Selkie Smith Sews

The Juggle

2011-06-11T01:15:00.001-07:00

Hi there!! Long time no speak! I’ve been so busy setting a few wheels in motion. In my previous post, I was telling you that I had to make the hard decision to cut out custom orders from Selkie Smith Design, as I just couldn’t devote enough time to both the business as well as spending quality time with Miss C.

I made a decision to make bags at my own pace and open up an online fabric and patterns shop Selkie’s Stash This will compliment bag sales. I have a real passion for fabrics, and I love to see what fantastic creations my customers come up with! Selkie’s Stash has been running for over a month with great success and I hope that continues to build. I love to help customers pick the right fabrics and patterns for what they are trying to create!

So that leaves me to Selkie Smith Design, I’ve had a short break from making bags and I will be slowly adding bags up onto our website which will be a combined fabric and pattern shop, also stocked with ready made items (bags and accessories).. The thing with bags that they take alot of time to make, and I try to make them of the highest quality and these things take time. (did I already say that..LOL) I hope my loyal customers understand that my creations are still being made it might just take some time to build up the stock, and see them up on the website.

Anywhoo, I wanted to let you know what was going on. I’m still as passionate as when I first began over eighteen months ago and over 300 bags later and while I may be quiet on the FB pages, i working behind the scenes to make Selkie Smith sustainable over the long term…

Just a pic of one of my favourite items that i’ve made recently.. The Black Market Apple Bag!!

Take care,

Mel

Who knew Big School would be so busy!

2011-03-17T02:19:00.001-07:00

Not me!! I had grand delusions of having all my days to sew, sew, sew and maybe a day at the canteen once a month and that was all there was to it.. Ah no, if I put my hand up for everything that was asked of us I would have a full time volunteer job! The hours between 9-3 fly by and when I have a deadline they seem even quicker. Then Miss C asked if I was going to come and help out in the classroom like some of the other parents, I developed a severe case of the Mother guilts and knew something had to change.

That is why I made the decision that Selkie Smith will no longer be taking on custom orders through Facebook. Selkie Smith does though want to keep the idea of custom orders going by having a “virtual custom order” through our website, where you pick your bag style and your fabric combo. This is available now, and I hope you get a chance to have a squizz! We will be adding new fabric combos regularly. We will also have a ready made part of the website up shortly once we complete our back log of custom orders, and hopefully some new products will get an appearance as well.

So that’s what is happening in the land of Selkie Smith at the moment, oh and one other thing, I was very humbled to be featured in KidStyleFile in their article about Aussie designers who make their produce locally. I’m very passionate about keeping Selkie Smith creations made locally and employing people in our local area, so was thrilled to be included with some very talented local designers!

Selkie xo

Selkie Smith in the Press

2011-03-03T03:33:00.001-08:00

Well hello, look you know by now i’m hopeless at keeping up with posting on this blog, so I won’t apologise ;) Everything is speeding along here in Selkie Smith land. I can’t believe that its been a year since i was made redundant. It feels like so much longer. A big year for us this year as our Miss C has started “Big School” and much to our relief she loves it to bits!

I’ve been sewing up a storm and Mr Selkie has been redesigning our website. We wanted to give it a custom feel..we limited the choice of fabrics, but customers can see the exterior and lining choices that we are offering on our main bags. We are also trying to develop accessories for both our kids and Multipie lines, and I’ll let you know how they are going once I have a chance to get stuck into them. I will be hopefully getting an extra assistant to keep up with orders, so that should be happening in the next month…

But my most exciting news is that we are featured in the Autumn/Winter edition of Studio Bambini! We feel very honoured to be featured in this mainstream mag, and that handmade is finally taking the spotlight. I’m very proud of being part of the handmade contingent including Anna at tillytom who makes stunning clothes and Sam from Maisydee with her funky bibs and beautiful quilts.

Selkie xo

Happy 1st Birthday Selkie Smith!!!

2011-01-03T04:41:00.001-08:00

Yes its come around quickly, but its been a year tomorrow since I lodged my ABN to become a fully fledged business, and what a year!!

I threw myself in and have come out the other end with having learnt so much.

I have met friends on Facebook and at all the markets I attended who are now so dear to me.

I have collaborated with one of my favorite designers – Saffron Craig, which I would have never in a million years thought would happen.

