U-handblog

U-Handbag is FIVE! There are Special Freebies up for grabs!

Last night I was just finishing up the sewing for a new pattern. As I was sewing the project up I thought to myself (as I often do when sewing) 'Yeeehhhaah!  I'm so lucky that I love sewing, it really is the most fun you can have with your slippers on".  In the same breath I also remembered that "U-Handbag is now five years young!"  Gosh! So it all worked out OK and it's still so much fun.

As I'm sure some of you know, when you own your own business you can never really switch off and you feel a least a low-level of worry most of the time (well I do).  Of course I need to pay da bills, but for me it's always been more than that.  I always wanted to run a Ben & Jerry's or Innocent friendly type of outfit where the owner and team are accessible, customers feel like they are all wanted & welcome and the shopkeepers know their products. I hope that as customers that this is something akin to the experience you get whenever you pop into U-Handbag - I really do, because stuff like that gets me out of bed terrifically early in the morning. 

Thank you so much to all of my customers and readers - your support and encouragement over the last 5 years have helped make my job a dream one.  I'm so lucky that you are vocal and responsive.  I hope you can tell that much of what I do is shaped by your feedback.  I try to stock what you request, design what you ask for and yes, much of the content in my book is borne out of hundreds of your bag making conundrum emails :)

So here's to the next 5 years - Looking forward to many more years of serving you and having a laugh with you too.  **HUGS**

 

It's mid-week so there's no birthday cake until the weekend.  For now, I am celebrating U-Handbag's birthday by giving away some very tasty FREEBIE bag making treats to customers.  These goodies are all new and first quality and they are not clearance (in other words: this is stuff is actually rather yummy, actually useful and stuff you'd actually want!).

So it's up for grabs for the first 75 customers who spend £20 or more and enter the special code (that will be announced in the U-Handbag Newsletter that I am sending out tomorrow, 1st Dec).

The FREEBIES include:

1. large purse frames
2. fabric glue
3. complete eyelet kits
4. metal ware accessories goodie bags
5. purse chains 
6. bag making patterns

To get the special code you will need to be a U-Handbag newsletter subscriber (if you already subscribe to the newsletter you don't need to do anything).

If you want to subscribe to the newsletter here's da form:

 

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Amy Butler Soul Blossoms Fabric Expose and Giveaway!!

When I'm supposed doing some real work one of my fave places to escape online is Amy Butler's site.  Some weeks I noticed she had a new jewel coloured range of fabrics coming out and 2 new sewing pattern as well. Mmmm!  As you might already know I am in process of planning my 2nd booky-doo so I wanted to check out Amy's new fabrics in the flesh for use in said book. 

So now I have a stack of some lush Soul Blossoms fabrics burning a hole right through my work table - and nom-nom they are too!  Best thing is they are meant for your workroom, not mine (bummer!)  Before we get onto the fabric giveaway I thought you'd like to see these amazing Soul Blossom Quilt Market Shots - Dreamy! 

 

THE WORDS IN BLUE ARE AMY'S WORDS

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

"The  " oh so important " pre-setting of the booth in my studio before we load it in the van to drive it to Texas. I photograph set up images that I print and bring with me to use as a guide for the install later in Houston.  After packing the van I scoop up my Dad, better known as Devil Don { a real QM celeb } and we drive 22 hours to get the booth to Texas."

Lush bag (hanging on the top the screen) the pattern is up for grabs (as is the pattern for the yummy cushions)

 

 

Setting up the booth at QM.   This is how the magic begins (with pieces of 2 by 4, an electric screwdriver, a groovy Amy's DIY Dad (Mr Don, AKA "Devil Don") + assistant).

 

 

Hmm rather tasty feature wall methinks.

Ta dah! Looking Amy-luscious!

 

"The bright and lovely Mallory and Diane!  Beaming with beautiful smiles... they make the show extra special. They bring what I like to call the " market magic " !"

 

"Actual Booth set at QM on opening Day!  still looking "  moderately fresh "and a bit dazed by all the love and support we receive at the show!"  

Ahh I love what Amy is wearing!!  And the booth, well I could eat the whole thing!  One day I will fly across the pond and visit Houston QM for myself.  I'll walk if I have to.

