LuliBags

Craft Fair

2011-04-01T20:28:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I'm very happy to be selling here tomorrow. Please drop by if you get chance - it's a fantastic market.

Arteria Gallery "Wish you were Here" Exhibition

2010-08-12T12:56:00.000+01:00

Hello again,

You may or may not have noticed that I've been away from both my blog and Etsy shop for quite some time; I've had a hectic few months which included getting married on 12th June, followed by an amazing honeymoon in Vietnam and Cambodia. Life is slowly returning to normal - still not sure whether that's a good or bad thing.

On a crafty note, I am very happy to report that a selection of my bags are currently for sale in Arteria, a lovely gallery/shop based in Lancaster which stocks a wide range of 'contemporary and design led gift ideas'. I don't know how I managed to continue making bags in the run up to the wedding!

Sadly, I missed the opening night of the exhibition but when I dropped by recently, I was very impressed with the overall standards and delighted with the prominence of my handiwork...

A few photos:

My artist's blurb (and new surname!):

Fingers crossed I get some sales!

Cake Time

2010-04-06T14:55:00.000+01:00

I baked a huge batch of cupcakes recently for a friend's birthday; vanilla with sugar flower decorations and chocolate/orange with sprinkles. I highly recommend using a piping bag; not only does it enable you to add an obscene amount of butter icing, it makes the cakes look pretty good too:

I visited a friend recently and discovered Blue Ribbons Sugarcraft Centre in Hampton Court. I couldn't believe my eyes when I stepped inside the shop. They stock the most incredible range of cake papers, decorations, colourings, sprinkles and everything else cake related you can think of! If you thought that edible metallic balls only came in silver, think again... Make sure you check out the Cupcake Boutique section of their website.

The staff were really helpful; they advised me which sized piping nozzle and bags to use, and didn't get grumpy when I was still deciding which cake papers to buy 2 minutes before closing time.

Check out these stunning cake papers (all available to purchase from their site):

Images courtesy of Blue Ribbons Sugarcraft Centre.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T01:24:00.001+01:00

More of my spring flowers

2010-03-31T21:12:00.000+01:00

I suppose I could have saved the photographs of my spring bulbs and shared them in one blog post, but I got over excited. Here are a few more:

Daffodils:

Narcissi:

I can't wait for these Grape Hyacinths to flower:

The squirrel is determined to dig up my Garden Hyacinths, but I keep re-planting them:

French Revelation Blog Feature - Featurama Monday

2010-03-24T00:33:00.002Z

I was kindly included in 'Featurama Monday' on French Revelation's blog this week. I must say that Jane has the nicest blog banner I've seen in a long time. Please do check out Sid's In Stitches and Milk and Honey Handbags, the other two artists featured in the article.

Jane selected my olive stripe mini-messenger bag:

and my orange tartan tote bag:

Thank you!

Spring...

2010-03-20T00:30:00.000Z

The first of my spring flowers:

Blog Feature - "Couture du Jour"

2010-03-10T23:53:00.000Z

I had a really nice suprise this morning to find that one of my bags had been included on lillyella's blog as part of a "Couture du Jour" feature. Thanks!

Be sure to check out lillyella's lovely blog for the full feature and Zepur of ZionShore's Etsy shop, who selected the ensemble below:

More Vintage Finds

2010-03-09T00:44:00.000Z

Despite having little space left in our flat, I can't resist adding to my collection of vintage finds...

A glass fruit/desert stand and two pieces of lace:

After giving various pieces of china as Christmas presents, I decided to start my own collection. I found these tea trios on eBay (one of which is identical to a Christmas present I wanted to keep for myself). I think the mismatched pieces work really well together:

I'm also on the lookout for vintage birdcages, the bigger the better. I don't consider that they count towards the clutter quota because I plan to put them in the garden. They look beautiful just as they are but I plan to fill them with plants or outdoor candles.

