U-handblog

Little and Large

Happiest Chinese New Year! It was actually yesterday, but I was soo tired I spent most of the day napping.  In my waking hours I still managed to craft on.  During preggo-nancy crochet has remained my crafting saviour. I miss sewing a lot and I know I'll loose the crochet hooks and return to sewing when I loose the appendage. But for the meantime I spend a lot of time on our sofa. (Al sits on another one so I dont have to share-bliss!)  It's become my napping, lolling and crafting command centre. On it and around it are:

• 5 pillows
• a blanket
• loads of yarn and a pair of scissors
• 2 crochet books and hooks
• 1 bottle of water
• lots of cake and biscuit crumbs
• a pot of hyacinths (yummy scent)
• and (finally after 15 years of our beautiful relationship) I have commandeered the TV remote

 

Taken earlier today (at 32 wks).  Little and Large.  I'm large and these crochet bootees that I made are little!

 

Yes, so I'm feeling rather large and short of breath right now. But it's all good, she seems quite happy in there and still enjoys her daily moving and grooving.  She seems fond of: Radio 4, my high BPM dance music, the hum of the sewing machine (I got that one sorted as a priority!) sizzling and other cooking sounds, Al's making funny voices and playing spider on my tummy and my shower singing. That aside it would be nice not to have have to lump her around anymore, my arms and legs are short enough as they are thanks!

How can such a large bump have such tiny tootsies?

 

Pink is nice and all, but I don't think I'll be making many items in pink for the girly.  I can leave that to the shops (which are awash with shades of Barbie pink (or blue).  Why do shops do that? 

 

...and the winner of the book cover vote is...

Hey, thank you so much for you super-duper helpful feed back on the mock book covers. We have read through every single one.  My publisher and I were blown away by the level of detail you gave in your feedback - sooo useful.  As ever, the customer is always right! 

The book designing team are now re-creating some book covers based on your comments (I'll try and show you the re-worked covers if I can).  I find that exciting and it also makes so much sense!  After all, it doesn't matter a jot if my publisher and I like the cover if you folks don't.

I also want to thank you for your for very kind comments on the new book.  It's really been a joint effort; lots of you told me what projects you fancied (and you even specified bag features), the publisher has pulled out the stops in making it look great and I just stayed in all Summer tried to write and design projects that you like the look of.  :)

So, for the vote I promised there would be a commenter (drawn at random) who would win some bag making goodies. 

The trusty RNG stopped on:

Number 53.

Which means that Purpleali who said:

"I like number 3 the best. It looks fresh and exciting. It also shows off 3 very different designs of bag. The only bit I wasn't too keen on was the backgroung in the top left hand corner where your name was - I wasn't very sure about the green colour, maybe a lighter green would be better."

Congrats Purpleali, will you please get in touch with me (for my email address please click on the ABOUT at top right hand corner of blog) so we can arrange getting the good gear sent to you.

Mock-up covers for my new book. Please vote (and win).

Hello Loves!

How lucky is this author?  So I get to write about something that I'm obsessed with, someone takes some yummy photos and then a team puts all of the words and piccies together into a nice sprial-bound book.  And best of all, you lovely readers seem to like the results. Hoo hoo! 

I've been sent some book cover ideas to comment on and approve.  My publisher has asked me to ask you discerning crafters to get invloved and give us your esteemed feedback.  How fun is that (and how often does the reader get to have a say on the cover)??!

So yeah, there are 5 different book covers to peruse.  Lets say the cover at the top is number 1 and the bottom cover is number 5.  If you could please have a look, vote and comment on the covers as instructed in the contest details below - your comments might win you some bag making goodies!  Thanks for taking part!

Up for grabs is:

• this tasty leather shoulder handle
• these pretty bamboo bag handles
• this yummy bobble trim

 

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Contest Details (please read carefully):

1 commenter/winner will be drawn at random. The draw is open to everyone.  If winner is overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

To enter you need to is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

1. Voting on your fave cover - remember to state which number cover: 1- 5
   
2. Comment on why it is your fave cover
3. Include any other comments: change of colours etc.

 

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner: 16th Jan and announce them the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. 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)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

Make your own Dragon Paper Model - Happy New Year!

Happiest New Year to you and your family!!

I wish the best of everything for you this year.  I know that 'things out there' are far from perfect but, hopefully we can still feel that there is so much to be happy for.  Be that a tasty chicken pie for tonight's dinner, a hug and an "I love you" from your children/friend/partner, a completed UFO, or gaining a new skill for example.

