more on the coin purse....

Today's post will be short and sweet - I'm feeling quite tired, plus I'm still suffering from an afternoon wasp sting. Ouch!

Thank you for all of the little change purse love. I think it was probably my fastest rug hooking project ever!

Many people had questions about how I put it together. I don't really want to divulge too much about it, since I wasn't really happy with it - and I know there is a (much) better way.

I can tell you that the metal snap frame is not sewn on - it's glued and then crimped for extra hold. Plus, it's mostly hand-sewn, except for the lining. Speaking of the lining, I used my standard go-to purse lining: batik quilting cotton...


I am eager to start playing around again and I can't wait to start on prototype #2. Before I do though, I need to come up with some creative solutions to resolve some of the problem areas I encountered on the first go around....

April was right!

I learned a lot putting this guy together - mostly things I'd do differently next time.... At this rate, there will be several more prototypes before I perfect the assembly.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my first attempt. I think I'm going to just start using it - and see how it stands up to some use and abuse.

one owl hooked

I hooked for another couple of hours last night and finished off the little owl. I pressed him before bedtime, and now he's ready to be sewn up tonight. It's really quite small - the hooking is about 4.75" wide and 8" long. Although I spread it out over two evenings, it could easily be accomplished in one. Since I used only leftover strips (already cut), and I didn't fuss too much over colours, it was a pretty speedy project.

Since this is a new project for me, my goal was to get something hooked quickly....so that I can play around with the assembly part of things. This is just the first experiment, and I'm sure there will be a couple more before I have all of the kinks worked out. I'm already thinking of things that I perhaps should have done differently - and I haven't even started the assembly yet!


Back soon with my finished product...

sneak peek

No time for a long post tonight - I'm too busy hooking...
After supper tonight, I started with a blank scrap of linen....and I've been playing ever since. I will tell you all about it in the coming days. In the meantime, any guesses as to what I'm going to make with it? (Hint: I'm going to use things from my special delivery back in June....)

the weekend

Now that summer is finally here, I decided to forgo all of my plans and take advantage of the fabulous weather. Last year, our best weekend of the summer was Labour Day. I hope that this past weekend wasn't the best one for this year -- it would be great to have a few more nice weekends.....

We camped, swam, paddled, explored, played games, sat by the fire....and toasted marshmallows. Everything a summer weekend should be! ;-)

more of the same

Instruction booklets are back from the printer....and I've been busy drawing patterns. I have a whack of them still to go....but with any luck, I'll be able to start a fun new project early next week. To amuse myself whilst I draw, I've been pondering what I will do next. Part of me would like to hole up and read a good book....but I also have the urge to hook. I imagine that the hooking will win in the end, if only because there are just too many books on my list to read - and I might not be able to stop at just one! ;-)

not doing too badly

I've been feeling badly about neglecting my blog for the last while....until I had an idea tonight -- I checked back through the archives and discovered that I only had ONE post in August last year, and ZERO posts in August 2007....so since this is my third post so far this month, I guess I'm not doing too badly in comparison.

My new camera arrived today....and while I've hardly had a chance to play with it yet, I did take a quick picture of it's step-sister....


So now you can see why a new camera really was in order. If you or anyone you know has a Canon camera that takes NB-4L batteries, I have two that are looking for new homes. Please let me know if you'd like one of them and/or the charger.


I spent almost the entire weekend working on my new pattern instruction booklets (except for a short break to watch a movie, visit with my niece for a short 12 hour visit/sleepover, and watch True Blood (have I already mentioned how much I LOVE this show?)). They are finally ready to head into the printer tomorrow....and now it's time for the drawing to begin (and the measuring, cutting, serging, too, of course!) I am expecting to be able to start filling orders by the end of the week (Thursday hopefully, but Friday at the latest).

Meanwhile, news of the discontinuation of Grayson e. leather purse handles is spreading like wildfire. Many people are anxious about not being able to get handles for their purses....and I would like to reassure you that I am working hard behind the scenes to find a solution. The challenge is that there is no easy solution, since a comparable product does not currently exist... I am working with a leather goods manufacturer to try and create some...and although the new handles won't be exactly the same, I'm hoping they will be even better. I will keep you posted on my progress...

no longer blank

Before I started calling this option Blank Canvas, I had a couple of people inquire about adding their own designs and motifs to the Bala purse shape. One of these people was my friend Fiona (remember, I raved about her stuff here?)

I was excited to get an e-mail from Fiona earlier this week containing pictures of her finished purse. I think it looks fabulous. I'm including all of the pictures she sent, since the colours look a little different in the different light. I'm not sure which is more right - but regardless, they all look great. This is just another example of how everyone has their own style (thank goodness!) and that there are so many possibilities for decorating the outside of a hooked purse....


Fiona referred to herself as being "purse challenged"....but when I quizzed her for more details, she admitted that she may have rushed a the finish line a little bit. After really enjoying the hooking part, she was anxious to see her finished purse. But you can't really rush the assembly - it does take time and there are a lot of little steps... (but IMHO it' totally worth it :-) )

I know that Fiona is not the first person to get swept up in the final moments, eager to just have it be finished -- and I doubt that she will be the last. I'm equally guilty of the same....remember?

making progress

Skeleflora

Bullseyes

It's been a pretty busy week – and there will be another busy one to come – but after that I'm hoping to take a bit of a breather....

The two new purses not only have names, they are also sewn together – the only thing that's missing is the linings! ;-) Since it's not noticeable in photographs, I figure that can wait for a little bit yet. I will be working on writing up the instructions this week...and I'm hoping to have patterns ready to ship sometime in the next two weeks. In the meantime, I do have a new catalogue ready to go, so please e-mail if you'd like me to email you a copy.

Other things that happened in the last week....

• I received my final shipment of Grayson e. leather handles last week. Yes, I'm afraid that my beloved handles have been discontinued. Not to worry though (I've done enough of that for all of us!), I am currently working with someone to create a suitable replacement....and will hopefully have some details and pictures to share with you soon.

• I broke my camera. I guess it didn't like crashing to the ground while still attached to my tripod, with the lens extended. Yikes. So, I did some research and finally decided on this one. I ordered it online yesterday (for a great price), and hopefully it will arrive this week.

• While searching in the closet for the perfect brown wool to trim my purse, I happened upon the previously mentioned box of fun and exciting items. I'd kind of forgotten about it, but now that I've rediscovered it, I can hardly wait to dive it. Must. Write. New. Pattern. Books. First.

• When sewing the leather handles onto Bullseyes and Skeleflora, I tried out the 18 guage syringe needle method, suggested by Jane....and it worked like a charm! My sewing needle was a little of the large side, so I just pushed it in until it started to stick and then pulled the syringe needle through to the front (along with the needle and thread. Super speedy and very simple. If you know any doctors or nurses, this is one tool you should add to your sewing basket....

Things will be quiet around here for a little while yet....but I will pop in when (if) I have anything exciting to report.....