U-handblog

A Bag for All Reasons sneaky peek inside

Hmmmm, I meant to post these pics well over a week ago, but Mabel was having none of it.  Something about them there babies not being born with their own individual instruction manual and it being a 24/7 labour of love.  Just as well I'm addicted to her really.

OK I better crack on with this post before her Ladyship wakes up...  So this new book was my 2011 labour of love and we are all super-duper delighted with the way she has turned out!  As the title suggests it is a bag making book that is projects focused, but with a difference (a new concept that has not been done before).  The concept is that this is a collection of bags all designed to be useful, practical and made for certain jobs such as: wallet, laundry bag, nappy bag, iPad case, vanity case ect.  I don't know if you already know this about me, but I'm very driven by the usefulness of items.  Of course I like an item to be pleasing to the eye, but what really gets me going is an item's practicality combined with good looks. 

With this in mind I have designed 12 all new bags that I hope you'll agree look tasty, but very importantly are totally practical and a joy to use in your real-life situations.  By this I mean (in these bags) you'll find a multitude of practical features such as: thoughtful shapes and sizes, pockets, compartments, straps, fittings, elasticated bits, poppers, fold out wing-dings and the like.  I wanted for you to be able to make fully-featured bags that you'll find yourself using again and again, rather than using it a couple of times only to find they don't quite fit in with your busy lifestyle - if you know what I mean :)

As some of you might have already come to expect (of me) most of my designs are aimed at the more intrepid sewist, but I have also made a point of including totally newbie-friendly designs that are no less useful and just as nice to look look at.  So there is honestly something for everyone.  Those of you who work through the projects will hopefully feel that they are rewarded with bags that look individual, look store-bought and are made to last.

A Bag For All Reasons - good to know:

• Hardback spiral bound cover
• I will be selling signed copies in my shop.
• Most of the designs are fully-featured and you'll find that these are even more comprehensive than store-bought patterns - this makes the book amazing value for money (though I do say so myself!)
• 3 huge pull-out sheets of full sized patterns, printed on one side (so you don't have to trace patterns if you don't want to)
• you have my consent/blessing to sell handmade designs from this book if you want (see inside book for full copyright info)

Hokay onto the all important piccies - click on pics to enlarge.

Front cover, this bicycle pannier is one of my fave designs, made in Amy Butler Soul Blossoms and Kaffe Fassett laminates.  Yummo!

Back cover with a taste of some of the projects inside.

I feel like have arrived: one of my books is hardback spiral bound book, yaysers!

At the front of the book all of the techniques needed to make all of the various practical features such as pockets, straps binding etc. are explained.  A lot of these techniques are simply repeated from my first book The Bag Making Bible. There was no point re-writing these techniques because they are still relevant and it meant I could focus on designing fancy bags.  That said, in the new book I have included some new groovy techniques which do not appear in my first book.

I hope you'll agree that some of these designs pack a hefty hard-working punch.  You'll find exciting new 3D shapes, new techniques, and lots of "you made that!!??!!"

A protective iPad case that is more chic than geek.  For those of us who don't own an iPad I have included a simple to follow pattern formula to make your own notebook case (whatever size it may be).

I love the model photography in the new book.  The bags were sent to NY USA and shot in grand style. How cute is this little girl and her teddy.  The bag is The Toddler Friendly Backpack - no awkward zips or buttons for little hands to contend with and no lining for us sewists to contend with either!

I LOVE this satchel style bag and when I wear it I often get asked where I bought it.  I think this is because this bag is based on a classic design that is normally made in tough leather hide. This fabric version is interfaced in such a way as to make the fabric far more rigid and resemble the structural look of tough leather - clever eh?

Satchel instructions....

Yep there's even a very pretty pleated purse frame purse inside the book too.  Use satin and a big fat sparkly brooch pin for an uber glam wedding/party clutch or use your fave solid colour and a vintage flower brooch for 'a ballerina pump and jeans' kinda clutch.

I hope you enjoyed the taster look inside the book.  I'd loveto know what you think.  I don't think Mabel will let me reply to your comments but we will read every one of them.  Thanks. OX

Mum Me

I love her to the point my heart will burst, but it doesn't, it just loves her even more.  Mabel has been in our lives for 2 weeks and 3 days and how life changing they have been.  Many of you said to me that she will be the most beautiful thing I will ever make - and you were right.