My Craft Stash

2010-03-04T00:38:00.001Z

In common with many crafters out there, I have a stash of fabric, buttons, ribbons, trimmings and everything else sewing related you can think of. My collection often outgrows its storage space!

I never spend a huge amount on any of these items; I think part of the fun is sourcing a bargain. I find it helpful to lay out my supplies for inspiration and sometimes, I can actually bring myself to use them! Anyway, I thought I'd share a few photos of my craft stash for those who are interested:

I currently have a bit of a thing for ribbon...

and for bias binding...

and trimmings...

I have collected lots of vintage buttons over the past few years and plan to use them to embellish kisslock frame clutch bags (watch this space).

I love vintage jewelry and have kindly been given various pieces by my Grandma (an antiques dealer!). Some were missing a few stones, but I fixed them using items which were beyond repair. Some of the brooches don't have pins, but they will still look stunning stitched to the front of a bag.

I have a lovely collection of vintage buckles, which I am yet to use. My favourites are those made from wood or mother of pearl. I'm currently pondering whether to make some belts or incorporate them all into my bag designs.

I don't limit my shopping to vintage items. The clear and pink butterflies were originally attached to hairbands and cost around 50p each (80 US cents). Obviously I had to buy every single one on the shelf...

I often pick up keyrings in the sales, which make for unusual bag charms or zipper pulls:

I have so much fabric, I think it deserves an entire post to itself...

My pet free sewing environment...

2010-02-25T22:59:00.000Z

I recently returned to my sewing maching to find my neighbours' cat sitting on top! (She'd crept in the back door and decided that was the best spot.)

In view of my Etsy promise that all items are constructed in a pet free environment, I quickly and kindly tried to 'help' her get down. Her response was to nip the back of my hand, grip the machine with her back legs and refuse to budge. At least it gave me chance to take a photo - I was laughing so much, I'm suprised I managed to keep the camera still.

Potential customers please note that this is not a regular occurence...

Valentine's Cupcakes

2010-02-22T00:18:00.000Z

I did a bit of baking last weekend and made these Vanilla Valentine cupcakes, entirely for his benefit -honest. We washed them down with hot chocolate (which he's cunningly taken to flavouring with rose syrup so it tastes like turkish delight!). Yes, we felt a little queasy by the time we'd finished...

Narcissus

2010-02-15T22:41:00.000Z

This Narcissus was a Christmas gift (one of those indoor bulb kits which you plant and grow yourself) and was very special while it lasted; it's a shame the fragrance can't be shared online...

Embroidery

2010-02-08T12:46:00.004Z

My Grandma kindly gave me this delicate piece of hand embroidery at Christmas (she made it herself a long time ago). I think it is an amazing piece of work; the colours are beautiful and the detail breathtaking...

If you click on the image you can see the detail more closely.

Christmas is definitely over...

2010-02-02T11:25:00.000Z

This weekend we burnt our Christmas tree in the garden. I wish we could have planted it, but its lack of roots somewhat hampered things. It made for some interesting photos though...

Tutorial - Vintage Cake Stand

2010-01-28T23:22:00.000Z

I recently made this cake stand for a friend. Simple but effective!

It's always nice to create a special one-of-a-kind item. If you fancy making a similar one, it's as easy as this...

You will need:

A plate (a dinner plate is the best size; choose one which isn't too heavy)
A candlestick with a flat top (approximately 18cm/7 inches tall)
Epoxy glue (two separate gels which you mix together immediately prior to use)
White spirit
A marker pen

Instructions:

Wash and dry the plate and candlestick thoroughly.
Measure and mark the centre of the reverse of the plate with a small spot of ink.
Place the candle stick over this mark (i.e. where you will eventually glue it in place) and draw around it.
Lay the plate face down, mix and apply the Epoxy glue to the candlestick, then glue to the plate. (This glue sets incredible quickly so you won't have much time to reposition the candlestick if you make a mistake).
Leave to dry overnight.
Use white spirit to remove any traces of marker pen from the reverse of the plate.
Place cake(s) on finished stand, admire briefly, then eat.

