Owls, Birds & Elephants.......

Well, i've been busy working on some new designs for the new website, got some animal designs on the go - elephants, birds & owls being the subjects of choice! Still concentrating on fabric tote bags, hoping to get a lot onto the website this weekend - all being well!

The shop in the village should open soon too, with some of my ready made designs & personalisable (is that even a word) aporons & cushions available too. I am hoping all goes well for both Kara (at the shop) and for me both in the shop & online on my website.

So, thats where I'm at - I've been sorting buttons into pairs for both apron tops & owl's eyes - what a combination!

Hope to get some more pics on here soon - speaking of which I must get round to posting the pics of my other works - as I promised that last week - where does the time go?!

Love Em x

new ideas!

The fabric is ready, my scissors are there.......I'm off to be creative......lots of new things in my head tonight that I'd like to transfer to bags & designs......watch this space!

Em x

Forgot to say......more photo's later!

I'll add some more photos later of the other handmade gifts I have made..........including, aprons, cushions, gym/ pump bags :D

Em x

Busy busy busy......getting ready to stock the website!

So there are a few of the fabric bags I have sent off for sale.....now I'm going to be making more bags & handmade gifts ready to stock the website!

I do love making these bags!

:D

Em x

'Birdy' Fabric Bag

'Birdy'

I'm pretty please with the turn out of this one, the fabric reminds a little bit of Cath Kitson, I have used 3 panels from the fabric which have been joined together using a piece of neutral cream floral fabric, this I have pleated & stitched to make it a little more interesting than just just a flat panel - as the birdy fabric is so busy I have used the cream floral for the back panel & straps - otherwise I think it would have been just too much.

'Flutter By' Fabric Bag

'Flutter By'

This is my own design, I have cut 2 butterflies from contrasting fabrics, and machine stitched them to the front panel, using stitching & pearl/ wooden beads for the antenna.

The pink & white fabric I have used as the lining, and the blue floral fabric has been used for the back panel - I wasn't sure how well this would work, but I am please with the outcome.

For the inside pocket I have used the machine to stitch the wording 'Flutter By' - its a little shaky but I am happy with it :D

'Flower Tote' Fabric Bag

'Flower Tote'

Here I have used a floral fabric, and added buttons onto the centre on the front panel & inside pocket.

The bag is lined in grey cotton with matching handles

'Collared Dogs' Fabric bag

'Collared Dogs' - Available in 2 sizes

Made with a gorgeous dog design fabric I picked up from a local haberdashery, I have added buttons to collars of the dogs on the front panel and the inside pocket, each back has a different coloured lining fabric & a different dog on the pocket

This is my favourite little chap:

I just think he's so cute!

Delivery made :D

I have finally made my first delivery of handmade gifts & cards to the lady who is opening a new gift shop in our village.....fingers crossed it all sells well!
I have dropped off lots of greetings cards, for all occasions, including some that I can personalise to order, my fabric tote bags (of course) and some kiddies gifts: aprons, gym/ pump bags, bed pillows & cushions - most of which can be personalised but some can be bought 'off the shelf''. It is a relief to finally get these dropped off, especially after a failed attempt last Thursday when our printer decided to break on me, leaving me without labels or delivery sheets! So a new printer has been purchased and my labels & delivery notes managed to make it out safely!
I'll add a few photos onto here shortly :D

Watch this space!!

So, the fabric bags website is underway under the madebyem.co.uk header, I'm hoping to get things visible on the website over the next few days......I have the camera at the ready to upload photos of my items, just waiting for the technical department (aka my husband!) to get the website created & ready for action!

Watch this space!!

Em :) x

Day One......First Blog......here's where the fun begins!

Hi All!

So, this is day one, my first blog, and hopefully where all the fun begins!

Firstly, a little about me.........I graduated university in 2001 with a BA(Hons) degree in Surface Pattern Decoration for Textiles , and since then I have worked in a restaurant (working my way up from a waitress to a branch manager), and more recently in accounts for our own Letting Agency business.....which we sold in 2008.

I have decided to set up a small business working from home (with a little nudge from a friend), and have pulled out my sewing machine from where it has been hiding since our house move in March and started rebuilding my fabric & buttons collection.

I am currently crafting items for a gift shop which is due to open in our village, these include fabric tote bags, presonalised kiddies aprons, personalised kiddies gym/ pump bags, cushions, make up bags, pram shoes........and handmade cards, which is another of my passions. I am hoping to get my own website underway soon - as soon as I have built up enough stock to advertise my wares......

So, I am hoping to be busy enough to earn a little bit of extra money, and to allow me to stay at home during the week to look after my not so terrible two year old.....wish me luck!

I'll be updating here with my progress and photos of my work - as well as any links to tutorials which I have tried & tested or simply think are 'awesome'!

TTFN

Em :) x