Wednesday 30 January 2013

Denim & Lace Purses and Pin Cushions

Evening all,

Just a little post today.

So today, I have been making these cute little Denim and Lace Purses:


I think I could have the word recycled in there somewhere, as the denim used to be part of a pair of jeans... Obviously they were laundered before being made! I thought the lace would make a nice contrast to the blue denim and then the red zip and polka dot interior really finishes them off. They measure 5 1/2" x 4". I love these! I would buy one...but I couldn't right now even if I wanted too, as they are being saved for the fairs...

I also made these Pin Cushions with Handles:


You may or may not have noticed, I am currently selling pin cushions I made earlier on Etsy, but with these ones I thought about how a pin cushion could be used, whilst keeping hands free. I tried making them where they attach to the wrist with Velcro, but I didn't like the way they turned out, so I thought of attaching a handle to the back. Well, I say handle, it's more a strap that you can push two or three fingers through so it rests above the knuckles, leaving all fingers free to work and pins handy to use. The material is quite thick too for extra stability and they are pretty! And we all know, the more pretty in the sewing room, the better! :)

So, what do you think? Please leave a comment and let me know...

Speak soon,
Julie.

(c) FMN Crafts 2013

Tuesday 29 January 2013

4 New Items!

Hi all,

I have been busy! :D

I have a few things to show you today - I have a craft fair zooming up so am working really hard to get a good stock and these items will not go on Etsy (yet) as I hope they'll go at the fair...

Firstly, some pretty Floral Padded Coat Hangers:


These were really nice to make as I simply LOVE the material, you may have noticed, and so I thought these would be a pretty little addition to any-ones bedroom. They are great for keeping those pesky hanger marks out of clothes that, well, mark easily. :) And with the little pink bow, I think they make a quintessentially English cottage item. I like!

Secondly, I have made some Red Flower & Dotty Round Base Draw String Pouches (quite a mouthful!):


This was one of those projects that just popped into my head and I had to make them! I have seen round base pouches before and always wanted to have a go myself, and so I thought about it, made a design, got out my delicate fabric and did! I have photographed them with a few ideas of what you can use them for - of course the choice is yours. I don't think there is a limit, is there?

Thirdly, here is a little project I undertook as part of a "oh, go on, I'm sure you can something with it!" prompt!


This is a (just one of many) baked bin tin turned into a pen-make-up-brushes-or-what-ever-holder! Simply put, there were beans in here, but they went (yum) and instead of the tin going into to recycle bin, it went into my 'to use later' bin...and was reborn! It is decorated with quality card stock, lined with two colours of felt and trimmed with ribbon. I think it's really cute! My parents did a great job collecting tins for me, so now I have a good stash to be working with ;)

And lastly for today, a whim of a project, a re-worked Pineapple Hoody into a Bag:



This was a project that came out of my 'to use later' bin too and happened in a very small amount of time - time that was meant to be spending with my family (I won't tell if you don't). I was packing up for the day, saw it, the light bulb glowed and that was it, the sewing stuff came back out again! This was mine..once. I have had it about 10 years, and was still going strong, but it just shrunk one too many times in the wash (really, it wasn't me getting bigger...) and I just couldn't use it anymore. :( Alas, all is not lost, it is now a bag! I chopped the arms off, made them into handles, sewed all the edges including the pockets, permanently closed the zip and then lined it with recycled linen. I might actually keep it for myself... ;)

Anyway, that's all for today, please give me a Like or even better, a comment below!

Thank you for reading, pass it on and have a nice day. :)
Julie.

(c) FMN Crafts

Saturday 26 January 2013

News

Evening all,


Two good pieces of news I just wanted to share with you:

1). Today I had my first 'Like' on Facebook! Thank you Claire. Look for me: Forget-Me-Not Crafts.
2). Today I sold my Red Spotty Kindle Fire HD Case on Etsy! Thank you Rachel.

SOLD :)
Is is daft being so happy about these two facts? Because I am! Thank you, you special people. :) Many more to come me hopes.

And also, I have just booked in at a Vintage and Craft Fair, on Sunday 3rd March at the Wollaton Park Community Hall, organised by West Bridgford Antiques Hoping for a good day. 

I am exhibiting at many places in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and further afield throughout the year, when I compile the list, I will post it here and on Facebook.

Thanks for reading, have a great weekend.
Julie.

