my own fabric

I have been doodling around making digital images. My OH started a little supply shop called Fat Frog Supplies and I made him a little frog.

I messed around with the image a little and made a Mrs Fat Frog as well. I really like her spots but I'm not 100% about the mouth.

I decided to get them printed as swatches by spoonflower and am really impressed with how it turned out. I will be ordering more soon.

This one needs a little bit more tweaking but I really like the spots, so I may also do another one with the frogs having rainbow spots.

My Creative Space

A little (!) pile of bags just waiting to be sewn round.

Getting my ducks in a row :0)

 This is some of my new stock for christmas and I am loving the pale blue dotty lining.

To catch up on other creative spaces nip over here and check them out.

What's new

I will be adding new zipper pouches. You can get them in my shop at the new price of $10.

Where Have I been?

I have been busy over the last wee while. Work has been busy, as has my sewing machine and I  have been recovering from a really nasty cold. I also started back to horse riding. I had ponies when I was younger but had to sell them when I went to Uni. I continued to ride regularly for a while, but for some reason stopped. I just decided to get back into it. I'm riding at a place called Tullynewbank and it is great. I was so sore the first time but I've been a few more times and I'm really getting back into it.

And the winner is.....

The winner for my 100th post giveaway is

Comment 1: Tammy James

I love the fabric combinations you use! My favourite is the owls medium frame clutch on the first page, too cute!

Thanks to those who entered and a mini clutch will be on it's way to Tammy soon.

Mushrooms

Here are just a few little mushroom lovelies to look at.
Here is a pair of mushroom softies from Manic Muffin Totes's. Take a look at the rest of the shop for some lovely softies.


Corrabelle makes some fantastic stamps, I especially like Melvin the Mushroom.

I really like this stationery from LittleTstudio's, just what every girl needs - fancy stationery printed at the touch of a button.

& So 2 Sew

With my first big fair of the Christmas season 7 weeks away the time has come to start some serious sewing. My approach this year is very different, it is more structured and ordered.

At the beginning of each week I plan exactly what I want to have done by the end of the week and then break it up into smaller tasks. This has streamlined my processes and is allowing me to have a set work period every day. Some may believe that this stops the creativeness of the process, but really it allows me to focus on choosing fabric combinations. My bags are not "cookie cutter" but to fit the frames they do have to be cut to a specific shape so there are some limitations for creative freedoms.

Having tasks planned for each day means I come home from work, with my mind already switched on to what I need to do, so I spend less time ambling and more time working.

I am hoping this new approach will enable me to increase my productivity while keeping my sanity this year but I suppose only time will tell :0)

Watch this space for updates.

My Creative Space

About 2 weeks ago on one of our many recent Ikea runs we picked up this DVD shelf which happens to be just perfect for my fabric stash. Now as many of you guys may know this is not all my fabric however it does hold my most recent purchases.

I have posted it as my creative space for this week because I have spent alot of time organising it in colours and properly folding my fabrics.

For more spaces nip over to Kirsty's.

100th Post & Giveaway

Today marks my 100th post - go me. So to mark this special occasion I am doing a giveaway (my very first one).

To enter just make a comment about any bag in my shop.

The prize is a Polly Goes to Paris mini clutch and the closing date is next Thursday.

Problem with Fabric

I have more than a passing problem with fabric. The problem is I can't pass it. I have to at the very minimum touch it and usually I have to buy it. I had went through a period of trying not to buy too much, but a few weeks ago I just went a bit mad and spent a fortune. I did think I needed some new fabrics for the Christmas fairs but I think I went a little over board.

Here is a small selection of what has been arriving.

I bought the sock monkey fabric (below) a while ago from Modern Retro Textiles in Austraila, whilst I was ordering an Audrey and Maude pattern. I have been eyeing it up for a while and I got it at a complete steal. Not sure how it will work for bags but it will work for a few zip pouches.

I did indulge a little and buy some pretty Christmas fabric just for me. I intend to make some PJ shorts out of the pink snowman for Christmas and a Christmas shopping bag out of the blue snowman. I'm sure the left over pieces will make very pretty purses for sale or even as Xmas pressies.

Check out a few new arrivals in my store.

Softies

I have been doing alot of monitor shopping lately, just wandering around the Internet browsing. I think part of this has been because I am nearing of the end of my holidays. Well actually they ended last week :0)

I have been very attracted to softies lately but I do have a very weak spot for soft toys in general. I have purchased a few patterns to have a go with at some point in the future. I have been looking at fab softies made by some great crafters.

This little snail is made by cynicthelamb, there are some pretty little things on her website well worth taking a look at.

This lovely lady is made by Amy from badskirt. I love her hippos and her beautiful dogs.

These lovely Mini Dachshunds are by Alice Apple, based here in the UK. She works with very retro fabric and has been designing her own fabric that has a strong Scandinavian influences.

I will have to stop this self indulgent oogling at things. I have bags to make.