Tips:

You can find a massive selection of vintage plates and candlesticks sold individually on eBay.
Make sure the candlestick has a flat top. Some have rounded tops and therefore less surface area to stick to the plate.
In preparation for gluing (to create a stronger bond), you can sand the top of the candle stick and the marked area on the plate. Sandpaper is sufficient, but I was fortunate enough to have a helper with a small electric sander! Remember to clean the sanded areas with white spirit prior to gluing.
Wash/wipe clean by hand. Although the Epoxy glue is incredibly strong, I would not advise putting your finished cake stand in the dishwasher.

As always, I look forward to making one for myself!

Spring Flowers

2010-01-22T12:13:00.000Z

I spent some time tidying the garden this weekend and was delighted to see the daffodils and tulips starting to sprout. It almost made up for losing control of the hose and soaking myself with ice cold water…

Last year local squirrels had a wonderful time digging up the bulbs and tasting them, discarding most...
I solved the problem this year with some prudently positioned chicken-wire. Looking forward to a little more colour in the garden over the next few weeks!

Tutorial - Vintage Frame/Mirror

2010-01-20T10:37:00.000Z

I recently found this beautiful old gilt frame. It had clearly seen better days but also had too much potential to scrap. With a bit of care and attention I managed to transform it into a lovely Christmas gift (see pictures below). By the time I'd finished, I wanted it for myself...

The finished frame with mirror inserted (complete with reflection of dead patio plants):

If you fancy trying this for yourself, follow the steps below.

You will need:

An old frame
White matt emulsion paint
Sandpaper
Wood filler
Paintbrushes
Rubber gloves and plenty of newspaper...

Instructions:

Fill any gaps or blemishes with wood filler. My boyfriend told me about 'Brummer' - this clever stuff is a water soluble putty which you can apply with your fingers and if necessary, sand smooth when dry. It comes in a variety of colours (I opted for white).
Sand the entire frame thoroughly, paying close attention to any detailed areas. Be warned; paint will not take to very smooth surfaces!
Wash the frame down with warm, soapy water and leave it to dry.
When it is completely dry, apply a thin layer of matt emulsion paint (any colour you fancy but I think plain white works best). Carefully work the paint into the areas of detail by stippling with a lightly loaded brush.
Apply further coats as necessary; my frame needed three.
Leave to dry overnight or a little longer if possible.
Have a mirror professionally inserted and a hanging wire attached (this didn't cost much).

Tips:

Make sure you paint the inner edges of the frame really thoroughly, or you will end up with an unsightly reflection in the mirror.
Unless you can suspend the frame whilst painting, you will have to rest it on one edge and touch it up when the coat dries.
In between paint jobs, wrap your brushes in cling film and they won't dry out.
For a shabby-chic look, give the finished paint work a quick sand down (I couldn't bring myself to do this after spending so long painting it!).

I look forward to making one for myself...

Handmade Gifts and a Happy New Year

2010-01-11T23:49:00.003Z

A belated Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.
We had a great Christmas spending time with family and friends, being really lazy and eating far too much. Despite travelling up and down the country by train, we pretty much avoided the travel disruption caused by the recent snow.

We spent New Year with my boyfriend's parents. This year's fancy dress theme was Old Time Musical; he and his family enterntained their guests with renditions of old music-hall songs and wore fantastic costumes. Here is a picture of me in my outfit, which was kindly supplied by his Mum at the last moment (who has an enviable wardrobe to say the least!).

I've decided to stroll into 2010 and slowly contemplate my priorities for the year ahead. I can't see the point of setting unrealistic goals and starting brutal health and fitness regimes in the first week of January...anyway, we still have a lot of chocolate left which I would hate to see go out of date.

As always, I did my best to give as many handmade and vintage gifts as possible. Here is a selection of this year's items.