 

 

Right, appetites suitably whetted: onto the tasty Giveaway Good stuff:

"I wanted to create a visual story to share my wonderful experiences while traveling to India. It's impossible to spend time in such a soulful place and not be inspired by the culture, rich colors, amazing textiles, and ornate architecture. I was instantly consumed by the heartbeat of everyday life and smitten with the beautiful way people expressed themselves. This collection is my interpretation of an enchanted, modern passage through the floral delights of India. Dreamy jewel toned prints in multi-hued flowers and designs - uplifting and passionate - weave together my ethnic inspired story. My three color collections; Passion, Joy and Bliss, work in a harmonious treasure box palette for endless exotic combinations. I hope you are as delighted as I am, and that you find your own inspirations to help your creative soul blossom!

~ Enjoy! XO Amy"

Amy has kindly hand picked the above 8 sumptuous Soul Blossoms fabric pieces for your sewing delectation. Above is 8 brand new regular quarter yard pieces (9in x 44in).

 

Awww I so want to enter this draw myself. Honestly, there isn't any of this fabric for me to keep myself :(

And the new patterns, oh yum!  I really love the oval shaped pillow in particular.  I'll deffo be stocking the Sunday Sling Bag - the fabric used for the bag on the pic looks like it was made for it. Gorgeous!

 

 

Contest Details (please read carefully)

I will send the Soul Blossoms fabric stack and the 2 sewing patterns to 1 winner.  The draw is open to everyone.  If winners are overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

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

• Answering this question:  "we always seem to be making for our loved-ones, but we have to treat ourselves every now and again.  Tell us what is the next thing you will/want to make for yourself."
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner in just over a weeks time: 6th Dec 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 :)

My favest handmade clutch - ever!

I know, I know I am not blogging as much as I would like again.  I have good excuses - in the form of planning book 2, upgrading my website and we also have builders in my basement (no I don't wanna talk about it).  Rest assured all those things are arresting and distracting in equal measure :)  It's all good though, and to help make up for my bloggo absence  I have a very very tasty Amy Butler blog exclusive coming up for this Friday - more about that later.

I've had these frames  in my stash for a few months, but it wasnt until last week that I sat down and figured out how to use these beauties.  This clutch was one of those rare projects that was a complete joy to make from start to finish. From conception to snipping off the last threads, it just kind of made itself.  There are a good number of pieces to this clutch.  During construction I was worried that I might have miscalculated any of the (many) measurements, but I needn't have worried all the fabric pieces behaved themselves and they all fitted togther with no arguments - BLIMEY!!

 

If you'd like one of these frames please click here.  

 

When I get my mitts on a new fangled purse frame I like to try and make sure I know how to use it (well) before I put it in the shop :)  In the end this frame is a breeze to use and this yummo clucth was pretty easy to fix up - only thing is there are a good number of pieces so you either have to label everything or you have to pay attention the whole time you're making the purse (so I labelled everything).  I am sooo happy with the result, it is indeed my favest Lisa made clutch.  My mum thought I'd bought it - and she knows that I design bags for a living.  

 

Inside there are four compartments and a zipper pocket in the middle. 

Close up of some accordion gusset action - complete with stray thread (I was too excited to photograph her to tidy her up properly).

One of the credit card slots is made from clear PVC so you can store your mugshot ID innit!

Loads of room inside for cash, coins, receipts,credit cards, bus/train tickets and phone numbers of cute blokes.

 

To shut the purse just slip the flip-lock though the hole and...

...flip the spring-loaded flip lock down. Slick n' simple!

 

Coming next:  An amaaaazing Amy Butler give away that you don't want to miss.  Up for grabs is fresh cut fabric from her latest range (Soul Blossoms) and her 2 newest sewing patterns (and more!!).  Also exclusive pics of Amy's booth at Quilt Market (including a pic of Amy's dad!).  Yeah! Like I seriously wish I could enter.  See you Friday!

Steph's Free Button Flower Template

Hi There,

Hope everyone is getting lot's of sewing and crafting done in this dreary weather. I stayed in all weekend and watched movies with Nik as it was so wet and windy here in Brighton!

I've made a little template for the black and white button flower that I showed you in my first post.

It has pattern pieces for the large black flower, the center and the white petals. When I made my flower, I first cut the petals out of white felt, and then sewed them onto a black piece of felt using embroidery thread. I cut around the petals leaving a black border and finished it off with the center spot of felt and a big white button. You could make it like I did, or cut out all the pieces and sew them together.

Get the template here!

You can adjust the size of the flower (mine is quite large) by printing it smaller if desired.

I'll be back later with a post about a couple of crafty events I'm going to check out this weekend :)

Steph x

 

Well, the Mummy and Daddy love each other very much and...

