Looks like I'm not the only one to love Amy Butler Patterns!

For my birthday I had this book:

and since it had a purse pattern in it that has a zipper for closure rather than my nemesis metal clasp frame huffed about here I decided to give it a go.  This is what it looks like in the book:

and this is my attempt:

I had some Amy Butler fabric fat quarters that I'd treated myself to a while ago so used one for the main body of the purse and the top piece is a fabric remnant I picked up.  I'm using the other fat quarters to make two of the bags featured in the book and going to make more of the purses as Christmas presents as I think I know what I'm doing now I've made one!  Highly recommend the book as it comes with all the patterns in a nifty little holder at the back.

Happy making!

A few things started...

I just wanted to update in regards to my giant list....!

Just a heads up with the free bag pattern from Burda: you need to go to verypurpleperson's blog for the instructions. Maybe you guys don't need the instructions but I was a little stumped when I tried it without them!

But they're all done:

And I've finished my prototype make-up case:

Which I gave away as a birthday pressie for my sister in law....

And I've started on my piggy mobile:

If you want the pattern for the piggy mobile (I actually didn't use it but got the inspiration from Welsh Pixie's version) it's in the book Tone Finnanger's book Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle which I have just bought from Amazon :)

Happy crafting!

Drawstring Purse - Tutorial

I have uploaded a tutorial for my drawstring purse to my blog.


Now I'm onto my next project, a stuffed animal for my niece. Unfortunately I have misplaced the thread and it was the only one I had of the right colour, so I'll see if I find it or when I'll have time to buy a new one. It's not a hard project so I'm not in a hurry (yet).

I'm also thinking of making Charlies as gifts so I might get working on that instead.

Big list this year, time to get cracking!

Hello everyone, my name is Kath and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I have far too many hobbies to list but my most recent endeavour has been my Etsy store bunnyhornet. I make vintage inspired jewellery there and I'll be adding a bit of that to my Christmas pressies list!

BUT!! My projects I have to tackle this year are:

1.    3 x personalised cushion covers for my nephews.
2.    3 x reversible tote bags
3.    Skirt for my sister-in-law
4.    Sundress for another sister-in-law
5.    A few simple make-up cases
6.    Flying pigs mobile (idea found on this blog!)
7.    Some little bunnies (also idea found on this blog - thanks!)
8.    Tuxedo bib for littlest nephew
9.    2 x capes for bigger nephews
10.  3 x aprons for sisters and mother-in-law
11.  Giraffe Toy

OMG! How am I ever going to finish? I don't have a blog of my own so I'll document my sources for inspiration etc here :)

1. Personalised Pillows

My sister-in-law sent me a link for this:

If you click on the picture it will take you to the webiste.

She wanted her own version for her new baby and I have two other little nephews so I've bought fabric for all three and some felt for the names.

I bought my fabrics from Superbuzzy who has some amazing prints and colours.

And the felt came from Etsy user litlbrownbird.

And this is the inspiration for colour scheme I'm working with!

How cute is he!

The fabric picked for Boy 1 is to go with this little fella and I think the oranges and blues will go nicely with his room....

I want to make one similar but that's only in the 'musing' stages at the moment, no concrete plans!

You'll also notice I've bought the fabrics for the 3 reversible totes. The pattern I'll be using is from Burda Style and is free!

Now this tuxedo bib pattern is meant to be for an adult (to look like you're wearing a tux shirt) but how cute would a version be for a baby? Argh! So cute! Another Freebie!

I'll also use some of the leftover fabric for the make-up cases. I'll just make these really simple pouches with a zip closure.

Love this tutorial over at Chezlin!

I also bought some of that felt to make brown bunnies like the ones shown on the blog and on the original website of Betz White.

 The flying piggy mobile I found on this blog here. I've already started on my own pattern - don't want to mess with copyright but as it's for a gift we should be ok! The skin tone and white felt I've bought from litlebrownbird will be for this one.

Ok, and that's where I'm up to with my ideas so far..... wheeeeeeeeee!

Now to find good patterns for the Sundress, the Skirt, the aprons and the capes. Any ideas?

Two purses finished

I've now finished my second purse as well. As with the first one I still need to finish the details. I will take the purses to the supply store some day and see what they have, I know they have an extensive assortment of notions, so I'm sure I can find something there.
Also, like the first one, this one also goes in black and red, I think those colours are great for a party purse. It doesn't look very nice in shape without the closure, but it looks good with it.And both purses together. For my cousins, I haven't decided who will get which purse, but I guess I'll wrap them and stick the labels on without knowing which is which. They're not that different.

My next project is a stuffed animal for my niece, I'm right now doing embroidery for the first time in a long time; sewing the eyes and nose for my deer.

Handmade Jane

Hi, I’m Jane and I’ve been sewing with a passion for just over a year.  I recently started my blog Handmade Jane where I talk about things I’ve made (frocks and craft items).

Here I am with one of my elves

I’d love to make some handmade gifts this year, because I think they’ll be really appreciated and I’ll get a lot of pleasure from making them.  I tested the water by making birthday presents for my mum and my mother in law this year, and they both went down a storm.  Even if it’s just a small lavender bag, to me handmade means much more than yet another gift set from Boots.

I’ll be trying my hand at making little purses, make-up brush rolls, 50's style half pinnies and lavender bags. I’m more than happy to share links to any on-line tutorials I’ve found (all easy ones!) and any suppliers I’ve found useful. Mostly though, I’m looking forward to seeing what everybody else has been making.  That’s basically what I spend way too much of my time doing anyway, reading sewing blogs! Can’t wait!  x