Thank you so much everyone for your kind congrats and to those of you who sent cards and gifts (I will get back to card senders in the next few weeks, sorry about the delay).  We've been bowled over by the kind baby cheer from sooooo many of you.  Hundreds!  Hey Mabel did you know you've got hundreds of lovely cyber aunties :)

Al has managed to wangle lots of paternity leave and he is really enjoying being a daddy.  He is positively dippy over his daughter.  I love hearing the daft voices coming out of the bathroom as he changes her (for the time being Al is in charge of waste disposal, and why not, he loves changing her nappy!).  We are actually a family, I am a mum, I have a daughter!!!!  

At the moment we are laying low and enjoying the baby bubble.  In some ways it's like a hands on activity holiday.   It's been wonderful living life fully moment by moment, trying to drink in and record the precious passing moments as they race by.  In my work I spend so much time working to deadlines and working a season ahead.  When you have a babe to love and care for all of that goes out the window because the farthest you can think ahead is the next feed or change.  But this is good, I've found myself  enjoying life in a completely different way by slowing riiiiight dowwwwn.  It's true that being woken up twice a night isn't great, but being able to sate her hunger and make her comfortable is great. I wake up in the mornings when she she wakes me up.  I look into her cot and think 'aw she's so lovely and I get to look after her today' - hurray!

 

Al and I a week or so before Mabel came on da scene. 

Remember those bootees that I crocheted?  Sooooo cute (even tho I say so myself).

'Grumpy chops' Mabel (or perhaps she's pondering on something deep and meaningful).

She already has Al wrapped around her little baby fingers (can't say I blame him!)

Mabel likes a bit of strumming on the guitar.

Granny and Granpa visited last weekend, they actually squabbled over who got to hold her.

My Dad is also great at making silly faces and voices, Mabel certainly approves.

We've been out and about making the most of the sunshine, ahh bliss!

Little and Large

Happiest Chinese New Year! It was actually yesterday, but I was soo tired I spent most of the day napping.  In my waking hours I still managed to craft on.  During preggo-nancy crochet has remained my crafting saviour. I miss sewing a lot and I know I'll loose the crochet hooks and return to sewing when I loose the appendage. But for the meantime I spend a lot of time on our sofa. (Al sits on another one so I dont have to share-bliss!)  It's become my napping, lolling and crafting command centre. On it and around it are:

• 5 pillows
• a blanket
• loads of yarn and a pair of scissors
• 2 crochet books and hooks
• 1 bottle of water
• lots of cake and biscuit crumbs
• a pot of hyacinths (yummy scent)
• and (finally after 15 years of our beautiful relationship) I have commandeered the TV remote

 

Taken earlier today (at 32 wks).  Little and Large.  I'm large and these crochet bootees that I made are little!

 

Yes, so I'm feeling rather large and short of breath right now. But it's all good, she seems quite happy in there and still enjoys her daily moving and grooving.  She seems fond of: Radio 4, my high BPM dance music, the hum of the sewing machine (I got that one sorted as a priority!) sizzling and other cooking sounds, Al's making funny voices and playing spider on my tummy and my shower singing. That aside it would be nice not to have have to lump her around anymore, my arms and legs are short enough as they are thanks!

How can such a large bump have such tiny tootsies?

 

Pink is nice and all, but I don't think I'll be making many items in pink for the girly.  I can leave that to the shops (which are awash with shades of Barbie pink (or blue).  Why do shops do that? 

 

...and the winner of the book cover vote is...

Hey, thank you so much for you super-duper helpful feed back on the mock book covers. We have read through every single one.  My publisher and I were blown away by the level of detail you gave in your feedback - sooo useful.  As ever, the customer is always right! 

The book designing team are now re-creating some book covers based on your comments (I'll try and show you the re-worked covers if I can).  I find that exciting and it also makes so much sense!  After all, it doesn't matter a jot if my publisher and I like the cover if you folks don't.

I also want to thank you for your for very kind comments on the new book.  It's really been a joint effort; lots of you told me what projects you fancied (and you even specified bag features), the publisher has pulled out the stops in making it look great and I just stayed in all Summer tried to write and design projects that you like the look of.  :)

So, for the vote I promised there would be a commenter (drawn at random) who would win some bag making goodies. 