This year is going to be delightfully bonkers - I've heard that nothing can prepare you for your first child...  But despite the added distraction, tiredness and feelings of love that she will no doubt bring, my 2012 aim (I don't do resolutions) will be to try and keep it simple.   Because book writing forces you to stay in a lot (as does advanced stages of pregnancy), I've had to focus on the simpler pleasures in life (in order alleviate the writer's cabin fever).  And this has left me a in good place.  I love my slippers more than ever, the only things I want to shop for is food, craft supplies, and baby stuff.  The more I can keep things uncomplicated the more I am free to enjoy the simple stuff.  Long may this continue!

 

Make your own Lucky 2012 Dragon.

In Chinese mythology and zodiac-ness Dragons are believed to be the super-luckiest of creatures.  I'm not particularly superstitious myself but, it's still nice knowing that Beansprout will be born in the year of the Dragon.  She may turn out to be a creative hothead, ohhhhh boy!  Here's a cool lucky dragon for you/the kids to make to celebrate the New Year.

 

Taken from this site.  Isn't this Dragon groovy!  I'm going to make one for Beansprout's room.

Click for the dragon template PDF

Click for the assembly instructions (they're in Japanese, but the diagrams are easy to follow)

 

 

This reads: Kung Hei Fat Choy  "Happy New Year"  Innit!   OX

Ever increasing circles

Increasing Family Circle

Heya everyone!  I hope you are all well, and you all had a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah/get together.  I think ours was the best Christmas we've had in long time.  Al and I spent it with my clan/our clan.  We all actually managed to get time off work and be together for the first time in ages. Many of my family hadn't yet seen my bump, it got loads of lovin'!  Our baby will be the first of my generation in my immediate and extended family.  My mum told me that since she told my 80+ Grandma that we're expecting Grandma has been glowing more than usual. We can't wait to appear in the 4 generations piccy: Grandma, my Mum, myself and Beansprout.  As us 'kids' (of which I will always be one) grow up a bit and find life partners, the family gets even bigger. As some of you may already know Al and I finally tied the knot last Sep and so my family made a bit of fuss of him.  And my cousin is going to marry a lovely chap next July, (phew that gives enough time for my bump to shrink a bit for the big day).   Awww, my family rocks, I feel sooo blessed to have access to so many happy faces, cuddles and belly laughs (and deeeelish home cooking).  I think that this is the stuff of real value.  I'm happy to stay in and not be one of the hordes of shoppers that queued up outside Selfridges on the 26th for a designer this, that and the other.  

After Christmas dinner we had a great game of cross-cultural; guess who I am. It took Al a while to guess his identity, but he got there in the end.  He's such a bright boy.

Increasing mess on my kitchen table

Whilst on the subject of being in happy place, I'm sooooooo relived to have finally finished work on my 2nd book. The publisher and I really sweated over this book and we are all delighted at the results.  I know that your opinion is the one that truly matters, but I will (at least) say it really does look the business. The projects are as modern as the cover design and layout is fresh.  Dare I say the 2nd book looks much prettier than my first?  Yes I do dare!  Hehe!  The book will be released next year end of May/early April.  Now I've stopped working on my book I can concentrate on turning the writing/work room into a nursery - it's back to sewing on the kitchen table for me. Ho hum!

 

Increasing belly (which in keeping with the circular theme: is now round)

Me: taken earlier today, week 28.  I'm now just about waddling into the third trimester.  Doctor husband and all other professionals are happy to report that all looks well (mum doesn't think she looks that great, but really doesn't mind about that at all). 

My bump did well this Christmas, it got rounds of applause, pats and strokes! 

 

Increasing crochet circles!

Yeah, so at this stage I can no longer sew for any protracted length of time without my back aching and  my belly constantly bumping against the table edge.  Ahhhhh I can't sew!  Panic panic panic, I have to do some sort of craft!!  So I looked for a craft that is very portable and not too mentally involved for my baby brain.  Seems like crochet is the answer.  I got me a crochet book and some Amy Butler Belle yarn and I have been crochet hooked since!  It's perfect for keeping me in craft whilst lolling about whale-like on my bed or sofa.  At some point I'll join these squares to make a big throw and I reckon I'll get round to making the cute bootees as well.  By then Beansprout might have joined the party and my belly will have receded sufficiently for me to be able to sit comfortably behind my beloved sewing machine - that is if I'll be able to stay awake long enough to switch the power on! 

