Hanging (schmoozing) with Amy Butler

Yes I am terribly behind on things here at U-Handbag HQ; my in-box has huge fangs again and I'm sorry for neglecting to answer your lovely blog comments.   I hope you don't feel offended if I don't always reply to your comments.   I can't always manage it, but I feel bad about that because in many ways this blog is the life-blood of what I do.  For what it's worth I honestly enjoy reading every single one; I am always sooo grateful for them and they always make me really happy :)

So much stuff has been happening behind the scenes and also (maybe brewing up).  There's something HUGE that I am outrageously excited about, but it hasn't been confirmed so I must shaddup about it for a while longer...mmmppphhffffff...)  Of course if and when it gets the go ahead I will be shouting it from the blog tops.

One thing I can tell you about is that I will not be running bag making workshops in the Make Lounge (things didn't work out in the end); sorry.  So many of you nice folks have asked me about start dates so I thought I should tell you via the blog.

So yesterday we all played hooky whilst I swanned off to Liberty of London to see Amy Butler (blimey if only all my working weeks were like this!).  

Here's Amy amongst her books and pieces doing the signing thing.  So when I arrived she recognized me (how surreal is that?  Surely there are squillions of other Oriental bag making fanatics out there...).  I sat myself on the chair (to the right) and we ended up gassing on about craft, sewing, babies, cats & dogs, craft business, our homes, and our husbands for hours...

I'm still in a daze, did that all actually happen?  Does she know how completely star-struck I was (the whole time!)? I might have been a gibbering fool, idiot, but Amy was lovely, warm, and sparky.  Much like you'd imagine her to be.

Amongst other things Amy was there to promote her new book Little Stitches.  I have to say I am mightily impressed by it.  It is comprehensive; it has full sized patterns and it covers very very cute baby toys, baby clothing, nappy bags, nursery accessories and more.  I'm sure anyone who already has a copy will agree that it's fab value for money.  I'll do an in-depth review of this book soon.  How cute are those booties?   Wouldn't mind a pair myself.

Ready made Amy Butler baggy deliciousness from left to right: Kimberly bag, Sophia Bag,  Frenchy Bag  (at window), Weekender Bag, and Birdie Sling (just seen).

A Yummy Lotus Tunic.

And be say Cheese!  Yep, Jo I have to agree Amy is indeed tall!  How freaky is it that we're wearing similar dress/tunic top things (we were both gracious enough not to comment on it).

Next up tomorrow:  The winner announcement for last month's Amy B pattern contest (I'm so late in announcing this that it aint true!)  All entries from last month up to the winner announcement tomorrow will be included (I'm the one who was the slow-coach!)