Friday 30 September 2016

New Items!

Good evening all,

So sorry for the absence, I have still been busy making but I have been a little preoccupied with Craft Fairs and (ssh, don't tell Blogger) Instagram. It's brilliant! If you fancy a look at my stuff on there, click here.

For today I want to show you a few things and I'll do so like before, in photo form. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or head over to my Instagram or Facebook page. Thanks!

Vintage Doilies and Handkerchiefs Small Lined Cross Body Bag with Internal Pocket
Linen Vintage Handkerchiefs and Doily Small Envelope Back Throw Cushion
Small Framed Freehand Machine Embroidery Tea Cups Wall Art
Vintage Doilies and Handkerchiefs Large Lined Shoulder Bag with Internal Pocket

Lovely Denim and Floral Cotton Mobile 'Phone Cases with Earphone Pockets
Small Tea Cups Linen, Cotton, Chiffon and Lace Envelope Back Freehand Machine Embroidery Cushion

Linen and Vintage Handkerchiefs Wristlet Bridesmaid Pouches, Set of 3
Small Botanical Garden Envelope Back Throw Cushion with Removable Brooch Back Flower

Sunday 31 July 2016

Latest Makes

Hello all,

Hope you are enjoying your summer so far - this is my favourite time of year, not only as I love the sun but I was born in August too so BIRTHDAY! Woop.

This blog is mostly picture heavy as I expect the items I have been making to be pretty self explanatory, but I'll point out a few things. Enjoy. :)

Some more Tea Cup Pin Cushions

New materials used for the Mobile 'Phone Cases with Earphone Pockets

Christmas Bunting (I know) in Large Size, Double Sided, 8' Long

Christmas Bunting in Small Size, Double Sided, 4' 6" Long

A new style of Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim Purses

Cute Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim Pencil Cases

The next batch of Freehand Machine Embroidery Greetings Cards - always a popular choice

A Throw Cushion made using gorgeous Hemp and Linen Materials (made a while ago, just not photographed)

My Freehand Machine Embroidery Bottle Bags - such a good idea! (If I do say so myself)

My newest line of items - these are Cross Stitch Needle Cases, this one Pink and Red Ladybird theme

And this one is my Blue and Grey Butterfly Theme
These last two items I have to tell you about. There is a little company called Jammy Codgers who are two friends that work together making and retailing many kinds of jams, chutneys and pickles (that are delicious I might add) and who regularly attend the Bakewell Town Hall Craft Fairs I often tell you about. Well, Sue, one of the two, was making a quilt for a grandchild but never got around to finishing it - using an array of Cross Stitch patches. Now, as she doesn't have a use for them any more, she decided to give them to me to see if I can use them! How lovely! There are loads....and a bag full of other items too. So, the first thing I made were these two Needle Cases and I simply love them. PLUS, Iris, another Bakewell visitor, also had a huge bag of ribbons she no longer needed and she gave them to me - on the same day. How lucky am I?!! Needless to say, ribbons were also used to make these two and there will be many more...

I posted these onto Instagram yesterday and today, the pink one sold! Wow. Very pleased. So, I only have one now but I will make more.

That's all for today, I hope you like my items, they will be at my regular craft fairs or if you are interested in anything, please get in contact. This is my Instagram account and here is my Facebook page. I love you to follow me!

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016.

Friday 8 July 2016

Gardening and Tea Cups!

Hi all,

Just a short blog today just to tell you I haven't fallen off the face of the earth - it's just been rather busy here. I have been re-stocking and adding things to the shop my items are in, Two Little Magpies in Beeston, Nottingham and I have been making lots of things for my craft fairs too.

And I have been gardening. Oh yes. I know all about weeds now...

Not that I didn't before, well, I knew a bit but my husband is the gardener here. We are fortunate to have a large back garden and the front is quite large too so it's all go to keep them up to standard. And I have been helping :) We actually get quite a lot of lovely comments form the neighbours as they walk past so it makes all the hard work worthwhile (mostly David's). :D

Here's a picture of part of the front garden taken a week or so ago:


And here's a picture of the bottom of back garden from my shed, about 4-5 weeks ago:


Here's a picture of another part of the back garden from my workshop (spare room) window (yes, I am blessed working here and yes, we're soon to replace our little fence!):


And this picture shows the garden from the top patio area, earlier in the season before hanging baskets appeared everywhere and climbers started climbing etc. The canopy is still off the swing chair too, so spring/summer was just beginning:


I'll bring more soon.

