U-handblog

U-Handbag Guest Posts Starting Today!

You folks regularly blow me away with your bag making talents.  Taking a quick look at the UHandbag Flickr groups it's obvious that you could teach us (me included) a bag making thing or six.

So I think it would be really nice if you lovely readers shared your baggy thoughts, tips, ideas and inspiration in here.  I'm inviting/asking you to guest post on my baggy corner of the blogosphere.  I'm thinking it will be really useful and entertaining for us all.

Your U-Handbag guest posts can be about anything you want as long as they are bag making related.

Suggestions for posts:

• Any bag making techniques - repeats are welcome, individuals often have different ways of tackling the same thing. 
• Focusing on a bag you have made - eg: what you liked about it, what you learned etc.
• Your fave bag making tools, sewing machines, fabrics and gizmos (snacks heh!)
• Bag pattern testing and comment.
• Fave bag and purse sellers - handmade only please.
• Bag making inspiration - in whatever form takes your fancy
• Bag making tutorials
• Bag making mess-ups - we all have 'em!

Guest Post Guidelines:

1. Don't be shy, you're in good company!
2. Your post should include 3 - 6 pics (unless you are posting a tute, then please include as many pics as you need). 
3. Please give your post a title.
4. Feel free to include links to your own blog and shop (if applicable).
5. A pic of you would be nice, but not obligatory.  If you don't fancy showing your pretty self how about a pic of your pet or your fave snack?
6. Please send your ideas for U-Handbag Guest Posts to: uhandbag.gposts[@]googlemail.com

To kick off our U-Handbag Guest Posts we have Simone, please make her feel welcome everyone :)

U-Handbag Guest Poster = Simone (who's brilliant idea this was).
Baggy Post Title = Alternative Bag Making Fabrics
Simone's Links = Her blog: Craftevolution, her shop: Groundsel.

Alternative Bag Making Fabrics by Simone

Two years ago, I somehow stumbled upon Lisa's blog and began making bags. No surprise here, except, I don't think I have ever made a bag out of just some plain fabric off the bolt. My shtick is to use recycled materials of some sort. The following are some examples of "fabrics" I've used in the past. Maybe they'll allow you to take a second look at what you have in your stash.

Felted Wool Sweaters

This is my first Lisa bag based on the "Pleated Pouch of Apples" pattern. I felted an old holey sweater by washing it in the hot cycle and putting it in the dryer.

Fused Plastic Bags

I have to admit, I don't mind using the offered plastic shopping bag instead of bringing my own, especially if it features interesting images and lettering. To make this fabric, iron four to six layers of plastic together on a low heat setting. Protect your iron by putting a layer of parchment paper between the plastic and the iron.

Denim Jeans

Don't throw out your denims. There are many sturdy bags still to be had out of this fabric. Use the legs for pouches and the top for a more substantial shoulder bag.

Curtains

This is probably my most traditional fabric. My grandmother's vintage kitchen curtains turned into a clever little bag based on Amy Karol's Charming Handbag pattern.

So look around you and imagine how you could transform that milk container into a clever, water resistant accessory.

Thanks heaps Simone for your really fab ideas.  Your bags all look smashing and they all have a special 'handmade with love' look about them - which is what it's all about isn't it?

Name the Bag Pattern & win a purse!

I really miss my man, but you know what?  I've had such a productive, relaxing and all round nice weekend.  Yes the house is in mess and there is washing on the line that's been there for days, but who cares?  Not I and not my tidy-freak fiancé (as he's still in Spain, Rioja).  He he! Yep I'm making the most of it :)

So I was able to sew uninterrupted all weekend LUXURIOUS BLISS.  Firstly I made the new Easy Peasy Purse Kit...

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Hot of the machine, I've just put the new batch of Easy Peasy Purse Kits in the shop today.  To see how you could win this finished purse read on....

The next thing I made was this groovy bag that I need your help in naming...

I could well imagine rocking up to a summer picnic with this bag or taking it on holidays.  That said, this pattern would look fab in wools or corduroys for the cooler months. 

Front.  It's a roomy size of 15" x 10" (38cm x 26cm), great for longer trips into town, but is still feminine.  It will comfortably hold a book, a bottle of water, cardi, wallet and camera.  Closure is a flap and mag snap.

Nice rounded shape (yes I know I have a thing for rounded shapes, but I think curvy makes the world go round - see what I did there?)  The bag is double lined with fleece to help maintain it's 3D shape (without it feeling rigid).  I can confirm feels so nice and squishy by your side.  The handle is wide and long enough to slip over your arm.

