New things

This last week has been one of list-ticking, loose-end-tying and every other day,  feeling (mentally) like I've just given birth.  I finished the new Beauty Case, the revised Poppet and have just uploaded the new digital USB Key Fob to the website.

I even did a bit of tidying up ...and filing.  (Not sure what's wrong with me.)

The USB key fob is a quick little project, made with quick little gift ideas in mind (..have you noticed the speed at which Christmas is approaching?). 

The colourful fob makes USB sticks (flash drives.. or whatever you want to call them) easier to find and less likely to fall out of a bag or pocket.  It also makes each one distinctive. (Am I the only one who has trouble telling them apart and remembering which files are on which stick?).  The USB drive is removable/interchangeable and it tucks down safely inside the little sachet when the strap is snapped closed, and it can clip onto a keyring or a key clip inside a handbag.  Handy, huh?

As you can see above, the fabric choice can be a bit blokey, so there's something you can make for the men in your life.  It crossed my mind that a bit of subversive stitchery, gocco printing or inkjet printable fabric could be used to personalise the strap of the key fob, but I haven't done anything with those ideas yet. 

For those of you only recently discovering my little corner of the craft world, I'm including a few photos of the Poppet Purse that I made when it was first released under the Nicole Mallalieu Design label, many moons ago.

I do love my little Poppet. I always feel a bit clever when I make one.  I love its size and proportions.  I love the self-supporting structure in the barrel body of the purse.  I love that it holds a lot more than you'd think.  I love that it can be everything from a make-up purse or a bridal purse....  (...even if I do say so myself)

I had to bring it into the You SEW Girl range.

It includes instructions for a few different strap options, including a detachable strap and a handle with boning.

 And there's a really good chance that this little Japanese fabric one is going to mysteriously disappear from the showroom (and reappear just as mysteriously in my wardrobe). 

I think it's the perfect cafe-to-pub purse (...which is all I did from Saturday night to Sunday night this weekend, catching up with friends. Fabulous!). 

And that's a new thing, too.  Me - going out. I was so excited about having finished my interstate teaching gigs for the year that I spent all my free time on the weekend, catching up with lots of long-neglected friends.

Another new thing, is that we've changed our business hours.  Since we're not flat out with internet orders and walk-in customers (the wholesale trade is much more slow-and-steady and easily managed), and I have a lot of serious book-writing, product-development and US-trip/distribution work to do, we've decided to close the office and shop on Fridays.  I'll still be here if there's an emergency order or retail shopping appointment.  But mostly, I'll be making the most of my one child-free (until school pick-up) day, where I'm not distacted by everyday business, so that I can do the things that take all my brainpower and concentration. (I'm VERY EASILY distracted!)

Our new shop hours are Monday - Thursday 10am - 4pm.  Fridays by appointment only.



One more new thing... As more USB ports died and computer start-ups became a half-day event, I went out and bought myself a new computer.  There are some pretty annoying incompatability issues to sort out between operating systems, documents and software, so in the interum I'm working between the two machines.  The good news is that with the workload on the ol' fella halved, so has page-load and screen-freeze time been greatly reduced.  And I've decided that I quite like having two screens.

I thought I'd share all this newness before it becomes old hat.  I'm afraid there hasn't been a change in my limited blogging time routine.



Mother's Day Special

In Australia, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. We wanted to get this offer out to you in time for you to make something special for your mother. If you're in another country and it's not nearly Mother's Day, we won't hold that against you if you want to take advantage of the offer.

We're offering a FREE FRAME with every one of the following kits - that means you get TWO frames with every kit and that means savings of up to $12.40.

The Barrel Purse is a cute little purse that you can hold in the palm of your hand.... but is surprisingly roomy. You will receive a FREE 90mm frame with every Barrel Purse Kit purchase.

The simple square purse frame kits are a great place to start if you've never made a framed purse before.... and with two frames to play with, you've nothing to lose if one of them is a "learning" experience.

The 75mm, 90mm, 150mm and 200mm purses are all included in this offer - an extra frame thrown in for nix.


A handmade case for glasses or sunglasses is a great gift.... and each Spec Case Kit will include a free 75mm frame. You can make one for yourself as well!

The 200mm Chunky purse makes a great clutch purse or a roomy make-up purse. With your spare 200mm Chunky frame you can make one for each purpose!!

The Poppet is a very cute little wristlet or make-up purse, and is the perfect "next step" for anyone who has already tried the basic square framed purse styles. It fits the 150mm frame and you'll get an extra one free with every kit.

And the Puff purse is super-sweet. You'll receive a free 100mm curved antique brass frame with every kit.

If you were thinking of trying something new, making a gift or sharing the sewing love with your mother....or WHATEVER the reason.... you have just over a week to take us up on the offer.

We'll be closed over the Easter break this weekend (Friday until Monday) so we're giving you a few extra days to get in on the deal. We'll be closing the offer next Thursday (8th April) at 5pm.

If you already have enough kits but are looking for some cheap frames*, we're discontinuing the Black Nickel Square purse frames. They're on sale at 30% off until cleared.

*The black nickel frames look lovely, but there may be minor flaws on the plating (although most of them are fine). They make excellent OFM ("only for me") practise purses.