Wednesday 9 June 2010

Hello Wednesday bloggers.

Best buy this week…a trolley from Hobbycraft, ideal for taking to crops etc. It is very lightweight, making it easy to carry upstairs. Our art group meets upstairs in a community centre with no lift. The best thing about it is that it folds up, so it can be hidden away the rest of the month. I have used trolley/rolling tool boxes before, and they are great, hold tons of stuff...but they are rigid and take up so much space in my craft room. The past few months I have ended up taking 2-3 bags, not ideal, I end up taking far too much…cos let’s face it, we neeeeed to take everything but the kitchen sink. Now with this folding crate I am going to force myself to only take what will fit inside….with maybe a small bag on the side hahahaha




Oh and it was half price.

Best download this week…..a tape measure height chart, how cool is this. No kiddywinks in this house but when I saw it was a tape measure I couldn’t resist. I printed it out on 7 sheets of paper, taped them together and pinned it up on the wall. I also rubbed a little clear wax over it so it looks a little less like paper. Love it…makes me smile. Visit this blog to get yours.



Sunday was my friend Hannahs birthday. She has many loves, Barbie, Scottie dogs, Hello Kitty, Flamingos and generally all things pink. I tried for a couple of weeks to get some Barbie fabric to make a bag, even had my lovely friend Pam over in the U.S looking for me. In the end I gave up and ordered some vintage Flamingo fabric. It arrived on Saturday morning, just in time for me to make a bag before the celebrations on Sunday.




It was only 1 fat quarter, so I needed to rummage in my fabric boxes for some coordinating fabrics. These are just 4 of errrrmmm, lets just say ' many ' fabric boxes, all colour sorted lol


These are the ones I thought might do….





And these are the ones I chose…




Here is the finished bag; I had a tiny bit of flamingo fabric left, so I made a small wallet/purse to match. I am very pleased with the two of them, even though working with so much pink fabric made me a little queasy…I really don’t do pink.






Next I made a card. I drew a couple of flamingos, outlined them in black and then coloured them firstly with promarkers and then I went over them with prisma pencils. I cut them out and stuck them over a piece of BG paper on a square card. Finished off with a bit of ribbon.




Lastly I needed a gift tag. I get asked about colouring in the lines, well I don’t even try! I just go ahead and colour. Then I cut it out and voila all mistakes are gone. Seriously I don’t have the patience to worry about going over the lines. I never, ever draw direct onto the finished project; I always draw and cut out.

So here is my drawn flamingo, shaded with promarkers.





Next I go over it with prisma pencils and cut it out.




and glue down onto the final surface, in this case a sizzix cut file folder on a small tag.


This is the finished tag.




There is nothing on my desk today, but this is my desk the other night...and me. OH snuck up and took this of me while I was making Hannah’s bag.


The eagle eyed among you might have spotted one of my tattoos peeking out,I had it done about 4 years ago, it says 'Ephemera' and is done in 'Ransom' font....how's that for dedication to crafting hahahaha

Have a great day, thanks for stopping by.
Call back on Friday for a really pretty,decorated £1 calico bag.

74 comments:

  1. That really is a beautiful bag ...even if it is pink lol ...your friend will love it....and the card and tag too.

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  2. It's Wednesday where you are? Still Tuesday here. But I adore that tape. You are too kind to provide the link. I might just have to print it out, too. Very clever and looks so good in your very neat work space.

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  3. I would love to visit a HobbyCraft and can we hang out so you can teach me how to sew LOL . Thanks for visiting my blog .. my family is a little wonky at times. hee hee and love the card..I need to try that technique .. girl I have so many I need to try LOL I am just so far behind ..

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  4. How cool is that tape measure!

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  5. You know Darcy, I'm not sure how much more of your fab stuff I can look at on a weekly basis - you achieve soooo much! I need your motivation and get on with it genes, please! I had one of those crates - it did me well for years - DH made a slightly thicker handle to 'raise' it to the best height for me to pull without bending, I'm short so it wasn't too much. Did well too, I overloaded it and abused it for several years!

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  6. That is a stunning bag! I bet your friend will be over the moon with it! x

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  7. love love love your tattoo, i need to get me a tattoo -maybe one day!!! your drawn flamingo is gorgeous AND OMG i can't believe you made that bag and wallet - they are beautiful. i might go print out that giant tape measure - love it xxx

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  8. Wow...that bag is gorgeous, you are so talented. It is a pleasure to visit your blog!

    xx

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  9. Well as I scrolled down your post I was just going wow, wow, wow....
    The fabric you got is to die for and the bag - well words fail me it is so fab, then the card and tag to match - great crafting.
    Linbyx

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  10. Cool...Cool...Cool... Bag, purse, card, tag and tape measure!!!

