U-handblog

Calendars for Craft Fiends. 2011

Long time readers will know that in my house it is my duty to obtain the family calendar. In recent years this task has been greatly simplified with the discovery of Sock Monkey calendars.  At last a calendar we can both agree on!

I love nothing more than a spot of silliness 365 days a year, but what if you prefer something a bit more crafty educational to perk up your day?  If so, these calendars should see you through another busy crafting year - bring it on!

 

NB: apologies to my international readers as these links are predominantly UK. I hope these calendars are also available overseas :)

 

 

OK so a Monkey Calendar is not necessarily a craft calendar, but I am a craft-type person and I happen to find these daft monkeys totally inspiring! 

The beautiful (as always) Whip-Up calendar.

 

For sewing fiends: the always popular Sewing Calendar (look out for your craft blog pals in this calendar!)

For quilt fiends: a calendar which has patterns for each quilt. 

For knitting fiends: a new stitch for each day calendar.

For crochet fiends: a new stitch for each day calendar.

 

More knitting for the knitting fiends by The Yarn Harlot.

 

 

Another calendar for the quilting fiends.

For the paper folding (and cutting) fiends Kirigami calendar.

 

 

For the paper folding (purist) fiends: an origami calendar.

 

For the cross-stitch fiends: a stitchy calendar.

Another calendar for the knitting fiends.

 

Another calendar for the crochet fiends.

 

For the cupcake fiends: Cupcake calendar.

 
 

Yet another calendar for the quilting fiends.

 

And for the make it yourself fiends this fabby & free to print calendar.

Phew!  That should keep us busy!

Looky look! My first quilt is finshed!

Hello Lovelypeeps!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and you're still in the midst of enjoying a restful holiday.  I'm laying low, hibernating at home and getting cosy with my sewing machine. I'm also staying well away from the sales - they only lead to clutter, temptation and time away from messy workroom.

Right now I'm having the best time shuffling around in my slippers and sewing for fun.  It's so cathartic to be able to stitch things because I can (versus stitching for my work). I'm guessing that this will be one of the few times I'll get to do just that between now and next December.  I have a total whirlwind of a 2011 to look forward to - which I can't wait to share with you as it unfolds. 

So during my current 'sewing for fun' time I've just finished my first quilt.  I've been excited about making one since last August after the Fest of Quilts.  At the fest I bought The Gentle Art of Quilt Making (signed copy of course) and I also bought me some quilting gadgets too.  It's only now that I've had the time to put them to good use.  The quilt is for my sister.  I finished the quilt top and tacked the quilt sandwich together, but I didn't get to bind the quilt in time for Christmas. So at Christmas I took the near-finished quilt to my folks and showed it to Wendy. I asked her if she was genuinely happy with the quilt (cos I'd be happy to keep it for myself). Luckily there was lots of 'oooing and ahhing' and now my Mum wants to make her first quilt. Mum has already orgainsed a quilt sewing sesh in Jan. All of that sewing knowledge that my Mum has imparted to me and now many years later I have some new sewing knowledge to impart to her - it's going to be so much fun, I can't wait!  

 

I decided to call this quilt 'Opium Lounge' due to it's heavy rich colours and oriental-ness.

Click on pics to enlarge.

 

Making this quilt was cathartic in a few ways:

• I only needed to try and please my sister and myself (if I don't like it, I tend to avoid making it).
• I used some very precious hi-grade stash fabric that I've had for stupid ages - it was so nice to just use it with abandon and let it go to a good home.  Far better to see it made into something made with love than sitting in folded piles (to be drooled over by me Golem style).  I've now decided I'm going to stop coveting my 'precious stash fabrics' and just bloody well use 'em! 
• Actually, because I loved the fabric so much it made the quilt even more of a joy to piece together.
• I'm no longer a quilt virgin har har! I had thought I would just make one, get it out of my system, and leave it at that.  But as many of you have rightly warned me, quilt making is ace! I can see quilted bags and purses in my future...

The quilt is the 'Russian Shawl' quilt from The Gentle Art of Quilt Making.  If you're a quilt beginner like me I can't recommend this design enough.  It's basically a big ol' log cabin design, it's soooo easy and it grows quickly. As with anything you can make the simplest of designs really pack a punch if you use your fave fabrics. 

I had considered using pastel fabrics which really matched each other, but the overall effect of the pastels would've been too 'vanilla' for Wendy & me. So I opted for the above 'smack you in the chops' colour-fest fabrics. In certain lights the colour combo pretty much pokes your eyes out, but we're both colour fiends and we aint sorry!