What craft did you turn to when your bump got in the way?

FREE bag purse pattern: The Graceful Kelly Bag

This is great!  I haven't been able to do a freebie sewing pattern in such a long time - been too busy with the 'b' word.  When the 'B' word is finished things will go back (more) to normal.  I'll resume blogging and magazine writing and stuff.  I've missed doing that so much, I do hope when the time comes you'll still be out there to read my gear!

So, this bag is totally inspired by the purse frame itself.  As soon as I saw the frame I was thinking of film starlets, Grace Kelly, Doris Day, and the lovely women of Mad Men.  This beaut of a bag more or less designed it's own sweet self (I wish all my designs came that easy!)

You'll find the hardware and interfacings needed for this bag in my shop.  Click on the links inside the PDF pattern to find the neccesssary supplies.

 

 

DOWNLOAD THE FREE BAG PATTERN HERE

The file is on the large size (cos I took loads of instruction pics) so you might not want to download at work (and get yourself trouble with the boss!).

 

Please pop your U-Handbag tute/kit/pattern bag pics in here - I love checking 'em out :)

 

 

Yummy boat shaped bag with soft gathering all held in place by our Grace Kelly Purse Frame.  This bag really does look shop bought, so I've been told (by a fair few).  I'm thinking, if this tres' lady-like bag can bring some prim and proper order to my grungy work boots than all the better!

 

This bag is very roomy.  You can easily get a book, water, purse, phone, small brolly, war paint, compact camera and more inside. Yet when full the bag doesn't look unwieldy.  I think it's because it refuses to look anything less than...um..graceful.

 

Side view:  the gusset (still hate that word) adds loads of space to the bag and gives it a nice rounded profile.  Those of you who like to go off-road can easily add contrast piping to the seams - ohh tasty!

Inside there is a elasticated top edge pocket which will keep your valuables/scratchables safe and easy for you access.  Neat eh?  Don't worry, instructions are included to make the whole shebang.

 

I hope you have fun with the pattern.  I'm really looking fowrd to seeing pics of 'em.  OX.

 

Today I can reveal that my baby bump is a...

Yesterday, like excited children sneaking to the family Christmas tree Al and I went to the hospital for our 2nd baby scan. We've been dying to know the sex of Beansprout ever since we found out that Beansprout had come into our lives. Well, we found out the best new ever!  Beansprout is a girl!  And up to now, all is working well and looking beautiful. We are both soooooo very happy. I haven't stopped grinning like a happy monkey since.  On telling my Mum (who squealed very loudly down the phone) the news I could practically hear her casting on her knitting needles.  My fingers and thumbs did some serious texting action on my phone and in return we got some sweet loving back.  And now my fingers and thumbs are playing tag with my little girl, who this week seems to enjoy a spot of tap dancing.    :)

Love, friends and family, family, friends and love; there's nothing like it and there's nothing better....

 

Me and my bumpage (with Belle the sock monkey - who's there for scale and cos she's nosey) earilier today.  We are 20 weeks and feeling good.

Hello darling girl.  I love you more with each passing hour. X

 

Preview of David Butler's 1st fabric collection & look inside his cool studio

YOU READ ABOUT IT HERE 1ST!  THIS IS A FABRIC EXCLUSIVE!!!!  

Its time for the big reveal: Mr Butler (yes that's right, Amy Butler's husband) is finally doing fabric, and boy, the fabric is simply divine!  It will be hitting the stores later this winter/fall.

 

As some of you might already now I was lucky enough to spend a blissful weekend in their home last May.  It was during that time that I got to see paper prints of David's first fabric collection.  So you see I've known about this (and wanted to get my mitts on some) for months! You are going to love it!

For those of you who haven't heard of David before, the chances are that you're already quite familiar with some of his work.  David is responsible for Amy's luscious lifestyle product photography and he also designs the beautiful graphics that adorn Amy's site, books and other products.  In fact Amy & David have been a close-knit creative team for years.  Not only do they collaborate brilliantly togther, they are obviously big-time in love with each other and are very protective cat parents! 