I now have 3 machines, and am in need of a fourth…even though Mr Selkie doesn’t believe me! I’m being to acquire more tools than he has… Soon i’m going to need another room!

I have my best friend Kylie and one of my dearest school friends Laura joining in on the Selkie Smith Fun… must take a pic of our mascot…for not other reason but he cracks us up! “Are you classically trained!”

I love alot about what I do, but the best thing is seeing a child walking around wearing their Yorkiepie satchel as soon as its been bought for them, with such happiness on their faces.. It blows me away and I know for all the hard slog at times it is …this is the reason I do it!

Anyhow I will leave you with a pic from our photo shoot done just before xmas. You may just find it in an issue of a magazine very shortly ;

I think 2011 is going to be a fabulous year for Selkie Smith! xo

Southgate - Poppyseed Markets Xmas Market Weekend

2010-11-03T01:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!,

Just a reminder for Sydneysiders that Selkie Smith will be Southgate Shopping Centre, Sylvania this weekend 6-7 Nov for Southgate/Poppyseed Markets Christmas Market and Family Fun days! As well as some fabulous stalls including Butterfly Garden, Archie & Moo, Vintage Ruffle, Raspberry Lime Paperie, Mon Tresor plus many more, Santa will be there for the kids, along with face painting and free entertainment.

Kylie and I will be at the Selkie Smith Stall both Saturday and Sunday. We will have some great new stock of Yorkiepies and Caitycoos, plus a few more new items that we will launch on the weekend...great ideas for a handmade xmas : )

We would love to see you there..

Cheers,

Mel xox

Tis the season to be jolly.....

2010-10-25T03:38:00.001-07:00

Long time no speak, surprise!! I have been very busy filling custom orders and getting ready for

all the xmas markets that Selkie Smith will be at over the next couple of months!

I will show you one pic of a custom order for a Deluxe Porkiepie Laptop Bag in Andrea Victoria fabric which I'm very happy with. This bag is a bit of a labour of love, it is time intensive so I will have limited custom spots during the year for this bag.

Coming up we will have some new products being launched at the next few markets, and some lovely gift ideas for xmas. We have also collaborated with Winnie & Clem who make beautiful hats, and we have these in stock to match our Caitycoo Totes and Yorkiepie Satchels, a great gift idea especially as we come into summer!

Below is a pic of a Lil Mermaid Bucket Hat which goes with our Lil Mermaid Caitycoo Tote

I am also grateful to have my good friends Laura and Kylie join the Selkie Smith team to help in the studio and at the markets, (and also to tell me to calm down and stop running around like a madwomen..lol) as we come into the busiest time of the year. Check the right side bar for our market dates : )

Also don't forget we also have the online shop up and running, www.selkiesmithdesign.com.au so be sure to check it out, and as we get closer to xmas we will have more products being loaded up!

Talk soon,

Mel

The Multipie Satchel and Website Giveaway

2010-09-23T22:21:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone!

I’m lying in bed, sniffling and coughing ugh! So I thought i’d do a blog postl..lol..

As usual things have been busy in the land of Selkie Smith so i’m going to keep this short and sweet.

Firstly, I have a new bag available, basically its the Porkiepie, but bigger, and it has been named the Multipie (Thanks Chrissie!) I’ve had quite a few customers looking for a bigger satchel than the Porkiepie, for a nappy bag mainly, and this I think fits the bill! It would also be good for an overnight bag or a school bag. Check out the bag below in Saffron Craig’s beautiful Birds in Leaves fabric

It has a large zippered pocket and 3 internal pockets and its BIG!

Also super big news is that our website’s online shop www.selkiesmithdesign.com.au is about to be launched! Hopefully on Sunday night! So please join our mailing list for any updates and for Australian residents the chance to win a Multipie Satchel in your choice of fabric worth $90! I will draw the winner at 5:30pm on Sunday 26th September : )

Okies going back to crawl under the doona!

Selkie xo

The Beast in my Sewing Room!

2010-08-28T01:12:00.001-07:00

Hello and welcome to my monthly blog post! Oh actually this is my second post this month..yay a record for me!

Things are busy in the land of Selkie Smith which is how I like it! This week I was happy to take receipt of the “Beast”, my industrial sewing machine. To do so I had to swap rooms, I had to move all my sewing stuff and the million yards of fabric into my daughters playroom, and she moved her millions of toys into my old sewing room. Surprisingly it all went off without a hitch, not a tanty from either I or Little Miss Selkie Smith.