Soft Bottom :)

Inside there is smart self-trimmed inner pocket and also a key/wallet hook to deter naughty fingers. I HATE naughty fingers (after my wallet was pinched earlier this month).

Contest Details (please read carefully)

Okay, hopefully you know the drill by now :)  I'll send the blue purse (with scissors on it featured at the top of this post) to one winner.

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

• Picking a name for this PDF PATTERN.  As a couple of pointers I tend NOT to name my items after girls names (such as 'Alice Purse' because IMHO that has little meaning...), instead I tend to lean towards names which in some way describe the item. 
• Please DO NOT focus on the fabric of this bag as this is a pattern only.  Ta!
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll select the winning name in 3 days time - 2nd July and announce the winner 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 :)

10% off The Chic Chain Purse Kit 'til Monday

Fancy a nice weekend sewing project?  Or are you looking for a original gift idea?  Make the purse up for a friend or if she's likes to sew how about giving her the kit?

We have plenty more frames and chains in stock if you want to make more of these cute purses for friends, weddings or to sell.

This cute Chic Chain Purse Kit is 10% off until Monday (or until stocks last).

To see our other offers please look here.

To see our other purse and bag kits please look here.

It's official; I'm a Doctor's Wife (to be)

Al's just had his final exam results today and Hoooraay!  He's now like a real doctor and stuff!!  So now he's finished his studies we can have a bit more time together...er yeah, perhaps not  :)  

Congratulations Love, I know you are going to be a brilliant and caring doctor.  So proud of you.  You really earned it.  XX

Mr Fuzzy meets Mr Fuzz-less.  Taken summer 09 in a Mae Sot clininc Thai/Burma border.

Al was very moved by these tiny triplets.  Taken summer 09 in a Mae Sot clininc Thai/Burma border.

Sewing stash thru the letterbox

Had to stop myself giving my postman a big kiss this morning (especially as I hadn't yet brushed my teeth).

I've get my mitts on the 1st copy of Sew - a new UK sewing mag.  The magazine is fresh and breezy; it definitely makes you itch to get sewing - so mission accomplished I think.  This makes me so happy because I adore sewing (and I know loads of you do too), but I think in the UK we still have a little way to go in spreading the good sewing news around.  It is happening though.  More and more sewists are joining the fold and a new sewing mag in the shops definitely helps.

Front cover, with full-sized patterns for 3 pretty garments.  Very nice and high quality pattern for a magazine supplement.

The anatomy of a sewing machine...

Instructions for this purse frame purse with frilly frou frou-ness.

Inside are instructions for this sweet retro style apron.

Look who it is!  It's none other than Flossieteacakes.

The postie also delivered the new Amy Butler Patterns - yay!

Field Bag and Tote.  Fab shape which includes instructions for a really natty zip closure (which I can't wait to investigate because I'm such a nerd).

Mini dress, tunic and tops.  These garments look like a great way to showcase your fave fabric and they look easy to whip up as well.

Unfortunately the postie wasn't able to deliver me some time to play with my new sewing goodies - phooey!

Bag Eye Candy - U-Handbag Kits and Patterns

Boo Hoo! My guy has jumped ship; the lucky digger is hanging out in Bilbao, Northern Spain on a brother bonding holiday.  I love having the house to myself, Beans gets to sleep in Al's side of the bed, I can eat simply and I get loads more done, but it aint quite the same :(

Here's a small selection pic of some of the baggy yummyness in the U-Handbag tutorial Flickr. It's really nice seeing your interpretations of my patterns (not to mention a great relief that they seem to work!)

1. Porta-moedas Big #3, 2. MAZ_8789, 3. Summer Tote, 4. Highbrow Hobo bag, 5. Commission for JennyT, 6.009_renamed_18200, 7. The (Expandable) Pack it in Tote, 8. Evening Purse2, 9. Red Tulip Basket Bag

Thanks for popping them in the Flickr everyone.  Please keep them coming  :)

Bag Eye Candy - Going out bags.

Thanks for your kind words of support and encouragement during my wobble.  I am beginning to come out of it - bubble baths, blog comments, choccies and lists really work wonders at times like these.

I missed bigging up your wondrous bag making efforts. I often have a look in the Flickr bag pools at your baggy loveliness, it never fails to perk me up.   As ever I'm blown away by so much bag making talent out there in Flickr land...

1. Lauras Bag , 2. Cartera Mod.038, 3. Shake and Pop 2, 4. verdecerrada, 5. LINDA E BÁSICA., 6. Leah Bag in Vintage Floral Polka-Dots, 7. Bolsa, 8. blue/orange carpet bag finished, 9. Insane.ness -Zipper Pouch

Thank you for posting your yummy bag making pics everyone.  Please keep them coming.