But anyway, I haven't got many pictures to show you of new items as I have been re-stocking, as mentioned, but I have done these I'd like you to see:


These are my Tea Cup Pin Cushions. How cute are these?! I just love florals, I love China tea cups and saucers and I love sewing, so these hit the spot (much like the tea would)!






A few of these are for the shop and the others (with more to come) will soon be available at my craft fairs.

So that's all for now, see you soon,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016

Sunday 19 June 2016

Evening all,

Just a few pictures to show you folks, of things I have been making recently...so first up:


This is my Small Reversible Bag, made using denim and canvas materials, and adorned with a hand made flower brooch. I made these a while back and it wasn't long before they sold and when I saw the blue and white material the other day, a light bulb was lit to make more. So I did!

Next:


This is my new style of bag, I call this my Botanical Garden and Linen Leather Strap Bag. I think the clue is in the title! I simply love the Botanical Garden material and was fortunate enough to come across quite a lot of it, so here I have used it in a bag alongside other neutral materials. The lining is cream, it has a Botanical Garden set of pockets and I used a leather belt to make the shoulder strap, which is riveted and can be altered to the length desired.

And the next:


Similar to the above item, this is a Botanical Garden and Denim Wristlet. It is of the size that it can hold your mobile, your purse, your keys and a tissue or two so that you are ready to dash out the door in an instant and you know that you have everything you need - all secured and safe and held over the wrist.

And finally:


You may have seen these before, these are my Freehand Machine Embroidery Mobile 'Phone Cases with Earphones Pocket, decorated with really cute little birds. These are slightly different to the last ones (I think most things are remade better the next time) and are made to fit many mobiles, including the iPhone 6. I just love the floral materials used for the birds and the spotty interior. Cute!

So that's all for today, but before I go I would just like to say tomorrow (Monday) both my husband and I will be exhibiting at the Bakewell Town Hall, me with my items and my husband will have his RNLI Charity stall. We are actually supporting a charity ourselves by standing, namely the Goboka Rwanda Trust, as they hold a monthly cafe and craft fair in the Town Hall to help the charity and it is always such a great atmosphere with stalls, teas and cakes so if you fancy a day out, you know where to come. Plus, it's market day in town!

Thanks for reading,
Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2016.


Thursday 26 May 2016

Shiny New Items

Evening all,

I decided I would make this blog a photographic one with small descriptions, letting the pictures do most of the talking, so without further ado I'd like to show you my latest makes... (Click on the pictures to enlarge).






My new range of Mini Buntings. Each measure approximately 4' - 4' 6" in length, have 12 flags and are double sided so they can be viewed from either side. They are absolutely gorgeous (if I do say so myself) and look great in many spaces, especially along shelving, fireplaces, window ledges and more. I think the small print of the cotton fabric is what makes them so attractive...what do you think?



These are the latest in my line of gift sets, namely Three Piece Toiletry/Cosmetics Cases. I am making them in a range of fabrics but the concept is the same, there is a flat based wash bag that is lined with either PVC or oilcloth (colour matching dependant), a smaller flat cosmetics bag that is cotton lined and a roll up brushes holder with ties. Of course they can be purchased for yourself, but they make excellent gifts for any girl of any age. :) Again, it's the fabric that is so appealing, to me at least, I simply love delicate florals. There will be more of these too.


You will have seen something similar to these before, but these are my new Freehand Machine Embroidery Padded iPad Cases in portrait style. They are all decorated using my favourite method, are fully padded with fleece and interfacing, have cotton linings with nothing to scratch your devise and have an envelope closure with button and elastic. These cases fit the iPad Air 2 and the 9.7" iPad Pro. Of course, you can try your own devise if on hand at a craft fair or place an order to have one custom made.


