...

This really bizarre water tower stands in the middle of the common and it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man who died when his coat got caught in the machinery....  The tower is so huge and it seems to almost loom and follow you around, a bit like a huge triffid or space ship, yikes!

Nice to know that you're keeping an eye on things fellas.

No slacking boys only another 6.5 miles to go.

This walk is brilliant if only for the variety of sights you come across.  This ancient church is in a tiny village called Walberswick.  Small villages always have cool names too.

Awwww!  Lots of cute lambs.  Beans seemed rather pleased to see them too...

Part of the walk was in these reed marshes.  The reeds are still harvested for thatch roofs.  Look at that wide open space, it sure is a sight for sore eyes for us city folk.

But the reeds where kinda wet and soggy.  Alan is doing his best at a spot of ballet whilst I am laughing my head off at him and crying like a girl for myself as my socks are getting soaked.  Beans is delighted because by now he is covered in the stuff and he stinks!

To be a bird...

 

We couldn't get over how much uninterrupted space there was.  So inspiring.

And back in the village.  Translated: "Mad dog & his little brother".  How cute is that!

Chocolate box cottage with thatched roof.

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After the long walk we got home gave the smelly dog a bath, made a chicken & mushroom curry, and ate banana (with liquid toffee center - oh yeah!) muffins for desert.  All in all a pretty perfect day :)

Coming next: The winner announcement for the Artful Blogging Journal draw.