I'll show off some delights from the U-Handbag tutorial Flickr in my next post:  get your pics in if you fancy a chance of appearing right 'ere!

What have I done?

I hope you all had a fab weekend.  Golly it was hot down in the South.

Thank you for your lovely birthday wishes - big cuddle back at cha!  I wonder if I could fix-up a pattern for kung-fu slippers?  I certainly feel like I've put on 30 something kgs in the last few days.  I visited my folks in the weekend; they fed me up good and proper and they gave me a bread maker for my birthday.  Cool eh?  I've never owned one before, but I love the idea of baking our own bread.  Even Al said something about making some home-made onion toast with cheese and onion on top - drooool.

So busy at moment.  I know I always say this, but  recently I have begun to feel like I've spawned a bit of an uncontrollable bag making monster.  I'm a little frightened about the amount of work that is piling up before my eyes and I reckon it's going to be McCrazy all the way through to Xmas - erk! 

I am not moaning about the amount of work at all.  I know I am lucky.  I'm just a tad scared by the juggernaut-ness of it all:

• I have now received the bag book contract and I know that as soon as it I sign it, it's gonna be deadlines galore.
• The book writing needs to be completed by the end of Oct 09 and come hell or high water this book shall have top-notch writing, or there's no point in doing it.
• Al and I need a touch base kind of holiday because we won't get another chance when he starts work.
• I have just accepted a bag making workshop job (for one weekend - which is scary because I haven't taught face-to-face before).
• I miss writing better quality bag making blog posts, but I haven't had time :(
• And there's the shop, which has to be run smoothly and efficiently... Yikes! Yikes! Yikes! All of these thoughts are swirling in my mind and I don't want to let anyone down.

I'm thinking we might need to add to the team in the near future. I know I gotta do it, but it's so hard to let go of the reins. I love the cosyness of being a small business.

What have I done!?! Shhhh!  Don't let 'em know I'm hiding here.  :)

...and it is a happy birthday too

It's my 30 something birthday today. It's been such an amazing past year for me and I'm grateful to be in a such a positive place - what with book writing, marriage proposal, flying past the 10,000th customer mark and more.  I hope not to offend anyone by saying I think life is wonderful and there's so much to be happy for.  I hope you agree :)

But now I think I'll start being elusive about my age.  I'm fortunate to have inherited good genes from my folks.  Both my Mum and Dad look (and are) sprightly 50 somethings so I have a good few years left of folks telling me that I look...um...fresh for my age.   So I'm gonna milk it for as long as I can (as is every woman's' right, of course).  Especially as Oriental women have a tendency to look young for their years for the longest time.  Then they wake up one morning and suddenly overnight they have become cute grannies complete with bent over posture, old fashioned jackets, and kung fu slippers?!

Thanks darling, I love sunflowers XO!   He's says my birthday pressie involves upside down airplanes...?  I'll keep you posted.

From my clever sister the cutest French sewing box treat by Sajou (DO NOT bring your credit card to the computer!)

A lovely gift from Kyoko to prepare my mind for bag book writing sessions.  Smells yummy yummy yummy!

Our Frenchy Cheese Fest

Bonjour Mes chers amis!  I think I said that right...

Just got back from a few days in a very delightful medieval town called St Cyprien in the French Dordogne.  One of our friends has a big barn that sits atop a hill over looking a lush and wild valley.  We went as a large group and we all has such a good time that it was suggested that we do it every year (yay!)

We stuffed ourselves to the gills with beautiful French foodie delights such as gooey, hummdinger, whiffy cheese, hams, cakes, amazing fruit and veg, and they drank fine wine that costs a fraction of the price of what you'd pay in the UK.  Entertainment was a battered guitar, lots of sweet caterwauling singing, walks in the beautiful countryside with no TV or internet connection in sight.  Bonne qualite de vie! 

Here are few pics from the Sunday market and before my camera died :(

I LOVE markets and supermarkets on holiday and I always have to check them out (as if I needed reminding that in comparison a lot of the food shops in the UK just aint that great...sigh!)

This little fabric shop was sooo cute, it looked good enough to eat!

Ohhh will you get a load of that yummy embroidered linen?  WANT!!

Yep, just feed me Frenchy cheese, ham, good coffee and cakes.  Keep it coming and you can get whatever you like in the market darling...  So I did, heh!

No more pics because my camera died :(