On little girls turning seven

Our youngest daughter turned seven last Sunday.  Yes, I know, right?  Where did the time go?

As we’ve now got the eldest at university and all the expenses that go with that (you would NOT believe the expenses!) as well as driving lessons for her (she’s failed her test a few times, the poor thing’s confidence is totally in the ground) and all of the other things, money is even more tight this year, so we didn’t have a party for her.  The word “party” being used here as in meaning a formal setup with balloons, themes, etc. etc. 

So we invited her two cousins that are close to her age and two school friends to join us at a local tea-garden.  Alexia loves it there; there are mechanical whatsits to ride on, baby animals to pet and feed, tons of different jungle gyms to climb around in and best of all, a REAL pony to ride.  

I felt bad that it wasn’t a themed, formal set-up, so I decided to make some little handbags for the 5 girls and kept it a surprise for Alexia.  There is a pile of fabric in my cupboard, I have a few zips, there are some ribbons, so, why not?

I just drew a rough pattern keeping in mind the length of the zipper, cut fabric and iron-on batting, made a ruffle for each from a “jelly-roll” (it’s not a real jelly roll, since it’s not Moda fabric, which I cannot afford, just some cut-up cotton prints I got at the local fabric store) I was planning to do something else with and pinned and sewed. 

I used the basic method of a zippered pouch, nothing spectacular, just added the ribbon handles between the zipper and outer fabric.  There are tons of tutorials on the web for basic zipper pouches, all of them basically the same.  Actually, I thought I was oh so very clever when I figured out the same method, and deeply disappointed in myself when (years later) I came across the exact same method used by, well, everybody.  I tend to go to these tutorials anyway, hoping someone has come up with an even more spectacularly easy method.  Nope, this is as easy as it gets.

Now, I have to confess here that I’ve never been able to figure out how to use the iron-on jewels.  I was too scared I’d totally mess up my iron, and I also thought it must be quite complicated and time-consuming.  You’d have to arrange the little thingies upside down and then place your fabric v  e  r  y  carefully over so as to not disturb them and iron on the back.  Right?  Makes sense, right?  No?  Just me?  Well, a friend said she saw someone do it, and she was ironing right on top of the jewels.  Huh.  I got a packet and experimented.  Could you believe!  You just place the little suckers in whatever order you want on the fabric you want and iron!  And they stick like crazy!  I did use a pressing cloth to protect my iron.

So, I used these tiny little jewels to make the first letter of each girl’s name on the front of the bag.

I put in a little gold painted box with sweety necklaces, a toy ring and those chocolates wrapped in coloured foil – jewels, see?  

I got some cheapy feather boas, a packet of Chease Naks,

toy bracelets, foil (shiny) stickers and a few more sweets and put all of that inside the bags.  The girls loved it!

I think they came out real cute, and Alexia loves hers, in fact it’s been going to school with her, carrying her after-school clothes in. 

On Lifeline's fundraising event

Lifeline itself was started in 1963 in Australia by a Rev. Walker.

Lifeline Pretoria have been helping people for 33 years.  They have trained councillors who support those in crisis either telephonically or face-to-face.

With the high rate of domestic violence in South Africa and at the same time the lack of support from government itself in this aspect, organisations such as Lifeline is often times a true life-line to many women (and men) and children in crisis.

Lifeline also has programmes for training of individuals and communities and outreach programmes for other welfare organisations.

Lifeline receives some support from the National Lottery (Lotto), but needs to raise funds themselves too.  (If you know anything about welfare funding, you’ll know that these organisations are expected to raise most of their operational funds themselves before receiving any help from Lotto)

Lifeline Pretoria has a yearly event that in the past proved to be quite successful.  The Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Faire.  I speak under correction, but I am given to believe that exhibitors are by invitation only, therefore I felt greatly honoured to be invited to participate in this year’s event.

I'll be displaying bags, aprons, notebooks and pins (brooches) for sale.

As an exhibitor I was requested to supply a hamper for the raffles that will happen during the day.  I thought it would be quite boring to give only a bag or something, so I came up with a make-up bag that will include some lovely bath-products.  I have gone so far as to make two make-up bags.  Perhaps I’ll put them in one hamper or keep them in two separate ones, I’ll discuss this with the organiser on the day.

If you are anywhere nearby, please do come and support this worthy cause.  Even if you don’t come near my table, I really want to encourage everybody to support Lifeline – an unseen First Aid station for those in emotional crisis.

On stuff made

So I've taken two days leave off work and with Wednesday being a public holiday and counting the weekend, that means a full 5 days at home.
What bliss!
Yes, I've been working hard and yes, I did all the household stuff I should, but also I've been making some stuff.

It's a terrible photo, but you get the idea?

It's a quilted, appliquéd bag. 

And this is another one.

And this one.  This one is nice and squishy and comfortable - like an old overstuffed comfy chair.

Yes, the photos are blurry.....

I actually made a fourth one too, but forgot to take a picture of it.

They're all four made from the same jelly roll (Moda Fabrics) - which was immensly expensive!  Each one is different though.

They're not quite finished yet, still have to neaten all the loose thread ends and close the lining.

I will take better photos outside when they're quite finished.

Also I'll have to find a place outside to take the photos, as my front garden has been dug up so that we can make a parking space for the teenager's car.  Unbelievable as that sounds to me, my teenager will have her own car as soon as we get an appointment for her to do her licence - which she will just have to pass.

And that's what I made...

On fashion, handbags and me

If you know anything about me, you know that I love a handbag.

Also, I'm not a fashion fundi, but I do keep an eye on trends.

London Fashion Week has just wrapped up, and I was ogling some of the really pretty clothes and stuff.  Can I just say, have you seen Antoni & Alison's collection?

They are my favourite international design house.  I love the fun and humour, the colours, the whimsy.  Yes, I said whimsy.

I must say as far as I could see of handbags at London Fashion Week, I was disappointed.
Look, I love Mulberry as much as the next girl, but to me, it was a bit of a yawn.

I was maybe looking for too much. Perhaps I should have been looking elsewhere?

I scooted over to Mulberry's page and found this:

Yes, it's not "new", but it's still pretty, right?  I love the lock and the lacy-effect edge.

So I went to my old love, Miu Miu and I must say, I still love them most of all. 

Also seen at LFW, was Anya Hindmarch

I must say the display was a bit weird for my taste - strange choice I thought.  But the bags are lovely.  If I could lay my hands on some of the glittery stuff they used.....*sigh*.....

Anyway, what really caught my eye is the number of HUGE bags.  Now, let me tell you, if you're a big girl, a huge bag is going to make you look bigger.  And if you're a small girl, the bag is just going to look awkward.  So actually, it's only "average" girls who can use huge bags.  And let's be honest, how many of us are really "average"?

Remember that a bag can make or break your entire look.  Either the bag must contrast or complement.  There's really not that much in between.  Choose bags that say something.  Not yawn.