Treasury Tuesday

'Let's Go' by L1zW

Essentials for long haul travel from one who knows!

Towards the end of this week I will finally be flying out to the US to live. Inspired by new emigration I came up with this treasury of things I think are essential when travelling long haul, along with a few fun items. Loose comy clothes are a must, but that doesn't mean they have to be ugly! Refreshing moisturizing spritzers and lip balms are vital for your skin to survive the horrible air in the plane.

After tons of flying I have honed down all wants and needs and passed them on.

roundtrip $60.00	undertheroot $20.00	BeasBargains $60.00	ikabags $64.72
Tamarasherbes $4.50	Naturallogic $6.00	CubistLiteratu... $18.00	primitiveperso... $2.50
Kallibuch $57.00	Onlylovelove $8.50	echoshop $20.00	Relogyyy $72.00
morsel81 $22.00	hollysvintage $20.00	sygnetcreation... $10.00	SimpleBrightMo... $80.00

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Zakka Bag

Here it is, the bag is finally finished. The material came from some bedsheets a friend of mine was giving away, they matched so beautifully I couldn't resist making something with them. My friend went crazy when she saw the bag so I am going to make her one. There are a few modifications I would like to make: First, the lining material wasn't stiff enough so my bag is kind of floppy! I wanted it to be like an academic satchel. Second, I didn't include any pockets or dividers becaus I was too impatient, it definitely needs some as I am fishing around for my phone and keys a lot.

Save the world, buy a ktichy bag

This is my new listing on Etsy, a vintage style shopper made from oganic cotton that's fairtrade. I love these bags and have lots of them myself. They fold up nice and small so you can carry them around and look so much nicer than plastic bags.

I also use mine to carry packed lunches to work.

New Ways with Patchwork: Clutch Bag Tutorial Part 1

I originally found this design in a book my friend has on patchwork bags, I LOVE fan patchwork and it's the perfect project for my pending nuptials. Months back when we first got engaged, I went mad buying kimono silk with the idea of maybe using them for the wedding. Well here's my chance. The bag is just the right size for lipstick and the like.

I amended the pattern to my own method using paper piecing which I love. It is such a small project that it won't take long and you can use very small amounts of fabric.

You will need:

• Scraps of fabric (size depends on how big the purse will be)
  Scrap paper for the paper templates
  Batting 2oz for a 24cm long bag


• Inner fabric as above


• Thread (sewing and quilting thread)


• A zip

Here's part 1

First draw a circle as big as you want to clutch to be. Mine was drawn with a compass set to 12 cm.

Cut the circle out. To make the fronds you need to divide the circle into 16 equal segments. Do this by folding the circle eight times, mark the folds with a ruler and pen. Set a compass at 4 cm and draw this smaller circle in the centre of larger circle. Cut the large circle in half. Then cut out the semi-circles and then cut the 16 segments out - picture below.

The semi-circles you don't need but the fronds are for your paper piecing. Pin them to the wrong side of your fabric and cut them out with a 1/4 seam approx (sometimes use more). You will see I used pinking shears, this was to stop the fabric fraying - very common with some silks.

When you have cut out the fabric pieces, use a contrasting thread to tack the sides over the paper in biggish stitches. After, you can remove the pins.

Use the pieces to decide on your combination then take the two first put them right side to rights side, with the paper and fold seaming showing outward and whipstitch together. Continue until you have two semi-circles.

Part 2 will come when I do it myself - either tomorrow or day after!

My First Craft Fair

Well I finally took the plunge and decided to try selling my littles bits at a craft fair. This one was at the Custard Factory in Birmingham. Although I only sold one item, it was very thrilling to make a sale and I certainly learned a lot. The craft fair will continue for the next two Saturdays, so if you're in the area you should definitely check it out, as there were some very talented ppl there. I shared the stall with fellow Etsy Midlander Becky who makes amazing graphic art prints under shop name Beckyismyname.

I think I will wait a while before doing another, as I would like to work on some more cross stitch designs. Getting everything ready in the lead up was a little fraught as well which takes the fun out of something which has always been a really enjoyable hobby. I don't think I'll be quitting my day job!

Anyway, I now have a couple more items to add to my shops including kitch, vintage style shopping bags and little greetings cards.