Now compared with my other sewing machine, which forever more will be referred to as “Beauty”, the threading of the beast required me to write up a detailed and numbered list of where the thread had to be looped up, under and around..see pic below, I even had to put the numbers on the machine..lol

Anywhoo, it purrs like a kitten, and i’ve got it set on a slower speed at the moment but it’s still fast! Now I can start making my Deluxe Porkiepie Laptop bags!

Here is a few pics of my new sewing room, it much more organised that my other room.

With the Beauty in the foreground.

and my corner office..

In market news I will be at Mathilda’s Market at the Park Hyatt in Canberra on the 12th of Sept, I’m looking forward to going, I haven’t been to Canberra in about 10 years!

And one more thing, please feel free to comment, I promise I won’t bite! ; )

Selkie xo

My First Mathildas

2010-08-10T01:23:00.001-07:00

Yes, hello, it seems that I am consistent with my monthly blog post..sorry!!

Well Selkie Smith had its first stall at the beautiful St Ignatius College Riverview last Sunday. What a well oiled machine, this market is super organised. We had a great corner spot so we could get both our trees fully laden with Bags! Pity our photos aren’t so fantastic.. This pic was a little overladen and had to be pruned a bit, but we had a lot of bags!

We have decided not to take the lattice panels with us anymore but Wall Art and Memo Boards can still be custom ordered and will eventually be available on our website..(more on that later..) That left me needing another way to let people know who we are. The lovely Christina of Billy Mac and C&C Design Management made us a fantastic pop up banner! We love it and its so much easier to take to markets! Christina had a stall as well, and it was great to catch up with her and also with Dianne from Little Fish Creations who has some beautiful mobiles and tutus, and is the wonderful admin of the Handmade Cooperative, which we are proud to be a part of!

We had our new eftpos machine on hand, and it was worth its weight in gold, and a lot easier for us to use than we thought it would be! Our Hairclip Boards sold well as did our hair clips, which at first I was reluctant to start making but I’m determined not to waste fabric and these are a great way of not doing that.

Anyway all in all a great day, and we hope to be at the next Sydney Markets in October.

Next up for us though is Poppyseed Markets at Bulli on Sunday, and I can’t wait to meet the lovely people of the Illawarra!

Then we will be focussing on trying to get our website up and running, the bones are there, check it out www.selkiesmithdesign.com.au we just have to make it look pretty and fill it up with stock!

Last big news, I got me a Industrial Sewing machine! I hopefully should have it by next week, I’m know that it will be great for my Deluxe Porkiepies (Laptop Bags) and it gives my other machine a rest and I can do more embroidery on it. Now I just have to figure whether I should move my studio into the playroom and move the playroom into the studio..I think Little Miss Selkie will have alot to say about that!

Selkie xo

Day to Day Ramblings

2010-07-14T02:47:00.001-07:00

Phew! My double market days are over. I now have four weeks until my next market Mathilda’s at Lane Cove. I will try to have some new items in stock, brain is brimming with ideas! We had a good weekend, but I suspect that it was quieter than usual due to school holidays and people waiting for tax cheques, I know i’m one of them!

My Stall at Poppyseed Markets on Sunday

Just making up my first wholesale order with Little Yon Yon! Michelle stocks some fantastic WAHM’s creations, so please check out her website!

I also couple of custom orders, and alot of people over the Market weekend were asking if I make Messenger Bags. Well I think that will be the next main focus. A Deluxe Porkiepie Satchel, which can be used as both a laptop bag or a well stocked nappy bag. I’m excited about this as I will probably use a few different fabrics for each bag. I’m also thinking about the straps and whether they should be Polyprop like my other satchels or straps made out of the fabrics i’m using…hmmm.

So I will be chipping away at getting my stock ready and I’m very excited that I have bought another tree, a slightly smaller version, for my Caitycoo Totes, as I don’t think they look their best on the table!

Anywhoo not much else to say except I have listed my two of my Saffron Craig (as featured on her webpage) Elk Landscape Porkiepie Satchels on etsy

Purple Elk Landscape Porkiepie Satchel

Aqua Elk Landscape Porkiepie Satchel

Ok, that’s it for now,

Take care,

Selkie xo

Double Market Weekend!