 

I've actually got this pic as my wallpaper (cos I've got very little of that plum coloured fabric left!).  I used a pretty decorative star stitch for the quilt stitching - which took aaaaggess!  But as my sister loves the stitches it was worth it.  FYI the quilt was completely machine stitched on a Janome Horizon (such a joy to use I can't begin to tell you).

 

The quilt underside is a soft cuddly flannel fabric.  I used this excellent 2-part machine binding tute by Leah Day to figure out how to machine bind.  The tute works a charm!

For posterity. I'm not too hot at the ol' a free-motion stitching so I stuck to the machine script.

 

Mitred corners for breakfast (courtesy of Leah day).  I actually enjoyed machine binding so much I'm wondering what else I can bind...Beans looks concerned.

 

"Bye Bye quilt, be good and be warm for Wendy.  I loved making you."

Janome Design a Bag Competition. Win the bag and win a Sewing Machine!

Did you know that I love my job?  I'm sure I've mentioned that to you before :) 

Janome, David & Charles and U-Handbag have all gotten togther to create this uber-cool competition which was launched by Janome at Clothes Show Live 2010.   OPEN TO UK RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE.

 

 

Before I delve into juicy details (of what you can win!!!!)  check out the competition promo material...

Click on images to enlarge.

Looky-look!  Doesn't the poster look really professh!  This poster shows what folks can win.  As you can see, the winner will get their bag design made up by yours truly and the pattern will be on sale in the shop (with credit to the designer - of course).  They will also win a swanky new sewing machine and a signed copy of The BMB. Like wow I think I might enter - haha!

 

 

Yep I'm da queen - haha!  Love it!

 

 

 

 

Competition details:

• Competition open to UK residents only please.
• Closing date 1st March 2011.
• All rules and instructions are included in the entry form (see below for entry form).
• The competition is hosted by Janome - not me. All entries need to be sent to Janome please.
• Please got the Janome UK Website for the downloadable entry form and address to post entries to.

 

There's loads of time left to dream-up your bag design ideas and get then sent in to Janome.  I'll be sure to remind you of the competition several times before the closing date.  Ohhhh! I can't what so see what you folks come up with!

PDF Sewing Pattern - The Yum-yum Lunch Tote: in 2 sizes only £5.20

• 2 sizes included: one for you and one for the little ones.
• Pretty and totally practical (with wipe-clean interior).
• Boxy, but still pliable so it's easy to pack.
• Perfect to make as pretty and useful presents.
• Very cute to look at - everyone in the office/class will want one!

This lunch tote pattern is not only very sweet, it's totally practical with it's wipe-clean interior (for a fresh tote everyday!).  The pattern is great value too as you get 2 tote sizes!  I hope you love 'em as much as I do.  The Yum-yum Lunch Tote pattern in 2 sizes available as an instant PDF download. For more info on the pattern design please scroll all the way down...

 
 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**
Instant download. No waiting and no shipping fee - Yay!

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Enter the discount code (if you have one) in the box below then click on the 'Buy Now' box.
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. Within minutes of making payment you will recieve an email with a web link to the Pattern Download page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).
5. Please remember to SAVE the pattern to your computer - so you can use it again and again!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

 

The Yum-yum Lunch Tote Pattern in 2 sizes  = £5.20
Here's a Currency Converter

 

 

The Yum-yum Lunch tote in 2 sizes - Pattern Information

 

Sewing Pattern includes 8 pages of clear step by step instructions with 23 helpful colour photos and full-sized pattern pieces for 2 sizes of pouch.

Small Tote finished size =  11in (W) x 3 1/2in (D) x 5 1/2 (H). (28cm x 9cm x 14cm). Perfect for for little ones or storing snacks.

Large Tote finished size = 12 2/8 (W) x 4 3/8in (D) x 6 in (H).  (31cm x 11cm x15cm).  Perfect for adults.

Materials needed to make EACH TOTE:

•    1 x 1/2 yrd lining fabric (50cm x 56cm) and matching thread.
•    1 x fat quarter exterior fabric 18in x 22in (46cm x 56cm) and matching thread.
•    1 x fat quarter clear plastic vinyl.
•    1 x strip 1in (2 1/2cm) wide x 37 3/8in (95cm) bias binding and matching thread for tote trim
•    1 x strip 6/8in (2cm) wide x 31 1/2in (80cm) bias binding and matching thread for the drawstring ties
•    1/2 yard Iron-on woven fusible interfacing (not needed if using oilcloth for exterior)
•    1/2 yard Thermolam (compressed) fleece
•    Bodkin or loop turner for turning fabric tubes RSO
•    Disappearing fabric marker

Recommended = a walking foot (it'll make things even quicker & easier!)