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  11. WOW.. that bag is utterly divine.. lucky friend! Loving your workspace and that tape measure if just FAB! x

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  12. Hi there! I'm new to your blog, having been introduced to it by Julia Dunnit, my pal!! I've started making bags recently but the flamingo one is really a cut above! Did you make the pattern up yourself or is it a commercial one. I hope you don't mind me asking. I'm in Wiltshire now but lived in Northumberland and North Yorkshire for 15 years! We still miss those long, light summer nights......

    Best Wishes,
    Jan Appleton

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  13. Wicked tape measure....me thinks I need one of those. Fab bag too.

    Lin

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  14. Hi Lin
    great piccies, that tape measure looks brill, luv the bags you have done,gorgeous card, have good day, sue,x

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  15. Ahhhhh another lovely bag! So gorgeous! He, he I love pink so that bag is right down my street! The tape measure - uh I would have one of those! You can come and sit on my terrace anytime - I'll give you the space and you can give me some of your artistic knowledge!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

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  16. It's a fabulous bag Darcy ;-) hehe. I like pink myself, especially deep pink like fuschia or magenta. Love the card too. I sort my fabric by type (not necessarily all cottons together but say all doll fabrics together)
    Anne xx

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  17. Darcy your so talented this bag ,card and gift tag are Absolutely Fabulous bet Your friend Hannah loved it!
    thanks for showing us WOYWW,have agood one,be back next week to see what creations have been crafted.
    hugs judex

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  18. Another sewing machine in action today!!!!! Your flamingo bag is gorgeous - clever you.

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  19. Thanks for the tutorial for your WOYWWAC. I'm going to make something really special using your instructions one day! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  20. Don't worry! Oompa loompas were living in your garden you'd know!! They love making mud pies and throwing them at the windows!! Of course most people blame the (very big) birds! Lovely bag and tag and everything!!
    ((lyn))

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  21. Well, where do I start?
    Love the trolley, absolutely ADORE that bag, fabby tape measure......oh yes, and can you PLEASE send me some of your creativity?

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  22. LOVE that flamingo bag you created!!

    I'm playing along this week for WOYWW. Won't you stop by when you get a chance?

    Have an art-filled day today!

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  23. Where do you find the time to create sooooo much amazing stuff???
    That bag is just gorgeous - I covet all your hand made bags!

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  24. I have two of those crates for when I go the Tatton Show, I love them and great idea for a crop. What a wonderful gift and all very co-ordinated, you are very talented. Tracy Evans x

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  25. your bags are divine, you are a seriously talented lady.
    xx

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  26. I love that bag - very much.
    Love the tape measure too - not sure where I would put it but its a cool idea...x

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  27. It's really good to see another sewing machine in use this week and what a gorgeous bag you've made with it.
    A x

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  28. Your little bag is utterly fabulous, love your card & tag too! x

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  29. Hi again, as for the eyes; a few months ago DD gave me some googly eyes to put on kids cards, all the small ones I put away (hope I remember where when I need them) but the big ones got forgotten. Anyway I had them on my desk weeks ago and said I had better things to do than find a home for them and one of the WOYWWers suggested I move them around each week, which I thought was great fun, so look out for them! LOL
    Anne xx

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  30. How cooooooolio is that bag, wonderful

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  31. LOVE that bag ... when you say friend ... do you mean ... erm ... me?????? :0)

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  32. that bag is gorjuss, i cant sew !!! I get so frusrated with it all and give in, well done on such a professional looking bag xx

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  33. oh just love that tape measure and wow you have some really gorjus things in your work space,too hugs cheryl xxxx

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  34. Oh my god, can I be your friend??? ;) That gift is simply perfect, I totally love it, and how thougtfull and your space is so cool.

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  35. Both your bag and your cards are so super stinking cute! I love that ruler you have hanging on your wall, too!!!

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  36. What a gorgeous bag, and beautifully co-ordinating card and tag :-)

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  37. I love that tape measure and your bag is gorgeous! Kathleen x

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  38. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your lovely comment. The measuring tape is fab and your sewing machine looks pretty cool to. I only have a simple one with about 20+ stitches on. I've actually cleaned my studio today will update some pics later.

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  39. Oh forgot to say I love the bag. So pretty and girly bet my niece would love it if she saw it.

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  40. Enjoyed your post...love bags, pink, tattoos, flamingos and you're very talented...

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  41. i love that tape measure...thanks for sharing that...and you're friend just might be the luckiest girl in the world...would you like to know when *my* Birthday is?? ;0)

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  42. OMG Darcy - that bag is GORGEOUS... how did you do it... have you got the pattern or did you just make it up.. I am so in awe of you :o)

    you are a great artist too - those flamingoes are fab that you drew - one thing, what is the benefit of using the pencils over the promarkers...?

    Hugs,

    Paula x x x

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  43. I have the same box from Hobbycraft- very sturdy and useful! Love that bag!