2010-07-06T22:13:00.001-07:00

Hello!!! This week I have been super busy getting ready for the two markets that Selkie Smith Design will be at this weekend! Some people call me crazy…lol…

On Saturday I will be at Allie’s Attic at Cronulla Leagues from 10-2 and on Sunday I will be at Poppyseed Markets at Ador Ave Rockdale from 10-3.. check the exact details on the right side bar.

This time I will have some Saffron Craig Porkiepie Satchels in stock as well as my standard fare of Large Totes, Yorkiepies, Caitycoos, Memo and Hairclips Boards, and a few other bits and pieces.

Apologies for my madeit shop looking a bit bare, as I haven’t listed anything due to the amount of markets that i’m doing! But I hope to list more shortly, and Mr Selkie Smith is working on a website for me, so hopefully we will have that up and running in September! Just in time for Christmas orders : )

Ok that’s me done, I need to get back on the machine.

Take care,

Selkie

2010 Craft Trade Show and Magnolia Square

2010-06-16T15:58:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone, I can only seem to manage one post a month at the moment..terrible!!!

I have been busy as usual making market stock for some upcoming markets. I have 6 markets over the next month and a half…(insert an eye bulging smiley here!)

A couple of weeks ago my friend Margie and I braved the floods and checked out Magnolia Square at Randwick. It was great to finally meet face to face the lovely Helen from Ensparkle Ceramics. She makes some absolutely fabulous plate, bowls, tumbler, cake stands, and they can be personalised.. I bought this cute tumbler. I love the colours in it… There was also the talented artist Nikki, who has been featured in Frankie..check out her website!

Ok last weekend me and my tree went down to the 2010 Craft Trade show at Rosehill. After months of emails back and forth it was a pleasure to meet Saffron Craig face to face. She had a booth at the fair, and it looked absolutely fabulous. It was the best one there hands down! My tree looked fab laden with creations from both myself and others. I also met the talented Kate Conklin of Kate Conklin Designs who makes beautiful quilts (see below) and quilt patterns. Also on show was a beautiful quilt by Tamara St Remy from Bernina Patch. It was magnificent.

Saffron’s Booth

Kate’s beautiful quilts

Saffron and I standing in front of Tamara’s Beautiful Quilt

I also made a few trade orders as I have made the decision to sell fabrics as well as my creations. I have ordered a couple of bolts from the new Patty Young range “Playdate” and also ordered some of the beautiful Alexander Henry Willow range.

Ok must go, it’s Mummy and Daughter day here..have a great day, week, month..ok I hope to post more regularly…teehee..

Selkie xo

In a Bind!

2010-05-29T17:28:00.001-07:00

Oooh i’m using Windows Live Writer! Thanks to the tips from the Australian Contemporary Handmade Alliance I would never had known about it!! Check them out if you are a crafty like minded person for some great tips!!

Ok well it’s been a bit quiet in Selkieland, My little puppy has been sick, but she is on the mend, thank goodness! I have completed some custom orders over the last week and now i’m going to spend some time getting stock together for Billycart Markets on the 26th June. I’m working on an idea I’ve had for a while. I’m designing some binder covers for both “Kids Art Portfolios” and also for a “My Recipe” Binder. The covers will be removable for washing as we know a) kids are messy and b)chefs are messy!! Well i am! I also want to have a detachable pencil pocket for the art binders and the same for the recipe binders for a notepad and pencil.

I also used my embroidery part of the sewing machine last weekend with a bit of trepidation, but it was much easier than I expected. Although from the pic below you can see it doesn’t have much flair, i’ve bought lovely coloured embroidery thread for the real thing, so I can personalise the binders! So if you want it personalised then you can place a custom order with me!

Ok well for the moment I only have a very cryptic photo of my idea but I will post it to give you some idea!

Of course I have some great fabrics in my stash for both styles of binders and I can’t wait to use some of my Retro 50’s inspired fabric for the recipe binders! I hope to have the Recipe Binders ready for Poppyseed Markets in July!

Take care,

Selkie xo

Selkie Smith's First Market Stall

2010-05-18T00:48:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

As usual I've been super busy. Over the last couple of weeks i've been making stock for my first market stall at Poppyseed Markets. I had a great time and met alot of lovely people who made some lovely comments about my bags and boards and a few sales too! I learnt alot on the day and greatly appreciated help from my lovely friend Kylie and Mr Selkie Smith. He built the lattice work for my memo boards and the tree I bought was great for hanging up the bags.