I made these pen and crayon rolls for my four-year-old niece:

I also made my neice and her younger sister each a matching set of three appliqued t-shirts (brown as below, one pink and one white). My four-year-old niece loved the pink and white ones but we heard her say, quietly, "Mummy, I'm not wearing the brown t-shirt....ever"! Fortunately her little sister is too young to object, see below:

I also gave various pieces of vintage china as Christmas giflts (I wanted to keep these for myself, but I just don't have the space). Hopefully my friends won't hate me for cluttering up their homes.

I also made an 'upcycled' cake stand and transformed a battered picture frame into a beautiful mirror. Photographs and tutorial posts to follow...

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T22:36:00.001Z

Season's Greetings to all. Here is a picture of our tree:

Let It Snow...

2009-12-22T23:54:00.000Z

Well, we've had some snow in London. Not enough to look pretty, but just enough to mess up the transport system... I found a few of my photos from the last time it snowed in England. I still have my fingers crossed for a white Christmas!

Handmade Christmas Cards

2009-12-22T23:53:00.000Z

This year, I somehow made time to make my own Christmas cards. I highly recommend this design if you fancy making your own (thanks Martha)!

All you need are some blank cards and lots of ribbon; I used single sided florists' ribbon as it is much cheaper. First, cut a small slit halfway up the spine of card. Then, thread the ribbon through the slit and tie a bow on the front. Here are some photos of the finished results:

Last year, I made my own design which proved to be a little more time consuming than this year's version. I took a piece of felt, sewed random zig zags all over it in contrasting coloured cotton thread, then cut out a triangle shape and stuck it to a blank card with clear drying craft glue.

Blog Interview - Three of Four Clothing

2009-11-19T20:48:00.000Z

I've been fortunate enough to be featured today on Three of Four Clothing's lovely blog. Stian and Alice are graphic designers who live in Norway and run their own screen printing business. They create fantastic t-shirts for adults and children - check out their Etsy shop 'Three of Four Clothing' and their website.

A new stamp for my shop

2009-11-13T14:33:00.014Z

I recently bought this customised, hand-carved stamp from Drum Chick Designs on Etsy. As you can see from the photographs, the quality is excellent - I can't wait to start using it!

I also love Drum Chick's cupcake and owl stamps. I think they could make fantastic Christmas presents.

Autumn in London

2009-11-06T13:44:00.032Z

Autumn is my favourite time of year!

Here are my attempts to capture some scenes in Regent’s Park and our local cemetery. These photos were taken with my Sony DSLR camera.

The colours in these photographs reminded me of this piece of vintage fabric - so 70s! It had been stashed away for so long that I had forgotten about it. It will probably end up as a clutch bag with a kisslock frame.

Halloween

2009-11-01T18:00:00.001Z

This year we had a pumpkin carve-off, the results of which are below. His is flashier than mine (typically). I hadn’t done this for years but I can see it being an annual fixture. I’m already planning for next year...

His:

Mine:

Just before Halloween, I heard about the American recipe of “Dinner in a Pumpkin”, which I had to try for myself. Just scoop out the inside of a culinary pumpkin and add cooked minced beef, condensed cream of chicken and mushroom soup, onions, peppers, garlic and cinnamon. Then bake it in the oven for a couple of hours with the lid on and serve with garlic bread or whatever takes your fancy. I thought it looked pretty impressive and it certainly disappeared quickly. I also attempted a sweet pumpkin pie, but the less said about that the better!

A little bit about me

2009-11-01T08:00:00.009Z

Hello, my name is Lucinda and I live in London, England. I have an Etsy shop called 'LuliBags', which I opened in late April 2009. I sell a range of handmade bags and purses, using a mix of modern and vintage fabrics.

I work full-time in the City but my passion lies in sewing and music. I also enjoy cooking, photography, ashtanga yoga, vintage shopping and gardening.

I set up this blog to share Etsy finds, simple sewing tips for any would-be crafters out there and anything else creative or inspiring which takes my fancy.

Feel free to comment on my blog, I'd love to hear from you. You can email me, convo me via my Etsy shop or find me on Twitter and Facebook.