 

 

Here are more pics:

Child's version. Exterior is made from quilt weight cotton (thought the interior is still wipe-clean).  Choose jolly happy fabrics that will stand out in the school canteen.

 

Adult's version. Exterior is made from Amy Butler oilcloth (from Love range). Highly recommeded becuase it's so supple and therefore easy to sew with.  Bet it won't be long before colleguages will be queing up for a tote like yours...

 

 

 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**
Instant download. No waiting and no shipping fee - Yay!

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Enter the discount code (if you have one) in the box below then click on the 'Buy Now' box.
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. Within minutes of making payment you will recieve an email with a web link to the Pattern Download page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).
5. Please remember to SAVE the pattern to your computer - so you can use it again and again!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

 

The Yum-yum Lunch Tote Pattern in 2 sizes  = £5.20
Here's a Currency Converter

©2011 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes:
You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or market stalls etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not include factory manufacture for mass production and selling. We respectfully ask you to not pass off our pattern designs as your own creation and to not reproduce any part of this pattern anywhere. Thanks for your understanding :)

New sewing pattern is on it's way - join the FB to get 50p off

Hello all!  I hope you had a lovely weekend.  I must say I enjoyed mine. I got a good amount of holiday handmade pressies, sewn and bought (at at local craft fair).  And I saw my book inside a book shop for the first time time - yeh!

 

I have dreamt about the moment (where I see my book in a book shop for the first time) many times: I was supposed to swish into the store wearing an arty dress and a bohemian necklace of some sort. As it was, it was brass monkeys outside so I had on my not so glam Stay Puft coat and woolies. Ah well :)

 

 

This is my new pattern!  It's a cute (and very practical) lunch tote that's wipe clean on the inside. The pattern is in two sizes (both are included) one size for you and one size for little one's.

 

 

If you like sound of the new pattern and you'd get like get 50p off the price please join my FaceBook to get the discount code (I shall be posting  the pattern and the code later on today):

 

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

 

...and the winner of Amy's Soul Blossoms fabric is...

Blimey Missus!  Loads of entries for the Amy Butler Soul Blossoms loot - can't say I'm suprised tho  :)

 

Up for grabs was this Amy Butler Soul Blossoms fabric. Plus 2 of her latest sewing patterns.  Mmmm!

 

And comment number 67 is....

Dawn, who said:

"A red patent leather going out bag, but I'm bottom of the list :-("

Congrats Dawn, will you please get in touch with me (my email is at top right corner of this blog) so we can arrange getting the good stuff sent to you.

Thanks for all of your entries everyone.  I know I'm a fine one to talk, but we should to sew for ourselves every now again.  :)

Happy 30th Baby Bro

Yes, I know I'm a couple of weeks late posting this...

 

Happy Birthday Haymond. Sigh you're only 30.  You're flipping lucky mate!  I hope you're suitably [family] loved-up and suitably embarrassed.  Love you! XX

 

Me n' my siblings:  Haymond, moi and Wendy (you're with us too, Jenny).

Haymond is mortified what with the cheesy birthday song playing loudly in the background (and the Lam family caterwauling isn't helping that much either).  Mum thinks this is hilarious - because it is :)

Dad also thinks this is all very funny too :)

Haymond with my Grandma (My mum's mum).

 

Free & Not Naff Christmas Gift Labels / Tags

...well, in my eyes they're not naff :)

 

Some Christmas labels you might have seen and others you might have not.  All of these lovely people have designed these labels and are sharing them for free - so don't forget to tell 'em how nice they are!

 

Retro-cool labels from Orange You Lucky

 

Happy Hannukkah by Stacy

 

 

Holly-Jolly by Erin  at Ink Tree Press.  Grab the labels here.

 

Kawaii Christmas labels by Paper Glitter.

 

Kawaii cute Christams to-do lists also by Paper Glitter

 

Delight Christmas by Delight.com

 

Graphic Christmas by Amy Locurto.

 

 

Doing the Polka Christmas by FRYD + Design.

 

 

Kokeshi Christmas by Zakka Life.

 

 

Christmas Glad Rag Tag by Anna Maria Horner.

 

 

Swoon Christmas by Inside a Black Apple.

 

Customisable Christmas by Creature Comforts.

 

Absolutely hilarious Christmas by Angry Chicken.  Download here.