I'll be back at Poppyseeds in July, but coming up next will be Billycart Markets in late June. Before that I will be looking at making a few new bag styles, a laptop bag, a nappy bag and a clutch, wish me luck!

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet, and will post up a pic of my stall, I'm pleased with my mini tree on the table that I was putting together at 1am the morning of the markets! To say i'm exhausted is an understatement!

Selkie xo

Collaborating with Saffron Craig

2010-05-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

I can't believe its May already...this year is flying by, and this is the month for birthdays! My Dad, Mum, Brother, Daughter, Sister in Law, and I all are born in May...busy busy....

But thats not what i'm actually going to talk about today. I'm very excited because I have finished all the bags for the collaboration with Saffron Craig, and now I can proudly say they are up on her website http://www.saffroncraig.com/.. I made some of my standard bags, a tote, Porkiepie satchel and a Yorkiepie satchel, but with Saffron's fabrics they look absolutely gorgeous!! I also made a Hobo shoulder bag with her Birds in Leaves - Black and a Market Bag in her Aqua Elk Landscape. I'm very happy with how these turned out and even happier that Saffron loves her bags! I will look to releasing the Hobo in September and the Market Bag early August. As you know I love using one print, so it was out of my comfort zone for me to use the panels for the Birds in Leaves Tote, but i'm happy with the outcome, so I will definately look at making this design again.

I will load up some pics that Saffron has kindly given to me, she has done a terrific job of the pictures on her website..

Also check out her blog..for my first (and possibly only..lol.) interview! Saffrons's Blog

Ok I must get going as I have Poppyseed Markets in two weeks I have to sew like the wind!!!

Selkie xo

Full Steam Ahead

2010-04-17T00:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys for being so slack on posting! I've been busy, busy, busy...I finished up at work on the 30th March...woohoo, and have been making custom orders ever since!! I also bought a steam iron press, which has been a godsend speeding up the process of interfacing my bags!

At the moment I'm working on a collaboration project which i'm very excited about. I'm making 6 bags and a purse for this, and I can't wait to have it finished and see the results...hopefully I can show you the end product before the month is out! I'll leave it at that and then it will be a surprise at the end!

Otherwise, i've set up my madeit shop, and have two markets booked. Poppyseed Markets on the 16th May and Billycart Markets on the 26th June. I'm very excited about these and being able to meet people face to face and find out what they think of my designs.

Speaking of designs, once I finish the collaboration project, I'm going to be working on my designs for a makeup bag, and also a hairclip travel bag, as well as building up a market stash. I know when I was on the holidays, I would have loved a hairclip organiser. I'll also be working on a few other ideas, with more of a domestic goddess feel, I've had these ideas for ages, just have to work them out!

Ciao for now,
Selkie

Craft Expo and Other Fabric Finds!

2010-03-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

I'm on the countdown still, two weeks to go till i'm working on Selkie Smith Creations full time! So i've been busy making bags and going to work 4 days a week.. All is well though, and I'm very happy with the bag i'm currently making. I'm using Alexander Henry's Inked Girls in Multi. I really happy with the placement. Hopefully the owner of this bag will be pleased too.

Anywhoo what i actually came to write about was the Craft Expo that I went to with the lovely Laura on Saturday. I didn't expect to come away with anything, as I knew it was not the same as the stitches and craft show, but yes, I ended up buying some fabric, a bit more to add to my Japanese Fabric stock, some great Michael Miller Metallic Dot Fabric (at a steal..will make super purse linings and exteriors) a great book, and some "power scissors"... The one thing I dislike about sewing is the cutting. I'm left handed and even though I possess a pair of left handed scissors and a rotary cutter I can still butcher the fabric. Anywhoo I love my power scissors because they can cut through interfacing like butter. Eight Layers of fabric apparently... so all in a bit of a spend up yet again!

Then on Sunday I popped into one of my local fabric shops, just to take a squizz (i usually buy my fabric online) and was super suprised that the shop (Fred the Needle) has some fantastic bolts of Michael Miller Retro Fabrics, which I haven't seen online. I love all retro and especially the Domestic 50's looking prints. I'm particularly stoked to find "How to keep a Husband" as now I have both that and "How to get a Husband"...lol.. Still thinking about what i'm going to use that fabric for..