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  44. That bag is fantastic, and the little purse, card and tag to go with it. Your friend will be thrilled.

    Marilyn

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  45. Great post. Love the Tape Measure Height Chart and the bag is fab too.

    Hugs
    Penni
    x

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  46. Thanks for the tip on the blog for the tape measure-will go back to check it out. Your bag is just beautiful. Need another life to do all the things I would like to do. Are you anywhere near Manchester in the North or are you more North than that? Hugs BettyXXX

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  47. Never mind we'll just have to keep meeting in cyber space. Hugs BettyXXX

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  48. Oh Darcy this put my attempt to shame this is truly STUNNING even if you don't do pink this is truly a beautiful bag and purse and the matching card so yummy! The inside material looks like a straw/wicker bag too is just darling.

    I would love to see this tea towel I I have put the pattern details on my blog if you want to s=check it out I think it will fit very nicly and with your obvious skills you can make everything match up! I do like the pattern you used too.

    Love Dawn xx

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  49. Haha are you measuring your paper stack?
    I adore that pink bag! It's looks absolutely fab. A girl can never have enough bags. It would be so great if you can all make them yourself. Imagine that, a bag for every outfit and/or occasion :)
    ** Evi **

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  50. That bag is gorgeous - but then all the bags you make are lovely (pink or not!) x

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  51. Oh oh oh I love that height chart! lol....

    That bag is gorgeous!

    xxx

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  52. Love the bag and thanks for the link.

    Cathx

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  53. Hiya

    WOW your bag is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful fabric

    Joey.x

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  54. darcy that bag is awesome, you are so talented and the matching card and tag are just fab, tfs hugs lou xx

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  55. Darcy, just having a peek at your blog after seeing it on Ians FB page, the bag is stunning, I adore it, think I may be here for a while now reading through previous blog entries !

    Karen ( Sort of cousin once removed from Ian on his Dads side !! )

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  56. The Bag is gorgeous your friend will love it and the card to go with it, you are a very talented lady. You are a tidy worker too I notice. Thanks for the snoop.
    Pat x

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  57. Your friend is so lucky what a fabulous gift set!!! So thoughtful love it and I'm loving the tape measure Chanelle xx

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  58. Just popped by to say thanks for your comment on my blog - and wow - I love your bag and matching wallet, it's beautiful!!! Is it your own pattern? I've recently made a couple of bags (albeit a bit rough!).

    Love that giant tape measure too!

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  59. Oh wow! Gorgeous, fabulous, amazingness! I love love love the bag and all the flamingo stuff and everything looks all co-ordinated and wonderful. Love that tape measure thingy too - what a great idea.

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  60. That bag couldn't BE more Barbie - I bet she absolutely loved it! Thank you for the tape measure download - will be off to have a peep in a minute. Love all your drawing!

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  61. Oh...p.s: On my desk I was trying to Alice-ify Elmer. It all went disasterously wrong later in the day when I put a box of paints on top of him without realising! He is now permanently welded to the bottom of the box :( I will do a Mark II when I get time *g*

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  62. Ok cleverest girl on the block who we love the mostest. First I'm gonna be your biggest stalker. Love what you do. Second I bet you are so clever you designed the bag and wallet patterns all by yourself didn't cha? Third I want to be just like you. TFS. Leandra

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  63. Fabulous bag :) love that tape measure too and the tattoo looks very artistic from what I can see :)
    xoxo Sioux

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  64. Hi Darcy, wowee, love love love that flamingo material, I have recently brought a Flamingo cuddly from Build a Bearville, for my daughter Georgia, it looks just like that material!

    What a bargain you picked up, lucky you!

    Love your blog and creations, so much so, I have joined your blog so that I can come back and see more, hugs Heidi xx

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  65. Soo creative that is a beautiful bag and I love the tape measure measure - it looks fab. I have one of those trolleys - we use it for when we camp to take all our washing to the washing up bits - multi use :)

    TFS

    Kat

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  66. fantastic bag... wow... bet your mate was pleased with it.

    my daughter has some pvc barbie fabric that she made into a skirt for herself.

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  67. What a cool project, and I just love your colouring on the flamingo
    big hugs
    Enfys

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  68. Love that flamingo and that beautiful bag. Thanks for your nice comment on my blog

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  69. oh it's simply divine, lucky friend!
    I got me a sewing machine and could do with someone to get me going on this marvellous box of tricks! lol

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  70. wow you have a ton of projects going on here...love the bag you made...very cute!

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  71. Wish I could sew and draw, you are very talented, love the new wheely carrier thingy too x

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  72. The flamingo bag and card are just gorgeous, also love the altered calico bags, you are so creative!

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  73. One talented lady we have, just love the bags.

    Enjoy what is left of your weekend

    Hugs Can x

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