Old Singer machine

I picked up an old Singer sewing machine about a year ago in a charity shop - absolute bargain at only £5. I've been meaning to do something with it for a while. Anyway, last week end I got it out, gave it clean and she's now working very well. My daughter was very interested and it didn't take her long to get her hands on it. I have to admit I was a bit nervous at first letting her have a go, but actually as there is no motor (you have to turn the handle) it's perfect for her to learn. She was adamant she was going to do it on her own - and she did!

My Grandma England used to have one of these machines, but hers had a table and treadle attached and I remember working the foot treadle for her and shouting "start" and "stop"! Emily and I do the same thing now but on my electric machine, she sits on the floor and presses the pedal for me. Somethings never change.

I discovered that the Singer website gives you the date and place each of their machines where made. All you need is the Serial number on the machine. My was 10th December 1936 in Kilbowie, Clydebank.

Anyway, here's Emily at HER machine, my budding new assistant!

Feature in Knitting magazine

About two months ago I was approached by a publisher asking if they could use one of my purses in "Knitting" magazine - well it's finally out! - let's hope it drives some more trade to my Folksy shop :)

Treasury west

It's been a long time but finally someone put me in their treasury! Thanks to Monarchdancer

Another Treasury

Made it to another Treasury - courtesy of Iris of Rosengarten

Love the colour scheme - very serene.

New purses for folksy

This cold weather is just tooooo depressing! So I made some fun bright purses to cheer myself up!

Two treasuries on Etsy

Forgot to say - got mentioned in two treasuries this week!

Thanks to Kitty Kent and GaudetsGems

Ok - so it's been a while! - it's not as if I've been busy - so I really have no excuse!

Moving swiftly on - here's some of my latest creations :)

Etsy Front page

Huge surprise this morning! I made it to the front page on Etsy! Here it is - thanks to Lazygiraffe

All at sea...treasury

As you can see - I have not been blogging recently! In fact, I haven't been making much either. Mainly because it's the school holiday and I have my daughter at home so we've been having lots of fun together but also because I've run out of steam!

I made a treasury on Etsy today and called it "All at sea..." as this seems to reflect my mood at the moment.

New clutch bags and purses

Been busy with my day job recently. However, last week I picked up some gorgeous embroidered silk remnants on a fabric shopping trip - so here are some of the results.

Chatting to the shop assistant paid off as she bought out lots of extra remnants from under the counter!

I also made some little purses (mainly for a house party I have coming up). I've decided to open a shop on Folksy and list those there - see what interest I get. Folksy is a UK based version of Etsy

Shop Handmade

Almost forgot - I joined the Shop Handmade directory, Fantastic site which any UK based crater/artist can join to list where they sell their products. So much amazing talent out there. Just go to http://www.shophandmade.co.uk/ for a real treat. Also an interesting blog to follow, with articles on featured artists and more.

New Etsy treasury

Really pleased to have a bag in another treasury today. Things have been a bit slow recently, so I've been concentrating on making new stock. But this cheered me up! The treasury is called ... secret places ... and it's by Monarchdancer a very talented crochet artist.

New purses

Made some new purses the other day for Maria of Sugar & Spice Furnishings. She has a shop up at Chesapeake Mills, Wickham, Hampshire. Lovely place, real alladin's cave! Maria chose the fabrics - some beautiful floral linens.

Etsy Treasury

I'm in another treasury! This time by Pulguinha - check out her shop - very unusual. The Treasury is called Beautiful and Bright and features chrysanthemums. 

I'm in two treasuries!

Had a great day again today - Husband, daughter and I joined some friends for the British Heart Foundation Round the Harbour bike ride. 32 miles in total and we only got rained on once! My daughter and her friend where the youngest children we saw. Didn't make her ride her bike that far of course, we have a tag along bike so when she was tired she could just take a break and sit back! Had a lovely surprise when I got home. Logged on to Etsy to find two people had chosen one of my bags to put in their treasuries. Chartreuse Green clutch bag is in a treasury by AREjewellery called "I can't decide..." and Chrysanthemum in spring green and sky blue clutch bag is in treasury west by prettylittlepearl called "Haute Summer Bags!"

 

A good day

Hi

I've been waiting for a good day to start my blog - and yesterday was definitely it! 

Spent the morning at my daughters school helping her class make kites. She was thrilled to have me there as this was the first time parents have been invited in (it's her first year at school) also really great for me to just see how she's getting on and what they get up to.

Came home in a really good mood and got stuck in to making some new bags. One of those days when things just seemed to be right - so here's the result! I'll be putting these beauties on my Etsy shop very soon. Let's hope people like them.