Gorgeous New Fabrics

I am so looking forward to turning these beautiful fabrics in to cosy cottage laundry bags.  Such a great way to keep your home neat, clean and most of all . . . Stylish!

In store soon . . .

keep your eye out xx

Flowers, cakes and a loving light

What an industrious day it has been.  From the time I woke this morning I have been moving from one project to another. I love it!  It's stimulates my mind and keeps me busy.  Although I did have a fair idea today was going to be a combination of baking in preparation for back to school and creating something new and fun to add to my products.  Don't you love it when you get to the end of the day and you feel like you have really accomplished something, and . . . know that it will be appreciated come the lunch time bell.  I have stacked my freezer full of tasty treats like iced cinnamon scrolls, choc chip muffins, honey and oat slice (drizzled with chocolate of course) and yummy pizza sausage pastries . . . which are REALLY good!  Well, I had to sample them ;)

and this was only a few

By the time I was done with all these my back was telling me it was tired and needed to sit.  Which was fine by me as that meant I could get on with some crafting.  Woohoo!! Lately, I have been playing around with felt and making some flowers.  I like to keep it simple and believe there is a real beauty in that.

I put this one together this afternoon and have a few more lined up.  I think they would look so sweet on my bags and products.  For those who are unfamiliar with my products, you can see them by clicking 'Shop' in my side bar.

what do you think of that?

I also tend to get a little bit distracted if my laptop is nearby, but i'm so glad I did today.  As I was browsing my facebook page I came across an update from 'Lovely Living'.  She wrote about a terrible loss in the blogging world.  I was so saddened to read about one woman's heartache and thinking about the challenge that lay ahead of her. Visiting this link will give you her story http://www.facebook.com/lovelyliving.australia and I think we can all find it in our hearts to help a little and donate something (even if small), which you can do here to help Lisa and her kids get through this.

Band together bloggers . . . so far everyone has done an amazing job and hit over $3000.  Lets help this lady and her kids and show her the world does cares.

Shine your light xox

Happy Australia Day

I must say that I enjoyed my Australia day! How was yours? In all honesty it didn't consist of a bbq, John Williamson or the beach but, I did it my way.  YES!  I spent the whole day sewing . . . yay me :)  Its been a while since i've had the opportunity spend an entire day working on and finishing a project.  But I did! and it feels fantastic.  Most of the time when I want a whole day sewing other little jobs seem to crop up and before I know it the machine hasnt seen the light of day.  So last night, I sat myself at my desk and wrote out some goals for today.  I didnt get to making some more felt flowers . . . . but I got my 'Wash Me' bag done.  Hooray!  After making one for my daughter to hang in her room, I decided to make one for myself.  It's important to spoil yourself too!!!

Isn't this fabric beautiful.  It actually makes me think of the lavander fields of France.  A place that I would just love to visit and will.  So through my love of Lavendar . . . and France, I have brought the fields to me.  I would actually like to make more of these bags, I think they are a great idea and really quite charming.  And, another good product for my store, what you think?

And in honour of Australia Day I put together a bit of a collage of 'My Australia Day' . . . 

I'd love to hear about yours x

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . .

Sometimes I just like to look at pretty things, it kind of cleanses my mind. So, off topic, I've put together a collection of delightful things to whisk you away. Some are amazing, some unique and some truely incredible.  I love these piccies . . . . they make me feel nice . . . I hope they do for you too.

simple beautiful things . . .

 

  

enjoy . . . and goodnight x

To the Market . . . to the market . . .

Woohoo . . . . my book finally arrived. This week after reading one of my favourite blogs Gussy Sews I took her advice and got myself a new wealth of Knowledge.  I invested!!!! . . . in a book called The Handmade Market Place - how to sell your crafts locally, globally and online.  I am not even halfway through and already learning so much about branding, pricing, knowing and marketing your product.  I definately recommend it for those already in business and especially those starting out like me.

I also decided to indulge in a fun project over the last week.  My inspiration comes from my daughters bedroom floor would you believe.  Well . . . . those mothers out there that are constantly cleaning up after their little treasures (aren't we all)  will understand. So, my joyous task was to put together a pretty 'Wash Me' bag.  We end up with a constant pile of laundry on her floor, which seems to grow.  In every direction, I might add LOL.  And would you believe it's an absolute hit!!!  I just need to put in the handle snaps and it's ready to hang - she can't get it up fast enough to enjoy piling her laundry in.  Good on ya mum!!

The front has a really good size hole for dropping that laundry into . . .

and easy access at the back rear using poppers to empty

Now onto the search for some Harry Potter and Transformers fabric for my nephew's Wash Me bags.