The trusty RNG stopped on:

Number 53.

Which means that Purpleali who said:

"I like number 3 the best. It looks fresh and exciting. It also shows off 3 very different designs of bag. The only bit I wasn't too keen on was the backgroung in the top left hand corner where your name was - I wasn't very sure about the green colour, maybe a lighter green would be better."

Congrats Purpleali, will you please get in touch with me (for my email address please click on the ABOUT at top right hand corner of blog) so we can arrange getting the good gear sent to you.

Mock-up covers for my new book. Please vote (and win).

Hello Loves!

How lucky is this author?  So I get to write about something that I'm obsessed with, someone takes some yummy photos and then a team puts all of the words and piccies together into a nice sprial-bound book.  And best of all, you lovely readers seem to like the results. Hoo hoo! 

I've been sent some book cover ideas to comment on and approve.  My publisher has asked me to ask you discerning crafters to get invloved and give us your esteemed feedback.  How fun is that (and how often does the reader get to have a say on the cover)??!

So yeah, there are 5 different book covers to peruse.  Lets say the cover at the top is number 1 and the bottom cover is number 5.  If you could please have a look, vote and comment on the covers as instructed in the contest details below - your comments might win you some bag making goodies!  Thanks for taking part!

Up for grabs is:

• this tasty leather shoulder handle
• these pretty bamboo bag handles
• this yummy bobble trim

 

>

 

Contest Details (please read carefully):

1 commenter/winner will be drawn at random. The draw is open to everyone.  If winner is overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

To enter you need to is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

1. Voting on your fave cover - remember to state which number cover: 1- 5
   
2. Comment on why it is your fave cover
3. Include any other comments: change of colours etc.

 

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner: 16th Jan and announce them the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

Make your own Dragon Paper Model - Happy New Year!

Happiest New Year to you and your family!!

I wish the best of everything for you this year.  I know that 'things out there' are far from perfect but, hopefully we can still feel that there is so much to be happy for.  Be that a tasty chicken pie for tonight's dinner, a hug and an "I love you" from your children/friend/partner, a completed UFO, or gaining a new skill for example.

This year is going to be delightfully bonkers - I've heard that nothing can prepare you for your first child...  But despite the added distraction, tiredness and feelings of love that she will no doubt bring, my 2012 aim (I don't do resolutions) will be to try and keep it simple.   Because book writing forces you to stay in a lot (as does advanced stages of pregnancy), I've had to focus on the simpler pleasures in life (in order alleviate the writer's cabin fever).  And this has left me a in good place.  I love my slippers more than ever, the only things I want to shop for is food, craft supplies, and baby stuff.  The more I can keep things uncomplicated the more I am free to enjoy the simple stuff.  Long may this continue!

 

Make your own Lucky 2012 Dragon.

In Chinese mythology and zodiac-ness Dragons are believed to be the super-luckiest of creatures.  I'm not particularly superstitious myself but, it's still nice knowing that Beansprout will be born in the year of the Dragon.  She may turn out to be a creative hothead, ohhhhh boy!  Here's a cool lucky dragon for you/the kids to make to celebrate the New Year.

 

Taken from this site.  Isn't this Dragon groovy!  I'm going to make one for Beansprout's room.

Click for the dragon template PDF

Click for the assembly instructions (they're in Japanese, but the diagrams are easy to follow)

 

 

This reads: Kung Hei Fat Choy  "Happy New Year"  Innit!   OX

Ever increasing circles

Increasing Family Circle

Heya everyone!  I hope you are all well, and you all had a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah/get together.  I think ours was the best Christmas we've had in long time.  Al and I spent it with my clan/our clan.  We all actually managed to get time off work and be together for the first time in ages. Many of my family hadn't yet seen my bump, it got loads of lovin'!  Our baby will be the first of my generation in my immediate and extended family.  My mum told me that since she told my 80+ Grandma that we're expecting Grandma has been glowing more than usual. We can't wait to appear in the 4 generations piccy: Grandma, my Mum, myself and Beansprout.  As us 'kids' (of which I will always be one) grow up a bit and find life partners, the family gets even bigger. As some of you may already know Al and I finally tied the knot last Sep and so my family made a bit of fuss of him.  And my cousin is going to marry a lovely chap next July, (phew that gives enough time for my bump to shrink a bit for the big day).   Awww, my family rocks, I feel sooo blessed to have access to so many happy faces, cuddles and belly laughs (and deeeelish home cooking).  I think that this is the stuff of real value.  I'm happy to stay in and not be one of the hordes of shoppers that queued up outside Selfridges on the 26th for a designer this, that and the other.  