So, before we get a sneaky peek of David's fabrics I asked him a few questions about his new collection:

Lisa: "In the past I've found it impossible to find stylish fabrics to make things for the men in my life.  I can see that people are going to LOVE using your fabric to make items for their men (Al has already put orders in for some bags, and he's very choosy!).  Who do you think your collection is likely to appeal to ?"

David: "I'm hoping these designs will appeal to anyone looking for somewhat sophisticated basics. Prints and colors that cross genders & can find a home either in urban clothing style or richly muted quilts. Hip Amish? Maybe? ha ha. I see them lining denim cuffs, as bandannas, pocket quilts, rucksacks, pillows, simple work shirts, modern quilts and throws. Ascots and ties even. Everything."

"Your first collection looks very accomplished, there isn't a collection like it out there. I think it's 'very you'.  How did you find the fabric design process? Was it quite different from your other design work?"

"It is different from my other design work because I have to think not only in repeat, but in collaboration of textures and forms. Fortunately I've been watching and learning from Amy for the last 10 years so that's a pretty heavy head start. As it seems new you gotta realize that I've really been in the industry for years working with Amy on the brand and looking over her shoulder.  I'm glad you think it's very "me" - that really does mean a lot. I feel that Amy's work really does represent her personality and I want mine to have that same fine art character. It needs to have a voice to stand apart."

"We know that Mrs Butler is a keen gardener who is very inspired by nature. Some of us know that besides your graphic design and photography work you are also singer in a rock band and a (crazy) mountain biker.  When designing your fabric where are you likely draw your inspiration from?"

"You know I spend a great deal of time out in nature as well. In the woods. As a mountain biker and snowboarder I do find a great deal of inspiration in the textures and patterns of outdoor life. That's where Curious Nature comes about. I often feel like a modern man in a prehistorical realm when I'm out in the woods, and that's a bit of the story behind these designs. I think the rock and roll aspect of it comes through only inasmuch as the prints and colors reflect personal expression, like the music. Combinations of notes that make a song. That sounds pretty pompous, but I just made it up. I swear it! I do think these designs will make killer rock scarves to hang from my mic stand. Ha ha."

Thanks for your answers David, now lets have a look at the good stuff:

 

Here is a promo spread of David's first fabric collection: 'Curious Nature'  Ohh boy when fabric looks this tasty in print form one can only image how yummy it's going to be in real-life!

 

David showed me his mood board that was inspiration for his collection. Gorgeous vases and beautiful earthy colours, apparently it's as simple as that!

David laid out his fabric sheets on the table for me to photograph.  These paper prints are the 'working prototypes' of what will eventually become the stuff we all crave:  FABRIC!!! 

I love his geometric patterns and I just love the colours. To me the whole look is 'classy, bold and expensive', don't you agree?

Hello sweet Pip!  The Butler kitties regularly pad in and out of Amy & David's studios (and I bet they always stop what they are doing and play with the kitties!)  Amy & David have separate studios in the basement of their home.  I love how individual both their studios are.

Al is a big fan of the blue and the charcol grey colour ways.  He's already put orders in for a messenger bag and a laptop cosy (join the queue darling!)

 

...I'm a big fan of the charcoal grey myself!  You can just about see yellow sticky notes on the sheets, those notes are my requests for sample yardage.  Mwah ha ha!  If you don't ask...

Stunning bone colourway.

Inspiration can come from anywhere.

Rich opulent colours for the home dec weight collection. I need the basket weave and trees prints in my life and on my sewing machine!

These 5 prints are David's faves....

 

...and these 2 prints are what David thinks will make a great bag.  Well David, get that sample yardage sent over to the UK and we can talk about getting you a bag sorted!   ;)

 

Now lets have a nosy around David's studio:

Do you have a thing about stationary too?  I love checking out other people's desks and pen pots. The cymbal cleaning polish is probably there cos David is also a rock drummer!

It's only natural that David would have a soft spot for Black Owls.  I love the plushie!

I wish my studio was: a) this large; b)  this bright; c)  this tidy!

David has this very cool gurney that he uses as a work surface, I'm not going to wonder about it's history.  I'll just focus on how cool it looks.

 

 If you want to learn more about David and his new fabric collection check out his new Facebook Page

 

 

There are loads more pics of David's fabric and his studio in my Facbook. If you want to see them all please join my Faceslap page.

☜ Click to join my U-Handbag Facebook page. Thanks!

 

I hope you enjoyed the fabric drool.  What do you think of David's collection?  What would you use his fabrics for?