Ok, I probably bored you all silly by now. So i'll sign off, and have taken pics of my new finds! oh and the bag.

xo

Selkie's Back and a giveaway is on the cards

2010-03-10T23:54:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I'm back from my very rainy holiday, and am really glad that its a bit cooler now down this way. I hate muggy weather!!! I'm counting down the days till I work on my Selkie Smith Creations full time..woohoo!!!

I was very happy to see that my fanbase continues to grow on facebook and to thank my fans, I feel like having a giveaway.

A bit of background on the prize, when I started buying fabric for this adventure, I didn't know what a yard was in length let alone a Fat Quarter...(quarter yard).... and so I bought a few FQ's not realising what i was really after... for my bags I needed yards...

.... so i'm going to giveaway a couple of FQ sets. Both Amy Butler, pics of the fabric are on the sidebar.

xox

Selkie's on Holidays

2010-03-01T23:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, this week we are up on the usually sunny, but at the moment torrential rainy Gold Coast. Went to Bangalow today, I love it so cute, and saw some lovely handmade items. Tomorrow we are off to Mt Tambourine when I might add a new Matryoska Doll to my collection and get a little one for Miss C as she is always wanting to play with mine and I think my sets are too small for her.

Fabric wise I have recently purchased the Willow Range by Alexander Henry. Omigod it is so gorgeous I love, love, love it. I've also put in an order for the Michael Miller Hedgehog and the Big E...so I can't wait to get that.

But in more important news I got the phone call today, officially I am being made redundant on the 31st March. Woohoo!! That means Selkie Smith will be my be and end all...Yay!!!

Last thing, I claimed the Pet Deer Porkiepie for myself, and it's having a great road test up here. Performing very well.

Ok thats about it,
xox

Porkiepie joins the Selkie Smith Family

2010-02-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

Hiya,

Over the last week I have been making satchels, a few yorkiepies and then I decided to make a bigger one which i named a Porkiepie. I'm really pleased with it turned out, and have plans to make many of them in a host of different fabrics. Their size makes them great for a mini nappy bag, that will fit over the back of a pram or stroller.

Other than that I have had a few orders for Large Tote bags. The new machine makes a breeze out of sewing them. I'm so pleased about buying it. I've yet to try the embroidery function, but I will get around to it. I'm trying to also make a large make up bag for a custom order. I had great feedback from my facebook page on what ladies would like from their make up bag. Anywhoo..on wednesday I had a date with some heatnbond(vinyl) and some lining fabric, and I don't think it will turn into a long lasting relationship...lol... I felt like i was back at school applying Contact to my school books, bubbles everywhere. Since then I've decided my makeup bags will be fully machine washable.

In other news I will be working full time on Selkie Smith from April...yeehah!!!!! Very excited about that. I can't wait to start immersing myself completely in the business and doing some markets and hopefully listing on madeit. I found a great Wooden tree coat rack this week which will be great for hanging my bags from. I know i'm going to love the markets, will enjoy the instant feedback and also i'm going to do them with one of my best friends Laura from Sunny Side Up!!

Ok little Miss C is whinging in my ear, so must cut this post short. We will be on holidays for the first week of March, so I will post again in a couple of weeks.

Selkie xox

My New Toy -Selkie Mk II

2010-02-06T13:48:00.001-08:00

Hello,

Long time no speak, have been very busy, with working at my day job...don't ask! and sewing.

But I have got a great new toy! My new sewing machine! My other one was my first one and a bit of a beginners model, so I needed something which has a few time saving features, ie: an automatic needle threader and the like, plus I wanted something that could do embroidery, which this little baby does. I have a little idea in the pipeline that needs a touch of embroidery to make it pop! More details on this later, when I have worked on it a little more!

So now i'm just getting used to my new toy. I'm hoping we will be together for many years of happy sewing!!

Other than that, i'm busy doing orders (we had a draw this week of a few items on my facebook fanpage), working at the coalface (day job) and of course I have a 3 1/2 year old to run after.

Did I tell you I can't wait till I can concentrate on Selkie Smith full time....just had to say it. Quite cathartic. Ok back to reading the encyclopedia that is my new sewing manual!

Selkie xo

French Memo Board sil vous plait?

