Notebook (and blanket stitch) fun!

Lately, I have been smitten by notebooks. On my recent trip overseas, I purchased a few...one fabric covered (from the Changi airport in Singapore) and a couple made with recycled paper (from one of my favourite Philippine shops, Papemelroti - You can view some of the said shop's wonderful paper products here.).

As if I didn't have more than enough notebooks, I went on and made fabric covers for two more plain journals.



I used this book cover tutorial and had so much fun with the blanket stitch. I really love that handmade look!

And speaking of handmade, you may have noticed that my Etsy shop, Simple Things, is now up and running. I promised myself that this would be THE year I am getting my craft out there. Most of the items listed now you may have already seen as I have blogged about them before, but I do have a number of new things coming soon.

Another commitment I have also made to myself is that all sales from my shop will go towards helping fund my next visit to my mum. I gave her my word that I will be bringing my whole family to see her this year. She really longs to be with her grandchildren. I know this will not be an easy task as there are six of us... but this is one promise I will keep, come what may.

Can I count on your support?

Giveaway winner

And the lucky reader is...Rebecca who said, "Great patterns! thanks for the chance!"

Please get in touch me. I will ship your patterns as soon as I get your complete contact details. Congratulations and happy bag-making!

Thank you to all who took time to join my bag pattern giveaway. I have plans to offer more free stuff in the near future so please keep on reading!

Some 'firsts' for 2009 ( a new bag and a giveaway!)

As the creative juices haven't flowed in just yet, I decided to use someone else's bag pattern to get me started. I couldn't let that new sewing machine just sit there, idle...

The pattern is from Sweet Pea Totes. I've tried two of their designs before and have found the instructions for them very clear and easy to follow. This one, I believe, is the newest one they have - the Simple and Chic handbag. Here it is,folks, my first finished bag for 2009!

(Click to view larger images)

This bag is about 10 3/4" tall, 16" wide at the top and 11 1/2" wide at the bottom. The strap is around 20" long. It also has a flap with a magnetic snap closure and one inside pocket. I used 100% cotton fabrics, with the main bag lined with fusible fleece and the lining with stiff interfacing.

The whole sewing process was pretty easy. The only tricky part was stitching around the shaped top. Nice pattern to try out, even for a beginner.

Speaking of patterns, I am having a bag pattern giveaway, my FIRST for the year! There are two, actually...Favorite Things' Wallet Purse and Lazy Girl Designs' Chelsea Tote! Combined value - about $22 USD!


You can read more on these patterns here and here.

Everyone is invited to participate. I don't mind shipping these outside Australia. Here is what you have to do to be in the running to win:
1. If you have a blog, please mention this giveaway and provide a link back to this post. Don't forget to also leave a comment here so I would know that you've joined, ok?
2. If you don't have a blog, aside from leaving a comment, I would appreciate it if you could extend this giveaway to at least one friend. Ask them to join too! The more entries the merrier, right? There would be no way for me to check if you did your part, so I will have to trust you on this one!

Entries close on Saturday, the 24th of January at 12:00 noon AEST. COMPETITION NOW CLOSED. I will use the random number generator to determine the winner. Watch out for the announcement on Sunday.

So, that's it for some 'firsts'. Hope you all have a nice day and thanks for dropping by. Good luck!

~ Corinne ~

PS. With Sweet Pea's blessing, I might just sell the bag above. Please watch out for that!

I'm Back

Well actually, I have been since the 7th. Yes, I'm back...but not quite yet. Physically I am here but a big part of me still lingers thousands of kilometers away, wishing I could have had more time, hoping I could have done more. The future is so uncertain.

Life has to go on though. I have a family here who needs me as much.

The day I came back, it was my birthday. This beauty was waiting by the door...a welcoming present from my husband and kids...

Having just been used to a basic sewing machine, this Janome DC 3050 certainly seems pretty exciting. Let's just hope I can get myself together real soon so new ideas can start coming in. I do feel a great crafting year ahead of me!

I will be back, I promise...(and yes, I have got to change that Christmas banner soon!) DONE!

And before I forget, I will be having my first giveaway for the year shortly...please stay tuned.