Leather Purse - with two section snap frame

I love getting a new purse...I think it gives you a chance to clear out your old one, get rid of all those tattered old receipts, out of date vouchers, expired loyalty cards...and if your lucky you might even find a scrumpled up tenner!

Coin purses with clip frames seem to be getting more and more popular. Those of you whole follow Mollie Makes Magazine may remember the free gift coin purse kit from issue 6. Of course I had it made up within a few days.... but I tend to carry more bits and bobs in my purse than would fit in this little one.

So I decided to experiment and make a bigger one! I found a lovely double pocket clip frame from U handbag which arrived in no time at all...then I had to work out how to to create a purse that had all the little pockets and sections I needed.


I'm really trying right now to use up stuff that I have already...I like buying new fabrics, trims, ribbons, buttons...(I could go on)...as much as the next craft fiend but sometimes I forget how lovely a lot of the stuff I have already is.


So I had a rummage...last year when clearing out my parents loft I found a huge basket of leather cut offs which my mum kindly gave to me. I managed to find a bit of navy blue soft leather big enough for the frame I bought.

.....Then I choose this Liberty print I've had for a while which I thought went well with the leather.

I stiffened the cotton with some interfacing and picked out some flowers to appliqué onto the front with my machine (feed dogs down).

I made up the lining in the same liberty print with pockets for my cards....

....added my name on the bag...(a bit geeky - I know)....and found a scrap bit of lace that was luckily just the right length to finish off the back.

I really pleased with it and felt really chuffed when the guy who served me in Anthropology complimented me on it and said 'you could sell them in here you know'....shame he's not a buyer! Maybe one day.....a girl can dream!

If you like the look of this purse...fear not...it will be on the workshop programme at my craft venue and haberdashery shop...opening later this year in Moseley, Birmingham.

Business cards of my very own

A very exciting thing happened this morning. I was quietly sitting eating breakfast and watching the news ....and then jumped out my skin when I heard a huge bang at the front door. Wondering what on earth had just happened I went to have a look and spotted the 'MOO' sticker on a little box that had just plopped through the letter box.

Woo hoo...my business cards had arrived! I had chosen 5 different images of various habdash bits and bobs that I had lying around to go on the back, so could't wait to see how they had turned out. I'm really pleased with them, it seems so official to finally have 'business cards'! So now I can give my details to other peeps on something thats worth keeping, instead of a quick note on a bit of paper. They are not the final thing though...just something to keep me going until we finalise our logo and branding...so watch this space!

I even got a little box to keep them safe in - love it!

Tutorial: How to make a 'Love' banner - bunting style

Now that January is over its time I think its time to forget about the post Christmas/holiday blues. Okay...a February freeze may have been predicted for the UK but there is still plenty to look forward too....longer days...spring flowers...the Olympics...and Valentines day (maybe?) Either way why not bring some love into your life with this cute 3D banner.........read on to find out how....

Patterned pavements

If only they made pavements colourful and patterned here! When I was wondering around Buenos Aires on my recent South American adventure I could't help but notice really pretty patterned tiles everywhere...on pavements, door steps and courtyards. I just made the place look so lovely. They have all aged so well too...I reckon they must have been there for over 100 years.

My favourite shops in Buenos Aires - Part 2

Following on from my last blog post on the beautiful Casa Chic boutique in Buenos Aires I wanted to share some pictures of another one of the gorgeous shops I found on my travels.


This one is called...........

Cualquier Verdura

..........and is in the San Telmo district of the city. The shop is made up of several different rooms each themed around a room in a house. And the best part is everything is for sale! 

This looks though to the 'kitchen' - really love the distressed look on the shutter on the right

My favourite shops in Buenos Aires - Part 1

Now that I'm in the process of planning my own business venture into the crafty creative world I'm finding I look at things in a whole new light and try to take inspiration wherever I can. At the end of my South American adventure I was surprised to see so many really beautiful shops in Buenos Aires. I managed to take lots of pictures and thought I'd share some of my favourite shops with you. Its places like these that get me so exited about planning the lay out of my own shop and studio. 


The first place is called Casa Chic and is actually a hotel which has a 'rustic chic' boutique on the ground floor. The place smells divine...has funky chilled out music in the background and has the most gorgeous displays which feast the eyes with all things chic. At first it did seem a little like visual overload as there was so much packed in there...but everything piece from the clothes to the home accessories as lovely. 

The start of something BIG!

Today has ended up being quite a landmark day for me...in a hugely positive way!!!

We finally found out, after almost 4 months, that Birmingham city council has granted us planning permission to turn this building in Moseley....

......into a retail unit where a fantastic new fabric and haberdashery shop and craft workshop/studio will be created. We plan to bring all the best and most gorgeous fabric and haberdashery supplies to Birmingham and inspire and teach budding crafters new skills in a wide range of short courses and workshops.


I am now dedicating myself full time to the project from the renovation of the building to the business planning and set up. 
Today was my first day on the Business Enterprise Course with the Princes Trust Charity who are giving me so much help and support...and it has been great to network with all the other entrepreneurs too. So all in all...a great Monday!
Stay tuned to the blog or sign up to the newsletter for all the latest developments on this exciting venture...