2010-01-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I have finally started to make those French memo boards that I spoke about in a previous post. I'm quite happy with the way they have turned out so far. Functional and Wall Art at the same time! I've become good friends with my staple gun..lol.. I can see I would enjoy doing upholstery..down the track.

I have received some fabbo fabric this week, no surprise there i'm sure. I'm particularly fond of my "Betty Bakes" fabric by Michael Miller, and have a few plans up my sleeve for that one!

My Wahm status is still the same, which is a shame as I thought i'd have more time for Selkie stuff by the end of Jan, but now it looks like its somewhere in Feb...i'll keep you posted...

Not a whole lot else to say this week! So i will post a pic of one of my creations.

Selkie xo

Tatsu You?

2010-01-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

I've finally got to making my next bag, in the Tatsu Fabric by Alexander Henry. This was a new one for me, actually trying to place the fabric in such a way that the print transferred the correct way to the bag..iykwim. I've tried to get the placement so that the dragon looks as though it has been drawn up and over the bag, like indeed a tattoo would over the shoulder. Not easy. But I tried my best. Anyways the fabric is just such a fantastic print, so vibrant.

In other news, my Japanese Fabric arrived this week, so cute, the print is so delicate and small. I've also bought some more fabric retro look fabric and seeing as the tattoo prints are popular a few more of those too. Will blog once I get it.

I'm also waiting to get the Material Girls book from Book Depository. That place rocks! I want to start making the French type memo boards. The ones that have ribbon and buttons where you can place your photos, notes etc under the ribbon, so no tacks for little fingers and maybe a clearer fridge, as you can use some great fabrics, they are almost like artworks when made. Bought myself a staple gun today..and started imagining all the things I could make..whoa I had to stop myself, first things first...lol...

Anyway the next bag is another Tattoo print, The Tattoo Girls Multi by AH again. The placement should be easy compared to Tatsu!

Selkie xo

The countdown is on!!!

2010-01-08T00:52:00.001-08:00

That's right, I don't think it will be too long til I have more time to devote to making bags and all manner of accessories! I can't wait... I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head! I'm finding it hard to turn my brain off at night. Maybe a notepad by my bedside would be a good idea.

This week i'm making a bag that is exactly the same as Jo's Bag, with the same material, hence no pics.. So instead I thought I put up a pic of one of the fabrics that I got in this week. It's called Love Valentine by In the Beginning Fabrics. I adore the retro and vintage looks. I'm not totally sure yet what to make of this one.. maybe a tea cosy or two, I just love the teapot on this print! Speaking of things tea related, the other pic is a of my office mug.. I have a whole set of these cups all with different word play ending with tea ie: tranquili-tea, but creativi - tea has been patiently waiting in my kitchen cupboard till the time when I could focus most of my attention on Selkie Smith, so I think now is the time to put it to use!

Hmm..I also bought some fabric this week, surprise, surprise, but this week is the first time i've bought Japanese Fabric, it is so cute, I can't wait to get it to put up the pics!

Anyways, not much else happening in the life of Selkie this week, but hopefully in the not too distant future i'll get the chance to blog more than once a week

Selkie xox

A Yorkiepie is born

2010-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

That's right i've finally finished my first satchel, my first little "yorkiepie". Actually its a bit bigger than I thought it would be, but i'm pleased with the size as a child can fit a few books, toys, drink bottle etc in it.

Thought I'd find it a bit harder than the tote, but the hardest bit was working out how to get the strap webbing through the slide adjuster. Thanks DH for figuring it out! I used velcro for the closure as its easy for little fingers. Besides that the hardest thing was sourcing the webbing in a colour besides black, and after some research i've found that its called webbing, strapping or belting, to make it even more confusing.... Anywhoo I've now found a supplier for some great colours that will go with my other fabrics.

I hope that the little boy that this is going to will love it!

All my Christmases come at once!

2009-12-27T16:17:00.000-08:00

Belated Merry Christmas to all...I hope you have had a lovely Christmas with your families. To be honest I have had enough of all the Christmas food, I don't think I can look a trifle in the face ever again, or for another 12 months at least. I was very spoilt, and today, with a Spotlight gift card in my hot little hand, off I went to the stocktake sale.

