Growing...

Trying my luck with an orchid (for the third time)...

Fabric booklet cover - custom order

In Germany, upon birth of their children, moms receive an A5 size booklet that is called a "Mutterpass". In it growth, height, weight, illness, medication, vaccination etc. is documented at each doctor's visit.
Understandably, these booklets become dog-eared fairly quickly, so a friend of a friend who's expecting a baby boy requested a fabric cover to protect it. This is what I came up with. I cut out the elephant from the zoo animal fabric and appliquéd that on the solid lime-coloured fabric. The cover is fully lined and has a small pocket inside to store the sonograms. I had a lot of fun making this cover!

Random thoughts

I admit it.

I am way behind schedule where my website is concerned. Originally I had planned to launch it the first week of July, but now it looks more like mid- or (dare I say it) - even end of July. Reason being that I needed to finish off the custom bag orders that have been trickling in over the last couple of weeks - which is great of course!! Nice to know people have confidence in me and my work even before my website is up and running. Also, I'm still trying to figure out  VirtueMart (a shopping cart extension for Joomla!) with all its parameters, modules, categories and sub-categories. I even bought this great tome on shopping cart applications to help me along. Six months ago it all seemed so simple in theory! Well that's me - ever the optimist :) 
Next week I'm meeting a member of my creativ community - she already has her site up, so I might glean some pointers from her.



Weather-wise it's going up and down over here. We've had a couple of warm days inbetween, but where's the real summer? Naturally I'm outside on those warm days enjoying the sun, and I'm very happy to see our mini-cherry-tree actually bearing fruit for the first time. It didn't look too good with the extremely cold winter we've had. And finally my pale pink rambling roses are in full bloom! They too started off in a pot and they actually traveled with me whenever I moved house! They have their permanent home here in the garden now, and since then they have grown to 3 meters high.

Facebook is turning out to be quite fun! I've 're-connected' with people I haven't seen in two decades! There's a reunion planned in July, but due to work obligations I can't go. My 'problem' with the FB widget hasn't gone away; I'm sorry if my profile isn't visible to you at certain times. I haven't forgotten about my handbag giveaway for bloggers and facebook fans/friends. That's next on my list! So....watch this space :)

My very own "hot stuff cuff"

Yesterday my prize arrived! It is a gorgeous crocheted coffee/tea cozy handmade by my blog-buddy : the cool and crafty Lisa of Alterity button jewelry and gifts! How did I win? Well, she needed help naming her new product for her shop and she picked my submission. Yay! Thanks so much, Lisa! Best of all it fits perfectly on my handle-less green tea mug - no more burned hands!

On the left is a full view so that you can admire the cute flowers and even cuter buttons! Speaking of buttons...notice that adorable felt button in the top picture? Well, Lisa made a cat toy in the shape of  a button especially for Sammy! And as you can see he LOVES it. If you were over here, Lisa, he'd jump into your lap and butt his big head against your chin...his way of saying thanks :)

Here's Sammy inspecting his new toy...

...and rubbing his cheek on it. Paws up!

A big THANKS from me and Sammy for our wonderful gifts!!!

The Sandy Sling Bag - custom order

I finished a custom bag order yesterday! It is already packed and ready to ship to my customer. This bag is made from a decorator fabric in black with a silver ornament pattern. It looks elegant and sophisticated - just as my customer wanted. The front panel is embellished with a crystal button for that extra 'glitz'. There is a large pocket on the back; inside there is a small zip pocket plus another pocket and a key fob, which she specifically asked for.

I have used this fabric before, but on a different bag style - I don't make two of the same - The sling bag is spacious without appearing bulky. The wide strap sits comfortably on the shoulder. The bag closes with two magnetic snap buttons to keep all your items secure.
Okay, I'm off to the post office now!

Shabby Roses Handbag

Handbag made from shabby chic decorator fabric with pink roses that look like they are almost painted on the pale blue background. This handbag is a practical go-anywhere size. There is an interior zip pocket and mobile phone pocket. It closes with a recessed zipper and flap with magnetic snap button. Perfect for walks in the countryside...

Inspired by the pale pink peonies in full bloom in our garden.

Love sleep masks, love polka dots

handmade sleepmasks by Peridot by Duni on Etsy

Sales of my sleep masks have been going well both on and off-line. I made a couple more in my favourite polka dot fabrics to stock up my Etsy shop. Look out for more designs to come!

On a different topic - well, I finally managed to add a facebook 'like' box (see right side), except whenever I go off-line, the box displays 'profile not visible', which sort of defeats the purpose! I have seen this on a couple other blogs too and there are a number of people complaining about this in the help section on FB, but I could not find an appropriate answer or solution so far. So, if my 'like' box is invisible to you, but you would still like to 'like' my page on FB (that's a lot of likes in one sentence) AND get a chance at winning a handmade shoulder bag this summer you can find me here.

Happy Friday!

Artisan's Market

It's another gorgeous day today, so we decided to visit the annual artisan's market held at a nearby castle/chateau (Schloss Raesfeld). Here are a few impressions...

Entrance to castle

market includes woodworking, glassblowing, stamp carving, textile products, floral arrangements, handmade papergoods and lots more

silk scarves and felted products

 the moat around the castle

popular bike trail beneath the trees 

We had a yummy (and heavy) lunch at the restaurant located inside the castle and went for a walk along the many paths afterwards. Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit of my part of the world! Until next time!

Hi everybody!

The week just flew by in no time and here I am back at my desk working through my emails, messages and sorting out the paperwork. Although short, I really enjoyed my stay with my mom. It would have been even more enjoyable if it hadn't been a freezing 10°C (about 50° Fahrenheit) and raining the entire time. In June! Of course I got to see Sumi there as well. She is one sick little kitty, but she is hanging in there... and despite her heart and kidney problems she is so sweet and content and loving. Here she is napping in her fluffy hammock.

Back here at my place it's an incredible 25°C (77°F), blue skies, not a cloud in sight. I am going to finish off my back load of work in double quick time, because the weather is too good to stay cooped up in the office. The sun is not a frequent visitor in our neck of the woods. I will be catching up with all of you, my dear blog friends and readers, soon!

Happy Friday!