Till next time xox

Products & Labels

I must say I am having some serious sewing withdrawals!!!  In the past few weeks I have been dealing with eye strain.  Hence, I can't sew as the close work gives me headaches and I can't actually see what im doing properly LOL.  I have to admit that it is completely self inflicted by using my iphone and laptop and not using my reading glasses (i wish someone had of warned me of iphone addiction lol).  However, in my defense, the glasses I was last prescribed just weren't right for my eyes.  So off I trotted to the optometrist to get a test done.  Low and behold, I have strained my eyes and need to wear glasses 'all the time' . . . wish I had of known this sooner!  So now I wait . . . . wait . . . . a little more for the text to tell me my eyes are ready.  Meanwhile, I have bags half made and material every where waiting for me to get back into my work.

I would like to share with you all though, one of the bags I made not so long ago.  I love it and there will be many more coming in various styles . . . .

Are you loving it?? . . . . I would love your feedback . .

Ok . . . . moving right along.  Now what I'm super excited about are these little babies:

 

My new bag labels!!! Woohoo . . .have arrived. I ordered them a few weeks ago and have been waiting for them with much anticipation.  300 of them infact!

So . . . Welcome to Clare Marion - unique bag designs!

Where I'm at . . . .

So many things to do and its been busy busy in my sewing corner.  Drawing up designs, drafting out and creating with as much love as possible.  A little while ago I bought myself a sketch book and every time I have an idea out it comes and I sketch it out as best as possible . . . then comes the trying to put it together.  Hence, I still have quite a few sketches in my book! LOL I just haven't got to them yet.

I was lucky enough to be in town the other week (looking for a job I might add) and wandered into one of the fashion boutiques.  We got to chatting and I happened to mention to her that I make bags.  I was pretty excited when she said that she would love to see my work to possibly put in her store and she is interested in getting some 'handmade' bags placed in the store alongside some of the other handmade lines.  Well . . . I came home with a very large smile on my face.  I've since thrown a couple of my own tote designs together and one of my messenger bags along with another new design which needs some tweaking before it moves forward.

Aside all this creating and sewing I have been working on the creation of my new business "Clare Marion".  It is all in the early stages and I am yet to get my website up and running - when I figure out how it is done! (if you have any tips on this I'd love to hear from you)  But what is really exciting is . . . . my new bag labels are on there way.  I went through an etsy shop to have them made up and they should be shipping them out to me this week.  Super exciting and I just can't wait to start sewing them into my bags and getting them out there - I promise when I get them I will upload some piccies of them in all their glory.  My business cards have been designed and they are next on the list.

creating and drafting . . .

My two latest Totes . . . ready for market!

 

 

My messenger bag  - so cute and convenient!

So . . . this is just some of what I have been working on and much much more.  The ideas just keep flowing . . . just need more hours in the day and a bigger bank balance to shop shop shop!!

Till next time . . . take care all :)

Going Janome . . .

Well, today was such an exciting day for me!! . . . it was the first day of sewing with my brand new Janome sewing machine . . . and she purr's like a kitten!!  I love that it's so shiny, smooth and silent . . . oh and did I mention its digital!  Ahhh . . . modern technology LOL

It was so fantastic to thread new bobbins, play, enjoy some stress free sewing and finish off some products that had been waiting patiently for the 'goods' to arrive.

Now that I have this little girl at my finger tips, I can get cracking on some serious sewing!

Ciao for now ...

The 'Nina' - Messenger Bag.

Hi folks ~ I don't know about you but I am absolutely loving season 2 of the television show 'Offspring'!   From the clothes and accessories to the quirky narrative of Nina . . . the poor confused Nina, it is just so much fun to watch.

When I started compiling this mess bag yesterday afternoon, I had no idea what was going to come of it.  I went into it without a plan and came out with something I love.

It's just so . . . . well . . . Nina!

Let me know what you think peeps . . . 



Beautiful days

What a fabulous and joyful day it has been today!!  I awoke this morning to glorious blue skies and warm sun showering everything in sight - what a way to start the day!  I even allowed my body an extra hour of rejuvenation under the warm covers before meeting with the days tasks.

Speaking of tasks . . . . with the weather so beautiful I took to some gardening.  We have a small garden area at the back of where I live, however, its has become a little taken over by the plants that are growing in there and have been untended for quite some time.  I started with a little trim here . . . and a little trim there, but before I knew it I was enjoying myself so much I decided to completely remove the plants which were past their time and make way for some new ones.  I now have an area of my garden which has all my plants and herbs nestled in so they can too have the beautiful morning sun.  It's so lovely to see them all together.

I must say that was the absolute highlight of my day . . . and great to be in the sunshine and fresh air.

What was the highlight of your day today?

Something beautiful Sunday

Why not enjoy something lovely! . . . and in appreciation of another beautiful Sunday of blue skies, a little craft and some relaxation, I put together some piccies for you all to enjoy.  I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday!

Sewing for the generations

Yesterday afternoon I took some time to give my daughter her first lesson in Sewing.  Her face lit up when I told her the lesson would be sewing a button onto fabric.

After a very short burst of frustration from her "the needle won't thread mum", she soon got the hang of it and we were away.  It didn't take her long at all before she had finished, and chosen another button to have a go at.

