Porkiepie joins the Selkie Smith Family

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

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?

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?

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!!!

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

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!

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