Thursday 24 January 2013

Cute Print Cosmetic Case

Good afternoon all,

So I have just completed these three cute little cosmetic cases, and wanted to share them with you. They are in a really cute print - just look at the animals! So sweet. I recently bought the material and just had to make something with it right away...


It can be used for holding many items including day wears, make up and cosmetics, it can be thrown into your bag or used at home, or taken on a weekend way - the possibilities are endless.

The cute red zip give a lovely contrast and I am really pleased with little pink zip ends. I have been working hard on getting these zip ends right and and I am now very happy with the technique. Zips used to intimidate me - not any more! They have a lovely pink interior, are interfaced to keep their shape and measure approximately 9" x 5" (23cm x <13cm). But the best part - they are only £8 each! Bargain.

So, what do you think? Leave a comment if you wish, or Like it on the right ---->
Don't forget, you can find me on Facebook too!

Have a nice evening, thanks for reading, share if you like.

Craft Fair news tomorrow...

Julie. x

(C) FMN Crafts

Monday 21 January 2013

Other Kindle Cases

Hello all,

Here are a few pictures of other Kindle Cases I made today:





I think it's obvious from the photo that one is a red spotty and one is a blue spotty, the other is a blue back ground with pretty pink flowers. All have white interiors, they are all padded and have a hand sewn button with elastic fastenings. 

I really enjoyed making these and I know there are many more to come! Tomorrow I am going to make some iPad cases too, so I cater for all...

Do you like them? If so, please let me know! Or see my Etsy page where you may purchase them.

Have a great day,
Julie.

(c) FMNCrafts 2013

Friday 18 January 2013

Laptop & Kindle Cases

Good afternoon all,

I got my camera out this morning a took a few pictures of the Kindle case and Laptop case as promised and here they are...


I am really pleased with how they turned out. My Kindle is a Fire HD and I am unsure if dimensions are different per type of Kindle, but that can be sorted when ordered. My laptop is a 13" so I made the case for that too. I worked out a calculation method so that I can make any size bag to fit any type of devise. I can tell you, maths is not my forte, so it took a while to get it right! But that's sorted now. 

Some different views:


The Laptop case, as you can see has Velcro fastening, the Kindle case has a button, but they can very easily be changed as per customers requirements. Both are very suitable. They are both lines with smooth and soft material and are fully padded to protect your devise, should you accidentally knock or drop them (God forbid!).

And sure, there are a thousand different types and styles of cases out there, all very good I am sure, but they are mass produced and don't have the love and time put into them like mine do ;)

What do you think? Perhaps you could leave a comment or suggestion. I will be adding to my Etsy shop soon...

Thanks for reading, pass this on if you like. :)
Julie.x

(c) FMN Crafts 2013



Monday 14 January 2013

Is it still "Happy New Year"?

Happy New Year All! I think...

See, how long is it supposed to go on...? Saying Happy New Year I mean.

Anyway, I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year celebrations - if indeed you can remember that far back. Getting back to school and work seems to come so quick, doesn't it?

Our Christmas was nice and quiet, needed I think, but I can tell you I was happy to get back into making things. I am sure I should be moaning about getting back to work, but I struggle to see it as work, I use the title lightly as I enjoy what I do so much. It's such a difference from my old style of working life...

So when I got back to work my husband and I (sounds Royal) decided to sort out the workshop. Not too much, but just enough that it resembled a workshop again, and not a store room with a 2' square working space. We cleared all the surfaces, we stacked and stored and bought a 10' long work top that fits great under the window. Now, when I am machining for example, I can get a mini conveyer belt system going, with pieces of material here and there at different levels of construction. It is great. Dave's space is also much more organised and he can do the same thing for making his Miniatures.

I have started to make some items that I think customers are really looking for these days (perhaps you can comment here), for example shopping bags and laptop/tablet/kindle cases. Pictures to come soon. I made a laptop case for myself - I needed one - case in point - and thought okidoki, I will make some more. I have some great fabrics for these too, so watch this space.

I have also made some desk tidies, as in pen and pencil holders, and I really like those - again, pictures coming soon so watch this space some more!

Anyway, I hope to build enough stock to do a craft fair soon and am scouting as we speak. I have sold some items on my Etsy shop, at a church fair and to neighbours, so I am ever hopeful of doing well.

Have a great day, speak soon,
Julie.x
p.s. It's snowing like crazy here, 3 inches already and more to come :)