It is such a great way to teach girls a sense of accomplishment, to concentrate on the task at hand and the joy of seeing their handiwork complete.  Not to mention the opportunity for us to spend quality time together bonding over a pasttime craft that women and been engaging in for centuries.  For years Mothers have enjoyed teaching their daughters the art of sewing and its a wonderful and necessary skill for them to take into their womanhood.

 

    She was all smiles and so proud of her efforts.

 What a fabulous job she has done!!!

 and from here we will move onto running stitch . . .

Action stations

Yesterday was a busy day . . . action stations all around!!  I made great headway on this new bag and i'm so pleased with how it is coming together.  From morning to afternoon ploughing away stopping only for a quick bite to eat, so energised with passion for creating.  Know wonder I was so tired last night LOL.  And i'm already getting ideas for a new design.  

Tomorrow will be spent finishing this one off and on to making a few more of this particular design and most likely one of my other designs.

Can't wait to show you when it's finished . . . but here's a little looky.

Today however was a bit of a different sort of day.  The plan was to get my grocery shopping done, after all it's Wednesday and Wednesday is my 'do everything' day.  But it all came to a grinding halt when my little jellybean stopped!!  Now when I say jellybean, I'm referring to my little red car.  Whom has been struggling with her health for quite some time now, yet pushing herself right to her limits to get me from A to B. 

I was not long into my journey into town this morning when after a sudden chug chug smoke literally billowed out from all angles of my car and I pulled her over to the side of the road, for what was the last time I would drive here anywhere.  An hour later the tow truck arrives and we are whisked off to my mechanic who issued her a death certificate.  Her final destination . . . the scrap yard tomorrow.

one of the only photo's I can find of jellybean a couple of years ago

  I will miss you my little Jellybean . . . we have travelled far and seen many things together.

  RIP my Jellybean!

Day of progress

Off to a busy day around here today.  Now that I have designed a new bag and written up the pattern, today will be filled with placing pieces, cutting, lining and all the preparation for this particular design.  Fingers crossed that I may get to begin the construction on it . . . . however with a seven year old . . . time will tell.  Might be a dvd afternoon so I can crack this baby open and get on with it!!!!

I would love to share something beautiful with you.  This is a photo I took a little while back now that I just adore . . . the colours are just so vivid and inspiring.  Enjoy!

May creativity and wonder fill you day . . .

Bags are in the house!!!

I'm proud to announce that my Market Totes are officially 'In Store'.

These tote bags are perfect for that trip to the produce markets . . .  to be filled with lots of yummy healthy winter goodies - fresh vegetable and herbs!!! Or a simple trip to the store for your necessities.

They are a fabulous multipurpose tote.  I have two and find them so handy for everything.  Take a look and visit my Etsy Store if you would like to purchase one for yourself.

Fun and adorable!

My Quilting

Quite a few of my hours last night were spent sewing my quilt panels together. . . . while listening to some of my favourite tunes of course.  This piece is just the centre and im yet to decide what im putting around the outside and in what pattern.  That requires another trip to spot light!!

Super happy with its progress . . .

Flush zip pockets

Today I decided to step my sewing up a notch and work on mastering the flush zip pocket.   I'm so glad I gave this a go because it really isn't that hard at all.  Once you have got the technique down pat . . . . just think of how you can use this.  I'm already integrating it into my new bag designs.  Every technique I learn brings me closer to my dream of my own design line.

 

 

If you want to learn this technique, you can find it in Lisa Lam's book The Bag Making Bible.  Along with many other beauties . . . .

Bags of bags

Here's just a sneak peek at the beginning's of some new bags coming to my sale list....

before starting my next run of bags, I played with a little project and made myself a new grocery bag.  It was lots of fun and will definately come in handy!

 now hanging in my kitchen!

Block Quilt

I'm so excited I have finally started my very first quilt!!!  I'm starting with a basic block quilt with some of my favourite fabrics I have here at home - however, a trip to spotlight is inevitable . . . . i'm running out lol.

I decided when I started this quilt to not use a pattern and go with my creative imagination . . . whatever comes to mind is what I will make.  It may be simple or it may not . . . but i'm going to roll with it and see what comes about!

So far I have made up three blocks and joined them up to create a panel.  I'm planning on joining it with a panel of the same design however they will sit opposite to each other.  I will have to show you what I mean when I have sewn that section together.

This is what I have so far . . .

I'm loving the centrepiece for this panel

This is the first panel I put together

The colours of this panel the complement the centre so well!

And just last night I put these panels together, joined with a simple floral fabric.  So all up the centre of my quilt will consist of two of these long panels, with much more to come.  I am yet to decide whether im going to add a piece down the middle of them or simple sew them together as is.  Time will tell . . . .

Till next time . . . . Happy Sewing!!!

yet another knitting bag

It's cute ....it's convenient . . . it's one of my mini tote bags!