Last night I finished up the proposal for my 2nd book. A book proposal is quite a comprehensive document.  You basically have to describe the proposed book and provide a rationale as to why it should be written. The proposal is then used by publishers so they can decide whether or not to print yer book. I will deffo be writing another book and the plan is that it will be published in 2012.  I haven't begun writing yet, we're still in the planning stages at the mo.

I spent most of Sunday evening writing that darn book proposal - the fruits of which will lead to my signing away much of my free-time for a lot of 2011 (and providing Al with a grumpy wife for a lot of 2011).  So on finishing the book proposal I feel elated to have gotten it out of the way and I then the make us a nice beef pie for supper.  After noshing the yummy pie, my darling Al (who is cleaning the oven because he's a very tidy person) says out of the blue "don't you think we should get on with the baby making?"  I'm taken slightly aback especially as at the time my brain was fully engaged in calculating whether my stomach had sufficient space for my choccy Guu desert - not doing menses cycle and 9 months later calculations.

I think the study of medicine is such a huge contrast to what I do/what you and I do [the craft thing] but of course it is no less amazing and elegant.  As you might imagine Al (who is a doctor - for those who don't know) isn't too blown away by the idea of learning how to sew a great bag gusset, but very occasionally Al will blow me away by sharing his doctor knowledge with me. So last night whilst we were on the subject of 'baby making' (and finding ourselves on the cusp of said activity) he showed and described to me some of the factual behind-the-scenes-stuff of the magic that is the creation of a little person. 

 

Yes folks, thanks to Al I fully understand what is being described in the above graph - and a whole load of other baby creating things as well. I'm quite proud of what I learned and Al is def getting better at explaining medical stuff to a lay person :)   Of course, we were trying to figure out which (let's get it onnnn') days were potentially the most fortuitous.  So yeah! Forewarned is forearmed right? YIKES!

There was something rather romantic about Al patiently explaining the science bit to me.  So this is how it begins; not after dinner a deux somewhere in Paris or under the stars on a faraway beach, but with a Sunday evening biology lesson - haha!  [Just kidding Al, you're gorgeously romantic and I know it].  With all things being equal, this time next year we might have ourselves a little person to love and to worry about.  I better hurry up and finish my next book then!

 

Yes I hope to finally join the ranks of scores of totally amazing women who feel like they 'have to bloody do everything around here!'

Hello, I'm Steph!

Hi there! I'm Steph and I'm one of the new team members at U-Handbag. Lisa's asked me to introduce myself, so I thought I'd tell you a little bit about me.

  

I'm a Sussex girl, and I've lived in and around brighton my whole life. I am super keen on crafts especially sewing and of course bag making :) I also like to make Jewellery and knit, crochet and felt. When I'm not crafting up a storm, I like to make lots of mess in the kitchen instead, baking cakes, biscuits and even cooking the occasional savory dish ;) I love animals and have had cats, dogs and chickens since I was a little girl. I recently got engaged to a lovely man called Nik who is a great support to my crafting, bringing me lots of cups of tea as I sew away.

I've been at U-Handbag for a few weeks now, and I'm really enjoying it. I've been making up the little Tonal Trim bags with buttons and ribbon, and I wanted to give you a few ideas of crafty things you can do with the buttons. Here's a few quick ways of using the buttons to make little felt embelishments that you can pin onto your bags and coats and are great as little Christmas gifts.

I made this flower by sewing white petals onto a black piece of felt and then cutting around the shape and finishing with a big matt white button.

For this one I sewed a selection of buttons together in a group and gave it a felt backing.

I pinned this one onto my Easy Peasy Purse, and I think it looks great :)

 

Right, got to go, my next job is making scrummy fabric scrap packs for your sewing pleasure.

Happy Crafting!

Steph x

 

Hi Al's Mum, I finshed the cushions!

Hello Al's Mum, I finally completed your Carver chair cushions.  Al chose both the fabrics and I really took my time putting them together.   I really hope you like them as much as Al and I do, I certainly hope they last as long as yours did!

 

I re-used your piping cord, I copied your pattern and I zig zagged all raw edges.

The old family Carver chair in our kitchen.

Pretty crisp and clean-looking piping. I took the piping cord from your cushions and re-used it for these cushions (actually one of my lovely blog readers suggested I do that - I'm so happy that she did!)

Right, I'm actually rather chuffed with how neat it all looks. The cushions were so much fun to put togther in a Lego sort of way.

The ticking fabric stripey-ness is quite French General-esque don't you think?

 

All that's missing is me, a nice brew, some biccies and my current paperback.  Hey Al, get the kettle on!