Saturday, July 9, 2011

Another day at the office...

It was great to see this little purse finished today. My second-thoughts about having done squiggly free-motion stitchery were put to rest. I like. And I like it when I like.

I bought this tie-dye/marbled, felted wool in GJ's clearance room (upstairs, where the patchwork fabrics used to be) during the week. $15 per metre and lovely stuff...... so I took a metre in each of 3 colourways.

Ahem.. that's a lot of purses....
There were lots of purses at work today, in fact. A Purse Frame Class.
It was a hoot! Not only did I teach six fabulous women to make purses, but I learned a lot about what goes on behind-the-scenes in the Melbourne Zoo Gorilla enclosure..... (Conversation was interesting and varied!!!). Thanks for a fun day, girls!


Hot on the heels of the purse gals departure, a special student arrived for a bit of one-on-one tuition. This class had to be rescheduled from yesterday, when I was bad-mummy-who-was-too-busy. We used a Christmas present book as the basis of the lesson (because Mummy couldn't possibly know what she's talking about).And a star is born....


The rest of this week wasn't a lot of fun (bills, stress, deadlines... school holidays...). But days like today make me feel like I have the best job in the world.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I really like the free motion stitchery on your purse. It must be nice to have your little girl interested in sewing. We often speculate which of the kids might grow up to be crafty/artistic.

Annie said...

Love the marbled fabrics, and don't forget, you're the best mum she's got. Love the star!

Tania said...

YAY YOU! On all fronts. That is all.

Can't speak - deadlines, school holidays, you, er, know what I'm talking about...

A Peppermint Penguin said...

That is gorgeous. And I don't like pink. Or felted wool!

Actually I don't mind it after the fact, it's just wet wool - *shudder* - but then I'm weird, we know that, right?

But the point is - that embroidery is seriously a work of art.

Has it yet dawned on your Assistant that yes, books are the go to thing and mummy WROTE one?

Cheers,
AJ

thornberry said...

That purse is super lovely Nikki! What gorgeous wool - I am clearly overdue for a trip to GJs and a trip to Rathdowne Remnants...although I think that you've already bought all the good stuff!
Great class with your assistant - good mother/daughter time!

seabreezequilts said...

Love your free motion on the purse and the felt is lovely. We made pom pom's yesterday, I know the school holidays are going to be full of making things when I am home from work. I bought my daughter a 2nd hand sewing machine a couple of week ago as the weather is going to be wet a wild for the holidays I think sitting in front of a sewing machine will be right up there on the to do list.

Jennie said...

It really is best to refer to a book when working on something that isn't your primary speciality. Looks like between the two of you (and the book), you coped with making that star!

Leanne said...

I love that purse. Enjoy those crafting moments because before you blink twice she will be 21.

Leisa said...

Gorgeous Purse and it has inspired me to use up some felt in my stash!! I have been trying for years to interest my daughter in sewing with no luck now with two weeks of sewing in Home Ec she is hooked!! Better late than never...

Claire - Matching Pegs said...

The purse is super-lovely.

I have done some machine quilting in circular rose shapes before to similar effect, but the wool looks like such a nice texture to touch.

You have reminded me that I must crack out the sewing machine for my biggest, who is slightly interested.

Yarn Wrap said...

Oh yes loved the purse.

Anonymous said...

Purse is GORGEOUS Nikki..equally gorgeous is the star you both created together... love how you have the stitching lines outlined for her and then trim later... will have to try this with Keira...thankyou for your wonderful blog XXX

Zaneta & Keira

Gay McDonell said...

Gorgeous purses - it's a work of art! Great stuff!

Fer said...

Aww nice..... I like a lot too. ♥

Ρένα said...

I love those purses!!!!I wish i could also make some of these!!!!Great job!!!!

Helen said...

such a lovely purse with those design features! think i need to visit gj's myself. tried to make a mermaid from wee wonderfuls book with charlie but she only got as far as choosing the fabric and left the rest to me, and kept asking when it would be finished! not time for sewing lessons just yet it seems...

Anonymous said...

Dear Nikki, thanks so much for a fabulous day in your studio learning to create beautiful purses. It was truly inspirational. Now I have the confidence to create many more. Many many thanks, Monica

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Such pretty purses. Love the stitching.

Courtney said...

I love the purse! Beautiful work! I was interested in trying to make my own, but I have only come across cheaply made purses with the type of clasp you've used. Can you direct me to where I could find a sturdy clasp? Thanks for the inspiration!

Lauren said...

Love this purse! Also very impressed that your daughter is able to use a sewing machine at such a young age. Had to laugh when you revealed that she didn't acknowledge the skills you have in this area. My son was the same with his homework from Grade 1. Didn't think that I could possibly help him even though I had been a teacher in a former life.

Lilioshka said...

Wow! Great projects!! I love your blog, I check it often and I think you have great ideas and amazing skills!

Keep it up!
Greetings from Mexico :)