Wednesday 12 August 2009

Three bits of sewing.

Thank you everyone who commented on my last post and said how pleased they were to see that someone else worked in a mess.
I have to inform you that I was sharing those pictures because for once my sewing room is tidy.
Thank you also to those of you who elevated it from 'spare room' to 'studio' with all the shiny polished surfaces that word implies.

With the aid of my new work tops I have been creating this week.
First, of course, and due to popular demand from here and there, more felt brooches.
Its a good job I love making them.
I have orders.



Then a small commission from my Mum, who wants to send a wedding card.

But my favourite project of the week was this bag for Helen. She sent me lots of actual size photocopies of her best loved bag and asked me to make one for her in my own style but to her pattern.

I used two gorgeous blue tweeds that I think go together really well, one herringbone and one small check.
The long pointy flap of the bag pulls through a loop rather like one of my cuffs so I concentrated the detail on here adding silk and velvet in co ordinating colours.

Because I liked it so much I even spared one my most precious straight-from-the-weaver labels, and I lined it with russet silk taffeta for a contrast surprise when its open.

It was fiddly fitting the flap and straps and lining and I did swear a bit, but I love it so much and I think she is quite pleased too.

I had a nice surprise yesterday when I was told one of my brooches made it onto the ETSY front page and was sold almost immediately.
There is a flickr set of everything thats been on the front page but this one hasn't been loaded yet so you will have to make do with my screen shot.

Its amazing what a difference it makes getting on the front page...600 views in about 2 hours.

Something to look forward to..I decided that since I am unable this year to go to the Knitting and Stitching show when it comes to Harrogate, I would look into going on the train to Alexandra Palace.
I have booked advanced tickets for Friday 9th October, do let me know if you are going to be there that day.
The train fare is so cheap when you book so far in advance, that my friend and I are coming home first class. Well, we'll be shattered won't we?
I've never travelled first class before..oohh excited!

I was tagged this week. But oh shame on me..I can't remember who it was. Thats a bit of a nuisance because I really fancied doing this 'meme' . It was about obsession.
I have almost stopped doing the ones where you just pass awards on to 6 or 7 or even 15, I hope you'll forgive me. I have so many contacts and people in google reader that I just get frustrated trying to remember the ones I want to pass them on to.
Each time I post I think I must remember to thank '?' for that lovely comment but again..my mind's a blank.
But be assured that at the time I read your comments I thoroughly enjoy them.
Thank you.
Oh, about the lamp..if I lived in USA I could have any one of a hundred similar but here in the uk no such luck.
Now..how does this facebook thing work....???

31 comments:

arlee said...

what a great way for closure on the bag--two for one of JackieJoy :}

Daisie said...

Love the bag and really love the front page brooch (how good would that look in purple?!).

I am going to Harrogate :-( have fun in the big smoke and enjoy spreading out on the way home!!

xxx

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Great bag, with such a beautiful closure. Congrats on being on the front page too!!

maggik1 said...

That bag is lovely! The fastener is really cool. You've been working so hard, haven't you? I'm feeling frustrated because I can't get at my things - must learn to be patient ... Congratulations on the Etsy thing too - you're going to be working your little fingers to the bone to keep up with all the work.

Julie said...

The bag is beautiful Jackie and congratulations for being on the front page. I'm going to Harrogate so I don't think I'll get to Ally Pally altho I would love to.

julie king said...

so many wonderful things happening for you! hurray! congrats on the etsy front page, the sales and your cheery-o spirit!!

Lorie McCown said...

Now I feel lucky I have some of your things! Hey I looovved the last post too, on your studio mess, I don't think I'll ever make it into the fancy studio magazines, me my junk and the cat box, what glamour! Gorgeous blues you are using!

Dot said...

The bag is stunning Jackie. And well done on Etsy!

Beena said...

I think it's great you are getting the exposure on etsy of your brooches! I love the bag, too.

Jacky said...

I have a friend who has a stall at Alexander Palace (think I've got the right venue). Dale from Thread Studio's all the way from Perth in Australia, say hi if you see her. Did a class with Maggie Grey recently and she said she did the same fair.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jackie
LOVE LOVE LOVE the brooches !
The colours are stunning ,like sweeties yum yum !
Congrats on the Etsy front page !
And I love the bag its stunning !
My friends travelled first class from London the other day .Free food and unlimited tea and coffee !
Sound lovely !
Love from sesga xxx

Swirlyarts said...

That bag is fabulous and congratulations on the front page :)

Gina said...

I love the the bag and especially the closure. I'm going to be at Ally Pally on the Friday... fancy a coffee? (well actually I don't drink coffee... cup of tea?)

WandarArt.Stitch said...

Beautiful work . hugz,

hens teeth said...

Jackie you are a wonder woman to be able to make Helen's bag and it is absolutely beautiful too.
Well done being on front page Etsy, good for you!

Carol Q said...

beautiful gorgeous bag Jackie - makes me look at tweed in a whole different light. it was me who tagged you(!)

Julia said...

I just love your brooches! The teal one is amazing...The colour is so intense - a feast for the eyes!

Heather said...

I am sitting typing this surrounded by a terrible mess. Maybe next week I'll tidy up again! Your latest brooches are gorgeous, as ever and the wedding card is lovely. As for the tweed bag - well I think it is stunning and such a clever design.

A time to dance said...

Helen adores the bag and has used it every day since it arrived....when I have sold a few more things on ebay I will ask very politely for another...although I am very very sorry I made you swear...thank you so much Jackie...love Helen

Anonymous said...

Congrats on making the front page on Etsy. Lovely colours in that bag - blue is always my favourite colour, and I can't recall seeing a blue Harris Tweed before. I would love to go to Alexandra Palace as I believe Dale is taking an exhibition of machine needled pieces with her that have been doing the round in Oz for this year - and there is one of mine in it. All the best. Sue McB

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

The bag is beautiful!

Facebook...can be fun unless you have a 16 year old daughter who posts every photo of YOU no matter how horrendous you look on her facebook account! gaaa that girls is making me nuts with the photo posting. I told her she MUST get pre approval from me from now on!

ju-north said...

A bag like that would fly out of the tweed shop!!

silverpebble said...

Many congratulations on being on an etsy front page - 600 hits! Wowweezer. Great bag- I love the unusual shape of the 'clasp' and the textured squares. The combo of your mosaic-like work with the tweed is very easy on the eye x

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Oh I love 'this is supposed to be a sewing blog but life creeps in' and then the laughs over the comments on your tidy studio. What an enjoyable post - congratulations on another Etsy success. Lesley

Jacky said...

That bag for the commission is gorgeous!!! Love the two tweeds you have used and the velvets are yummy! Wonderful colours as you could dress it up or use if casually with jeans etc. Very clever combo.
Love your brooches as always.

Jacky xox

CAROLYN SAXBY said...

Loving the bag you made. The russet lining is such a good choice. Glad to hear about your brooch sale too and your orders

Have a lovely weekend

Carolyn
LOVE STITCHING RED

Heather said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a lovely comment.

Lyn said...

Thankyou for your lovely comment on my blog Jackie. If you are ever in Wales again, be sure to pop over to Porthgain, well worth a drink at the Sloop!
Love
Lyn
xxx

Soggibottom said...

Oh my word here I am last on the list AGAIN!

I like bags, but only one's that are personal to me. Also bags that will go over my shoulder and I don't have to hold with one hand and look silly. Bags that are strong and can carry my whole cottage in. LOVE THIS ONE....very personal. Great job.

Pomona said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and becoming a follower! I love your work - I have really enjoyed looking at it all.

Pomona x

Unknown said...

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

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