Usually I come away from these sales a little sad, with the post Christmas madness and empty shelves, but today it seems that I have stepped into an alternate universe! No lines, and more in stock than what i usually find. I have taken a pic of my Spotlight stash, ok I may well have spent 8 times what the gift voucher had on it, but I see it as a little Christmas present to myself.

Also I just have to say I got this fabulous book by Cat Wei, she co-hosts a show on the How To channel on Foxtel called Material Girls. It has some great ideas for doing things around the home. A new favourite on my IQ... One day I may even attempt to make my own roman blinds...one day... maybe I should stick to making bags first.

Happy Holidays!
Selkie xox

My First Satchel and the only tattoo's i'll ever get

2009-12-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

Well its been a very busy xmas weekend, with parties on both days so no sewing.. Oh well.. I'm just about to sew the lining up in the bottom of LJ's bag and ship that and the Robert Kaufman Tote off to their new owners, I hope they like them.

My next order is one for a satchel, for a darling little boy. I'm still deciding whether to use webbing for the strap or to make it out of the material i'm using for the body..which is Jungle Jame by MM... if I go for the webbing I need to find webbing to match the colours in the bag..

In other news a very exciting fabric order has arrived...ok, ok they are all exciting, but this one i'm really excited about, two Alexander Henry prints Tatsu & Zen Charmer..omigod they are amazing...funny though my Husband didn't seem to share my enthusiasm... They are so good, will take a pic for you to judge.

Little Mermaids

2009-12-02T03:04:00.000-08:00

I've nearly finished LJ's Mermaid Tote Bag, got to put a few finishing touches like topstitching the edge of the outside, but it's pretty much there. I used plastic tubing for the handles, as its a smaller tote. I think it would be easier for little hands to hold. Glad i've practically finished it as the Xmas events are starting to snowball and i'm going to less time this month to do much sewing wise.. I'm going to call my little girly totes a "Caitycoo" and my little boy satchels a "yorkiepie" after my daughter and nephew...

I can't wait for my recent fabric purchases arrive, its just like Christmas for me each time the parcel post man drops off a parcel.

Pics of the bag above..because i haven't figure out how to post them below..lol..

My weekend sewing

2009-11-28T01:34:00.000-08:00

Well i should be sewing up a storm, but alas no, because i've got a migraine, so i will keep this short and sweet.. this week I managed to get two fabulous Alexander prints, Zen Charmer and Tatsu, i bought a yard of each, but have a feeling that these two will be very popular so I went back to the supplier and got the rest of the bolt for both..so i have 5 yards of Zen Charmer and 3 yards of Tatsu...am pleased with that, as I couldn't find either anywhere else!

Ok short and sweet, will take a pic of the bag pre sewing, this cute little tote bag for a cute little girl.

With any luck I will feel better tomorrow and start sewing..and remember the TAB TAG!!!!

A long weekend sewing

2009-11-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, a weekend turned into a long extended one, to finish this bag, the first of my orders, this one for the lovely Jo. I was kicking myself when I sewed up the outside of the bag without putting my long awaited tab tag on to it...oh well...Jo you will have a total original! I'm happy with how it turned out..with my focus group (my mothers group friends) and my quality control (my lovely friend, Laura) giving it the stamp of approval. I modified it from the original pattern by adding an extra two pockets, which will both fit, either a mobile, or these days an i phone and a pair of sunnies... A bit of a learning curve with trying to figure out how to make the pocket and use fusible bias binding for the edges. but I think it gives the pockets some definition.

I certainly worked hard in my sweatshop this weekend in the 41C heat, thank god for the old aircon in the room, otherwise I would never had stepped foot in the room.

Next goal is a small cute tote in MM's Mermaid material for Jo's girl.

A career seachange

2009-11-20T01:57:00.000-08:00

Well folks welcome to my blog! I thought i should start one as i'm starting a new journey, It looks like i'll be leaving the corporate world behind..! With any luck i'm about enter the world of the WAHM! I've been slowly building up my sewing skills and buying fabric, ok, ok the fabric became a bit of an obsession...but that confirmed to me that this is where i want to be creating great bags and accessories for all ages, girls and boys, ladies and gentlemen ok maybe metrosexuals..lol...

Well i've attempted my first bag, a birthday present for my sister, which she loved, and since then I have had a little trickle of orders come in, which is fine by me, as i'm still working my day job! I have a whole day to myself tomorrow to get some real sewing in and hopefully I will get my first paid gig all sewn up...