After Christmas dinner we had a great game of cross-cultural; guess who I am. It took Al a while to guess his identity, but he got there in the end.  He's such a bright boy.

Increasing mess on my kitchen table

Whilst on the subject of being in happy place, I'm sooooooo relived to have finally finished work on my 2nd book. The publisher and I really sweated over this book and we are all delighted at the results.  I know that your opinion is the one that truly matters, but I will (at least) say it really does look the business. The projects are as modern as the cover design and layout is fresh.  Dare I say the 2nd book looks much prettier than my first?  Yes I do dare!  Hehe!  The book will be released next year end of May/early April.  Now I've stopped working on my book I can concentrate on turning the writing/work room into a nursery - it's back to sewing on the kitchen table for me. Ho hum!

 

Increasing belly (which in keeping with the circular theme: is now round)

Me: taken earlier today, week 28.  I'm now just about waddling into the third trimester.  Doctor husband and all other professionals are happy to report that all looks well (mum doesn't think she looks that great, but really doesn't mind about that at all). 

My bump did well this Christmas, it got rounds of applause, pats and strokes! 

 

Increasing crochet circles!

Yeah, so at this stage I can no longer sew for any protracted length of time without my back aching and  my belly constantly bumping against the table edge.  Ahhhhh I can't sew!  Panic panic panic, I have to do some sort of craft!!  So I looked for a craft that is very portable and not too mentally involved for my baby brain.  Seems like crochet is the answer.  I got me a crochet book and some Amy Butler Belle yarn and I have been crochet hooked since!  It's perfect for keeping me in craft whilst lolling about whale-like on my bed or sofa.  At some point I'll join these squares to make a big throw and I reckon I'll get round to making the cute bootees as well.  By then Beansprout might have joined the party and my belly will have receded sufficiently for me to be able to sit comfortably behind my beloved sewing machine - that is if I'll be able to stay awake long enough to switch the power on! 

What craft did you turn to when your bump got in the way?

FREE bag purse pattern: The Graceful Kelly Bag

This is great!  I haven't been able to do a freebie sewing pattern in such a long time - been too busy with the 'b' word.  When the 'B' word is finished things will go back (more) to normal.  I'll resume blogging and magazine writing and stuff.  I've missed doing that so much, I do hope when the time comes you'll still be out there to read my gear!

So, this bag is totally inspired by the purse frame itself.  As soon as I saw the frame I was thinking of film starlets, Grace Kelly, Doris Day, and the lovely women of Mad Men.  This beaut of a bag more or less designed it's own sweet self (I wish all my designs came that easy!)

You'll find the hardware and interfacings needed for this bag in my shop.  Click on the links inside the PDF pattern to find the neccesssary supplies.

 

 

DOWNLOAD THE FREE BAG PATTERN HERE

The file is on the large size (cos I took loads of instruction pics) so you might not want to download at work (and get yourself trouble with the boss!).

 

Please pop your U-Handbag tute/kit/pattern bag pics in here - I love checking 'em out :)

 

 

Yummy boat shaped bag with soft gathering all held in place by our Grace Kelly Purse Frame.  This bag really does look shop bought, so I've been told (by a fair few).  I'm thinking, if this tres' lady-like bag can bring some prim and proper order to my grungy work boots than all the better!

 

This bag is very roomy.  You can easily get a book, water, purse, phone, small brolly, war paint, compact camera and more inside. Yet when full the bag doesn't look unwieldy.  I think it's because it refuses to look anything less than...um..graceful.

 

Side view:  the gusset (still hate that word) adds loads of space to the bag and gives it a nice rounded profile.  Those of you who like to go off-road can easily add contrast piping to the seams - ohh tasty!

Inside there is a elasticated top edge pocket which will keep your valuables/scratchables safe and easy for you access.  Neat eh?  Don't worry, instructions are included to make the whole shebang.

 

I hope you have fun with the pattern.  I'm really looking fowrd to seeing pics of 'em.  OX.