These are my latest design of 'Bag for Life' made using a fabulous firm duck type material in a gorgeous print called Botanical Garden. As soon as I saw this material I had to have it and knew it would work great as bags. These roll up and are held with an elastic, and I am also going to make some with their own pocket so instead of rolling, they'll fold flat and will be encased - a pocket that is integral to the bag. These bags are the perfect size to drop in you bag or to just grab and go.


And finally, I have managed to make a small range of Fat Quarters for my stall. Some of the fabrics in the bundles are what you have already seen in this post. I just love them, as if you haven't guessed already and so I wanted to share them with you. These are in sets of three and are 18" x 22" a piece, they are a mix of cottons and poly-cottons and there is even some Egyptian cotton throw in for good measure. They have all been measured, cut, pressed, folded and bundled using lengths of cute ribbon. They cost just £4.99 for three and will be available at my craft fairs - while stocks last.

So that's all for today folks, hope you enjoyed a look and to read a comment or two if you'd care to leave one. Thank you!

Julie.
(C) FMNCrafts 2016.

Friday 29 April 2016

Busy Busy and New Items

Hello all,

Wow, long time no blog! Guess what? I've been busy! As usual... Some of these items were out at my last fair, but that just shows you how long it's been since I blogged.

So without further ado, I'll show you some stuff. First up:





This is the next in line of my Upholstery Material Cushions, this one in a beautiful botanic style print, complete with matching piping (I love making piping now...), an envelope back and detail on the back to match the material on the front. This material is a mix of hemp and linen and it feels delightful, it measures 16" x 16" and will be going with me on Sunday to the next fair I'm at - details later. I have another one to show you but that's next time, as I haven't got the cushion form in it yet... I really like making these one off style throw cushions and the neutral colours mean they can be placed in many homes.

Next up:






The latest style of Mobile Case with Earphone Pocket. I bought these blue and white materials and thought they would look great on the mobile cases so these were born. This style of case (ones with pockets) have been selling well at the fairs as they are so attractive and useful. I think that's what people are looking for these days...

And the next:





These are my beautiful (yes, I do say so myself) Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim and Cotton Padded Glasses Cases. Oh yes. Each have a little flap to hold the glasses in with an elastic closure and each is lined with a complimentary cotton lining. The padding protects the glasses and they are big enough to hold bulky sunglasses too. Perfect for summer holidays then...

And the next:







I really love making these - Tissue Packs. Each is made using two beautiful different prints of cotton and there's a lovely peep of 'material number two' down the middle, where the opening is to get to the tissues. Mum and I went on a material shopping trip a couple of weeks ago and we found a shop I will be returning to no doubt! I spent quite a bit and some of the materials you see in these tissue packs are indeed brand new. I love material shopping. Is it possible to ever have too much?

Each pack contains 10 4ply tissues and are easily replaced once used. These make lovely gifts and when they sell at the fairs, I would say 80% are bought as gifts. One lady bought 4 last summer for Christmas presents...

These are next:






This scotty dog material is also new and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. I have a feeling it may be good as purses and that's why I whipped these two little ones up. I also have it in blue. They are a great size, you can get loads of money plus store and credit cards in and there is a blue spotty interior with black ribbon pull on the zip. I think these will go well and of course I will be making more than just two!

And finally, just a few re-do's as these items always sell well:

Floral Classic Padded Glasses Case (click to enlarge)
Carrier Bag Keyrings - never be without a carrier bag again!
Roll Up Floral Shopping Bag, heavy duty, large size

Map Gift Bags, set of three, great fun!
Tea Cup Freehand Machine Embroidery Floral Throw Cushion. I love this!
Magnetic Washi-tape Pegs
Net Curtain Bunting. Yes, I know, but it's an experiment - I want to hear people's reactions. I think it's funky but we'll see.
So that's all! If you have managed to get through this whole blog - well done! And thank you. Please leave me a comment or even share this, I'd love to get a little more exposure about my creations and gain people's thoughts.

Oh, I almost forgot. On Sunday and Monday, 1st and 2nd May 2016 I will be exhibiting at Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire. They are holding a Dog Show outdoors and a Craft Fair indoors. Guess which one I'm exhibiting at?! Ha! In fact, no, scratch that... ;)

Bye for now.
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016.